294 MY LIFE 



And Temperance, with a mighty hand, 



' Dash down the Samian wine.' 

 Here's to the death of Alcohol ! 



And still our song shall be, 

 ' Oh, fill me up the sober cup, 



The social cup of Tea.' " 



The next verses, suggested by a well-known old song, show 

 his early love of humanity and aspirations for an improved 

 social state. It was probably written at Neath about 1847 or 

 1848: 



" The Light of Days to Come. 



" The light of other days is faded, 



But we will not repine, 

 Nor waste the precious hours as they did, 



The dwellers in that time. 

 We will not sigh in gloom and sadness 



O'er what can ne'er return, 

 But rather share the mirth and gladness 



In the light we now discern. 



" The past brought luxury and pleasure 



To few beneath the sun, 

 But equal all shall share the treasure 



Of the light of days to come. 

 Knowledge shall strengthen each endeavour 



To set the future right, 

 And Justice with her sword shall sever 



The iron hand of Might. 



" The fields where warriors have commanded, 



And men have fought for fame, 

 Shall in a future age be branded 



With an inglorious name. 

 Bright souls who perish unassuming, 



Your work is not yet done, 

 Like scattered seed your deeds shall bloom in 



The Light of days to come." 



I preserve the following fantastic little poem because it so 

 well describes the mode of house-buildinsf of the dwellers in 



