Poetry. Life Lilies. AN ALLEGORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1845, 3 May 1884, Page 5 (Supplement)

Poetry. Life Lilies. AN ALLEGORY.

I wamikred down Life's garden, In tlio flush of a golden day, The flow cis and thorns grew thickly In the spot where I chanced to ati it I went to choose me a ilowor For life, for weal or foi woe ; O», on I went, till I stajod mo By the spot wheio the lilies g) ovr. " Yes, I will carry a hi} ," I jaid m my manhood's pude, "A bloodless, thornless lily Shall be my flower' " I cried I stretched my hands out quickly To where. the pale blossoms grew Wns it the air that shivered ? Was it a wind that blew ? Was it my bauds that scorched them ? As I touched the blossoms fair, They broke and ocatteied their petals On the sunny noontide air Then I saw a great, blight augel With opal-coloured wings, Where the light flashed m tho feathers In golden glimmerings He said, '• Thou bust sinned and sniFcied 5 me not for theo, They are all for the little children, Emblems of purity." " Shall I never carry a lily P Never ? " I bitterly cried. With his great eyes full of pity, The he.ivenly one replied 1 When the heat of the day is ovei ; When the goal is won," ho fciiul Ah, then I lay God's lilies In^the hands of the stainless dead ! " —.1!I The 1-i.n