The Stream of Life.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2079, 10 June 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Stream of Life.

Softly stealing through the thickets, Brightly glancing o'er the green, Oomesa little gushing streamlet Clad in robes of silver sheen; Where the scented blossoms gather, Wandering in careless play, Now in sunshine, now in shadow, Holding stilt its winding way. Through the meadows sweet with clover, Where is heard the bee's low ham, Pest green groves from wboee cold shadows Bongs of joyous minstrels oome; Then o’er rooks, through wild recesses, Dark with gloom from tangled pines, Where unseen the roving sunbeam Halt bewildered faintly shines. Forward through the narrow valley, Pressing on in wild turmoil. Thence in growing volume harnessed, Forced to turn the mills of toil. Captive now in Man’s dominion, Gone its early bonrs of play, Hum of wheels and sounds of labor Bise along its onward way. Onward stretching, ever stronger Ae its widening coarse extends, Soon it moves a mighty river That in stately current wends Slowly, calmly, toward the ocean, Broad, resistless in its pride, Till, at last, the wearied waters Meet and mingle with the tide. How like Life this stream in passing From its birthplace to the sea 1 First like childhood, all untroubled. Cleat it gushes, careless, free. Then in youth, impetuous, dashing, Books and perils in its course, Gager, restless, forward pushing Past each cheek with gathered force. Added years bring added labors, Urgent toll now claims bis own, Manhood, with its cares and struggles, SUwly moves as graver grown: Till, with time's augmented burdens, Us ae-worn, wearied Age at last Journeying reaches Deslfc’s wide ocean, Joins the tide and life is psM.