DEATH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 39

DEATH.

" Oh, Death, where is thy Bting? where, Grave, thy victory?" There is no sound in that darkened room, For the very air seems fraught with Death ; And even over the canopied bed 'Tis but slightly stirred by a flickering breath. Alone? No 1 the door is open now, And gliding in with a gentle tread A figure in white like a ghost appears, And softly steps to the side of the bed. One thin hand rests outside of the clothes. She touches it softly,— then shudders and starts. It is icy and cold. "My God I not yet 1 " She presses one hand to her aching heart. His face is white, and worn, and thin, The dampness of death is upon his brow ; His tongue is mute, his lips are^ale, The grave is waiting to welcome him now. She knows it well, ah ! far too well I She has tried to hide the truth from her heart. Hour by hour she has prayed and prayed, But her prayers were in vain, for these two must part. She bends her head— her hair brushes his brow : Her full red lips she presses to his ; And all the love of her agonised heart Is in that passionate, straining kiss. Day after day she has sat by Jus side ; Night after night she has watched by his bed ; Wearied and sick, yet clinging to hope — But that hope is past— he will soon be dead. She knows it too, and her face grows pale ; Her heart beats fast with a throbbing pain. " Oh ! must I lose him ? must he go 1" She presses her lip 3to his again. But God knows best ;— God's will is law 1 She reverently bows her head in prayer, But the tears will come, for her heart is sore : " Oh, God I I pray I may meet him there ! ' She has loved him so, and now they must part — She dares not think what her life may be Without his love,— what a terrible blank ! "Dear heart! dear love! may I soon join thee ! " —Aurora Lynne. •July 1893.