SydneyPrefaceTheEditorhasendeavouredtomakethisselectionrepresentativeofthebestshortpoemswrittenbyAustraliansorinspiredbyAustraliansceneryandconditionsoflife，——\"Australian\"inthisconnectionbeingusedtoincludeNewZealand。Thearrangementisasnearlyaspossiblechronological；andtheappendixcontainsbriefbiographicalparticularsoftheauthors，togetherwithnoteswhichmaybeusefultoreadersoutsideAustralia。
TheEditorthanksMessrs。H。H。Champion，HenryGylesTurner，E。B。Loughran，A。BrazierandWalterMurdochMelbourne，Mr。SydneyJephcottUpperMurray，Vic。，Mr。Fred。JohnsAdelaide，Mr。ThomasCottleAuckland，Mr。J。C。AndersenChristchurch，Messrs。DavidScottMitchell，AlfredLee，A。W。Jose，andJ。LeGayBreretonSydney，fortheirgeneroushelp。
Mr。DouglasSladen\'santhologies，Messrs。TurnerandSutherland\'s\"DevelopmentofAustralianLiterature\"，and`TheBulletin\'havealsofurnishedmuchusefulinformation。
ContentsIntroductionWilliamCharlesWentworth。
Australasia\"Australasia:aPoem\"
CharlesHarpur。
LoveWordsACoastView\"Poems\"
WilliamForster。
`TheLoveinherEyeslaySleeping\'
\"Midas\"
JamesLionelMichael。
`ThroughPleasantPaths\'
\"JohnCumberland\"
PersonalityPeriodicalSydney，1858
DanielHenryDeniehy。
LoveinaCottageASongfortheNightPeriodicalSydney，1847
RichardRowe。
SuperstitesRosaeSoulFerry\"Peter\'Possum\'sPortfolio\"
SirHenryParkes。
TheBuriedChief\"FragmentaryThoughts\"
ThomasAlexanderBrowne`RolfBoldrewood\'。
Perdita\"OldMelbourneMemories\"
AdamLindsayGordon。
ADedication\"BushBalladsandGallopingRhymes\"
Thora\'sSong\"Ashtaroth:ADramaticLyric\"
TheSickStock-rider\"BushBalladsandGallopingRhymes\"
HenryKendall。
PrefatorySonnetsSeptemberinAustraliaRoseLorraine\"LeavesfromAustralianForests\"
ToaMountainAraluenAfterManyYearsHy-Brasil\"SongsfromtheMountains\"
OutreMer\"Poems\"
MarcusClarke。
TheSongofTigilau\"AustralEditionofthecollectedWorksofMarcusClarke\"
PatrickMoloney。
Melbourne\"AnEasterOmelette\"Melbourne，1879
AlfredDomett。
AnInvitationAMaoriGirl\'sSong\"RanolfandAmohia\"
JamesBruntonStephens。
TheDominionofAustraliaTheDarkCompanion\"MiscellaneousPoems\"
DayNight\"ConvictOnce\"
ThomasBracken。
NotUnderstoodSpiritofSong\"MusingsinMaoriland\"
AdaCambridge。
WhatoftheNight？
Good-byeTheVirginMartyrHonourDespairFaithManuscriptAlexanderBathgate。
TheClematis\"FarSouthFancies\"
PhilipJosephHoldsworth。
QuisSeparabit？
ManuscriptMyQueenofDreams\"StationHuntingontheWarrego\"
MaryHannayFoott。
WherethePelicanBuildsNewCountryNoMessageHappyDays\"MornaLeeandotherPoems\"
HenryLeaTwisleton。
ToaCabbageRose\"Poems\"
Mrs。JamesGlennyWilson。
FairylandAWinterDaybreakTheLark\'sSong\"ABookofVerses\"
EdwardBoothLoughran。
DeadLeavesIsolationIshmonie\"\'NeathAustralSkies\"
JohnLiddellKelly。
ImmortalityHeredity\"HeatherandFern\"
RobertRichardson。
ABalladeofWattleBlossomASong\"WillowandWattle\"
JamesListerCuthbertson。
AustraliaFederataAtCapeSchanck\"BarwonBallads\"
WattleandMyrtlePeriodicalMelbourne
TheAustralianSunrisePeriodicalGeelong
JohnFarrell。
AustraliatoEnglandPeriodicalSydney，1897
ArthurPatchettMartin。
Bushland\"TheWitheredJester，andotherVerses\"
DouglasBrookeWheeltonSladen。
UndertheWattlePeriodical1888
VictorJamesDaley。
PlayersPeriodicalSydney，1900
AnnaPeriodicalSydney，1902
TheNightRideManuscriptAliceWerner。
BannermanoftheDandenong\"ATimeandTimes\"
EthelCastilla。
AnAustralianGirlASongofSydney\"TheAustralianGirl，andotherVerses\"
FrancisWilliamLauderdaleAdams。
SomethingGordon\'sGraveToA。L。Gordon\"PoeticalWorks\"
LoveandDeathManuscriptThomasWilliamHeney。
Absence\"InMiddleHarbour，andotherVerse\"
ARiverinaRoadPeriodicalSydney，1891
PatrickEdwardQuinn。
AGirl\'sGravePeriodicalSydney，1889
JohnSandes。
`WithDeath\'sPropheticEar\'
\"BalladsofBattle\"
InezK。Hyland。
ToaWaveBreadandWine\"InSunshineandinShadow\"
GeorgeEssexEvans。
AnAustralianSymphonyANocturneAPastoral\"Loraine，andotherVerses\"
TheWomenoftheWestPeriodicalMelbourne
MaryColborne-Veel。
`WhatLookhathShe？\'
SaturdayNight`Resurgam\'
\"TheFairestoftheAngels，andotherVerse\"
DistantAuthorsPeriodicalLondon
JohnBernardO\'Hara。
HappyCreekACountryVillageFlinders\"LyricsofNature\"
M。A。Sinclair。
TheChatelainePeriodicalDunedin，N。Z。
SydneyJephcott。
ChaucerWhitePaperSplitting\"TheSecretsoftheSouth\"
Home-woeABalladofthelastKingofThuleAFragmentManuscriptAndrewBartonPaterson`Banjo\'。
TheDaylightisDyingClancyoftheOverflowBlackSwansTheTravellingPostOffice\"TheManfromSnowyRiver\"
TheOldAustralianWaysBytheGreyGulf-Water\"RioGrande\'sLastRace，andotherVerses\"
JessieMackay。
TheGreyCompanyAFolkSongDunedinintheGloamingTheBurialofSirJohnMackenziePeriodicalDunedin，N。Z。
HenryLawson。
Andy\'sgonewithCattleOutBackTheStarofAustralasiaMiddleton\'sRouseaboutTheVagabondTheSliprailsandtheSpur\"IntheDayswhentheWorldwasWide，andotherVerses\"
ArthurAlbertDawsonBayldon。
SunsetTheSeaToPoesy\"TheWesternTrack，andotherVerses\"
JenningsCarmichael。
AnOldBushRoadAWoman\'sMood\"Poems\"
AgnesL。Storrie。
TwentyGallonsofSleepAConfession\"Poems\"
MarthaM。Simpson。
ToanOldGrammarPeriodicalSydney
WilliamGay。
Primroses\"ChristonOlympus，andotherPoems\"
ToM。
VestigiaNullaRetrorsum\"Sonnets\"
EdwardDyson。
TheOldWhimHorse\"RhymesfromtheMines，andotherLines\"
DowellO\'Reilly。
TheSea-MaidenPeriodicalSydney，1895
DavidMacDonaldRoss。
Love\'sTreasureHouseTheSeatotheShellTheSilentTideTheWatchonDeckAutumn\"TheAfterGlow\"
MaryGilmore。
ALittleGhostPeriodicalOrange，N。S。W。
Good-NightPeriodicalBrisbane
BernardO\'Dowd。
Love\'sSubstituteOurDutyManuscriptEdwinJamesBrady。
TheWardensoftheSeasManuscriptWill。H。Ogilvie。
QueenslandOpalPeriodicalLondon
Windo\'theAutumnPeriodicalLondon
DaffodilsPeriodicalEdinburgh
AQueenofYorePeriodicalSydney
DroughtPeriodicalLondon
TheShadowontheBlindPeriodicalLondon
RodericQuinn。
TheHouseoftheCommonwealthPeriodicalSydney
TheLotus-FlowerManuscriptDavidMcKeeWright。
AnOldColonist\'sReverie\"StationBallads，andotherVerses\"
ChristopherJohnBrennan。
Romance\"XXIPoems:TowardstheSource\"
PoppiesManuscriptJohnLeGayBrereton。
TheSeaMaid\"Oithona\"
Home\"SeaandSky\"
WilfredPeriodicalSydney
ArthurH。Adams。
Bayswater，W。
ManuscriptBondStreetPeriodicalLondon
EthelTurner。
ATremblingStar`Oh，ifthatRainbowupthere!\'
\"GumLeaves\"
JohannesCarlAndersen。
Soft，LowandSweet\"SongsUnsung\"
MauiVictorPeriodicalDunedin，N。Z。
DoraWilcox。
InLondon\"VersesfromMaoriland\"
ErnestCurrie。
LaudabuntAliiPeriodicalTimaru，N。Z。
GeorgeCharlesWhitney。
SunsetManuscriptJamesListerCuthbertson。[reprise]
OdetoApolloPeriodicalMelbourne
NotesonthePoemsBiographicalNotes——
AnAnthologyofAustralianVerse——
IntroductionAstheliteratureofacountryis，incertainrespects，areflexofitscharacter，itmaybeadvisabletointroducethisAnthologywithsomeaccountofthemaincircumstanceswhichhaveaffectedtheproductionofAustralianpoetry。
AustraliawasfirstsettledbytheBritishalittlemorethanacenturyago，sothatwearestillayoungcommunity。Thepresentpopulation，includingthatofNewZealand，isalittleunderfivemillions，oraboutthesameasthatofLondon；itischieflyscatteredalongthecoastandthefewpermanentwaterways，andavastcentralregionisbutsparselyinhabitedasyet。Allclimates，fromtropicaltofrigid，areincludedwithinthecontinent，butthewantofsatisfactorywatershedsrendersitpeculiarlyliabletolongdroughtsandsuddenfloods。
Theabsenceofthosebroad，outwardsignsofthechangingseasonswhichmarkthepageantoftheyearintheoldworldisprobablyagreaterdisadvantagethanweareapttosuspect。Here，too，haveexistedhardlyanyoftheconditionswhichobtainedinoldercommunitieswheregreatliteraturearose。ThereisnoglamourofoldRomanceaboutourearlyhistory，noshadingofffromtheactualintoadimregionofmythandfable；ourbeginningsareclearlydefinedandofaneminentlyprosaiccharacter。Theearlysettlerswereengagedinahand-to-handstrugglewithnature，andintheestablishmentoftheprimitiveindustries。Theirstrenuouspioneeringdayswerefollowedbythefeverishexcitementofthegoldperiodandaconsequentrapidexpansionofallindustries。Businessandpoliticshaveaffordedreadyroadstosuccess，andhaveabsorbedtheenergiesofthebestintellects。
Therehasbeennoleisuredclassofculturedpeopletoprovidetheatmosphereinwhichliteratureisbestdevelopedasanart；and，untilrecently，wehavebeencontenttolooktothemothercountryforourartisticstandardsandsupplies。Theprincipalliteraryproductionsofourfirstcenturycamefromwriterswhohadbeenbornelsewhere，andnaturallybroughtwiththemthetraditionsandsentimentsoftheirhomecountry。
Wehavenotyethadtimetosettledownandformanydecidedracialcharacteristics；norhasanygreatcrisisoccurredtofuseourcommonsympathiesandcreateanationalsentiment。
Australiahasproducednogreatpoet，norhasanyremarkableinnovationinverseformsbeensuccessfullyattempted。Buttheoldformshavebeensocolouredbythestrangeconditionsofanewcountry，andsochargedwiththethoughtsandfeelingsofavigorous，restlessdemocracynowjustoutofitsadolescence，thattheyhaveaninterestandavaluebeyondthatofperhapstechnicallybetterminorpoetryproducedunderEnglishskies。
ThefirstversesactuallywrittenandpublishedinAustraliaseemtohavebeentheRoyalBirthdayOdesofMichaelRobinson，whichwereprintedasbroadsidesfrom1810to1821。Theirpublicationinbookformwasannouncedin`TheHobartTownGazette\'of23rdMarch，1822，butnocopyofsuchavolumeisatpresentknowntoexist。Thefamous\"Prologue\"，saidtohavebeenrecitedatthefirstdramaticperformanceinAustralia，onJanuary16th，1796
whenDr。Young\'stragedy\"TheRevenge\"and\"TheHotel\"wereplayedinatemporarytheatreatSydney，wasforalongtimeattributedtothenotoriousGeorgeBarrington，andrankedasthefirstverseproducedinAustralia。Thereis，however，noevidencetosupportthisclaim。
Thelinesfirstappearedinavolumecalled\"OriginalPoemsandTranslations\"
chieflybySusannahWatts，publishedinLondonin1802，afewmonthsbeforetheappearanceofthe\"HistoryofNewSouthWales\"1803——
knownasGeorgeBarrington\'s——whichalso，inallprobability，wasnotwrittenbyBarrington。InSusannahWatts\'bookthePrologueisstatedtobewrittenby\"AGentleman\"，butthereisnocluetothenameoftheauthor。Mr。BarronField，JudgeoftheSupremeCourtofNewSouthWales，printedinSydneyin1819
his\"FirstFruitsofAustralianPoetry\"，forprivatecirculation。
FieldwasafriendofCharlesLamb，whoaddressedtohimtheletterprintedin\"TheEssaysofElia\"underthetitleof\"DistantCorrespondents\"。
Lambreviewedthe\"FirstFruits\"in`TheExaminer\'，andonewishesforhissakethattheversesweremoreworthy。
ThefirstpoemofanyimportancebyanAustralianisWilliamCharlesWentworth\'s\"Australasia\"，writtenin1823
atCambridgeUniversityincompetitionfortheChancellor\'smedal。
Thereweretwenty-sevencompetitors，andtheprizewasawardedtoW。MackworthPraed，Wentworthbeingsecondonthelist。Wentworth\'spoemwasprintedinLondoninthesameyear，andshortlyafterwardsin`TheSydneyGazette\'，thefirstAustraliannewspaper。
In1826therewasprintedattheAlbionPress，Sydney，\"WildNotesfromtheLyreofaNativeMinstrel\"byCharlesTompson，Junior，thefirstverseofanAustralian-bornwriterpublishedinthiscountry。
TherewasalsopublishedinSydneyin1826abookofversesbyDr。JohnDunmoreLang，called\"AuroraAustralis\"。
BothLangandWentworthafterwardsconductednewspapersandwrotehistoriesofNewSouthWales，buttheirnamesaremorefamousinthepoliticalthanintheliteraryannalsofthecountry。
AtHobartTownin1827appeared\"TheVanDiemen\'sLandWarriors，ortheHeroesofCornwall\"by\"PindarJuvenal\"，thefirstbookofversepublishedinTasmania。Duringthenexttenyearsvariouspoeticaleffusionswereprintedinthecolonies，whichareofbibliographicalinterestbutofhardlyanyintrinsicvalue。Newspapershadbeenestablishedatanearlydate，butuntiltheendofthisperiodtheywerelittlebetterthannews-sheetsorofficialgazettes，givingnoopportunitiesforliterature。Theproportionofwell-educatedpersonswassmall，themajorityofthefreesettlersbeingmembersoftheworkingclasses，asveryfewrepresentativesofBritishculturecamewillinglytothiscountryuntilafterthediscoveryofgold。
Itwasnotuntil1845thatthefirstgenuine，thoughcrude，Australianpoetryappeared，intheformofasmallvolumeofsonnetsbyCharlesHarpur，whowasbornatWindsor，N。S。W。，in1817。
Hepassedhisbestyearsinthelonelybush，andwrotelargelyundertheinfluenceofWordsworthandShelley。Hehadsomeimaginationandpoeticfacultyofthecontemplativeorder，butthedisadvantagesofhislifeweremany。Harpur\'sbestworkisinhislongerpoems，fromwhichextractscannotconvenientlybegivenhere。
Theyear1842hadseenthepublicationofHenryParkes\'\"StolenMoments\"，thefirstofanumberofvolumesofversewhichthatstatesmanbravelyissued，thelastbeingpublishedjustbeforehiseightiethyear。ThecareerofParkesiscoincidentwithalongandimportantperiodofourhistory，inwhichheisthemoststrikingfigure。Nottheleastinterestingaspectofhischaracter，whichcontainedmuchofruggedgreatness，washisloveofpoetryandhisunfailingkindnesstothestrugglingwritersofthecolony。OtherswhodeserveremembrancefortheirservicesatthistimeareNicolD。StenhouseandDr。Woolley。AmongthewritersoftheperiodD。H。Deniehy，HenryHalloran，J。SheridanMooreandRichardRowecontributedfairlygoodversetothenewspapers，theprincipalofwhichwere`TheAtlas\'1845-9，`TheEmpire\'1850-8，andtwopapersstillinexistence——`TheFreeman\'sJournal\'1850and`TheSydneyMorningHerald\'，whichbeganas`TheSydneyHerald\'in1831。Noneoftheirwritings，however，reflectedtoanyappreciableextentthesceneryorlifeofthenewcountry。
WiththediscoveryofgoldanewerabeganforAustralia。
Thateventinducedtheflowofalargestreamofimmigration，andgaveanenormousimpetustothedevelopmentofthecolonies。
AmongtheardentspiritsattractedherewereJ。LionelMichael，RobertSealy，R。H。Horne，theHowitts，HenryKingsleyandAdamLindsayGordon。MichaelwasafriendofMillais，andanearlychampionofthePre-RaphaeliteBrotherhood。
SoonafterhisarrivalinSydneyheabandonedtheideaofdiggingforgold，andbegantopractiseagainasasolicitor。LateronheremovedtoGraftonontheClarenceRiver；therein1857HenryKendall，aboyof16，foundworkinhisoffice，andMichael，discerninghispromise，encouragedhimtowrite。Mostoftheboy\'searliestversesweresentfromMichael\'sofficetoParkes，whoprintedtheminhispaper`TheEmpire\'。WhenKendallleftGrafton，MichaelgavehimaletterofintroductiontoStenhouse，whichbroughthimintouchwiththesmallliterarygroupinSydney；
andhisfirstvolume，\"PoemsandSongs\"，waspublishedinSydneyin1862。
Itwasnotlongbeforeherecognisedtheextremeweaknessofmostofitscontents，anddidwhathecouldtosuppressthebook。
HesentspecimensofhisbestworktotheLondon`Athenaeum\'，andwroteapatheticlettertotheEditor，whichwasprintedintheissueof27thSeptember，1862，togetherwithsomeofthepoemsandamostkindlycomment。Kendallsoonwroteagain，sendingmorepoems，andreceivedencouragingnoticesin`TheAthenaeum\'on19thSeptember，1863，27thFebruary，1864，and17thFebruary，1866。TheseformthefirstfavourablepronouncementuponAustralianpoetrybyanEnglishcriticaljournalofimportance。TheirstimulatingeffectuponKendallwasverygreat。Fromtheindifferenceofthemanyandthecarpingcriticismsofsomeofthemagnateshere，hehadappealedtooneofthehighestliteraryauthoritiesinEngland，andreceivedpraisebeyondhiswildestexpectations。
MeanwhilethecolonyofVictoria，whichbeganitsindependentcareerin1851，hadbeenadvancingevenmorerapidlythanNewSouthWales。
`TheArgus\'newspaperhadbeeninexistencesince1846，andotherperiodicalssprangupinMelbournewhichgavefurtherscopetoletters。
`TheAustralasian\'wasestablishedin1854，andsoonbecamethemostimportantliteraryjournalinAustralia。AdamLindsayGordon，whohadlandedinAdelaideinthesameyearasHenryKingsley——1853——
publishedalittlebookofversein1864atMt。Gambier，S。A。，andbegantocontributeversestoaMelbournesportingpaperin1866。
Thesewereprintedanonymously，andattractedsomeattention；
butacollectionofhisballads——\"SeaSprayandSmokeDrift\"——
broughtverylittlepraiseandnoprofit。MarcusClarkecametoMelbournein1864，andsoonafterwardsbegantowritefor`TheArgus\'andotherpapers。
AboutthesametimethepresenceofR。H。Horne，thedistinguishedauthorof\"Orion\"，inMelbournelentalustretothatcity，whichwasforthetimetheliterarycentreofAustralia。
HornecorrespondedwithKendall，andcontributedtoapapereditedbyDeniehyinSydney——`TheSouthernCross\'1859-60。
HewasthepresidinggeniusoftheliterarygatheringsatDwight\'sbook-shopinMelbourne，andnodoubtexercisedabeneficialinfluenceuponthewritersaroundhim。
In1870，afteraseriesofcrushingdisappointments，Gordoncommittedsuicide。
Hisdramaticendawakenedsympathyandgaveanadditionalinteresttohiswritings。Itwassoonfoundthatinthecityandthebushmanyofhisspiritedracingballadswerewellknown。Thevirile，athletictoneofhisverse，whichtaught\"HowamanshouldupholdthesportsofhislandAndstrikehisbestwithastrongrighthandAndtakehisstrokesinreturn\"——
andthepracticalphilosophy，summedupinthewell-knownquatrain——
\"Lifeismostlyfrothandbubble，Twothingsstandlikestone；
Kindnessinanother\'strouble，Courageinyourown\"——
appealstronglytoAustralians。Gordon\'sworkcannotbeconsideredaspeculiarlyAustralianincharacter；butmuchofitisconcernedwiththehorse，andallofitisa-throbwiththemanly，recklesspersonalityofthewriter。Horsesandhorse-racingareespeciallyinterestingtoAustralians，theSwinburnianrushofGordon\'sballadscharmstheirear，andinmanyrespectsheembodiestheiridealofaman。
TherearefewAustralianswhodonotknowsomeofhispoems，eveniftheyknownoothers，andhisinfluenceuponsubsequentwritershasbeenverygreat。
BruntonStephens，whocametoQueenslandin1866，wrotetherealongpoemcalled\"ConvictOnce\"which，whenpublishedinLondonin1871，gainedhighpraisefromcompetentcritics，andgavetheauthoranacademicreputation。AlittlebookofhumorousversesissuedinMelbournein1873almostimmediatelybecamepopular，andalatervolumeof\"MiscellaneousPoems\"1880，containingsomefinepatrioticutterancesaswellasmanyinlightervein，establishedhimasoneofourchiefsingers。
ThefirstimportantpoemfromNewZealand——Domett\'s\"RanolfandAmohia\"——
waspublishedinLondonin1872。DomettspentthirtyyearsinNewZealand。
HewroteagooddealofversebeforeleavingEnglandandafterhisreturn，but\"RanolfandAmohia\"istheonlypoemshowingtracesofAustralianinfluence。Itisamiscellanyinverseratherthananepic，andcontainssomefinedescriptionsofNewZealandscenery。
ThedeathofKendallinSydneyin1882closedwhatmayberegardedasthesecondliteraryperiod。Hehadpublishedhisfinestworkin\"SongsfromtheMountains\"1880，andhadthesatisfactionofknowingthatitwasasuccess，financiallyandotherwise。Kendall\'saudienceisnotsolargeasGordon\'s，butitisasteadilygrowingone；
andmanyreaderswhohavebeenaffectedbyhismusicalverseholdtheill-fatedsingerinmoretenderregardthananyother。
HelivedatatimewhenAustralianshadnotlearnedtothinkitpossiblethatanygoodthinginartcouldcomeoutofAustralia，andweretoofullyoccupiedwiththingsofthemarket-placetoconcernthemselvesmuchaboutliterature。
SeveralattemptshavebeenmadetomaintainmagazinesandreviewsinSydneyandMelbourne，butnoneofthemcouldcompetesuccessfullywiththeimportedEnglishperiodicals。`TheColonialMonthly\'，`TheMelbourneReview\'，`TheSydneyQuarterly\'，and`TheCentennialMagazine\'
werethemostimportantofthese。TheycostmoretoproducethantheirEnglishmodels，andthefactthattheircontentswereAustralianwasnotsufficientinitselftoobtainforthemadequatesupport。
Newspapershaveplayedafarmoreimportantpartinourliteraryworld。
`TheAustralasian\'，`SydneyMail\'and`Queenslander\'havedoneagooddealtoencouragelocalwriters，butthemostpowerfulinfluencehasbeenthatof`TheBulletin\'，startedinSydneyin1880。
Itsracy，irreverenttoneanditshumourarecharacteristicallyAustralian，andthroughitscolumnsthefirstrealisticAustralianverseofanyimportance——thewritingsofHenryLawsonandA。B。Paterson——becamewidelyknown。
Whenpublishedinbookform，theirversesmetwithphenomenalsuccess；
Paterson\'s\"TheManfromSnowyRiver\"1895havingalreadyattainedacirculationofoverthirtythousandcopies。Itisthefirstofalongseriesofvolumes，issuedduringthelasttenyears，whosecharacterisfarmoredistinctivelyAustralianthanthatoftheirpredecessors。
Theirnumberandsuccessareevidencesofthelivelyinteresttakenbythepresentgenerationhereinitsnativeliterature。
Australiahasnowcomeofage，andisbecomingconsciousofitsstrengthanditspossibilities。Itswritersto-dayare，asarule，self-reliantandhopeful。Theyhavefaithintheirowncountry；
theywriteofitastheyseeit，andoftheirworkandtheirjoysandfears，insimple，directlanguage。Itmaybethatnoneofitispoetryinthegrandmanner，andthatsomeofitislackingintechnicalfinish；
butitisavividandfaithfulportrayalofAustralia，anditsruggednessisincharacter。ItishopedthatthisselectionfromtheversethathasbeenwrittenuptothepresenttimewillbefoundanotunworthycontributiontothegreatliteratureoftheEnglish-speakingpeoples。
WilliamCharlesWentworth。
AustralasiaCelestialpoesy!whosegenialswayEarth\'sfurthesthabitableshoresobey；
Whoseinspirationsshedtheirsacredlight，FarastheregionsoftheArcticnight，AndtotheLaplanderhisBorealgleamEndearnotlessthanPhoebus\'brighterbeam，——
Descendthoualsoonmynativeland，Andonsomemountain-summittakethystand；
ThenceissuingsoonapurerfontbeseenThancharmedCastaliaorfamedHippocrene；
Andtherearicher，noblerfanearise，ThanonParnassusmettheadoringeyes。
Andtho\'，brightgoddess，onthefarbluehills，ThatpourtheirthousandswiftpellucidrillsWhereWarragamba\'sragehasrentintwainOpposingmountains，thunderingtotheplain，Nochildofsonghasyetinvokedthyaid\'Neaththeirprimevalsolitaryshade，——
Still，graciousPow\'r，somekindlingsoulinspire，Towaketolifemycountry\'sunknownlyre，Thatfromcreation\'sdatehasslumberinglain，Oronlybreathedsomesavageuncouthstrain；
AndgrantthatyetanAustralMilton\'ssongPactolus-likeflowdeepandrichalong，——
AnAustralShakespearerise，whoselivingpageTonaturetruemaycharminev\'ryage；——
AndthatanAustralPindardaringsoar，WherenottheThebaneaglereach\'dbefore。
And，OBritannia!shouldstthouceasetorideDespoticEmpressofoldOcean\'stide；——
ShouldthytamedLion——spenthisformermight，——
Nolongerroartheterrorofthefight；——
Shoulde\'erarrivethatdarkdisastroushour，Whenbow\'dbyluxury，thouyield\'sttopow\'r；——
Whenthou，nolongerfreestofthefree，Tosomeproudvictorbend\'stthevanquish\'dknee；——
MayallthygloriesinanothersphereRelume，andshinemorebrightlystillthanhere；
Maythis，thylast-borninfant，thenarise，Togladthyheartandgreetthyparenteyes；
AndAustralasiafloat，withflagunfurl\'d，AnewBritanniainanotherworld。
CharlesHarpur。
LoveShelovesme!Fromherownbliss-breathinglipsTheliveconfessioncame，likerichperfumeFromcrimsonpetalsburstingintobloom!
AndstillmyheartattheremembranceskipsLikeayounglion，andmytongue，too，tripsAsdrunkwithjoy!whileeveryobjectseenInlife\'sdiurnalroundwearsinitsmienAclearassurancethatnodoubtseclipse。
AndifthecommonthingsofnaturenowArelikeoldfacesflushedwithnewdelight，MuchmoretheconsciousnessofthatrichvowDeepensthebeauteous，andrefinesthebright，WhilethronedIseemonlove\'sdivinestheight\'Midallthegloriesglowingrounditsbrow。
WordsWordsaredeeds。ThewordswehearMayrevolutionizeorrearAmightystate。ThewordswereadMaybeaspiritualdeedExcellinganyfleshlyone，AsmuchasthecelestialsunTranscendsabonfire，madetothrowAlightuponsomeraree-show。
AsimpleproverbtaggedwithrhymeMaycolourhalfthecourseoftime；
ThepregnantsayingofasageMayinfluenceeverycomingage；
AsonginitseffectsmaybeMoregloriousthanThermopylae，AndmanyalaythatschoolboysscanAnoblerfeatthanInkerman。
ACoastViewHigh\'midtheshelvesofagreycliff，thatyetRisethinBabylonianmassabove，Inabenchedcleft，asinthemoulderedchairOfgrey-beardTimehimself，Isitalone，AndgazewithakeenwonderinghappinessOuto\'erthesea。UntothecirclingbendThatvergesHeaven，avastluminousplainItstretches，changefulasalover\'sdream——
IntogreatspacesmappedbylightandshadeInconstantinterchange——either\'neathcloudsThebillowsdarken，ortheyshimmerbrightInsunnyscopesofmeasurelessexpanse。
\'TisOceandreamlessofastormyhour，Calm，orbutgentlyheaving；——yet，OGod!
Whatablindfate-likemightinessliescoiledInslumber，underthatwide-shiningface!
Whileo\'erthewaterygleam——therewhereitsedgeBanksthedimvacancy，thetopmostsailsOfsometallship，whosehullisyetunseen，HangasifclingingtoacloudthatstillComesrisingwiththemfromthevoidbeyond，Liketoaheavenlynet，drawnfromthedeepAndcarriedupwardbyetherealhands。
WilliamForster。
`TheLoveinherEyeslaySleeping\'
Theloveinhereyeslaysleeping，Asstarsthatunconsciousshine，Till，underthepinklidspeeping，Iwakeneditupwithmine；
AndwepledgedourtrothtoabrimmingoathInabumperofblood-redwine。
Alas!toowellIknowThatithappenedlongago；
Thosememoriesyetremain，Andsting，likethrobsofpain，AndI\'malonebelow，Butstilltheredwinewarms，andtherosygobletsglow；
Iflovebetheheart\'senslaver，\'Tiswinethatsubduesthehead。
Butwhichhasthefairestflavour，Andwhoseisthesoonestshed？
WinewaxesinpowerinthatdesolatehourWhenthegloryofloveisdead。
Lovelivesonbeauty\'sray，Butnightcomesafterday，AndwhentheexhaustedsunHishighcareerhasrun，Thestarsbehindhimstay，Andthenthelightthatlastsconsolesourdarkeningway。
Whenbeautyandloveareover，Andpassionhasspentitsrage，Andthespectresofmemoryhover，Andglareonlife\'slonelystage，\'TiswinethatremainstokindletheveinsAndstrengthenthestepsofage。
Lovetakesthetaintofyears，Andbeautydisappears，ButwineinworthmaturesThelongeritendures，Andmoredivinelycheers，Andripenswiththesunsandmellowswiththespheres。
JamesLionelMichael。
`ThroughPleasantPaths\'
Throughpleasantpaths，throughdaintyways，Loveleadsmyfeet；
Wherebeautyshineswithlivingrays，Soft，gentle，sweet；
Theplacidheartatrandomstrays，Andsings，andsmiles，andlaughsandplays，AndgathersfromthesummerdaysTheirlightandheat，ThatinitschambersburnandblazeAndbeamandbeat。
IthrowmyselfamongthefernsUndertheshade，AndwatchthesummersunthatburnsOndellandglade；
Tothee，mydear，myfancyturns，IntheeitsParadisediscerns，Fortheeitsighs，fortheeityearns，Mychosenmaid；
AndthatstilldepthofpassionlearnsWhichcannotfade。
Thewindthatwhispersinthenight，Subtleandfree，Thegorgeousnoonday\'sblindinglight，Onhillandtree，Alllovelythingsthatmeetmysight，Allshiftinglovelinessesbright，Speaktomyheartwithcalmdelight，SeemingtobeCloth\'dwithenchantment，robedinwhite，Tosingofthee。
ThewaysoflifearehardandcoldToonealone；
Bitterthestrifeforplaceandgold——
Weweepandgroan:
Butwhenlovewarmstheheartgrowsbold；
Andwhenourarmstheprizeenfold，Dearest!theheartcanhardlyholdTheblissunknown，Unspoken，nevertobetold——
Myown，myown!
Personality\"Deathistouschange，notconsummation。\"
HeartofMidlothian。
Achange!no，surely，notachange，Thechangemustbebeforewedie；
Deathmayconferawiderrange，Frompoletopole，fromseatosky，ItcannotmakemeneworstrangeTomineownPersonality!
ForwhatamI？——thismortalflesh，Theseshrinkingnerves，thisfeebleframe，ForeverrackedwithailmentsfreshAndscarcefromdaytodaythesame——
Aflywithinthespider\'smesh，Amoththatplaysaroundtheflame!
THISisnotI——withinsuchcoilTheimmortalspiritrestsawhile:
Whenthisshallliebeneaththesoil，Whichitsmeremortalpartsdefile，THATshallforeverliveandfoilMortality，andpain，andguile。
WhateverTimemaymakeofmeEternitymustseemestillClearfromthedrossofearth，andfreeFromeverystainofeveryill；
Yetstill，where-e\'er——what-e\'erIbe，Time\'sworkEternitymustfill。
Whenalltheworldshaveceasedtoroll，WhenthelonglighthasceasedtoquiverWhenwehavereachedourfinalgoalAndstandbesidetheLivingRiver，Thisvitalspark——thislovingsoul，Mustlastforeverandforever。
TochoosewhatImustbeismine，Mineinthesefewandfleetingdays，ImaybeifIwill，divine，StandingbeforeGod\'sthroneinpraise，——
ThroughallEternitytoshineInyonderHeaven\'ssapphireblaze。
Father，thesoulthatcountsitgainToloveTheeandThylawonearth，Unchangedbutfreefrommortalstain，Increasedinknowledgeandinworth，Andpurifiedfromthisworld\'spain，ShallfindthroughTheeasecondbirth。
Achange!nosurelynotachange!
Thechangemustbebeforewedie；
DeathmayconferawiderrangeFromworldtoworld，fromskytosky，ItcannotmakemeneworstrangeTomineownPersonality!
DanielHenryDeniehy。
LoveinaCottageAcottagesmallbemine，withporchEnwreathedwithivygreen，Andbrightsomeflowerswithdew-filledbells，\'Midbrownoldwattlesseen。
Andonetowaitatshutofeve，Witheyesasfountainclear，Andbraidedhair，andsimpledress，Myhomewardsteptohear。
Onsummerevestosingoldsongs，Andtalko\'erearlyvows，Whilestarslookdownlikeangels\'eyesAmidtheleafyboughs。
WhenSpringflowerspeepfromflossycells，Andbright-wingedparrotscall，InforestpathsbeourstoroveTillpurpleeveningsfall。
Thecurtainsclosed，bytaperclearToreadsomepagedivine，Onwinternights，thehearthbeside，Hersoft，warmhandinmine。
Andsotoglidethroughbusylife，Likesomesmallbrookalone，Thatwindsitsway\'midgrassyknolls，Itsmusicallitsown。
ASongfortheNightOtheNight，theNight，thesolemnNight，WhenEarthisboundwithhersilentzone，Andthespangledskyseemsatemplewide，Wherethestar-tribeskneelattheGodhead\'sthrone；
OtheNight，theNight，thewizardNight，Whenthegarishreignofdayiso\'er，Andthemyriadbarquesofthedream-elvescomeInabrightsomefleetfromSlumber\'sshore!
OtheNightforme，Whenblitheandfree，Gothezephyr-houndsontheirairychase；
WhenthemoonishighInthedewysky，Andtheairissweetasabride\'sembrace!
OtheNight，theNight，thecharmingNight!
Fromthefountainsideinthemyrtleshade，AllsoftlycreepontheslumbrousairThewakingnotesoftheserenade；
Whilebrighteyesshine\'midthelattice-vines，Andwhitearmsdroopo\'erthesculpturedsills，Andaccentsfalltotheknightsbelow，Likethebabblingssoftofmountainrills。
Loveintheireyes，Loveintheirsighs，Loveintheheaveofeachlily-brightbosom；
Inwordssoclear，LestthelisteningearAndthewaitingheartmaylosethem。
OthesilentNight，whenthestudentdreamsOfkneelingcrowdsroundasage\'stomb；
Andthemother\'seyeso\'erthecradlerainTearsforherbaby\'sfadingbloom；
OthepeacefulNight，whenstilledando\'erIsthecharger\'stramponthebattleplain，Andthebugle\'ssoundandthesabre\'sflash，Whilethemoonlookssadoverheapsofslain；
AndtearsbespeakOntheironcheekOfthesentinellonelypacing，ThoughtswhichrollThroughhisfearlesssoul，Day\'ssternermoodreplacing。
OthesacredNight，whenmemorycomesWithanaspectmildandsweettome，ButhertonesaresadasaballadairInchildhoodheardonanurse\'sknee；
Androundherthrongfairformslongfled，Withbrowsofsnowandhairofgold，Andeyeswiththelightofsummerskies，Andlipsthatspeakofthedaysofold。
Wideisyourflight，OspiritsofNight，Bystrath，andstream，andgrove，ButmostinthegloomOfthePoet\'sroomYechoose，fairones，torove。
RichardRowe。
SuperstitesRosaeThegrassisgreenuponhergrave，Thewestwindwhisperslow；
\"Thecornischanged，comeforth，comeforth，Erealltheblossomsgo!\"
Invain。Herlaughingeyesaresealed，Andcoldhersunnybrow；
Lastyearshesmiledupontheflowers——
Theysmileabovehernow!
SoulFerryHighanddryupontheshingleliesthefisher\'sboatto-night；
Fromhisroof-beamdanklydrooping，rayingphosphorescentlight，Spectralinitspale-bluesplendour，hangshisheapofscalynets，Andthefisher，laptinslumber，surgeandseinealikeforgets。
Hark!therecomesasuddenknocking，andthefisherstartsfromsleep，Asahollowvoiceandghostlybidshimoncemoreseekthedeep；
Wearilyacrosshisshoulderflingethhetheashenoar，Anduponthebeachdescendingfindsaskiffbesidetheshore。
\'Tisnothis，buthemustenter——rockingonthewatersdim，Awfulintheirhiddenpresence，whoaretheythatwaitforhim？
Whoaretheythatsitsosilent，ashepullethfromtheland——
Nothingheardsaverumblingrowlock，wavesoft-breakingonthesand？
Chilladownthetossingchannelblowsthewailing，wand\'ringbreeze，Lonelyinthemurkymidnight，mutt\'ringmournfulmemories，——
Summerlandswhereonceitbrooded，wrecksthatwidows\'heartshavewrung——
Swiftthedrearyboatfliesonwards，spray，likerain，arounditflung。
Onapebbledstranditgrateth，ghastlycliffsarounditloom，Thinandmelancholyvoicesfaintlymurmurthroughthegloom；
Voicesonly，liplessvoices，andthefishermanturnspale，Asthemothergreetsherchildren，sisterslandingbrothershail。
Lightenedofitsunseenburden，cork-likeridestherockingbark，Fastthefishermanflieshomewardso\'erthebillowsdeepanddark；
THATboatneedsnomortal\'smooring——sadatheartheseekshisbed，Forhislifehenceforthisclouded——hehathpilotedtheDead!