They found her a maiden with dower Only of seasons sunny, Blue skies and the frail white flower Of Peace with its song’s sweet honey, And the joy of her wild seas flinging Their voices on fairy strands Where only the winds’ soft singing Broke on the sleep of day, Or a whistling spear by the dim green way Of the water and the lands. Green were the woodlands round her, Blue were the seas that bound her, Soft was the sky above her, A dreamily lonely lover; Streams and dells And the mountain wells, And the voice of the forest were hers alone, And the life of the grim grave ranges, The night and the noon and the changes Of light on the topmost peaks when the rose of the dawn was blown. Lift up thine honoured head! The skies are all aflame; The east to morn is wed; Lift up thine honoured head, And fearless keep thy fame! There is work for thee to do, A nation’s work is thine; O land, beloved, mine! Gird thee for life anew! With strength, that fails not, keep Thy pathway bright with Good; Let Honour, Justice, sweep Aside the weeds that creep-- Grim Error, Unbelief, And their Titanic brood, Be thine the task to rear The spacious halls of Art, To hearken to sweet Song, Be thine the pride to fear No foe while in thy heart The love of Truth is strong, To help the weak, and be Beloved and great and free, Even as thy Mighty Mother--the Grey Queen of the Sea! _John Bernard O’Hara._ IX NEW ZEALAND BRACKEN CCXXX NEW ZEALAND HYMN God of Nations! at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land! Guard Pacific’s triple star From the shafts of strife and war. Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand! Men of every creed and race Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our free land! From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our State, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand! Peace, not war, shall be our boast, But, should foes assail our coast, Make us then a mighty host, God defend our free land! Lord of Battles, in Thy might, Put our enemies to flight, Let our cause be just and right, God defend New Zealand! Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease, Give us plenty, give us peace, God defend our free land! From dishonour and from shame Guard our country’s spotless name, Crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand!