Poetry.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 406, 24 September 1856, Page 2

Poetry.

CHARADES ON UNPOPULAR SUBJECTS. (No. *.) " It's as true as taxes is—and nothing's truer tli'an them." The sky is bright, the breeze is fair; With mainsail flowing free And lifelike grace, a gallant bark Is bounding o'et the sea. "What seeks myfrst across that azure deep ? Would he his soul in dreams of beauty steep Mid the green isles of glittering tropic seas ? Or is hispennon waving in the breeze To prove that England's lion does not sleep, But over English homes a watch doth keep, Guarding her hearths ev'n in the hour of peace ? Oh! noi he seeks a distant shore With heart intent on gold ; A longpercentage iv his head, And blue shirts in his hold! They near the coasts of sunny Frauce, My second to descry: An islet crowned by one dark mass Of frogling masonry.* And many a tale the captain tells Of captives in its gloomy cells Shut from the light of day; Prisoners untried—their guilt unproved, Torn from their homes and all they loved To pine their lives away. The port is gained—no buyers come ; He speaks, his venture ruing,; " Can this be busy Lyttelton ? What are the Customs doing ? Why don't they "clear" my shirts so blue, So fit for every station V' Alack! two thousand cocoa-nnts Have found them occupation! With yard-wands stretched and brows perplexed They seek their cubic measure, To "square the circle" striving^till In most profound displeasure. ; And " Cease," they cry, " to tempt our view With fustian strong and serge of blue We cannot—dare not —buy: My whole ordains that by their weight, And not theirworth, unto the state All things their tribute pay ; And we, concealing all our ire, On light things fixing our desire, Must learn to " walk in silk attire" From pure economy.' 1 • A nautical reader may suggest the grave practical in convenience of making the Chatean D'lf on a voyage from Gravesend to Lrttehon. That was the Captain's atiair.