ORIGINAL POETRY.

Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 939, 25 September 1866, Page 3

ORIGINAL POETRY.

NELIO.N.

BEAtrTlFtri, city! like a fair young queen Standing amongst thy mountains by the sea j Queen of this forest isle, how many a heart Pines in our. British home, and yearns to thee.

Thy infant ear was shock'd by sounds of war, But peace hath ever reign'd within thy walh 5 And fair prosperity hath nurs'd thy sons. And tender beauty on thy daughters falls!

As the soft dew that feeds the blooming flowers, That flush the courses of thy crystal streams, When the sweet music of the bell-birds' song, Mingles like harp-notes with our morning dreams,

Meek-hearted followers of their blessed Lord, Have fill'd thy temple courts with humble prayer; And He so bless'd thee, that the fear of crime Scarce lent its burden to thy daily care.

When, suddenly, an awful cry was heard— Red Murder, shouting from the mountain height; An icy shudder crept through every heart, As if warm Day had blacken'd into Night.

One shock of horror! then thy gallant sons Rose flushed and fierce, to meet that fearful ci*y A noble band of generous hearts went forth To that wild forest on the mountain high.

They found the dead where cunning murder hid Their mangl'd bodies in her secret caves : And, mourning, bore them reverently down, To hopeful burial in prayer-hallowed graves.

They found the murderers in thy shuddering streets, Red-handed, sullen, grasping blood-stained gold ; Shilling, alas ! in secret council there The cursed price for which their peace was sold.

While the sea sweeps around thy lovely shore, Thy mountain forests seek thy limpid sky ; May he, who keeps us by His mercy, grant That all may live to him ; none unprepared may die.

Francis L. Severn,