NEW ZEALAND’S MORNING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 934, 24 January 1890, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND’S MORNING.

Far in the vista of long years The mind, as in a vision, sees These lovely islands stand like pearls Framed by tlie lajipingy peaceful seas. Bedecked with Natures beauties rare, Ho\V long had theie fair islands.shone ? Where no man’s eyes behfeld how fair, Save noble savage, wandering lonfe. Among the giant forests deep, Grand are the solitary dells, And crystal lakes lie as in sleep, Where beauty’s very spirit dwells. I one Egmnnt, with its snowy crown . v In grandeur lifted to the sky,— And Ruapehu’s heights up-thrown To glad tha artist-traveller’s eye. Oh ! who can gaze with heart unmoved On Southern Sounds or Mitre Peak ? Our country’s pride, our heart’s beloved, The distantscane our tourists seek. Each valley has its history! And wildest music lends its aid, Music of bird and rustling tree. Where beauteous ferns lie deep in shade. Fast down the rivers bright and fleet The war-canoe once fiercely sped, Now, changed to pleasure boat, it flits Softly along the pebbly bed. At last it comes ! Zealandia’s fleet ! Five ships with brave and true hearts manned, j j . Safe in our noble harbour meet 1 Safe in their own adopted land. • Those white sails on the misty deep. Their weight of pioneers up-bore. Two maids of England lightly leap, The first to touch New Zealand’s shore. In friendly stiife, the precious freight Is safely rescued from the sea. Then strong arms hoist the flag of might— Salute it, and our colony. With anxious eyes the land they scan, Find richest treasures hidden there, Waiting the skilful toil of man To crown theip lives with blessings rare. But hark! the war-cry's maddening sound Rends the soft air and breaks the spell. Ah ! E’en in this enchanted ground E'en here can evil passions dwell. The village burns ! the flames leap high ! And wild shrieks madly pierce the air. The dusky forms, in terror, fly, From fatal axe and deadly spear. But time rolls on ! once more we see The gospel’s mighty work begun ; All things are new, two races free, In peaceful brotherhood are one, The simple Natiye, pleased to comp With friendly barter, gives his lands, Sits at the feet of ipngland's Sons, In untaught wonder grasps their hands. Their, brave ally when trouble lowers, And dark forips deal in darker deeds, Till sweet peace smiles like summer flowers And foes are changed to friends indeed. With courage high, and spirit light, Unwonted toil is bravely borne, The axe is heard from morn till night. And homes are framed In fields of corn. No stranger ever comes in vain, The hospitable board is spread, As welcome guest they entertain) Nor e’er deny the restful bed. And healthy pleasures crown the day. The song, {he dance, or dashing ride, To view the herds that roam away (Rer acres broad—New Zealand’s pride. Sunbeam.