XII These Alsatian Days

1
Dark
as the history of New Zealand was
during these Alsatian days,
there is no chapter
quite so dark
as the story of the seagoing natives:

– 15 –

taken
from these sunny shores, abandoned
in foreign countries, driven
at the end of the lash
to tasks beyond their strength.

The result:
many died, but undying
was the hate of the poisoned
souls of the survivors

2
Still
the Maori
were a numerous, virile
and warlike race,
capable of deeds
of blackest barbarism,
but equally adaptable
to the softening influences
of Christianity
& Civilisation.

3
All Transylvanians are lazy, all
Calathumpians unintelligent or
all Pantagonians violent.

So we are freed
from the tedious need
to make individual judgements.