ORIGINAL POETRY.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 160, 9 July 1879, Page 2

ORIGINAL POETRY.

" RUSTICUS." ' When modest' genius unassuming makes , Its first appearance 'mongst us, we should greet, With acclamation, such an advent ; it should Be published to all the world, so that posterity May ever hold the name of " Rusticus" in grateful memory. Know this all men, ye who represent The reading pubhek" that at G-craldine ' A critic and a poet is combined, In classic verse to cultivate the mind, Not to himself the praise or blame to take, As in the prelude to his modest vcrson (Wherein he gives a definition and specimen of composition). Touching on Milford—masterly description. Then dimurely hints his occupation, And sliaddows forth insinuations 'Gainst those he dare not openly attack, But under cover safely vents his spleen, And this with future Milford for his theme. The past and future with prophetic eye He views ; in glowing raptures lie descries The goblet, filled at other men's expense, And harps upon ike time when beer shall be In future Milford's staple commodity. This the Elysium of his brightest hope. Rising from out the ruins to bo wrought By future Milford. Timaru, alas ! Will bo "to let;" its ruinous decay Timing its inarch with our prosperity. Hail, muses, mine all hail, ye with the lyre Strike out in tuneful numbers —let there be A time of festival, for is there not In G-eraldine, that quite secluded spot, A man of subtle verse, whose mystic love Scorches the future ; nay, did even more, And sagely would write upon the wall That Timaru the " modern" shall fall.; Yet to be prudent, modestly disclaims The fragriment, born of sleepless nights and days, Passed in anguish least his fellow-man Could lose the opportunity of such a pun. Devoted, truely 'twas a luekey hit, But still a lame apology for wit. Still " Rusticus," when next you would aspire To weild the keen-edged sword of satire, Remember the old mot, for most undoubtedly " Vous y perdrez, vos pos," and would it not be decorous *■ To wish our neighbors happier times wkerf "M^ we Open our Milford Ilorven, and prosperity. Smiting rewards these hordey sons of toil, Who struggling bravely 'gainst misfortune's tide, 'Gainst sickly harvests and the sweeping flood, But overlooking forward with firm trust To better days in store, and may they be When Timaru. and Milford shall agree To rise above alhp'etty jealousy, and then Of future days may future poets sing. Bangle. Temuka, Ist July, 1870.