Select Poetry.

Otago Witness, Issue 1156, 24 January 1874, Page 26

Select Poetry.

IF I SHOULD DIB TO-NIGHT, If I should die to-night, My friends would look upon my quiet face Before they laid it in its resting 1 p.'acc, Aud deem that death had left it almost fair ; And, laying snow-white floweis ngainst my hair, Would smooth it down with tearful tenderness, And fold my hands with lingering- caress. Poor hands, so empty and so cold to-night J

If I should die to-night, My friends would call to mind, with loving thought, Some kindly deed the icy hand had wrought; tiomc gentle word the frozen lips had said ; Errands on which the willing Wet hud sped ; '''he memory of ray seltlPhuos nud pride, My hasty words, would all be put aside. And bO I should be loved and mourned to-night.

If r should die to-niyht, Even hearts estranged would turn once more to me, Recalling' other days remorsefully. The eyes that chill me with averted glance Would look upon me as of yore perchance, And soften, in the old familiar way. For who could war with dumb, unconscious clay ! So 1 might rest, forgiven of all, to-night.

Oh friends, I pray to-night,; Keep not your kisses for my dead, cold brow. The way is lonely, let me feel them now. Think gently of me; I am travel-worn ; My faltering feet are pierced with many a thorn. Forgive, oh, hearts estranged, forgive, I plead !| W h«n dreamless rest is mine I shall not need The tenderness for which I long to-night.