A WISH.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 274, 20 June 1888, Page 4

A WISH.

The circumstances of Mr Arnold's death give additional pathos to the following linos, which form part of his poem entitled "A Wish." Tho first portion was afc any rate fulfilled :—: — Spare me tho whispering, ciowded room. The friends who come, and gape, and go ; Tho ceremonious air of gloom— All, that makes death a hideous show! Nor bring to see me cease to live, Some doctor full of phrase and fame. To nhako his sapient h< ad. and give The ill he cannot cure a name ! Nor fetch, to take the accustomed toll Of the poor sinner bound lor death. His brother doctor ol the soul To canvass with oiHcial breath Tho future and its viewless things— Thai undiscover'd mystery Wh leh one w ho feel? death's winnowing wings Must needs read clearer, sure, than he! .Bring none of these ! but let me be, Whiic all around in silence lies, Moved lo the window near, and see Once more, before my dying ejes, J3ii thed in the -sacred dews of morn The wide aenal landscape .spiead, The world winch was ere I was born. The world which lasts when 1 am dead ; Thei c let me ga/e, till 1 beoome in soul, with -what I ga/o on, wed J To leel I lie universe my home, To ha\ c before mv mind— instead 01 tin- s.< k loom, tho moital strife. The turmoil for a little breath— 'l'h" pure eternal course of life, Not human combatmgs with death. Thus Iceling. gazing, might T grow Composed, relYesh'd, ennobled, clear; Then willing let mj spirit go, To work or wait elsewhere or here.