Poet's Corner. "LONG AGO."

Otago Witness, Issue 1499, 7 August 1880, Page 25

Poet's Corner.

"LONG AGO."

Lap me in 10ft Lydian ain,\ Married to immortal verie.

I would not look upon that gentle soeno When cruel winter with his hand of death Has crushed the blossoms in their beds of green, And quenched their odours with his fatal breath , To see the river darkly flow beneath, tear. Not thus, dear spot! I will not paint thee so ; . But if my memory teach me I will trace Thy features as I saw them long ago Rest in the fading light of summer days ; When o'er the western heights a gilded haze Hung dreamily, and in the peaceful sky The sweetly, softly, scintillating stars shone high I Then, often as that heavenly time drew near, There came and lingered by the river sido Jtf'outhand maiden ; thither they two hear \\he quiet music of the winding tide, Vft> tread the mossy banks with wild flowers hied, To share the stilly rapture of the hour, And feel the soothing influence of nature's power. The youth was older by a few short years : Of goodly presence he, and manly mien, Though on his open brow there were slight sears, The marks, perchance, of trouble he had seen: But when a shadow crossed his grey eyes keen 'Twould seem that present care engaged his mindRegret or sadness with his calmest mood combined. The way,of life is rough, and many a thorn Grows stoutly in the paths that all must pass: Full oft the heedless traveller is torn And sorely wounded—'tis so with the mass; So poignant are the stings that some, alas ! Do often after feel them, and their lives A*fe overcast whene'er the thought of these revives. So had this youth been galled : and now the good Of his companion, and the beauty, whence Was sweetly graced her simple maidenhood, Disgusted him, compelled a bitter sense Of his own life, and marked a difference Between his worth and hers: yet well he knew His ardent love for her was tender, pure, and true. And she, dear girl, felt that he loved.her well, But, doubting sometimes, wondered why he let The secret of both hearts in silence dwell; The weeks glide past, nor has he spoken yet The words she hoped for often as they met; Was she deceived 1 Oh no ! that she was loved, His glance, his gentleness, his care for her, all proved. So walked they side by side, till one fair eve, When the soft twilight seemed to whisper love, They cross the river bridge, then climbing leave The valley at their feet, and reach the grove Encompassing her dwelling high above : Here 'tis their wont to part, but on this night They linger by the gate until the moon is Dright. He cannot speak ! would that he might confess His love 1 while she looked at him yearningly— A very angel in her guijelessness— And said in words that were a soft low cry, " Kiss.me, my darjing ! love me, or I die \"\ Then raised to his her eyes with bright tears wot, Glistening like dew upon the modest violet. He drew her to him—ah, so tenderly ! And told his love and life were hers alone ! And well he kept that vow; her purity Her beauty, and the love on him beatown Were sacred light upon his life-path thrown — A light benignant, ever-constant, clear' That led his daily steps aright for many a year. A. P. Teanoraki, July 1880. ■