Selected Poetry.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1581, 18 March 1887, Page 4

Selected Poetry.

THE BELL OF JUSTICE. Once on a time an upright king Hong in the market-place a bell, Which all who wen oppressed might ring, And thus their wrongs »nd sorrows tell; Beceive the justice which they needed, And all the rights the law conceded. Now, when with cor stant calls and time, The rope had nearly worn away; They tied the tendril of a vine; To stop the progress of decay, And give to all who might require That justice which should ne'er expire.

One day a poor old wretched horse, Deserted in declining age; Had mnnched and pulled the banging vine, Attempting hunger to assuage; And ringing thus the justice bell. Proclaimed the wrongs be could not tell. Before the king the courtiers brought The hungry and neglected steed; He ruled bis owner should be sought. And forced to keep him in bis needThus justice should protect the least. And reign alike o'er man and beast, NEVERMORE. severmore! how hard to say ; What a lonely word is this! Can it be that gone for aye Are those tender hours of bliss ? Can it be that ne'er again Shall return the days of yore ? Ah! the answer cf mes wi'h pain— They shall come back nevermore. Nevermore ! the shadows cling Bound each sweet and hallowed spot; Former joys have taken wing, But they ne'er shall be forgot. Let them rest and slumber deep; Softly, gently cover o'er What though yearning spirits weep, They shall waken nevermore.