AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 52

AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE

BENEATH THE WATTLE' BOUGHS, The sun is sinking slowly Beyond the western sea, And*evening calm and holy Is beckoning to me; For oft as on Night’s bosom Day’s heavy eye-lids close, I stray ’mid bloom and blossom. Beneath my wattle boughs. O, beautiful this island, Where I an exile roam, ’Tis fair to me as my land, ’Tis dear to me as Hone. I love its scenes of grandeur, Its paths of calm repose, Where silver creeks meander Beneath the wattle boughs. Old Homeland, sweet tliy story Ere vet the greed of gain Had tarnished all thy glory _ With the false creed of Gaia. No more thy sordid treasure O’er me its glamour throws, I quaff a. purer pleasure Beneath my wattle boughs. In thee is one man’s leisure _ Built on an hundred’s pam, The mass have scanty measure That one may heap liis gain; And Mammon in his madness The poor no mercy shows,— I picture tlieo in sadness^ Beneath my wattle boughs. Far from the noisy rattle Of city mart and street, Where in bread’s bitter battle Men rob and lie and cheat, Where crafty men and craven, Crush weak ones in their woes, I’ve found a restful haven Beneath my wattle boughs. Here for no idle master My hands unceasing moil, - Who gains from my disaster And profits by my toil. For here each man who labours May reap whate’ev he sows. As happy *as Ins n&ighoours Beneath their wattle boughs. O', beautiful this island Where I an exile roam, ’Tis fair to me as my land, ’Tis dear to mo asi Home. Avid wlicn life’s cord shall sever May I at last repose In peace, sweet peace, for ever Beneath my wattle boughs. —Robert Hogg, V A PICTURE ON THE WALL. Framed, on a face I see Which kindly glances down at mo. \_ maid who much resembles thee, Sweet Marietta! Soft silken locks adorn the head. Then wave-like to the snouldeis sp* , Of her who hangs thus overhead, Sweet Marietta! Within her gentle hands are seen. Sweet marguerites, whose spirits deign 'T’o say, of us, our chosen queen, Is Marietta! c _ WilUa m*.