Selected Poetry.

Western Star, Issue 1077, 30 October 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Selected Poetry.

AN ANSWER. Ah, do not chide me for the fears That ache within this heart of mine— Yet which is wholly, gladly thine — And marvel not some reign of tears Will full, though love doth brightly shine. It is not that I doubt, my own, Thy loyalty to mo or deem Man’s honour but a woman’s dream, And love a poor deceit, a stone That for brief moments broad may seem 5 But there are times when from the past Grey, shadowy phantom forms arise. And chill me with their mocking eyes. The friendships I was sure would last, The hopes I deemed of paradise. The hearts that once kept time and tune With mine own heart and voices sweet With tend’rest mine ear would greet: Dead roses of a buried June. We never more in life shall moot! O, Time and Change! Oh, whispered word That poisons Truth herself; and Faith That withered ’neath one icy breath; Affection scarce to being stirred Ere folded in the arms of Death ! They crowd, these mem’ries, thick and fast, Until, despite me, tears will flow ; “ We failed thee in the long ago, What hast thou done that this should last P ” They ask me in their tones of woe; “ Art thou more worthy, dreamer, now, That God’s best treasure should be thine ? His sweetest flow’rs thy pathway twine, His brightest glory crown thy brow ? As then, thy day shall now decline ! ” One word of thine, and all the dread, Unreasoning terrors that oppress And steep my soul in mournfulness, And cloud my sunshine, all are fled — Are vanquished by thy tenderness. Oh, prized all others far above, I long to live that thou mighfst say—- “ The thought of her is joy alwsy; I am the happier for her love, Let go what will let come what may ! ”

THREE LESSONS.

There are throe lessons I would write, Three words as with a golden pen, In tracing of eternal light Upon the hearts of men.

Have Hope! Though clouds environ round, And gladness hides her face in scorn. Put thou the shadow from thy hrow j No night but hath its morn.

Have Faith! Where’er thy bark is driven. The calm’s disport, the tempest’s mirth, Know this: God Jules the hosts of heaven, The inhabitants of earth.

Have Love! Hot love alone for one, But man as man thy brother call 5 And scatter like the circling sun. Thy charities on all.

Thus grave these words upon thy soul, Hope, Faith, and Love, and thou shaltfind Strength when life surges maddest roll, Light when thou else wert blind. —Schiller,