Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2739, 1 February 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

Poetry.

DREAM VISIONS. The garden lies in silence—shadow deep ! On filmy wings of purple, soft, unfurl'd, Comes that ethereal presence we call sleep, To drug the throbbing senses of the world. Still is the night—ah, Heaven, how still and clear! -Aojijjg wrapp'd in showery sheets of Droops ghost-like o'er the pathway ; I can hear A scented petal falling in the gloom. Oh, love! whom nevermore I may call mine, I hear thy footsteps on the pathway now; I hear the music of that voice of thine As distant harp notes, tremulous and low. I fold thee in mine arms—ah, rest, my love! In this death-silence rest thou on my heart! The wind goes shuddering to pale stars above, We two are here alone—the world apart. Nay, steal not yet away ; my lips are laid Upon thy lips of shadow—rest awhile - Ah, me 1 that spirit form may not be stay'd, And thy dream-presence passes in a smile.

LIBERTY. What thing is liberty ?—a most sweet word To thrill the wing of prisoned bird with glee; But now to brook the freedom, being lord Of vasty space, where riskful chances be — Ay, there's the rub! What if the bird should fly Into the fire, or break its dainty bill Against the pane, or 'noath the troublous sky Be swept, where wings against the storm's wild will Are weak as chaff ? Better for prancing steed To own the rein with well-bounded plan Than rush with headlong plunge and snorting speed He knows not whither; and a reasoning man Should know to bow the head with reverent awe And loyal heart to wise restraiut of law. —John Stuart Blackie. HAD WE BUT KNOWN. When, once, along this shore we came, So light my heart that day, The words of love your lips would frame I gaily laughed away. Had we but known, a?, clear and blue, The bright waves washed the shore, How soon that sea would part us two, Perchance to meet no more; How soon beside the rippling wave My step would fall alone, Should we have parted gay or grave ? Had we but known! Had we but known!

When, once, we watched the bright stars glow, And in the eastern skies Saw, gleaming like a silver bow, The new-buru moon arise ; Had we but known, as just " Good-bye " You whispered low and sweet. Hands parting then reluctantly Again should never meet; Perchance your eyas had caught and read The truth within my own ; Tho words you wished I might have said, Had we but known ! Had wo but known ! —Hugh Conway.