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