GIRLIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 63

GIRLIE.

Oh, dear wee girlie, our own sweet gjrhe, You with the big, brown, tender eyes, You with the brown locks, soft and curly : Fate, in reserve, had a grand surprise For me, dear child, when my gaze first rested, Wonderingly, on thy sweet, witching face. Where beauty and innocence ever contested As friendly rivals for pride of place. Oh, winsome girlie, our sweet wee girlie, Dear, tender-hearted little maid, You with the even teeth, sweet and pearly, Which thy smiling lips with pride displayed ! Shall I ever hear, in the long hereafter, Sounds that will seem to my ears more sweet Than those that were bom of thy childish laughter, Or the tread of those dear little wandering feet? Friends that now are kind and devoted, girlie, Esteem it a labour of love to guide Your steps, and in accents harsh or surly Have never yet dared to upbraid or chide Their sweet girl queen, and as such they treat thee, Acknowledging fealty ns slaves should do. And with reverent salutations they greet thee, For all are your subjects, loyal and true. But, oh, dear girlie, our own sweet girlie, For you will the world's way 3 alter soon, Though life's fair morn is as yet but early, How few are the hours 'twixt the dawn and noon ; And the glad to-day, with its sad to-morrow, Is surely awaiting for one and all, While the time is ample for pleasure and sorrow Ere the darkening shadows of evening fall. It will ever be my prayer, dear, sweet girlie, That while o'er the ocean of life you sail The seas may rim smooth and the winds blowfairly, With never a breaker and never a gale. But should adverse currents of time assail thee, Though even at time 3 the storms should descend, Faith is a bark that never will fail thee Till you "cross the bar" and youi voyage will end. On Truth as a pilot you may surely rely, love, With the hidden dangers to safely cope. When the lowering clouds hide the binning sky, love, What trustier hand at the helm than Hope? And I will pray from my heart sincerely That during life's long and eventful cruise You will always from the hosts that apply, dear girlie, For your heait's first friend sweet Charily choose. And where'er you go, or whate'er befall thee. In the days to come, as m those of old, Our own sweet little girlie I still will call thee, Though thy face again I may ne'er behold ; And though by the customs of class forbidden To nourish the seed by Katuie sown, Though that seed in my heait must remain still hidden Which might into a beautiful flowei have grown. Yet the pangs of regret are softly blended With memories tender that cannot die When I think of a kind little hand extended And a child's sweet voice as it lisped "Goodbye" ; And I send from a grateful heart-swell, Girlie, In return for the friendship you gave to me, To the brown-eyed child that I loved so dearly, The tenderest greetings from o'er the sea. — Williaii Tully. Athol, Southland.