KAT RIVER. 207 



The following lines were written by Mr. Pringle, 

 in allusion to this scene : — 



" Such the majestic melancholy scene, 

 Which 'midst that mountain wilderness we found, 

 With scarce a trace to tell where man had been, 

 Save the old Caffer cabins crumbling round ; 

 Yet this lone glen (Sicana's ancient ground) 

 To nature's savage tribes abandoned long, 

 Had heard ere while the Gospel's joyful sound, 

 And low of herds mixed with the Sabbath song : 

 But all is silent now : th' oppressor's hand was strong. 



Now the blithe Loxia hangs her pensile nest 

 From the wild olive, bending o'er the rock, 

 Beneath whose shadows, in grave mantle drest, 

 The Christian pastor taught his swarthy flock : 

 A roofless ruin, scathed by flame and smoke, 

 Tells where the decent Mission-chapel stood ; 

 While the baboon with jabbering cry doth mock 

 The pilgrim, pausing in his pensive mood 

 To ask, * Why is it thus ? shall evil baffle good ? ' 



Yes— for a season Satan may prevail, 



And hold, as if secure, his dark domain ; 



The prayers of righteous man may seem to fail, 



And Heavens glad tidings be proclaim'd in vain : 



But wait in faith ; ere long shall spring again 



The seed that seem'd to perish in the ground ; 



And fertilized by Z ion's latter rain, 



The long-parch'd land shall laugh, with harvests crown'd, 



And through those silent wastes Jehovah's praise resound." 



