ON LEAVING MY NATIVE LAND FOR AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 24

ON LEAVING MY NATIVE LAND FOR AFRICA.

[The following stanzas were written extempore, by a member of the Wh-west African Expedition, on the night before his departure en route for Timbiictoo, 9th June, 1876, here reproduced as they are Mr their rough original form. They have never before appeared in print.— J.L.] I leave thee thou land of my birth. But not as the feeble child of a day' Whose life opes as the tiny blow of a flower, And immediately begins to decay. But I, in the full blow of life. A task to the noble sublime. I leave thee dear land of my sires, Where beneath the green grassy sod Y ftana\>rth°at htapleasuw and will, Norshrink from the task tho' heavy the load, Tis my duty I only fulfil. 'Tis mine to work with heart and with hands, The work the Lord would have me to do ; A noble task his who is called to the plough, With his Lord's hand laid soft on his brow. I leave thee lov'd land of my youth, For a land that has never been trod By the feet of the civilised whiteman, The heaven-born children of God. Yes I leave thee, thou dearest of lands, And the haunts of my earliest days; But deep in my breast thy fond recollections I'll carry with me o'er the waves. ' Invevcargill, 1880 J - LTETJE FRIENDSHIP. Original. The face may wear a look of sorrow, • Like sky o'ercast, to-day ; But perhaps before to-morrow Dark clouds have pass'd away. And though loved ones long departed May never breathe our name, But through changes yet truehearted, May love us still the same. And that weary look of sadness Speaks not of love's decay, Though they may seem to slight us, Like friends of yesterday. And the old familiar faces, When tears have ceased to now, Have the same fond look of kindness They had long, long ago. Dunedin, 1880. w> A - A PARTING. A Bom BY A. P. M. In my silent grief I pine, Thinking what my lot's to be, As life's hardships me entwine, Perhaps to sever you from me. Nought can warm my utmost core, Save your honest, happy glee ! Could you mend this heart of mine, Image of fond memory 1 I love you well, I love you well, Ever since I first saw thee, No one can tell my bosom's swell, Image of fond memory ! Can I hope to find a goal§ In your young and changeful heart ; Tell me this and 'twill console All my pangs ere we may part. I've hesitated, faltered, wept, When I've thought of thee and thine, Sometimes I think you may have kept Me faintly in your memory, I love you well, &c. The sun's now setting in the west— The sure decline of this bright day ; So soon my love for thee may rest, Extinguished by a word in play. Alas 1 that I should leave thee now, Without a cheering word from thee ! Farewell, farewell, an aged brow Will hold you in fond memory. 1 love you well, &c. • Clarksville, 1880.