Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2695, 19 October 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

Poetry.

ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. Often he took tho Psalter in his hand, And turned to pages blistered long with tears. , A balm of broken hearts in every land, The consolation of a thousand yearn, And, nobly bold, told penitents their bliss, In gentle images pcrchanco like this . " Look when thou svalkest by the winter HathU befallen thee that through the grey , , Of the sea mist, into thy very hand, I'loated a snow-white bird through the salt spray, . Fair, but deep wounded, bubbling from its A thin red foam, with faint infantine shriek ? " Which noting, thyself thou mad'st a • Th«i'fM°< no healing in this hand of Here lm'stVhou die, by tho unpitying Not in the long blue distances Divine, Not in thy little happiness upborne On seas refulgent with tho rosy morn. " Such, and so sorely wounded, floating Are penitents beside the soa of time. Such, and so deep, the crimson stain ot The jcar we boar in this ungentle clime. . , But lo ! a Healing hand our wound above, Strong as eternity and soft as love. " And a sweet voice that unto us hath lent .. A new beginning and a nobler ttigtir. So to poor hearts He gives incontinent A larger liberty of golden light, Makes more than explanation for our fault. And arches over us His bluest vault. " Saying, 'I charge thee, O my .wounded bird. , Soar nearer to the heaven where er thou art ; Let all the breezes by thy [plumes be stirred ; I heal thee through and through, O bleeding heart ! I ask thy song, and give theo voice to sing ; I bid tliee soar, and give thee strength of wing. ' " ' What I command I give my mourners still. (Jive the delight that doth the victory gain ; Uive first, and then command them as I will, Sweet penitence taking pleasure in its pain, I bid tlieo set those psalms of sorrowseven To the allegro of the airs of heaven.'" —Right Rev. William Alexandra, D.D., D.0.L., Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.