I

Weeping skies that would seem to deplore him
Cast shadows on stars and on suns;
Drooped flags that are shivering o'er him
To a far-rolling thunder of guns!
And great bells that rock the starred steeples
And moan to the heavens above,
But dearer than all things — a people's
Devotion and love!

II

O Northland and Southland far-sighing
Your grief, in this hour unblest,
He died for his country, and dying

or, LOVE AND THE UNION

A shearer came to a Queensland shed, when most of the sheds were full;
He'd tramped and tramped till his hope was dead, and never got hands in wool.
He'd stuck to the Union, hard and fast, with no one to understand
How his heart had longed, as the weeks dragged past, for his love and his Maoriland.

" Fern and tussock and flax; range and river and sea.
A strain on my heart that will never relax — a heart that will never be free.

I

Return, O Day, from out the vanished years
Where now no fires on ruined altars burn;
I give you all Love's tenderness and tears:
Return, sweet Day, return!

II

The same sweet stars are in the heavens of blue,
The same sad lessons Life hath still to learn.
I am aweary for the love of you:
Kind Day, return — return!

III

So brief the time — so rain-dark with Love's tears —

WHITE ROSEBUD .

When Love was born in Eden's bower,
The first soft blush of Eve was shed
On a white rose — her emblem-flower —
Which ever since has blossomed red!

MOTHERWORT .

Yes! tell him — tell him I am well,
Say that this cheek doth deeper glow,
Than was its wont — but do not tell,
'Tis the heart's fever makes it so!

And tell him how my lip has curled,
And named his name with idle smile;
But do not tell him for the world,
That tears were in mine eyes the while!

Crown Imperial and Turk's Cap Lilies. — Lily of the Valley.

Will you say no, dear,
When soft and low, dear,
Love pleads for love, which you only can give?
Will you then fly me?
Can you deny me?
One little " yes " would allow me to live.

Care hovers o'er me,
Clouds, wild and stormy,
Darken before me — but one smile of thine,
Through sorrow's haze, love,
Softly can raise, love,
Hope's sunny rainbow — bright and benign!

Love's sun, like that of day, may set, and set,
It hath as bright a rising in the morn.
True love has no grey hairs; his golden locks
Can never whiten with the snows of time.
Sorrow lies drear on many a youthful heart,
Like snow upon the evergreens; but love
Can gather sweetest honey by the way,
E'en from the carcass of some prostrate grief. —
We have been spoiled with blessings. Though the world
Holds nothing dearer than the hope that's fled,
God ever opens up new founts of bliss —
Spiritual Bethsaidas where the soul

WHITE DAISY .

" I dare not yet your prayers requite! "
Exclaimed a fearful beauty;
" In Reason's golden scales, sir knight,
I 'll weigh my love and duty. "

Love drooped his wings in grief and shame: —
The scales began to waver; —
But then — a sigh, so heavy , came —
It turned them in his favour.

COLUMBINE .

Folly of old, with gay deceit,
When Love was seeking Virtue's bower,
Led the bright boy to Beauty's feet;
And she, in that one fatal hour,
Enwove a chain so strong, so fair,
It bound them both for ever there!

BLUE-BOTTLE CENTAURY

Her love is pure and glad and true,
As yonder heaven of stainless blue.