A SUDDEN CHANGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6362, 17 December 1898, Page 7

A SUDDEN CHANGE.

Till tempering clouds obscure the^aolar-ia^ The cooling shade invites, where H3reezreta sway- .••..-• , r .- . . . . To fan and soothe the moistened*«brow*wEkiii : feels . -.; .' •■..- --■ A warmth the far too glowsome cheek creVeals^-* The flush of health, which exercise .bespeaks In livened pulse and rosy-tinted cheeks — 1 Recumbent 'neath this kindly spreading tree, i The mountains view, ana list tfae-draamy^«ea,; Watch its blue waves their playful course 1 pursue, Chase, spray, and rush to coastaltfoairoxeaßW,: The snow-edged boundary to a aakfinvapK&d Of tender violet stretched from. hfiad-».to*he«id : That glistening rocks, with easy, graeefcdj swell, No wind to check, nor movement 'to -impel; ' A living sketch of ocean's peaceful- breast, A heavenly print,' the tinting skies have pressed With blending colours, Art has failed to reach, Nor witchery caught which rounds this glorious beach, An aerial spell, or bud to burst and flower In sleep's domain, and bles> the dreamland . hour, When fancy lords the reign of vanquished time And .flits through, space, on spirit wing sublime.

"Sermons in stone," and symbols in tfaa deep Reward the gaze of those who watchful keep: The rarest bliss. that Nature .can. supply. .Are truths made ' plain," wiffiin herself • whid£ .."lie.' ■':■ :. . .■ . . • - ■- ..,;.- -„.- f- ;.'.-.- ■How. wise the purserproud fool, could it be said ' ■:.' .■:■■• • '•• •■■ -' ; A well-filled, pocket stored an ilMilwUvhead-! AoT rich, and poor, and all, from, her who learn, : ■•■■" r • ' ,■:." '.' • Must patient work and struggle, to discern. Now, oft has Truth's advancing stride- been I stayed • ... . • By those whom gold, or bigotry has swayed! The proudest wave that breaks with loud«st roar Not always makes most headway on the shore, Not men sincere, who fight the strong recoil Of sham may see great progress for their toil — Tho, more anon— Who-numed this " Half Moon, Bay," . Made happy choice, or fortunate were they. But mark the clouds, how quickly they have massed, . ' ■ • .' - : And o'er the hills their thicL'ning vapours cast: A storm's in brew, wee birds skim twittering' by In frightened search, for sanctuary to lie ! Above the swell, the-gulla in scattered flocks, On vigorous wings make for the sheltering rocks; . A gathering gloom, flicks like as northern lights, ' While rumblings low growl 'mong the enveV oped heights Till, in a moment, leaps the lightening's flash/ Then rock and mount rebound the thunder's crash; 'Tis as an angel snared by demon -skill Had burst to freedom from th' adjacent hill, And flaming, swept through, air's contracted dome, Triumphant, back to its celestial home, While rocks reverberate from shore to share ' shore . ! The baffled rage of fiends, appalling roar, l Which staggers earth, and tears the clouds in! twain, Shatters their sluice, and liberates the rain^t To make a rhymester, by the muse forsook, Roll up the pulp he lately called a book, Surprised to find the metre of bis 'brain Shows power of Rhyme dried. up by-pout ol Rain. , DEVON, Kaikour*.