The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-05-27

But all this splendor weighed 80 much
Twas irhsome to the King,
And up he sprang to try at once
The touch on every thing.
The heavy tassel that he grasped
Magnificent became,
And hung by the purple curtain rich
Like glowing mass of flame.
AT every step, on every side,
Such splendor followed him,
The very sunbeam5 seemed to pale,
And morn itself grew dim.
But when he came to the water
For his delicious bath,
And dipped his hand in the surface smooth,
He started in sudden wrath;
For the liquid light and leaping,
So crystalbright and clear
Grew solid lake of heavy gold,
And the King began to fear!
But out he went TO the garden,
So fresh in the morning hour,
And thousand buds in the balmy night
Had burst into perfect flower.
Twas a world of perfume and color,
OF tender and delicate bloom,
But only the hideous thirst for wealth
In the Kings heart found room.
He passed like spirit of autumn
Through that fair space of bloom,
And the leaves and the flowers grew yellow
IN uull ana ScentleSS gloom.
Back to the lofty palace
Went the glad monarch then,
And sat mt his sumptuous breakfast,
Most fortunate OF menl
He broke the fine, white wheaton roll,
The light and wholesome bread,
And 1t turned to a lump of metal rich
1t had as well been lead!
Again did fear assail the King,
When-what was this he heardp
The voice of his little daughter dear,
AS sweet as grieving bird.
Sobbing she stood before him,
And golden rose held she,
And the tears that brimmed her blue, blue
eyes
We're pitiful to see.
Father! o Father dearestl
This dreadful thing-oh, seel
On; what has happened to all the howerse
Tell me, what can it be?'
" Why should you cry, my daughterr
Are not these blossoms Of gold
Beautiful, precious and wonderful,
With splendor not to be told!'
hate them. o my father!
They're stiff and hard and dead,
That We're so sweet and soft and fair,
And blushed so warm and red"
"Come here" he cried, 'my darling"
And bent, her cheek to kiss,
To comfort her-when-H Heavenly Powersl
What fearful thing was this?
He sank back shuddering and aghast,
But she stood still as death
A statue of horrible cleaning gold,
With neither motion nor breath.
The gold tears hardened on her choek,
The gold rose in her hand
Even her little sandals changed
To gold, where She did stand.
Then such tumult of despair
The wretched King possessed,
He wI1ing his hands and tore his hair, .
And sobbed and beat his breast
Weighed with one look from her sweet ego:
What was the whole world worth?
Against one touch of her loving lips,
The treasure of all the earthl
Then came that voice, like music,
As fresh rs the morning air,
"How is II with you, King Midas,
Rich In your answered prayer2
And there in the sunshine smiling,
Majestic as before.
Rudy and young and glorious,
The Stranger stood once more.
81 Take back your gift so terriblei
No blessing, but oursel
One loving heart more precious Is
Than the gold of tho universe"
The Stranger listened-a sweeter smllo
Kindled his brave, bright eyes.
Glad am |, o King Midas,
That you have grown so wisel
Again your wish is granted;
More swiftly than before, ..
All you have harmed with the fatal touch
You shall again restore" ..
He clasped his little daughter
On, Joy-wlthin his arms,