bake kanieri.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 2, 1 November 1902, Page 131

bake kanieri.

Blue veined and dimpling, dappled in the sun Lies Lake K.iuieri, like a timid ohild Wide eyed, close clinging to the spacious skirts Of old Tuhua, tht- big, brawny nurse, On whose broad lap I lie. No need to serve, Or suffer, or regret : it seems life holds No future and no past for me but this Sun-lighted mountain and the brooding bush ; Nor art, nor history, nor written page Could touch me now. It is enough to be, And feel the slow and rhythmic pulse of Earth Beat under me; aud see the low, red sun Lean on the massive shoulders of the l'ange. 0 lone, heroic, raelaucholy Hills ! Your dim, gaunt peaks stand in the after-glow Stern as Duty, implacable and cold ; Remote from the harsh clam6ur of the plains, Whose pulse of life stirs dully at your feet. 0 still, and calm, and pure, and wise, and strong! My restless heart from your locked hearts shut out, Leans on your strength, and craves the peace you hold — Peace born of conflict. Ye old Stoic Hills, Yield up your secrets ! On your furrowed fronts Are scars of fierce upheavals ; in your grave, Deep breasts what dreams are shut ? Methinks you stand Like pale, impassive monks whose chill looks hide Forbidden memories of clinging lips, Of passions conquered and of pains repressed Within their breasts of snow. With outlines dim The hooded slopes, like meek nuns grouped in prayer, Kneel in the screened cloister of the bush Dai'k robed and secret ; and the laughing lake, Smoothed by the slow, cool fingers of the dusk, Has coiled herself to sleep. All light has gone, Save on those heights where Day grown weak and old, Close by the dying embers of the sun, Sits, like an old man musing on his past.

" Lola."