ODE TO NEW ZEALAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1959, 2 October 1888, Page 4

ODE TO NEW ZEALAND.

"G.H.G," a Waimate poet, whose initials will readily be recognised by Borne T of out readers, sendß tbe following to the local paper : —

Ma] 68 ** 0 r °H tne ocean wavea around Zealandia'B Ehore, Their thunder on the surf beat coast resounding evermore, From North Cape sketching forth her band tow'rdß trop : c ocean isles To South Cape, darkly pointing tow'rcls antarcc : c icy piles. Sweeping gainst each rocky headland, and around each winding bay, -"Through strait and " mountain-piercing sound, the waves roll night and day. Along the far extended mountain chain, with crowns uplifted high, The snowy-mantled eummits point, m Bplendour to the sky, While renewing of their bcanty, clouds dark veil from mortal sight, Bat m sunshine glorious pilots of the palaces of light : Down their sides the rushing avalanche, the grinding glacier alow, While the torrents madly foam around the mountains' base below. On thy lonely mountain lakes, how bright and beautiful they gleam ! Reflecting sunshine, mountain, star, and moon's soft silver beam ; Ze&landia'a cups carved exquisite by Nature's loving hand, To store the precious waters for the dry an I thirety land ; They are filled from many wild bush creeks " and streams from mountain enow, And bounteously out-flowiDg, cheer the plains and vales below. Oh the thousand hills of graceful form, with fern or forest crowned, Where moki's rich deep liquid notes, and weka's f cream resound 1 Oh the smiliog vales and winding creeks, enchanting to the view, With flax and stately palm adorned, atd tnsaock's tawny hue 1 Of peaceful flocks unnumbered, the plains and downß maintain ; There grow Columbian forest trees, Europa's fruit and grain. O'er all the grand and charmtDg scenes ; the winds now freshly blow, On their chariots bringing. b^ah, and air, which 89t our lives aglow ; Whether blowing cold and stormy from the dark antarctic eeas ; . Or zephyr-like and gentle m the moitt "*' cool eastern breeze ; Or fiercely m the parching blast of hot nor western gale. The winds blow pure and freshly over meuntain, shore, and vale. Now hoist Zealandia'a flag on high, her sons all rally round, Let f aithfnl>patriotic love m evory breast 'abound j May all her Bons be noble, brave ; her daughters t-ue and fair, Their country's honor to uphold and guard with jea'oas care. Long may your beauty flourish, fairest islands of the sea, And long m peace the happy home of people brave and free.