Poetry.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2680, 14 September 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

Poetry.

NEW ZEALAND'S FOREST

KING. The k.uui lifts it's stately head, with verdure over-crowned, And looks down on all the other trees that in the woods are found ; Without a branch full fifty feet, uproars its mighty stem, . Then spreads abroad its giant arms, as ll protecting them. The oak is England's boast and pride; its fame the poets sing, _ And yet 'tis but a dwarf bcsido JNow /-oaland's Forest ICinsr. A saplinc; in the woods it grew, a thousand yoar's ago, And all the time delied the storms and fiercest winds that blow. Although, now in its sturdy prime, unbent by length of years, And hoodies* of the temptcsts might, ono foo tho monarch fears : Tlio bushman marches through the woods, destruction in his tracks, And soon the mighty tree must fall beneath tho woodman's axe. Jilow follows blow with .steady skill; the gap grows deep and wide, Wliilo thick and fast the flyiug chips fall down on every side. I A crack, then one terrific crash is hoard for miles around, And now tho monarch of the woods lies stretched upon the ground. Tho kauri grow, while in the earth, tho axe unsmelted lay. Nor could the wisest in tho land, forctoll its work to-day. But fate selected axe and man to lay the monarch low, And when, or how, our death may come, nor you nor I can know. Nemo. A CHRISTMAS SONG. Tis Cluistmas Eve : I hear the choir. And loud tho pealing Anthem swells j A hymn that should all hearts inspire, Of Him who died for all it tells. They hail the day that gave Him birth, Whoso teaching should be, now, as then, Tho guide for Christian men on earth : 'Twas "Peaceon earth, good will to men. His awful death, his blameless lifo Still pload the message that he brought; Yet Christian nations armed for strife But mock the creed their founder taught And still I hear the voices sing, ltepoat tho sacred words again, : The message Christ to man bid bring , "Peace, Peace on earth, good will to mon. The nations wait their Ruler's will J To maim and slay before high Heaven ; , Then raised their blood-stained hands to Him, . ' To thank Him for the victory given. The organ peals, the voices ring, The -.tcred words repeat again ; < The message Christ to man did bring 1 "Peace, Peace on earth, good will to men. 1 ' , EMO. 1 r AN APPEAL. J Oh brothers of the plough and spade, I And wielders of the axe, ( Oil ! ye who ply tho lighter trades, Or work amidst the flax, Who strive and toil with honest sweat, v To fatten useless drones, » Who, when you ask for bread—your due— Give in return but "stones" I Oh ! brothers of the plough and spado, j Why longer bondsmen be ? Yo have the power, but lack the will, \ To bo for over free ; { Why crouch then, like down-trodden serfs, 'Neath tho oppressor's heel, 1 And meekly brook injustice done n Against the common weal 1 This goodly heritage of yours, t This land of plenteous wealth. | Is being filched away from you n By craft, and fraud, and stealth ; e And yet you stand with folded hand 3 r And quietly let it go, f Yo reck not of your present wrongs, Your children's future woe. 1 0 Does living in this southern climo R Degenerate British blood? Have you forgotten how your sires V Oft tyranny withstood ? Has apathy enthralled you all, And made you bow like slaves, To be tho sport of heartless fools li The shuttlecocks of knaves 1 Oh ! turn to bay and meet your foes, :l Ere yot it be too late ; And list to those whoso object is j The welfare of the State ; I'or the Press is with the people, 0 Unite and crush your foe, 1; Strike harsh mis-rule and tyranny Their long-deferred death-blow. Take courage then, in unity c ] You can accomplish much ; You've suffered long and patiently, r Held fast in mis-rulo's clutch. 0 Your own and children's lights preserve, And keep for ever free ; Now is the time you must arise, a Or fall'n forever be. W. C. Castleton. Frankton. s