The Muse of Australia
The Muse of Australia
Original Text
The Poems of Henry Kendall, ed. Bertram Stephens
(Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1920): 3. Sydney Electronic Text and Image Service (SETIS), digital text sponsored by AustLit: http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/ozlit
2 And the torrent leaps down to the surges,
3I have followed her, clambering over the clifts,
4 By the chasms and moon-haunted verges.
5I know she is fair as the angels are fair,
6For have I not caught a faint glimpse of her there;
7A glimpse of her face and her glittering hair,
8 And a hand with the Harp of Australia?
9I never can reach you, to hear the sweet voice
10 So full with the music of fountains!
11Oh! when will you meet with that soul of your choice,
12 Who will lead you down here from the mountains?
13A lyre-bird lit on a shimmering space;
14It dazzled mine eyes and I turned from the place,
15And wept in the dark for a glorious face,
16 And a hand with the Harp of Australia!
Notes
1] The harp is a national emblem of the Irish, from whom Kendall traced his heritage. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1862
Publication Notes
Poems and Songs, ed. Bertram Stephens
(Sydney: J. R. Clarke, 1862)
RPO poem Editors
Cameron La Follette
RPO Edition
2011
Rhyme
Form