WHEN THE NEW YEAR DAWN

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 330, 2 January 1889, Page 3

WHEN THE NEW YEAR DAWN

1 (From "Talcs of. Arabj .") When the ])uic angclb of the Great mortal [ Khali gather in array, And roil the shadows of the dying year, As n orning mists, nway, We shall behold a most enchanting region Bursting upon our sight : Dazzling with peails, a/.urinc and amber, Carmine, and mauve and "white. With towers uprising past the peaks of mountains, Whci c crystal rivers run : SparUlmij as opals in the early morning. All enmson'd in tho sun. < 1 With mosques so vast that a long summer's journey Wcreonly'lialf way through ; Pillar and barque, and finely fretted car\ ings. Each riclicr rite to view. 'I'rees where the wood do\ c, nesllinp, in their brandies. Coos to her crested mate. And goldci plo*. ers from lair lra\ bovi ers Pipe with a joy cl.ite. Fruits of the gourd, with iig'i and dates, and almonds, llono^ and milk and wine (The fragrant clc^s from oil" the holy mountains), Gh ing us life divine. Should we regret, then, that the year is dying, And soon f,h;ill pass, away, When God shall open up eternal glories. Brighter than brightest day .' Tho Now Yoar beckons to a realm of gladness, Its pleasures all our own, And we sit dou n to rest on golden couches Near to great Allah's throne. We know the old year like a life of sorrow Fades as a wrotched dream, And tho New Year of most entrancing glory Shall make our joys supreme ; No more to hunger for the fruits of summer. Nor faint on the parched sod. But be the guests of aye-enduring pleasure, ITed at the hands of God.

W. It. Wills.