Poetry.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 586, 16 June 1858, Page 3

Poetry.

THE WAND OF LIGHT.

One siintaier noon, a sad-eyed man—to whom Life's road from youth had lain through grief -and gloom, And every milestone was a loved one's tomb-f-Wander'd a-field, if haply he might find, Sung in the brook; or breathed upon the wind, S»me message from the souls for whom he pined. But, when _c found no music in the rill, Sun', dwindled to a thread, and each leaf still; " See," moaned he,"tothe sick all goeth ill!" And, hiding his wet face in the deep grass, j He pray _ life's chalice from his lips might pass, And his last grain of sand fall through the glass. Then, as he rose,'through ferns that strove to hide, . I Hedged in by weeds, a wild flower he espied j Bent earthward by a dew-drop: so he cried:; "Frail bloom, that weepest in thy hidden noOk Alone, like Sorrow by the world forsook, All the day long no sun on thee can look!" But, while he spake, a little, wane of light Passed through the leaves, making all faerybright, And what had seemed a tear to his dull sight Was now a tiny rainbow itt a cup Of thinnest silver, whence the beam did sup, And by degrees the flower was lifted up; And seem'd tp follow with a wistful eye A little drift of mist into the sky, Rising to join the clouds that floated by: Perchance, ere close of day, to fall in rain And help some seaward stream, or thirsty plain: Perchance to trickle down some window-pane Where a sick child doth watch, and so beguile The pain drawn lips to curve into a smile, And brighten its dull eyes a little while. • And seeing all that one small drop might do,j He felt why cloister'd thus the blossom grew And why a_p late it wore the morning dew; And, with;a lighter heart, he went his way, Trusting, at God's own time, some golden ray Would gleam on him, and touch his dark to day. — Dickens's Household Words.