Dying in Harness.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 2, 9 May 1885, Page 3

Dying m Harness.

Oniy a fallen horse, stretched out there on the road, Stretched m the broken shafts and crushed by tho hftavy load; Only a fallen horse and a circle of wondering eyt-s j Watching the 'frighted teamster goading the beast to rise. Hold ! for his toil is over— no more labour for him ; ■ See the poor neck outstretched and | the patient eyes ({row dim ; See on the friendly stones how peacefully rests his head — Thinking, if dumb beasts think, how good it is co b« dead ; After the burdened journey, how restful it is to He With the broken shafts, and the cruel load — waiting only to. die ! Watchers, he died m harness — died m the shafts and straps — Fell, and the great load killed him ; one of the ctay's mishaps — One of the passing wonders marking the city road — A. toiler dying m harness, heedless of call or goad. Passers, crowding the pathway, staying your steps awhile, What is tho symbol 1 '• Only de .th 1 why should we cease to smile At death for a beast of burden ?" on> through the busy street That is ever and ever echoing phe tread of the hurrying feet ! , What, was the sign, ? A symbol to toutch the tirless will. Does He who taught m parables speak m parables still ? The seed on the rock is wasted— • on heedless heart-* of men, That gather and sow, and grasp and lose, labour and sleep, and then — Then for ihe prize ! A crowd m the street of over-echoing treads— The toilejycriished by the heavy load, ia thore m his harness — dead !