FIRE! FIRE!

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 22 August 1889, Page 29

FIRE ! FIRE !

The sun was setting slowly Below the'gllstening waves, Whose wondrous music sounded On the shores and through the caves With a melancholy murmur, Like a nun's soft-spoken ayes. And the dying, golden radiance Shed a soothing, tender glow Over many an English homestead On that evening long ago, When in peace old England rested Safe awhile from every foe. While the lingering rays of sunshine, Ere they vanished out of sight, Fell athwart one stately dwelling With a glance of mellow light, Like a parting kiss, to comfort For the darkness of the night. " And the sunbeam in its frolics, 'Neath the trees that proudly stand, Played around a knightly figure With a parchment in his hand ; Showed the noble face of Raleigh, Bravest hero in the land. Busy thoughts his hearb were filling As he leant against the tree. In the smoke that curled around him, From the pipe, there seemed to be Some Btrange power that bhrilled his being — Through the cloud he seemed to see. His loved country in the fubure, As a land of liberty, Saw a proud and mighty nation, Where the meanest Berf is free— Hailed her by the stately title, Noble " Mistress of the Sea." Fire 1 Fire 1 The dreamer wakens At the sudden, startling cry ; Feels the cooling power of water (While hiß day dreams swiftly fly). Bring him, wet, amazed, indignant, Back to stern reality. And the name of Walter Raleigh In the memory seems to start ; 'Mong the pioneers of history— Where h6 nobly played his partFounders of old England's glory, Dear to every English hearb. —Gertrude B. Mellow. Bedford, June 1889.