A Paean of Praise

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 4, 1 October 1926, Page 147

A Paean of Praise

A theme ! You say you want a theme On which to write ; why, all this world's a dream Of wondrous things — of flowers and trees, Great snow-capped peaks and mighty seas; Swift rushing rivers and soft gurgling streams, And sparkling lakes whereon the sunlight gleams. Clear rippling waterfalls, which flow O'er towering rocks to canons far below, Rushing anon with thunderous roar To join the ocean at some distant shore. Exquisite caves with twinkling glowworms bright, Wherein rise forms of glistening stalagmite. And what of man, God's masterpiece? On him alone your pen might move with ease; So much of humour, pathos, love, Virtue and sin into his being wove,

Brave heroes, failures, men both great and small, Good, bad, indifferent, yet God loves them all. The magic of the radiant dawn, Glistening on lake and tree and dewwashed lawn; Sweet songs of birds that greet the day: Songs full of rapturous praise, divine and gay; The opalescent sunset m the West — God's good-night smile to tired ones seeking rest. Here are subjects surely worthy of your pcn — Affix the magic nib and once again Send forth unto the world a paean of praise, Befitting these great things on which we gaze. — R. A. S., Hamilton.