Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume 2656, Issue 2656, 20 July 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry.

NATURE'S MESSAGE. I sought the love of Nature fair Within her temples vast,. Where valleys sweep and mountains tower, Awl shadows morn has cast l''ly not at noon, but lurk in nookj Till mother night hath sway ; I sought it where are born the brooks, And heard her whisper " Stay 1" "Nay, goddess gentle ; duty calls, And will not be denied ; (Jive me thy lovo e'en in her thralls. Then surely were supplied The want which comes where life s unrest Swirls on unceasingly ; There must 1 st\v, there strive and toil Till life shall cease to be." Ijut Nature answered —" I'miy man ! What is thy toil to mo ? Thy race for fame, thy strife for bread, But hideous mockery ? Hive me no love such love shall share; Dwell with 1110 far apart; Lovo me by day, and through the night Let lovo yet fill thy heart." Again I ventured—" Goddess sweet, Such thing may hardly be ; I lovo thee now with keen a lovo As wife and children thee.'' Then sweet reply came, borne on wind Until a hilltop bare— "(!o, wandering child, fulfil thy lot; Where thou art I am there." And now at noon soft whisp rings come Of fern and myrtle dells ; At oventide of mountain peaks Hung round with sunset spells. And from the silence of the night, Fran the earth, and so.i, and moon. The goddess urges—" Wanderer come !' And this my answer—" Soon !'" Kingston.

MOTHER'S WO IIK. I com k to Tlicc, O Lord, for strength and patience To do Thy will; Help mc, 0 Father, in this world of duty My place to fill. I may not go and labour in Thy vineyard, Where through long hours Brave men and women toil, and from Thy presses Tho red wino pours. My work at home lies with the olive branches, My field is there — To train them fitly for the heavenly garden Needs all my care. I may not in the woods and on the mountains Seek Thy lost sheep— At homo a tender little flock of lambkins, "Tis mine to keep. Thou givest us, Thy servants, each our lifework : No trumpet tono Shall tell the nations, in triumphant pealing How mine was done. Hut 'twill bo much if, when the tasks is ended, Through grace from Thee, I give Thee back unharmed the precious treasures Thon gavest me.