THE SANCTUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 71

THE SANCTUARY.

(Little Baiiier Island, Xew Zealand ) By Roslyx, Auckland

League-long, the wafeis moat it _"iind; Its beetling ciags have hurled Defiance to the hand and foot Of an lmadmg T\orld. HoaT«e--tlucrted Tangaioa laughs In giant jollity. While Tawhiri, en Tane's flute, Like Pan, is piping free.

Heie is the mako-makos nest, The dearest bird that flies Beneath the cross that dips its stars Adown the southern skies.

And here the tuataras breed, The fear°ome h=some gnomes ; While all a!ong the briny recks And shag and gannet homes

And O. the royal crimson blooms Warm as a lotus heart ; And O, the mystic scented glooms Where the fein fronds scarce cm part.

Yea here on warm Te Papa's brea-t (Young Jo\e in Vein's' aims), Al! ro=e<=, dimple?, witcheiy, NaHne Zealandia charms

While Taiigaroa guards her gate. Rangi above her bsam 13 Through golcleu days ard silver lmbt As fair as Dian's dreams

There is no dial in her bower Nor hour-glass sand runs fleet , The clocks that time the busy buighs Would here foiget to beat ,

For Tangaroa's lusty voice. Tawhiri's roundelay And this enchanted islet date JEre measuied Time held. sway.

And still along the bnny rocks White-breasted shags delay. The gpmiet plumes and the wild s u '' screams Above the rainbow spray,

For league-long waters moat the i°le Whose beetling crags have hulled Defiance to the hand and foot Of an invading world

That she may be a sanctuary, Secure, and safe, and etioug For dim millenniums afar Of beaut} and of song.

Tansaroa. God of the Spa; .Tai\hiii God of the Wind; Ta-ne, God of the Trees, Eengi, God of the Heavens (the sky) ; tuatara, lizard ; ruako-mako, bell bird.