Poetry. Love's Treason.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1982, 21 March 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry. Love's Treason.

lIV NATHAN I). Ul'Xril. llvu face is nobly pure and fair, Her form the very soul of grace : It peetm no shade of grief or care Could e'er have crossed that perfect face. Calm and serene, her polden smile Makes £lad and Bweot her palace home, Falling like dew from heaven's pure blue On quests that go and guests that come. But still, if hearts were unconcealed, \o le u s by hers, which seems Bublime, A deep remorse would be revealed For one betrayed — a moral crime ; And haunted is she night and day By him, her first, her only love, Whom yet for gold she cast away — For gold, as all things else above ! They were betrothed. A grand estate Was laii abruptly at her feet. She paused — was dazzled — clutched the bait, And love's foul treason waa complete 1 And now, to make the penalty More sharp, the traitress knows with shame The wronged one honoured, rich, caie-free, And laureled with the world's acclaim. And he, her lord ? liich and despised— Stamped as the meanest 'neath the sun — Contempt and hatred undisguised — The contrast is a bitter one 1 And yet her mask fihe wears 80 well, So gay her manner or serene, You'd scarce believe remorse could dwell Beneath her fair and guarded mien. 1 called her deed a moral crime. And waa it not so ? Tell me, pray, If Love shall not exact in time The penalty that traitors pay 7 Still, though she seem the suul of mirth, And joy, and cartlens ease — beware ! There's no unhappicr soul on earth Than yhe of yon proud palace there. — Nrw York Ledfjrr.