THE SHAMROCK

New Zealand Tablet, 12 March 1914, Page 47

THE SHAMROCK

In the rich depth of the forest' I have seen the rata grow ; Lighting up the soft, green dimness With its gorgeous blood-red glow; By its side is star clematis, With its petals virgin white, Gleaming strangely in the darkness Of the,peaceful, southern night. And high up upon the hillside ' Where the graceful fern-fronds bend Where the toi-tois, swaying, laughing, Their light wind-borne tokens send. There the gold bolls of the kowhai Peal with joy so wild, so free, f Filling all the listening bushland With their sunshine melody. But, ah ! Dearer than the rata Is the flower I’ve loved for years; To my eyes the golden kowhai Has no power to bring hot tears; And the tenderest clematis That in- all the bush realm shows, £ Cannot charm me like the shamrock ■;/ That in dear old Ireland grows ! fee ■ Angela Hastings. .Dunedin. ■ ’** r*- v --v. s