Hard Lines.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 246, 14 March 1888, Page 6

Hard Lines.

The following lines were penned by a clergyman (now deceased) who for many years was settled in Victoria. They have the heading ' Hard Lines,' and so are likely to be endorsed by those readers who aro , just now a little misanthropic :—: — It's hard to live a saint on whey, When sinners drink the cream : Ifc's hard to be a middliu' man, When a great man ye might seem, ' Ifc's hard to lift your hat to him Ye ken to be a rogue ; Ifc's hard to gie a cloon right c No ! ' To what is maist in vogue. 'Its hard to speak the truth,' when lies Would earn you power and place ,• When Providence gie» scanty fara To say a hearty grace. < It's hard to be an honest man When rascals rule the roast ; It's hard to make self-sacrifice And yet to mako no boast. * It's hard to hear long-winded men) ' Hold' forth your am conviction, , And not in sheer disgust at last , To give it contradiction. , •• ' It's hard to see money-bags . Take precedence q brains ; t To find broad-cloth will wiii a jfla'ce; ' \ HHab'brdad sense never gains. ( _ ' ! ' It's' hard to hear some pieacherß" ban.^ , ' 'Gainsfc worldincss and/wine, ' When a' the time, ye brawly Ken, They're o' anitlier min\ ' j is ••; »i ' t>>' i ' '' '-' « i , 'fIt l ahardtoibe'a'maiiMa',''\ - > t <;<> » ' . ,; /Ancl waur-to.be a woinaffj <■ •' ' ' ' l i . . But bliinga'.willi iinaybe^tak' attirn : ' i> i :iSo, better days are'coiftinV" 1 <••-.'•