They talked of England growing old,
They said she spoke with feeble voice;
But hear the virile answer rolled
Across the world! Behold her Boys
Come back to her full-statured Men,
To make four-square her fighting ranks.
She feels her youth renewed again,
With heart too full for aught but "Thanks!"
And now the gold o' the Wattle glows
With Shamrock, Thistle, and the Rose.
"My Boys have come of age to-day,"
The proud old mother smiling said.
"They write a brand-new page to-day,
By far-off futures to be read!"
Throughout all lands of British blood,
This stroke hath kindled such a glow;
The Federal links of Brotherhood
Are clasped and welded at a blow.
And aye the gold o' the Wattle glows
With Shamrock, Thistle, and the Rose.
THE BOYS' RETURN.
BY GERALD MASSEY.
Wives, mothers, sweethearts sent
Their dearest; waved their own defenders forth;
And, fit companions for the bravest, went
The Boys, to test their manhood, prove their worth.
As Sons of those who braved
All dangers; to Earth's ends our Flag unfurled,
The old pioneers of Ocean, who have paved
Our pathway with their bones around the world!
To-day the City waits,
Proudly a-throb with life about to be:
She welcomes her young warriors in her gates
Of glory, opened to them by the Sea.
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