Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-09-30
THE BROKEN STATUTE.
BY HILDA.

Halfmded DER the valley fell waning
light,
Almost too dim to shift the shade of that
fragrant autumn night.
The pallId moon with rayless smiles
seemed shivering sfar.
AS IL TO hide her lustre from each little
jewel star;
The scent OF ripened corn came drifting
ON the breeze;
The wind with skillfuI fingers touched the
stately, aged trees.
halted on the slender bridge for one brief
glance below,
Where tossed up foam was singing in mu-
sic sweet and slow.
The gliding, babbling water moved on
with such sweet grace,
1t seemed that the shining ripples needed
but fair, fresh face;
So over the erumbled ratings I leaned to
mirror my own,
While the wind sang on its anthem in a
hushed and measured tone.
Down the path with ringing step, and
kingly careless air,
Yon came with yoer manly beauty, grace
that few men wear,
From OF the mimic breakers moveo my
dreaming glance;
The light, the wind, the picture, seemed
all blissful trance.
With maiden eoyness trembling, vailed
my gladdened eyes,
AS though the dim light dazed me which
scarce lit up the skies.
OH fatal moon, OH fatal wind, tore
from you my trust.
Iagonized a moment, then stopped to woT-
ship dust.
"No other Gods before me-" the statute
stiu is there;
But disdained it, as 1 did redemption
hope and prayer. r
My will and reason ruled beneath your al
acknowledged power,
As in the breath of tempest sways a frai
and broken flower.
In the lofty niche of perfect love my idol
enshrined;
1 bowed and wOrshipped blindly, for
fancied it divine.
Kneeling low in the shadow, with fond up
lifted gaze,
I gave to you what was my God's-fervent
deathless praise.
In thelee of my earth-stained statue, nea
my king of clay,
Hovered a black temptation to WOO my Coz
stray.
4lhAAA III hhHAS anu AAaAAAS wiz
goldc1 glare,
Came hand i'm hand to my darling, anC
urged him with loving prayer.
With stilled heart and breath Office pauseC
the issue to see
Mysight grew dim till the distance between
seemed a vast and wind-tossed lea.
He grasped the dross, the gilded dross, m!
idol fell so low.
uIfubfa.l God lilo frntb 70
a sudden transient glow.
Over the ruins of a broken life a woman
kneeleth now,
a sunless smile around the lips, shadow
on the brow.
The thin, white hands are binding up tn
shattered links of love,
To wreath them round a stainless cross TO
the Masters use above.
"No other Gods before me"-the broker
statutes strife,
Rose up with wrathful vengeance am
darkened her young life.
mo other Gods before me-" You shall no
worship dust;
There is brighter altar for a lifelong Low
ing trust.
She broke the holy statute but to find he
king was clay,
In frame of dust so fragile to be shattere
in day.
Her royal ruler fell to the earth to prov
what she denied;
To show her he was mortal, to crush dow
fatal pride.
Her vision disenchanted that she NIGH
fairly see
That none, nOtone, can ever dare to cop
with his decree.
And in lieu of holy sovereignty an earthl
idol raise,
And lavish on it which is GOd's-Ou
love, our songs, our praise.
"No other Gods before me-" / am TIN
prince. the king,
And all may nestle safely meath that broa
and gracious wing.