VERSE OLD AND NEW

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17238, 19 April 1930, Page 10

VERSE OLD AND NEW

Crested harbor-water, and a salty, free wind blowing; Surge and boom of driven surf far out beyond the bar. Wheel and dip of gulls that mark a stately vessel's going— Stenciled on a leaden sky the shape of mast and spar. Lilt of bell and chantey from the crowded lines of shipping; Slack and strain of hawser, and the rasp of anchor-chain. Peek of tar and oil and smoke, of green bilge-water dripping; Wharves' harsh outlines softened by a sudden drift of rain. Tug's important puffing and a siren's shrieking clamor, Sna]> of taut'nod canvas and a .schooner's graceful sweep. Dusk! and grey clouds lifting, and a crescent moon's pale glamor; Silence, and warm harbor lights, and swaying ships asleep. —Mary Gordon Eraser, in "The Chatelaine."

ATLAS MAGIC

HARBOR

Wistful'because I never saw strange lands, I ports above my atlas with regret. But soon its magic takes me, and i set Komantic sail to far, s enchanted strands! The world is mine! Now I join pilgrim bands For Mecca; turn from mosque unci minaret. To the high snows and mystery of Tibet; Now burn my feet upon Australian .sands. Who first trod patient ways and perilous To chart the earth, spirits adventurous, Thanks for this book, best magic 1 desire! I a dull student sitting by the tire? Nay, but a climber, pausing to admire Wild rhododendron in the Caucasus. — G. (Harrison.

TO A 15th CENTURY ANCESTOR

I watch your portrait as the sun sinkslow; Your long, white hair and solemn eyes of grey • Are as the painter saw them long ago lire in your English home you passed away. Perchance you dreamed, when gazing o'er the sea, Of mighty aircraft, over distance flown; Perchance you saw our proud flag waving free in far-off lands, unconquered and unknown. Your grave, grey eyes would open'in surprise Could they but see my radio this day. Little you dream that here, 'neath the.se fair skies, I summon voices half a world away! Yet on your lips methinks there lurks , a smile. Do you know all, and laugh at me the while? —N.J.W.

VERSE.

What should we know, For better or worse, Of the Jong Ago, Were it not for Verso: . What ships went down; What walls were razed; Who won the crown; What lads Avere praised? A fallen stone, Or a waste of sands; And all Is known Of Art-less lands. But you need not delve By the sca-sidc hills Where the Muse herself All Time fulfils, Who cuts with his scythe All things but hers; All but the blithe* Hexameters. —Oliver Gogarty, in "Wild Apples."