Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2310, 30 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry.

MADRIGAL. Superior to circumstance, The Stoics claimed to be, And thus from love and pain and chance, Must have been safe and free. If this should be the penance, That shall be paid by me, In order that I may advance About Love's sovereignty, Farewell such freedom ! Laura's glance Has bound me into slavery ! SO SLEEP, MY HEART. How tranquilly the sun goes down, And birds and flowers prepare to rest; The blossoms close in tender folds, The birds fly to the bough or nest. So sleep, my heart, in calm content, From all thy doubtings gladly part; To-morrow they may come again. But sleep thee now, my heart. MAUD. The baby is tired of her playthings, Her lids settle heavy and slow, Till the blue eyes are hid 'neath the curtains That shroud them like covers of snow. The dear little feet, pink and restless, Are covered in warm from the cold; The waxen white fingers are pressing A broken moss-rose in their hold. Scatter white flowers on her pillow, And muffle the bell at the door, The babyvis tired of her playthings, Sweet Maud will awaken no more. THE FAIRY'S WORK. The stars shone pale at even— At moonlight's silvery dawn— And in.the midnight;watohes The fays danced on the lawn. Within a' lady's window ■ There was a gleam of light, A white face wanly gazing : Into the dusky night. She leaned against the casement With mutely praying lips ; The'fays with grief were stricken And left their honey-sips ; Forgot the pansy's wine-cup, The roses' nectar sweet; Nor danced more in' the shadows— Sobered their tiny feet. She listless leaned", unmoving; Her waves of yellow hair Swept to the pensive violets ■ Lowly up-gazing there. Rose then the queen of fairies, With prince and duke and earl, Stole to the wall and softly She kissed a pendant curl. She kissed it deftly, lightly, And straight a pliant stair Was woven by that niagio Of the strands of silky hair ! She called her lord, the elfdring; He gaily helped her climb To the pale brow of the watcher— And hummed a tender rhyme. Softly the languid eye-lids Shet touched—the lady smiled ; Her fair head drooped—and slumber The doubts of day beguiled. Dreams soothed the thoughts of anguish ; The morn brought light and bliss ; Her lover proved full worthy, And sealed his faith with a kiss. So wedding bells rang gaily For a bride both true and fair, And the years have found no tangle Where the fairy wove her stair. Though stars may pale at even, Yet bright will glow the dawn, When all the laughine: elf-folk Have fled from grove and lawn.