A DREAM OF FAIR OCCASIONS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 226, 29 October 1887, Page 3

A DREAM OF FAIR OCCASIONS.

I. In the darkening shades of twilight, As 1 wandered, sore distraught, Griefs and woes of days departed Surged unbidden on my thought ; Joys and Sorrows intermingled In the memories of the Pabt, Fair occasions, lost and vunisued— All too beautiful to last.

11. Suddenly between my vision And the lurid setting sun, I beheld a troop of: shadows Dimly rising one by one. But though filmy, vague and shapeless Loose and f bin and undefined, Gatht ring form and seeming substance In the rushing 9i the Wind,

111, Crr&,lu:iUy in human substance, Draped in robes of trailing mist, I could trace then* pallid features In the moonlight, new up-rist. Silently they flitted past me, Each with warning hand upraised, Lonpf and lank, and bare and skinny. Pointing at me as I gazed.

IV. Well I knew them ! friends and lovers I had scorned in days of yoro, Unobservant and ungrateful For the blessings that they bore ; Blesiinufs, Promises and Chances, All by kindly Fortune planned. To be moulded to my purpose, And be lashionccl by my hand !

Y. Fortune, Fame, Dominion, Glory, Friendship, Love and Peace of Mmcl They had brought for my acceptance. Had I known what they designed. ■ JJnt I saw not, or neglected— Heedless mid the whirl of life, Lured by pleasure, swayed by passion* In the never-ending strife.

VI. Blinded by misleading splendours, Prodigal ot strength and youth, Late my weary eyes were opened To the knowledge of the truth. That I wasted life's young morning And the noon-time, past return ; Eurning up the years and leaving Nought but ashes in the \nn.

VII. For a moment, as I sadly Gazod and wondered, every face Of the pallid ghosts and phantoms Seemed to glow with youthful grace ; 'And to woo me to caress them As I might in Life's young prime Have caressed a radiant maiden, My heart's gocldesa for the time.

VIII. And I called in plaintive accents— " Stay, yo fair ones i stay, oh stay! T am wiser, I am better Than in Youth's departed day; I have learned from Sorrow's teaching Priceless truths too long unknown — Stay and guide and shape the future. Oh, my beautiful, mine own !"

IX. Suddenly to gloom relapsing, And. evanishing from sight, They were lost amid the darkness Of the me'ancholy night, And I heard us they departed, Fitful as the winds that bore, Mournful voices whispering faintly, " Lost ! oh, lost, for evermore !"

-Charles Mackay in " Tomple Bar.**