Truth and Falsehood.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1683, 10 July 1875, Page 6 (Supplement)

Truth and Falsehood.

BX JOHN Gt. SAKE. List to a <ale well worth the ear Of aU who wit and sense admire— . Invented, it is very clear, Some ages prior to Matthew Prior. Falsehood and Truth, ' upon a time.' One day in June's delicious weather ('Twas in a distant age and clime), Like sisters, took a walk together. On, on their merry way they took, Through fragrant wood and verdant meadow, To where a beech beside a brook Invited rest beneath its shadow. There, sitting in the pleasant shade, Upon the margin's grassy matting, (A velvet cushion ready-made), The young companions fell to chatting. Now while in voluble discourse On this and that their tongues were running, As habit bids, each speaks, perforce, The one is frank ; the other cunning. Falsehood, at length, impatient grown With scandals of her own creation, Said, ' Bince we two are quite alone, _ And nicely soreeaed from observation, Suppose in this delightful rill, While all around is so propitious, We take a bath ?' Said Truth, ' I will; A bath, I'm sure, will be delicious!' At this her robe she cast aside, And in the stream that ran before her She plunged—like Ocean's happy bride — As naked as her mother bore ber ! Falsehood, at leisure, now undressed, Put off the robes her limbs that hamper. And having donned Truth's snowy vest, Kan off as- fast as she should scamper. Since'then, the subtle maid, in sooth," Expert in lies and shrewd evasions, Has borne the honest name of Truth, And wears her clothes on all occasions ; While Truth, disdaining to appear In Falsehood's petticoat and bodicesStill braves all eyes, from year to year, As naked as a marble goddess.