Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/189
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Her Secret.
153
She likes this shaded corner best,
The rosy lamp, the Dresden set,
A friend or two, perhaps, a waft
Of mignonette.
The rosy lamp, the Dresden set,
A friend or two, perhaps, a waft
Of mignonette.
And some one touches in the gloom
The harp’s mysterious, wailing strings,
And thoughts that never spoke in words
Take music’s wings.
The harp’s mysterious, wailing strings,
And thoughts that never spoke in words
Take music’s wings.
Dear friend, though tired and far away,
I still can seek your door in Spain,
Sit still beside your fire and drink
That tea again!
I still can seek your door in Spain,
Sit still beside your fire and drink
That tea again!
XC.
Her Secret.
She moves sedate, through garden ways
Or ancient parlours cool and shady;
Content in quiet length of days,
A typical old maiden lady.
With soul as snowy as the lace
That lappets o’er her faded tresses,
And sweet as violets fragrant trace
That haunts her quaintly fashioned dresses.
One single crime her heart within,
In quiet hours of meditation
Must be confessed, a hidden sin
To stir that soul to trepidation.
Or ancient parlours cool and shady;
Content in quiet length of days,
A typical old maiden lady.
With soul as snowy as the lace
That lappets o’er her faded tresses,
And sweet as violets fragrant trace
That haunts her quaintly fashioned dresses.
One single crime her heart within,
In quiet hours of meditation
Must be confessed, a hidden sin
To stir that soul to trepidation.