A POEM OF ADVENTURES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 249, 7 November 1872, Page 9

A POEM OF ADVENTURES.

As in the field I harrowed seed, A theme my fancy rousing, Of a day of adventurous deed, It straightway sent me musing. \nd on I prosed, but what betwixt The sandflies and the horses, My thoughts distracting from the text, It rather spoiled my versos, That sultry day. Yet still T hammered at my rhyme, To give at least the ghost o't ; And if they are not finished prime, Yon must just make the most o't. 'Twas on a warm sunshiny day, Just after stormy weather, When beaux and belles, in fine array, Love to ride out together On such a day. 'Twas on that day, to cut it flash, As c'en at times I can be, I carefully curled my moustache, Resolved to be the dandy ; And reason had I for my share, I vow my heart was mellow, For in an Irish jaunting car I was to drive out Bella, Quite gay that day. And now the play has fair begun ; You'll see, as it uncovers, The gauntlet I that day did run With Isabella's lovers — Who, for the sake of her blue eyes, That like sunbeams were glancing, . Like honey to a swarm of flies Did after her come dancing, A score that day. We had not far pursued our ride, Ere, jaunting with her Billy, We met the youthful coming bride. Like an unbroken "filly, Sweet lass, I thought, your lightsome share Of life will soon be altered • The breaking-tackle you must wear, You'll soon be roped and haltered For life that day. On Switzers, where young ladies ride On horseback from their cradle, The man who wants to win a bride Must set her on a saddle. Just set her mounted on a horse, Take o'er the hills a canter, Her sweet consent for well or worse la given whenr you want her, On any day. But to my tale We started off, But O ! the roads were shocking ; The sultry day, the mud and slough Soon made the horse quite soaking. Yet still through dub and slush away ; The hill as we did crawl up We saw come spurring up the brae Two horsemen at a gallop, In haste that day.

The first was ho whose want of grace Once led to deed erronic, Yet this* is little in a place Where this is rather chronic. Nor ."Howd'yedo?" nor " Howarayou?" Or, " I see you ray good fellow ; " At me no glance they deigned to throw, But glued their eyes on Bella, At once that day. The other was a perfect beau, Yet seemed a jealous carl ; He squinted round at me as though He had two minds to quarrel. His whiskers and moustache were oiled, And both inclining yellow ; While o'er the trap he leant and smilel, And whispered low to Bella, Quite soft that day. Yet soon they left, to my relief ; But scarce I'd heaved a sigh. O. They passed again, to my great grief, Increased now by a trio. So, they ahead, and we behind, Down the hard mad went spinning ; But little thought I in my mind The tricks they were beginning To play that day. Our progress down the road so smooth One then resolved to alter ; Nor care of risk, nor fcl\ought of ruts - ' His. pjirpoa©: fell did^^tef.

He checked hia horse with this intent, Our road completely blocking, Wiipn bang the shaft struck him, and sent H>3 Rosinante rocking, Near down that day. f( Take that !'* I ssaind n below My breath, " 'Twill stop ydur gasconading : " When swift they all closed round my path With looks of wild bravading. As they came on, with fear struck dumb, Their teeth I heard them grinding ; I thought, my latter hour was come, By the<»fi -wild rocks of Winding, Ho lone tha:, day. Yet Fortnne once more proved my friend. The rogues rode off, though scorning ; I aafely reached my journey's end, And homeward was returning, Of all my foes relieved, and proud ; But soon more fears were stewing, When I looked round I saw a crowd Of horsemen fast pursuing, Like smoke that day. Like Tartars rushing on their prey, His steed each gallant spurred it ; While I beheld, to my dismay, One with a sword was girded. I seized my whip my charge to feud, As round they 'gan to crush me, Resolved to fell with the butt end The first who dared to rush me, Quite brave that clay. But soon my mirth after a while Dispelled my nervous vapors^ As I remarked how for a smile All cut such silly capers. One gracefully hia legs stretched out, And in his saddle wriggled ; One twirled his old moustache about, A third one grinned and giggled, Quite vain that day. At length the hero of the sword, • As of success despairing, Rode off, and all with one accord Then made a general clearing ; Yet through that comic scene the while,The beau with whiskers yellow Leant o'er the trap, andwith a smile He whispered low to Bella, So kind that day. Again that red he-whiskered l>lado ; Like lion on his quarry, Camp springing from ?..n ambuscade Whore he for us did tavry. How I reached home with a safe nose, So oft that clay in danger, i From such v crowd of frantic beaux T still am quite a stranger, E'en to this day. Now darkness closed around our steps, Tlie river still nnforded, Yefc spite of all mishaps and slips At home that night we boarded. While all these perils my brain did raok That night upon my pillow, I guess I'll take another track When next I drive out Bella, Than oa that day. Lennie's Hotel, Waikaia Flat. [Advert.]