ZEALANDIA'S SPRING SONG.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1026, 21 January 1879, Page 3

ZEALANDIA'S SPRING SONG.

(I3Y THE WAIKATO LAUREATE.) Let Northern climes boast early springs That clothe the year with flowers, And bid it wanton wild in youth 'Mid fragrance-breathing bowers, Whilst its old ago is left to pine In autumn's damp decay, Till in a wintry wind at 'ast It breathes its life away.

Our Southern year springs gay to life When summer skies are bright; And—when our glorious native bush Flings back the golden light From dark green boughs, which brightly wavo With rich, luxuriant sheen, — No verdure in tho world can match Zealaudia's bush leaves green. Around our young year, chilling wiuds From darkening skies blow soon, And its full vigorous manhood bears The cold, dark davs of June, Till August conies with vital breath, The spell-bouud earth to woo, And timid flowers from her dark breast Come peeping coyly through.

Bright springs the crocus from the lawn' And pregnant buds appear, With leaf and blossom, flower and fruit, To crown the closing year. And from this time when flowerots ope' And spring winds gently sigh, The year goes on his flower-strewn path, In " green old age " to die—

Like some good man whese early youth Sped on 'mid pleasant ways, Till healthful toil and trial came In manhood's early days, But all whose troubles passed away Ere yet his furm was bent, And crowned with honor, joy, and wealth His latter days were spent.

Let Northern nations boast of May And June's bright rosy bowers— Sing we, September's bursting 1 uds, October's smiles and showers; November's gladsome summer days, On golden hours that roll, December's wealth of fruit and flowers, And rose-crowned Christmas bowl. Q.X.