select poetry.

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 26

select poetry.

LOVE. A fragile girl, who droops and pales, Like a flower in sudden frost. Clasping her wailing- infant tight, Shrinking away from her fellows' sight Like a wounded bird from tho noonday light, It's plumage all smirched and tossed. Why ? and they whisper of sin and shnme Aud falsehood is spoken in Love's pure mime. A grey old grange, with the ivy wreaths Far tloatiii),' from the wall. The thick dust drifting its floors to heap, The spider across its doors to creep, The Hay stall' rotting: upon the keep, As the banners within the hall. Why ? and they speak of a forfeit pledge, And their lord, who fell on his sabre's odgc. A yonth, in the genius peopled room, That once his kingdom made, His pencil broken, his canvass blurred. And tho miisi"' that once the heart strings stirred, Dashed right across with a passionate ■word, Like the b»ood from a heart betrayed. Why? and a common story was told, Of troth-plight broken for bheen of gold. A little child, with frank blue eyes, And lips, like flowers in dew. Who wondered amid his childish play, Why some should frown, borne turn away. While those who blessing words would say, Wept 'mid their kisses too. Why ? the passion was past, the charm -was spent, The poison was left for the hmocvut. A wni ing t-ry, 'nenfli the sombre yew, A sob by a lonciy lieartli, Bright buds hum: down upon <|iiiet'<;ravcs, Where lush and green tho long grass waves Aurt the dirge of "thu river's restless waves Swells sad o'er the bacred earth. Why ? ah, who knows not how life is marred, Where Death's strong hand strikes cold imdhard. Love. Love forgotten, betrayed forsworn, Crushed benoiilh Death or Time. A clue to evi-iy M'eret wrong. A note, life's sadness lo piolona ; A ke\, keen, inimical, and strong, To sorrow, or cate, or crime. Yet. priest and poet unite to prove " That " Lo\o is Heaven, and Heaven is Love."