Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/197

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Youth, Love, and Age.
161

XCVII.

A Roundel.

Once in a while the skies seem blue,
The way grows pleasant for a mile;
Fair blossoms spring where no flowers grew—
    Once in a while.

We leave the road—and mount the stile,
And hear the throstle’s song anew—
An anthem in a vaulted aisle.

Grief loses somewhat of its hue,
Tired, tear-worn eyes look up and smile,
When God’s sweet sunshine stealeth through,
    Once in a while.

W. Francis Chambers

XCVIII.

Youth, Love, and Age.

When Youth and Love go hand in hand
Down primrose paths of Pleasure,
And seek beneath the Bow of Hope
For pots of buried treasure,
Age smiles—the treasure that they seek
Already each possessing—
For Youth, in love, and Love, in youth,
Have each, in each, the blessing.

William Jukes Steward.