ORIGINAL VERSES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 421, 25 August 1860, Page 3

ORIGINAL VERSES.

A OM9IFSE Or TARANAKI ON TIIE 4TII OP August, 18G0. Loud warning notes of war throughout our streets were sounding, Our signal guns wero fired— each soldier's heart was bounding ; Each Biiton mann'd his post, — we heard the foe was near us, We had vengeance to repay, and the hope of doing it cheered us. « Aged men forgot their years,— in the foremost ranks they mingled, For high in patriots' breasts, the warrior's fire was kindled ; Like lightning through the town our mouuted courier!, flew, * And eager for the fight our ardent soldiers grew ! I saw a timid child claip'd by its trembling mother, In agonizing fear they clung to one another. Then anguish pierced my heart— quick from the scene I turned — And warmer than before my thirst for vengeance buincd. But the foe did not appear, or he heard our war gun firing, And ere he came too near, show'd wisdom by retiring ; His lawless tribes must know they cannot catch us

sleeping, — While a soldier shuts his left, strict watch.hij right eye's keeping. We'd spread flowers o'er the plains, but the rebel chose the sword, And fur his foolish pains, he'll have his just reward'; The Shamrock and the Rose will make bullets through him whistle, If he's not content wi h these, we'll prick him with the Thistle. MATIIEW FITZr\TRICK, , Private, 6,3 th Regiment.