GOD girt her about with the surges <br /> And winds of the masterless deep, <br />Whose tumult uprouses and urges <br /> Quick billows to sparkle and leap; <br />He filled from the life of their motion <br /> Her nostrils with breath of the sea, <br />And gave her afar in the ocean <br /> A citadel free. <br /> <br />Her never the fever-mist shrouding, <br /> Nor drought of the desert may blight, <br />Nor pall of dun smoke overclouding <br /> Vast cities of clamorous night, <br />But the voice of abundance of waters, <br /> Cold rivers that stay not or sleep, <br />Greets children, the sons and the daughters <br /> Of light and the deep. <br /> <br />Lo! here where each league hath its fountains <br /> In isles of deep fern and tall pine, <br />And breezes snow-cooled on the mountains, <br /> Or keen from the limitless brine, <br />See men to the battlefield pressing <br /> To conquer one foe—the stern soil, <br />Their kingship in labour expressing, <br /> Their lordship in toil. <br /> <br />Though young they are heirs of the ages, <br /> Though few they are freemen and peers, <br />Plain workers—yet sure of the wages <br /> Slow Destiny pays with the years. <br />Though least they and latest their nation, <br /> Yet this they have won without sword— <br />That Woman with Man shall have station, <br /> And Labour be lord. <br /> <br />The winds of the sea and high heaven <br /> Speed pure to her kissed by the foam; <br />The steeds of her ocean undriven, <br /> Unbitted and riderless roam, <br />And clear from her lamp newly lighted <br /> Shall stream o’er the billows upcurled <br />A light as of wrongs at length righted, <br /> Of hope to the world.<br /><br />William Pember Reeves<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/new-zealand/
