[Editor: This poem by Charles Harpur was published in The Bushrangers; A Play in Five Acts, and Other Poems (1853).]
An Anthem for the Australasian League.
Shall we sing of Loyalty
To the far South’s fiery youth?
Yea — but let the paean be
Of loyalty to God and Truth:
To Man, to progress, and to all
The free things, nobly free,
Of which their loved Australia shall
The golden cradle be.
Hark! her star-eyed Destinies
Pour their voices o’er the seas —
Hither, to the Land of Gold,
All who would be free!
Here a diadem behold
For immortal Liberty!
Not for Old World queens and kings,
Villain Slavery’s outworn things!
Shall we sing of Loyalty
In this new and genial Land?
Yea — but let the paean be
Of loyalty to Love’s command,
To Thought, to Beauty, and to all
The glorious Arts that yet
In golden Australasia shall
Like chrysolites be set.
Source:
Charles Harpur, The Bushrangers; A Play in Five Acts, and Other Poems, Sydney: W. R. Piddington, 1853, pages 114-115
Editor’s notes:
Australasia = Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, and neighboring islands; may also refer to just Australia and New Zealand
chrysolite = (an alternative name for “olivine”) a type of mineral, usually green in colour (olive-green, brownish-green, grey-green, light-green)
diadem = a type of crown or royal ornamental headband
o’er = over (pronounced the same as “oar”, “or”, and “ore”)
paean = a poem, hymn, or song of joy, praise, thanksgiving, or triumph; a piece of artwork, film, song, or written work that gives great praise
yea = yes; indeed; truly; an affirmation (especially an affirmative vote), an indication of assent
The Institute of Australian Culture
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