Verse Old and New

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, 22 June 1907, Page 30

Verse Old and New

An Awakening. I might have known Her heart was metal, bone. And stone! Have I not told hex' oft enow That she possessed a marble brow? Have 1 not said time and again Her tempting lips were rubies twain? Have 1 not spoken more than once— Love-blinded dunce!— Of eyes that held the depth and fires Of twin sapphires; Of hair of gold spun into curls; And teeth of pearls? Have I not likened both her arms To alabaster in their charms, Ami her complexion sung right free In terms suggesting ivory? Anil did I not to questioning friends reveal This maid I loved was true as steel? I hate like sin To think of what an ass l ie been To look fox' soft endearments from a lass Who’s in the marble, steel, and ruby class; Whose locks are ore; Whose eyes and teeth suggest a jewellery store — I might have known Her heart was metal, bone, And stone. 11. Next time I would dispose of this sore heart I’ll lay it down before some hall of art, Or possiblv, to keep myself from hurt, I'll flirt Outrageously With some Carnegie library; Or some vast office-building high, With feet on earth and head up in the sky. And’ hope to weather Hymen's tropic storm With something fax' more warm Than she who last night turned me down With cold and ruby lips, and marble frown, And’ shot forth ire From each sapphire Until I fled and wished with inward groan, That I had known Her heart was metal, bone, And stone! John Kendrick Bangs. Q ® >5 Love’s Coming. She had looked for his coining as warriors eoxxxe. With the clash of arms and the bugle's cal!; But he came instead with a quiet t read Which she did not hear al all. She had thought how his armour would blaze in the sun As he rode like a prince to claim his bride; In the sweet dim light of the falling night She found him at hex' side. She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange belli eye Would wake hex heart to a sudden glow > She found in his face the familiar Of a friend she used to know. She had dreamed how his coming would stil' her soul, . As the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife; He brought her the balm of a heavenly calm. And a peace which crowned hex' life. ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. © © © The Shepherdess. The moon, a slim young shepherdess, Lets down the cloudy bars, iAnd in the purple fields of night Leads forth her flock of stars. • —Minnie Irving.

The Dream of Life. The world is wide, and we are small, And life is brief; when conies the call To pass away and leave it all behind, Our fruitful days full few may seem. Or their swift course a hazy dream, Yet through the mist some order we may findThere is so little we can do, Aye, though we strive a lifetime through, Compared with that which must remain undone, And yet so much that none need fear Noi' shrink, when harvest time draws near, If he but do his best till set of sun. So let us work and play With right good will from day to day, Noi' seek to peer beyond the future’s rim; Some Architect of larger ken Has shaped this world fox' simple men— Mayhap 'tis well to leave results to Him! —John Coleman. © © © The Choice. “Here are red roses and white, Beloved, So choose, for now is the hour! Wilt have the white or the red. Beloved, Garlands of bud and flower?” "The roses of Death are white, Sweetheart ; The roses of life are red; Give me the roses of Life, Sweetheart, And give the white to the Dead!” “The roses of Life soon fade, Beloved; The red leaves fall at a breath ; Wilt ehoose the roses of Life, Beloved— Forfeit the roses of Death?” “I choose the roses of Life, Sweetheart, Fox' now is my hour and day; The roses of Death eaxx wait, Sweetheart, Till that time so far away.” “But the roses of Death are Life, Beloved. When the roses of Life are Dead; So ehoose white roses and Life, Beloved, Not Death anil the roses red.” — G WEN DO IA NE DA VIDSON. © © © Get Into the Sunshine. Get into the sunshine, get out of the dark, Let into your being the sun’s vital spark. More brilliant than diamonds, more precious than gold, Yet free to the beggar, the young and the old. Get into the sunshine, get out of the mold. Don't spend every moment in digging for gold. Get out where sweet breezes refreshingly blow, Get out mid the daisies, get out mid the snow. Get into the sunshine of love and of truth, And cast to the four winds the follies of youth. Drink deeply ami often nor feai' the e fleet. And wisdom and joy shall your footsteps direct. Get into the sunshine, get out where there’s hope, No longei' look inward and gloomily mope. Gaze into the future with faith's gleaming eye, And sorrow and d'arkness fax' from vou will fly. Get into the sunshine on this gladsome <lay, Awake from your slumber*, up, up and a way. God's clear voice is calling to hilltop and plain. And echoing over the blue-crestcd main. By A. G. RIDDOt (K.