Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/285

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
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 ?
priests.
The well-graved images which ye      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?
people.
The wanton women scorning stealth.  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?
priests.
Yea, what were all light-clothen charms,      And stretched-out arms,By the pure hearts from out you failed,      Your virgins veiled?
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.