THE OLD CANOE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2164, 22 May 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE OLD CANOE.

Where rocks are gray and the shore is steep, And the waters below look dark and de.»p, Where tho rugged pine, in its lonoly pride, Leans gloomily over the murky tide. Where the reeds and rushes are long and rank, And the weeds grow thick on the winding* bank; Where the shadow is heavy tho whole daythrough, Lies at its mooring the old oanoe. The useless paddles are idly dropped Like a sea-bird* wings that the storm ha* popped. And croised on the railing one o'er one, Like the folded hands when the work is done; While busily back and forth between The spider weaves hi* silvery ttcreen ; And the solemn owl, with his dull " toohoo," Ssttlea down on the side of the old canoe. The stern half sunk in the nlitny wave Bots alow away in its livijg grave, # And the green moss craepa o'er ita dull decay, Hiding the mouldering dust away, Like the hand that plants o'er the tomb » flower, Or the ivy that mantle* the falling tower, While many a blossom of liveliest hue Springs up o'er the sttrn of the old canoe. The currentlesa waters are dead and still, But the light winds play with the boat at will, And lazily in and out af -am It floats the length of it j rusty chnin, Like the weary marc' a of the hands of time That meet and part ir . the noontide chime ; And the shore is ki»ae d at each turn anew By the dripping bow- of the old canoe. — ' General Albert Pike.