A Poem by Dom Pedro II.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 934, 24 January 1890, Page 4

A Poem by Dom Pedro 11.

[The subjoined posm was composed by Dorn Pedro many years ugo, I'oy a ladv's album,] J. If lam pious, piemeni, just I am only übat I ought to bo ; The sceptre is a mighty ti-tyst, , A great responsibility ; • Anri be who rules with faithful Land. With depth of thought and breadth of range, The sacred laws should understand, But must not, at his pleasure, change, 11. The chair of justice is the throne ; Who takes it, bows to higher laws ; The public good and not his own Demands hi 3 ctra in every cause, Neglect of duty— alwujo wrong— Detestable in young or aid—By hitn whose place is high and strong Is magnified a thousand fold. ni. When in the Bast the glorious sun Spreads o'er the earth the light of day, AH know the course that he wili run, Nor wonder at his light or way ; But, if perchance, the light that blazed Is tlimm’d by shadows, lying near, The startled world looks on amazed, And each one watches it with fear, IN. v I, likewise, if I always give To vice and virtue their rewards, Put do your duty thus to live ; But should £ I ail to act my part, Or wrongly do, or leave undone, Surprised the people then would start Witu fear, as at clip shadowed pan