ORIGINAL VERSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2413, 30 January 1909, Page 12 (Supplement)

ORIGINAL VERSES.

THE MAIDEN’S PLEA. (By W. Oliver.) Once you were eager to court with me, Giving me kiss for kiss; Once you wore eager to sport witu me, Giving me bliss for bliss: Once you said J was yours to wed— And the white man could not be— Now you say it was only play: Pakeba. tell me why? Tell me why you are grieving me, Why you have colder grown ; Tell me" why you are leaving me. Leaving me all alone. Love ruled high in the days gone by. And lhe secret seed is sown ; Marry me now by the whits mans - vow:

• Make me vour wile, your own. Once you delighted to talk with me, Holding-my hand in yours; Once von delighted to walk with me,

Down where the ocean roars. 'riven von lay where tin: i ant-ails nlay,

Underneath the gum ; Now you go where 1 the oaks grow

Pakeba.’ let me come. Take me out and away with you .Over the restless deep ; All I’ll ask io to stay with you Until the last long sleep. Take me on till tin: C ress Is gone. And the midnight sun beams leap; ’Take me through -and treat me true, Prove- I. am yours, to keep. Once you were happy to glide- with

me, Up in the dancing hall; Once vou were happy to rule wiili me, Out where the rums cull: Then you would gaze, in the evening haze.

Over the rolling" blue ; Now vou sail where the big birds wail;

Pa keh a, take me too, . ■ Take me over the sea with you Over the wild' white loam; All I ask is .to be wi'h you,

Everywhere you roam. Take me out where the biT-a'kers

f-'hon t, And the- dong, lean rollers comb Take me down to your native town Down to your English home.