ODE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8108, 31 March 1906, Page 3

ODE.

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. THE ARGUMENT. The ode opens with a chorus of welaome to the old lands with the ir. glamour of history, from the new land, whose chief history is the lives of the pioneers, now passing away. New Zealand, uncolonized and uncultivated, is pictured lying in mysterious Southern Seas, remote from all civilisation, in imagination the first immigrant ships are seen slowly stealing through unfrequented seas to the new home. Then is suggested the change that has taken place in a man's life time; fertile plains cultivated and flooks reared on abundant pastures; the land baa become one of health and p r osperity. of peace without fear of war. That which was once so distant, is now brought nearer by means of ocean liners and deep sea cables; the For tune Isles, again discovered by man, are hailed, but with a tempered joy as we remember that the pioneers now sleep their last sleep. A glance of regret is cast towards the Maori, who must be fought ere tbe perfect peace was attained, but who now with his white fellow-colonist, «n----joys that peace. Again attention is drawn to the progress of leas than a century. The stress of colonization over, we begin to And leisure for. the cultivation of the'fine arts, and this thought inspires us with the superb beauty of the land we have won; its scenery, its invigorating climate; its fertility, wbicb enables a young colony to maintain a high place in the markets of the world. Beauty is not inimical to utility, and the hope is expressed that rather than become the arena for gold-sweating combines, New Zealand, whilst flourishing commercially, will be the resting place, the recreation ground of Nations; a haven of rest and peace for which it is by Nature so peculiarly adapted. The world shall know of it! New Zealand opens her gates to the world; invites a display of the resources of Nations, and side by side with them displays her own. The ode closes with a caean of triumph that New Zealand is no longer the unknown, the unvalued, and with praise to God for protection in the past, and prayer for aid in days to come. I

THE ODE. Hail! hail! from Isles of tbo uttermost sea! CouiiDg from Continent's hoary, Grey with the passing of years, History giving a glory, A glamour made tender with tears,— Hail! hail! the Land with its future to be, New Zealand, cries Welcome! Ah! 'mid our joy, the Pilgrims are passing away. We from tboir labour find leisure, We from theirhands have our home; Mingled is sorrow and pleasure - See! oiid the perilous foam A bountiful wilderness lay Where Pilrgims found welcome. Hail! hail! from Isles of the uttermost sea The Lan'2 with its future to be New Zealand cries Welcome! 2. , Long, long she lay, in isolated splendour, Seas her defences, distances her shield; A Morn glorious rose, and even olosed in tender, Lorn lay this Eden fair, unce lost, again revealed. See! timorous ships, the white winged ships of ocean, Venture from northward, through unfurrowed seas; Eyes eager gaze, hearts thrill with emotion, < As the vast sea lays bare, gives up, its mj scenes. Now, wonder now!—the life of one man passing, Might see the changes, gold, grain, snowy fleece; See wealth od wealth, within her shores amassing, Health, wealth, prosperity, and glad unthreatened peace! Lands hoax with eld!—once halt a world asunder, Once girt by oceans, dark to human ken, Near now have drawn these Isles of endless wonder,— Hail! fruitful Fortunate Isleßl Peace! bold sea-faring men! 3. Not unsought the Isles were found, Not unfought the Isles were won; Ere the head with peace is crowned Strife must end and war be done:— In their southern solitude, Nature's ohiidren dwelt in feud. Pioneers found the land, Torn by battle-loving band; Pioneers have tut done What by Nature was begun— Brothers!—less by this our shame; Ye were dying wheu we oame! i. " Tillage and sheperdiog gave us their guerdon, Bridged is the distanoe of severing eeas; Past is the beat of the day with its barden, Fruitful <vitb purpose our leisure shall be; Haven of beauty!—from arduous duty Gladly we turn for our solace to thee. Ere a abort century lies on man's labour, See what his bands have accomplished and done; Welcome the leisure for toil and labour; Welcome the leisure that labour has won; Now may we nourish the arts till they flourish,— Something of beauty shall gladden the sun! 5. The lakes! the trees! the everlasting hills! The fiery regions of the earthquake god! The fastnesses, where no man shears or tills; The virgin depths of age-unriven sod J

A young land; new land!—-virgin from whose eyes Are caughtjfleet glimpses of a Paradise! A Land whose loveliness renews the breath, And stays the hand, the ruthless hand of death 1 The pastured hills! the broad and fertile plains Whose produoe in the world finds welcome sure! The Land that in the world's wide market gains A place that older lands can not secure! The mines! the meads!—they rival England's own! — Behold! Behold! to all the world is shown Utility and beauty may be one; That here the gold is gathered from the sun! / 6. Open stands New Zealand's gate, Hither throng the Nations; In these Halls they joyous wait With a world's creations. Par the clarion notes are blown, She is famed, who was unknown. Here is shown what she has done, Needs of men supplying; Here is shown what may be won, Dearth and death defying; Through colonial rigour bred, They shall lead, who once were led ! Wide and wider fljng the gate, Who will aid may enter; Teacher, artist, man of state, Artisan, inventor. Here a sturdy people hseds Social laws and labour's needs. Wider fling the gate, more wide! See! the Nations oldeu. Breasting through a silver tide Seek our borders golden! Hither comes the fleet that plies With a wide world's merchandise! r» I • « Joyously! joyously! sing triumphal strains of toil victorious; Joyously! a nolony bejnu is waxed to Nution glorious! World-renowned! world-renowned! she serene shall sit in her security ; Praise to God for aid in younger days, and pray for aid through glad maturity!