Verse—Old & New

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 10 November 1934, Page 13

Verse—Old & New

Armistice, We stood beside the shell-torn road. Where ragged poplars crowned the hill; The air (kite riven with roar and scream Of bursting shell) grew strangely still. Close by, before the wayside shrine. Were country folk, upon their knees; What war can hold of misery Had left its cruel mark on these. The lorries, with their fearful freight, ((Poor gasping, shivering molds ot pain) Rolled by with those whoso strength was spent; That desperate spending was not vain! We thought of graves, set acre-wide; Of those who lived, when life was grief— The wreckage of war’s ebbing tide; Now —Peace! it almost passed belief! The young subaltern swore, and gulped; The colonel bowed bis grizzled head; The padre grasped me by the hand “At last! At last! Thank God!” he said. And so, scarce knowing where to turn, Like prisoners granted swift release, We.,who had stood through war’s alarms, Were staggered by the shock ol peace! —M. L. Jackson. A Thought for To-Morrow. When war was raging at its height, And hearts were breaking, day and night, One act alone did save the race — They signed Armistice with good grace. Since arms were dropped and peace declared (Though men be wounded or interred) There shines to-day a greater light For man did that which man thought right. And thus man earns his own reward — “The pen is mightier than the sword.” —Annie Shilling. Wellington. Judging the Jury. The lawyer was putting a few questions. “Are you acquainted with any of the men on the jury!” “Yes, sir, with more than half of them.” “Are you willing to swear that you know more than half of .them?” “If it comes to that, I’m willing to swear that I know more than the whole lot of them put top,ether. ” POLIFLOR keeps tloors clean and bright. It’s antis.eptlc.*

Friend: “All, professor, I hour your wife lias had twins. Boys or girls'?” Absent-minded professor: “Well, I believe one is a boy and one a girl. But it may be the other way round.” “A party platform is a mighty important consult 1 "a t ion, ’ said one statesman. “Vos,” replied the other, “a party platform in polities is a good deal like a bunker in golf. The rules require it, but you show your skill in avoiding it.” An admiral was conducting an examination for the Navy.' lo one pt the candidates he said: “Now, my lad, who in your opinion were the greatest sailors in the history of the world?” For a moment the young man looked puzzled, then his face lit up. “I’m sorry sir,” he quietly replied', “but I did not get your name when 1 entered, but. the other two are Nelson and Beatty.”