"MISERIS SUCCURRERER DISCOS

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 147, 1 December 1870, Page 7

"MISERIS SUCCURRERER DISCOS

[Written hy the Earl of ftosslyn, uud sold thejJfU^'t of the Society for aid to the sick fmd v^Kdeu in war.] . j " We do pray for mercy, Ana that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of nieicy." Shakspearc, "The Merchant of Venice." I have heai d the war-notes sounding, From " revcill€e " to " retreat ;" I have seeu the war-steps hurrying, Both in triumph and defeat. I have heard the voice of thousands Welcoming the victor home ; I have heard a Maiden sobbing — , " Will he ever, ever come?" I know all the signs of battle, Sounds of carnage, sights of war, Speahing to a nation's feelings, Ciying to us near and far. Gold and glitter, sword 3 and trumpets, And magnificent array ; Ah ! huw small a part such pageants, In the end can ever play I Far beyond all shallow glory, Far above all statecraft's right, Comes the suffering and the sorrow, Comes the never-healing blight Bitter blight of pure affections. Bitter weeping for the slain - Fathers, luotheis, lovers, kinsmen— Never to come back again. "Worse that this, the host of wounded, Pallid, writhing foi ins of woe, Grim y bearing speechless torments, Pains, how tieice they only know. Pangs of thirst ard throes of hunger, As their life-blood ebbs awny ; Backed with thoughts, and sights of others Doomed to death on that dread day. Thousands fall, and thousands near them Spring again at duty's call, And again, another moment Sees another thousand full.

Every horror words can uttei Speaks, though dumbly on each face ; Ev ery toi ture earth cau iashion All are there— except disgrace

Honour safe -no soldier reckons Death, or pain, or wife; or child -- So Le iall fuil-hont to fuemau, So his fame be uudi-filed.

But a sisteihood of mercy, Gentle, loving lieaits Hie near, Tendei ham Is to bind a i>andage, And to wipe a inauly tear. And a skilful cohort, learned Iv the science, piompt to save ; Science- cruel when most kindly — Keseues many fioiu the grave. But, outnuiubeied, what can they do? '! housamls claim ti.o caie ot one ; And that one. tliough stoutly striving, By the many is outdoue. Help them, then ; although the contest Kage>. on a foreign s>oil ; In God"s ejes all meu are brethren, Ever sacred is such toil.

"Who can say, how soon the fury Jliiy assail our own dear land ? And the help we now ho yl.nliy Offer with unsparing hand

Bo returned tenfold — ten hundred? Hdp, then, all who have the power ; Help the dying— help the wounded — "Do not thiow awaj- un hour ! And the God of Peace will bless you, A.ml the men of war will ble3S, Aim theii- wives and grateful ninidens, Help you iv your own distress.

August 27, 1870.

R.