THE PASSING SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 8

THE PASSING SHOW.

(By THE MAN ABOUT TOWN.)

WINGED VICTORY. Miss Jean Batten arrives in Auckland on Monday. Men have done heroic things. And dared all to win their wings: ( The Air is conquered—"Men are Ivings. And now —this Maid, Indomitable, unafraid — This gov girl, like a laughing sprite. Has flashed, full-pinioned, into flight, Unerring as the bird that flies, Has spurned the earth and climbed the skies, And blazed a pathless pathway there In blue illimitable air; Has crossed the dim immensities Of continents and crags and seas, And met Death, daring, face to face. In the stark loneliness of Space. Through dark, uncharted gulfs of air;, Blown, buffeted and blind with rain. She rode the winds, and through the glare Of the fierce lightnings, soared again, A moth blown through the riven sky, But resolute still to fly—fly. . • • Fearless —alone, elate —she flew In ecstasy of wings unfurled; Laughing she came out of the blue. And bridged the seas from world to world. Tea, inen have done heroic things— But hark! A silver clarion rings: "Wings to the Maiden; valiant Wings! —ISABEL M. CLUETT.