BOUTS RIMES SONNET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 6, 5 August 1908, Page 43

BOUTS RIMES SONNET.

t RESULT OF COMPETITION No. 18. ;.., .; There was an excellent response to our invitation fof sonnets constructed on trhyinies supplied |to competitors, the subject bying optional, tn; no previous competition Wibr'suelr a .high standard of literary merit attained by competitors. ' Ovor a score of the sonnets received are worthy of being classed as poetical in conception and execution, .while at least! a dozen are so nearly equal in point of excellence that we should

have liked to give a prize to the writer of each. Since that could not be, we had, perforce, to proceed critically, and, by a careful process of elimination on account of minor blemishes, reduce the number to two. Most of the competitors have followed the obvious line of incident and thought suggested by the rhymes; but several efforts show striking originality of treatment, more especially one sonnet on “The Suffragettes” (awarded second place), and another addressed “To a Stag.” Other excellent sonnets are those entitled “To Morn,” “Ascent of Ruapehu,” “An Alpine Climb,” “The Hill of Poesy,” “Mount Egmont," “The Calling Mountains,” “Ambition,” <‘Life’s Upward Path,” and “An Incident in the Life of Queen Elizabeth.” We

hope to publish selections from these in future issues. After full consideration, the first prize has been awarded to MR. J. S. BROWNE, Hinucra, and the second to MISS EVA I’. CATO (who is requested to forward her address). We print the prize sonnets and several others:— “AT EVENTIDE IT SHALL BE LIGHT.” (First Prize.) The rugged rock-strewn mountain side I climb. With willing spirit, but with weary feet, Toward the line where snow and verdure meet, — The boundary of perpetual winter-time. The tussock plumes are decked with sparkling rime, The balmy mountain-air is pure and sweet, And all the world with peace and joy replete. Far down the vale I hear the vesper's chime. At Nature's shrine, in contrite adoration, I linger, heedless of Time's rapid flight, Till sunset’s splendours drape the western sky. The burden falls; my heart thrills with elation; Surely my unvoiced prayer some seraph bright Will waft unto the mercy-seat on high. ... THE SUFFRAGETTES. . (/Second Prize.) Thrust back, misunderstood, they try to • • climb. That they may. help the bruised and fallen feet; Derision, doubt, contempt and scorn they meet; Yet as the sun dispels the morning rime. Shall their true purpose bring a triumph sweet, And in uplifted lives a joy replete: — “She hath done what she could” the winds shall chime. Then may they pause to render adoration. When by their vote foul wrongs have taken flight, And faces bowed to earth are raised to sky. —A peaceful triumph brings deserved elation. .May patient zeal fulfil the prospect bright. And large-souled men help raise the race on high. ON RANGITOTO. Up Rangitoto’s rugged side I climb. And joyful stand, though with wellwearied feet, Gazing entranced, where sea and harbour meet, Regardless of the swiftly passing time. Far, far above .the black rocks splashed with rime, The salt air, brushing cheeks and hair so sweet, Surrounds me with an atmosphere replete With charms that with my pleasing fancies chime. With lifted eyes, compelled in adoration, 1 follow on the sea-bird’s heavenward flight, ♦ Watching the white wings, ’gainst the sapphire sky, Till heart, and bosom swell with glad : elijtiog. Lift, my soul seabird, on thy pinions bright, And bear me soaring to those regions! high! —b. shedding: Auckland.

TO A STAG. Unseen by thee, I pause to watch the* climb From craig to craig with dainty nimble feet. And flying leaps, now hast’ning on t® meet Thy gentle mate, who waits thy coming time. With softest calls, that seem to blend and rime, A mutual greeting passes low and sweet; And now thy world's with peace and joy replete. What bids my hand to check the rifle’s chime ? Thy noble mien, thy hind’s deep adoration, Puts lust for cruel destruction fast I® flight, Uplifts my soul, speeds it across the sky Its own love mate to meet. In this elation, I bid thee, antler'd king, take freedom bright, And ever hold thy royal head on high. MRS. ALFRED DYER. Mount Eden. THE CALLING MOUNTAINS. For ever luring feeble man to climb Their parlous paths ne’er trod by mortal feet, The Shadow feared but earlier to incot — To reach the Bourne before the wonted t ime, Ere age has flecked the clustering locks with rime; When Life’s cup brims with amber, nectarsweet. When morn and eve with music are replete— The dew-drops trembling to an elfin chime. Their call conflicts with Hymen’s adoraation, Pulse-quickening is the Condor’s cyrio flight; A magnet, mitror the immediate sky, Infusing courage and a-strange’elation. Till scaling iron crags, and glaciers bright, God like, he' treads cloud-piercing summits high. M. A. SINCLAIR. Auckland. THE HILL OF POESY. Had I the power new steeps of song to climb, To view strange fields unrolled beneath my feet With willow-margined streams, that mur. muring meet, ' - . And realms forgotten since the birth of Time; Were but my vision clear as is my rime, Then all the songs 1 sing were, doubly sweet, With all the wealth of every inns® replete. And ringing clear as Heaven's own bellg may chime. It is not any lack of adoration That clips my wings and stays my upward flight, Leaving me still a stranger to the sky. I thrill with hope, 1 feci the bard's elation; The dazzling prize is very rich and bright, But, oh, the way is steep, the hill is high. MRS. T. VERCOE. Nelson.