LOOKING BACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 49

LOOKING BACK.

When the children have said "Good-night," left alone in my room, The Spirit of Silence reooena t,he long-closed doors ; of tha tomb, ; And the form of my lost love comes back to me, youthful, and happy, and fair, To lift m j' Jose' heart tor a xaome-st out of the Valley of Care. I see her then as she locked to me when, but a few months bride, i Her blue eyes gj>asd into mine with a fervour of : love ar.A pride , | And her fait cheek was pressed to my bosom ; and ! her white arms round me were cast As she whisperad the hope that should crown her a happy mother at last. The time elided on, I remember, us calm as a ' stream through the grove, [ While her little soft hands were aye busy vf ith the tiny garments of love ; And ever she seemed to b« singing a ditty unknown to me. But such as the ringdove may aing to her callow brood on the tne. And her hope was fulfilled, and a babe lay asleep ! on her guntle bressi; i Like a rose dn its snowy pillow, like a bird on its i downy nest ; j And Uie looked from the babe to the father, and j the tears, happy tears, ran o'er, i While every pale, delicate feature the divine light 1 of moiherho-d wore. ! I know that I ought not to'grieve so, though the I n>~othe> % is taken away ; J There's little Givce, and there's Mary, a3 loving, { aa sjenUa, as Kay; ,' But sometimes the past overwhelms me, and I ; cty aloud in my pain j That they whom the grave hath divided may soon be united again. March 1898. — H. J. B.