When sun and rain have wrought their will, What shall the harvest be?
If trees alone his axe-blade hewed, If he but ploughed the plain,And ploughed no more, and sowed the wheat,
" Twould be but golden grain.
But more than trees he brings to earth- Old wrongs that bind and thrall;And from his harvest shall be made The sweetest bread of all.
A young man in a young land, he Dreams noble dreams of youth;And, foremost in the van of years, He sows the seeds of truth.
- Roderic Quinn
Author.-Roderic Quinn, a living Australian poet, was born at Sydney in 1869. Most of his poems were contributed to The Bulletin and The Worker, but collections have been published under the titles of The Hidden Tide, The Circling Hearths, and Collected Poems.
General Notes.-Axeman, ploughman, sower-note the progress in time. What old wrongs have we brought to earth in Australia? What new rights have we established ! We were the first to introduce vote by ballot, the first to give votes to women; we were among the foremost with factory laws, old-age pensions, the maternity bonus, freer schools and universities. Can you think of anything else? These things our fathers and grandfathers did to make Australia a happy and free land. But we must do our share towards making it freer and happier. How can you help towards the good time coming?
Suggestions for Verse-speaking.-For the first three stanzas, divide theclass into three-the axemen, the ploughmen, the sowers. For the last three stanzas, divide the class into two; one half speaks the fourth stanza, the other half the fifth stanza, and the whole class the last stanza.
Lesson 64
AN AuSTRALIAN ANTHEm
Maker of earth and sea, What shall we render Thee?
All things are Thine. Ours but, from day to day, Still with one heart to pray, "God bless our land alway,This land of Thine!"
Mighty in brotherhood, Mighty for God and good,Let us be Thine. Here let the nations see Toil from the curse set free, Labour and libertyOne cause-and Thine.
Here let glad plenty reign; Here let none seek in vainOur help and Thine- No heart, for want of friend,Fail ere the timely end, But love for ever blendMan"s cause and Thine.
Here let Thy peace abide; Never may strife divideThis land of Thine. Let us united stand,
One great Australian band, Heart to heart, hand in hand,Heart and hand Thine
Strong to defend our right,
Proud in all nations" sight,
Lowly in Thine- One in all noble fame, Still be our path the same,Onward in freedom"s name,
Upward in Thine.
- James Brunton Stephens
Author.-James Brunton Stephens (1835-1902) was born in Scotland. He arrived in Australia when 31 years of age, and for a time was tutor to the family of a Queensland squatter. Later, he entered the Queensland Civil Service as Correspondence Clerk, and rose to the position ofUnder- Secretary. His poems, published in his Poetical Works, include some clever humorous verse and some sonorous patriotic poetry.
General Notes.-What does the poet pray will be granted toAustralia? Has he included all the great ideals towards which a nation should strive? Could you add anything else? Are there any signs that we are advancing towards or retreating from the poet"s ideal country? Why is this poem called " An Australian Anthem"? What obligation is there upon the person who prays that something will come to pass? What is meant by "Toil from the curse set free"? How can labour and liberty be united in one cause, and that cause be divine? What is the "right" that we should be strong to defend? Learn to sing this anthem to the fine air composed by Dr. Summers.
