THE PRICELESS THINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 5 August 1882, Page 6

THE PRICELESS THINGS.

Those are vulgar tilings we pay for, be they stones for crowns of kings, While the pieuious and the peerless are unpriced symbolic things. Common debts are scored and cancelled, weighed and measured out for gold ; But the debts from men to ages, their account is never told. Always see, the noblest nations keep their highest pme unknown ; Ch.-eronea's mat bio lion frowned above unlettered itouc. Mirathon and Balaclava,— -who shall mete the worth of these ? .Shall we huxtcr wifh our lifeboats that doty the leaping 1 seas? Ah, flip (hecks kuow ! Como their victors honored from the sacred g-ainc", Under arches red wiih. roses, flushed to heat 1 their shouted name**. Sec their native cities take them, br«>uch the wall to make a prate! What supreme rowaid is theirs who bi nig sucli hnuors to their state ? Jn the fotum stand they proudly, take their prizes from the priest : Little witmllis of pine and pai 1> 3 on their miked temples pi e.sscd ! We in laker days arc lower. Ay '. -• m-i mful stroko is made, And wo raise a purac to pay it— making manliness a trade. Sacrifice itself grows venal— suiely Midas will subscribe? And the shallow pouls are satisfkd wheu worth accepts the bribe. But c'en here, midst the markets, there are things they dare not prize ; Dollars hide their hoi did faces* wheu they meet amiointcd eyes. Lovers do not seek with jewels; flowers alone can plead for them ; And one fragrant memory cherished is far dearer than a gem. State^m^n stjer the nation mfely ; artists P'l^s the burning test, And their country pavii them proudly— with a ribbon at the breast, When the boldier sa \ps the baUle,- weaps the fl'ig" around hi" heart, Who fhall desecrate hii honor with the values of the mart ? From his guns of bronze we hew a piece, and carve it as a cross ; For the gain he gave ( was priceless, as unpriced would be the loss. When the poet sings the Idvesongr, and tbe song of Jife and death, Making millions cejiyo their, weary toil and wait with wondering breath ; When he gilds the mill and mine, inspires the slave t-> rise and da»e ; Lights with love tho hopeless garretfc, tells the tyrant fo beware ; When he steals the pang from poverty, with meanings new and clear, , Reconciling pain and peace,- arid bringing blessed visions near :' His reword? Nor ci oss nor ribbon, but all pj;ber« high, nbove ; They m^y, wear, their splendid, symbols — , lie has earned the people's love.

Tub editor of a Virginia -paper was asked by the stranger if -it was 'possible thafc'lifctle town kept up four ncwdpa per?, and the reply was : ' No ; it takes four newspapei-s to keep <np, the town. *i