VERSE OLD AND NEW

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16828, 15 December 1928, Page 9

VERSE OLD AND NEW

TO WIN THE HEART. Ihe fairest action of our hjuman life is scorning to revenge ail injury, Dor who forgives without a further strife, His adversary X heart to him doth tie; And bis a firmer conquest, truly said, To win the heart; than overthrow the head. —‘Lady Elizabeth Oarew. “LONDON FALLING.” [These lines were written on hearing “Big Ben” on the-wireless in Johannesburg, and on recalling Lord Allenb,y’s recent comments bn his tour' round the British Empire, when he said that we. arc all one great Brotherhood, and that ail was well with Ibe OKl’Country and the Empire so long as the hearts of her sons were true arid strong.] Hark! Across the listening waters, Horne upon the whispering wind, Ear the Clock chimes out the quarters, Bringing kindred hearts to mind— Kith and kin to mind.

Hear the great Bell’s record rolling (As the day goes slowly down) Round the world, in deep tones tolling, “Seven o’clock in London Town— London! London Town!

Strong the mellow notes conic falling Wafted by some magic power. Liston, friends: ’tis London calling, Calling us to mark the hour —- ’Mark the passing hour.

Through a thousand leagues of ether (Swift as light -or falling star, Notes that once we heard together Flow from you to me afar—’Far, old Friend, luitv far!

Far wo Vo strayed apart, resigning Friendship’s deep desire and dream: Still in secret we're entwining Memory’s gloom with M-eiuofy 'a g lentil — 'Mctnofv’s gloom and -gleam.

-How the nbtes on one another’s ‘Heels do follow. Hark'! The Bell firings'tli'ogreeting ‘ ‘ Wo are brothers, ’ ’ Rings the message “Ail is'Weil”— “Brother, all is well.”

Hear the .heart of Empire beating. Count her heart-beats true and strong, Throbbing, comforting, repeating O’er and o’er her deep-toned song—- “ Stay you true and strong.”

Far and far her sons arc living Round the seven silver seas, Heritage of freedom giving To their children at their knees — Gathered round their knees.

“Speed.you well in farm and village,’ Calls the Bell in accents clear, “Fare you well in town and tillagl: One and all and far and near”--Far, vet now so near.

London’s Bell adjures us never Hearts or hands to disen'twine-; Naught let kinship’s chain -dissever, 'Come what may, come shade or shim* Shadow or sunshine.

Listen, then, to London calling: Down thOj night wind calls the Bell Heart and every sense enthralling, Weaving us a magic 'Spell— Memory’s magic sqJfell. —H. Egi’rton Nash. Johannesburg, S.A.