Australian Echoes; Including the Corroboree, and Other Poems (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902. Excerpt: ... THE WRECK 0 Cruel sea, O treacherous sea That wiled away my own true love 1 hoped he would return to me No more with wanton winds to rove. His swift bark's keel no more shall part Its native tide in Hobson's Bay: I wish the tide might drift my heart To lie with his far, far away. Again I see the bursting sail, I hear the sadly sighing wave, I feel the pitiless southern gale That bore my lover to his grave. I saw him passing Lonsdale Head, I watched the brig, a speck, grow dim; More lief would I have joined the dead Than thus have gazed my last on him. The billows are the rushing steeds, The bonnie brig's a funeral car, In sea-deeps float the lacey weeds Which his memorial garlands are. O coral isle so bleak and bare, No kindly haven indents thy shore Oh list the north wind howling there, Oh list the frantic surges' roar. The angry waves dash o'er the deck, I feel their chill upon me spread, The cable's snapped, the brig's a wreck, My true love sinks, my heart is dead. FAREWELL TO AUSTRALIA O Sunny clime and smiling land And sky serene and balmy air And pastures wide and golden sand And forests evergreen and fair, O land where peace and plenty dwell, Land of the brave, the free, the true, Hear now a wanderer's fond farewell, Australia loved, adieu adieu The choicest spot the earth can show May boast no heart-enthralling power, To dwell in Eden were but woe If in it bloomed not friendship's flower; Along my rugged winding way This priceless bud profusely grew, But I must leave its joys to-day, Australia loved, adieu adieu A foe has crossed the empire's bound And proudly boasts that he can win, The bugle gives the warning sound The prelude to the battle's din; It calls and gladly I obey, For Britain's cause to dare and do, At stake for her my life to l...