PETER, THE PLOUGHMAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 4079, 28 February 1894, Page 6

PETER, THE PLOUGHMAN.

Peter the ploughman drives afield Hia glossy, prancing team, Contentment sits upon his brow Just like a sunny Deam. Deem him low-bred and in brain power, Only a step away From those two brutes he guides ; but then, What doth his actions say? He sets his ploughshare with a will, Nor schemes no selfish plan, And from his manly brow outpours The sweat of an honest man. With snatch of song, from Adam earth He turns the fresh green sward, Trusting his labors yet to yield A harvest of reward. But see, he pauses in his toil, A moment's thought and rest ; Think ye that love of gain alone Doth reign in Peter's breast ? Down by the furrow's lip he stoops ; What s now discovered there ? A feathered household's cradle horne — A world of love and care. Four outstretched, gaping, blood-red throats, Four pair of bead-like eyes, Four infant birdies in their nest Set up their hungry cries. Think ye the cruel ploughshare's tread Shall crush the household low? And rob the parents of their joy, And fill their breasts with woe ? By all the minstrels of the woods, By all the flowers that grow, By love and beauty, earth and sky, Our ploughman crieth— No ! With tender touch and loving care, Within the parents' view— The cowering little innocents Are nestled all anew. Where soon with strength of ripened wiug Their joyous flight they rise, To flood the sunny braes and fields With music from the skies. And doth not Peter's heart rejoice, Though earthly cares enthrall V He knows the Omnipresent Eye, That marks the sparrow's fall, Shall note his care of meaner things And win His love and grace, For such as Peter ne'er in vain Shall seek the Father's face. Gymhe. Rothesay, Scotland. A WOMAN'S QUESTION. ♦ Do you know you have asked for the costlies* thing Ever made by the hand above— A woman's heart and a woman's life, And a woman's wenderf ul love ? Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing As a child might ask for a toy ? Demanding what others have died to wiu, With the reckless dash of a boy. You have written my lesson of duty out, Man-like you have questioned me— Now stand at the bar of a woman's soul Until I shall q\iestion thee. You require that your mutton shall always be hot, Your socks and your shirts shall be whole ; I require your heart to be as true as God's stars, And pure as Heaven your soul. You require a cook for your mutton and beef ; I require a far better thing. A seamstress you're wanting for stockings and shirts, I look for a man and a king. A king for a beautiful realm called home, And a man that the maker, God, Shall look upon as he did the first, And say: It is very good." lam fair and young ; but the rose will fade From my soft young cheek one day. Will you love me then, 'mid the falling leaves, As you did 'mid the bloom of May? Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep, I may launch my all on its tide ? A loving woman finds heaven or hell On the day she is made a bride. I require all things that are grand and true, All things that a man should be ; If you give this all, I would stake my life To be all you demand of me. If you cannot do this — a laundress and cook You can hire, with little to pay ; But a woman's heart and a woman's life Are not to be won that way. Elizabeth Barrett Browning.