BALLADE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5686, 3 October 1896, Page 1

BALLADE.

LIFE-THOUSANDS* Soft, in the twinkle of Btars at night, Blossoms are nurtured in dew, so rare ; Scarce they endure in the broader light Borne of the sun over earth ; and ere Half of their beauty the blossoms can bbeatr t ' All are they faded ; and none can tell How, in the bloom that is drooping there, 1 Beauty has been, and was never so well. Soft, in the clamour of earth's hard fight, Jewels ore born that a world might -ndex ; . But that the world in an heedless slight, Casts them without, and beyond its care ; Soon are they lost, in the -wear and tear, 1 Toiling and moiling, and ardor fell ;— ' One soft glow in the ceaseless glare, - Beauty has heen, and was never so well. Soft little stars in the heaven's height, r : Falter their rays down the skyey stair ; » Soft little stars j— and the sun, all bright, Gathers the rays to himself ; and fair, Many star-thousauds a sparkle spai-e Giving the sun, that they each may swell 1 Into that glory, whose heams declare ■ Beauty has been, and was never so well. L'Envoi. tiivea of the earth ; they have each a share, Moulding the world where *s one they dwell ; . Eadi of his best,— and beyond compare, Beauty has been, and was never so well. ' JOHN C. ANDERSEN, Christchurch.