FROM A VERANDAH.
(Sydney.)
“Armageddon.”
O city lapped in sun and Sabbath rest,
With happy face of plenteous ease possessed,
Have you no doubts that whisper, dreams that moan
Disquietude, to stir your slumbering breast?
Think you the sins of other climes are gone?
The harlot’s curse rings in your streets—the groan
Of out-worn men, the stabbed and plundered slaves
Of ever-growing Greed, these are your own!
O’er you shall sweep the fiery hell that craves
For quenchment the bright blood of human waves:
For you, if you repent not, shall atone
For Greed’s dark death-holes with War’s swarming graves!
“ELSIE:”
A Memory.
Little elfin maid,
Old, though scarce two years,
With your big dark hazel eyes
Tenderer than tears,
And your rosebud mouth
Lisping jocund things,
Breaking brooding silence with
Wistful questionings!
Like a flower you grew
While life’s bright sun shone.
Does the greedy spendthrift earth
Heed a flower is gone?
No; but Love’s fond ken,
That gropes through Death’s strange ways,
Almost seems to hear your Voice,
Seems to see your Face!