Verses from Maoriland/The Three Friends

I wandered far with Youth,
And Life, and Love,
Three merry friends in truth!—
Blue sky above,
Buds breaking at our feet
Pleasant to see;—
Life, Love, and Youth were sweet
Comrades to me.

Though peaceful were our days
By sun, by moon,
The parting of the ways
Came soon,—too soon!
“Farewell!” said Youth in glee
Turning aside,
“Love, wilt thou follow me,
Or Life, as guide?”

“Ah, stay! dear Love,” said I;
“Hast thou forgot?
Even though Youth go by,
Love, leave me not!”
“I follow Youth,” said she,
(Fickle, false Love!)
“Old friend, farewell to thee
Where’er thou rove.”

Fain would I follow too,
Life held me back;—
“Comrade, I tell thee true,
Here lies our track.”
So we two wander on,
This Life and I,
Sad ’tis now Youth has gone,
Love passed us by.

Often I say to Life:
“Go thou thy way,
Weary am I of strife,
Long night, dull day.”
“Ah no!” says Life to me,
“The Sun shall shine
In some sweet day to be,
Comrade of mine!”

Life tells of flowers ahead,
Fields, quiet streams,—
I reach no violet bed
Save in my dreams.
“Vain are thy words, false friend,
Leave me, I pray,
Sweeter it were to wend
Lonely, my way.”

“Ah no! we will not part,”
Says Life to me;
“Somewhere beyond, Dear Heart,
Death waits for thee.
There I shall leave thee for
He, in his ruth,
Leads thee to meet once more,
Lost Love, and Youth.”