Select Poetry.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4425, 10 March 1883, Page 1

Select Poetry.

WOMAN'S VOICE,

Bt Edwin Abnolp.

Not in the swaying of the summer trees, When evening breezes sing their vesper hymn— Not the minstrel's mighty symphonies, Nor ripples breaking on the river's brim, Is earth's best music; these may have awhile High thoughts in happy hearts, and carking cares beguile.

But even as the swallow's silken wings, Skimming the water of the sleeping lake, Stir the still silver with a hundred rings— So doth one sound the sleeping spirit wake To brave the danger and to near the harm— A low and gentle voice—dear woman.'* chiefest charm.

An excellent thing; it is, and ever lent To truth, and love, and meekness ; they who own This gift, by the all gracious Giver gent, Even by quiet step and smile are known: By kind eyes that have wept, hearts that have soiTow'd— By patience never tired, from their own trials borrow'd.

An excellent 1 thing it is—when first in gladness A mother looks into her infant's eyes— Smiles to its smiles, and saddens to its sadness— Pales at its paleness, sorrows at its cries; Its food and sleep, and smiles and little joys— All these come ever bent with one low gentle voice.

An excellent thing it is when life is leaving—- • Leaving with gloom and gladness, joys and ' , cates— * • '. • •

The strong heart failing, ana the high soul grieving With strongest thoughts, and wild unwonted fears; Then, then a woman's low soft sympathy Comes like an angel's voice to teach us how » to die.

But a most excellent thing it is in youth, When the fond lover hears the loved one's tone, That feara,.but longs, j;o syllable the truthHow their two hearts are, and she his own; It makes sweet-human music—Oh! the spells That haunt the trembling tale a bright-eyed maiden tells. ,