SELECT POETRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 920, 17 July 1869, Page 16

SELECT POETRY.

r , , BUILDING ON THE SAND. ■, ' 'Tia well to Woo, r tta good to wed, '■ tfor no the World has done ' ' , Since myrtle* grew, and roses blew, » And. morning brought the sun ; Bat have a owe, ye young and fair,-— Be aare, ye pledge with* trttkhjjv Be certain that your love will wear ' ' Beyond the. days of youth ;— For, if ye give not heart for heart, As well as hand for hand, : ' You'll find you've played the «« unwise" part, - „ And V built upon the sand." 'Tis well to save, 'tis well to have A goodly store of gold. And hold enough of shining stuff, For Charity is cold ; But place not »11 your hope and trust la what the deep mine brings } We cannot live on yellow dust Unmixed with purer things. And he who piles up wealth alone, Will often have to stand Beside his coffer- chest, and own 'Tis " built upon the sand." 'Tis good to speak in kindly guise, And soothe where'er we can ; Fair speeoh should bind the human mind, And Love link man to man. But stay not at the gentle words, Let deeds with language dwell j The one who pities starving birds Should soatter crumbs as welL The Mercy that is warm and true Must lend a helping hand ; For those who talk, yet fail to do, But " build upon the sand."