LIFE'S MUSIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 29

LIFE'S MUSIC.

Exemplified in Sonnets. xlv. The tale of love is ever being told ; Two heads together whisp'ringly inclined, Ignoring all but what it may unfold, As runs throughout the sense that love is blindBlind in a sense, but jealous to a hair. No lover truly love 3 unless he grieve O'er some misgiving, coin of secret care, Persuading him to finally believe, For love, is wilful in a maiden heart—

Though longingly endeared to all its song, Rejecting it at first with playful art That plrading lips may prove her to be wrong, And yet iilone avowing it as part Of an affection rightful to prolong. XLVI.

At love's approach the heart knows new delight, Yet keeps it hid as fearful to betray A treasure which might vanish like the night, When pleasing dreams are passing it away. Thus does the maid commingle hopes and teara Until her lover makes his passion kno *n, When, overjoyed, she does away with tears And tells him that her love is all his own. ' What then is love that it can shape the will, Impersonate a true and trusting wife, Encourage the return ot gcod tor ill, And mivke his world less bitter in the strife ? The answer is reverberating still Throughout the bonds of friendship— Love is life.

XLVII. A life of love, what does not it presage ? Means it not peace to every living thing ? The prescience of replete and honoured age, To which dear olive branches loving clung ; So at the dawn of love's refulgent day Two yearning hearts look trustfully ahead ; Theee twain as one till life shall pass away As solemnised the morning they are wed. Ring marriage belU while love is at its dawn, Ring, ring of love forever to be true, King throughout life the happy moments gone, Ring, ring again a happy future too, Ring marriage bells, aye merrily ring on Through time and change ring in this love anew. XLVIII. With bleating hearts, with heads ot rev'rent bent, The bride and bridegroom of a bright to-day Are joined in wedlock with the just intent Ot being helpmates throughout life's display., The service of which marriage forms the theme, Has fallen sweet upon the earnest tar, ResponsßS being given as in a dream, And uttered low, though none the less sincere Then has the organ pealed its proof of praiso, The swelling notes triumphant o'er the throrg, Inspiring fervour as the mind portrays The living soul, the source and seat of song, The weddiug march in language that allays 'Ihose fears which to humanity belong. — Esmond.