Poetry. Yes, or No ?

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 28 November 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry. Yes, or No ?

RuicH ]>i Mr. /If 1 1 ij hrtiin at the dinner gum hy him to In campimj at Fittsbnrg. 'Tbia poem is flnsjcsted by an old Dutqh custom which prescribes to tho K-ooer & symbol of acceptance or refusal. Aa his mistress sits by tho live he waits for her to replenish it. II this be done it ia a oign that his suit ia suocessfal; but it shojets th« embers die ont he knows there is no hope.]

I. Lsans ho 'gains'; the old Datoh ingle, Half in hope and half in fear ; ( I'irelight shadows dancing mingle, "Wfc&ve their fiet-wo*k far and near. .Strong of limb, yet shapely roouldet 1 , Features bronzed with ocean tan, btands he there with arms enfolded, Hoping blessing— fearing ban. Will h3 dare to learn my ». c k ; ng Will she bo his comely wifa ? 'Tis the fire so warmly bashing, Holds the eeoret of his life I When the ruddy embers dwindle ShoUld the maiden wish to Mess, She will then the flames rekindle. And that act shall whisper—" Yea."

11. Sits she there ho quaintly pretty In her 'd&p'artdrtt&istlcss gown, With hat face all ripe with blushes, And her eyea turned meekly down. Hears bo sound, the clook ftiil ticking Many aweary-hoarted mow, As in sympathetic ttorrorr, For the time already flown. Keen *nd anxiously he watches, While the rmbers sinking low," Steep the maiden's graceful iigure In a rosy tinted glow. Well she knows hie errand thither, And the love-Ilowers in hia heart ; Will oho b-d their blossoms wither 2 Shall they bloom— or die apart ?

111. Sit j . Bho there in golden beauty, Gently roclriag to and fro, Tin r.t last the struggling embers, "With th*i last spark answer, " No ! " One lcr^ sigia— cne 80b hall broken— Stir-) the bailors stricken breast. To! I bis fate, yet no words spoken, AH bis life one long unrest. Moving slowly towards the threshold Wi.h i ruR. Ed kind of grace, Grfttpi the laiah »tul sadly tnnjing, Looks a look that claspa her face. Long, too lonp; his farewell taking, in that gbcoe of yearning light ; Then with'hewt, all oru«hed and Weeding, Drifts into the lonely night. Hal LouinKß in the Theatre.