Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2617, 20 April 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry.

KOBIN. Robin was Lover, lang syne, to mo ; Often we mot 'neatli the try«tiug tree ; In your dark eyes tlio true heart I could we— „ . Robin ! Robin was Husband, lang syne, to uie ; i wore a wreath of the orange-tree ; Joy-bells wero pealing exultingly, " Robin !" Robin was Baby, lang syne, to me; Lay in my lap 'neath the lilac tree ; Lovely its blossom, but lovelier heRobin ! Robin ! Kobin sung sadly and softly to me, Red gleamed his breast from the sombre yew-tree, By it lay buried the big and the wee Robin ! Robin I Robins are making their music for mo, They tell of the River of Life and the Tree, And Bay I shall meet them and greet them all three, Robin ! Robin ! Robin ! —Georgo Hill, in the "Sunday Magazine." ODE TO THE BRAVE AT SAMOA. At anchor in tropic seas they laid, The stately ships with their gallant crews ; They little thought, in so short a time, The world would rewound with such awful news; But the storm-cloud lowered, the tempest shrieked, And Nature's awful thunders were heard, And the boldest heart in those gallant crews At the Storm King's fury must have stirred. If or, like froth from off a breaker's brim, Each anchored ship from its place was hurled, Hurled on the rocks a helpless wreck, In wrath the billowy depths were whirled, Alas, brave hearts so loyally true, Stern fate did conquer their spirits brave, Bold as they were they failed to sterm The hurricane's wrath and whirling wave. And the puny strife of little man AVas hushed in the common danger's face, And' the " noble" savage deserved his name, And won for himself a hero's place :— He saw his foes in the storm-tiond's grip, And death's dread form was hovering nigh, He his wrongs forgot and sought to aavo His foes from peril, though lib should die. Then honour them though of dusky skin, ! For honour to them is justly due, High tribute pay to those simple men, Laud high the worth of the gallant two— j The gallant two whoso spirits have passed j From the storm's loud roar and the bnttlo's din, Let their deeds bo kept in memory, And bright the reuo.vn they died to win.

Our gallant kin from across the sea Were truo as stcol to traditions old, And in hour of dread their steadfast hearts Could admire the brave, cheer on the bold; As when through wreck and seething foam Tho noble British ship sped on, Although themselves in snch dire distress They cheerily hailed the victory won.

And the name of Kano and his British crew, And how they stemmed the hurricane's ra«c, Shall be heard and re-echoed o'er the world And 1 iv.; in history's glorious page ; But with the praise shall be mingled a tear, And a p.mg <>( sorrow will pass through all, When they think of the brave who soundly sleep With Samoan seas for their funeral pall. W. C. Castleton. Frankfcon,