MADOLEINE

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 237, 28 March 1885, Page 8

MADOLEINE

(Words by W. K. Wli-MS— Music by W. H. Webbb.) We have received the following beautiful song from its gifted author, Mr W. R. Wills, of Otahuhu. The beauty of the words is all the more remarkable as they were written to meet the notation of a "song without words," already in manuscript, by Mr AY". PL Webbe, the well-known talented musician. Such poetry as this has the true ring of geuius, and like good wine which needs no bush, this poem needs no praise from us, but speaks for itself : — Over tlie moorland And over the lea, A sweet weird, spectre Still haunteth me ; By the old Abbey And churchyard dim, A sweet voice singeth • A spirit hymn. O ! Madoleine, sweet Madoleine ! * Shadow or spirit, whatever thou art, O ! take thine arrow from out of my heart, Sweet Madoleine. Keinorse still presses It's cold icy hand, Not like the caresses Of spirit land ; Unlike the embraces When true and young, Love's left no traces In spirit song. O ! Madoleine, sweet Madoleine ! Angel or seraph, whatever thou art, •Come to me once again, light of my heart, Sweet Madoleine. By the swift river Of by gentle stream, Visions still haunt me Like a sad dream ; Where the dread canons Kage fierce on the plain, Wounded I lie near The dying and slain. O ! Madoleine, sweet Madoleine ! Seraph or angel, come to me now, Press but thy cold lips still to my brow, Sweet Madoleine. • -ITor a wedding present buy a cabinet sewing ">; machine from D. S. Chambers.