Page 162 - Fairbrass

*A11 right,’ said the Hedgehog, who,

like most conceited creatures* had a strong'
fancy for himself as a reciter. ‘ Here g o es!’

and, posing himself, he rattled o ff:

“ T H E G O A L .”

1 Once an earnest, bashful stripling
Loved a maiden from afar,
Loved her vainly, for there seemed
To their union many a bar ;
Eut he sought, and woo’d, and won her,
N ow their jo y’s complete, they trow.
But though happy with his loved one,
Longing; once, he’s longing now.

* Once a poet in his chamber,
Poor, and sick with hope deferred,
Conscious of the power within him,
W ith hot tears his sonnets blurred.
Yet he toiled on, working bravely
Till the laurel crowned his brow ;
But though courted, rich, and famous,
Longing then, he’s longing now.

‘ Thus it is with many of us,
W h o confiding, soul to soul,
W e shall be content and happy
W hen w e ’ve gained some cherished goal.
W e shall feel our work has ended,
Having kept a long-made v o w —
Still acknowledge, in achievement
Longing then, w e’re longing now-’