Wanaka, mother of Clutha,
Says to the Shag in her shallows:
“Back, you thief of the twilight,
Highwayman of the headland,
After your line flew down,
A nest in Hell was empty.”

Wanaka, little old woman,
Wrinkles and rocks and mutters:
“Out of the land forever,
Out of the sky forever,
Back to the blight of God,
In the land of hungry waters!”

Dreamily answers the bandit:
“My head is sold for silver,
But God, where all is gentle,
May weary of much meekness,
May turn unto the outlaw,
May bless the Shag, the sinner.”