AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE.

New Zealand Mail, 3 December 1896, Page 64

AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE.

ORIGINAL VERSE. THE WATCH FOR CHRIST. [By J. Liddell Kelly.] (Specially written for the New Zealand Mail.) I. —The First Coming. Once more our minds go back O’er history’s faded track To that bright scene in Palestine two thousand years ago, When simple shepherd swains On Judah’s fertile plains Saw angel visitants descend, heard heavenly music flow.

We think with what delight They viewed the wondrous sight, With what strange awe they heard the song by angel chorists sung : “ To you this glorious morn The promised Son is born, Who brings good news to all mankind, of every race and tongue ! ”

In fancy we can see The Eastern sages three Who sought the Saviour of the earth, foretold from earliest day; How, guided by His star, They came from lands afar. And found Him where, at Bethlehem, in lowly stall He lay.

We see that gentle Child Escaped from slaughter wild, Pass through a life of sacrifice to die a death of shame ; We hear Him cry, “ ’Tis done ! ” We view the victory won, And see Him rise triumphantly to God, from whom He came!

Men say ’tis all a myth— A fairy tale wherewith To soothe the pangs of misery, to charm the ear of youth; But hearts with love aglow Make au3wer loudly : “ No ; It is no vain delusion, but God’s eternal truth.

“ This earth, so old and gray, Grows better day by day ; The poor are fed, the sick are healed, the suffering slave is freed ; Fraternal love’s inorease Heralds a lasting peace ; We know the promise is fulfilled and Christ has come indeed ! ”

II, —The Second Coming. But like an oft-told tale, By repetition stale, So falls the truth upon those ears that itch for something now. O, ye in doubt’s dark night, O, seekers of the light, BehoM in near futurity a Christmas dawn foie

The promise is for all Whom grief and gloom enthrall. List to the joyful tidings ; —“ The Lord comes yet again ! Not now in lowly guise, But King of earth and skies, He comes to rout His enemies—He comes m power to reign ! ” Not only Judah’s race Beek a Redeemer’s face ; . All earth in deep expectancy awaits deliverance now. Not Israel alone Shall kneel before His throne; All men shall own His Majesty, and at His footstool bow ! Who keep the Christmas true ? Not they whose narrow view _ Is bounded by the lowly life of Jesus on this earth. Who watch for Christ aright With heart and soul and might ? Not-they whose only' Christmas joy is feast and empty mirth. They keep the Christmas best, With humble patience blest, Who daily work and pray, and hope that coming dawn to see ; They are the watchers wise Who scan the murky skies, . And seek the starry herald of “ the ChriSo that is to be ! ” They keep the sacred tryst Who strive to be li<£e Christ — Who pave the path o’er which so soon His glorious feet shall tread; Who level down the hills Of social wrongs and ills, Who raise those valleys, deep depressed, where vice and crime arc bred. Come Lord ! Our watching eyes Are lifted to the skies ; Bring peace, goodwill and happiness down with Thee from above : Como, while the Heavens shall ring, And earthly bards shall sing The Christmas dawn of blessedness, the Golden Age of Love ! CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. [By J. Liddell Kelly.] (Specially written for the New Zealand Mail.) Contrasts and Harmonies. Christmas in the Old Land, ’Mid the frost and snow ; Christmas in the New Land Where the roses blow. Our affections range not, Wheresoe’er we go ; Hearts with climate change not, Still with love they glow. Summer in the South land, Winter in the North, Still old Father Christmas Smilingly comes forth ; Still the grand old message— Theme for poet’s pen— Sounds from heaven’s portals : “ Peace, goodwill to men !” Heart-Union. Old Father Christmas joins our hands — We dwelling m these summer lands, "You in that wintry clime. May hearts as well as hands unite, And whether skies be dull or bright Be glad at Christmas time ! Maori to Pakeha. Dusky daughters of the blue Pacific, Bright and joyous as their summer clime, Pray : “ May never thought or word malific Mar your joy this happy Christmas time ! While, in lands of Shamrock, Rose and Thistle, Cheerful greetings pass from mouth to mouth, Music mingles with the north wind’s whistle, Fragrant breathings from the Sunny rfoutli !” GOD’S ANGEL. [By The Singing Shepherd.] (Specially written for the New Zealand Mail.) lie watched Orion’s signal run, That father far at sea, And thought of each dear English son Guarded so loyally. In dreams he heard them laugh and shout Wild as the wind—as free, For love encompassed them about With wide-wing.cd sympathy. While Johnnie’s hours in mirth did pass, Harry would pensive lie Watching the daisy on the grass, The lights within the sky. The mother’s life was one long prayer Of gratitude and praise To God, who gave two boys so fair To fill with joy her days. Though all her soul was full of light, In silence she adored ; Her benediction kiss at night Baid, “ Guard my sons, oh Lord 1” The dim horizon’s azure bandShe oft watched wistfully, For half her heart was on the land And half was on the sea. A sailor once—by friendship led— Traced Harry’s wandering feet, And found him dreaming on a bed Of pale primroses sweet.

The fragrant petals springing round In beauty from the sod The sailor touched, and said, “This ground Breathes out the grace of God.

“ These swaying bells, dear little lad, Tell the Creator’s plan Which bids the earth smile thus to glad The heavy heart of man.

“ God’s spirit moves in flower anu tree, And lives in icy in you, Sweet blossom of eternity, Steeped in life’s morning dew.

“ God’s arm is round you while .you sleep, God’s angel'guards your rest, God Iqv#s your father op tfie dge-p, Bfockhd on t'he ocean’s breast.

“ Dear lad, good-bye ! through calm and storm And the dividing sea May He who made your heart so warm Remember me in thee !” “ A long good-bye ! Yon ship so fleet Far, far shall carry me. May you and I, sweet boy, yet meet In angel company.” They parted thus ; and Harry lay Wondering with troubled head. And when night’s shadow fell on day He sought a sleepless bed. Whose was this unknown Presence near Moving unseen through light? Who followed his own father dear ? Who watched him in the night? The troubled sigh which from him broko Pell on a loving ear ; In tenderest tones his mother spoke, “ What ails you, Harry dear?” That loving voice, that constant friend Guarding him through the night, Sweet comfort to his heart did send And touched his soul like light. The laugh that from his lip did leap Awoke his wondering brother, But Harry whispered, ‘‘Bet us sleep — God’s angels, only, mother !” Palmerston .North, October 17th, 1896. IvAWA’S WIFE. [By W. J. Cabman.] especially written for the Ken: Zealand Ma il.) A lovely summer’s day was breaking, When, from his troubled sleep awaking Kawa, the chief, arose ; Broad-chested, tall, with limbs as strong And thews as tough as cowhide thong, A terror to his foes. Dull care sat heavy on his brow, Though now and then a hopeful glow Lit up his noble face, As in the whare to and fro He kept a weary pace. The birds, high in the leafy trees, Which rustled gently in the breeze, Were trilling heavenly melodies, While on the wators of the bay A golden sheen of sunlight la}'; A little streamlet gurgled by, And ’neath the clear, blue, cloudless sky, The mountain with its snow-tipped height Sparked in the dazzling light. A year ago he woeed and won The loveliest maid beneath the sun ; Her step as light as fairy tread, Arid from her noble slrapen head Her raven locks untrammelled flowed ; Like jewels rich her bright eyes glowed ; Never did artist pencil trace Such form divine, such angel face. And when she went as Kawa’s wife To share that warrior’s warlike lifG, The people all throughout the land, From inland plain to ocean strand, Rejoiced, and sang of Kawa’s deeds Of valour in the fight, And beat their gongs and blew their reeds Throughout the wedding night. Twelve moons had Kawa dwelt in peace, A year of perfect happiness, A year of quiet and content Which he and Kura well had spent ; But now Dame Fortune’s fickle face Frowned on this leader of his race. Some days before a Native baud, With Kaiva at its head, had planned A long day’s hunt, for stores were low, And while absent a warlike foe Had stolen his wife away, For none were left to strike a blow In her defence that day. When Kawa and his band returned At dark that night he quickly learned How twenty braves in a canoe From the hostile tribe of Otapu Had landed and attacked the pah, And carried off the fair Kura, Whom they discovered in a glade Lying beneath the karaka’s shade, And playing on her flute. Kawa’s canoes they then destroyed, Leaving his people thus devoid Of all chance of pursuit. Some warriors set at once to build Five war canoes, while others filled Ten kits with food ; and Kawa chose A hundred warriors old and tried To go with him to chase his foes And capture back his lovely bride. They laboured hard throughout the night, And e’er approach of morning light The five wero floating near the beach, With twenty warriors in each. When all was ready the next day The party sailed from out the bay ; And just at dusk they came in view Of the great pa of Otapu. And Kawa sent ashore that night A challenge, claiming Kawa’s right To meet the chief in single light Who’d robbed him of his wife. Back a reply was quickly sent That Pou, the chief, was quite content And read}' for the strife. And to his foe his whare lent To rest him for the night.

Now, on this lovely summer morn, Waiting 1 the sound of herald's horn, As Kawa paced the wharo’s length, Or swung his club to test liis strength. He wondered how the day would close, His be the victory or his foe’s.

But soon the herald’s trumpet blast Bang out; and on the floor he cast His mat of feathers from his back, Took down his shield from oil the rack , And then, all ready for the fray, Stepped out into the light of day.

There, circled round a grassy fiat, A crowd of men and women sat, All eager to obtain a sight Of. the two champions of the fight. First Kawa came into the ring, His bearing proud as any king.

A greenstone mere, club and shield. Bis weapons woro ; and round rhe field. At ocean, river, hill and plain, Which he might never see again, He east a hurried glance ; And Pou arose from where he sat, Threw off his gady-coloured mat, And coat asiao In’s la’iico.

Awhile the two stood face to face, Two splendid types of a noble race, Then circled round and round the ring, Each w'atchful for an opening; Then, closing, both aimed blows like rain, Then sprang aside, then closed again.

The blows fall thick upon the shields, As backwards, inch by inch, Pou yields ; The crowd gaze breathless on the scene, As further still across the green Brave Kawa beats his foeman back By his relentless, strong attack.

Then in a flash, across the ring, At Kawa’s throat Pou made a spring, But Kawa leapt aside And dealt a blow as Pou rushed by, Amid the disappointed cry Of the assembled multitude, Which cleft the skull, and in a flood Down poured the crimson tide.

Then with a shout the welkin rang, And from their seats the crowd upsprang ; ,The heralds blew a bugle blast, Proclaimed him victor of the fight; And when the moon her shadows cast And shed around her silvery light The warriors left Otapu’s plain And sailed away for home again. And when at noon the following day Their Native pa before them lay, The people met them on the shore And on their shoulders high they boro Brave Kawa, singing on tbe way, With one accord, this joyous lay:— Song op Welcome. Welcome, Kawa, with thy bride, Lovely Kura by thy side ; Thou hast conquered in the fight, Tane has upheJd the right ; Pou, the robber, thou has slain, Welcome, welcome, home again. Welcome, Kawa, warrior bold, Thou of victories untold, We, thy people, offerings bring, Of thy glorious deeds wo sing, Welcomo from Otapu’s plain, Welcome, welcome home again. Wellington, Ist December, 1896.

SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT.

[By B.N.]

CSpecially written for the New Zealand Mail.) Out on the wild, lone sea Fares one tall barque. Stars, shining silently Cut from the dark,

Gaze at her. lamps alight, Mast, helm and prow, And rows of portholes bright, Now dipping, now

Rising upon the surge, Mounting on high, Scaling the very verge Of the dark sky,

Plunging her lonely way O’er waters wide ; Life pulsing in her breast, All death outside.

Nay, through the darkening night Slowly appears Something, that gleams more bright Each length she nears.

Perfect, the beauty traced By lights, that throw, Soft tinted, clear and chaste. Each its pure glow.

Surely the daintiest ship Breeze ever blew; All grace, sho seems to slip Over or through

The dark waste. On she stears, Movement yet rest. Close to th 9 barque she nears ; Then comes abreast.

Signal and signal tell What their last shore, With ships and crews, all well, Names, dates —no more.

Naught of their inner life, Hopes, joys and fears ; Naught of the woes, griefs, strife, Naught of their cares.

Naught of bright joys and sweet, Of tears that burn ; Naught of the hearts that beat, The souls that yearn.

With a salute they part, One dancing gay; One, with a lurch and start, Lab’ring her way.

Wondering what really passed, Yearning to know What signals, lights at mast, Can never show;

All the more lone to think Ships can pass near, Show lights and signals blink Then disappear.

Just enough given to feel, Men live, move, act, Think, yet can ne’er reveal One certain fact

Of their life’s inward source, Of their true soul, Of their real moving force, Of their last goal.

All man’s life hero, alas ! Shows in this light Uncertain ships that pass, Pass in the night.

Not his fault.—You didn’t stay long at that hotel which advertised a fine trout stream in the vicinity ?” “ No, the proprietor explained that it was a fine trout stream, but he couldn’t help it if the trout hadn’t sense enough to find it out.” No Signs.—" Has he learned to ride the bicycle yet?” “I don’t think so. I’ve never seen any scars on his face.” Joseph Busan, Percy, writes: “ I was induced to try the Canadian Healing Oil for a lameness which troubled me for three or four years, and I found it the best article I ever used. It lias been a grfcat bless* ing tb me/'