SELECT POETRY.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 789, 5 November 1853, Page 3

SELECT POETRY.

TRADE AND SPADE. BY CHARLES MACKAY. Between two friends, in days of old, A bitter strife began, And Father Spade with Brother Trade Disputed man to man. " Your vain, undutiful, and proud," Said Spade, with flashing eyes, " You earn your thousands while I starve You mock my children's cries, You ride in state with lordly looks, You dwell in bower and hall; You speak of me reproachfully, And prosper on my fall. So, from this hour, in shine or show'r, We'll learn to live apart : I rul'd the earth ere you were bom; I cast you from my heart." And Trade lost temper in his pride, He uttered words of scorn " You do not know the ways of men: Amid your sheep and corn. You doze away the busy day Nor think how minutes run: Go, put your shoulder to your work. And do as I have done. You've all the earth to yield you wealth, Eloth corn and pasture land ; I only ask a counting-house, And room wnereon to stand. And from this hour, in shine or shower, I'll learn to live alone; I'll do without you well enough— The world shall be my own !" And thus they wrangled night and day. Unfair, like angry men. Till things went wrong between them both, And would not right again. But growing wiser in distress, Each grasped the other's hand . " Twas wrong," said Spade, «< to rail at Trade, He loves me in the land." And Trade as freely owned his fault—- •' I've been unjust," he said, " To quarrel with the good old man Who grows my daily bread. Long may we flourish, Trade and Spade, In city and in plain! The people starve while we dispute, We must not part again."