Difference between revisions of "Sumner Cave - Alexander McKay"
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| − | This was a belated entry to the dispute between McKay and Haast. It was | + | This was a belated entry to the dispute between McKay and Haast. It was never published in his lifetime. This is taken from Bishop, G. 2008. The Real McKay The remarkable life of Alexcander McKay, geologist. Otago University Press, Dunedin. The capitalisation is as in that source. |
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Was it a paleolithic man | Was it a paleolithic man | ||
| + | |||
Or was it but a maori | Or was it but a maori | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | Or was it some unfortunate | ||
| + | |||
Not long since gone to glory | Not long since gone to glory | ||
| + | |||
The body found in Sumncr Cave | The body found in Sumncr Cave | ||
| + | |||
And now in the Museum | And now in the Museum | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | It had broken arm: and teeth | ||
| + | |||
That much did want renewing | That much did want renewing | ||
| + | |||
The world of Science does not seem | The world of Science does not seem | ||
| − | To be agreed about it | + | |
| + | To be agreed about it | ||
| + | |||
One says 'twas there before the Flood | One says 'twas there before the Flood | ||
| + | |||
Another says I doubt it | Another says I doubt it | ||
| + | |||
Now this looks grave and throws a doubt | Now this looks grave and throws a doubt | ||
| − | On some ones observation | + | |
| + | On some ones observation | ||
| + | |||
Which being so it is I confess | Which being so it is I confess | ||
| + | |||
A serious accusation | A serious accusation | ||
| + | |||
I've read the subject carefully | I've read the subject carefully | ||
| − | And think I understand | + | |
| + | And think I understand | ||
| + | |||
The true position of the case | The true position of the case | ||
| + | |||
And what it does demand | And what it does demand | ||
| + | |||
The matter I might not decide | The matter I might not decide | ||
| − | But if my vote were taken | + | |
| + | But if my vote were taken | ||
| + | |||
I'de give it on the winning side | I'de give it on the winning side | ||
| + | |||
If I were not mistaken | If I were not mistaken | ||
| + | |||
To arbitrate so great a case | To arbitrate so great a case | ||
| − | And settle it for ever | + | |
| + | And settle it for ever | ||
| + | |||
I am ambitious I confess | I am ambitious I confess | ||
| + | |||
My judgement to deliver | My judgement to deliver | ||
| − | On one great point all are agreed | + | |
| + | On one great point all are agreed | ||
| + | |||
The same admits of proving | The same admits of proving | ||
| − | It had a broken arm: and teeth | + | |
| + | It had a broken arm: and teeth | ||
| + | |||
That much did want renewing | That much did want renewing | ||
| − | Tis also clear 'twas found inside | + | |
| + | Tis also clear 'twas found inside | ||
| + | |||
The famous Sumner Cave | The famous Sumner Cave | ||
| − | On the sou- west side close to the wall | + | |
| + | On the sou- west side close to the wall | ||
| + | |||
May yet be seen the Grave | May yet be seen the Grave | ||
| + | |||
But whether it Six or Sixty inch | But whether it Six or Sixty inch | ||
| − | Beneath the Surface lay | + | |
| + | Beneath the Surface lay | ||
| + | |||
Is not so clear you are asked to believe | Is not so clear you are asked to believe | ||
| + | |||
It might be either way | It might be either way | ||
| + | |||
Did the ancient Neolithic man | Did the ancient Neolithic man | ||
| − | Disturb the Sleepers rest | + | |
| + | Disturb the Sleepers rest | ||
| + | |||
Or Shoot his kitchen rubbish there | Or Shoot his kitchen rubbish there | ||
| + | |||
In piles upon his breast | In piles upon his breast | ||
| + | |||
Could this be: and, the wakeful ghost | Could this be: and, the wakeful ghost | ||
| − | The act leave unavenged | + | |
| + | The act leave unavenged | ||
| + | |||
I trow not else the Spirits leave | I trow not else the Spirits leave | ||
| + | |||
Their tactics lately changed | Their tactics lately changed | ||
| − | Meanwhile it seems to be quite clear | + | |
| + | Meanwhile it seems to be quite clear | ||
| + | |||
The Body might have been | The Body might have been | ||
| + | |||
No longer in its restingplace | No longer in its restingplace | ||
| + | |||
And from that State 'twould seem | And from that State 'twould seem | ||
| − | When Logic shows that Sixty inch | + | |
| + | When Logic shows that Sixty inch | ||
| + | |||
May just as well means Six | May just as well means Six | ||
| − | I'll then consider I've found my way | + | |
| + | I'll then consider I've found my way | ||
| + | |||
Out of an awkward fix | Out of an awkward fix | ||
| − | While fifty or five hundred years | + | |
| + | While fifty or five hundred years | ||
| + | |||
Would suit the case as well | Would suit the case as well | ||
| − | But frankly where the proofs are scant | + | |
| + | But frankly where the proofs are scant | ||
| + | |||
How long no one can tell | How long no one can tell | ||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | Rather dull stuff. His ''Canterbury Gilpin'' with Haast riding a Moa through Christchurch are much more fun. | ||
[[Category:Poems]] | [[Category:Poems]] | ||
Revision as of 15:03, 12 February 2009
This was a belated entry to the dispute between McKay and Haast. It was never published in his lifetime. This is taken from Bishop, G. 2008. The Real McKay The remarkable life of Alexcander McKay, geologist. Otago University Press, Dunedin. The capitalisation is as in that source.
Sumner Cave
Was it a paleolithic man
Or was it but a maori
Or was it some unfortunate
Not long since gone to glory
The body found in Sumncr Cave
And now in the Museum
It had broken arm: and teeth
That much did want renewing
The world of Science does not seem
To be agreed about it
One says 'twas there before the Flood
Another says I doubt it
Now this looks grave and throws a doubt
On some ones observation
Which being so it is I confess
A serious accusation
I've read the subject carefully
And think I understand
The true position of the case
And what it does demand
The matter I might not decide
But if my vote were taken
I'de give it on the winning side
If I were not mistaken
To arbitrate so great a case
And settle it for ever
I am ambitious I confess
My judgement to deliver
On one great point all are agreed
The same admits of proving
It had a broken arm: and teeth
That much did want renewing
Tis also clear 'twas found inside
The famous Sumner Cave
On the sou- west side close to the wall
May yet be seen the Grave
But whether it Six or Sixty inch
Beneath the Surface lay
Is not so clear you are asked to believe
It might be either way
Did the ancient Neolithic man
Disturb the Sleepers rest
Or Shoot his kitchen rubbish there
In piles upon his breast
Could this be: and, the wakeful ghost
The act leave unavenged
I trow not else the Spirits leave
Their tactics lately changed
Meanwhile it seems to be quite clear
The Body might have been
No longer in its restingplace
And from that State 'twould seem
When Logic shows that Sixty inch
May just as well means Six
I'll then consider I've found my way
Out of an awkward fix
While fifty or five hundred years
Would suit the case as well
But frankly where the proofs are scant
How long no one can tell
Rather dull stuff. His Canterbury Gilpin with Haast riding a Moa through Christchurch are much more fun.
