Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/202
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166
Told by the Sea.
CIV.
Told by the Sea.
A rose-hued time it was to me—
A day of happiness so strange.
We stood beside the sapphire sea,
Behind us was the wooded range
A day of happiness so strange.
We stood beside the sapphire sea,
Behind us was the wooded range
That brooded in the sunset’s gold
O’er faerie lore the warm winds brought;
From many a field and laughing wold,
Where men and women lived and wrought.
O’er faerie lore the warm winds brought;
From many a field and laughing wold,
Where men and women lived and wrought.
The warm wind’s breath soon hushed to rest,
And salt sea-scents spread far and wide.
A white bird called from out the west
Whence purpling shadows came to bide,
And salt sea-scents spread far and wide.
A white bird called from out the west
Whence purpling shadows came to bide,
And softly steal round stock and stone
With deftest touch enfolding all,
While still the low sweet undertone
From sea-caves seemed to rise and fall.
With deftest touch enfolding all,
While still the low sweet undertone
From sea-caves seemed to rise and fall.
And gold the strand on which we stood,
That perfect eve beside the sea,
And talked of much so new and good,
And forged for problems deep a key.
That perfect eve beside the sea,
And talked of much so new and good,
And forged for problems deep a key.
But when we turned us to depart
I lingering looked on sky and sea,
To take that picture to my heart.
You waited too— then reverently
I lingering looked on sky and sea,
To take that picture to my heart.
You waited too— then reverently