SILENT SONGS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2215, 18 September 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

SILENT SONGS.

Let the world go on with its mighty schemes, With its wizard vision s',5 ', its golden dreams— With its cloud-built castles of empty air, And its thorny fetters of doubt and care, With its gilded toys that a day will dim — With its deathly sceptres, gaunt and grim — With its fettered limbs, girt round with wealth — Where luxury paralyzes health — Give me loved friends and home ! It were sweet to dream of undying Fame, When a world should cherish and love my name : It were sweet to think that my living thought Should stir men's spirits when I am not — That my words of courage and lofty cheer Should thrill when I am no longer here ; But sweeter far that the loved should weep O'er the sacred spot where I calmly sleepAye, give me kind friends and home ! It were aweet to travel in foreign lands— To press my feet on the storied strands Where poets and painters lived and thought, And loved, and sorrowed, and felt, and wrought. My soul has gloried in all of these, But would listen and listen, on every breeze, For sounds from home, where children played. And clustered around in the twilight shade — Yes ! give me true friends and home ! It were grand to ride on the stormy wave, And feel God buoy me o'er the grave, While the lightning glittered from pole to pole And the power of nature filled the soul. It were sweet to float amid isles of balm, When the winds were still and the sea was calm, And to read GodYmessage of "Peace, be still !" But even here in my heart would thrill Dear thoughts of friends and home ! 0, earth holds nought that is half ao dear As the heart's home cluster, fond and near — To feel one's self the bond of love — The centre around which the dear ones moye — The [spring round which their affections grow The fount from whence their pleasures flow — The heart to which they most fondly cling ; O, earth holds not such a holy thing Aa friends— sweet friends and home ! J. S. Wood.