[Editor: A poem by Robert Wisdom. Published in The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 27 May 1856.]
Australia’s Daughters.
By Robert Wisdom.
Australia’s gentle daughters —
The beautiful, the bright —
With hearts like crystal waters,
And eyes like heaven’s own light;
Wreath every brow with gladness,
Crown every cup with wine
And be the toast “our own dear girls
Of Australy divine.”
Then here’s Australia’s daughters —
The beautiful, the bright —
With hearts like crystal waters,
And eyes like heaven’s own light.
The angels who in keeping
Had these maidens from their birth,
Breath’d spells while they were sleeping
That cleansed all stains of earth;
Showered gold upon their hair,
Moulded diamonds for their eyes,
And gave them voices soft and low
For tenderest replies.
What wealth of wondrous beauty
Is in each form and soul —
Womanly love and duty
Rounding the perfect whole;
The priceless boon of honor,
All other gifts above,
Is theirs, to guard from serpent wiles
The meekness of the dove.
Come, each to his loved maiden,
Fill high the sparkling bowl;—
What heart can be grief-laden
That owns her sweet control?
Oh, not so rich a treasure
The honey-bee e’er sips,
As he, who, heart exchanged for heart,
Saluteth her ripe lips.
Then here’s Australia’s daughters —
The beautiful, the bright —
With hearts like crystal waters,
And eyes like heaven’s own light.
Source:
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (West Maitland, NSW), 27 May 1856, p. 2
Editor’s notes:
Robert Wisdom (1830-1888) was a barrister and politician. He became a Member of Parliament in New South Wales in 1859, was appointed Attorney-General in 1879, and knighted in 1887.
e’er = ever
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