SEEN IN A RAMBLE,

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 34

SEEN IN A RAMBLE,

A little cot dropped down among the hilla, Or rather, like a flower, ifc seemed, had grown ; It stood among the mountains and the rills, The forest, terns, and the sweet vales, alone. One stumbled on it ronnd a sudden bend, Not far from habitation, yet it Beemed Miles from the haunts of men. It was as still, As grand and lovely as e'er poefe dreamed. And such a tiny cot— wood, or or brick, I could not see— for thickly blooming rose, Ivy, and jasmine, with an unrent cloak, Fragrant -with blossom, did its walls enclose. One little window with its curtain white Shone through the walls of green, and the smoke curled rom ivied chimney to a sky of blue That smiled so bright above a troubled world. eat and gazed, for I was tired, and thought On who could live there in that quiet nest, Hiding among the hills. Some weary one ? For, being tired, ifc seemed so sweet to rest. Or some old couple who had seen depart Child after child— some to Life's work and strife, And some (why should they weep ?) from here Passed on to nobler and to sweeter liie ? Or it may be some lonely man.— 3ad, solitary— who in this calm retreat Hides from the world— the world which must ba fought, And which no longer he has heart to meet. Set why not youth within these ivied Avails ? High hope and beauty? Strength and courage bright ? Because it seems as natural for the young To love the world as flowers to turn to light. Only the weary 6hun the busy throng ; Only the sad their fellow creafeur<>s shun. Not till the falseness of tho world ib proved Is man content with Nature's charms alone. God and His creatures is the young desire, When the fre9h heart finds hardest just to wait 1 God and His mighty works ;— this is desired When Life's long day near evening groweth late. —Alice.