STRAY VERSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3294, 12 August 1911, Page 3

STRAY VERSE.

A TRUTHFUL TONGUE.. ‘‘l’ve tolled and tolled a million times,” Said the church bell, with a sigh; • “And though I’m now a century old, Of all the times that I have tolled, I never tolled a lie.” THE WIND CALLING AT NIGHT. When the wind comes wuthering, I am »wild to go; Where the wind 'null take me I do not ask to know, Out across the moorland or through the murky town; But when the wind is waking, I cannot lie down. Clouds, are rushing over, tall-towering, fast, They take me up and wrap me in their mantles from, the blast. The dark w'ater glimmers with a drowned star below, And where the clouds will bear me 1 care not as they go. In tall sky-cathedrals with the moon for altar-light ? Whore deep like an organ the sea sings out of sight, Through dusky cloud-cloisters where a Presence walks unseen, When the wind wakes and wuthers, often have I been. Shut who will their windows, and let their lamps be lit, Warm and cheery be they as by the fire they sit: But the wind and the moonlight are awake above the town, And when the wind is calling I cannot lie down. —Dora Owen “Westminster Gazette.”

THE GOLDEN KEY. When all the world seemed harsh and drear; When sorrow’s living self was I, When life seemed nought but care ami fear, And fraud—seemed all that made iite dear: When al my prayer was —to die (From hollow mocking cheats to fly). Was the world wrong then; or was I? With all its harshness fled and gone, When Friendship made new worlds for me; Though this old world went rolling o n, Was it a kindlier sun that shone And made the world more fair to. see? Was Friendship, then, this Golden Key? Was the world changed then, all for me? When Friendship changed his name to love, And made a wiling slave of me, Methought my new-found self should move In Heavenly lands; in realms above. Such joy on earth could never be, Such joy would angels hope to. see I Was Earth made Heaven; all for me?

THEN AND NOW. There are no girls like the good old girls— Against the world I’d stake ’em; As buxom and smart and clean of heart As the Lord knew' how to make ’em. They were rich in spirt and common sense, And piety all supportin’; They could bake and brew and had taught school, too, . And they made such likely courtin’.