THOUGHTS BESIDE THE SEA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2224, 9 October 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

THOUGHTS BESIDE THE SEA.

One srniny morn I wandered Baside the murm'ring soa ; And its voice seemed like the welcome tones Of a dear old friend to me. The sunlight flung over the rip'ling waves A silver-crested sheen ; Beyond the hazy mountains rose Majestic, blue, serene. Prom the margin of the lofty cliffs The nikau bent its head, And the wild clematis downward crept, Like a fragrant network spread. "' Oh sea," I cried, as enrapt I gazed, "Thy smile has a wondrous charm," But the gentle sea breeze whispered low, " This is only the calm." But I raid "When the sky is a blaze of gold, And the birds wing their homeward ways, I'll watch the tide as it creeps along, With its crown of dancing spray." But, even as I dreamed, the sky Grew black as gloomy night, The air was filled with wild sea-fowl, Screaming in sudden flight. The petrel alone undaunted stood, While storm-clouds gathered high ; And through the awful stillness came Its ominous haunting cry. Then broke the storm with lightning* flash And thunder's sullen roar, And the boom of foaming wares that broke In fury on the shore. The looming cliffs in darkness frowned, Where now was the voice of the breeze ?—? — Lost— lost in the wail of that dreary gale That moaned 'amid the quivering trees. " Alas !" I cried " our voyage through life Is on just such a changeful sea ; The whole world smilos when our day i« calm, And many a frieDd have we. ' And yet at the first approach of storm Our friends in fear depart— Leaving perchance to share our wreck Some true and faithful heartE'en as the petrel alone remained, When all in terror fled, To warning give of Neptune's rage, To mourn the hapless dead. Cambridge West, 28th September, 1886.

A Rhetorician.— Professor (to his wife): "My dear, I wish you would speak more carefully. You say that Henry Jones came to this town from St. Louis?'" Wife: "Yes." Professor: '* Well, now, wouldn t it be better to say that 'he came from St. Louis to this town ?' " Wife : " I don't see any difference in the two expressions. Professor : " #ut there is a difference, a rhetorical difference. You don't hear me make such awkward expressions. By the way. I have a, letter from your father in u.y nocket." Wife: ",But my father is not in your pocket. You mean that you have in your pocket a letter from my father. Professor: "There you go with your little quibbles. You take a delight in harassing me." You are always taking up a thread and representing, it as a rope. ( Wife* '"Representing it to be <* -our, you mean." Prtfewor : " F<-r gn'.lr.e'B sake, hush. Never saw such 9 quarraivmia woman in my Ufo«"