A. G. HALES AS POET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6450, 22 February 1908, Page 12

A. G. HALES AS POET.

Air A. G. Hales has been known to tho English-speaking - world up. to now as a: bold, fearless, and resourceful war cor-: rcsiKUidcnt and a writer of stirring: stories of colonial and home life, but ins claims to recognition in tho literary world arc likely to rest ,in tho future ui>oij his poems, if wo arc to judge of the specimens published in “Now Songs (Chapman and Hall). Since the • days whc.ll Adam • Lindsay Gordon sang theglories of Australia no poet ha® arisen who depict© so vividly, or £0 musically,; the wonderful life of plain and bush, of prospecting ©amp and cattle ranca. “The Ride of Bill Delaney" is a picture drawn from actual fact, and narrates how ho won his bride from a host of other valiant men sby a brave ride through a bush fire. Hale© knows a* hoivo better than ho knows mankind, and hjs description of the one that carried , Bill will fire the ambition of every crosscountry rider;

“Tho Carbine and tho Fronton blood Was hers by right of birth; And stouter blend -was never made v lu all the circling earth. Ck’au-Umbod and beautiful was ©he, Built both for power an-4 -speed, A tower of strength to carry weight, And a heart to ‘stay’ at need."

This was the horse that carries Delaney through the mouth of hell: -

“When he reached the gap by Bredie's well Ho could smell the firo on the passanf breeze; : - And the chestnut know of the dangci near, For lie felt her' quiver between his knees— Yet ho held her back from a headlong nish With a hand of steel ou straining rein. And smoothed her down by his iron nerve To a steady far-reaching gallop again." >, Through the surrounding fire, closing around him to certain death if the marc fails. Dolor:oy reaches tho homestead, and the.ll to roach safety the has to brear a double burden : “With ears laid flat, and, nostrils spread, Tho chestnut flew through the scorching air. And flashed between the blood-red wqvos With just a dozen lengths to spare." The girl is his now by right of chivalrous conquest, and Die final verse tells u© how she yields: . “Then tho maiden lifted her trembling lips, And raised her eyes to his ash-white face. And mutely offered her heart to him Till he gathered her dose in his strong embrace. ‘ Ho took his toll fro#i the lips he loved, And. pressed her , close to hisj throbbing heart. While the bound© marc with drooping head

Stood, just a little space apart. Delaney stroked the wreath of curie That crowned the little dainty head. ‘You will give me one/ ho whispered low. ‘Nay, Will, I give you them <all/ she said." The linos possess a swing) and rhythm which stamp the writer as a born poet, and Mr Hales’s many admirers will hope ■soon to see a volume of poems from his pcm. .