Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/285
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A Temple Service.
249
Were they so gracious in their groves;
The lords of stone,
Or were their damsels dear with loves
Beyond our own ?
The lords of stone,
Or were their damsels dear with loves
Beyond our own ?
priests.
The well-graved images which ye
Were pleased to see,
Deeming gods, clear of face and fair
Of form, were there;
Were pleased to see,
Deeming gods, clear of face and fair
Of form, were there;
Gods gazed upon and drawn so near,
Who could not hear,
Were they as He unseen and far
In whom we are?
Who could not hear,
Were they as He unseen and far
In whom we are?
people.
The wanton women scorning stealth.
Their lust confessed,
Spendthrift of red coin and white wealth,
Of mouth and breast;
Their lust confessed,
Spendthrift of red coin and white wealth,
Of mouth and breast;
Soft sin-flowers leaving poison pods
For bitter birth,
Ungirdled girls and garden-gods,
Were they well worth?
For bitter birth,
Ungirdled girls and garden-gods,
Were they well worth?
priests.
Yea, what were all light-clothen charms,
And stretched-out arms,
By the pure hearts from out you failed,
Your virgins veiled?
And stretched-out arms,
By the pure hearts from out you failed,
Your virgins veiled?