TE AROHA

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 8, 30 April 1898, Page 3

TE AROHA

Te Aroha ! name which lingers softly on the tongue, . ~ Te Aroha ! fount of healing, peace, rest, v- .• X love.:, - '• - * Thy name is love; thy fern-decked glades arerest; - 1 Healing, thy springs; 'and peace, thy •;V solitudes, .. . ' Thy mountain solitudes and shades where : ' " ’ . reign ' : Silence unbroken, hub for the babbling • . rill,. . . The rushing cascade and the whispering . breeze; • Or the shy Tui from thy wooded depths Uttering ona.flute-like note, which echoing . hack .' ' •• : iy r \ • From a y6t deeper shade he answereth With a still softer note, as If afraid His haunt may be discovered and disturbed. What tho’ thou art but in thy rustic garb, Thy springs unahaped, thy rills still un- - adorned, .• X--. Tears will smooth out thy niggedndsß, and shape And utilize thy gifts to man’s desire. But may he spare thy native fern clad founts, . . We thy shades wherein may - V*' dwell Gnomes, satyrs, wood-nymphs, taniwhas, and elves In the soft trill of waters hear their voice In the articulate murmur of the breeze their laugh, In the soft hour of silence hear their sigh. Te Aroha! I have rested in thy shades, Wandered within thy solitudes, and felt i their peace,l - • ■• , - * Bathed in the sunlight and thy healing springs. T To Aroha, farewell. , X ■'• - r . G. M. Te Aroha, April 27,