Long Ago.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2099, 19 December 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

Long Ago.

Wr. wandeicd in u girden fair, When simmer sun v/aa shining, And laden was the trJmy air With ec?nt of ros?=i rioh and raro Around nt intertwining. There thrilled the thrush bis glorious song; Thpra thrilled the echoed all mghtloDg The warbling nightingale. You taught rae till each songster said, Arrl in each floweret's heart you read Some hidden tale; You said their meß3age I should know: "f was Birnplo &t au easy rhyrao — But that wa 1* one? npon a time Long ago 1 We parted in a Woodland glade Wbnn autumn winds wero nighing, In gold and russet bright anayed A flowing canopy displayed The summer loaves a dying ; And but tde wind, no other eo'intl Than a leaf that fluttered to the ground, And a far-off robin singing, We heard. You guessed my thoughts, and eaid: ' In spring, the swallows who havo flod Will beck bfl winging ; Tho trees a brighter emerald show, The roso a richer crimson glow, Than any gloatacd in this year'a prime' — All thid was once upon a tirco Long ago! 1 What though a whilo wo pirt,' you cried ; ' What though tho win 3 is tighing; Tho spring will autunsn'H froat deride, The &ummor laugh at winter-tide, Long powci to grief denying. We part, but never say farowr-11; Noi' let tho dead leaves to in tpll A tale of ohangelesß sorrow ; Fair Spring coms3 sparkling dowa tho doll, And in that morrow, If atill upon inn world babw, We'll meet 'neath yonder spreading lima ' — You said so once upon a time Long ago 1 Forchanco you havo forgot all this; Twaa long ago; Perclmnco you sneer at worJa like bliss And lovers' wop. Or else you nro ftmu^od—as I— To think wo onco aworo wa should He, If fato Hi! parted; To think wo vowed so soon to met, And flaid in apring-titno we would greet, Or elao be broken-hcaited. ! Strange —is it not ? —to have fancied fo. You phiile, no doubt, auoh thin o 'fl to know ; Or do you count it as a critno To thiuk of once upon a t>'mo LoDg ago?

Linpa Gaudiki.u.