AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4319, 30 March 1901, Page 8 (Supplement)

AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE

LIFE’S MORNING. iiii-'ht happy thoughts of the distant past, . , ~ r nulling through the mists of time, ..iko’riys of a summer sunset, cast "Vueir radiance o’er our life’s decline. Out c 11 the dim past clearly showing, Lhe years between in the background throwing, When our lives with youth and hope were glowing And all the memories that entwine. la fancy we hear with a feeling of pain. The sound of voices we used to know— Voices we never may hear again, Singing the songs cf long ago. Then, when the lights are dimly burning, Wo f" cl at times a strange, vague yearning. fhouirh back to the past there is no turning, For life is merely a passing show. For years and years we may work and strive, And blessings and wealth may be our share. The pleasures and gain we then may derive Will not with the joys of our youth compare— With those of youth when life was dawning. And the world seemed bright as a summer morning— When, thoughts and plans for the future forming. Our youthful hearts were as light as air. W. BROOKE. THE QUEEN. LOCH KATRINE—IBS9. I saw her iu the flush of Womanhood; And him, her Consort in his Princely prime : The rain-clouds passing, 10l a balmy olime Shone, round them, ’mid the mountains where they stood— And wc, the pilgrims, shared that heavenly, mood. As gleamed the hills with glory for a , lime. Stepped forth the Queen —vision of joy and good. Moving like music in Shakespearian rhym Then did she take a tiny golden key Wherewith to free tha spirit of the Lake That rushed delighted from the moorland clown With floods of healing, strength, and purity. How - proud the Queen that, for her people’s sake, She so could sand salvation to the town. WINDSOR—IBSO-1900. That blessed act was symbol of her Reign ; For she was crowned with Mercy, Wis-dom-led, Before Crown-gems illumed her Royal head, ‘ Or ere she knew how pride and pomp were vain. And darkened life with many a woe and stain That ruined splendid Monarchies, long dead. To bar was given sweet sanity of brai l; From her it flowered, and o'er the nations spread In cloudless visions of right deed and wrong— In shaping of great conduct from pure thought. In guiding reason to a godlike vow. In timing passion to heroic song. Long glorious years her people’s weal she sought, Tho bloom of righteous empire on her brow! OSBORNE—I9OI. Peace! Peace! Our Sovereign-Lady silent lies; Not dead—to love like ours—but living sdu in armed affection and in steadfast will, Whereon host thrones are based against surprise. She sleeps, our Mighty Mother; but her eyes. Though shaded from all human shows of T 1 Beheld the glories cl diviner skies, Where her dear purposes themrelves fulfil. And thou who, losing Queen, hast gained a Crown—No heritable splendour of wild sire— But noblest, grandest ever fell to man, Unsullied by a deed to mar ronown, Ba wise, O King, as if when purged by Are, Bo great in reigning by Victoria’s plan! .—William Freeland, in “Glasgow Herald.”

VICTORIA IMMORTALIS

Our Queen, ere her dear life’s eclipse— And well, aye, well that this was so!— Touched this New Century with her lips, And hicst it ere she let it go. O better dawn theso hundred years For that brief presence at their birtli! With higher hopes, with fewer fears, Spins with its struggling swarm this earth; . Because her great tradition stands, Her strong ensample cannot die, But from this isle o’er many lands Shines with white light her memory. And Death that would all things o’err.ast, Dares not approach her snowy fame: Thine is the victory at last, Victoria, predestined name! Above the peal of muffled bells, An 1 vain lament, and women's wails, Icc-koen with poignant triumph swells: ‘The good prevails! Tho good prevails!” The trumpets cf the nations call With one consent, -with one accord: “For her great life to guide us all Wo bless and praise Tll3’ name, 0 Lord \” Net vain the burden of her years That win such glory at their close; Not; vain her labours and her tears That end in such revered repose. These hundred years shall come and die, lilt by thy life as some pure flame; Thine is the deathless victory, Victoria, predestined name!