Henry Lawson

The fields are fair in autumn yet, and the sun's still shining there,
But we bow our heads and we brood and fret, because of the masks we wear;
Or we nod and smile the social while, and we say we're doing well,
But we break our hear...

I
TE this grinding poverty— To toil, and pinch, and borrow,
And be for ever haunted by The spectre of to-morrow
It breaks the strong heart of a man, It crushes out his spirit—Do what he will, do what he can, However high his merit...

I am back from up the country — very sorry that I went — Seeking for the Southern poets' land whereon to pitch my tent;
I have lost a lot of idols, which were broken on the track,
Burnt a lot of fancy verses, and I'm glad that I am back<...

The squatter saw his pastures wide Decrease, as one by one The farmers moving to the west Selected on his run;
Selectors took the water up And all the black soil round;
The best grass-land the squatter had Was spoilt by Ross's Ground

Day of ending for beginnings
Ocean hath another innings,     Ocean hath another score;
And the surges sing his winnings,
And the surges shout his winnings,

The centuries found me to nations unknown – My people have crowned me and made me a throne;
My royal regalia is love, truth, and light – A girl called Australia – I've come to my right
Though no fields of conquest grew red at my birth,

A son of elder sons I am, Whose boyhood days were cramped and scant,
Through ages of domestic sham And family lies and family cant
Come, elder brothers mine, and bring Dull loads of care that you have won,
And gather round me while ...