LINES ON LAKE WAKATIP.

Southland Times, Issue 1826, 2 December 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

LINES ON LAKE WAKATIP.

By LtrscoMßE Seabell. The sun went down behind the mount, Eight down into the snow, And the twilight crept from the dead day's arms, Shedding on all below A still, sad calm, till nought was heard Save the wavelet's ebb and flow. The cold deep lake lay still as death Below the mountain height, Not even a ware broke the sombre hue Of the still dark silent night ; For all was deep, and dark, and black, Save the snow cap't mountain white. Andtheßtars peep'd down from the list' ning heaven In the mirror'd lake to gate, Then blushed at their own bright loveliness And twinkled in amaze, While the trees gazed on them and murmur'd low To the zephyr their whisper'd praise. But the " Queen of the Night" now raises her head Above the mountain's crest ; And the lake shines forth his welcome bright As he Bees bis glowing guest, Then catches and sports with her silvery beams On his panting, heaving breast. And ralm, and still, in the pale moonlight Lies everything around — ' From the mountains with their towering creßts In icy fetters bound,' To the waters stretching mile on mile, With neither a sigh nor sound. And a stillness steals into my heart, And all worldly thoughts tnke flight, For Fancy wreathes her roses fair, And twines her garland bright, And the Present is as dead to me. Aye! dead aB the golden light. Then I goze- down the long, long vista of years, And see on thy sandy shore A mighty city rearing its head, With its bustle and pomp and roar ; But thy stillness and beauty have passed away, Like the Bhadowy days of yore. But Man ! though canst not with all thy might Level that mountain high, Nor empty that lake of its bluey depths, Nor curb the zephyr's sigh. Thank God ! t-ho?"- beauties c:in never change Till dread Eternity.