" She must be daft." " Her tale is true."

« She's frantic driven." " He has his due."

And forth into the mirk and rain

Some dash to overtake the twain.
All heart is from the gathering gone,

And none desires to carry on.
Like tempest following eve serene,

So has that fright transformed the scene,

In an undignified stampede

They'd part but that they shelter need.
A tale of weak and sinful years,
Of blasted hopes and scalding tears

That momentary scare
Revealed, and pierced all to the quick ;
While some were feeling faint and sick,
In some it made their conscience prick,

To others cried " Beware ! "

Unnerved, the women shook withjdread,
And pallor o'er their cheek was spread ;

Unconsciously they sighed ;
Their breath was short, their words were few,
They thought not they themselvesjmight do
A deed of shame so old, so new,

And such a tale provide.
i



98 AUSTRALIAN ECHOES

Alas ! too oft a nightly warning
Evanishes with light of morning,

And so it would be here.
The vows that very night they pledged
Would serve their turn and out be edged ;
And scandals black might be alleged,

And sorrow end the year.
Reason had failed although allied
With perfect logic had it tried

To rally mirth again,
But Nature uses the grotesque,
And has a place for broad burlesque

To suit the moods of men.
A very dainty chap stepped forth,

And spite of gloom prevailing,
He knew his wisdom and his worth

Could set things rightly sailing.
"Haw-hawing," "You knowing/'

The terror-spell he broke,
With snickering (and liquoring)

The sense of joy awoke.
