THE POPE'S HEALTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1087, 22 April 1913, Page 4

THE POPE'S HEALTH.

Rome, April 20. The Pope is tree of fever, and the improvement in his condition continues. THE PONTIFF. A weight is on the heart of man, The head of man is bare; Each crowd and creed, and class and clan Alike the burden share. Solemn the whispered praises rise, Fervent the pleadings burn. As once again all human eyes Towards the Tiber turn. The steel-fringed legions fall to dust. The rusting spear heads droop; Through sculptured Rome with triumphs lust, The swart barbarians troop. The power of arms has run its course, The cohorts pass away, But greater in its pomp-and force The Reign of Rome to-day. Its Ruler’s power the Earth enfolds. Though swords arc sheathed for aye. For love its subjects over holds Far surer in its sway. His seals of duty gently pressed The flutt’ring hearts emboss — The Consul of the Triple Crest, The Caesar of the Cross. To-day his sceptred glories sink. He turns to face the straits. .Whereon the steep and crumbling brink The kindly Azrael waifs. Both lives spread clear before his view His smiling eyes adore. Long lies behind the World he knew. Longer the world before.

He scans the stubborn path he chose. The fields his hands had sown — Each fruit and flower in radiance blows Far as the seed was thrown. He seeks the hearts that with him bide— True is the love they bear— The grist,led hearts that once dolled— And finds his image there.

With Faith serene, he turns to go Bowed in Humility, With arms outstretched and face aglow, He meets Eternity. Silent to-day the mussed recruits. The potent banner furled, As he about to die salutes The Caesar of the World. —H. Malone, in the Sydney Sun.