SNOWDROP LAMPS.

North Otago Times, 3 September 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

SNOWDROP LAMPS.

IVhite snowballs of the youngling year I Pearl-pendants on an emerald spear-Maid-jewels, chaste and light and clear ! Out of the frozen breast of death What rich enchantment quickeneth Your beauty legion at a breath ? Oh, troop of lovely mysteries! White swinging lamps in flower- disguise By angels lit in Paradise. Too. soiled our hands, too dull our thought, •To take, interpret as we ought, '■ This pure love-gift to winter brought! ■''■ A i»TYet in dark temples 0 f the mind Some votive tablets, crystal-shrined, These sacred lights, reflecting, find. Hope, weary priestess, fills once more Her own small lamp, above the door, And thinks her vigil almost o'er. The snowdrop lamps are lighted. Lo ! Rise, all sad hearts, arise and goLeave, leave these frozen wastes of woe. -A. S. F.