[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Few Verses With appropriate illustrations 1 Miss Jean I’ve commanded My faltering Muse To write you some verses: She dare not refuse 2 It’s your birthday and … [Read more...] about A Few Verses [poem by Barcroft Boake]
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Barcroft Boake: A Memoir (section 1): Barcroft Boake’s early years
[Editor: This is section 1 of “Barcroft Boake: A Memoir ”, by A. G. Stephens, published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] [Barcroft Boake’s early years] Most of the material for the following account of Boake’s life has been supplied by his father, Mr. B. … [Read more...] about Barcroft Boake: A Memoir (section 1): Barcroft Boake’s early years
Notes to poems [editorial notes by A. G. Stephens]
[Editor: These editorial notes, written by A. G. Stephens, regarding the poems of Barcroft Boake, were published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Notes to poems. 1. FROM THE FAR WEST, p. 1. — Printed in The Sydney Mail, February 14, 1891. Signed ‘B. H. … [Read more...] about Notes to poems [editorial notes by A. G. Stephens]
Desiree [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Désirée. Will she spring with a blush from the arms of Dawn, When the sleepy songsters prune Their dewy vestments on bush and thorn, And the jovial magpie winds his … [Read more...] about Desiree [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Babs Malone [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Babs Malone Now the squatters and the cockies, Shearers, trainers, and their jockeys Had gathered them together for a meeting on the flat; They had mustered all their … [Read more...] about Babs Malone [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Skeeta [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Skeeta Our Skeeta was married! our Skeeta! the tomboy and pet of the place — No more as a maiden we’d greet her; no more would her pert little face Light up the chill … [Read more...] about Skeeta [poem by Barcroft Boake]
’Twixt the Wings of the Yard [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] ’Twixt the Wings of the Yard Hear the loud swell of it, mighty pell-mell of it! Thousands of voices all blent into one: See ‘hell for leather’ now trooping together, … [Read more...] about ’Twixt the Wings of the Yard [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Kitty McCrae [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Kitty McCrae The western sun, ere he sought his lair, Skimmed the treetops, and, glancing thence, Rested awhile on the curling hair Of Kitty McCrae, by the boundary … [Read more...] about Kitty McCrae [poem by Barcroft Boake]
How Polly Paid for Her Keep [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] How Polly Paid for Her Keep Do I know Polly Brown? Do I know her? Why, damme! You might as well ask if I know my own name! It’s a wonder you never heard tell of old … [Read more...] about How Polly Paid for Her Keep [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Babes in the Bush [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Babes in the Bush Dozens of damp little curls; One little short upper lip; Two rows of teeth like diminutive pearls; Eyes clear and grey as the creek where it … [Read more...] about The Babes in the Bush [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Song from a Sandhill [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Song from a Sandhill Drip, drip, drip! It tinkles on the fly — The pitiless outpouring of an overburdened sky: Each drooping frond of pine has got a jewel at its tip … [Read more...] about A Song from a Sandhill [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Fogarty’s Gin [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Fogarty’s Gin A sweat-dripping horse and a half-naked myall, And a message: ‘Come out to the back of the run — Be out at the stake-yards by rising of sun! Ride hard … [Read more...] about Fogarty’s Gin [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Valentine [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Valentine The Bree was up; the floods were out Around the hut of Culgo Jim: The hand of God had broke the drought And filled the channels to the brim: The outline … [Read more...] about A Valentine [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jim’s Whip [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jim’s Whip. Yes! there it hangs upon the wall And never gives a sound: The hand that trimmed its greenhide fall Is hidden underground — There, in that patch of sallee … [Read more...] about Jim’s Whip [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Vision Out West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Vision Out West Far-reaching downs, a solid sea sunk everlastingly to rest, And yet whose billows seem to be for ever heaving toward the west The tiny field-mice make … [Read more...] about A Vision Out West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Josephus Riley [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Josephus Riley The rum was rich and rare: There were wagers in the air: The atmosphere was rosy, and the tongues were wagging free; But one was in the revel Whose … [Read more...] about Josephus Riley [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Memory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Memory Adown the grass-grown paths we strayed: The evening cowslips oped Their yellow eyes to look at her; The love-sick lilies moped With envy that she rather … [Read more...] about A Memory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jack’s Last Muster [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jack’s Last Muster The first flush of grey light, the herald of daylight, Is dimly outlining the musterers’ camp, Where over the sleeping the stealthily … [Read more...] about Jack’s Last Muster [poem by Barcroft Boake]
From the Far West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] From the Far West ’Tis a song of the Never Never land — Set to the tune of a scorching gale On the sandhills red, When the grasses dead Loudly rustle, and bow the … [Read more...] about From the Far West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The late Lieutenant W. Malcolm Chisholm [The Sydneian, December 1914]
[Editor: This article, regarding the death of Lieutenant Malcolm Chisholm, during World War One (1914-1918), was published in The Sydneian (Sydney, NSW), December 1914.] The late Lieutenant W. Malcolm Chisholm. The news that the far-off battlefields of Europe had so soon … [Read more...] about The late Lieutenant W. Malcolm Chisholm [The Sydneian, December 1914]
Gallipoli 20 years afterwards: Sir Harry Chauvel Remembers [27 April 1935]
[Editor: This article, regarding the Gallipoli campaign (February 1915 to January 1916), during the First World War (1914-1918), was published in The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 April 1935. Accompanying the article was a message from Sir William … [Read more...] about Gallipoli 20 years afterwards: Sir Harry Chauvel Remembers [27 April 1935]
St. Valentine’s Day [24 February 1875]
[Editor: This article, regarding Valentine’s Day, was published in The Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers (Melbourne, Vic.), 24 February 1875.] St. Valentine’s Day. The custom of celebrating St. Valentine’s Day has been more or less observed in England and … [Read more...] about St. Valentine’s Day [24 February 1875]
Literary notes [re Frederic Manning, 27 April 1935]
[Editor: This article, regarding Frederic Manning (1882-1935), is an extract from the “Literary notes” section published in The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 April 1935.] Literary notes “Her Privates We, by Private 19022” was published in 1930, and many guesses were … [Read more...] about Literary notes [re Frederic Manning, 27 April 1935]
A Happy New Year to all [by “Daddy Redgum”, 28 December 1924]
[Editor: This article, by “Daddy Redgum”, regarding the New Year, was published in the “Children’s New Year Supplement” of the Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), 28 December 1924.] A Happy New Year to all As the clocks chime 12 on the last night of the old year, a carillon of … [Read more...] about A Happy New Year to all [by “Daddy Redgum”, 28 December 1924]
Capture of Beersheba: Queensland soldier’s experiences [letter written by Victor Brady, 15 February 1918]
[Editor: This long extract from a letter written by Victor Neville Brady, an Australian soldier, was published in The Week (Brisbane, Qld.), 15 February 1918. Brady served as a machine-gunner with the 4th Light Horse Regiment during the First World War (1914-1918). This letter … [Read more...] about Capture of Beersheba: Queensland soldier’s experiences [letter written by Victor Brady, 15 February 1918]