THE PLANTING OF THE VINE. A THOUGHT FROM THE GERMAN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 102, 22 January 1870, Page 7

THE PLANTING OF THE VINE. A THOUGHT FROM THE GERMAN.

Old Father Noah sat alone "Within his tent at morn, "With such a shadow on his faco As spoke a heart forlorn. " What ails thee, Noah ?" said a voice, like soft sweet music pour'd ; And Noah, looking up, beheld the angel of the Lord. " Forgive me, Lord," he said and sigh'd, " If wrongfully I think, But I am thirsty, nigh to death, And know not what to drink."

" To drink ?" the gracious angel said ; " See, where the streamlets run, And all the gladsome waters leap Rejoicing in the sun." "'Tistrue, dear Lord; but thought recalls The mournful myriads drowned— Brave men, fair women, lovely babes, And cattle of the ground. J loathe all water for their sakes — The beautiful, the youngIt tastes of blood, it smells of death, 'Tis poison to my tongue."

The radiant angel's lovely face Shone bright with heavenly fire : " Noah, such pity for mankind Beseems their second sire. "Wait till I come !" Like lightning flash He vanished up the skies, And like a lightning Sash returned, Ere Noah raised his eyes. "Take this," he said, and held aloft A vine-stock branching fair ; " Heaven's noblest gift to human land, Entrusted to thy care.

" Go plant it on the sunny hills, For health and length of days. And press its fruit for joyous drink, And the Creator's praise. It bears no taint of pain or death, And fails not to impart Strength to the body and the mind, And gladness to the heart. But curse not water, c'en in thought, God's blessing most benign, Fountain of beauty and of life, Mother of men and wine."