ORIGINAL POETRY.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 779, 1 October 1853, Page 3

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE MAORI’S LIFE. Oh a wild free life is the Maori’s life. In his kainga far away, By the lovely side of a stream whose tide Flows down to a still, deep bay ; Where kumeras sweet, are the food to eat. Where large golden melons grow, And gorgeous flowers that outrival ours. On the Pohutukawa blow. Oh a wild free life is the Maori’s life, On the waves in his canoe, When he gains apace in the stirring race, And paddles it bravely through. On the carved prow he is standing now, And a haughty man is he, Let it never be said, that a Maori fled From a race on his own blue sea. Oh a wild free life is the Maori’s life, In those forests old and vast; Where the giant trees scarce nod in the breeze Scarce bend to the bending blast. Narrow the pathway, and short is the day, And the noontide sun is dim, But the Maori knows, where the foot-track goes The forest is light to him. Oh a wild free life is the Maori’s life And long may he keep his land. And honour to those, who so late his foes, Could pleased let such freedom stand. Search the world around, and shall not be found Conquerors as here we see; Nor a conquered man, since the world began. More worthy to be free. St. George. Auckland, Sept. 28, 1853.