Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2459, 14 April 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry.

MOONLIGHT. Softly the moonlight Mis up'm the earth, Shedding a calm and peaceful influence around . As though, by it all tilings are holier made. Softly it falls ; and stirrini' nature senilis Sunk to repose canopied l>y those beams Shiniip- with siher radiance bright, yet mild ; And oh, so pure, so e-cpiisit-ly pure, Almo.-t our voices hush, our footsteps still Vs wo ourselves submit to the quiescent spell Of that calm placid li-ht, (air passions die beneath it; . And earnest whisperings in our souls arise I'Yr something butter than this life of ours, Somethin", we know nut what, unless 'ti.s heave,,. (L|x llaoidtoii. .'■ JNLr OF TILE RIVER. (Hear and cool, clear and cool, I'.y laughing shallow and dreaming pool ; (Jool and clear, cool and clear, T.y shining sliinsdo and foaming weir; Under the crag wliere ,hc ouzel sings, And the ivied walls where the church-bell rings, Uutleliled for the undeliled ; Play by me, bathe in uie, mother and 'child. Dank and ford, dank and foul, By the smoky town in its murky cowl ; Find and dank, foul and dank, l!v wharf, and sewer, and sliinv bank : Darker ami darker the further I go, 1 laser and baser the richer [ grow ; "Who dare sport with the sin-defiled 1 Shrink from me, turn from me, mother and child. Strong and free, strong and free. The tlood-gates are open, away to the sea ; Free and strong, free and strong. Cleansing my streams as I hurry along To (he golden sands and the leaping bar, And the taintless tide that awaits me afar, As I lose, myself m the; infinite main, Like a soul that has smn'd and is pardon'd again, Fndeliled for the undetilod ; Flay by me, butho in me, mother ;md 'child. —Charles Kingslcy. CALLED HOME. She has passed away Like a gentle breath, And her eyes are closed with the sleep of death, The leaves on the trees will Mutter and fall, And the drifting snow* will cover all J'.lit .silts will peacefully, calmly rest, Kor.ner happy, r.y angels blest. dust in the spring Of womanhood Tender, and loving, and wise and good, Ah! too good for the sinful earth ! Only the angels knew li'-r worth, So they cdled her unto (hem, Decking her brow With a diadem. Jitter to smile When such a life ("Jives up the battle of earthly strife, Fottjr to know that in-r tasks are done, Trials Piide/l ami glory won ; Tears are vain when a sonl so bright Wings ils wav To the gales'of light. She has passed away li.it. her sweet good-will, Like a fragrant odor lingers still. The tender lesson that memory brings The memory of patience o'er us flings. Weiea.ni to follow the path she trod, To be more like her, Who has gone to Cod._ —Fxchangc. HOW A RUMOUR ({ROWS. Says I )'>ssip One to ( b.ssip Two, While shopping in the. town, "Old Mrs I'Yv to me remarked, Smith bought his goods from Frown." Says (loi-sip Three to Oossip four, With something of a frown, "I've heaid .strange news—what do you thirl;'.' Smith took his goods from Ijrown.'' ttf.ys (inssip Four to (lossip Five, Who blazed it round the town, " I've heard to-day such shocking news, Smith .-tola his goods from Frown."