HENRY LAWSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 82

HENRY LAWSON.

3 was mates with Henry Lawson in the fall of ninty-eight, A poet in the dawning of his power; I knew, or thought I knew, him, a singer strong and straight, With heart to take the sunshine and the shower. The sunlit range is lone and grand— Tlie rocks of the open sea Buttress the bare and rugged land— Where can the rover be? I have waited for his epic since the fall of ninety-eight, An inspiration for the days to be. I feel that Henry Lawson was cut out for something groat Whene’er I hear the thunder of the sea. The river from the giant rang© For ever falling foams With solemn b comings deep and strange Wherever Henry roams. Again I feel the magic of the fall of ninetyeight— Again I feel his rugged, manly power— Again I surely know him, a singer strong and straight. With heart to take the sunshine and the shower. The lawny hills are desolate— What nashing memories crowd! He was cut out for something great— He is not crushed and cowed. I have read the rhymes of others—they are feeble, poor am* thin; They move me to the semblance of a smile. But I feel that Henry Lawson has a laurel crown to inn Tho sea and torrent booming all the while. The rumble of the onen sea, Beneath the rugged hill, The stars that fringe infinity Whisper of dauntless will. The charm of Austral melody will strike upon his car— The power of Austral melody will stir !:is manly son!— I am waiting Henry's epic by the rugged mountain i re, Assured that ho will yet attain the high and worthy goal. The stars, the mountains and the sea, Tiro far. lone, moonlit track— Those call him. and for ever he Is tramping on out back. t t —Charles Oscar Palmer