SELECTED POETRY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 354, 15 February 1881, Page 3

SELECTED POETRY.

THE YOUNG WIDOW. She is modest, but not bashful, Free and easy, but not bold ; Like an apple, ripe and mellow ; Not too young' and not too old ; Half inviting, half reputing, Now advancing, and now shy— There is mischief in her dimple, There is danger in her eye. She has studied human nature ; She is schooled in all her arls ; She has taken her diploma As the mistresses-* • f all hearts. She can tell the very moment When to sigh and when to smile ; Oh, a maid is sometimes charming, But a widow all the while, Are you sad 1 How very serious Will her handsome face become ! Are you angry ? She is wretched, Lonely, friendless, tearful dumb ; Are yon mirthlul i How herlaughtc , Silver sounding, will ring out ; She can lure and catch, and play you, As the angler does the trout.

A LITTLE COFFIN. A little coffin, three feet long ; Eyelids red with weeping ; Another darling’s joined the throng Who sweetly lisp an angel’s song, In Jehova’s keeping. The little feet, so quiet now— Eyes are closed for ever ; A drooping head may o’er it bow, A mother kiss the snowy browafore she’ll press it never. The tin}’ shoes are hid away, the little dresses, And wept in secret o’er each day ; Sat kissed and prized much more than 1 they Are two golden tresses. ~ .at the silent midnight hour. When the world is sleeping, A : mely heart thinks of the flower Transplanted now to Eden’s bower, And can smile while weeping. A is a tale nor s(ra go nor new, Lov’d ones lorn asunder ; A mother’s fears a grave bedew, Over it grow sweet violets blue, Babv’g sleeping under.