OUR VANGUARD.
(To Sir George Grey, X.C.8., on his Eightieth Birthday.)
There's a realm, by us untrodden, Seen in visions, dimly grand, Where huge mountains bar the portals Of the Master's mystic land. And for ages people wonder'd, And for ages people sigh'd ; Ay ! for ages—slave and driver Fought and won, and lost and died.
0, it is a land of pplendour, 0, it is a land of dreams ; Where no tyrant-horde dare enter, Where no brutal cannon gleams ; "Where mankind shall live in concord — Where no wrong can trample right; Where the sunrays of the Master Gild the shadows of the night.
So men murmur'd for this kingdom In their agonies of strife, Seeking death as but a guerdon For the frailties of life : When the Master beckon'd to Him — One to guide us in the fight: "Lead !"—cried He—"Break through the portals— Lead my children to the light I"
Thus our vanguard scales the mountain, Fords the torrent, braves the sea; Thus he clears the age from error— Thus he strives to make us free. Lo ! each step he takes is forward, And each day he leaves behind Some great land-mark for tho people, Some bright sun-ray for the mind.
Sboufc ! 0 people, for your freedom, For each right that breaks a wrong ; Rear your earth-works 'gainst old treason, Build your ramparts stout and strong. Every footstep he hath taken Enfilade with grape and shell; Guard each pass that leads to freedom, Man your gune, and sight them well.
O ! 'twere troason nob to follow Where our leader's banner waves. There, his foot is on the future, Hero, the present is our graves. Thero, he's gained the lofty summit, True of heart, and stout of will; Clad in honour, crowned as victor, There he stands, unconquered still ! W. R. Wills,
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1892, Page 5
Word Count
302OUR VANGUARD. Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1892, Page 5
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