Thoughts 10: The First Great Australian Poe
Glorious his lot whom Poesie shall name
Her first High Priest in this so sunny clime,
Though thereby clothed as with a robe of flame!—
With her Creations of the Olden Time
Much conversant, and by their bulk sublime
Moulding new matter, let him build to Fame;
Quarrying from Nature’s everlasting frame
The sculptured beauty of his lofty Rhyme!
Then mirrored ever in his polished page
Shall glow his Countrywomen’s lustrous eyes;
And future Patriots a righteous rage
Thence catch or stimulate—the Brave, and Wise,
And Lovely, so, beneath his native skies,
Hallowing his Memory from age to age.
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