THE FABLE OF AL' SURE. (From " Tales of Araby.")

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 340, 6 February 1889, Page 3

THE FABLE OF AL' SURE. (From " Tales of Araby.")

Go Ihou and read the poets, mark them well, For they should only write Words tipp'd with flame to scorch men's souls and slay The errors of the night. And God shall judge, when on thai awful day " The angels with the scales" Weigh up the talents kindly lent to us, It a just balance fails. But if one sorroAV by the poet slain, It shall count up for ten, Ten talents of pure gold God gave to him To cheer the souls of men. Hear then, the fable of Al' Sure, who sang Lays of most pleasing tone, Having the ring of silver vessels, touched 13y zephyrs f rom the throne ! Wavelets of song, kissed by great Allah's sroile, His love rays brought to view, As exquisite as are the angels' songs, Tender, and warm, and true. So saner Al' Sure, morning and noon and night, In sunshine and in rain ; Soothing sad hearts, all weary as his own, Crj nig m want and pain. And when he died, kings knelt before his tomb, And holy prophets prayed. Saving—" Teacher of God, thou pure and wise, Stand wo to-day ashamed. " For thou wort sad, and we had figs and wine, Silver and gold in store, And gave Mice none ; yet thou didst ever sing Songs of a bi ightor shore." And then (so saith the book) they built a tomb In honour to his name, Whereon 'twas writ, and set with precious stones— " Fame ! for the Poet, Fame !" But God cal ed up to him his chosen one, The gentle bard, Al' Sure. Go thou and sing, as did this poet king, Thus shall thy fame endure. W. It. WiLLS.