Select Poetry.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3541, 1 May 1880, Page 1

Select Poetry.

DYING IN HABNEBS. Only a fallen horse, stretched out there on the road, Stretched in the broken shafts, and crashed by the heavy load; Only a fallen horse and a circle ofwondering* eyes - - -; Watching the frightened teamster? gottttng the beast to rise; - *, • Hold for his toil is oter—no-more labour for him: I See the poor, neck outstretched and the patient eyes grow dim ; See on the friendly Btones how peacefully -rests his head— Thinking, if dnmb beasts think, how good it is to be dead; ' , After the burdened journey, howrestM.it is to lie , s ''■■'■■ ~'/ With the broken shafts, and the cruel load— . waiting only to die! Watchers, he died in harness—died in the shafts and strapsPell, and the great load killed him; one.of the day's mishaps— . ■ ».,.-' ■> .One of the passing wonders marking the city road— , • • .. A toiler dying in harness, heedless of call or goad. Passers, crowding i,he pathway, staying your . Btepa awhile, What is the symbolP "Only death! Why should we cease to smile ~. At death for-a beast of burden?" On, through the busy street That.is ererand ever echoing the tread of hurrying feet! . : „ What was the sign ? A symbol to touch the tireless will. ' ' . ■ Does He who. taught in parables speak in parables still ? : ■ . \ " The seed on the i-ock is wasted—on heedless . . hearts of men, < That gather and sow, and grasp juto lot*, labour arid sleep, and then—. .-. . !v.," Then for the prize! A crowd in the street of ever hurrying tread— ' . * The toiler crushed by the heavy load, is there in his harness—dead! - , .