Charles Harpur - John Heki

Should Switzerland’s rude rocks be held the throne
Of freedom (sanctioned there by God to quell
All proud invaders, Gessler-like o’erthrown!)
Because the echoes in their caves that dwell
Once leaped exultant at the shout of Tell?
And thine, New Zealand, yet be left unknown
To glory, now that thy dark chief hath sown
Broad over them a like memorial spell?
Should Wallace be a word time ne’er may lose?
And Hofer (he who for his mountains died
Rather than see the spoiler there abuse
Freedom’s rock-alter!) Be a sound of pride
Yet Heki’s name remain unglorified
In the grand lore of the heroic muse



Charles Harpur

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/john-heki/