THE TWO GLASSES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4739, 2 September 1893, Page 3

THE TWO GLASSES.

(Detroit Fuo Press.) There sat two glasses- filled to the brim On a rich man's table, rim to rim ; One was ruddy and red as blood, And one was as cloar as the crystal flood. Said the glass of wine to the paler brother : " let us tell tho tales of the past to each other J I can tell of a banquet and revel and mirth, And the proudest and grandest souls on earth Fell under my touch as though struck by blight. Then I was king, for I ruled in might; Prom the heads of kings I have torn the crown, From the height of fame have hurled men downj I have blasted many an honoured name; I have taken virtue and given shame ; I have tempted the mouth with a sip, a taste, That has made his future a barren waste; Far greater than a king am I, Or any army beneath the sky, I have made the arm of the driver fail, And sent the train from the iron rail; I have made good ships go down at sea, And the shrieks of tho lost were sweet to me; For they said : ' Behold, how great you be ! Fame, strength, wealth, genius, before you fall, And your might and power are over all.' Ho! ho! pale brother," laughed the wine, '•' Can you boast of deeds as great as mine ?" Said the wator-glass : " I cannot boast. Ot a king dethroned, or a murdered host; But I can tell of a heart oncosad, By my crystal drops made light and glad ; Of thirsts I've quenched, and brows I've laved ; Of hands I have cooled and souls I have saved; I have slept ia the sunshine and dropped from the sky, And everywhere gladdened tbe landscape and eye; I have eased the hot forehead of fever and pain; I have made the parched meadows grow fertile with grain; I can tell of the powerful wheel of the mill, That ground out the flour and turned at my will; I can tell of manhood, debased by you, That I have lifted and crowned anew. 1 cheer, I help, I strengthen, and aid : I gladden the heart of man and maid ; I set the chained wine-captive free, And all are better for knowing me." These are the tale 3 thejr told each other, The glass of wine and its paler brother, As they sat together, filled to the brim, On the rich man' 3 table, rim to rim.