Top – not's Tribute.

Free Lance, Volume X, Issue 499, 22 January 1910, Page 15

Top - not's Tribute.

On the banks of "Rewa Eewa/' Just in sight of "Golden Lands," Where the cabbage-tree and toi-toi grow, Where the shag is often seen to Wander idly o'er the sands, And the tui perks and flutters to and fro. There's a spot I never pass, y By the river, edged with grass, But for very shame I turn my head aside; While a curse comes quick and hot As I gaze upon the spot— 'Tis the place where old "Top Not" died! Was he maimed? I hardly th'uk it; Was he strained? I cannot tell; He had run for fourteen summers thus inane, In his life he had not recognised The insult of the spur, And needless with fcha whip to cause him pain. But I sometimes fancy, too, That his cunning spirit knew In the other world his pace would not be tried; So he bore it true and brave, And lay down by his grave. At the place where old "Top Not'' died!" There are men both good and brave Who hold that, in a future, state Dumb creatures we hay© treasured here telow, Shall give us joyous greeting when We pass the "GokK*a Gate?." Is at folly that I hope it may be so? For never horse had friend More enduring to the end Than his mistress, who w;ould ne'er hear him . belied; _ Could I think they'd meet again, It would lighten half my pain At th© place where old "Top Not" died. ~, ...