“Way of the Transgressor.’

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 274, 16 March 1889, Page 3

“Way of the Transgressor.’

Bi Fasci. ( [Fancy has again broken out into rhyme, and I taking for hie theme the latejTe Kooti trouble, has allowed hia muse to run wild. There are a number of points both as regards the construction and sentiments, that we do not wholly approve of, but as the performance exhibits some ingenuity, we have granted Fancy the space necessary to exhibit hie vanity. He proposes that his Operetta should be placed upon the stage at an early date, but we are afraid it is a case of Vhomme propose, etc.—Ed.] Act I. Scene I. (A public place in Auckland. A number of citizens singing :) Proclaim the news 1 a guest’s at hand Whose fame has spread throughout the land ; Proclaim it far and near 1 A warrior bold in days of yore, And now with all bis battles o’er, A prophet and a seer. A Citizen.—Aucklanders I it has been your lot, To welcome on this lovely spot, Princes, prelates, politicians, Men who've holden high positions, Men o! ev’ry creed and station, Ev’ry color, speech, and nation ; But honor more than we deserved, Until this day has been reserved, And there falls a pleasant duty, To welcome here—brave Te Kooti I All.—Three cheers for Te Kooti our guest I The bravest of men and the best 1 (Exeunt cheering.) Scene 11. (A street in Auckland, lavishly decorated. Enter Te Kooti and followers.) TeKooti.—Ahl this must be a holiday Or some high festival I’d say; Or perhaps these decorations Are but part of preparations For some distinguished guest 1 Let’s see For whom such rejoicings can be. “ Welcome, Te Kooti 1" my own name 1 "Te Kooti, the brave 1" Why it’s fame I (Weeps.) Really, it doth overcome me Such great honor to have done me 1 How much more than I expected, — To be feted and respected, (Like the moat distinguished stranger), Where I thought my life in danger I Song (Te Kooti). In my younger days I made a name By my irregular dealing ; I’d never buy ; oh, no 1 not 11 When there was a chance of stealing, All.—He'd never buy, <fec. But one fine day my luck forsook me, I was caught in the very act; And spite of wiles, to Chatham Isles, I was incontinently packed. All.—ln spite, <&c. Although in prison, my ready wit Forsook me not a single day ; My guards I slipped, and straightway shipped For the shores of Poverty Bay. All.—His guards, dm. But gales arose as they sometimes do, And the winds through the rigging roared, Till to appease the raging seas, I threw my uncle overboard. All, —Till to appease, &c. The gale was quelled, and our little ship By hurricane no longer tried, Made passage fast, until at last The wished-for land, ahead, we spied. All,—Made passage, &c. Revenge is sweet, and for my past wrongs Blood alone would satisfy me ; An oath I swore, I never more Should let chance of blood slip by me 1 All. —An oath, &o. And so one dark night, when all was quiet,— ’Tie twenty years ago and more— I made a raid, and man and maid, Some sixty, weltered in their gore, AU.—He made, &c. For many a year I fled the law, And my lot it seemed a hard one, Till Government thought to relent, And present me with a pardon 1 AU.—Till Government, <Sro. A grant of land they also gave me, No doubt my prowess they admire; And now I’m free my friends to see, To gloat with them is my desire. All.—And now, &c.

(Auckland citizens in distance.) But here’s the pakehas approaching My song must cease a little while Cry “ Haeremai 1 ” and let your cry Welcome them in true Maori style, (Enter citizens,) All.—” Haeremai ! ” “ Haeremai I ” (They shake hands, rub noses, &a., otherwise express their pleasure. Te Kooti is led off to see the sights of the town.) (Enter Poverty Bay settler.) Settler.—ls it fact, as I now bear, Te Kooti's being feted here ? Oh surely not 1 the blood he shed Bring honor to the scoundrel’s head 1 Heaven itself cries ont, “ For shame; I" And round the world 'twill ring again I (Curtain,)