THE KINGDOM OF LOVE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10574, 27 January 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE KINGDOM OF LOVE.

In the dawn of the day when the sea and the earth Reflected the sunrise above, ' I set forth with a heart full of courage I and mirth To seek for the Kingdom of Love. j I asked of a Poet 1 met on the way Which cross-road would lead me aright. And he said : "Follow me, and ere long you shall see Its glittering turrets of light." And soon m the distance a city shone fair. "Look yonder," he said; "how it gleams !" But alas ! for the hopes that were doomed to despair, It was only the "Kingdom of Dreams." Then the next man I asked was a gay Cavalier, And he said : "Follow me, follow me;" And with laughter and song we went speeding along By the shores of Life's beautiful sea. Then we came to a valley more tropical far Than the wonderful vale of Cashmere, And I saw from a bower a face like a flower Smile out on the gay Cavalier. And he said : "We have come to humanity's goal : Here love and delight are intense." But alas and alas ! for the hopes of my soul — lt was only the "Kingdom of Sense." As I journeyed more slowly I met on the road A coach with retainers behind. And they said : "Follow me, for our Lady's abode Belongs m that realm, you will find." 'Twas a.grand dame of fashion , a newly^made bride, I followed, encouraged and bold ; But my hopes died away like the last gleams of day, For we came to the "Kingdom of Gold." At the door of a cottage I asked a fair maid. "I have heard of that realm," she replied ; "But my feet never roam from the 'Kingdom of Home.' So 1 know not the way," and she sighed. I looked on the cottage ; how restful it seemed ! And the maid was as fair as a dove. Great light glorified my soul as I cried : "Why home is the 'Kingdom of Love !' " —Ella Wilcox.