THE LOVERS' PARTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 8

THE LOVERS' PARTING.

Do you remember, love, do you remember How you and I, upon the silent hill, lloam'd in the treshness of the young September, When all the. air was golden, sweet, and still?

Snatch'd was the day from out long months of sorrow, Long months of toil, of absence, and of pain ; No yesterday we heeded — no to-morrow — For were we not together once again ?

Do you remember how the larks, up-springing, Voic'd the glad rapture of our hearts that day '! Our bliss was breath'd in their delightful singing — A bliss, alas ! as transient as the lay.

Do you remember how the flax was smiling Bright smiles of welcome, as tho' glad to see How human lovers, their fond hearts beguiling, For one short day were, as the wild-birds, free ?

Far shone the sea, of silver, and of azure ; Bleated the lambs upon the greening slope ; While, thro' the Uax-leaves' natural umbrasure, Smil'd the soft sky — a smile of love and hope !

Each little fern, beneath the tussock's awning, Seem'd to look kindly on the lovers twain, Who, hand in hand, upon that golden morning, Knew not if e'er their hands would touch again

How could we part ? I ask with bitter sorrow ; How could we bear to say good-bye that day '! Knowing not when such joy would have a morrow, How could we kiss, and calmly turn away '!

Better have died upon the hill-side lonely — Died like the weakling lambs amid the fern — Than liv'd apart, to know in mem'ry only, Joys that to life can never more return !

Wycjh Klm

Shag Point,