[To Celebrate the Anniversary of the
Establishment of the Colony]
Philosophers say, and experience declares,
That life is a medley of pleasures and cares;-
That the sunshine which smiles on our prospects to-day,
May be chas’d by the gloom of to-morrow away.
Whilst some, who are strangers to conjugal strife,
Are apt to repine at the loss of a wife,-
There are others (perhaps you may dissolute call ’em)
That are glad to escape from the fetters that gall ’em.
Thus serious and comic, the scene passes on,
The demise of the sire makes way for the son;
When the coffers, by rigid conomy stor’d,
Are squander’d and swallow’d at luxury’s board.
For years, on this Isle, a bright Day-star has gleam’d,
And the Chief that we hail’d was the Friend we esteem’d;
Now Time, in its triumph, has clos’d his career,
And the smile we have cherish’d-is chang’d to a tear!
Yet, often shall memory cling to this day,
And often shall gratitude swell the fond lay;
While Australia shall boast, in her annals of story,
That His Sun, as it rose-so it set, in full Glory!
But the shadows that threaten’d our Evening forlorn,
The breath of young Hope shall disperse with the morn;
For grac’d with fresh laurels from Fame’s fairest shores,
His Illustrious Successor has smil’d on our Shores.
Then, here, whilst in circles of social relation,
Our hearts and our hands join in Commemoration;
From Australia’s first dawn-let her trophies proclaim,
That her Standard of Worth stamps her Passport to Fame.
(Michael Massey Robinson)
More Poetry from Michael Massey Robinson:
Michael Massey Robinson Poems based on Topics: Fame, Sadness, Money & Wealth, Sons, Success, Time, Life, Friendship, Youth, Hope, Smiling- Ode (Michael Massey Robinson Poems)
- Old Ham Fresh Drest (Michael Massey Robinson Poems)
- An Ode (Michael Massey Robinson Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Life Poems, Sadness Poems, Time Poems, Youth Poems, Friendship Poems, Hope Poems, Smiling Poems, Success Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Sons Poems, Work & Career PoemsBased on Keywords: conjugal, demise, commemoration, conomy