Musings in Maoriland
Australia
Australia.
Land of the speckless sky and broad red sun,
Thou gavest me the largest part of life,
And I shall love thee till that life has run
Into the mystic vale of rest, where strife
And sorrow cease.
Prize of the stalwart Islemen of the North,
Picked out of Freedom's body-guard for thee,
To summon thy proline treasures forth,
They brought with them the charter of the free,
Their endless lease.
No crimson blood-spot stains thy tranquil face,
Illumined by the day-god's richest glance,
Adopted mother of a manly race,
Oh may thy power still prosper and advance,
Thy wealth increase.
Fame, in her mighty volume of the past,
For thee, New Mother, keeps no gory leaf,
Oh, never may war's black, despoiling blast
Soil thy bright banner of the yellow sheaf
And golden fleece.
As Freedom's outposts on Pacific's breast
Thy smaller sisters stand around thy throne;
Each wears a queenly diadem and crest,
But thou art Empress of the South alone—
Reign on in peace.