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The New Zealand Survey

To a Mountain Daisy

“New Zealand Survey”: Page 152.

To a Mountain Daisy.

met when cleaning out a wayside drain.

Thou pinky-edged sweet daisy flower,
Just opening into lovely bloom,
I bid thee hail! while I admire
The modest air which ye assume;

Though here we meet in awkward place—
In a New Zealand wayside drain,
When pick and shovel would displace
Thee as some rubbish, with disdain;

Yet now I rather would thee thank,
For such a meeting here!—With care
Let me transplant thee on this bank,
In hopes though long may’st flourish there.

FriendshipHow like two friends in native land,
That parted once, as ’twere for ever;
When long asundered, fortune bland,
Must bring again old friends together;

As ’twere that one some balm should bear
To soothe the other’s painful bosom,
While battling with much cank’ring care;—
So feel I pleased with thy chaste blossom!

Suffering; Memory; Prosperity; WorkYes! ye from adverse fortune’s strife,
Recall my pensive thoughts, in brief,
To muse on former scenes of life,
Affording something of relief!

page 153“New Zealand Survey”: Page 153.

Relief from what?—Not from the thought
Of fruitful toil,—that gives me pleasure!
Though aiming at a better lot,
Contentment still to me is treasure!

Imagination; Nature; MemoryBut ye remind me when a youth,
How I felt grieved, with careless feet
To tread such beauties down! In truth
I felt so charmed with flowers so sweet!

And ye remind, when I would pore,
And ponder over nature’s page;
No other scenes then pleased me more
Than flow’ry fields, so as t’ engage

My fancy for the while!—But ah!
How like a dream those days have passed!
Yet recollections fond can draw
From those, some comfort, when downcast.

As bygone scenes me oft solace,
Why o’er the present should I mourn?
Let hope in future weal displace
Such cares, that hold sweet peace in scorn!

Memory; Past; Peace’Tis well to look upon the past,
Recounting trials triumphed over;
Dispelling glooms that would o’ercast
The mind, and thus its peace recover!

Yet, as the past we can’t recall,
’Tis vain o’er present cares to pine:
While Work; Changenobler energies may all
Be roused to efforts more to shine

In glorious enterprize; as up
To rise above what tends to pain;
Like passing from one sorrow’s cup
Or spurning it with proud disdain.

page 154“New Zealand Survey”: Page 154.

For why in gloomy moods indulge?
’Tis as we troubles would embrace!
No more my bosom harbor such
Lest these might happy hopes disgrace!

Yes, welcome thou, and full of worth,
As other pleasures good ye give,
While in thee reading cheering truth,
Revealed that can from cares relieve;

Even as Park ’mid desert cast,
Athirst, and pining in despair;
Whose eyes a little flower at length
Beheld, inspiring comfort there!

Religion; Joy; EducationFor He who cares for thee, sweet flower,
And paints thee with the choicest hue;
Can cherish all in hapless hour,
Who in Him trust, as shewn by you.

As on you shines the light of day,
That makes ye look with joyous smile;
So may His countenance alway
Shine on my soul, all glooms to foil!

How good from thee such lessons pure
To draw, that might dull ignorance teach,
Inspiring hopes, which bliss ensure,
More than dogmatic doctors preach!