HAEREMAI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11679, 14 June 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

HAEREMAI.

AN ODE Commemorating the visit to New Zealand of their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, June, 1901. I. Rejoice. 0 islands of the southmost sea! Home of a race, brave, strenuous, and free ! From out the rolling billows have ye sprung, Upris'n above the waters .strong and young. And we have won ye. green and golden isles, And feasted on your sumptuous fruits and smiles : With mighty love we love ye, as our own. And bind ye to a World-wide Empire's throne. Now ve have burgeoned into splendid fame, The blood-writ glory of heroic name.— ' A name baptised in reddest brittle blaze, Hath won a nation's meed of deathless praise. Arise. Zealaudtal latest, happiest born! Isles of the sea, kissed from the mouth of morn! Arise, for great occasion on thee waits A Royal squadron enters at thy gates; A Sovereign's greeting comes by princely hand,— Britannia's blessing to her Youngest Land. With loud, tumultuous, reverberating voice, Ye islands of the southmost sea, rejoice, rejoice ! 11. But hush the joyous song one reverent space, For her whose seat was highest earthly place ; Fain would we listen through the w»rld today For queenly footsteps scarcely died away. Best, gentlest woman—Sovereign mightiest We love thy memory, and bless thy rest, Thankful for all thy years of beauteous fame, Of life unblemished, model for all time; Thai truth and virtue gave thee spotless name. And swayed the Empire thou ha- o *-- made sublime. m. Hail, Edward! great Victoria's son! Thine now the crown—the Royal bays,—■ Thy realm's tremendous voice is one, In loyal shout and grateful praise. And thou, sweet daughter of the Dane, We joy for what thy life hath been— England gave welcome o'er the main, And marked thy loveliness of mien; Now, as we welcome thee again. We sing " God Save our King and Queen !" IV. Welcome, welcome, Prince and Princess, Son and daughter of the throne! Sing we now our gladdest music. Strike we now triumphant tone! In Britannia's name ye greet us ;

Her's the message that she brings; Our's the answer loud and loyal—

Speed it on the lightning's wing. Tell her that on ocean's bosom,

She hath children fair and strong, Nursing kingdoms for the sceptre Britons have revered so long. Tell her that the vast Pacific. Bears on its majestic tide Sons, who cling not round her girdle, But stand stalwart at her side. V. Raise we thankful hearts to heaven, Praising God for mercies past; That from out the blackest midnights. Glorious dawns broke forth at last; For the welded strength of Empire, Daring foes to mock or smite, Fighting not for love of battle, But for solemn league of right. Praise we for our Royal Mother, And for those who thronged her knee, Learning from her richest wisdom What our kings and queens should be. Ye are of them, regal strangers, Crowns may one day be your own Welcome, welcome. Prince and Princess, Son and daughter of the throne! VI. Britannia! an Empire of Empires Belongeth to Thee! A realm to the uttermost ocean Obeys thy decree! Yet boast not thyself in vain gloryIn God be thy trust; For slayers are ever consuming To wrap thee in dust. The eyes of the earth are upon thee And thy banners unfurled ; And the Eye in the heavens is watching The weal of the world. Then fear not; but stand in Thy glory Of unified might, The awe of the marvelling nations In peace or in fight. Be Honour thy deathless devotion And Freedom thy feme, And Righteousness ever the signet That sealeth thy name. Thus build thou enduring dominion More mighty than sword— The key to the kingship of nations Is "Thus saith the Lord." Britannia ! the sun of thy greatness Hath risen for thee, And shineth on Empire of Empires To uttermost sea! S. Clarke JOHNSOiT. Wellington, New Zealand.