POETRY

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 350, 22 January 1903, Page 2

POETRY

THE 80NG OF THE SEINE. TO TM COURT OP KIHa» •" 'gfc^ 'My silver ripples wash away " All Hi"*™*"* from the brain of man, In the cold darkness you shall en rely say, 'Oh, but Death's «rms are tenderer than My lover's arms, wherein I lay ' Those arms from which you fled at last, Shuddering through the night and day, With maddened hands, that strove to cast From out your life the fires that cling, My depth can quench and heal, and low, Long lollabies my sedges sing To a heart that, beating upon heart. Slowly heard awful echoes there. I will draw you to silence, for bo apart, 'Memory comes not, nor despair And you, poor bodj, who onee joyed so In my city, and found it fond and fair (Hot even yet a year ago), la royal state I will take you there; Deaf to men's laughter and man's lies, - Tnat is the royal way to so; Cold to man's kisses, and with eyes

Too calm" for tears or triumphs. Low My courtier willows shall bow the head, And proud, white clouds their shadows throw Before the cold,Jtriurophant dead. 0! Death's is a royal road to go. . And men in the city of your delightGlad city that once your laughter heard, And the beat of your heart in the hush of the night. Shall do jonr bidding without a wordWithout command they shall carry you where Kings—conquerors of the world—keep state, Whose courtiers do not even dare Speak to them—they are far too great; With a conquered, world beneath their feet, Serens, indifferent, cold, they wait, No voices can make those calm hearts - _ beat. , Not even the voices of Love and Hate. ' 0 Silver Singer I' the woman Baid, * Would that you held me cold aud dead; But to do your bidding—then must I Cset out Love ere. I could die'