THE MINSTREL.

Saturday Advertiser, Issue 29, 29 January 1876, Page 3

THE MINSTREL.

“ Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb The steep where Fume’s proud temple shines afar. Beattie.

OCEAN’S ANSWER

{Original)

“ Why is it thus ?” I said, as standing near The Ocean’s silvery edges; I surveyed The grand expanse of earth, and sea, and slcy, Stretched out before my gaze. A. rich soul-feast, At which Imagination revelled free In Nature’s arms, and whispered in her ear Its secret thoughts. The glorious king of light, Arrayed in gorgeous robes of brightest hues, Was sinking in his golden bath, beyond The crested foam-hills in the distant west, And on the track o’er which his train had passed Remained the traces of his chariot wheels. When rising for the nonce above myself, I mused on earth, and sun, and moon, and stars, And sea, and sky, and all Creation’s plan. And as I mused and wondered, thus I spake Unto the prattling breakers ’neath my feet (Those playful white-haired children of the sea That bear their mother’s messages to land) : “ Why is it thus, that Man, the prince of all This prospect grand, cannot discern the Cause ? And they went out and asked their mother sage, And brought back this reply: “ God only knows.”

Then turning from the Ocean s face, I gazed Along the giant hills that proudly raised Their weather-beaten brows above the bay Which mirror’d all their forms upon its breast, And as my eye swept o’er the verdant meads And tall young saplings belting peaceful homes, I thanked my Maker for His gracious gilts To our New Land; and as my gaze fell down Upon the fair white city that reposed In Sabbath quietness, within the vale, A ♦min I thanked my God for all His gifts; But, musing still, I said: “ Ay, even there, In that calm city, there are weary hearts And wounded spirits crushed by worldly cares, And sad ones praying for the call of death, _ ■ That they might leave their sufferings behind And go to sleep in peace upon yon hill Where those pale monuments as emblems stand Of human nothingness ! Why is it thus ?” Ao-ain the breakers to their mother went And brought this answer back: “God only knows.”

“Old Ocean!” I exclaimed, “thou should’st

have known The key to this great problem ; thou wert by Creation’s cradle with thy mellow songs, When Man, in pristine majesty, surveyed The grand estate bequeathed to him by God. Oh, tell me why there’s so much sorrow here Upon this earth, that is itself so fair; Oh, tell me why the cruel waves of war Have swept the millions down its crimson tide; Oh, tell me why the many have been crushed Beneath oppression’s heel in ages past; Oh, tell me why have Discord’s fiends been

loosed . From lowest hell, to spread the poisoned flames Of violence and hatred amongst men; Oh, tell me why have famine and disease Scourged God’s poor creatures. Shall iteverend? When, when shall He who rules omnipotent, Take off the curse which still hangs o’er the

earth, And in its stead spread joy serene around i When, when shall He make all His purpose

known? . .. Our knowledge yet is weak. Why is it thus r Again the breakers to their mother went, And brought back this reply: “God only knows.” Thomas Bracken.