AMONG THE RUINS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 423

AMONG THE RUINS.

A VOICE amidst grey ruins clearly singing, While lengthening shadows o’er the sand-flats fall, And a wan moon like a white pall is flinging A sad and sombre lustre over all. What burthen hath that song which might enthral The desert ghouls to listening mutely glad ? What meaning bears its message musical?— ‘ While life hath love, shall song be wholly sad ?’ Hist ! Are there roses midst those ruins springing ? Is that the nightingale’s voluptuous call ? Can it be dew on those scant grass-tufts stringing, In the chill moonlight, gems imperial ! Ah, nay ! But while snake-slow the shadows crawl From mound to mound with perished verdure clad, Still sounds that voice with joyous swell and fall—- ‘ While life hath love, shall song be wholly sad ?’ What voice ? None knows. That rapturous carol ringing From forth the ruins hath no name at all ; But not the lark through the sheer blue upwinging Hath song so clear or so ecstatical. Shapes of delight, odours ambrosial Rise in the desert, and its spectres sad Shrink to their lairs, and may no more appal. ‘ While life hath love, shall song be wholly sad !’ Who hears that voice is never Sorrow’s thrall, ’Midst wastes with shadows thronged, with ruins clad ; ’Tis as an echo of Hope’s clarion call—- • While life hath love, shall song be wholly sad ?’