THE KING OF OOJEE-MOOJEEWe 'ave stowed our ammunition, we 'ave taken in our store,An' our very last instructions we 'ave 'ad by semy-fore;The Flagship's made a signal, 'We wish you all success,'An' we're off to Oojee-Moojee on the armoured cruiser 'Bess.'For the King of Oojee-MoojeeIs a-comin of 'is tricks,'E's cheeked the English Consul,An 'e's chucked 'is wooden bricks.'E won't do kindergarden,An' 'e's done 'is lessons wrong;Altogether Oojee-MoojeeIs a-comin' of it strong!An' the Point is miles be'ind us, an' 'eadquarters furder still;We've exchanged a friendly greetin' wi' the bloke on Signal 'Ill;We are off to Oojee-Moojee, an' we cannot be detained,For relations dip-lo-matic 'ave become a trifle strained!Now the King of Oojee-Moojee is a little coloured kid;An' 'e rules some thousand niggers, an' 'e does as 'e is bid!For the Government of England, with 'is interests in view,'As civilised 'is country—an' collects 'is revenue!For the King wot reigned afore 'im was an 'eathen nigger thief,So we sent a missionary, for to teach 'im our belief.(To prevent misunderstandin's, an' avoid unpleasant scenes,We likewise sent an 'Otchkiss, an' a 'undred red marines.)'E wouldn't take our gospel, an' unpleasantness arose,Which cost six whites, and niggermen proportionate to those;An' we left the King a-swingin' from a 'Lyptus tree above,Just to show as there was iron underneath the velvet glove.Then our skipper very kindly did an 'andsome sort of thing,For 'e made a proclamation that the nevvy of the King—A funny little kiddy, with a sat-on sorter face—Should rule the Oojee-Moojee, an' should take 'is uncle's place.So we dressed 'im up in velvets, an' we fed 'im up on buns,An' we gave 'is bit of buntin' a salute of twenty guns,An' we gave to 'im a doctor for to cure 'is chills an' croups;With a tutor, an' a gen'ral for to organise 'is troops.So 'is tutor taught 'im manners, an' the way to part 'is 'air,An' the gen'ral, in 'is spare time, taught 'im proper ways to sware;The doctor, to complete 'im, was a-teaching him to mill—When 'is 'ighness put the veto on the Education Bill.Then 'e cheeked the British Consul!Then 'e cussed the doctor's wife!An' 'e chased 'is good, kind tutor, with a bloomin' carvin' knife;Tore 'is books an' burnt 'is grammar (said they wasn't good for 'ealf),Boned some whisky from the General, an' unchristianised 'isself!So, we're bound for Oojee-Moojee,An we mus'n't be detained;For relations dip-lo-matic'Ave become a trifle strained:'Situations complicated'—'Warship ordered to the scene!'—Just because a nigger kiddy'sPlayin' truant with the Queen!THE SONG OF THE TOWNSing hey! for the sand-freckled plain;Sing ho! for the flower-flushed valley;A song for the ship-sprinkled main,And the sports where the wanderers rally,A song for the lawn sloping down—The lawn with its terrace and fountain,But here's a song of the square white TownBy the mist-wrapped, cloud-capped mountain!The whitewashed, square-cut town,By the grey-green wind-swept sea;The moving throng,And the motor gong,These sing the song for me!Sing hey! for the Town and its folk,The comers, the goers, the stayers;The just arrived waster, dead-broke,The homeward-bound mummers and players;The white man suspiciously dark!The trooper-man, newly recruited;The hand-bagged and frock-coated clerk,The pioneer corded and booted!The motley-peopled town!Its raw and cultured folk,Live, work, and play'Twixt Mount and Bay,And bear one equal yoke.Sing hey! for the Town, and its dress,The garbs of the twenty-one nations:The Kafir in blanket—and less,The lady in Paris 'creations';The-man-about-town, rather loud,The nigger in checks somewhat rasher;Here, fez to the turban is bow'd,There, top-hat comes off to the 'smasher.'The particoloured town,Where plush and broadcloth meet:Where Islam's greenAnd Worth-wrought sheenRub textures in the street!Sing hey! for the Town, as a town,A song of its bricks and its plaster;The slum that is mouldering down—The mansion that's rising the faster.Sing hey! for its one-storied past,Be-flagged, and be-stoeped, and be-whitened;Its five-storied future more vast,Its breadth to be broadened and heightened.The grim old, prim old town,A brand-new vestment wears,And arc-lights purrWhere blue-gums were,And the blanket-Kafir stares!BY SIMON'S BAYIn the mountain foldBy the green-blue bay,Where the waves are fleckedBy the evening goldAt the close of day;And the berg is deckedWith a film of grey,And the mountain's frownOn the darkening town—My mem'ries stray.By the fringing beach,By the restless wave,Is the straggling town,And its limits reachFrom the highest placeBy the mountain's crownTo the mountain's base—Where the waters lave.Hopeful TownBy the Cape of Hope;By the sandy slopeWhere the Hills look down;By the wind-swept kloof—On the barrack, grim:On the whitened roof,On the garden trim:On the restless BayWhere the sea-fowl whirlsAnd the spume-dust swirlsTo the Zephyr's whim—At the close of day.Darkening Bay,Where ever layAlert to slipFrom leashes tautA blood-flecked houndIn the pale lean ship;And where the soundOf echoing boomFrom far awayIs a full-mouthed bay,As the quarry's found.Mournful bayIn green and grey,I've thought on youThis many a day.THE SQUIRESir John of the Isles,'E stood on 'is lands,An' looked round 'is large estates:The lands of waste, an' the lands of corn;The rose-clad lands, an' the lands of thorn;An' 'is many gun guarded gates.Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to T.A.,'E sez to T.A., sez 'e,'Oh, you an' your chum, the sailor-man,Must scour the country as far as you canFor you are gamekeepers to me.'Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swells—The Downing Street frock-coated crew—'You are stewards of mine, on Colonial land,An' my tenants, with seventeen guns an' a band,Shall pay their respects unto you!'Sez John of the IslesTo one of the swells,'Near the lands where you're goin' to BeIs the dusty estate of a crotchety cuss,'Oo from time to time causes a great deal of fuss,For 'e thinks 'e's better nor me.'Sez John of the Isles,'The tenants 'e rulesAre a very peculiar lot.'Is bailifs are 'Ollanders, chock full of guile,An' they run the estate in a Guy-foxy style.Which is Dynamite, Treason and Plot!'Sez John of the Isles,'Don't mind 'is remarks,For the land which is 'is—it was mine;But 'e took it to Law in a court rather grim,An' a kopje-'id jury decided for 'im!An' awarded the land as a fine.'Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swell,'You're a gentleman, breedin' an birth,An' in case of a row, without losin' your 'ead,You may take my gamekeepers, an' mark 'is land red!On the survey-map of the Earth!'THE SEA-NATIONWe rose, a people of the sea,Nursed by the wind, and rocked by wave.Our hard, rock-founded history,Was born from stories of our brave.And northern ice-blasts steeled our framesWhen war was but the best of games.We saw a Roman Empire fall,And fell; but falling, learned to rise.We heard the voice of Progress call,And in our folly we were wise:When Briton, Saxon, Norman, Dane,Bequeathed their progeny the main.And conquered joined with conqueror;And Norman fire, with Saxon zealCombined; we swept the world beforeThe twanging bow, and clanging steel.Tyrants unmurm'ring bore our yoke,And braggarts thought before they spoke.Then Iron Might took Right to wife;And lo! our liberty was born!We revelled in the newer lifeWhen King was mated by a pawn.Men lived between, of mighty worth;From Montfort's death to Cromwell's birth.We bore the arrogance of kings,But bravèd death in fear of God.We rose from great, to greater things.The weak grew potent at our nod.And nations watched the scales of Fate,To see where England threw her weight!We took our seed to other climes,And from it sprang by divers seas,An Oak—that grew among the Limes!An Oak—among the Blue-gum trees!The Cactus left the land becauseThe Acorn brought its ordered laws.And like a giant, bearing stingsOf gnats, who joy to see him wince,We stand—the envy of the kingsDespised by every petty prince!Who know, that while enduring yet,We bear—but we do not forget.We lived, and live! The world shall seeAn inextinguishable flame.The nations fade; but we shall be!When Gaul and Teuton are a name!For us the seven seas in one:For landlocked hordes—oblivion.NATURE FAILSYou can eas'ly understandThat the green of medder-landDoesn't strike the bloke that 'as to push the roller;An' Nature at the best,When you put 'er to the test,Undiluted, is a very poor consoler.An' the blue of summer skies'As no beauties for the eyesOf defaulters on parade in marchin' order;An' the rainiest of mornsBrings no feelin's—'cept to corns,Of a feller pickin' oakum with a warder.Wot's the beauty of the spot,When you're bein' drilled with shot?Wot is Nature when you're checked for bein' dirty?An' eternity's a blankTo a feller on the crank,When ev'ry blessed minute seems like thirty!Bein' punished for your deeds,On fatig' a-pickin' weeds,Can a bloke admire the beauties of the clover?Does the sunset on the 'illsGive defaulters any thrillsExcept to know the day is nearly over.Bein' frog-marched to the clink,Does a feller stop to thinkOn the grass before 'is eyes so swif'ly runnin','Ow that ev'ry single bladeIs most wonderfully madeWiv a skill beyond all artificial cunnin'?An' you cannot pant for warsWhen you're scrubbin' barrack floors,Or get inspired on bully-beef an' biscuit:It requires a poet's soulWhen a feller's cartin' coalTo think 'isself in danger, an' to risk it.Does a feller care a D—For the friskin' of a lamb,When 'e 'as to watch the friskin' thro' a gratin'?Does the lowin' of the 'erds,Or the twitterin' of the birds,Soothe a feller when for punishment 'e's waitin'?L' ENVOIIn the deepest pits of 'Ell,Where the worst defaulters dwell(Charcoal devils used as fuel as you require 'em),There's some lovely coloured rays,Pyrotechnical displays:But you can't expect the burnin' to admire 'em!THE COLONEL'S GARDENThere are gardins, an' there's gardins,Some are good, an' some are not.There are gardins in a glass 'ouseWhere the air is allus 'ot.But whether on a winder-ledge,Or in a flower-pot,I'll back our Colonel's gardinFor to lick the bilin' lot.There are gardners,an'there's gardners,Some are great, an' some are small.Some could change a bloomin' brickfieldTo a Covent Gard'n ball!There are some 'oo couldn't 'ardlyFix a creeper to a wall!But I'll back our Colonel's gardner,Jerry Jordan, 'gin 'em all!O the flowers they are lovely!An' the roses they are fair;An' the daisies they are winkin'Thro' a lash of maiden-'air!An' the lilies, tall an' naked—Tho' it's little that they care!An' the garden—under Jerry—Is a place beyond compare!There are flowers bloomin' early,There are flowers bloomin' late;There is 'oneysuckle climbin'On the porchway, by the gate.There's some cress an' mustard growin'On a commissairy plate!O the garden it is lovely—That's when Jerry's on the straight!* * * * *O the garden it's neglected.An' the pinks 'ave ceased to pink,An' the petals they are droppin',An' the blooms they bend and sink.O the flowers they are fadin'Now that Jerry's took to drink!O the flowers they're neglected—Jerry Jordan's in the clink!For the flowers will not blossom,An' they don't give out no smells,The convul'vus it is weepin'From its verigated bells.An' the lily's in hysterics,An' she faints away in spells:O there's weepin', an' there's wailin'—Jerry Jordan's doin' cells!* * * * *O the path is rolled an' gravelled,An' the gardin's fresh as rain,An' the weeds that strewed the bordersThey no longer there remain.An' the flowers they are smilin',For they're out of all their pain;An' the bees they 'um for gladness—Jerry Jordan's out again!THE PEOPLE TO CECIL JOHN RHODES,JULY 18, 1899By the bond that binds the scattered folk to home,We have come.By the love to dear old England which you bear—And we share,By the knowledge of the Empire you extend—Britain's friend!—We are gathered, many thousand people, toWelcome you!We are strangers drawn together by one tie,They and I,Merely men who, having never met before,Meet no more!But a common cause has bridged the social breach,Each to eachHas one soft word of fellowship to say,Here to-day.If you search among our numbers you will findEvery kind:Dutchman, Briton, 'Africander,' and MalayIn array;Christian, Mussulman, and he of Abram's seed—Every creed:With the worshippers ofSakyanumi'smud—Mighty Budh.But if every heart was melted, and when doneMoulded one—If a welcome in a polyglotic tongueCould be sung—If one voice could speak our sentiments to-day,We would say,Very simply: 'We are glad that you are come—Welcome home!'We have followed you, and watched your noble standFor your land.And your triumphs and your greatly troubled hours.Have been ours:And our sympathetic wishes for your cause,Have been yours:Since the day on which you left us to go forth,'For my North!'We have followed you through many foreign ways,In these days.By the Nilus, on the Desert, new surveyed,You have strayed:By the Pyramids and palms of Cairo town,Parched and brown:By the quiet shades of Oxford, prim and green,You have been.In the stately city hall, in spirit weCame to seeThe cheering thousands testify belief,In their Chief.In the regal courts of Potsdam, at your sideWe were tied,By the tighter bond than kinship ever drew—-We and you!If our hearts in concord melted and were runInto one!If a welcome in a polyglotic tongue.Could be sung:If two words could voice our sentiments to-day,We would say—Very simply, being glad that you are come—'Welcome home!'WHEN LONDON CALLS!There's a voice that calls to Mecca, there's a voice that calls to Rome.(O the Holiest of Holies! O the Temple and the Shrine!)There's a bleating from a pasture, and it calls a wand'rer home.(O the friskings of the yearlings, and the lowing of the kine!)There's a penetrating whisper that can rise above the galeFrom the cot of thatch and plaster, from the oaken-gabled hall,From the limpid lake of silver in the verdant velvet vale,From the shamrock and the heather,Hear the call!There's a voice that calls the waster, when the doors of home are shut.(O the voice of club and chamber, and the arc-light burning blue!)There's a voice that calls the trooper in his daub and wattle hut.(O the midnight cabs that rattle from the Strand to Waterloo!)There's a voice for ever calling from the Square and from the Slum,From the Hornsey Rise to Brixton, from St. Saviour's to St. Paul's.'Tis the never-changing message of the everlasting 'Come'To the brick and to the mortar.London calls!You may still the voice of conscience, and suppress the blush of shame.(O the deed that made you outlaw! O the folly and the sin!)But never man ignored it when the call to London came.(The call from belfry tower! O the clanging, banging din!)'Tis the wooded green of Greenwich with the deer among the fern.'Tis the bleak, blank streets of Lambeth, where thedrizzling fog-mist falls.It's a weary aching whisper, and it murmurs, 'O returnTo the Elegance, the Squalor.London calls!''Tis the swelling roar of Epsom, with the backers seven deep.(O the rush around the Corner, and the finish on the Straight!)'Tis the tinkling hum of Henley as it snuggles down to sleep.(O the light-lined laughing river, with its fairy-fancied féte!)'Tis the growl of Ratcliffe Highway, 'tis the lisp of Rotten Row;'Tis the beauty that entrances, 'tis the horror that appals;'Tis the firemen's horses tearing to the midnight sky aglow;It's a vague and restless—something.London calls!It is early morning Fleet Street, when the throbbing presses fly.(O the Father of the Chapel! O the ticking, talking tape!)'Tis the universal High Street, where the world may see and buy.(O the steamboat of Newcastle! O the feather of the Cape!)'Tis the heart of all creation, where the veins of commerce meet;'Tis the centre seat in gall'ry, 'tis the booked and numbered stalls;'Tis the barrow in Whitechapel, 'tis the brougham in Regent Street;'Tis the Commonplace—the Novel.London calls!'Tis the glitter and the jingle on the Foreign Office stairs.(O the starred and gartered Levee! O the Rulers of the Land!)'Tis the crowd about the stretcher and the burden that it bears.(O the ward in darkened silence! O the swiftly running sand!)'Tis the message of the letter, 'tis the message of the wire;'Tis the dainty hand that types it, 'tis the awkward fist that scrawls;'Tis the memory that sickens, 'tis the thought that burns 'like fire;'Tis the life that's worth the living!London calls!'Tis the cheering of the Commons and the cry of 'Who goes home?'(O the bell that rings Division! O the seat beneath the card!)'Tis the choir-boys' voices rising to the lofty, painted dome.(O the flutter of the pigeons in the flagged and mossy yard!)'Tis the Sabbath bells that echo down the silent city streets;'Tis the Steel inside the Velvet! 'Tis the stroking hand that mauls!'Tis the Tutor, it's the Master. It prepares and it completes!It is London—and it's LONDON!And it calls!CAIROWARDSGoing up—and by all one man's will!Untrodden lands shall echo with our roars,Our engines' wheels shall break the mountains' still,Uncharted rivers see us by their shores;And where the lions drink, and panthers prey,Shall lie the ballast of our iron-bound way.Going up! Primæval forest, whereThe Bushman lurks with poison at his lips,Must give its best, and all its treasures bare,When our iron-monster in its hollows dips;And caves, from which the cobra issues forth,Shall be a Somewhere Junction—for the North.Going up! Eternal snows, that crownThe lonely summits of the lordly hills,Shall look upon our laboured paths, and frownUpon the girdered bridge that spans their rills;But, clinging to the slope, with scanty hold,The road shall be unfastened, fold by fold.Going up! The stifling winds that blowAcross the sweep of fiery desert wasteShall clog and cloy our workings as we go,And strive to check us in our desp'rate haste,With sand that holds us in its shifting clutch—And iron and brass shall blister to the touch.Going up! The Nile in sullen wrathShall rise and smite the sleeper from the rail,And say: 'Behold the Mistress of the North!Who does not let the work of man prevail!'But patient man shall strive against her mightUntil the palms of Cairo are in sight!ODE TO THE OPENING OF THE SOUTHAFRICAN EXHIBITION, 1898Father of all!Robèd in splendour,Thou who dost wieldAlmighty power,All things are thine,Fruitage and flower—Cattle and kine—Vineyard and field!Hear, when we call.Praising the Sender!Father of all!Strong to deliver!Here, do we place,Down at Thy feet,Fruits of our hands—Trophies of wheat,Won from Thy lands—Trophies of chase.Hear, when we call,Praising the Giver!Father of all!Weaver and fuller;Craftsman and herd;Chapman and knave;Worker and drone;Headman and slave,Worship a-prone—Bow to Thy word!Hear Thou our call,Praising the Ruler!Father of all!Billow and breakerSink to Thy nod!Here, have we brought,That which we found,That which we wrought,Drawn from Thy ground,Culled from Thy sod.Hear, when we call,Praising the Maker!Father of all!Thine is the storyWritten in space!What Thou hast madeKnows not of death.Let us not fade,Catching Thy breath,Live by Thy grace!Hear Thou our call,Thine is the Glory!
THE KING OF OOJEE-MOOJEE
We 'ave stowed our ammunition, we 'ave taken in our store,An' our very last instructions we 'ave 'ad by semy-fore;The Flagship's made a signal, 'We wish you all success,'An' we're off to Oojee-Moojee on the armoured cruiser 'Bess.'For the King of Oojee-MoojeeIs a-comin of 'is tricks,'E's cheeked the English Consul,An 'e's chucked 'is wooden bricks.'E won't do kindergarden,An' 'e's done 'is lessons wrong;Altogether Oojee-MoojeeIs a-comin' of it strong!An' the Point is miles be'ind us, an' 'eadquarters furder still;We've exchanged a friendly greetin' wi' the bloke on Signal 'Ill;We are off to Oojee-Moojee, an' we cannot be detained,For relations dip-lo-matic 'ave become a trifle strained!Now the King of Oojee-Moojee is a little coloured kid;An' 'e rules some thousand niggers, an' 'e does as 'e is bid!For the Government of England, with 'is interests in view,'As civilised 'is country—an' collects 'is revenue!For the King wot reigned afore 'im was an 'eathen nigger thief,So we sent a missionary, for to teach 'im our belief.(To prevent misunderstandin's, an' avoid unpleasant scenes,We likewise sent an 'Otchkiss, an' a 'undred red marines.)'E wouldn't take our gospel, an' unpleasantness arose,Which cost six whites, and niggermen proportionate to those;An' we left the King a-swingin' from a 'Lyptus tree above,Just to show as there was iron underneath the velvet glove.Then our skipper very kindly did an 'andsome sort of thing,For 'e made a proclamation that the nevvy of the King—A funny little kiddy, with a sat-on sorter face—Should rule the Oojee-Moojee, an' should take 'is uncle's place.So we dressed 'im up in velvets, an' we fed 'im up on buns,An' we gave 'is bit of buntin' a salute of twenty guns,An' we gave to 'im a doctor for to cure 'is chills an' croups;With a tutor, an' a gen'ral for to organise 'is troops.So 'is tutor taught 'im manners, an' the way to part 'is 'air,An' the gen'ral, in 'is spare time, taught 'im proper ways to sware;The doctor, to complete 'im, was a-teaching him to mill—When 'is 'ighness put the veto on the Education Bill.Then 'e cheeked the British Consul!Then 'e cussed the doctor's wife!An' 'e chased 'is good, kind tutor, with a bloomin' carvin' knife;Tore 'is books an' burnt 'is grammar (said they wasn't good for 'ealf),Boned some whisky from the General, an' unchristianised 'isself!So, we're bound for Oojee-Moojee,An we mus'n't be detained;For relations dip-lo-matic'Ave become a trifle strained:'Situations complicated'—'Warship ordered to the scene!'—Just because a nigger kiddy'sPlayin' truant with the Queen!
We 'ave stowed our ammunition, we 'ave taken in our store,An' our very last instructions we 'ave 'ad by semy-fore;The Flagship's made a signal, 'We wish you all success,'An' we're off to Oojee-Moojee on the armoured cruiser 'Bess.'
We 'ave stowed our ammunition, we 'ave taken in our store,
An' our very last instructions we 'ave 'ad by semy-fore;
The Flagship's made a signal, 'We wish you all success,'
An' we're off to Oojee-Moojee on the armoured cruiser 'Bess.'
For the King of Oojee-MoojeeIs a-comin of 'is tricks,'E's cheeked the English Consul,An 'e's chucked 'is wooden bricks.'E won't do kindergarden,An' 'e's done 'is lessons wrong;Altogether Oojee-MoojeeIs a-comin' of it strong!
For the King of Oojee-Moojee
Is a-comin of 'is tricks,
'E's cheeked the English Consul,
An 'e's chucked 'is wooden bricks.
'E won't do kindergarden,
An' 'e's done 'is lessons wrong;
Altogether Oojee-Moojee
Is a-comin' of it strong!
An' the Point is miles be'ind us, an' 'eadquarters furder still;We've exchanged a friendly greetin' wi' the bloke on Signal 'Ill;We are off to Oojee-Moojee, an' we cannot be detained,For relations dip-lo-matic 'ave become a trifle strained!
An' the Point is miles be'ind us, an' 'eadquarters furder still;
We've exchanged a friendly greetin' wi' the bloke on Signal 'Ill;
We are off to Oojee-Moojee, an' we cannot be detained,
For relations dip-lo-matic 'ave become a trifle strained!
Now the King of Oojee-Moojee is a little coloured kid;An' 'e rules some thousand niggers, an' 'e does as 'e is bid!For the Government of England, with 'is interests in view,'As civilised 'is country—an' collects 'is revenue!
Now the King of Oojee-Moojee is a little coloured kid;
An' 'e rules some thousand niggers, an' 'e does as 'e is bid!
For the Government of England, with 'is interests in view,
'As civilised 'is country—an' collects 'is revenue!
For the King wot reigned afore 'im was an 'eathen nigger thief,So we sent a missionary, for to teach 'im our belief.(To prevent misunderstandin's, an' avoid unpleasant scenes,We likewise sent an 'Otchkiss, an' a 'undred red marines.)
For the King wot reigned afore 'im was an 'eathen nigger thief,
So we sent a missionary, for to teach 'im our belief.
(To prevent misunderstandin's, an' avoid unpleasant scenes,
We likewise sent an 'Otchkiss, an' a 'undred red marines.)
'E wouldn't take our gospel, an' unpleasantness arose,Which cost six whites, and niggermen proportionate to those;An' we left the King a-swingin' from a 'Lyptus tree above,Just to show as there was iron underneath the velvet glove.
'E wouldn't take our gospel, an' unpleasantness arose,
Which cost six whites, and niggermen proportionate to those;
An' we left the King a-swingin' from a 'Lyptus tree above,
Just to show as there was iron underneath the velvet glove.
Then our skipper very kindly did an 'andsome sort of thing,For 'e made a proclamation that the nevvy of the King—A funny little kiddy, with a sat-on sorter face—Should rule the Oojee-Moojee, an' should take 'is uncle's place.
Then our skipper very kindly did an 'andsome sort of thing,
For 'e made a proclamation that the nevvy of the King—
A funny little kiddy, with a sat-on sorter face—
Should rule the Oojee-Moojee, an' should take 'is uncle's place.
So we dressed 'im up in velvets, an' we fed 'im up on buns,An' we gave 'is bit of buntin' a salute of twenty guns,An' we gave to 'im a doctor for to cure 'is chills an' croups;With a tutor, an' a gen'ral for to organise 'is troops.
So we dressed 'im up in velvets, an' we fed 'im up on buns,
An' we gave 'is bit of buntin' a salute of twenty guns,
An' we gave to 'im a doctor for to cure 'is chills an' croups;
With a tutor, an' a gen'ral for to organise 'is troops.
So 'is tutor taught 'im manners, an' the way to part 'is 'air,An' the gen'ral, in 'is spare time, taught 'im proper ways to sware;The doctor, to complete 'im, was a-teaching him to mill—When 'is 'ighness put the veto on the Education Bill.
So 'is tutor taught 'im manners, an' the way to part 'is 'air,
An' the gen'ral, in 'is spare time, taught 'im proper ways to sware;
The doctor, to complete 'im, was a-teaching him to mill—
When 'is 'ighness put the veto on the Education Bill.
Then 'e cheeked the British Consul!Then 'e cussed the doctor's wife!An' 'e chased 'is good, kind tutor, with a bloomin' carvin' knife;Tore 'is books an' burnt 'is grammar (said they wasn't good for 'ealf),Boned some whisky from the General, an' unchristianised 'isself!
Then 'e cheeked the British Consul!
Then 'e cussed the doctor's wife!
Then 'e cussed the doctor's wife!
An' 'e chased 'is good, kind tutor, with a bloomin' carvin' knife;
Tore 'is books an' burnt 'is grammar (said they wasn't good for 'ealf),
Boned some whisky from the General, an' unchristianised 'isself!
So, we're bound for Oojee-Moojee,An we mus'n't be detained;For relations dip-lo-matic'Ave become a trifle strained:'Situations complicated'—'Warship ordered to the scene!'—Just because a nigger kiddy'sPlayin' truant with the Queen!
So, we're bound for Oojee-Moojee,
An we mus'n't be detained;
For relations dip-lo-matic
'Ave become a trifle strained:
'Situations complicated'—
'Warship ordered to the scene!'—
Just because a nigger kiddy's
Playin' truant with the Queen!
THE SONG OF THE TOWN
Sing hey! for the sand-freckled plain;Sing ho! for the flower-flushed valley;A song for the ship-sprinkled main,And the sports where the wanderers rally,A song for the lawn sloping down—The lawn with its terrace and fountain,But here's a song of the square white TownBy the mist-wrapped, cloud-capped mountain!The whitewashed, square-cut town,By the grey-green wind-swept sea;The moving throng,And the motor gong,These sing the song for me!Sing hey! for the Town and its folk,The comers, the goers, the stayers;The just arrived waster, dead-broke,The homeward-bound mummers and players;The white man suspiciously dark!The trooper-man, newly recruited;The hand-bagged and frock-coated clerk,The pioneer corded and booted!The motley-peopled town!Its raw and cultured folk,Live, work, and play'Twixt Mount and Bay,And bear one equal yoke.Sing hey! for the Town, and its dress,The garbs of the twenty-one nations:The Kafir in blanket—and less,The lady in Paris 'creations';The-man-about-town, rather loud,The nigger in checks somewhat rasher;Here, fez to the turban is bow'd,There, top-hat comes off to the 'smasher.'The particoloured town,Where plush and broadcloth meet:Where Islam's greenAnd Worth-wrought sheenRub textures in the street!Sing hey! for the Town, as a town,A song of its bricks and its plaster;The slum that is mouldering down—The mansion that's rising the faster.Sing hey! for its one-storied past,Be-flagged, and be-stoeped, and be-whitened;Its five-storied future more vast,Its breadth to be broadened and heightened.The grim old, prim old town,A brand-new vestment wears,And arc-lights purrWhere blue-gums were,And the blanket-Kafir stares!
Sing hey! for the sand-freckled plain;Sing ho! for the flower-flushed valley;A song for the ship-sprinkled main,And the sports where the wanderers rally,A song for the lawn sloping down—The lawn with its terrace and fountain,But here's a song of the square white TownBy the mist-wrapped, cloud-capped mountain!
Sing hey! for the sand-freckled plain;
Sing ho! for the flower-flushed valley;
Sing ho! for the flower-flushed valley;
A song for the ship-sprinkled main,
And the sports where the wanderers rally,
And the sports where the wanderers rally,
A song for the lawn sloping down—
The lawn with its terrace and fountain,
The lawn with its terrace and fountain,
But here's a song of the square white Town
By the mist-wrapped, cloud-capped mountain!
By the mist-wrapped, cloud-capped mountain!
The whitewashed, square-cut town,By the grey-green wind-swept sea;The moving throng,And the motor gong,These sing the song for me!
The whitewashed, square-cut town,By the grey-green wind-swept sea;The moving throng,And the motor gong,
The whitewashed, square-cut town,
By the grey-green wind-swept sea;
The moving throng,And the motor gong,
The moving throng,
And the motor gong,
These sing the song for me!
Sing hey! for the Town and its folk,The comers, the goers, the stayers;The just arrived waster, dead-broke,The homeward-bound mummers and players;The white man suspiciously dark!The trooper-man, newly recruited;The hand-bagged and frock-coated clerk,The pioneer corded and booted!
Sing hey! for the Town and its folk,
The comers, the goers, the stayers;
The comers, the goers, the stayers;
The just arrived waster, dead-broke,
The homeward-bound mummers and players;
The homeward-bound mummers and players;
The white man suspiciously dark!
The trooper-man, newly recruited;
The trooper-man, newly recruited;
The hand-bagged and frock-coated clerk,
The pioneer corded and booted!
The pioneer corded and booted!
The motley-peopled town!Its raw and cultured folk,Live, work, and play'Twixt Mount and Bay,And bear one equal yoke.
The motley-peopled town!
Its raw and cultured folk,
Live, work, and play'Twixt Mount and Bay,
Live, work, and play
'Twixt Mount and Bay,
And bear one equal yoke.
Sing hey! for the Town, and its dress,The garbs of the twenty-one nations:The Kafir in blanket—and less,The lady in Paris 'creations';The-man-about-town, rather loud,The nigger in checks somewhat rasher;Here, fez to the turban is bow'd,There, top-hat comes off to the 'smasher.'
Sing hey! for the Town, and its dress,
The garbs of the twenty-one nations:
The garbs of the twenty-one nations:
The Kafir in blanket—and less,
The lady in Paris 'creations';
The lady in Paris 'creations';
The-man-about-town, rather loud,
The nigger in checks somewhat rasher;
The nigger in checks somewhat rasher;
Here, fez to the turban is bow'd,
There, top-hat comes off to the 'smasher.'
There, top-hat comes off to the 'smasher.'
The particoloured town,Where plush and broadcloth meet:Where Islam's greenAnd Worth-wrought sheenRub textures in the street!
The particoloured town,
Where plush and broadcloth meet:
Where Islam's greenAnd Worth-wrought sheen
Where Islam's green
And Worth-wrought sheen
Rub textures in the street!
Sing hey! for the Town, as a town,A song of its bricks and its plaster;The slum that is mouldering down—The mansion that's rising the faster.Sing hey! for its one-storied past,Be-flagged, and be-stoeped, and be-whitened;Its five-storied future more vast,Its breadth to be broadened and heightened.
Sing hey! for the Town, as a town,
A song of its bricks and its plaster;
A song of its bricks and its plaster;
The slum that is mouldering down—
The mansion that's rising the faster.
The mansion that's rising the faster.
Sing hey! for its one-storied past,
Be-flagged, and be-stoeped, and be-whitened;
Be-flagged, and be-stoeped, and be-whitened;
Its five-storied future more vast,
Its breadth to be broadened and heightened.
Its breadth to be broadened and heightened.
The grim old, prim old town,A brand-new vestment wears,And arc-lights purrWhere blue-gums were,And the blanket-Kafir stares!
The grim old, prim old town,
A brand-new vestment wears,
And arc-lights purrWhere blue-gums were,
And arc-lights purr
Where blue-gums were,
And the blanket-Kafir stares!
BY SIMON'S BAY
In the mountain foldBy the green-blue bay,Where the waves are fleckedBy the evening goldAt the close of day;And the berg is deckedWith a film of grey,And the mountain's frownOn the darkening town—My mem'ries stray.By the fringing beach,By the restless wave,Is the straggling town,And its limits reachFrom the highest placeBy the mountain's crownTo the mountain's base—Where the waters lave.Hopeful TownBy the Cape of Hope;By the sandy slopeWhere the Hills look down;By the wind-swept kloof—On the barrack, grim:On the whitened roof,On the garden trim:On the restless BayWhere the sea-fowl whirlsAnd the spume-dust swirlsTo the Zephyr's whim—At the close of day.Darkening Bay,Where ever layAlert to slipFrom leashes tautA blood-flecked houndIn the pale lean ship;And where the soundOf echoing boomFrom far awayIs a full-mouthed bay,As the quarry's found.Mournful bayIn green and grey,I've thought on youThis many a day.
In the mountain foldBy the green-blue bay,Where the waves are fleckedBy the evening goldAt the close of day;And the berg is deckedWith a film of grey,And the mountain's frownOn the darkening town—My mem'ries stray.
In the mountain fold
By the green-blue bay,
Where the waves are flecked
By the evening gold
At the close of day;
And the berg is decked
With a film of grey,
And the mountain's frown
On the darkening town—
My mem'ries stray.
My mem'ries stray.
By the fringing beach,By the restless wave,Is the straggling town,And its limits reachFrom the highest placeBy the mountain's crownTo the mountain's base—Where the waters lave.
By the fringing beach,
By the restless wave,
Is the straggling town,
And its limits reach
From the highest place
By the mountain's crown
To the mountain's base—
Where the waters lave.
Hopeful TownBy the Cape of Hope;By the sandy slopeWhere the Hills look down;By the wind-swept kloof—On the barrack, grim:On the whitened roof,On the garden trim:On the restless BayWhere the sea-fowl whirlsAnd the spume-dust swirlsTo the Zephyr's whim—At the close of day.
Hopeful Town
By the Cape of Hope;
By the sandy slope
Where the Hills look down;
By the wind-swept kloof—
On the barrack, grim:
On the whitened roof,
On the garden trim:
On the restless Bay
Where the sea-fowl whirls
And the spume-dust swirls
To the Zephyr's whim—
At the close of day.
Darkening Bay,Where ever layAlert to slipFrom leashes tautA blood-flecked houndIn the pale lean ship;And where the soundOf echoing boomFrom far awayIs a full-mouthed bay,As the quarry's found.Mournful bayIn green and grey,I've thought on youThis many a day.
Darkening Bay,
Where ever lay
Alert to slip
From leashes taut
A blood-flecked hound
In the pale lean ship;
And where the sound
Of echoing boom
From far away
Is a full-mouthed bay,
As the quarry's found.
Mournful bay
In green and grey,
I've thought on you
This many a day.
THE SQUIRE
Sir John of the Isles,'E stood on 'is lands,An' looked round 'is large estates:The lands of waste, an' the lands of corn;The rose-clad lands, an' the lands of thorn;An' 'is many gun guarded gates.Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to T.A.,'E sez to T.A., sez 'e,'Oh, you an' your chum, the sailor-man,Must scour the country as far as you canFor you are gamekeepers to me.'Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swells—The Downing Street frock-coated crew—'You are stewards of mine, on Colonial land,An' my tenants, with seventeen guns an' a band,Shall pay their respects unto you!'Sez John of the IslesTo one of the swells,'Near the lands where you're goin' to BeIs the dusty estate of a crotchety cuss,'Oo from time to time causes a great deal of fuss,For 'e thinks 'e's better nor me.'Sez John of the Isles,'The tenants 'e rulesAre a very peculiar lot.'Is bailifs are 'Ollanders, chock full of guile,An' they run the estate in a Guy-foxy style.Which is Dynamite, Treason and Plot!'Sez John of the Isles,'Don't mind 'is remarks,For the land which is 'is—it was mine;But 'e took it to Law in a court rather grim,An' a kopje-'id jury decided for 'im!An' awarded the land as a fine.'Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swell,'You're a gentleman, breedin' an birth,An' in case of a row, without losin' your 'ead,You may take my gamekeepers, an' mark 'is land red!On the survey-map of the Earth!'
Sir John of the Isles,'E stood on 'is lands,An' looked round 'is large estates:The lands of waste, an' the lands of corn;The rose-clad lands, an' the lands of thorn;An' 'is many gun guarded gates.
Sir John of the Isles,'E stood on 'is lands,
Sir John of the Isles,
'E stood on 'is lands,
An' looked round 'is large estates:
The lands of waste, an' the lands of corn;
The rose-clad lands, an' the lands of thorn;
An' 'is many gun guarded gates.
Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to T.A.,'E sez to T.A., sez 'e,'Oh, you an' your chum, the sailor-man,Must scour the country as far as you canFor you are gamekeepers to me.'
Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to T.A.,
Sir John of the Isles,
'E sez to T.A.,
'E sez to T.A., sez 'e,
'Oh, you an' your chum, the sailor-man,
Must scour the country as far as you can
For you are gamekeepers to me.'
Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swells—The Downing Street frock-coated crew—'You are stewards of mine, on Colonial land,An' my tenants, with seventeen guns an' a band,Shall pay their respects unto you!'
Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swells—
Sir John of the Isles,
'E sez to the swells—
The Downing Street frock-coated crew—
'You are stewards of mine, on Colonial land,
An' my tenants, with seventeen guns an' a band,
Shall pay their respects unto you!'
Sez John of the IslesTo one of the swells,'Near the lands where you're goin' to BeIs the dusty estate of a crotchety cuss,'Oo from time to time causes a great deal of fuss,For 'e thinks 'e's better nor me.'
Sez John of the IslesTo one of the swells,
Sez John of the Isles
To one of the swells,
'Near the lands where you're goin' to Be
Is the dusty estate of a crotchety cuss,
'Oo from time to time causes a great deal of fuss,
For 'e thinks 'e's better nor me.'
Sez John of the Isles,'The tenants 'e rulesAre a very peculiar lot.'Is bailifs are 'Ollanders, chock full of guile,An' they run the estate in a Guy-foxy style.Which is Dynamite, Treason and Plot!'
Sez John of the Isles,'The tenants 'e rules
Sez John of the Isles,
'The tenants 'e rules
Are a very peculiar lot.
'Is bailifs are 'Ollanders, chock full of guile,
An' they run the estate in a Guy-foxy style.
Which is Dynamite, Treason and Plot!'
Sez John of the Isles,'Don't mind 'is remarks,For the land which is 'is—it was mine;But 'e took it to Law in a court rather grim,An' a kopje-'id jury decided for 'im!An' awarded the land as a fine.'
Sez John of the Isles,'Don't mind 'is remarks,
Sez John of the Isles,
'Don't mind 'is remarks,
For the land which is 'is—it was mine;
But 'e took it to Law in a court rather grim,
An' a kopje-'id jury decided for 'im!
An' awarded the land as a fine.'
Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swell,'You're a gentleman, breedin' an birth,An' in case of a row, without losin' your 'ead,You may take my gamekeepers, an' mark 'is land red!On the survey-map of the Earth!'
Sir John of the Isles,'E sez to the swell,
Sir John of the Isles,
'E sez to the swell,
'You're a gentleman, breedin' an birth,
An' in case of a row, without losin' your 'ead,
You may take my gamekeepers, an' mark 'is land red!
On the survey-map of the Earth!'
THE SEA-NATION
We rose, a people of the sea,Nursed by the wind, and rocked by wave.Our hard, rock-founded history,Was born from stories of our brave.And northern ice-blasts steeled our framesWhen war was but the best of games.We saw a Roman Empire fall,And fell; but falling, learned to rise.We heard the voice of Progress call,And in our folly we were wise:When Briton, Saxon, Norman, Dane,Bequeathed their progeny the main.And conquered joined with conqueror;And Norman fire, with Saxon zealCombined; we swept the world beforeThe twanging bow, and clanging steel.Tyrants unmurm'ring bore our yoke,And braggarts thought before they spoke.Then Iron Might took Right to wife;And lo! our liberty was born!We revelled in the newer lifeWhen King was mated by a pawn.Men lived between, of mighty worth;From Montfort's death to Cromwell's birth.We bore the arrogance of kings,But bravèd death in fear of God.We rose from great, to greater things.The weak grew potent at our nod.And nations watched the scales of Fate,To see where England threw her weight!We took our seed to other climes,And from it sprang by divers seas,An Oak—that grew among the Limes!An Oak—among the Blue-gum trees!The Cactus left the land becauseThe Acorn brought its ordered laws.And like a giant, bearing stingsOf gnats, who joy to see him wince,We stand—the envy of the kingsDespised by every petty prince!Who know, that while enduring yet,We bear—but we do not forget.We lived, and live! The world shall seeAn inextinguishable flame.The nations fade; but we shall be!When Gaul and Teuton are a name!For us the seven seas in one:For landlocked hordes—oblivion.
We rose, a people of the sea,Nursed by the wind, and rocked by wave.Our hard, rock-founded history,Was born from stories of our brave.And northern ice-blasts steeled our framesWhen war was but the best of games.
We rose, a people of the sea,
Nursed by the wind, and rocked by wave.
Nursed by the wind, and rocked by wave.
Our hard, rock-founded history,
Was born from stories of our brave.
Was born from stories of our brave.
And northern ice-blasts steeled our frames
When war was but the best of games.
We saw a Roman Empire fall,And fell; but falling, learned to rise.We heard the voice of Progress call,And in our folly we were wise:When Briton, Saxon, Norman, Dane,Bequeathed their progeny the main.
We saw a Roman Empire fall,
And fell; but falling, learned to rise.
And fell; but falling, learned to rise.
We heard the voice of Progress call,
And in our folly we were wise:
And in our folly we were wise:
When Briton, Saxon, Norman, Dane,
Bequeathed their progeny the main.
And conquered joined with conqueror;And Norman fire, with Saxon zealCombined; we swept the world beforeThe twanging bow, and clanging steel.Tyrants unmurm'ring bore our yoke,And braggarts thought before they spoke.
And conquered joined with conqueror;
And Norman fire, with Saxon zeal
And Norman fire, with Saxon zeal
Combined; we swept the world before
The twanging bow, and clanging steel.
The twanging bow, and clanging steel.
Tyrants unmurm'ring bore our yoke,
And braggarts thought before they spoke.
Then Iron Might took Right to wife;And lo! our liberty was born!We revelled in the newer lifeWhen King was mated by a pawn.Men lived between, of mighty worth;From Montfort's death to Cromwell's birth.
Then Iron Might took Right to wife;
And lo! our liberty was born!
And lo! our liberty was born!
We revelled in the newer life
When King was mated by a pawn.
When King was mated by a pawn.
Men lived between, of mighty worth;
From Montfort's death to Cromwell's birth.
We bore the arrogance of kings,But bravèd death in fear of God.We rose from great, to greater things.The weak grew potent at our nod.And nations watched the scales of Fate,To see where England threw her weight!
We bore the arrogance of kings,
But bravèd death in fear of God.
But bravèd death in fear of God.
We rose from great, to greater things.
The weak grew potent at our nod.
The weak grew potent at our nod.
And nations watched the scales of Fate,
To see where England threw her weight!
We took our seed to other climes,And from it sprang by divers seas,An Oak—that grew among the Limes!An Oak—among the Blue-gum trees!The Cactus left the land becauseThe Acorn brought its ordered laws.
We took our seed to other climes,
And from it sprang by divers seas,
And from it sprang by divers seas,
An Oak—that grew among the Limes!
An Oak—among the Blue-gum trees!
An Oak—among the Blue-gum trees!
The Cactus left the land because
The Acorn brought its ordered laws.
And like a giant, bearing stingsOf gnats, who joy to see him wince,We stand—the envy of the kingsDespised by every petty prince!Who know, that while enduring yet,We bear—but we do not forget.
And like a giant, bearing stings
Of gnats, who joy to see him wince,
Of gnats, who joy to see him wince,
We stand—the envy of the kings
Despised by every petty prince!
Despised by every petty prince!
Who know, that while enduring yet,
We bear—but we do not forget.
We lived, and live! The world shall seeAn inextinguishable flame.The nations fade; but we shall be!When Gaul and Teuton are a name!For us the seven seas in one:For landlocked hordes—oblivion.
We lived, and live! The world shall see
An inextinguishable flame.
An inextinguishable flame.
The nations fade; but we shall be!
When Gaul and Teuton are a name!
When Gaul and Teuton are a name!
For us the seven seas in one:
For landlocked hordes—oblivion.
NATURE FAILS
You can eas'ly understandThat the green of medder-landDoesn't strike the bloke that 'as to push the roller;An' Nature at the best,When you put 'er to the test,Undiluted, is a very poor consoler.An' the blue of summer skies'As no beauties for the eyesOf defaulters on parade in marchin' order;An' the rainiest of mornsBrings no feelin's—'cept to corns,Of a feller pickin' oakum with a warder.Wot's the beauty of the spot,When you're bein' drilled with shot?Wot is Nature when you're checked for bein' dirty?An' eternity's a blankTo a feller on the crank,When ev'ry blessed minute seems like thirty!Bein' punished for your deeds,On fatig' a-pickin' weeds,Can a bloke admire the beauties of the clover?Does the sunset on the 'illsGive defaulters any thrillsExcept to know the day is nearly over.Bein' frog-marched to the clink,Does a feller stop to thinkOn the grass before 'is eyes so swif'ly runnin','Ow that ev'ry single bladeIs most wonderfully madeWiv a skill beyond all artificial cunnin'?An' you cannot pant for warsWhen you're scrubbin' barrack floors,Or get inspired on bully-beef an' biscuit:It requires a poet's soulWhen a feller's cartin' coalTo think 'isself in danger, an' to risk it.Does a feller care a D—For the friskin' of a lamb,When 'e 'as to watch the friskin' thro' a gratin'?Does the lowin' of the 'erds,Or the twitterin' of the birds,Soothe a feller when for punishment 'e's waitin'?L' ENVOIIn the deepest pits of 'Ell,Where the worst defaulters dwell(Charcoal devils used as fuel as you require 'em),There's some lovely coloured rays,Pyrotechnical displays:But you can't expect the burnin' to admire 'em!
You can eas'ly understandThat the green of medder-landDoesn't strike the bloke that 'as to push the roller;An' Nature at the best,When you put 'er to the test,Undiluted, is a very poor consoler.
You can eas'ly understandThat the green of medder-land
You can eas'ly understand
That the green of medder-land
Doesn't strike the bloke that 'as to push the roller;
An' Nature at the best,When you put 'er to the test,
An' Nature at the best,
When you put 'er to the test,
Undiluted, is a very poor consoler.
An' the blue of summer skies'As no beauties for the eyesOf defaulters on parade in marchin' order;An' the rainiest of mornsBrings no feelin's—'cept to corns,Of a feller pickin' oakum with a warder.
An' the blue of summer skies'As no beauties for the eyes
An' the blue of summer skies
'As no beauties for the eyes
Of defaulters on parade in marchin' order;
An' the rainiest of mornsBrings no feelin's—'cept to corns,
An' the rainiest of morns
Brings no feelin's—'cept to corns,
Of a feller pickin' oakum with a warder.
Wot's the beauty of the spot,When you're bein' drilled with shot?Wot is Nature when you're checked for bein' dirty?An' eternity's a blankTo a feller on the crank,When ev'ry blessed minute seems like thirty!
Wot's the beauty of the spot,When you're bein' drilled with shot?
Wot's the beauty of the spot,
When you're bein' drilled with shot?
Wot is Nature when you're checked for bein' dirty?
An' eternity's a blankTo a feller on the crank,
An' eternity's a blank
To a feller on the crank,
When ev'ry blessed minute seems like thirty!
Bein' punished for your deeds,On fatig' a-pickin' weeds,Can a bloke admire the beauties of the clover?Does the sunset on the 'illsGive defaulters any thrillsExcept to know the day is nearly over.
Bein' punished for your deeds,On fatig' a-pickin' weeds,
Bein' punished for your deeds,
On fatig' a-pickin' weeds,
Can a bloke admire the beauties of the clover?
Does the sunset on the 'illsGive defaulters any thrills
Does the sunset on the 'ills
Give defaulters any thrills
Except to know the day is nearly over.
Bein' frog-marched to the clink,Does a feller stop to thinkOn the grass before 'is eyes so swif'ly runnin','Ow that ev'ry single bladeIs most wonderfully madeWiv a skill beyond all artificial cunnin'?
Bein' frog-marched to the clink,Does a feller stop to think
Bein' frog-marched to the clink,
Does a feller stop to think
On the grass before 'is eyes so swif'ly runnin',
'Ow that ev'ry single bladeIs most wonderfully made
'Ow that ev'ry single blade
Is most wonderfully made
Wiv a skill beyond all artificial cunnin'?
An' you cannot pant for warsWhen you're scrubbin' barrack floors,Or get inspired on bully-beef an' biscuit:It requires a poet's soulWhen a feller's cartin' coalTo think 'isself in danger, an' to risk it.
An' you cannot pant for warsWhen you're scrubbin' barrack floors,
An' you cannot pant for wars
When you're scrubbin' barrack floors,
Or get inspired on bully-beef an' biscuit:
It requires a poet's soulWhen a feller's cartin' coal
It requires a poet's soul
When a feller's cartin' coal
To think 'isself in danger, an' to risk it.
Does a feller care a D—For the friskin' of a lamb,When 'e 'as to watch the friskin' thro' a gratin'?Does the lowin' of the 'erds,Or the twitterin' of the birds,Soothe a feller when for punishment 'e's waitin'?
Does a feller care a D—For the friskin' of a lamb,
Does a feller care a D—
For the friskin' of a lamb,
When 'e 'as to watch the friskin' thro' a gratin'?
Does the lowin' of the 'erds,Or the twitterin' of the birds,
Does the lowin' of the 'erds,
Or the twitterin' of the birds,
Soothe a feller when for punishment 'e's waitin'?
L' ENVOI
L' ENVOI
In the deepest pits of 'Ell,Where the worst defaulters dwell(Charcoal devils used as fuel as you require 'em),There's some lovely coloured rays,Pyrotechnical displays:But you can't expect the burnin' to admire 'em!
In the deepest pits of 'Ell,Where the worst defaulters dwell
In the deepest pits of 'Ell,
Where the worst defaulters dwell
(Charcoal devils used as fuel as you require 'em),
There's some lovely coloured rays,Pyrotechnical displays:
There's some lovely coloured rays,
Pyrotechnical displays:
But you can't expect the burnin' to admire 'em!
THE COLONEL'S GARDEN
There are gardins, an' there's gardins,Some are good, an' some are not.There are gardins in a glass 'ouseWhere the air is allus 'ot.But whether on a winder-ledge,Or in a flower-pot,I'll back our Colonel's gardinFor to lick the bilin' lot.There are gardners,an'there's gardners,Some are great, an' some are small.Some could change a bloomin' brickfieldTo a Covent Gard'n ball!There are some 'oo couldn't 'ardlyFix a creeper to a wall!But I'll back our Colonel's gardner,Jerry Jordan, 'gin 'em all!O the flowers they are lovely!An' the roses they are fair;An' the daisies they are winkin'Thro' a lash of maiden-'air!An' the lilies, tall an' naked—Tho' it's little that they care!An' the garden—under Jerry—Is a place beyond compare!There are flowers bloomin' early,There are flowers bloomin' late;There is 'oneysuckle climbin'On the porchway, by the gate.There's some cress an' mustard growin'On a commissairy plate!O the garden it is lovely—That's when Jerry's on the straight!* * * * *O the garden it's neglected.An' the pinks 'ave ceased to pink,An' the petals they are droppin',An' the blooms they bend and sink.O the flowers they are fadin'Now that Jerry's took to drink!O the flowers they're neglected—Jerry Jordan's in the clink!For the flowers will not blossom,An' they don't give out no smells,The convul'vus it is weepin'From its verigated bells.An' the lily's in hysterics,An' she faints away in spells:O there's weepin', an' there's wailin'—Jerry Jordan's doin' cells!* * * * *O the path is rolled an' gravelled,An' the gardin's fresh as rain,An' the weeds that strewed the bordersThey no longer there remain.An' the flowers they are smilin',For they're out of all their pain;An' the bees they 'um for gladness—Jerry Jordan's out again!
There are gardins, an' there's gardins,Some are good, an' some are not.There are gardins in a glass 'ouseWhere the air is allus 'ot.But whether on a winder-ledge,Or in a flower-pot,I'll back our Colonel's gardinFor to lick the bilin' lot.
There are gardins, an' there's gardins,
Some are good, an' some are not.
Some are good, an' some are not.
There are gardins in a glass 'ouse
Where the air is allus 'ot.
Where the air is allus 'ot.
But whether on a winder-ledge,
Or in a flower-pot,
Or in a flower-pot,
I'll back our Colonel's gardin
For to lick the bilin' lot.
For to lick the bilin' lot.
There are gardners,an'there's gardners,Some are great, an' some are small.Some could change a bloomin' brickfieldTo a Covent Gard'n ball!There are some 'oo couldn't 'ardlyFix a creeper to a wall!But I'll back our Colonel's gardner,Jerry Jordan, 'gin 'em all!
There are gardners,an'there's gardners,
Some are great, an' some are small.
Some are great, an' some are small.
Some could change a bloomin' brickfield
To a Covent Gard'n ball!
To a Covent Gard'n ball!
There are some 'oo couldn't 'ardly
Fix a creeper to a wall!
Fix a creeper to a wall!
But I'll back our Colonel's gardner,
Jerry Jordan, 'gin 'em all!
Jerry Jordan, 'gin 'em all!
O the flowers they are lovely!An' the roses they are fair;An' the daisies they are winkin'Thro' a lash of maiden-'air!An' the lilies, tall an' naked—Tho' it's little that they care!An' the garden—under Jerry—Is a place beyond compare!
O the flowers they are lovely!
An' the roses they are fair;
An' the roses they are fair;
An' the daisies they are winkin'
Thro' a lash of maiden-'air!
Thro' a lash of maiden-'air!
An' the lilies, tall an' naked—
Tho' it's little that they care!
Tho' it's little that they care!
An' the garden—under Jerry—
Is a place beyond compare!
Is a place beyond compare!
There are flowers bloomin' early,There are flowers bloomin' late;There is 'oneysuckle climbin'On the porchway, by the gate.
There are flowers bloomin' early,
There are flowers bloomin' late;
There are flowers bloomin' late;
There is 'oneysuckle climbin'
On the porchway, by the gate.
On the porchway, by the gate.
There's some cress an' mustard growin'On a commissairy plate!O the garden it is lovely—That's when Jerry's on the straight!* * * * *O the garden it's neglected.An' the pinks 'ave ceased to pink,An' the petals they are droppin',An' the blooms they bend and sink.O the flowers they are fadin'Now that Jerry's took to drink!O the flowers they're neglected—Jerry Jordan's in the clink!
There's some cress an' mustard growin'
On a commissairy plate!
On a commissairy plate!
On a commissairy plate!
O the garden it is lovely—
That's when Jerry's on the straight!* * * * *
That's when Jerry's on the straight!
That's when Jerry's on the straight!
* * * * *
O the garden it's neglected.
An' the pinks 'ave ceased to pink,
An' the pinks 'ave ceased to pink,
An' the pinks 'ave ceased to pink,
An' the petals they are droppin',
An' the blooms they bend and sink.
An' the blooms they bend and sink.
An' the blooms they bend and sink.
O the flowers they are fadin'
Now that Jerry's took to drink!
Now that Jerry's took to drink!
Now that Jerry's took to drink!
O the flowers they're neglected—
Jerry Jordan's in the clink!
Jerry Jordan's in the clink!
Jerry Jordan's in the clink!
For the flowers will not blossom,An' they don't give out no smells,The convul'vus it is weepin'From its verigated bells.An' the lily's in hysterics,An' she faints away in spells:O there's weepin', an' there's wailin'—Jerry Jordan's doin' cells!* * * * *O the path is rolled an' gravelled,An' the gardin's fresh as rain,An' the weeds that strewed the bordersThey no longer there remain.An' the flowers they are smilin',For they're out of all their pain;An' the bees they 'um for gladness—Jerry Jordan's out again!
For the flowers will not blossom,
An' they don't give out no smells,
An' they don't give out no smells,
An' they don't give out no smells,
The convul'vus it is weepin'
From its verigated bells.
From its verigated bells.
From its verigated bells.
An' the lily's in hysterics,
An' she faints away in spells:
An' she faints away in spells:
An' she faints away in spells:
O there's weepin', an' there's wailin'—
Jerry Jordan's doin' cells!* * * * *
Jerry Jordan's doin' cells!
Jerry Jordan's doin' cells!
* * * * *
O the path is rolled an' gravelled,
An' the gardin's fresh as rain,
An' the gardin's fresh as rain,
An' the gardin's fresh as rain,
An' the weeds that strewed the borders
They no longer there remain.
They no longer there remain.
They no longer there remain.
An' the flowers they are smilin',
For they're out of all their pain;
For they're out of all their pain;
For they're out of all their pain;
An' the bees they 'um for gladness—
Jerry Jordan's out again!
Jerry Jordan's out again!
Jerry Jordan's out again!
THE PEOPLE TO CECIL JOHN RHODES,
JULY 18, 1899
By the bond that binds the scattered folk to home,We have come.By the love to dear old England which you bear—And we share,By the knowledge of the Empire you extend—Britain's friend!—We are gathered, many thousand people, toWelcome you!We are strangers drawn together by one tie,They and I,Merely men who, having never met before,Meet no more!But a common cause has bridged the social breach,Each to eachHas one soft word of fellowship to say,Here to-day.If you search among our numbers you will findEvery kind:Dutchman, Briton, 'Africander,' and MalayIn array;Christian, Mussulman, and he of Abram's seed—Every creed:With the worshippers ofSakyanumi'smud—Mighty Budh.But if every heart was melted, and when doneMoulded one—If a welcome in a polyglotic tongueCould be sung—If one voice could speak our sentiments to-day,We would say,Very simply: 'We are glad that you are come—Welcome home!'We have followed you, and watched your noble standFor your land.And your triumphs and your greatly troubled hours.Have been ours:And our sympathetic wishes for your cause,Have been yours:Since the day on which you left us to go forth,'For my North!'We have followed you through many foreign ways,In these days.By the Nilus, on the Desert, new surveyed,You have strayed:By the Pyramids and palms of Cairo town,Parched and brown:By the quiet shades of Oxford, prim and green,You have been.In the stately city hall, in spirit weCame to seeThe cheering thousands testify belief,In their Chief.In the regal courts of Potsdam, at your sideWe were tied,By the tighter bond than kinship ever drew—-We and you!If our hearts in concord melted and were runInto one!If a welcome in a polyglotic tongue.Could be sung:If two words could voice our sentiments to-day,We would say—Very simply, being glad that you are come—'Welcome home!'
By the bond that binds the scattered folk to home,We have come.By the love to dear old England which you bear—And we share,By the knowledge of the Empire you extend—Britain's friend!—We are gathered, many thousand people, toWelcome you!
By the bond that binds the scattered folk to home,
We have come.
We have come.
By the love to dear old England which you bear—
And we share,
And we share,
By the knowledge of the Empire you extend—
Britain's friend!—
Britain's friend!—
We are gathered, many thousand people, to
Welcome you!
Welcome you!
We are strangers drawn together by one tie,They and I,Merely men who, having never met before,Meet no more!But a common cause has bridged the social breach,Each to eachHas one soft word of fellowship to say,Here to-day.
We are strangers drawn together by one tie,
They and I,
They and I,
Merely men who, having never met before,
Meet no more!
Meet no more!
But a common cause has bridged the social breach,
Each to each
Each to each
Has one soft word of fellowship to say,
Here to-day.
Here to-day.
If you search among our numbers you will findEvery kind:Dutchman, Briton, 'Africander,' and MalayIn array;Christian, Mussulman, and he of Abram's seed—Every creed:With the worshippers ofSakyanumi'smud—Mighty Budh.
If you search among our numbers you will find
Every kind:
Every kind:
Dutchman, Briton, 'Africander,' and Malay
In array;
In array;
Christian, Mussulman, and he of Abram's seed—
Every creed:
Every creed:
With the worshippers ofSakyanumi'smud—
Mighty Budh.
Mighty Budh.
But if every heart was melted, and when doneMoulded one—If a welcome in a polyglotic tongueCould be sung—If one voice could speak our sentiments to-day,We would say,Very simply: 'We are glad that you are come—Welcome home!'
But if every heart was melted, and when done
Moulded one—
Moulded one—
If a welcome in a polyglotic tongue
Could be sung—
Could be sung—
If one voice could speak our sentiments to-day,
We would say,
We would say,
Very simply: 'We are glad that you are come—
Welcome home!'
Welcome home!'
We have followed you, and watched your noble standFor your land.And your triumphs and your greatly troubled hours.Have been ours:And our sympathetic wishes for your cause,Have been yours:Since the day on which you left us to go forth,'For my North!'
We have followed you, and watched your noble stand
For your land.
For your land.
And your triumphs and your greatly troubled hours.
Have been ours:
Have been ours:
And our sympathetic wishes for your cause,
Have been yours:
Have been yours:
Since the day on which you left us to go forth,
'For my North!'
'For my North!'
We have followed you through many foreign ways,In these days.By the Nilus, on the Desert, new surveyed,You have strayed:By the Pyramids and palms of Cairo town,Parched and brown:By the quiet shades of Oxford, prim and green,You have been.
We have followed you through many foreign ways,
In these days.
In these days.
In these days.
By the Nilus, on the Desert, new surveyed,
You have strayed:
You have strayed:
You have strayed:
By the Pyramids and palms of Cairo town,
Parched and brown:
Parched and brown:
Parched and brown:
By the quiet shades of Oxford, prim and green,
You have been.
You have been.
In the stately city hall, in spirit weCame to seeThe cheering thousands testify belief,In their Chief.In the regal courts of Potsdam, at your sideWe were tied,By the tighter bond than kinship ever drew—-We and you!
In the stately city hall, in spirit we
Came to see
Came to see
The cheering thousands testify belief,
In their Chief.
In their Chief.
In the regal courts of Potsdam, at your side
We were tied,
We were tied,
By the tighter bond than kinship ever drew—-
We and you!
We and you!
If our hearts in concord melted and were runInto one!If a welcome in a polyglotic tongue.Could be sung:If two words could voice our sentiments to-day,We would say—Very simply, being glad that you are come—'Welcome home!'
If our hearts in concord melted and were run
Into one!
Into one!
If a welcome in a polyglotic tongue.
Could be sung:
Could be sung:
If two words could voice our sentiments to-day,
We would say—
We would say—
Very simply, being glad that you are come—
'Welcome home!'
'Welcome home!'
WHEN LONDON CALLS!
There's a voice that calls to Mecca, there's a voice that calls to Rome.(O the Holiest of Holies! O the Temple and the Shrine!)There's a bleating from a pasture, and it calls a wand'rer home.(O the friskings of the yearlings, and the lowing of the kine!)There's a penetrating whisper that can rise above the galeFrom the cot of thatch and plaster, from the oaken-gabled hall,From the limpid lake of silver in the verdant velvet vale,From the shamrock and the heather,Hear the call!There's a voice that calls the waster, when the doors of home are shut.(O the voice of club and chamber, and the arc-light burning blue!)There's a voice that calls the trooper in his daub and wattle hut.(O the midnight cabs that rattle from the Strand to Waterloo!)There's a voice for ever calling from the Square and from the Slum,From the Hornsey Rise to Brixton, from St. Saviour's to St. Paul's.'Tis the never-changing message of the everlasting 'Come'To the brick and to the mortar.London calls!You may still the voice of conscience, and suppress the blush of shame.(O the deed that made you outlaw! O the folly and the sin!)But never man ignored it when the call to London came.(The call from belfry tower! O the clanging, banging din!)'Tis the wooded green of Greenwich with the deer among the fern.'Tis the bleak, blank streets of Lambeth, where thedrizzling fog-mist falls.It's a weary aching whisper, and it murmurs, 'O returnTo the Elegance, the Squalor.London calls!''Tis the swelling roar of Epsom, with the backers seven deep.(O the rush around the Corner, and the finish on the Straight!)'Tis the tinkling hum of Henley as it snuggles down to sleep.(O the light-lined laughing river, with its fairy-fancied féte!)'Tis the growl of Ratcliffe Highway, 'tis the lisp of Rotten Row;'Tis the beauty that entrances, 'tis the horror that appals;'Tis the firemen's horses tearing to the midnight sky aglow;It's a vague and restless—something.London calls!It is early morning Fleet Street, when the throbbing presses fly.(O the Father of the Chapel! O the ticking, talking tape!)'Tis the universal High Street, where the world may see and buy.(O the steamboat of Newcastle! O the feather of the Cape!)'Tis the heart of all creation, where the veins of commerce meet;'Tis the centre seat in gall'ry, 'tis the booked and numbered stalls;'Tis the barrow in Whitechapel, 'tis the brougham in Regent Street;'Tis the Commonplace—the Novel.London calls!'Tis the glitter and the jingle on the Foreign Office stairs.(O the starred and gartered Levee! O the Rulers of the Land!)'Tis the crowd about the stretcher and the burden that it bears.(O the ward in darkened silence! O the swiftly running sand!)'Tis the message of the letter, 'tis the message of the wire;'Tis the dainty hand that types it, 'tis the awkward fist that scrawls;'Tis the memory that sickens, 'tis the thought that burns 'like fire;'Tis the life that's worth the living!London calls!'Tis the cheering of the Commons and the cry of 'Who goes home?'(O the bell that rings Division! O the seat beneath the card!)'Tis the choir-boys' voices rising to the lofty, painted dome.(O the flutter of the pigeons in the flagged and mossy yard!)'Tis the Sabbath bells that echo down the silent city streets;'Tis the Steel inside the Velvet! 'Tis the stroking hand that mauls!'Tis the Tutor, it's the Master. It prepares and it completes!It is London—and it's LONDON!And it calls!
There's a voice that calls to Mecca, there's a voice that calls to Rome.(O the Holiest of Holies! O the Temple and the Shrine!)There's a bleating from a pasture, and it calls a wand'rer home.(O the friskings of the yearlings, and the lowing of the kine!)There's a penetrating whisper that can rise above the galeFrom the cot of thatch and plaster, from the oaken-gabled hall,From the limpid lake of silver in the verdant velvet vale,From the shamrock and the heather,Hear the call!
There's a voice that calls to Mecca, there's a voice that calls to Rome.
(O the Holiest of Holies! O the Temple and the Shrine!)
There's a bleating from a pasture, and it calls a wand'rer home.
(O the friskings of the yearlings, and the lowing of the kine!)
There's a penetrating whisper that can rise above the gale
From the cot of thatch and plaster, from the oaken-gabled hall,
From the limpid lake of silver in the verdant velvet vale,
From the shamrock and the heather,
Hear the call!
Hear the call!
There's a voice that calls the waster, when the doors of home are shut.(O the voice of club and chamber, and the arc-light burning blue!)There's a voice that calls the trooper in his daub and wattle hut.(O the midnight cabs that rattle from the Strand to Waterloo!)There's a voice for ever calling from the Square and from the Slum,From the Hornsey Rise to Brixton, from St. Saviour's to St. Paul's.'Tis the never-changing message of the everlasting 'Come'To the brick and to the mortar.London calls!
There's a voice that calls the waster, when the doors of home are shut.
(O the voice of club and chamber, and the arc-light burning blue!)
There's a voice that calls the trooper in his daub and wattle hut.
(O the midnight cabs that rattle from the Strand to Waterloo!)
There's a voice for ever calling from the Square and from the Slum,
From the Hornsey Rise to Brixton, from St. Saviour's to St. Paul's.
'Tis the never-changing message of the everlasting 'Come'
To the brick and to the mortar.
London calls!
London calls!
You may still the voice of conscience, and suppress the blush of shame.(O the deed that made you outlaw! O the folly and the sin!)But never man ignored it when the call to London came.(The call from belfry tower! O the clanging, banging din!)'Tis the wooded green of Greenwich with the deer among the fern.'Tis the bleak, blank streets of Lambeth, where thedrizzling fog-mist falls.It's a weary aching whisper, and it murmurs, 'O returnTo the Elegance, the Squalor.London calls!'
You may still the voice of conscience, and suppress the blush of shame.
(O the deed that made you outlaw! O the folly and the sin!)
But never man ignored it when the call to London came.
(The call from belfry tower! O the clanging, banging din!)
'Tis the wooded green of Greenwich with the deer among the fern.
'Tis the bleak, blank streets of Lambeth, where the
drizzling fog-mist falls.
drizzling fog-mist falls.
It's a weary aching whisper, and it murmurs, 'O return
To the Elegance, the Squalor.
London calls!'
London calls!'
'Tis the swelling roar of Epsom, with the backers seven deep.(O the rush around the Corner, and the finish on the Straight!)'Tis the tinkling hum of Henley as it snuggles down to sleep.(O the light-lined laughing river, with its fairy-fancied féte!)'Tis the growl of Ratcliffe Highway, 'tis the lisp of Rotten Row;'Tis the beauty that entrances, 'tis the horror that appals;'Tis the firemen's horses tearing to the midnight sky aglow;It's a vague and restless—something.London calls!
'Tis the swelling roar of Epsom, with the backers seven deep.
(O the rush around the Corner, and the finish on the Straight!)
'Tis the tinkling hum of Henley as it snuggles down to sleep.
(O the light-lined laughing river, with its fairy-fancied féte!)
'Tis the growl of Ratcliffe Highway, 'tis the lisp of Rotten Row;
'Tis the beauty that entrances, 'tis the horror that appals;
'Tis the firemen's horses tearing to the midnight sky aglow;
It's a vague and restless—something.
London calls!
London calls!
It is early morning Fleet Street, when the throbbing presses fly.(O the Father of the Chapel! O the ticking, talking tape!)'Tis the universal High Street, where the world may see and buy.(O the steamboat of Newcastle! O the feather of the Cape!)'Tis the heart of all creation, where the veins of commerce meet;'Tis the centre seat in gall'ry, 'tis the booked and numbered stalls;'Tis the barrow in Whitechapel, 'tis the brougham in Regent Street;'Tis the Commonplace—the Novel.London calls!
It is early morning Fleet Street, when the throbbing presses fly.
(O the Father of the Chapel! O the ticking, talking tape!)
'Tis the universal High Street, where the world may see and buy.
(O the steamboat of Newcastle! O the feather of the Cape!)
'Tis the heart of all creation, where the veins of commerce meet;
'Tis the centre seat in gall'ry, 'tis the booked and numbered stalls;
'Tis the barrow in Whitechapel, 'tis the brougham in Regent Street;
'Tis the Commonplace—the Novel.
London calls!
London calls!
'Tis the glitter and the jingle on the Foreign Office stairs.(O the starred and gartered Levee! O the Rulers of the Land!)'Tis the crowd about the stretcher and the burden that it bears.(O the ward in darkened silence! O the swiftly running sand!)'Tis the message of the letter, 'tis the message of the wire;'Tis the dainty hand that types it, 'tis the awkward fist that scrawls;'Tis the memory that sickens, 'tis the thought that burns 'like fire;'Tis the life that's worth the living!London calls!
'Tis the glitter and the jingle on the Foreign Office stairs.
(O the starred and gartered Levee! O the Rulers of the Land!)
'Tis the crowd about the stretcher and the burden that it bears.
(O the ward in darkened silence! O the swiftly running sand!)
'Tis the message of the letter, 'tis the message of the wire;
'Tis the dainty hand that types it, 'tis the awkward fist that scrawls;
'Tis the memory that sickens, 'tis the thought that burns 'like fire;
'Tis the life that's worth the living!
London calls!
London calls!
'Tis the cheering of the Commons and the cry of 'Who goes home?'(O the bell that rings Division! O the seat beneath the card!)'Tis the choir-boys' voices rising to the lofty, painted dome.(O the flutter of the pigeons in the flagged and mossy yard!)'Tis the Sabbath bells that echo down the silent city streets;'Tis the Steel inside the Velvet! 'Tis the stroking hand that mauls!'Tis the Tutor, it's the Master. It prepares and it completes!It is London—and it's LONDON!And it calls!
'Tis the cheering of the Commons and the cry of 'Who goes home?'
(O the bell that rings Division! O the seat beneath the card!)
'Tis the choir-boys' voices rising to the lofty, painted dome.
(O the flutter of the pigeons in the flagged and mossy yard!)
'Tis the Sabbath bells that echo down the silent city streets;
'Tis the Steel inside the Velvet! 'Tis the stroking hand that mauls!
'Tis the Tutor, it's the Master. It prepares and it completes!
It is London—and it's LONDON!
And it calls!
And it calls!
CAIROWARDS
Going up—and by all one man's will!Untrodden lands shall echo with our roars,Our engines' wheels shall break the mountains' still,Uncharted rivers see us by their shores;And where the lions drink, and panthers prey,Shall lie the ballast of our iron-bound way.Going up! Primæval forest, whereThe Bushman lurks with poison at his lips,Must give its best, and all its treasures bare,When our iron-monster in its hollows dips;And caves, from which the cobra issues forth,Shall be a Somewhere Junction—for the North.Going up! Eternal snows, that crownThe lonely summits of the lordly hills,Shall look upon our laboured paths, and frownUpon the girdered bridge that spans their rills;But, clinging to the slope, with scanty hold,The road shall be unfastened, fold by fold.Going up! The stifling winds that blowAcross the sweep of fiery desert wasteShall clog and cloy our workings as we go,And strive to check us in our desp'rate haste,With sand that holds us in its shifting clutch—And iron and brass shall blister to the touch.Going up! The Nile in sullen wrathShall rise and smite the sleeper from the rail,And say: 'Behold the Mistress of the North!Who does not let the work of man prevail!'But patient man shall strive against her mightUntil the palms of Cairo are in sight!
Going up—and by all one man's will!Untrodden lands shall echo with our roars,Our engines' wheels shall break the mountains' still,Uncharted rivers see us by their shores;And where the lions drink, and panthers prey,Shall lie the ballast of our iron-bound way.
Going up—and by all one man's will!
Untrodden lands shall echo with our roars,
Untrodden lands shall echo with our roars,
Our engines' wheels shall break the mountains' still,
Uncharted rivers see us by their shores;
Uncharted rivers see us by their shores;
And where the lions drink, and panthers prey,
Shall lie the ballast of our iron-bound way.
Going up! Primæval forest, whereThe Bushman lurks with poison at his lips,Must give its best, and all its treasures bare,When our iron-monster in its hollows dips;And caves, from which the cobra issues forth,Shall be a Somewhere Junction—for the North.
Going up! Primæval forest, where
The Bushman lurks with poison at his lips,
The Bushman lurks with poison at his lips,
Must give its best, and all its treasures bare,
When our iron-monster in its hollows dips;
When our iron-monster in its hollows dips;
And caves, from which the cobra issues forth,
Shall be a Somewhere Junction—for the North.
Going up! Eternal snows, that crownThe lonely summits of the lordly hills,Shall look upon our laboured paths, and frownUpon the girdered bridge that spans their rills;But, clinging to the slope, with scanty hold,The road shall be unfastened, fold by fold.
Going up! Eternal snows, that crown
The lonely summits of the lordly hills,
The lonely summits of the lordly hills,
Shall look upon our laboured paths, and frown
Upon the girdered bridge that spans their rills;
Upon the girdered bridge that spans their rills;
But, clinging to the slope, with scanty hold,
The road shall be unfastened, fold by fold.
Going up! The stifling winds that blowAcross the sweep of fiery desert wasteShall clog and cloy our workings as we go,And strive to check us in our desp'rate haste,With sand that holds us in its shifting clutch—And iron and brass shall blister to the touch.
Going up! The stifling winds that blow
Across the sweep of fiery desert waste
Across the sweep of fiery desert waste
Shall clog and cloy our workings as we go,
And strive to check us in our desp'rate haste,
And strive to check us in our desp'rate haste,
With sand that holds us in its shifting clutch—
And iron and brass shall blister to the touch.
Going up! The Nile in sullen wrathShall rise and smite the sleeper from the rail,And say: 'Behold the Mistress of the North!Who does not let the work of man prevail!'But patient man shall strive against her mightUntil the palms of Cairo are in sight!
Going up! The Nile in sullen wrath
Shall rise and smite the sleeper from the rail,
Shall rise and smite the sleeper from the rail,
And say: 'Behold the Mistress of the North!
Who does not let the work of man prevail!'
Who does not let the work of man prevail!'
But patient man shall strive against her might
Until the palms of Cairo are in sight!
ODE TO THE OPENING OF THE SOUTHAFRICAN EXHIBITION, 1898
Father of all!Robèd in splendour,Thou who dost wieldAlmighty power,All things are thine,Fruitage and flower—Cattle and kine—Vineyard and field!Hear, when we call.Praising the Sender!Father of all!Strong to deliver!Here, do we place,Down at Thy feet,Fruits of our hands—Trophies of wheat,Won from Thy lands—Trophies of chase.Hear, when we call,Praising the Giver!Father of all!Weaver and fuller;Craftsman and herd;Chapman and knave;Worker and drone;Headman and slave,Worship a-prone—Bow to Thy word!Hear Thou our call,Praising the Ruler!Father of all!Billow and breakerSink to Thy nod!Here, have we brought,That which we found,That which we wrought,Drawn from Thy ground,Culled from Thy sod.Hear, when we call,Praising the Maker!Father of all!Thine is the storyWritten in space!What Thou hast madeKnows not of death.Let us not fade,Catching Thy breath,Live by Thy grace!Hear Thou our call,Thine is the Glory!
Father of all!Robèd in splendour,Thou who dost wieldAlmighty power,All things are thine,Fruitage and flower—Cattle and kine—Vineyard and field!Hear, when we call.Praising the Sender!
Father of all!
Robèd in splendour,
Thou who dost wield
Almighty power,
All things are thine,
Fruitage and flower—
Cattle and kine—
Vineyard and field!
Hear, when we call.
Praising the Sender!
Father of all!Strong to deliver!Here, do we place,Down at Thy feet,Fruits of our hands—Trophies of wheat,Won from Thy lands—Trophies of chase.Hear, when we call,Praising the Giver!
Father of all!
Strong to deliver!
Here, do we place,
Down at Thy feet,
Fruits of our hands—
Trophies of wheat,
Won from Thy lands—
Trophies of chase.
Hear, when we call,
Praising the Giver!
Father of all!Weaver and fuller;Craftsman and herd;Chapman and knave;Worker and drone;Headman and slave,Worship a-prone—Bow to Thy word!Hear Thou our call,Praising the Ruler!
Father of all!
Weaver and fuller;
Craftsman and herd;
Chapman and knave;
Worker and drone;
Headman and slave,
Worship a-prone—
Bow to Thy word!
Hear Thou our call,
Praising the Ruler!
Father of all!Billow and breakerSink to Thy nod!Here, have we brought,That which we found,That which we wrought,Drawn from Thy ground,Culled from Thy sod.Hear, when we call,Praising the Maker!
Father of all!
Billow and breaker
Sink to Thy nod!
Here, have we brought,
That which we found,
That which we wrought,
Drawn from Thy ground,
Culled from Thy sod.
Hear, when we call,
Praising the Maker!
Father of all!Thine is the storyWritten in space!What Thou hast madeKnows not of death.Let us not fade,Catching Thy breath,Live by Thy grace!Hear Thou our call,Thine is the Glory!
Father of all!
Thine is the story
Written in space!
What Thou hast made
Knows not of death.
Let us not fade,
Catching Thy breath,
Live by Thy grace!
Hear Thou our call,
Thine is the Glory!