SONG. THE OLD PACIFIC KING.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 698, 22 December 1852, Page 4

SONG. THE OLD PACIFIC KING.

Before the smiling earth was laid, before the heavens were spread, Above the vast chaotic mass rose thy supernal head; It took an Omnipresent One, a system's viewless God, Thy giant footsteps to restrain, from where they erst had trod; No less than that Almighty One, not an immortal thing, Could put the bridal in thy mouth, thou old Pacific King! The mind of man is soaring high, to curb thy furious will, But higher than man's mind can soar, thou reign'st a monarch still; He may build on his gallant ships, each one a nation's boast, Let but thy white waves heave in wrath—the gallant ship is lost! There is no mortal potentate, there is no living thing, Can stay thy billows in their course, thou old Pacific King! Weighty thy sea green sceptre is, and broad thy wide domain, From the burning Isles of India, to Andes cloud-capped chain; But most thy waters love to rest, and softest beam thy smiles Where midst the coral reefs he spread, the Wilderness of Isles. Though thou look'st down on mortal frown, on strength of living thing, Thou lov'st us well, thy youngest born, thou old Pacific King! And in our hearts, and to our eyes, there is no fairer sight Than the rippling of thy waves beneath their feathery crest of white. We know they bring us boundless wealth, and better far and more, They bring us tears and smiles, and hopes from a dear distant shore. Though thou look'st down on mortal frown, on strength of living thing, We love thee well, thy youngest born, thou old Pacific King! St. George. Auckland, Dec, 1852.