The Boy's Return

Wives, Mothers, Sweethearts sent
Their dearest; waved their own defenders forth;

And, fit companions for the bravest, went
The Boys, to test their manhood, prove their worth
As Sons of those who braved
All dangers; to Earth's ends our Flag unfurled, —
The old Pioneers of Ocean, who have paved
Our Pathway with their bones around the world!

To-day the City waits,
Proudly a-thrill with life about to be:

She welcomes her young warriors in her Gates
Of Glory, opened to them by the Sea.

Let no cur bark, or spurt
Defilement, trying to tarnish this fair fame;

No Alien drag our Banner through the dirt
Because it blazons England's noble name.

Upon the lips of Praise
They lay their own hands, saying — " We have not
won
Great battles for you, nor Immortal bays,
But what your Boys were given to do is done!"

"When Clouds were closing round
The Island-home, our Pole-star of the North,
Australia fired her Beacons — rose up crowned
With a new dawn upon the ancient earth.

For us they filled a cup
More rare than any we can brim to them!

The patriot-passion did so lift men up,
They looked as if each wore the diadem!

Best honours we shall give,
If to that loftier outlook still we climb;

And in our Unborn Children there shall live
The larger spirit of this great quickening time.

To-day is the Women's day!
With them there's no more need o' the proud
disguise
They wore when their young heroes sailed
away;
Soft smiles the dewy fire in loving eyes!

And, when to the full breast,
O mothers! your re-given ones you take,
And in your long embraces they are blest,
Give; hem one hug at heart for England's sake —
The Mother of us all!
Dear to us, near to us, though so far apart;

For whose defence we are sworn to stand or fall
In the .same battle as Brothers, one at heart:

All one to bear the brunt;
All one we move together in the march,
Shoulder to shoulder; to the Foe all front,
The wide world round; all heaven one Triumph-
Arch!

One in the war of Mind,
For clearing earth of all dark Jungle-Powers;

One for the Federation of Mankind,
Who will speak one language, and that language
ours.

Sydney, 1885.