CONTENTS
THEMUSEOFAUSTRALIA
3
MOUNTAINS
3
KIAMA
6
ETHELINE
7
AILENE
9
KOOROORA
11
FAINTINGBYTHEWAY
12
SONGOFTHECATTLE-HUNTERS
14
FOOTFALLS
15
GODHELPOURMENATSEA
16
SITTINGBYTHEFIRE
17
BELLAMBI’SMAID
20
THECURLEWSONG
21
THEBALLADOFTANNA
22
THERAINCOMESSOBBINGDOTHEDOOR
23
URARA
25
EVENINGHYMN
26
STANZAS
27
THEWAILINTHENATIVEOAK
27
HARPSWELOVE
30
WAITINGANDWISHING
30
THEWILDKANGAROO
31
CLARI
33
WOLLONGONG
33
ELLAWITHTHESHININGHAIR
35
THEBARCOO
37
BELLSBEYONDTHEFOREST
37
ULMARRA
40
THEMAIDOFGERRINGONG
41
WATCHING
45
THEOPOSSUM-HUNTERS
46
INTHEDEPTHSOFAFOREST
47
TOCHARLESHARPUR
48
THERIVERANDTHEHILL
49
THEFATEOFTHEEXPLORERS
50
LURLINE
53
UNDERTHEFIGTREE
54
DROWNEDATSEA
54
MORNINGINTHEBUSH
56
THEGIRLILEFTBEHINDME
58
AMONGSTTHEROSES
59
SUNSET
60
DOUBTING
61
GERALDINE
62
ACHAN
63
POEMSANDSONGS
Page:3
THEMUSEOFAUSTRALIA
WHEREthepineswiththeeaglesarenestledinrifts,Andthetorrentleapsdowntothesurges,Ihavefollowedher,clamberingovertheclifts,Bythechasmsandmoon-hauntedverges。
Iknowsheisfairastheangelsarefair,ForhaveInotcaughtafaintglimpseofherthere;
Aglimpseofherfaceandherglitteringhair,AndahandwiththeHarpofAustralia?
Inevercanreachyou,tohearthesweetvoiceSofullwiththemusicoffountains!
Oh!whenwillyoumeetwiththatsoulofyourchoice,Whowillleadyoudownherefromthemountains?
Alyre-birdlitonashimmeringspace;
ItdazzledmineeyesandIturnedfromtheplace,Andweptinthedarkforagloriousface,AndahandwiththeHarpofAustralia!
MOUNTAINS
RIFTEDmountains,cladwithforests,girdedroundbygleamingpines,Wherethemorning,likeanangel,robedingoldensplendourshines;
Shimmeringmountains,throwingdownwardontheslopesamazyglareWherethenoondayglorysailsthroughgulfsofcalmandglitteringair;
Statelymountains,highandhoary,piledwithblocksofambercloud,Wherethefadingtwilightlingers,whenthewindsarewailingloud;
Grandoldmountains,overbeetlingbrawlingbrooksanddeepravines,Wherethemoonshine,paleandmournful,flowsonrocksandevergreens。
Page:4
Underneaththeseregalridges-underneaththegnarlytrees,Iamsitting,lonely-hearted,listeningtoalonelybreeze!
Sittingbyanancientcasement,castingmanyalonginglookOutacrossthehazygloaming-outbeyondthebrawlingbrook!
Overpathwaysleadingskyward-overcragandswellingcone,Pastlonghillockslookingliketowavesofoceanturnedtostone;
Yearningforablissunworldly,yearningforabrighterchange,YearningforthemysticAidenn,builtbeyondthismountainrange。
Happyyears,amongstthesevalleys,happyyearshavecomeandgone,Andmyyouthfulhopesandfriendshipswitheredwiththemonebyone;
Daysandmomentsbearingonwardmanyabrightandbeauteousdream,Allhavepassedmeliketosunstreaksflyingdownadistantstream。
Oh,thelovereturnedbylovedones!Oh,thefacesthatIknew!
Oh,thewrecksoffondaffection!Oh,theheartssowarmandtrue!
ButtheirvoicesIremember,andasomethinglingersstill,Likeadyingechoroamingsadlyroundafaroffhill。
Iwouldsojournherecontented,tranquilasIwasofyore,Andwouldneverwishtoclamber,seekingforanunknownshore;
Ihavedweltwithinthiscottagetwentysummers,andmineeyesNeverwanderederewhileroundinsearchofundiscoveredskies;
Butaspiritsitsbesideme,veiledinrobesofdazzlingwhite,Andadearone’swhisperwakenswiththesymphoniesofnight;
Andalowsadmusiccometh,bornealongonwindywings,Likeastrainfamiliarrisingfromamazeofslumberingsprings。
AndtheSpirit,bymywindow,speakethtomyrestlesssoul,Tellingoftheclimeshecamefrom,wherethesilentmomentsroll;
Tellingofthebournemysterious,wherethesunnysummersfleeCliffsandcoasts,bymanuntrodden,ridgingroundashiplesssea。
Page:5
Theretheyearsofyoreareblooming-theredepartedlife-dreamsdwell,TherethefacesbeamwithgladnessthatIlovedinyouthsowell;
Therethesongsofchildhoodtravel,overwave-wornsteepandstrand-
Overdaleanduplandstretchingoutbehindthismountainland。
``LovelyBeing,canamortal,wearyofthischangelessscene,Crossthesecloudysummitstothelandwheremanhathneverbeen?
Canhefindapathwayleadingthroughthatwilderingmassofpines,Sothatheshallreachthecountrywhereetherealgloryshines;
Sothathemayglanceatwatersneverdarkwithcomingships;
Hearingroundhimgentlelanguagefloatingfromangeliclips;
Castingoffhisearthlyfetters,livingthereforevermore;
AllthebloomsofBeautynearhim,gleamingonthatquietshore?
``Ereyouquitthisancientcasement,tellme,isitwelltoyearnFortheevanescentvisions,vanishednevertoreturn?
IsitwellthatIshouldwithtoleavethisdrearyworldbehind,SeekingforyourfairUtopia,whichperchanceImaynotfind?
Passingthroughagloomyforest,scalingsteepslikeprisonwalls,Wherethescantysunshinewaversandthemoonlightseldomfalls?
Oh,thefeelingsre-awakened!Oh,thehopesofloftierrange!
Isitwell,thoufriendlyBeing,welltowishforsuchachange?’’
ButtheSpiritanswersnothing!andthedazzlingmantlefades;
Andawailingwhisperwandersoutfromdismalseasideshades!
``Lo,thetreesaremoaningloudly,underneaththeirhood-likeshrouds,Andthearchaboveusdarkens,scarredwithraggedthunderclouds!’’
Butthespiritanswersnothing,andIlingerallalone,GazingthroughthemoonyvapourswherethelovelyDreamhasflown;
Andmyheartisbeatingsadly,andthemusicwaxethfaint,SailinguptoholyHeaven,liketheanthemsofaSaint。
Page:6
KIAMA
TOWARDSthehillsofJamberooSomefewfantasticshadowshaste,UplitwithfiresLikecastlespiresOutshiningthroughamiragewaste。
Behold,amournfulglorysitsOnfeatheredfernsandwovenbrakes,WheresobbingwildlikerestlesschildThegustybreezeofeveningwakes!
MethinksIhearoneverybreathAloftytonegopassingby,Thatwhispers-``Weave,Thoughwoodwindsgrieve,ThefadelessbloomsofPoesy!’’
Aspirithandhasbeenabroad-
Anevilhandtoplucktheflowers-
Aworldofwealth,AndbloominghealthHasgonefromfragrantseasidebowers。
Thetwilightwaxethdimanddark,Thesadwavesmuttersoundsofwoe,Buttheevergreenretainsitssheen,Andhappyheartsexistbelow;
Butpleasuresparklesonthesward,Andvoicesutterwordsofbliss,AndwhilemybrideSitsbymyside,Oh,where’sthescenesurpassingthis?
Kiamaslumbers,robedwithmist,AllglitteringinthedewylightThat,broodingo’erTheshinglyshore,LiesrestinginthearmsofNight;
Andfoam-fleckedcragswithsurgeschill,Androcksembracedofcold-lippedspray,AremoaningloudwherebillowscrowdInangrynumbersupthebay。
Page:7
TheholystarscomelookingdownOnwindyheightsandswarthystrand,AndLifeandLove-
Thecliffsabove-
Aresittingfondlyhandinhand。
Ihearamusicinwardly,Thatfloodsmysoulwiththoughtsofjoy;
WithinmyheartEmotionsstartThatTimemaystillbutne’erdestroy。
AnancientSpringrevivesitself,Anddayswhichmadethepastdivine;
Andrichwarmgleamsfromgoldendreams,Allgloriousintheirsummershine;
Andsongsofhalfforgottenhours,Andmanyasweetmelodiousstrain,WhichstillshallriseBeneaththeskiesWhenallthingselsehavediedagain。
Awhitesailglimmersoutatsea-
Avesselwalkinginhersleep;
SomePowergoespastThatbendsthemast,Whilefrightedwavestoleewardleap。
ThemoonshineveilsthenakedsandAndripplesupwardwiththetide,AsundergroundthererollsasoundFromwherethecavernedwatersglide。
Afacethatbearsaffection’sglow,Thesoulthatspeaksfromgentleeyes,AndjoywhichslipsFromlovinglipsHavemadethisspotmyParadise!
ETHELINE
Theheartthatoncewasrichwithlight,Andhappyinyourgrace,NowliethcoldbeneaththescornThatgathersonyourface;
Page:8
Andeveryjoyitknewbefore,Andeverytempleddream,IspalerthanthedyingflashOnyondermountainstream。
Thesoul,regrettingfounderedblissAmidthewreckofyears,HathmourneditwithintensityToodeepforhumantears!
TheforestfadethunderneathTheblastthatrushesby-
Thedrippingleavesarewhitewithdeath,ButLovewillneverdie!
WebothhaveseenthestarrymossThatclingswhereRuinreigns,AndonemustknowhislonelybreastAffectionstillretains;
Throughallthesweetesthopesoflife,Thatclusteredroundandround,Arelyingnow,likewitheredthings,Forsaken-ontheground。
’Tishardtothinkofwhatwewere,Andwhatwemighthavebeen,HadnotanevilspiritcreptAcrossthetranquilscene:
HadferventfeelingsinyoursoulNotfailednorceasedtoshineAspureasthoseexistingon,Andburningstillinmine。
HadeverytreasureatyourfeetThatIwaswonttopour,BeenneverthrownlikeworthlessweedsUponabarrenshore!
Thebitteredgeofgriefhaspassed,Iwouldnotnowupbraid;
Orcounttoyouthebrokenvows,Sooftenidlymade!
IwouldnotcrossyourpathtochaseThefalsehoodfromyourbrow-
Iknow,withallthatborrowedlight,Youarenothappynow:
Page:9
SincethosethatoncehavetrampleddownAffection’searlyclaim,HavelostapeacetheyneednothopeTofindonearthagain。
AILEEN
ASPLENDIDsunbetwixtthetreesLongspikesofflamedidshoot,WhenturningtothefragrantSouth,Withlongingeyesandburningmouth,Istretchedahandathwartthedrouth,Andpluckedatcoolingfruit。
Sothirstwasquenched,andhasteningonWithstrengthreturnedtome,Isetmyfaceagainstthenoon,Andreachedadenserforestsoon;
WhichdippedintoastilllagoonHardbythesoomingsea。
AlldaytheoceanbeatonbarAndbankofgleamingsand;
Yetthatlonepoolwasalwaysmild,Itnevermovedwhenwaveswerewild,Butslumbered,likeaquietchild,Uponthelapofland。
AndwhenIrestedonthebrink,Amongstthefallenflowers,Ilayincalm;noleaveswerestirredBybreathofwind,orwingofbird;
Itwassostill,youmighthaveheardThefootfallsofthehours。
FaintslumbrousscentsofrosesfilledTheairwhichcoveredme:
Mywordswerelow-``shelovedthemso,InEdenvalessuchodoursblow:
HowstrangeitisthatrosesgrowSoneartheshoresofSea!’’
Page:10
AsweeterfragrancenevercameAcrosstheFieldsofYore!
AndwhenIsaid-``weherewoulddwell,’’-
Alowvoiceonthesilencefell-
``Ah!ifyoulovedtheroseswell,YoulovedAileenthemore。’’
``Ay,thatIdid,andnowwouldturn,Andfallandworshipher!
ButOh,youdwellsofar-sohigh!
Onecannotreach,thoughhemaytry,TheMorningland,andJaspersky-
ThebalmyhillsofMyrrh。
``WhyvexmewithdelicioushintsOffairestface,andrarestblooms;
YouSpiritofadarlingDreamWhichlinksitselfwitheverythemeAndthoughtofminebysurforstream,Inglens-orcavernedglooms?’’
Shesaid,``thywishesledmedown,Fromamaranthinebowers:
AndsincemyfacewashauntingtheeWithroses(dearwhichusedtobe),Theyallhavehitherfollowedme,Thescentsandshapesofflowers。’’
``Thenstay,mineownevangel,stay!
Or,going,takemetoo;
Butletmesojournbyyourside,Ifherewedwellorthereabide,Itmattersnot!’’Imadlycried-
``Ionlycareforyou。’’
Oh,glitteringFormthatwouldnotstay!-
Oh,sudden,sighingbreeze!
AfaintingrainbowdroppedbelowFargleamingpeaksandwallsofsnowAndthere,awearyway,Igo,TowardstheSunriseseas。
Page:11
KOOROORA
THEgumsinthegullystandgloomyandstark,Atorrentbeneaththemisleaping,AndthewindgoesaboutlikeaghostinthedarkWhereachiefofWahibbiliessleeping!
Hedreamsofabattle-offoesofthepast,Buthehearsnotthewhoopingabroadontheblast,Northefallofthefeetthataretravellingfast。
Oh,whydostthouslumber,Kooroora?
Theycomeo’erthehillsintheirterribleire,Andspeedbythewoodlandsandwater;
Theylookdownthehillsattheflickeringfire,Alleagerandthirstyforslaughter。
Lo!thestormymoonglareslikeatorchfromthevale,Andavoiceinthebelahgrowswildinitswail,AsthecriesoftheWanneroosswellwiththegale-
Oh!rousetheeandmeetthem,Kooroora!
Hestartsfromhissleepandheclutcheshisspear,Andtheechoesrollbackwardinwonder,Forashoutingstrikesintothehollowwoodsnear,Likethesoundofagatheringthunder。
Heclamberstheridge,withhisfacetothelight,ThefoesofWahibbicomefullinhissight-
ThewatersofMookiwillreddento-night。
Go!andgloryawaitsthee,Kooroora!
Lo!yeelamanssplinterandboomerangsclash,Andaspearthroughthedarknessisdriven-
ItwhizzesalonglikeawanderingflashFromtheheartofahurricaneriven。
Theyturntothemountains,thatgloomy-browedband;
Theraindroppethdownwithamoantotheland,Andthefaceofachieftainliesburiedinsand-
Oh,thelightthatwasquenchedwithKooroora!
To-morrowtheWanneroodogswillrejoice,Andfeastinthisdesolatevalley;
Butwherearehisbrothers-thefriendsofhischoice,Andwhyartthouabsent,Ewalli?
Page:12
Nowsilencedrawsbacktotheforestagain,Andthewind,likeawayfarer,sleepsontheplain,Butthecheeksofawarriorbleachintherain。
Oh!wherearethymourners,Kooroora?
FAINTINGBYTHEWAY
SWARTHYwastelands,wideandwoodless,glitteringmilesandmilesaway,Wherethesouthwindseldomwandersandthewinterswillnotstay;
Luridwastelands,pentinsilence,thickwithhotandthirstysighs,Wherethescantythorn-leavestwinklewiththeirhaggard,hopelesseyes;
Furnacedwastelands,hunchedwithhillocks,liketostonybillowsrolled,Wherethenakedflatslieswirling,likeaseaofdarkenedgold;
Burningwastelands,glancingupwardwithaweirdandvacantstare,Wherethelanguidheavensquivero’erreddepthsofstirlessair!
``Oh,mybrother,Iamwearyofthiswilderingwasteofsand;
Inthenoontidewecannevertraveltothepromisedland!
Lo!thedesertbroadensroundus,glaringwildlyinmyface,Withlongleaguesofsunflameonit,-oh!thebarren,barrenplace!
See,behindusgleamsagreenplot,shallwethitherturnandrestTillacoldwindfluttersover,tillthedayisdownthewest?
Iwouldfollow,butIcannot!Brother,letmehereremain,Fortheheartisdeadwithinme,andImaynotriseagain。’’
``Whereforestaytotalkoffainting?-rousetheeforawhile,myfriend;
Eveninghurriesonourfootsteps,andthisjourneysoonwillend。
Whereforestaytotalkoffainting,whenthesun,withsinkingfire,Smitestheblocksofbrokenthunder,blackeningyondercraggyspire?
Page:13
Evennowthefar-offlandscapebroodsandfillswithcomingchange,Andawitheredmoongrowsbrighterbendingo’erthatshadowedrange;
Atthefeetofgrassysummitssleepsawatercalmandclear-
Thereissurelyrestbeyondit!Comrade,whereforetarryhere?
``Yetalittlelongerstruggle;wehavewalkedawilderplain,Andhavemetmoretroubles,trustme,thanwee’ershallmeetagain!
CanyouthinkofallthedangersyouandIarelivingthroughWithasoulsoweakandfearful,withthedoubtsIneverknew?
Dostthounotrememberthatthethornsareclusteredwiththerose,AndthateveryZin-likebordermayapleasantlandenclose?
Oh,acrossthesesultrydesertsmanyafruitfulscenewe’llfind,Andthebloomswegathershallbeworththewoundstheyleavebehind!’’
``Ah,mybrother,itisuseless!See,o’erburdenedwiththeirload,Allthefriendswhowentbeforeusfallorfalterbytheroad!
Wehavecomeawearydistance,seekingwhatwemaynotget,AndIthinkwearebutchildren,chasingrainbowsthroughthewet。
Tellmenotofvernalvalleys!IsitwelltoholdareedOutfordrowningmentoclutchatinthemomentsoftheirneed?
Gothyjourneyonwithoutme;itisbetterIshouldstay,Sincemylifeislikeanevening,fading,swooningfastaway!
``Whereareallthespringsyoutalkedof?HaveInotwithpleadingmouthLookedtoHeaventhroughasilencestifledinthecrimsondrouth?
HaveInot,withlipsunsated,watchedtoseethefountainsburst,WhereIsearchedtherocksforcisterns?Andtheyonlymockedmythirst!
Oh,Idreamtofcountriesfertile,brightwithlakesandflashingrillsLeapingfromtheirshadycaverns,streamingroundathousandhills!
Page:14
Leaveme,brother,allisfruitless,barren,measureless,anddry,AndmyGodwillneverhelpmethoughIpray,andfaint,anddie!’’
``Up!Itelltheethisisidle!Oh,thoumanoflittlefaith!
DoubtingonthevergeofAidenn,turningnowtocovetdeath!
Bytheferventhopeswithinme,bythestrengthwhichnervesmysoul,Bytheheartthatyearnstohelpthee,weshallliveandreachthegoal!
Riseandleanthyweightuponme。Lifeisfair,andGodisjust,AndHeyetwillshowusfountains,ifweonlylookandtrust!
Oh,Iknowit,andHeleadsustotheglensofstreamandshade,Wherethelow,sweetwatersgurgleroundthebankswhichcannotfade!’’
Thushespake,myfriendandbrother!andhetookmebythehand,AndIthinkwewalkedthedeserttillthenightwasontheland;
Thenwecametofloweryhollows,whereweheardafar-offstreamSinginginthemoonytwilight,liketheriversofmydream。
Andthebalmywindscametrippingsoftlythroughthepleasanttrees,AndIthoughttheyboreamurmurlikeavoicefromsleepingseas。
Sowetravelled,sowereachedit,andInevermorewillpartWiththepeace,ascalmassunset,foldedroundmywearyheart。
SONGOFTHECATTLEHUNTERS
WHILEthemorninglightbeamsonthefern-mattedstreams,Andthewater-poolsflashinitsglow,Downtheridgeswefly,withaloudringingcry-
Downtheridgesandgullieswego!
Andthecattlewehunt-theyareracinginfront,Witharoarlikethethunderofwaves,Asthebeatandthebeatofourswifthorses’feetStarttheechoesawayfromtheircaves!
AsthebeatandthebeatOfourswifthorses’feetStarttheechoesawayfromtheircaves!
Page:15
Likeawintryshorethatthewatersrideo’er,Allthelowlandsarefillingwithsound;
Forswiftlywegainwheretheherdsontheplain,Likeatempest,aretearingtheground!
Andwe’llfollowthemhardtotherailsoftheyard,O’erthegulchesandmountain-topsgrey,Wherethebeatandthebeatofourswifthorses’feetWilldiewiththeechoesaway!
WherethebeatandthebeatOfourswifthorses’feetWilldiewiththeechoesaway!
FOOTFALLS
THEemberswereblinkingandclinkingaway,Thecasementhalfopenwasthrown;
TherewasnothingbutcloudontheskirtsoftheDay,AndIsatonthethresholdalone!
AndsaidtotheriverwhichflowedbymydoorWithitsbeautifulfacetothehill,``Ihavewaitedandwaited,allweariedandsore,Butmyloveisawandererstill!’’
Andsaidtothewind,asitpausedinitsflightTolookthroughtheshiveringpane,``Therearememoriesmoaningandhomelessto-nightThatcanneverbetranquilagain!’’
Andsaidtothewoods,astheirburdenswereborneWithaflutterandsightotheeaves,``Theyarewrinkledandwasted,andtatteredandtorn,Andwetoohaveourwitheringleaves。’’
DidIhearalowechooffootfallsabout,Whilstwatchingthoseforesttreesstark?
OrwasitadreamthatIhurriedwithoutToclutchatandgrapplethedark?
IntheshadowIstoodforamomentandspake-
``Brightthingthatwaslovedinthepast,Oh!amIasleep-orabroadandawake?
Andareyousonearmeatlast?
Page:16
``Oh,roamerfromlandswherethevanishedyearsgo,Oh,waiffromthosemysticalzones,ComeherewhereIlongforyou,brokenandlow,Onthemossesandwaterystones!
``ComeoutofyoursilenceandtellmeifLifeIssofairinthatworldastheysay;
Wasitworthallthisyearning,andweeping,andstrifeWhenyouleftitbehindyouto-day?
``Willitendallthiswatching,anddoubting,anddread?
Dothesesorrowsdieoutwithourbreath?
Willtheypassfromoursoulslikeanightmare,’’Isaid,``WhileweglidethroughthemazesofDeath?
``ComeoutofthatdarknessandteachmetheloreYouhavelearnedsinceIlookedonyourface;
Bythesummersthatblossomedandfadedofyore-
Bythelightswhichhavefledtothatplace!
``YouanswermenotwhenIknowthatyoucould-
WhenIknowthatyoucouldandyoushould;
Thoughthestormsbeabroadonthewave;
Thoughtheraindroppethdownwithawailtothewood,Andmyheartisascoldasyourgrave!’’
GODHELPOURMENATSEA
Thewildnightcomeslikeanowltoitslair,Theblackcloudsfollowfast,Andthesun-gleamsdie,andthelightningsglare,Andtheshipsgoheavingpast,past,past-
Theshipsgoheavingpast!
Barthedoors,andhigher,higherPilethefaggotsonthefire:
Nowabroad,bymanyalight,Emptyseatsthereareto-night-
Emptyseatsthatnonemayfill,Forthestormgrowslouderstill:
Howitsurgesandswellsthroughthegorgesanddells,Undertheledgesandoverthelea,Whereawaterysoundgoethmoaningaround-
Godhelpourmenatsea!
Page:17
Oh!neveratempestblewontheshoreButthatsomeheartdidmoanForadarlingvoiceitwouldhearnomoreAndafacethathadleftitlone,lone,lone-
Afacethathadleftitlone!
IamwatchingbyapaneDarkenedwiththegustyrain,Watching,throughamistoftears,Sadwiththoughtsofotheryears,ForabrotherIdidmissInastormytimelikethis。
Ah!thetorrenthowlspast,likeafiendontheblast,Undertheledgesandoverthelea;
Andthepentwatersgleam,andthewildsurgesscream-
Godhelpourmenatsea!
Ah,Lord!theymaygropethroughthedarktofindThyhandwithinthegale;
AndcriesmayriseonthewingsofthewindFrommarinerswearyandpale,pale,pale-
Frommarinerswearyandpale!
’Tisafearfulthingtoknow,Whilethestorm-windsloudlyblow,ThatamancansometimescomeTooneartohisfather’shome;
Sothatheshallkneelandsay,``Lord,Iwouldbefaraway!’’
Ho!thehurricanesroarroundadangerousshore,Undertheledgesandoverthelea;
Andtheretwinklesalightonthebillowssowhite-
Godhelpourmenatsea!
SITTINGBYTHEFIRE
BarrenAgeandwitheredWorld!
Oh!thedyingleaves,Likeadrizzlingrain,Fallingroundtheroof-
Patteringonthepane!
FrostyAgeandcold,coldWorld!
Ghostsofotherdays,Troopingpastthefadedfire,Flitbeforethegaze。
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NowthewindgoessoughingwildO’erthewhistlingEarth;
Andwefrontafeebleflame,Sittingroundthehearth!
Sittingbythefire,Watchinginitsglow,GhostsofotherdaysTroopingtoandfro……
Oh,thenights-thenightswe’vespent,Sittingbythefire,Cheerfulinitsglow;
Twentysummersback-
Twentyyearsago!
IfthedaysweredaysoftoilWhereforeshouldwemourn;
Therewereshadowsneartheshine,Flowerswiththethorn?
AndwestillcanrecollectEveningsspentinmirth-
Fragmentsofabrokenlife,Sittingroundthehearth:
Sittingbythefire,Cheerfulinitsglow,Twentysummersback-
Twentyyearsago。
Beautystoopedtoblessusonce,Sittingbythefire,Happyinitsglow;
Fortysummersback-
Fortyyearsago。
Wordsoflovewereinterchanged,Maidenheartswestole;
AndthelightaffectionthrowsSleptoneverysoul。
Oh,thehourswentflyingpast-
Hoursofpricelessworth;
ButwetooknonoteofTime,Sittingroundthehearth:
Page:19
Sittingbythefire,Happyinitsglow,Fortysummersback-
Fortyyearsago。
Gleesomechildrenwerewenot?
Sittingbythefire,Ruddyinitsglow,Sixtysummersback-
Sixtyyearsago。
Laughingvoicesfilledtheroom;
Oh,thesongswesung,Whentheeveningshurriedby-
Whenourheartswereyoung!
Pleasantfaceswatchedtheflame-
Eyesillumedwithmirth-
Andwetoldsomemerrytales,Sittingroundthehearth:
Sittingbythefire,Ruddyinitsglow,Sixtysummersback-
Sixtyyearsago……
BarrenAgeandwitheredWorld!
Oh,thedyingleaves,Likeadrizzlingrain,Fallingroundtheroof-
Patteringonthepane!
FrostyAgeandcold,coldWorld!
Ghostsofotherdays,Troopingpastthefadedfire,Flitbeforethegaze。
NowthewindgoessoughingwildO’erthewhistlingEarth;
Andwefrontafeebleflame,Sittingroundthehearth:
Sittingbythefire,Watching,initsglow,GhostsofotherdaysTroopingtoandfro!
Page:20
BELLAMBI’SMAID
AMONGSTthethunder-splinteredcavesOnOcean’slongandwindyshore,IcatchthevoiceofdyingwavesBelowtheridgesoldandhoar;
Thespraydescendsinsilvershowers,Andlovelywhisperscomeandgo,LikeechoesfromthehappyhoursInevermoremayhopetoknow!
ThelowmimosadroopswithlocksOfyellowhair,indewyglade,WhilefarabovethecavernedrocksIhearthedarkBellambi’sMaid!
ThemoonlightdreamsuponthesailThatdrivestherestlessshiptosea;
Thecloudstrooppastthemountainvale,Andsinklikespiritsdownthelee;
ThefoggypeakofCorrimal,Uplifted,bearsthepallidglowThatstreamsfromyonderairyhallAndrobesthesleepinghillsbelow;
ThewanderingmeteorsoftheskyBeneaththedistantwaterswade,Whilemysticmusichurriesby-
ThesongsofdarkBellambi’sMaid!
Whycomesyourvoice,youlonelyOne,Alongthewildharp’swailingstrings?
Havenotourhoursofmeetinggone,Likefadingdreamsonphantomwings?
ArenotthegrassesroundyourgraveYetspringinggreenandfreshtoview?
AnddoesthegleamonOcean’swaveTidegladnessnowtomeandyou?
Oh!coldandcheerlessfallsthenightOnwitheredheartsandhopesdecayed:
AndIhaveseenbutlittlelightSincediedthedarkBellambi’sMaid!
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THECURLEWSONG
Theviewlessblastfliesmoaningpast,Awaytotheforesttrees,WheregiantpinesandleaflessvinesBend’neaththewanderingbreeze!
Fromfernystreams,unearthlyscreamsAreheardinthemidnightblue;
Asafartheyroamtotheshepherd’shome,TheshrieksofthewildCurlew!
AsafartheyroamTotheshepherd’shome,TheshrieksofthewildCurlew!
Themistsarecurledo’eradark-facedworld,Andtheshadowssleeparound,WheretheclearlagoonreflectsthemoonInherhazyglorycrowned;
Whiledingoeshowl,andwakethegrowlOfthewatchdogbraveandtrue;
Whoseloud,roughbarkshootsupinthedark,WiththesongoftheloneCurlew!
Whoseloud,roughbarkShootsupinthedark,WiththesongoftheloneCurlew!
NearherbybanksthedarkgreenranksOftherushesstooptodrink;
Andtherippleschime,inameasuredtime,Onthesmoothandmossybrink;
Aswind-breathssigh,andpass,anddie,Tostartfromtheswampsanew,Andjoinagaino’erridgeandplainWiththewailsofthesadCurlew!
AndjoinagainO’erridgeandplainWiththewailsofthesadCurlew!
ThecloudsarethrownaroundtheconeOfthemountainbareandhigh,(Whosecraggypeakuprearstothecheek-
Tothefaceofthesombresky)
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Whendownbeneaththefoggywreath,Fullmanyagullythrough,Theyrendtheair,likecriesofdespair,ThescreamsofthewildCurlew!
Theyrendtheair,Likecriesofdespair,ThescreamsofthewildCurlew!
Theviewlessblastfliesmoaningpast,Awaytotheforesttrees;
WheregiantpinesandleaflessvinesBend’neaththewanderingbreeze!
Fromfernystreams,unearthlyscreamsAreheardinthemidnightblue;
Asafartheyroamtotheshepherd’shome,TheshrieksofthewildCurlew!
AsafartheyroamTotheshepherd’shome,TheshrieksofthewildCurlew!
THEBALLADOFTANNA
Shekneltbythedead,inherpassionategrief,BeneathaweirdforestofTanna;
Shekissedthesternbrowofherfatherandchief,AndcursedthedarkraceofAlkanna。
Withfacesaswildasthecloudsintherain,ThesonsofKerraracamedowntotheplain,Andspoketothemournerandburiedtheslain。
Oh,theglorythatdiedwithDeloya!
``Wahina,’’theywhispered,``Alkannalieslow,Andtheghostofthysirehathbeengladdened,ForthemenofhispeoplehavefoughtwiththefoeTilltheriversofWarraarereddened!’’
Sheliftedhereyestotheglimmeringhill,Thenspoke,withavoicelikeamusicalrill,``Thetimeistooshort;canIsojournherestill?’’
Oh,theYouththatwassadforDeloya!
``Wahina,whylinger,’’Annatanamsaid,``Whenthetentofachieftainislonely?
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Thereareotherswhogrieveforthelightthathasfled,Andonewhowaitshereforyouonly!’’
``Go-leaveme!’’shecried。``Iwouldfainbealone;
Imuststaywherethetreesandthewildwatersmoan;
Formyheartisascoldasawave-beatenstone。’’
Oh,theBeautythatwasbrokeforDeloya!
``Wahina,whyweepo’erahandfulofdust,Whenthesoulsofthebraveareapproaching?
Oh,looktothefiresthatarelitforthejust,AndthemightywhosleepinArrochin!’’
Butsheturnedfromtheglareoftheflame-smittensea,Andacry,likeawhirlwind,cameoverthelea-
``Awaytothemountainsandleaveherwithme!’’
Oh,theheartthatwasbrokeforDeloya!
THERAINCOMESSOBBINGTOTHEDOOR
THEnightgrowsdark,andweird,andcold;andthickdropspatteronthepane;
Therecomesawailingfromthesea;thewindiswearyoftherain。
Theredcoalsclickbeneaththeflame,andsee,withslowandsilentfeetThehoodedshadowscrossthewoodstowherethetwilightwatersbeat!
Now,fan-wisefromtheruddyfire,abrilliancesweepsathwartthefloor;
As,streamingdownthelattices,theraincomessobbingtothedoor:
As,streamingdownthelattices,Theraincomessobbingtothedoor。
Dullechoesroundthecasementfall,andthroughtheemptychambersgo,Likeformsunseenwhomwecanhearontip-toestealingtoandfro。
Butfillyourglassestothebrims,and,throughamistofsmilesandtears,Oureyesshalltellhowmuchwelovetotoasttheshadesofotheryears!
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Andhithertheywillflockagain,theghostsofthingsthatarenomore,While,streamingdownthelattices,theraincomessobbingtothedoor:
While,streamingdownthelattices,Theraincomessobbingtothedoor。
Thetempest-troddenwastelandsmoan-thetreesarethreshingattheblast;
Andnowtheycome,thepallidshapesofDreamsthatperishedinthepast;
And,whenweliftthewindowsup,asmotheredwhisperroundusstrays,Likesomelonewanderingvoicefromgravesthatholdthewrecksofbygonedays。
ItellyethatIlovethestorm,forthinkwenotofthoughtsofyore,When,streamingdownthelattices,theraincomessobbingtothedoor?
When,streamingdownthelattices,Theraincomessobbingtothedoor?
We’lldrinktothosewesadlymiss,andsingsomemournfulsongweknow,Sincetheymaychancetohearitall,andmuseonfriendsthey’veleftbelow。
Whoknows-ifsoulsinblisscanleavethebordersoftheirEden-home-
Butthatsomelovingonemaynowabouttheancientthresholdroam?
Oh,likeanexile,hewouldhailaglimpseofthefamiliarfloor,Though,streamingdownthelattices,theraincomessobbingtothedoor!
Though,streamingdownthelattices,Theraincomessobbingtothedoor!
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URARA
Note:AnotherspellingofOrara,atributaryoftheriverClarence。
EUROKA,gooverthetopsofthehill,FortheDeath-cloudshavepassedusto-day,Andwe’llcryinthedarkforthefoot-fallsstill,Andthetrackswhicharefadingaway!
Letthemyelltotheirlubras,theBulginbahdogs,Andsayhowourbrotherswereslain,Weshallwipeoutourgriefinthebloodoftheirchief,Andtwentymoredeadontheplain-
Ontheblood-spatteredspursoftheplain!
Butthelowwindssigh,Andthedeadleavesfly,Whereourwarriorslie,Inthedingoes’den-inthewhite-cedarglenOnthebanksofthegloomyUrara!
Urara!Urara!
OnthebanksofthegloomyUrara!
TheWallaroosgropethroughthetuftsofthegrass,Andcrawltotheircovertsforfear;
Butwe’llsitintheashesandletthempassWheretheboomerangssleepwiththespear!
Oh!ourheartswillbelonelyandlowto-nightWhenwethinkofthehuntsofyore;
Andthefoesthatwesought,andthefightswhichwefought,Withthosewhowillbattlenomore-
Whowillgotothebattlenomore!
Forthedullwindssigh,Andthedeadleavesfly,Whereourwarriorslie,Inthedingoes’den-inthewhite-cedarglenOnthebanksofthegloomyUrara!
Urara!Urara!
OnthebanksofthegloomyUrara!
Oh!thegorgesandgulliesareblackwithcrows,Andtheyfeastonthefleshofthebrave;
ButtheforestisloudwiththehowlsofourfoesForthosewhomtheynevercansave!
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Letuscrouchwithourfacesdowntoourknees,Andhideinthedarkofourhair;
Forwewillnotreturnwherethecamp-firesburn,Andseewhatissmoulderingthere-
Whatissmouldering,moulderingthere!
Wherethesadwindssigh-
Thedeadleavesfly,Andourwarriorslie;
Inthedingoes’den-inthewhite-cedarglenOnthebanksofthegloomyUrara!
Urara!Urara!
OnthebanksofthegloomyUrara!
EVENINGHYMN
THEcrag-pentbreezessobandmoanwherehiddenwatersglide;
Andtwilightwandersroundtheearthwithslowandshadowystride。
Thegleamingclouds,abovethebrowsofwesternsteepsuphurled,Looklikethespiresofsomefairtownthatboundsabrighterworld。
Lo,fromthedepthsofyonderwood,wheremanyablindcreekstrays,ThepureAustralianmooncomesforth,enwreathedwithsilverhaze。
Therainymistsaretroopingdownthefoldinghillsbehind,Anddistanttorrent-voicesriselikebellsuponthewind。
Theecheu’s*songsaredying,withtheflute-bird’smellowtone,Andnightrecallsthegloomyowltorovethewildsalone;
Night,holynight,inrobesofblue,withgoldenstarsencrowned,AscendingmountainsliketowallsthathemanEdenround。
Note:*Therufous-breastedthickhead。
Oh,lovelymoon!oh,holynight!howgoodyourGodmustbe,When,throughthegloriesofyourlight,Hestoopstolookatme!
Oh,glitteringcloudsandsilveryshapes,thatvanishonebyone!
IsnotthekindnessofourLordtoogreattothinkupon?
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IfhumansongcouldflowasfreeasHiscreatedbreeze,When,slopingfromsomehoaryheight,itsweepsthevacantseas,Thenshouldmyvoicetoheavenascend,mytunefullyrebestrung,Andmusicsweeterthanthewindsshouldroamtheseglensamong。
Goby,yegolden-footedhours,toyourmysteriousbourne,Andhidethesinsyebearfromhence,sothattheyne’erreturn。
Teachme,yebeauteousstars,tokisskindMercy’schasteningrod,And,lookingupfromNature’sface,toworshipNature’sGod。
STANZAS
THEsunsetsfallandthesunsetsfade,ButstillIwalkthisshadowyland;
AndgrapplethedarkandonlythedarkInmysearchforalovinghand。
Forit’shereastill,deepwoodlandlies,Withspursofpineandsheavesoffern;
ButIwanderwild,andwaillikeachildForafacethatwillneverreturn!
Andit’shereamightywaterflows,Withdriftsofwindandwimpledwaves;
ButthedarlingheadofadearonedeadIshiddenbeneathitscaves。
THEWAILINTHENATIVEOAK
WHEREthelonecreek,chafingnightlyinthecoldandsadmoonshine,Beatsbeneaththetwistedfern-rootsandthedrenchedanddrippingvine;
Wherethegumtrees,ringedandragged,fromthemazymarginsrise,Staringoutagainsttheheavenswiththeirlanguidgapingeyes;
ThereIlistened-thereIheardit!Oh,thatmelancholysound,Wanderinglikeaghostlywhisper,throughthedreamingdarknessround!
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Wandering,likeafearfulwarning,wherethewitheredtwilightbrokeThroughamassofmournfultresses,droopingdowntheNativeOak。
AndIcaughtaglimpseofsunsetfadingfromafar-offwild,AsIsatmedowntofancy,likeathoughtful,wistfulchild-
Satmedowntofancywhatmightmeanthosehollow,hopelesstones,Soomingroundtheswooningsilence,dyingoutinsmotheredmoans!
Whatmightmeanthatmuffledsobbing?Didalonelyphantomwail,Pentamongstthosetangledbranchesbarringoutthemoonlightpale?
Weptitforthatgleamofglorywastingfromtheforestaisles;
Forthatfaintinggleamofglorysadwithflickering,sicklysmiles?
InthesewoodlandsIwasrestless!Ihadseenalightdepart,Andanacheforsomethingvanishedfilledandchilledmylongingheart,AndIlinkedmythoughtstogether-``Allseemedstillanddullto-day,Butapainfulsymbolgrowethfromtheshinethatpalesaway!
Thismaynotbeidledreaming;ifthespiritroams,’’Isaid,``Thisissurelyone,awandererfromtheageswhichhavefled!
Whocanlookbeyondthedarkness;whocanseesohemaytellWherethesunsetsallhavegoneto;wherethesoulsthatleaveusdwell?
``Thismightbealovingexile,fullwithfadedthoughtsreturned,Seekingforfamiliarfaces,friendsforwhomhelonghadyearned。
Herehisfathersmusthavesojourned-herehispeoplemayhavedied,Or,perchance,todistantforestsallwerescatteredfarandwide。
Sohemoansandsohelingers!weepingo’erthewastedwild;
Weepingo’erthedesolation,likealost,benightedchild!
Sohemoans,andsohelingers!Hencethesefitful,fretfulsighs,Deepwithintheoaktreesolemn!Hencetheseweary,wearycries!
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``Orwhoknowsbutthatsomesecretliesbeneathyondismalmound?
Ha!adreary,dreadfulsecretmustbeburiedunderground!
Notaraggedbladeofverdure-notonerootofmossisthere;
Whohathtornthegrassesfromit-whereforeisthatbarrowbare?
Darknessshutstheforestroundme。HereIstandand,OmyGod!
Thismaybesomeinjuredspiritravingroundandroundthesod。
Hush!thetempest,howittravels!Bloodhathherebeensurelyshed-
Hush!thethunder,howitmutters!Oh,theunrequitedDead!’’
Cameafootfallpastthewater-cameawildmanthroughthegloom,Downhestoopedandfacedthecurrent,silentasthesilenttomb;
Downhestoopedandlappedtheripples:notasinglewordhespoke,ButIwhispered,``HecantellmeoftheSecretintheOak?
Verythoughtfulseemsthatforehead;manylegendshemayknow;
Manytalesandoldtraditionslinkedtowhatisherebelow!
Imustaskhim-restIcannot-thoughmylifeuponithung-
Thoughthesewailsarewaxinglouder,Imustgivemythoughtsatongue。
``Shakethatsilencefromyou,wildman!Ihavelookedintoyourface,HopingIshouldlearnthestorythereaboutthisfearfulplace。
Slakeyourthirst,butstayandtellme:didyourheartwithterrorbeat,Whenyousteppedacrossthebareandblastedhillockatyourfeet?
Hearkentothesecroonssowretcheddeepwithintheduskboughspent!
Holdyounotsomestrangetraditioncoupledwiththisstrangelament?
Whenyourtribeabouttheircamp-fireshearthathollow,brokencry,Dotheyhintofdeedsmysterious,hiddeninthedaysgoneby?’’
Butheroselikeonebewildered,shookhisheadandglidedpast;
Huddlingwhispershurriedafter,hissinginthehowlingblast!
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Nowasheetofluridsplendoursweptathwartthemountainspire,Andamidnightsquallcametrumpingdownonzigzagpathsoffire!
Throughthetumultdashedatorrentflankingoutinfoamingstreams,Whilstthewoodlandsgroanedandmutteredlikeamonstervexedwithdreams。
ThenIswoonedawayinhorror。Oh!thatshriekwhichrenttheair,Likethevoiceofsomefelldemonharrowedbyamaddespair。
HARPSWELOVE
THEharpwelovehatharoyalburst!
Itsstringsaremightyforesttrees;
Andbranches,swayingtoandfro,Arefingerssoundingsymphonies。
Theharpwelovehathasolemnsound!
AndrocksamongsttheshallowseasArestringsfromwhichtherollingwavesDrawforththeirstirringharmonies。
Theharpwelovehathalowsweetvoice!
Itsstringsareinthebosomdeep,AndLovewillpressthosehiddenchordsWhenallthebaserpassionssleep。
WAITINGANDWISHING
ILOITERbythissurgingsea,Here,bythissurging,soomingsea,Here,bythiswailing,wild-facedsea,Dreamingthroughthedreamynight;
Yearningforastrangedelight!
Willitever,ever,everflytome,Bythissurgingsea,Bythissurging,soomingsea,Bythiswailing,wild-facedsea?
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Iknowsomegentlespiritlives,Someloving,lonelyspiritlives,Somemelancholyspiritlives,Walkingo’ertheearthforme,Searchingroundtheworldforme!
Willsheever,ever,everhithercome?
Wherethewatersroam,Wherethesobbingwatersroam!
Wheretheravingwatersroam!
Allwornandwastedbythestorms,Allgappedandfracturedbythestorms,Allsplitandsplinteredbythestorms,Overheadthecavernsgroan,Gloomy,ghastlycavernsgroan!-
Willsheever,ever,everfillthisheart?
Peace,Olongingheart!
Peace,Olonging,beatingheart!
Peace,Obeating,wearyheart!