"THE YOUNG QUEEN"

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4207, 16 November 1900, Page 7

"THE YOUNG QUEEN"

KIPLING'S COMMONWEALTH ODE. Mr Kudyard Kipling has written a poem in honour of the establishment of the Australian Commonwealth. It was published in “The Times" of October 4th. Mr Kipling pictures Australia as a Young yucca Iresh from victorious battle com ins to her Mother Queen withdove and reverence and asking coronation at her hands. Tho Old Queen's reply is the message of Great Britain to Australia. “The Times," in an article dealing with the poem, observes; “Some of us may have been unaware to what, perfection, those fruits have b j en already matured in tho virgin soil of Australia; but if there was surprise in any quarter it was pleasurable surprise. The whole country felt a thrill of pride us Hie work of her sons was revealed In her, and revealed to her at a time when the tics 'between her and them had been newly consecrated by common effort and by common sacrifice in a righteous cause/’ “ The text' of tile poem is appended fi-

ller hand was still on her sword hilt, the spur was still on her heel; She had not cast her harness of grey wardinted steel. High on her red-slashed charger, Beautiful, hold, and browned. Bright eyed out of the battle the Young Queen rode to be crowned.

And she came to the Old Queen’s presence, in the hall of our thousand years, In the hall of the five free nations that arc peers among their peers. Royal sho gave the greed in'; loyal she bowed the head. Crying, “Crown me. my mother ! r am! the Old Queen stood and said:

“How can I crown thee further? I know whose standard Hies Where the clean surge takes tho Lcouwiu, or the notched Kaikouras rise. Blood of our foes on thy bridal, an 1 speech of’our friends in th’y mouth. How can I crown thee further, O Queen of the sovereign South ? Lot the five free nations witness I”

But the Young Queen answered swift; ’Tt shall be crown of our er uvning, to hold our crown for a gift. In the days when cur foik were feeble, thy sword made sure onr lauds, ’Wherefore we come in power to beg our crown at thy bands.”

And the Old Queen raised and hissed her, and the jealous circlet prost. Roped with the pearls of the North land, and red with the gold of (he West; Lit with the land’s own opals, levin-heart-ed, alive. And tho five-starred cross above them, {ensign of-the nations five.

So it was done in the Presence, m the Hall of our thousand years, In the face of tho five*fr:e nations that have no peer but their peers. And the Young Queen u;t of ‘he Southland kneeled down at the.OklQacen’s knee, And asked 1 for, a mother s blessing cu, the excellent years to to.

And the Old Queen stooped in the siillue-s, where the jewelled hen .1 drooped low. ■ "Daughter no more, but slater, and di uhlj daughter so; Mother of many Princes, and child of (he child I bore. What good thing shall I wish thee, that I have not wished before? Shall I give thee delight in domin-or.. rash pride of thy setting forth ? Nay. we be women together; we- know what 'that lust is worth. Pea.?? on thy utmost borders, and strength on a road untrr.d? These are dealt or diminished at the secret will of God.

“I have swayed in troublous councils, I am wise in terrible tilings; Father and sou and grandson—l have known the heart of the Kings. Shull I give the my sleepless wisdom, or the gift of all wisdom above? Ay, wo be women together! I give thee thy people's love! Tempered, august, abiding, reluctant of pravers or vows. Eager iu face of peril, as thine for thy Mother’s bouse. God requite the?, my sister, through the strenuous years to he. And make thy people to love thee, as thou hast loved me.” —RUDYAT?I) KIPLING.