Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2602, 16 March 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry.

THE BOYS THAT ARE WANTIOD. Tlio boys that are wanted are boys of nerve, Trusty and faithful and true, Courageous hi time of trouble, But disci Ret in all that they do; Boys whom father relies on For aid and help when required ; Buys whom mother is proud of, And sisters are never tired. The boys that are wanted are clean beys, Clean in their habits and speech ; Clean in their dress and bohaviour, Clean m the precepts they teach. Boys like these will be truthful, And never afraid to say " J\ T o." They'll carry conviction with them— Ba respected wherever they go. The boys that are wanted are kind boys, Kind to the helpless and weak. Not the emotional kindness That ends with the words they speak. But kind in their actions to others, Helping and willing in deed, Conquering selfish passion— These are the boys we need. The boys that are wanted are good boys, Boys who know how to obey, Thoughtful, sincere, and reverent In all that they do and say. Boys who respect the aged And abhor the low and profane, Boys who are manly and upright With sober and healthy brain. Chivalrous boys are wanted, Who honour a woman's name, And refuse to laugh with the slaud'rera I Who ever seek to defame. Boys who express themselves clearly, Whether by voice or pen— These are the boys that are wanted, | Boys that will make the men, j IN A THEATRE. J CAPUA, 72 B.C. We wore friends and comrades loyal, though I was of alien race. And he a free-born Samnite that followed the man from Thrace. And there, in the mid-arena, ho and I stood face to face. I was a branded swordsman, and he was supple and strong, Thoy saved us alive from the battle, to do us this cruellest wrong. That each should slay the other there before tho staring throng. Faces—faces—faces ! how it made my brain to spin ; Beautiful faces of women and tiger souls therein ; And merry faces of girls that laughed, debating of who should win. Over us, burning and cloudless, dazzled the blue sky's dome ; Par away to the eastward the white snow peaks of his home; And in front the Prefect, purple-clad, in the deadly might of liome. And so, in tho mid arena, we stood there face to face. And he looked me right in the eyes and said, " I ask theo one last graceSlay me, for thee I cannot." Then I held his hand a space. But know not what I answered ; the heavens round and wide Surged up and down —a Hash of steel my sword was through his side. And I was down upon my knees, and hold him as he died. His blood was warm on my fingers, his oyes were scarcely still, When they tore him from me, and the blade that else had healed all ill. And it is one more day I am theirs to work their will. No matter! the sand and the sun, and the faces hateful to see. They will be nothing—nothing ! but I wonder who may be The other man I have to fight—the man that shall kill me? A. Waiixk, Jit.