Said the Preacher “All is Vanity!”-appending as a reason
That the things we find our pleasure in are bound to pass and pall;
But it seems to me that whatso’er endureth for a season
Isn’t half as vain as whatso’er hath never been at all.
When you find that what you’ve hitherto been wont to make a boast of
Must be numbered with the ejects that from muddled brains proceed-
When you find that in respect thereof there isn’t ev’n a ghost of
Fact to back it up-ah, then, you may cry “Vanity,” indeed.
From my tend’rest years I’ve plumed myself on being an Australian-
An Australian pure and simple, of the most authentic brand;
Scotchman, Englishman, and Irishman alike to me were alien;
I was sibber to King Billy through our common mother-land.
To the pride of local genesis my being was surrendered,
The worthiest of immigrants I looked upon with scorn
As exotic interlopers under foreign skies engendered,
Though transplanted to my country fifty years ere I was born.
What although they wove the fabric of Australia’s starry banner
From the fibre of their being till the tissue was complete,-
‘Twas for us, the young, to wave it in our own emphatic manner
In the face of all things ancient, European and effete!
“Ours the fitter hand to hold the reins,” I sedulously boasted;
And whenever at the festal board occasion would allow,
“Australia for the Australians!” with a hip-hooray I toasted . . . .
And to-day I learn I’m no more an Australian than a Chow.
Would to heav’n I’d been content to play the “Native” single-handed,
Nor sought to be enrolled in that accurs
(James Brunton Stephens)
More Poetry from James Brunton Stephens:
James Brunton Stephens Poems based on Topics: Faces, Youth, Pride, Facts, Reasoning, Ghost, Vanity, Respect- Convict Once - Part Second. (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
- Convict Once - Part Third. (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
- King Billy's Skull. (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
- Marsupial Bill (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
- Mute Discourse. (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
- Nonsuited. (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Faces Poems, Youth Poems, Pride Poems, Reasoning Poems, Ghost Poems, Facts Poems, Respect Poems, Vanity PoemsBased on Keywords: whatso, endureth, irishman, scotchman, immigrants, single-handed, ejects, sedulously, interlopers