AN AUTUMN MELODY.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 May 1900, Page 571

AN AUTUMN MELODY.

I sought to write; but words were idly thrown la hopeless jangle, void of rhyme or tone, Just as a rustling of the autumn's breeze, Stirring the tree tops, casts the yellow leaves. i And yet my wandering fancy seized some lay, Some ruiuor melody of sweeter chords, I saw Earth's promise through the live-long day, The heavy sheaves of harvest's treasured hoards. The very brook in sunlight's glitter shown ; Its winding way, a silver ribbon bright ; Gurgled and gushed delicious monotone, And helped to pen my wayward verse aright. And from the broad leaf, hark, the bell-bird's voice Calling in maze of notes his feathered spouse

Whoso flute-piped answer " Lovo, rejoice, rejoice " ! In mellow carol filled the leafy boughs. Now all around, the hum of insect, life, Conjures fantastic thoughts of roods and strings, All harmony;— nor any sound of strife. Can I then silent be when Nature sings. Quiet and slow the cattle homeward go, The cowboy's whistle echoes fainter now Quiet the twilight comes, the sun winks low Lighting with latest ray, the mountain's brow. Hushed is the air, only the babbling stream Its way, more querulous perchance, pursues. And I must end my tattored careless theme Lest night with morbid thought, tho mind confuse, 0, BiiAfilii,