WOMAN'S WAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 29

WOMAN'S WAY.

Among the water lilies, one golden afternoon— Golden in the Bunshine of a perfect day in June— The fcrefiß in all their beauty, bo fresh and passing green, Cast trembling, fleeting shadows, which dimmed the river's sheen. Among the water lilies I didn't tell him " Nay," And yet, I say emphatic, I never said him " Yea." I've heard the world say, smiling, "Oh, that's a woman's way . We talked about the river and how it slid along, We talked about the stirring birds and listened to their song; I plucked two water lilies, with broad, green, dripping leaves, A3 we sailed 'neath trees which sheltered like overhanging eaves. Among the water lilies I didn't tell him " Nay," And yet, I say emphatic, I never said him " Yea," i I've heard the world say, smiling, " Oh, that's a woman's way ! " Our boat went slowly drifting with wind or with the tide, Crushing down the water lilies a-near on every side; The swallows almost touched us as they skimmed the water o'er, We drifted and we drifted, by the reedy, flow'ry Bhore. Among the water lilies I didn't tell him " Nay," And yet, I cay emphatic, I never »aid him " Yea." I've heard the world say, smiling, " Oh, that's a woman's way ! ' Ifc seemed to me like fairyland, 'twas all so passing fair, With breath of flowers and music sweet pervading all the ftir ; B'en the " Prince " was not a-wanting, and he acted out his part, For he told me of his waiting, hia throbbing, aching heart. Among the water lilies I didn't tell him " Nay," And yet it seemed unmaidenly To say emphatic " Yea." I've heard the world say, smiling, "Oh, that's a woman'B way t ' I do not know what love is, of which the poets I know 'tis something serious, a most important thing; , But I know I'm very happy, just as happy 8 dims inJunp, And God grant our lives be always one golden afternoon. Among the water lilies I didn't tell him " Nay," I said, with all my heart and 8»ul, A most emphatic " Yea." I've heard the world say, smiling, " Oh, that's a woman's way." — Isabel Gordon.