HE NEVER CAME HOME FROM SEA.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 51, 24 May 1884, Page 5

HE NEVER CAME HOME FROM SEA.

Watching the waves from the cottage door, And watching the sun go down, Tinting the grey rocks down by the shore, The spires of the distant town, Mother and child 'mid the roses stood, And scanning the crimson'd bay, ! Rich with its setting of field and wood, They watch'd where the big ships lay. "Father is coming;," the maiden said, " He called me his fairy queen, Twining the rosebuds about my head, i\nd kissing my cheeks between. Don't you remember when last he threw Fond kisses to you and me, Guiding his ship to the ocean blue, But now lie comes home from sea." " Father is coming, but tt 11 me \\ hen ?" The mother in love replied, Thrill'd with the music of sea and glen, Yet watching the darkening tide. " Never a sunset, and never a morn, Hut nearer he corner to me. Roses again shall your brow adorn. When father comes home from sea." Stealing away as the shades grew deep, And headland and wood grew dim. Mother and maiden, in peaceful sleep, Are dreaming alone of him. Dreaming of him on the ocean wild, Now yearning at home to be. " I shall be glad," said the slumbering child, " When father comes home from sea." Watching the bay through the open door. As mildly the winds swept by, Dashing the waves on the rocky shore. And warring with earth and sky ; Mother and maiden stood silent there, Watching each robing wave Thinking of those who in wild despair Go down to their ocean grave. " Mother, dear mother," the maiden said, While watching the snow-white foam ; " Would that the bitter tears you shed Might hasten my father home. Out on the ocean the sun may shine, His ship must be safe." said she. " Heaven will guard us, mother mine, Till father comes home from sea." Hush'd are the winds, and the thunders' roar, The sun shines over the bay, Over the billows, and over the shore, And over »he glistening spray. Mother and maiden still Avatch and weep, High up o'er the sheltered lea ; Watching for him on the treacherous deep, He never came home from sea. E. S. Husband. Mongonui.