ORIGINAL POETRY,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 168, 27 April 1871, Page 7

ORIGINAL POET RY,

THE FLOWER OF THE NOSTH TAIERI <M|^ ' ' PLAIN.

Bonnio Stratli.nore." sets leaves the west in a glow, tinged with the tints of in evening's soft hue, Wnl^^^^^^Aill tops are like gold in the But the lpveliesW^ndsoape that e'er I surveyed In a calm summer's eye, half in sunshine and shade. Cannot yield the sweet pleasure that thrills through each vein, lake a Flower that blooms in the North Taieri Plain. Of all the gay landscapes in Nature's domain, And the creatures of beauty her bounties sustain, The loveliest sight that the eyes can befall Is a woman's s.oft beauty— the dearest of all. How sweet are the charms that all flowers ' disclose | And some love the lily, and some love the rose ; But the rose and the lily with equal disdain I'd compare with the Mower of the North Taieri J^or the tui and thrush on a bright summer's day, As they sing in the bush, as I pass by the way, Can convey an impression more gratefully dear Than the charm that Tier sweet voice imparts to my ear ; Nor the voice of tlje cuckoo more joy cannot ' bring, JTor the sweet sylvan choir as they welcome the spring, When the green mantled woods spread with blossoms their train, Than the voice of the flower of the North Taieri Plain. As fresh as the meadows that flowers adorn, When they're wet with the dews of the bright summer's mom, Js the mantle of Nature that round her is thrown ; And the sifts that adorn her, her hand hath bestowQ, Like sonje bright fairy scene which in slumber we weave, Where fondly we linger, in sadness to leave ; |3o bewitcbing's the scene, that the mind would enchain, When befeide the sweet Flower of the North Taieri PlainLike the rays of the sun on the green mountain swells, Bo her face lights with gladness the house where she dwells ; While her sweet-tempered manners, so gentle and kind, Show the charm of her face, but reflects from her mind ; While beauty's, soft power will my homage compel^ And modesty's grace other charms still excel— £>o long will my tancy the sweet theme contain The Flower that blooms on the Noith Taieri Plain. Her dark loving eye is as soft as the dove's, When mournful he coo 3to the mate that he loves ; Nor more winning and gentle than she is the lamb, As she harmlessly skips by the side of her dam ; As the sun's setting rays seem to crimson th_e wave. So the flush on her cheek doth the fancy enslave; And a lady with jewels might rival in vain The soft winning grace of the Flower of the Plain. Though the rosebuds the garden may swestly perfumeThough grace in the castle may haughtily bloom. Yet there luxui y's charms show the labour of art, And the glitter of fashion eclipses the heart ; But far in tlje field Nature s blossoms are strewn, And sweet in the cottage blooms beauty L unknown, m And lovely's the cottage, and humble the swain, m< Who_owns the sweet flower of the Nortn Taieri WL Plain. ' ye deceivers ! for violins who p»wl the heart of the wolf and the stealth of I^^Hl the owl ; n^onteuipt fall the wretch, and confusion the tongue, That would think to beguile one so artless and young. Let her be ! that her life like a beautiful dream For her but be sweetened with honey and cream; That slander itself would even blush to profane With its breath, the fair name of the Flower of the Plain. As the rose bends its head from the force of the gale. And distresssingly waves while the tempests prevail ; |3o gentle is she, and so modest her grace, That she'd timidly shrink from the breath of her praise. How proud is the monarch his sceptre to wield, And a general victorious o'er a hard fought field; But his joy I'd esteem as the freest from pain Who wins the sweat Flower of the North Taieri Plain. • " • '

Like the frail honeysuckle that twines round the oak, Where in safety it clings when the tempest has woke, May she find some great bosom still manly and true On which she may rest — and trustingly too ; That like the career of a long summer's day, Hot more bright at its dawn than in fading away; She still may be known in her life's closing wane As the onpe lovely flower of the North Taieri Plain. April, 1871. D, JMJ M Outram.