IN THE SUNSET.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1606, 28 August 1874, Page 337

IN THE SUNSET.

Grandpapa sat in his easy chair By the ancient garden gate ; The breeze was lifting his hoary hair, And the sunbeams lingered late, The summer beams—they were flashing so, In his dreamy soul-filled eyes ! And the rippling brooklet was chanting low To his heart's fond memories. The merry children were playing round, Near Grandpa's chosen seat; Dancing that eve on the daisied ground Were their tiny restless feet; And his thoughts went back to the days which were, As the zephyr fanned his brow, When, a joyous boy, he bad frolicked there, As the children frolicked now. "Oh I grandpa, sec! here's a beauty rose That Theresa found for you 1 If you'eome with me where the lily blows I will show where it grew." And the brooklet sang, and the sunbeam smiled In a sort of heartless glee, On the aged man, and the playful child, As she leant upon his knee. He smoothed the waves of her silky hair, And he kissed the childish face, So sweet and guileless, so bright and fair, In its soft and sinless grace. But his heart had flown through the mist of years, To the light of days gone by, And the voice of memory caught his ears With its silvery minstrelsy. In thought he played on the grassy sod, In the sunlight of the day, And knelt to thank the all-gracious God, With the last faint sunset ray, Again at his mother's side he prayed, And she whispered soft and fond, Till he thought of a mound in the churchyard's shade, And then of the life beyond. Then the harp of feeling resumed its song, And he vowed, as long ago That his youthful bride he would cherish long, For a life of weal or woe. And life's broad river, a restless stream, With its rapid flow, rolled on ; And soon he woke from his soft day-dream, And knew that his bride was gone. So grandpapa sat in bis easy chair, In the sunset's crimson glow, Thinking of those in the country fair Where the living waters flow. And though his eyes were with moisture rife, It was not the tear of pain, For soon in the hands of endless life He would find his youth again 1 tmmmim ———————■——■————— »