Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/176

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Te Heuheu’s Death Song.
To each tribe of ancient name!They shall perish in vengeful flame, And sink to the realm of Po!Weep, Ngatitoi, Tuhourangi,Weep for Wairoa, Waitangi, Ariki, and Moura the fair;They have drunk of the wine of Pleasure,And now they must drain a measure Of Sorrow and dire Despair;They have heard with scoffs and scorningThe voice of solemn warning; God striketh, and will not spare!

John Liddell Kelly.

LXXXII.

Te Heuheu’s Death Song.

Drooping and lone are theBirds of the morning,For thou, O sire, are gone!Depart, O mighty one,On winter’s icy breath.My sad lament is this,My sighing tale of woe—For thou art gone,A sacred offering to the gods.
Vanished art thouIn the dim day dawning—A nestling on the altar high,Fed to the cruel gods.
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