‘Tis a new thing for Australia that the waters to her bear
One who seeks not strength of sunshine, or the breath of healing air;
One who reeks not of her riches, nor remembers she is fair;
One who land and houses, henceforth, holdeth not,-for evermore;
Coming for such narrow dwelling as the dead need,-to the shore
Named aforetime by the spirit to receive the garb it wore.
‘Tis a strange thing for Australia that her name should be the name
Breathed ere death by one who loved her,-claiming, with a patriot’s claim,
Earth of her as chosen grave-place; rather than the lands of fame;
Rather than the Sacred City where a sepulchre was sought
For the noblest hearts of Europe; rather than the Country fraught
With the incense of the altars whence our household gods were brought.
‘Tis a proud thing for Australia, while the funeral-prayers are said,
To remember loving service, frankly rendered by the dead;
How he strove, amid the nations, evermore to raise her head.
How in youth he sang her glory, as it is, and is to be,-
Called her “Empress,”-while they held her yet as base-born, over sea,-
Owned her “Mother,”-when her children scarce were counted with the free!
How he claimed of King and Commons that his birthland should be used
As a daughter not an alien; till the boon, so oft refused,
Was withheld, at last, no longer; and the former bonds were loosed.
How the scars of serfdom faded. How he led within the light
Of her fireside Earth’s Immortals; chrism-touched from Olympus’ height;
Whom gods loved; for whom the New Faith, too, has guest-rooms garnished bright.
‘Tis a great thing for Australia; that her child of early years,
Shared her path of desert-travel,-bread of sorrow, drink of tears,-
Holding by her to these hill-tops, whence her Promised Place appears.
Titles were not hers to offer as the meed of service done;
Rank of peer or badge of knighthood, star or ribbon,-she had none;
But she breathes a mother’s blessing o’er the ashes of her son.
(Mary Hannay Foott)
More Poetry from Mary Hannay Foott:
Mary Hannay Foott Poems based on Topics: God, Place, Light, Youth, Kings & Queens, Sons, Name, Sadness, Mothers, Fame, Money & Wealth- The Australiad (Mary Hannay Foott Poems)
- The Australiad - (A poem for children.) (Mary Hannay Foott Poems)
- The Melbourne Internationa (Mary Hannay Foott Poems)
- Watch-Night (Mary Hannay Foott Poems)
- The Future Of Australia (Mary Hannay Foott Poems)
- The Massacre Of The Bards (Mary Hannay Foott Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: God Poems, Light Poems, Sadness Poems, Youth Poems, Fairness Poems, Place Poems, Name Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Success Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Belief & Faith PoemsBased on Keywords: base-born, not-for, serfdom, birthland, guest-rooms