Maungatua - Alexander Bathgate

The spirits' mountain, such the name
The early Maori gave:
Where's his forgotten grave?
We know not; but thou'rt still the same
Gloomy and dread Maungatua.

Thou art the spirits' mountain still,
Though aye thou dost not frown,
But on the plain look'st down,
Which now the white-browed ploughmen till,
With changeful face, Maungatua.

Thou hast for us lost half thy gloom,
For we can see thee smile,
And pleasant look awhile,
When summer's sun makes flowerets bloom,
And lights thy brow, Maungatua.

And when the winter's southern wind,
With many a keen-toothed blast,
Has snow upon thee cast,
Thy hoary head proud o'er thy kind
Thou holdest high, Maungatua,

Thine aspect ever seems to change,
As when, on breezy day,
The cloud-shades o'er thee play
And fly along thy lofty range;
Yet thou'rt the same, Maungatua.

The spirit that in Nature lives,
And speaks to him who hears,
Arrayed in strength appears,
And to thy massive mountain gives
Thy spirit-name, Maungatua.

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Alexander Bathgate (1845 – 1930) New Zealand (born Scotland)