Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/233
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The Sharing of the Earth.
197
Too late, when the division all was over
The poet came; he came from lands abroad;
Alas, no vacant place could he discover,
For all things now possessed their lord.
The poet came; he came from lands abroad;
Alas, no vacant place could he discover,
For all things now possessed their lord.
“Alas! am I the only one remaining
Forgotten quite? I, truest son alone?”
Loudly unto the skies went his complaining;
He cast himself before Jove’s throne.
Forgotten quite? I, truest son alone?”
Loudly unto the skies went his complaining;
He cast himself before Jove’s throne.
Since you in lands of dreams and fields Elysian
Roved far, quoth Jove, do not come blaming me.
Where were you loit’ring when they made division?
Then said the poet: “I was here by thee.
Roved far, quoth Jove, do not come blaming me.
Where were you loit’ring when they made division?
Then said the poet: “I was here by thee.
“Mine eyes were fastened on thy face sun-beaming;
Harmonious heaven held enchained mine ear;
Pardon the Spirit so enchanted dreaming,
That he has lost earth’s share while wond’ring here.”
Harmonious heaven held enchained mine ear;
Pardon the Spirit so enchanted dreaming,
That he has lost earth’s share while wond’ring here.”
What’s to be done? said Zeus; the world is given,
The harvest, hunt, the fields, are mine no more.
If you will dwell up here with me in heaven,
Oft as you come you’ll find an open door.
The harvest, hunt, the fields, are mine no more.
If you will dwell up here with me in heaven,
Oft as you come you’ll find an open door.
CXXXVI.
To Sir George Grey.
Within a forest stood a grand old tree,
Whose head above the other plants rose high;
He was the forest’s first-born. Sun and sky
Whose head above the other plants rose high;
He was the forest’s first-born. Sun and sky