THE ONE HOPE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 344, 20 February 1889, Page 6

THE ONE HOPE.

Cloud upon clova in fair and stately guise Adorns the western skies, ' Hushed with the splendours of decliningdight Rosy and amber bright ! , f The sides are blue as autumn's skies' can tie : And here and there I see ' wL - Some shining cloudlet idly borne along, ',• ' As my thoughts are in song. \ j It is the close of a calm Sabbath day As once again J stray * By the cool river, loitering to behold Its beauties manifold. 1 I?Jt-gJ°1 ?Jt- g J° wa . tch tfl e shifting currents glide With the impetuous tide ; i The sunny wavelets in their sportive glee ' Are musical to me. Near to a graceful bridge that spans and stems These waters of the Thames, I seek the coy recesses cool and sweet Ot a beloved retreat. M^7 f^ nc^ ' wan <*ers to that blissful time, When m the June's fajr prime Eeneath an avenue of limes I roved With one by me beloved ! Again I do recall her fair, young face Bright with surpassing" grace ; And dream I listen to the soft-toned voice That made my Tieart rejoice. T^e angel glances of her soft brown eyes Withm my soul arise ; Their beauty haunts me constantly, but here Their charm is doubly dear. The scene is still unchanged— save that the breeze Disrobes the spreading Irees ; And the green leaves that made a fragrant shade Lowlm the dust are laid— Low in the dust as youthful hope is laid X et I am not dismayed ; Love like a Phrenix from funereal pyre Surmounts the flame and tiro. I may not taste again the peerless bliss, ihe sweeuiesb ot her kiss ; Her beauteous torru will nevermore be seen Where once its grace hath been. Yet though this cannot be. there is a joy That death can not destroy. In thinking ot the rapture that hath been Amidst tins sylvan scene. The heart has memories, even as the mind, And in it are enshrined The precious keepsakes into which is wrou The giver's loving thought. One treasured relic of this season fair Still with me here I bear ; Although my tancy needs no artist's aid However well pourtrayed. When I am freed from this material strife— This masquerade of life, Where strangers walk as friends and friendships made Are by seif -interest swayed — If I might choose, her sainted form should be Companioned there with me ; For oh ! not shining seraphs to my sight Could yield me such delight ! So, when my body moulders in the dust, L'liis one sweet, gentle trust Will haunt me in those viewless realms of air With bliss beyond compure !

A. W. Hurry. Helensville.