AN ODE To Celebrate the Jubilee of the Reign fo Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 208, 25 June 1887, Page 3

AN ODE To Celebrate the Jubilee of the Reign fo Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

We hail the day, the auspicious day, And backward nwiftly sweep our thoughts O'er period that is fraught with change, Until wo stand where others stood Full fifty years ago, — who saw A youthful Queen with trembling steps Ascend an Empire's lofty throne. A nation prayed to God that day For happiness and prosp'roua times To company their new-made Queen, — For richest blessings from above To crown and gladden all her days ; And patriot hearts fresh courage took To ho;je and work for England's good. Now fifty years have come and gone, And still Victoria sits as Queen, i Her Erapiie meanwhile larger grown ;

For India's millions own her sway ; South Africa lias felt her power ; And Canada's Dominion vast Claims share with England in her Queen. Australia, with her varied wealth, Mew Zealand,— Britain of the South— And countless Islands through the sens, Both North and South and East and West, Hoist high to-day the British flag ; They echo with Victoria's name, They hi ing their trophies to her feet. Through fifty years Victoria's reign lias seen the strength of Englands arms On many a battle-field displayed ; Her ships of war sweep o'er the seas In every zone of all the woild, And claim for England and her Q ueen An undisputed sovereignty Our good Queen's reign of fifty } reamr earn Has witnessed wondrous growth of tradu fn foreign markets and at home ; Whilo Colonies, like stalwart youths, Have grown, inviting Britain's skill And wealth to take up their abods And push their way in newer lauds. Since Queen Victoria's reign began Great Statesmen have arisen, and laws More wise and consonant with risrht — More ju^t to every cbis3 and creed, More ready to defend the right, An. l swifter in avenging wrong, Aye placed upon the stitute book. fifty years of clearer light "Have men of Scienco toiled and fought With ignorance and prido of thought : Philanthropists have stirred men's hearts To grapple with our social wrongs ; And Liberty and Equal Bights ll<i\e made the Piesa thcii advocate. Come waken, diowsy eyes, look up, And see what fifty years has done! What victoiii'h of peace we've won ! What tiiumphs of the heart and hand I What ti opines of the voice and pen ! St j e all the^e spoils of bloodless war Which we have gained through fifty ye-irs ! Full well we know that wiong still lives, And flaunts itself before our eyes : Tlio poor still struggle on in dread Of darker days mid sorer need ; And selfish wealth oit grudges help i Instead of opening wide the gates Of equal privilege to all. But midnight of our wrongs has passed, And morning light breaks o'er the hills ; We see the oppressors' power decline, While knowledge, Freedom's truest fiiend, ll. is gained a place among the poor, And man is " liker mm '' to-day Than when our Queen began to reign. We take our stand where years divide, Wo backward look for fifty yeais ; Then gratitude for progress mado Directs our gaze the other way, And hope sjoiings up within our souls For vict'ries greater to be won, And all the good that is to be. We reap the fruit of yens long past, And Queen and people both have cause To sing their son<js of jrratuful joy, And keep a gladsome jubilee, Rejoicing in the certaiu hope That evil things which still live on To caiihP us giief bhall die ere long. Though far removed from England's shore, Yet well we know one spirit move* Our kindred in the good old land And those who call New Zealand home ; We love our Queen as true as they, We too are loyal to her throne, And gladly hail this festive day. Beneath Te Aroha's lofty peaks We celebrate the Jubilee Of Queen Victoria's glorious reign : We vie with England's citizens In loyal deeds and hearty cheer, Though far away from where the throne Lends splendour to surrounding things. Where Nature bath her wonders wrought, And thermal springs invite the sick To bathe and prove their hoaling power, Our public men are asked to plant An avenuo of stately trees In honor of our noble Queen, And call them trees of " Jubilee." And when our children ask of us, " Whnt meaneth this ? What Jubilee Is celebrated by these lines Of stately trees — this avenue ? " We'll answer make, "These trees declare That Queen Victoria wisely reigned O'er loyal subjects fifty years." Then let us all be glad to-day, Be glad that all through fifty years The effort of our Queen has been Put foith to help the cause that's right, — Be glad that our Victoria's name As Wife, as Mother, and as Queen, Has stood unchallenged fifty years. 0 British Fubjecls in all lands, Make glad memorials of this day, Raise high the dear old " Union Jack," Ring- out the bells in loud acclaim, Let drum be beat and bugle blown, And songs be sung in richest notun, For all tho good of fifty years. In solemn prayer and ringing cheer Let Queen Victoria's name be hoard Throughout the Imperial realm to-day ; Let children lif-p, " God Save the Queen," And those who sang it years ago Jn world-wide choir sing once again, " Long Live the Queen, God Save the Queen." " Loyalty." — (Rev. S. Lawry). To Aroha, June 21, 1887.