POETRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3595, 18 October 1879, Page 3

POETRY.

BEAUTIFUL SIN.

Beautiful sill with eyes cast down. And her braided hair fo glossy aud brown ; I sco her still as she passes away, The fairest face I have scon to-day, With a look, though lowly and meek to ruo, Boyal ond proud as a queen might be. Petintiful fin, with her eyes cast down, And her jewelled a^ni, and her costly gown, Sitting ai no in her lustrous light., Tho fairest face I have seen to-night. I see her still, as the music pleads, Beautiful all— but the life she leads. She went from our village years ago, Cabtout by kindred to bear her woe ; And she knew me well in the crowded street I know her now that again we meet ! But, ah, that inaidan, tit head for a crown, Mast meet my gazo with her eyes cast down. Tho music swells, and iho music falls, ARd peals in proud pteans along the walls • But I only think of a guileless host, Killed by tho sbaine of a daughter lost • And a mother's too quickly silvered head, Who weeps for a daughter worse than dead. And Eay, does sorrow not dwell within His beatt that tempted her steps to sin ? No ! pleasure with mirth in his soul still blends, 1 can see him there ranged around with friends ; It feemeth ill that the felon should go— But the world is judge, audjudgoth so. Tho music swells, and tho mu&ic falls, And its lastnotos wail to the lofty walls* Beautiful sin, it is time to go home, Outcast of Aidenn— waif to the foam— Who, in life's agony, ever will hio To lean his head on thy breast and die ? Beautiful sin, with her eyes cast down, And her braided hair so gloasy nnd brown ; I sco her still as sho ptisseth away, The fairest face I have seen to-day. With a look, though lowly, and meek to mo, Boyal and prond as a queen might be.