POET'S CORNER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 24

POET'S CORNER.

Lap me in soft Lydian airs, Married to immortal vers>. —Milton. Stories of Life. One stands 'i» robe of white Beneath the sunshine ; in her eyes A happy, untold secret lies. Her well-spring of delight. She holds a posy in her hand Of roses red, of roses rare, Love's latest gift to one as fair As any in the land. We look at her and smile And to our hearts we softly say, Can bliss like hers endure alway. Or but a little while ? Will faith cling close through sun and snow, "Will love's rose garland keep it red From bridal ooueh to graveyard bed / Alnck ! we CRimot know ! One stands alone, apart, She wears a sign of widowhood; Sharp grief hath drained ot all its good Her hungry, empty heart, To 'tend a grave she counteth best ; She turns from us who love her well, And wears the yellow asphodel, Death's flower, upon her breast. We look at her and sigh. And softly to our hearts we say, Will griet like hers endure alway, Or lessen by-nnd-bye ? Will woe weep on through sun and snow ? Or will the asphodel give place To flowers about a blushing iaee ? Alack ! how should we know ? One Bits with thoughtful eyes Down-cli i>pped on homely work, a smile Upon her tender mouth the while Her busy task she plies. Some blessed thought,enchains her mind ; How wide and deep Uer musings are, High as the height as topmost star, And low as human-kind ! She wear 6 upan her breast A milk-whiie lily ; God hath given ■Eo her a foretaste of His heaven, An earnest of his rest. She came from out the turnace flame Of sorrow, strong to help the weak, And gifted with good w ords to speak In time of grief or shame. We look at her aud smile, And to our hearts we softly say, Goo t work like hers endures alway, Beyond earth's little while : Beyond earth's round of sun and snow, Beyond the height of topmost star ; i And where her harvest waits afar ; God knoweth. and we know ! —AH the Year Hound.