On Simple, Common-place Verses,

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 May 1890, Page 2

On Simple, Common-place Verses,

Now-a-days 'tit expected Ait AvOwt should bring Fresh thoughts to their r»ad«M— that Potts should sing In strains that are striking, melodius, tod clear, Wfaieb, likt notes »f the " bell-bird," miy ehann all who hear. Bat it it not easj to ttrike nou> g> itraia Which has not been well suag, again, and again ; Human sorrows and joye at* alike the world o'er — We leve, hate, hop* aad fear, at »•• did of yore. And every emotioa which aaa'i heart eaa feel The B&rda of all ages hat* tried t» reveal ; ; With words fall of wisdon, of forte, and of fire, The noblest 08«» aimed mankind tt raise higher. ¥o hare thoughts new aid itrikiag, we own to be graad— With fit wordi to express them at ready eomitaad ; But some themes, thottgb old, beas repeating agaia, There is pleasure is heariag a irag's simple refraia. The old-fashioned ftowers that sprang up at oW feet, la the days of oar yeath, are still fragrant and sweat : I The rich notes of the latk, as it sears to the sky, Ire old as the day it first aonnted oa high. And tbough..eoprmon-»laee be the tile thut ia told" By lovers in this ag«— 'tis sweet, as of 'old-' Were the words Adam spake to oar ancestress Eva On the d*y he, his -fail* bride from God did receive. What now givetn paaee to the heart full of woe But the simpU " Old stoiy," told long, long ago ? That story, though old, shall be felt ever new While the sua in the heavens his course doth pursue. Let the strong-winged ones soar as high ac they may ; The sweet-roieed pour forth as inspiriting lay ; But even humble songsters may alse hftre part — In soothing, or cheering, some sore, burdened heart. — B.D. Foxtoa.