LIKE clings to like – the aged nations sit
In solemn conclave, with the hoary head
Of vast experience, seeking less to form
New views and aims, than to preserve the old
Time-honour’d laws and customs from decay,
Their nicely-organised machinery
Requiring but the cleansing and repair
Of daily supervision, while they reap
The peaceful joys their ancestors have sown.
But young Australia’s guardian should be young
In strength, if not in years; he must have suck’d
The breasts of Wisdom – drawing in the breath
Of pure Integrity – and early fed
On truths that mould the mind to lofty aims;
He must have courage to rebuke or bear
The taunts of slander, scorn and ridicule,
And diligence to fence with righteous laws,
The sapling of our liberty, unlopp’d
By hideous execution, and unscorch’d
By persecuting fire. In triple guise
His eloquence must flow, a sparkling spray
For Erin’s children, for the British mind
A classic crystal smoothly flowing on,
And for his Austral brethren, a deep flood
Of clear, convincing common sense – even now
He may be growing in our midst: the time is ripe,
Urgent the need, and we shall cry “God bless him!”
(Emily Mary Barton)
More Poetry from Emily Mary Barton:
Emily Mary Barton Poems based on Topics: Mind, Time, Children, Wisdom & Knowledge, Law & Regulation, Experience, Fire, Liberty & Freedom- 'The Defence Of Rorke's Drift': A Reverie In The Art Gallery (Emily Mary Barton Poems)
- Earth (Emily Mary Barton Poems)
- Lines Addressed To Sir Alfred Stephen On His 90th Birthday (Emily Mary Barton Poems)
- Manifestations "God Manifests Himself in Many Ways." (Emily Mary Barton Poems)
- 'Pen" - 60th Birthday (Emily Mary Barton Poems)
- The Song of Life (Emily Mary Barton Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Mind Poems, Time Poems, Fire Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Law & Regulation Poems, Children Poems, Liberty & Freedom Poems, Experience PoemsBased on Keywords: execution, austral, requiring, integrity, convincing, conclave, persecuting, diligence, time-honour, supervision, unlopp