THE WAIKARE'S CREW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 93

THE WAIKARE'S CREW.

(On reading various graphic accounts of the shipwreck.) I’m proud to say I’m British-born, To feel that through me flows The same undaunted strain of bleed That '-animated those "Who, faced with tragic circumstances Upon the cruel main. Looked squarely in the vampire’s face With something like disdain. No colour, nation, casta, or creed. But somehow I respect; And if my face were analys-ed: 1 Tho Surgeon would detect A lot of ‘“-cosmopolitan," But right a-mid the mud He’d find tho secret of my pride— A drop of British blood; And when from out this troubled sphere My soul at last is whirled, And Pater asks me where I’m from, Of course I’ll say “The World”; But if he bids explicit terms, While Gabriel blows his horn. I’ll straighten somewhat up and say, “My Lord, I’m British-born.” He, being deeply learned, will know The reason of my pride; There’s bound to ba some members of A shipwrecked crew inside. There may be folk whose company As angels I’d prefer; Hot that it -matters much: all hands Are kind and gentle there! But if I k-se my hearings—which I’m almost sure to do— I trust I’ll find them somewhere near The bravo Waikare’s crew,