SOUNDINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2883, 23 June 1909, Page 15

SOUNDINGS.

** liHUe "we know of the hoary S«r Till the Jlon of Lead and Line So1t« us s tithe of its mystery, sfce-vr Btrang« gloams of the limitless life below With their soundings: here be mine."

AU SUPPLICE. You say you ■wish to serve me? Well, th-eway Is very simple : eeek to serve no moie ; Weary me not with "Shall I?— Shall not I?"

Risk my misunderstanding — 'tis for " love." And " love " scorns risks, you say. , I am very tired ; So tired, I think that never in all the Earth. "Was poor Soul tired-er. Rsst is all I crave. I know not " love"; I understand not " love," Love " that would wrap ioe in its mothering arms" — Ah! the bare thought — I stifle l Never rest For me, arms straining, bosom heaving, heart Beating its weariful measure undsr me! I want aioneness. I have been too niucli In the press. The multitude has thronged so close — Lovers, and haters, idly curicus souls — I have not drawn on-e deep, strong, vital

broath, ' 1 have not made one free, straight, self-judged step, And yet — life still to live!

I am so tired, So tired. I want but to lie down and feel The hois* and tumult ebb away from me, The cranming ease, the tanglemeiit uncoil, And hungered, thirsted, agonised for rest — Rest £W6op upon m-e, under, owr, round. And thro' me — body, and mind and soul —

until I swoon into oblivion

By and by,

WJien that greet sleep has had its way

with me, "When pu.-se is stilled, and brain is stilled,

and mind And Soul are stilled; and God puts cut His

band Softly upon my foreh-sad. waking roe — In that far time ungraspable, O Soul That " lovest " and wouldst serve me ; then,

perhaps — Who knows "> — perhaps I shall be glad of thee ; Perhaps I shall know better what " love" is; Perhaps I shall ba sorry for the past That now is prepcnt, and my dullness. Dear, If I may u?e a word that sosms to mean Much on thy lips — Dear, canst thou wait till then?

Marsxas.