MISUNDERSTOOD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 419, 19 October 1889, Page 3

MISUNDERSTOOD.

"Misunderstood," with echoes dull and dreary, Kings tin o ugh life's inner chambers one siei-n word : Its mark, like that of Cain, on forehead weary Stamped as the verdict of an alien herd. " Misunderstood !" On tomb of sculptured marble We write our petty tale of empty praise— At best- a guess: the truth we do but garble In flattering epitaph or well turned phrase. "Hicjacetl" — who? Not the poor life we cherished. But something else, quite different and unknown; Full of ambitions, hopes, joys, fears, which perished Long ere the husk, wherein they dwelt, was gone.

We know not these— the dream which won his vision Was dark to us ; the fears that drove him back. The hopes which, lacking fruitage, seemed Elysian, Gleaming like idle marsh fires down, his ti ack ;

The blots which marred his life and won our censure, The tailing — errors which we read too well In j altering step or effort— perad venture Did we knr w all, a different tale they'd tell. All is conjecture, nothing known for certain, E'en we ourselves misjudge the life we lead; How, then, shall others draw aside the cunain That hides trom them each thought and word and deed?

Nay, let its deep folds rest ; seek not to ponder Too nearly what may be of ill or good ; Let the end come, then lay him gently yonder ; He sleepeth well; write but "Misunderstood." E. H. GrULLIVIK.