Original Poetry.

Evening Star, Issue 3504, 16 May 1874, Page 3

Original Poetry.

ONLY A MISERABLE WRETCH. They took me from the drunkard’s den, And marched me down the street; My heart was nearly bursting then,' ■ * As ’gainst my side it beat. •' Contemptuous glances followed me, : And some one, neat me said—- “ Only a miserable wretch . Unto the court-house led,, “ Only a miserable wretch”— . I in shame;; ‘ Oh, they that bring the curse on us Are always first to blaine. The heartless words rang through my-brain -With quick and sharp report; My woman’s nature shrank with pain ■ Down the street to the court. “ Only a miserable wretch”— , I turned and gazed behind ; •" My long-forgotten girlhood passed Before my wandering mind. Electric thought spanned -wasted years And leaped the fierce,, wide foam, ’Till girlish,smiles replaced my tears Within the dear, old home. My heart, with ah elastic 1 bound, Flung off its weight ed 'sin,' For-happiness shone all arqund,,' And peace reigned quben within. 1 ' The dross was severed from the gold i ; -In childhood’s pure retort, ... I 'Ahd l was free, and far away From constables and court. ' The primtbses were opening up ; Their petals on the meads, ~ And offering to the sun’s first ray . Tbeir dewy crystal beads; And where the perfumed lilac swung, The thrush sang clear and sweet ;' And in the world there seemed no room For sorrow or deceit. The moss-rose nestling on the sill, Peeped at me through the pane ; I fancied that the linnet’s trill Was “ Welcome home again! ” I felt my mother’s warm caress— The blissful dream was short, For waking to ray wretchedness, I stood before the Court. “ Only a miserable wretch,” I knew not where I stood; Despair, remorse, and misery , Stirred up my wildest blood. I cursed the world with bitter hate— ■ Oh man !'we are your thralls ; All eyes are filled with scorn or hate, When once a woman falls. It was not thus with Him who raised' Magdalen from the ground. The preachers now who bear His name Are seldom near us found. , Oh, Master! though the world be cold. In Thee we’ll find support ; The lost ones can regain Thy fold XJp the road to Thy Court. _ •• • • ... Thomas Bracken. Dunedin, May 15.