AN ODE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2334, 25 June 1887, Page 2

AN ODE.

To Celebrate the Jubilee of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. '

f (By this Rrcv. S. La wry.) : We hail the day, the auspicious day, ! And backwards swiftly sweep our thoughts j O'er period that is fraught with change ! Until wo stand where others stood ' Full fifty yours ago —who saw A youthful Queen with trembling stops , Asceud an Empire's lofty throne. 2. i A nation prayed to God that day For happiness and prosperous times , To 'company their new-made Queen; For richost blessings! from above To crown and gladden all her days ; And patriot hearts fresh courage took To hope and work for England's good. 3. Now fifty years have come and gone, And still Victoria sits as Queen, Her Empire meanwhile larger grown ; For India.'s millions own her sway, . South Africa has felt her power, And Canada's dominion vast Claims share with England in her Queen. _ ; ' ,-4. ■ Australiawith her varied wealth, - Now Zealand—Britain'of the South And countless islands through the seas Both North and South and East and West Hoist high to-day the British flag ; They echo with Victoria's name, They bring their trophies to her feet. • 5. Through fifty years Victoria's reign Has seen the strength of England's arms On many a battle-field displayed ; Her ships of war sweep o'er the seas In every zone of all the world, And claim for England and her Queen An undisputed sovereignty. 6. Our good Queen's reign of fifty years Has witnessed wondrous growth of trade. In foreign markets and at home ; While colonies like stalwart, youths Have grown, inviting Britain's skill And wealth to take up their abode And push their way in newer lands. ■ 7. • ■ - . Since Queen Victoria's reign began Great statesmen have arisen; and laws More wise and consonant with right, More just to every class and creed, More ready to defend the right, And swifter in avenging wrong, Are place upon the statute book. 8. Through fifty years of clearer light Have men of science toiled and fought With ignorance and pride of thought ; Philanthropists have stirred men's hearts To grapple with Our social wrongs, And liberty and equal rights Have made the Press their advocate. . 9Come, waken, drowsy eyes, look up And see what fifty years has done 1 What victories of peace we've won ! What triumphs of the heart and hand ! What trophies of the voice and pen 1 See.ill these spoils of bloodless war Which we have gained through fifty years ! 1.0. Full well we know that wrong still lives, And flaunts itself before our eyes ! The poor still struggle on in dread Of darker days and sorer need ! And selfish wealth oft grudges help Instead of opening wide the gates Of equal privilege to all 11. But midnight of our wrongs has passed, And morning light breaks o'er the hills ; We see the oppressor's power decline, While knowledge, Freedom's truest friend, Has gained a place among the poor, And man is "liker man" to-day Than when our. Queen began to reign. 12. We take onr stand where years divide, We backward look for fifty years ; Then gratitude for progress made Directs our gaze the other way, And hope springs up within our souls For victories greater to be won And all the good that is to be. 13. We reap the fruit of years long past, And Queen and people both have cause To sing their songs of grateful joy, And keep a gladsome Jubilee. Rejoicing in the certain hope That evil things which still live on To cause us grief shall die ere long. 14. Though far removed from England's shore, Yet know we that one spirit moves 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 the festive day. 15. 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. 16. Where Nature hath her wonders wrought, And thermal springs invite the sick To bathe and prove their healing power, Our public men are asked to plant An avenue of stately trees In honour of our noble Queen, And call them trees of "Jubilee." 17. And when our children ask of us " What meaneth this? What Jubilee Is celebrated by these lines Of itately trees —the avenue." We 11 answer make, " These trees declare That Queen Victoria wisely reigned O'er loyal subjects fifty years." 18. Then let us all be glad to-day, Be glad that all through fifty years The effort of our Queen has been Put forth 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. 19. 0, British subjects in all lands, Make glad memorials of this day, Raise high the dear old Union Jack, Ring out the bells in loud reclaim, Let drum be beat and bugle blown, And songs be sung in richest notes, For all the good of fifty years. 20._ In solemn prayer and ringing cheer Let Queen Victoria's name be heard Throughout the Imperial realm to-day ; Let children lisp, " God save the Queen," And those who sang it years ago, In world-wide choir, sing once again, "Long live the Queen, God save the Queen." Te Aroha, June 21, 1887.