SICILIAN OCTAVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 67

SICILIAN OCTAVES.

Some fancies weave within the web of life. And work in passing humours with a smile ; With others the sombre shades of earthly strife Determine the prevailing tint the while; These work with utter mournfulness so rife, That Heaven's prospective joys appear exile ; Those early take their worldly cares to wife, And utilise to tone a lavish style.

One river hastens oceanward amain, Thus sweeping clear its course through rock and earth ; Another slowly winds its home to gain, And barren lands do smile to prove its worth. So lives may by precipitant disdain

Of plenteous results show rather dearth; Whilst others, thoughtful, to the end retain The power to scatter smiling weal from birth.

You say that doctor's skill c'en yet could save ; That yet my fleeting life may be restrained ; I scarce would lose my rest within the grave, For all that love and wealth have ever gained. For wealth ray birth gave me no leave -to craye — Think' st thou without mere love I then remained? Now, hasten, Death! within the eternal wave Let me but plunge, to re&t till Time hath waned !

As no one clay doth mould us each and all,

Diverse must needs bo all of human frame; Yet many wish mankind to act the thiall —

Enchained to one idea, code, and aim. In hide-bound weariness we then would crawl

Along the years of dull, monotonous shame; Whereas to Freedom's voice we lively call, And choose our happiness with hope of fame. — K. L. NORMAN.

April IS,

— The British Government keeps 11 vessels at work boancling and chprtins; Ihe ocean beds to find out where dangers lurk. La it year 10,000 square miles were carefully charted in different parts of the world— Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific.