A LAY ON WANGANUI.
Suggested by a visit to district, in February, 1867.
By Wanganui’s stream I strayed.
Contemplating the scenes around,
Where much of interest seem’d display’d
And Nature’s beauties would abound,
Contemplating the scenes around,
Where much of interest seem’d display’d
And Nature’s beauties would abound,
All to the eye, and to the mind
Contemplative, a tale would tell
Of yore, while promises combined
For future, they’d declare as well!
Contemplative, a tale would tell
Of yore, while promises combined
For future, they’d declare as well!
A noble river this to view,
Of gentle flow and spaciousness,
With Britain’s vying;—prompting true
This Lay, my feelings to express:—
Of gentle flow and spaciousness,
With Britain’s vying;—prompting true
This Lay, my feelings to express:—
Thy hist’ry, buried in the past,
Would observation search around,
And mark developments, —though vast—
Till to this state arrived, thou’rt found.
Would observation search around,
And mark developments, —though vast—
Till to this state arrived, thou’rt found.
Yon beetling cliffs of clay declare
Thou hast not always been as now;
These banks of scoria deep, would bear
Their testimony strong, t’avow
Thou hast not always been as now;
These banks of scoria deep, would bear
Their testimony strong, t’avow
In yore, thy winding course has been
Of snaky form ’neath briny waves;
Yon bed of shells confess, I ween,
This truth, which our attention craves.
Of snaky form ’neath briny waves;
Yon bed of shells confess, I ween,
This truth, which our attention craves.
Yes, there they are; a weighty tale
They tell,—how Neptune there had reign’d:
How oysters largely would prevail;
There long their weal have been maintain’d!
They tell,—how Neptune there had reign’d:
How oysters largely would prevail;
There long their weal have been maintain’d!
Such has a voice to Nature’s Muse,
They tell, with no unmeaning sound,
How dread convulsions would confuse
All former scenes; confirm’d around!
They tell, with no unmeaning sound,
How dread convulsions would confuse
All former scenes; confirm’d around!
Yon uplands, bending round, would say,
“Our base has once been own’d a shore,
As forming once a mud-flat bay,
Where, tide waves broke with deaf’ning roar
“Our base has once been own’d a shore,
As forming once a mud-flat bay,
Where, tide waves broke with deaf’ning roar
But, mark the change; nor’-western gales
From, ocean’s bed the sands have sent
Mud-flats t’o’erwhelm, and tell new tales
Of Nature on improvements bent!
From, ocean’s bed the sands have sent
Mud-flats t’o’erwhelm, and tell new tales
Of Nature on improvements bent!
The ancient bay would now appear
As smit by some Magician’s wand.
As billows in their fierce career
Had got transform’d to hills of sand!—
As smit by some Magician’s wand.
As billows in their fierce career
Had got transform’d to hills of sand!—
And lo! these beds of pumice deep,
With ancient drifted sands combined,
Confirm fell revolution’s sweep
O’er former things to change consign’d,
With ancient drifted sands combined,
Confirm fell revolution’s sweep
O’er former things to change consign’d,
The land upheaving, driving forth
Old ocean from its old coast line,
Where, belchings of volcanic wrath
Are left by the retiring brine!
Old ocean from its old coast line,
Where, belchings of volcanic wrath
Are left by the retiring brine!
Well, there they are;—substrata now,
Of sandy soil above them grown
With vegetation clad, t’avow
The plan of Providence forth-shewn.
Of sandy soil above them grown
With vegetation clad, t’avow
The plan of Providence forth-shewn.
While thou, fair River, hast thy course
Scoop’d deeper, as thy floods would flow
In bygone ages, oft in force
Augmented by the melting snow
Scoop’d deeper, as thy floods would flow
In bygone ages, oft in force
Augmented by the melting snow
Of yonder cloud-capt ridges, far!—
Thus, on great preparations bent,
For future needs, all round declare
Nature has ever been intent!—
Thus, on great preparations bent,
For future needs, all round declare
Nature has ever been intent!—
Yet, long, and seeming waste, thy time
Has been, as candidate of fame:—
Like Solitaire ’mid the sublime
Of nature, living void of aim!
Has been, as candidate of fame:—
Like Solitaire ’mid the sublime
Of nature, living void of aim!
Each scene’s reflected beauty, round
Upon thy wave, inverted shewn,
Might lovely be; but not was found
The fond admirer such to own!
Upon thy wave, inverted shewn,
Might lovely be; but not was found
The fond admirer such to own!
The sun would from meridian heights
Behold his gleamings on thy wave;
But none else there could take delight
In sparkling beauties shewn, or crave
Behold his gleamings on thy wave;
But none else there could take delight
In sparkling beauties shewn, or crave
The blessings thou couldst give to toil;
For all was Solitude around!—
How cheerless Nature’s brightest smile
Where no inhabitant is found!
For all was Solitude around!—
How cheerless Nature’s brightest smile
Where no inhabitant is found!
Such, who might have enhanced the charms
Around, and made thee lovelier still;—
While thou, unyok’d to dire alarms,
Had aided enterprising skill:
Around, and made thee lovelier still;—
While thou, unyok’d to dire alarms,
Had aided enterprising skill:
Aye, such that makes each wilderness
To bud, and blossom like the rose:—
Though long thy waiting for such bliss,
Yet Time thy prize may soon disclose!
To bud, and blossom like the rose:—
Though long thy waiting for such bliss,
Yet Time thy prize may soon disclose!
To savage feuds, and deadly strife,
Though long thou hast a witness been;
Thou’rt waking to another life
Of usefulness, and joy, I ween!
Though long thou hast a witness been;
Thou’rt waking to another life
Of usefulness, and joy, I ween!
Upon thy banks erelong might range
Some factories of enterprize;
Where wool, and weed-like flax will change
Their forms to things of merchandize!
Some factories of enterprize;
Where wool, and weed-like flax will change
Their forms to things of merchandize!
The war canoe, with all its pride
Of savage pomp, must now give place
To nobler structures, on thy tide
No more thy virtues to disgrace!
Of savage pomp, must now give place
To nobler structures, on thy tide
No more thy virtues to disgrace!
What now is seen, is prelude mere
Of what in future may occur
As shipping large may hither steer
With merchandise without demur;
Of what in future may occur
As shipping large may hither steer
With merchandise without demur;
Like that upon the Thames, or Clyde,
Which would make northern Britain great;—
When science makes this stream “the pride”
Of other days, in prosp’rous state!
Which would make northern Britain great;—
When science makes this stream “the pride”
Of other days, in prosp’rous state!
How fancy paints a forest dense
Of masts, in buntings best array,
Above thy waters, while immense
Of merchandise make great display
Of masts, in buntings best array,
Above thy waters, while immense
Of merchandise make great display
Upon thy quays; while workmen strong;
Proclaim the bustle business brings;
With thy small town become, erelong,
A city, having merchant kings!
Proclaim the bustle business brings;
With thy small town become, erelong,
A city, having merchant kings!
Aye then what grand improvements due,
Will on thine aspect be impress’d:
Thy present worthiness, most true,
Shall thus in future be confess’d!
Will on thine aspect be impress’d:
Thy present worthiness, most true,
Shall thus in future be confess’d!
The Country round, how it appears
In very contrast with the past,
As now another aspect cheers
Old Solitude as o’er it cast
In very contrast with the past,
As now another aspect cheers
Old Solitude as o’er it cast
Had been some festive garb, which charms
Th’ observant eye,— ’Tis good to see
Old dreary wastes laid out in farms
As scenes of stirring industry!
Th’ observant eye,— ’Tis good to see
Old dreary wastes laid out in farms
As scenes of stirring industry!
How Nature like some lowly maid,
Who long has borne a lonely state
With all her virtues cast in shade,
Yet bowing meekly to her fate,
Who long has borne a lonely state
With all her virtues cast in shade,
Yet bowing meekly to her fate,
Since she no better knew,—Now see,
Her head is raised, the cheering smile
Illumes her count’nance; as with glee,
New hopes inspire her, as to foil
Her head is raised, the cheering smile
Illumes her count’nance; as with glee,
New hopes inspire her, as to foil
All heart depressions! See, no more
She’s passive, void of pleasure; it
Seems now her lot, with hopes in store
Of great rejoicings,— bliss most fit!
She’s passive, void of pleasure; it
Seems now her lot, with hopes in store
Of great rejoicings,— bliss most fit!
How good to find her virtues all
Are prized, as they’re developed;—so
Old wild wastes yielding to the call
Of Enterprise, much promise shew!
Are prized, as they’re developed;—so
Old wild wastes yielding to the call
Of Enterprise, much promise shew!
What is already done is good;—
But still, such goodness warrants more,
To be accomplish’d, as prelude
Of farther blessings yet in store!
But still, such goodness warrants more,
To be accomplish’d, as prelude
Of farther blessings yet in store!
Ev’n such, as groaning to be free,
Long pent up, ready, as th’ award;
Of noble mind Industry;
Deserving of each best regard
Long pent up, ready, as th’ award;
Of noble mind Industry;
Deserving of each best regard
How good to mark each distant scene,
Where yet may come improvement’s change;
The wilderness will then be seen
Its savage prestige to estrange;
Where yet may come improvement’s change;
The wilderness will then be seen
Its savage prestige to estrange;
And welcome civ’lisation’s bliss,
As Nature such a state had chose;
So, thus ’tis said “the wilderness
Shall bud and blossom as the rose!”
As Nature such a state had chose;
So, thus ’tis said “the wilderness
Shall bud and blossom as the rose!”
Now, still on Wanganui’s banks
May thriving herds, and flocks be seen
With fields of grain, as Heavenly thanks
For industry, which glads each scene!
May thriving herds, and flocks be seen
With fields of grain, as Heavenly thanks
For industry, which glads each scene!
Reverting yet to ages past,
When upland plains around were clad
With prestine forests, dense and vast;
All not in man’s remembrance had.
When upland plains around were clad
With prestine forests, dense and vast;
All not in man’s remembrance had.
Of which, appearances around
Are silent; as the tales of yore
Held secret,—mystery profound,—
As none were privileged such t’ explore!
Are silent; as the tales of yore
Held secret,—mystery profound,—
As none were privileged such t’ explore!
But ploughmen now, those lands who, till,
Find oft their plough-shares stick upon
Some vestage tree-roots left, which still
Would testify of forests gone!
Find oft their plough-shares stick upon
Some vestage tree-roots left, which still
Would testify of forests gone!
While, scatter’d wide o’er many a plain
Are blocks, of ir’n like cinders strange
As Vulcan had with might and main
Clear’d out his ancient forge, t’ arrange
Are blocks, of ir’n like cinders strange
As Vulcan had with might and main
Clear’d out his ancient forge, t’ arrange
His fire to purpose good;—although
Like one, in thoughtlessness; or ire,
Who embers hot about would throw
Which set the neighbourhood on fire!—
Like one, in thoughtlessness; or ire,
Who embers hot about would throw
Which set the neighbourhood on fire!—
But from such footprints would we trace
The his’try of the past profound;
So, let the Muse, with humble grace,
The record, thus descried, expound:
The his’try of the past profound;
So, let the Muse, with humble grace,
The record, thus descried, expound:
In times of yore ore man was cast
A wreck upon this southern isle,
Would forests grace these prairies vast;
And in their ever verdure smile:
A wreck upon this southern isle,
Would forests grace these prairies vast;
And in their ever verdure smile:
Till great convulsions would resume
Some ancient task, unfinish’d then;
T’ upheave those ridges ’bove the room
They held, ’mid many a briny fen!
Some ancient task, unfinish’d then;
T’ upheave those ridges ’bove the room
They held, ’mid many a briny fen!
Volcanoes bursting forth in rage
On yonder mountains, dreadly grand;
The sky bombarding, as, they’d wage
Aggressive war, while quaked the land.
On yonder mountains, dreadly grand;
The sky bombarding, as, they’d wage
Aggressive war, while quaked the land.
Thus, from earth’s caverns deep were thrown
Its molten bowels high in air,
As belch’d from cannon’s mouth anon,
Like rockets, neither small nor spare!
Its molten bowels high in air,
As belch’d from cannon’s mouth anon,
Like rockets, neither small nor spare!
A startling sight to be beheld;
Aye, more than fancy well can shew,
The clouds would seem a-blaze; while shell’d
With such dread ordnance from below.
Aye, more than fancy well can shew,
The clouds would seem a-blaze; while shell’d
With such dread ordnance from below.
These fiery missiles sent on high,
When force was spent, and bending round,
With spacious curve, descendingly
Like meteors falling, strew’d the ground
When force was spent, and bending round,
With spacious curve, descendingly
Like meteors falling, strew’d the ground
Thus rose at length with fearful rage
A crackling roaring mass of fire;
No green bush could the heat assuage,
No pool nor brook could quench its ire!
A crackling roaring mass of fire;
No green bush could the heat assuage,
No pool nor brook could quench its ire!
Destruction was its ruthless game;
By day the smoke obscured the sun;
By night the heav’ns would seem a-flame,
As th’ world’s last burning had begun;
By day the smoke obscured the sun;
By night the heav’ns would seem a-flame,
As th’ world’s last burning had begun;
A general conflagration dire,
No bird nor beast their doom could shun;
The sea-breeze fanning wide the fire
Uncheck’d where ruin may be done:
No bird nor beast their doom could shun;
The sea-breeze fanning wide the fire
Uncheck’d where ruin may be done:
Ev’n swamps, where stagnant waters stood,
When such were low, with verdure green,
Could not withstand such havoc rude,
Which, now prevail’d through ev’ry scene,
When such were low, with verdure green,
Could not withstand such havoc rude,
Which, now prevail’d through ev’ry scene,
Till all a blacken’d waste became;
With not a fragment left, to tell
What once grew there; the lambient flame
Its part of ruin did so well!
With not a fragment left, to tell
What once grew there; the lambient flame
Its part of ruin did so well!
For length of miles afar, and round,
Destructions were accomplish’d quite;
Save what’s beneath the surface found,
As vestiges left, out of sight,
Destructions were accomplish’d quite;
Save what’s beneath the surface found,
As vestiges left, out of sight,
Till turn’d up by the farmer’s plough
In present times.—But since of yore,
Must ferns, and wild grass spring, t’ avow
Of waste the land need not deplore!
In present times.—But since of yore,
Must ferns, and wild grass spring, t’ avow
Of waste the land need not deplore!
Thus, devastations dire would prove
A prelude to some future bliss;
The soil enrich’d would now behove
The active settlers’ happiness:—
A prelude to some future bliss;
The soil enrich’d would now behove
The active settlers’ happiness:—
New, since old solitudes are past,
And day, with Nature, would arise
To scatter former glooms, She’d cast
Her lot in with bold enterprize:
And day, with Nature, would arise
To scatter former glooms, She’d cast
Her lot in with bold enterprize:
And prove a handmaid good and true;
As crowning Industry with cheer;
And will as joyfully bestrew
Improvement’s path with blessings clear!
As crowning Industry with cheer;
And will as joyfully bestrew
Improvement’s path with blessings clear!
So, see around this truth proclaim’d
In much of largeness, still t’ encrease;
While more developments are aim’d
To know where her resources cease.
In much of largeness, still t’ encrease;
While more developments are aim’d
To know where her resources cease.
To fathom such would seem as vain
Where ample stores would overflow;
As merest effort makes each gain
A pledge, of what she’d yet bestow!
Where ample stores would overflow;
As merest effort makes each gain
A pledge, of what she’d yet bestow!
A reflex influence has the land
Upon its owner, as on seed;
When its fertility will stand
A surety for each gen’rous deed!
Upon its owner, as on seed;
When its fertility will stand
A surety for each gen’rous deed!
Mete emblem of a bounteous soul,
Which would devise no scanty measure:
Ev’n as culture’s bland control
Would wilds convert to scenes of pleasure!
Which would devise no scanty measure:
Ev’n as culture’s bland control
Would wilds convert to scenes of pleasure!
The country round begins to wear
An aspect new; the old’s outworn:
As civ’lization has a care
To brighten up things once forlorn!
An aspect new; the old’s outworn:
As civ’lization has a care
To brighten up things once forlorn!
So see the flocks and herds around,
They tell of pastures most abundant,
And every homestead seem t’ abound
In industry’s rewards redundant!
They tell of pastures most abundant,
And every homestead seem t’ abound
In industry’s rewards redundant!
No longer like a wilderness
Are spacious plains, as bleak and bare:
Now, ornamental trees express
Most cheering truths of culture there.
Are spacious plains, as bleak and bare:
Now, ornamental trees express
Most cheering truths of culture there.
The parcel’d fields—the garden ground,
Improvement’s onward march reveal;
The country’s face adorn’d, is found
To promise much for future weal!
Improvement’s onward march reveal;
The country’s face adorn’d, is found
To promise much for future weal!
How blest such changes! thus t’ advance
In civ’lization’s grand career;
May best rewards succeed, t’ enhance
The int’rests of each pioneer!
In civ’lization’s grand career;
May best rewards succeed, t’ enhance
The int’rests of each pioneer!
