SELECT POETRY. A LIFE SKETCH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 3 November 1870, Page 7

SELECT POETRY. A LIFE SKETCH.

fouml her sleeping in the B:io\v, HjtiJsatures sweetly mild ; One hand a tiny locket grasped, other pressed her child. The snow had mantled til around ; Twas dazzling to the sight :— But where she fell it thawed, and left A black spot in the white. Methought it knew the bitter shame That clouded one so fair ; And, mourning for her friendliness, It wept beside her there. We called her, but she answered not ; Both slept the sleep of death. Together, in the cold wild night, They'd drawn their latest breah. We loosed the locket, and beheld A man with smiling face ; 'Mongst her effects, a letter told His love was her disgrace. The Bame old tale — a maiden's love By ruthless man betrayed ; Say < will he smile when Justice checks Relenting Mercy's aid ? Ah ! sad the sight I have beheld A damsel -frozen — dead : — ■While o'er her from the winter sun A humid radiance shed. Her hair dishevelled, hid her face, Behind its icy veil ; Yet strange to say there was a smile Upon her features pale. A lily trodden under foot, And wounded left to die ; Yet angels may have joyed that night O'er her repentant sigh. Oh ! how describe her anguished thoughts, How tell her woful grief ; Tis left to those 'neath sorrow's hand To fill the vacant leaf. Ah, man ! why dissolute and fasle, Why love and then forsake ; And world why scorn those bleeding hearts, That trust until they break ? *Mid tears we placed her in a grave, Her child upon her breast ; A willow weeps above the place Where "the weary are at rest." C. W. M.