COME SOBER HAME AT E’EN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 354, 30 July 1863, Page 4

COME SOBER HAME AT E’EN.

There ance was woe at oor fireside, And want as. weel as woe ; Sair, sair we toil'd, but ne'er had anght But poortith ff*r to show ; For John was rrnco foolish then, And aft'for weeks, 1 ween, Would traik wi’ worthless men, and nefer Cam’sober home at e’en. But noo there's joy at oor. fireside, And though we yet toil sair, : We’ve pleasure wi’oor wark; for thrift. Gangs hawin’ andhaun’ wi’ rare ; For John has turned a wiser man. He's what he aye should been, f : 1 And wadna for a worl’ come aught. But sober hame* at e’en. There arsce were seenes at oor fireside That bairns should never see, When I forgat to houp, arid fear’d The warst that weel might he. But oh ! its unco hard to houp When want’s before us seen— Sic want as needna be if men Cam’ sober hame at e’en. Brrt noo there’s peace at oor fireside, Such peace as angels lo’e ; For aye our transient clouds o’ care Bright hopes are blinkin’ through. The bairns are blithe, and John, ne’er sits Wi’ red remorsefu’ e’en, As - aft lie* sat, whem he by chance Cam’sober hame at e'en. We often wish, at oor fireside, That a’the world might see . How happy folks that never drink Around the hearth may be. . And oh! that a’the wort'were blithe As I hae ever been Through a’ the years t2ssf? John has. aye; Cain* sober bathe'at ’ e’en. ! ; Thomas Liddell. Bell Hill, Dunedin.* ORIGINAL POETRY; SATIRE.. “ The shoemaker should not -go beyond hf - last.”— Old Saw. O-shades of Hannibal and Hamilcar, Who in your day were thunderbolts of war, , Frightening into peace the fiercest nations ; Proud Rome, at mention, quak’d to her founda> tions ; , , Though of her strength and influence quite sensible, - . . She deem’d your skill and gallantry invincible^ Where’er you are, whatever be your state (The soul,, we know,, nought can annihilate), just give, one thought to this terraqueous sphere For sake 1 of times long pastjand objects dear, Anil though Death of your services bereft us, See our great improvements since you left us. Without the aid of either school or college In wav’s manoeuvres we’ve profoundest knowledge. What though we never - in our lives sme?£, powder, Nor than a fowling-piece have heard aught louder? What should be done we know each part and particle, . As may be read in many a leading article. Were you on earth in this enlighten’d age. And wars (not Punic) ’gainst barbarians wage, Your wisdom or your skill, we much would doubt it, : Our ploughmen now-a-days know more about it, And lay it down, as plain as ABC The only way that leads to victory. So bless your stare that you have been call’d .< .hence ' -v <■ •• • Tn days wherein the folk had little sense, . Or laurel leaves you never would have worn, From off your brows critiques would have then* torn ; A world-wide fame you never would have won ' it, That is, if ink and paper could have done it. P. Bkbkixs, Corporal 57th regt. July 30th, 1863.