Original Correspondence. AMBITION AND ITS VICTIM.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 84, 9 January 1847, Page 3

Original Correspondence. AMBITION AND ITS VICTIM.

THE SUICIDE. Ambition— 'Tisa lofty mountain, # Climbing to the skies ; whose summits seldom reached; Cut on it's sides, are pleasant spots, c'en from the base, Varying in attraction ; but most strange to say,_ The rules of strict peispeclive, are reversed in vision ; For distant lofty objects arc sometimes greatest here ; While those within the reach of they who toil the steep Seem insignificant. The mountain's face is covered, With a multitude, and all seem striving upwards} But there are not paths for all ; some fall from Rugged heightb ; and such confusion is there In the swarm 01 beings, that you would guess hi vain at times, as to their purpose. Now bo-inds the trump of war, the battle cry, The dyiug shriek, the song of war ; and there are, Feasts of love, with pleasant bowers, and cooling springs Temples, find priests ; pilgrims, and shrines, altars, Ami sacrifices, senates and thrones, and wild confusion; Joy and grief are there, with rage, nud pity, love, And mad revenge ; all wildly mingled on the steep. While now and then some weary traveller, looks despairing At the height above him, and rushing in the presence, Of assembled millions, leaps into the dark and teriible abyss of dread eternity. One such a deed as this I knew, it was a saddening sight, A man of lofty figure stept along, undoi a noble mien ; And at his side a lair, and comely woman walk'd ; She was his wile, and ne.ir tiiem followed too, A group of pretty children, girls, and boys j and, When tuey readied a pleasant passage in the steep ascent They'd rest themselves, and gaze, around, or pluck, Rich fmits from overhanging trees ; and then their mother, With a warm embrace, would kiss the lovely children, And would part their flowing hair, from off their brows And bless them, while their little faces beamed with smiles. Or else they would surround their father, while lie taught some useful lesson, or he told a tste, Of wondrous things he'd seen, in distant climes. They seemed so happy as they went along, that I, Was fain to watch them, and enjoy the scene. At last they rcach'd a rugged passage, in their route ; Boldly the father went along ; sometimes his wife. Sometimes his children, bearing in his arms, o'er spots of difficulty t Chasms, ravines, deep swamps, and pointed rocks. He seemed untiring, but what surprised me most Was the gentle woman with him, who seem'd at once, To change from weakness into superhuman strength For she became the stronger ot the two, and with elastic step She bore her children fearlessly, cheered her husband While embracing him, and whispered comfort in his ear, When he most railed, and weakness bent his form. I saw they lost their path insensibly; in this sad dreary spot, And hardly gained subsistence, irom the herbs and berries Which there grew at intervals. I saw the struggling parents, And their children, in ninny a close embrace; and 1 heard youthful cries ot sinking nature, sobs, and Jeep distress. Suddenly the father ro*t\ he !vI.«M his children, uttering Grotius of deepest a jony, au<l lunging an their mother's ueik He wept ; aud then he madly ni&licd upon the brink, Which overhung Eternity, mid plunged headlong luto the unfathomable abyss. Those he had loved so dearly saw the dreadful deed And oh ! the harrowing shriek of agony that arose, From that high minded noble mother, was terrible indeed ; And the sweet children with their bright blue eyes, Suffused with tears, and little sobbing breasts, And plaintive cries, and bauds outstretched to heaven, Made up a picture of uuutternble woe. I look'd more narrowly, an.l saw their little forms, Were shrunk to skeletons, for want of nourishment ; Aud as the mother raised her face, siie cast a glance Of thrilling misery on her childien, and then she rose And clasped them all within her arms, and kiss'd, Their sunken cheeks and eye?, with all a mother's Deep undying love ; she took the youngest in her hands And bade the others follow, till they reached a spot, Above the desolation stiew'd around, and nearest heaven And here she knelt, her little ones did also kneel, Around, and when their pretty h'ea Is were meekly bowed, r T!ie mother prayed ;— and asked the pitying eye of God, To view the r misery with compassion j and to save, Her buhes from famine ; to give her strengtu to lead them From that scene of desolation, to some more fertile spot; Ami though the tears streamed from her eyes Aud her whole fianie convulsed, there was ? Sublimity in that good mother's face, a's she implored, From God the aid they needed in their deep distress. I saw them leave the spot and wind their way With greatest difficulty, but as though heaven had heard And answered prayer, I noticed that they found When least expected, clusters pf fruits beneath the rocks Which seemed to view, un likely ere to yield them. At last they reached a resting"place, near the road side, And here they sat them down, till pitying e^es lieheld them, and melting into tears at the sad scene Each traveller gave his mite of food, and clothing And comforted the mother and her children. CfIAYoN. Auckland, January 1, 1847.