SELECT POETRY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 170, 5 November 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

SELECT POETRY.

IN TOWN. I have a friend across the street, We never yet exchanged a word, Yet dear to me his accents sweet, I am a Avoman —he a bird. And here avo twain in e-Llo dwell, Par from our native Avoods and skies, And dewy lawns Avith healthful smell, Where daisies lift their laughing eyes. Never again from moss-lmilt nest, Shall the caged Avood-lark blithely soar ; Never again the heath be pressed, By foot of mine for evermore ! Yet from that feathered, quivering throat, A blesssirig wins across to me : No thrall can hold that mellow note, Or quench its Jlamc in slavery. When morning dawns in holy calm, And each true heart to worship calls, Mine> s the prayer, but his the psalm, That floats about our prison Avails. And as behind the thwarting Avircs The captive creature throbs and sings, With him my mounting soul aspires, Oil Music’s strong and cleaving wings. My chains fall oil, the prison gates Fly open, as Avith magic key ; And far from life’s perplexing straits, My spirit Avandors, swift ami free. Back to the heather, breathing deep The fragrance of the mountain breeze, 1 hear the Aviml’s melodious sweep, Through tossing boughs of ancient trees. Beneath a porch were roses climb, | stand as L was used to stand, Where cattle-bells with drowsy chime Make music in the quiet land. Past fades the dream in distance dim, Tears rouse mo Avitli a sudden shock ; Lo ! at my door, erect and trim, The postman gives liis double knock. And a great city’s lumbering noise Arises Avith confusing hum, And whistling shrill of butchers’ boys ; M.y day begins, my bird is dumb. -—‘Temple Bar.’