CAPTIVITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 77

CAPTIVITY.

I had a nest amid the boughs Where Love was wont to dwell. But now to dreams of youthful hope And blissfulness, farewell ! The parent nest was far away, The woods were wide and long, 'And every nook contained a flower, And every shade a song. Aud fondly on each bending branch, On which my feet were set, To rest my eager wings, was bora A feeling of regret. Because of restfulness obtained, And woven in a prayer Of tangled song my spirit left A memory captive there. But when my vision rested on The comfortable boughs, Where music wakened first my soul To all its fondest vows. "Within this glossy shade," said I, "I'll build a, darling home, From which no dream of joy shall stray, Nor thought of pleasure roam. " These crimson blooms with scentfulness Shall roof me in, and woo Such wanderers to their shade as paths Of peacefulness pursue. j "And of these threads of silver light j That steal in from above, j I'll weave me an enchanted net j Wherewith to capture Love. j "And when the sacred charm becomes A prisoner of mine,. I'll wake a winsome song, and make Captivity divine." Designing thus, I captured Love, And made my fortress strong With every note that woodland blis3 Could weave into a song. Alas! that I should ever weave Me such a perfect chain ; For soon the wintry storm came on With biting sleet and rain. My darling nest was rudely tossed About, and , I was borne To other climes, an exile on. The bosom of the storm. ,- But Love came not! Its silver net Was tangled 'mid the trse3, And every woodland note I sang Was prisoned in the breeze That wandered through the lonely boughs On which I built my nest, And where the fantasy of youth Had brought my spirit rest. Now exile I forever more , In life no gladness find, Save listening for songs to come On the forbidden wind. Nor can I find a bougli whereon To rest me from my care, For I am exiled here, and Love Is still a captive there. — J. Macxennait. Invercargill, March, 1905. SAFE SPECULATION. If you have an attack of rheumatism and Chamberlain's Pain Balm gets you back to ! work in a few days, will it not pay for j itself several tirn-es over? There is. to need j of suffering from rheumatism for a month • or six weeks incurring the expenses of a ; large doctor's bill when a few applications ! of this liniment, costing but a small amount, will euro you. For sale by ail dealers.