IN MEMORY OF R.B.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 39

IN MEMORY OF R.B.

Dead? yes, dead ! How hard, how cruel, seemed the message. My God! Can it be true that one whose spirit was so lately

with us Hath bade farewell to earth and passed beyond, To penetrate the regions of the Great Unknown, Where it may solve the mystery of the universe, And of its being ? It seems incredible ! That dread Nemesis— That universal law— which ever doth pursue us Hath snatched him hence in all the flower And vigour of his manhood. He had but passed youth's threshold, and as it

were Had entered life, when, lo I Like a cruel blast the icy hand of death Chills with its terror a heart grown weary of

, resistance. 0 pitiable fate ! to be thus torn from out a bride s embrace, . . To be denied to grasp the hopeful promises With which thy future path in life didst seem So richly studded. Gathered unto thy fathers in all thy strength To multiply a world beyond where reigns eternal silence. 'Tis over now, the stern grim struggle 'twixt the

seen and unseen ; Thou hast but paid what all must pay In strict obedience to that strange decree Which governs all things animate. 'Tis over

now; And though thou Bhalt no longer dwell amongst

us, Still shall our fond imaginations clothe thee with

life. We still shall see theo walk, still see the kindly

smile Light up thy features as though thou still didst breathe ; Still in our memory we'll hear thy voice, we'll hear Thee speak, and hear thy hearty laugh : And all thine actions seem as though Born of true love and pure unselfishness. 0 blest imagination, which we possess And which thou didst possess, which leaves us This one relict of a heart no longer with us. Farewell ! And aa a parting tribute of Sincere respect, this unknown hand doth wish Peace to thine ashes and lasting honour Unto thy memory. —Nemo. July 1893.