Quaff a cup and send a cheer up for the Old Land!
We have heard the Reapers shout
For the Harvest going out,
Seen the smoke of battle closing round the bold Land;
And our answer shall be hurled
Ringing right across the world,--
All true hearts are beating for you in the Gold Land.
AUSTRALIA SPEAKS.
BY GERALD MASSEY.
What is the News to-day, Boys?
Have they fired the Signal gun?
We answer but one way, Boys;
We are ready for the fray, Boys,
All ready and all one!
They shall not say we boasted
Of deeds that would be done;
Or sat at home and toasted:
We are marshall'd, drilled, and posted,
All ready and all one!
We are not as driven cattle
That would the conflict shun.
They have to test our mettle
As _Volunteers_ of Battle,
All ready and all one!
The life-streams of the Mother
Through all her youngsters run,
And brother stands by brother,
To die with one another,
All ready and all one!
AN IMPERIAL REPLY.
BY GERALD MASSEY.
'Tis glorious, when the thing to do
Is at the supreme instant done!
We count your first fore-running few
A thousand men for every one!
For this true stroke of statesmanship--
The best Australian poem yet--
Old England gives your hand the grip,
And binds you with a coronet,
In which the gold o' the Wattle glows
With Shamrock, Thistle, and the Rose.
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