LAY OF THE LAST MINISTER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 293, 28 July 1875, Page 2

LAY OF THE LAST MINISTER.

(From the Monthly Review.) Foub hundred of my Maori friends Have mot, os you’ll have seen, To bog, wit h most unselfish ends, A favor from the Queen. “ Long life ” to her they kindly wish. And then, with thought insane, Pray that she’ll never let perish Sir Donald, the McLean ! With no intention sinister, These simple Natives pray I may be Native Minister “ For ever ” and, a day I ; Pray the Queen to command the Fates ■My life threads ne’er to sever, But shut for me of Death the gates, Donald McLean, for ever!” What ? must I see all friends depart From white, or brown, or grey skin, And never from Earth make a start, While they to Heaven are hasting ? “ Peace and goodwill " are very well. And royal “ loving kindness :” But when of such-a boim they tell, Of me they must be mindless I Of Maori young and Maori old, Of Maori tender, Maori tough. Of Maori hot and Maori cold, Good as the feast, I’ve had enough ! Let me, by travelling a bit, To rest myself endeavour; Not doomed land-wrangling here to sit A Minister “ for ever !” I’ve read about a wretched Jew For ever doomed to wander; And thus I learned from Hugene Sue O’er penance dread t o ponder .- With that raven of Edgar Poe I’d croak out, “ No, I never ” Of Heaven will all hopes forego. Minister here “ for ever!” Will Maori folks for ever live, That I should hare to do so too ? Ehoa ma ! The Queen forgive, If she refuse that boon to you! Would it do your bones much good Or me help whatsoever, That, you all gone, remain I should Your Minister “ for ever ?” Then think how much the boon is worth To him you call your friend, Unless the Queen enn make the Earth To be “world wilhout cud ?” How would your much-loved Donald fare With footing none" whatever, Nor food nor garments anywhere, The world quite gone “ for ever ?” Speak out! what is that you crave Her Majesty can grant you ? She can t keep Donald from the grave ! Ask something else, then, oan’t you ? Say ! what is it to get you mean ? At getting it if clever, 111 say with you, “ Long lire the Queen !” Aud add, —” McLean for over!’’