AUSTRALIA A.D. 1894.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5092, 27 October 1894, Page 2

AUSTRALIA A.D. 1894.

The following lines (writes our London correspondent) appeared in the London Sun, of August 19, and are stated by Mr T. P. O'Connor to be by the anthoress of "A. Yellow Aster" — at least, she sent them to him. As a matter of fact, however, they are signed by the lady's husband, Dr Caffyn (author of "Miss Milne and I"), and I 6hould say represented his sentiments even more than his talented wife's :— And thus Australia, while about her feet Her sons, furrow-browed and sad, crouched lieteniag; ■ « ' . ' Her voice, as Love with Anger strove; shivered to the mountain tops, And curious stars came out to see men take their dose of Truth :— " You ask my sons why life is sad, and why old age O'ertakes midway 'twiit birth and death. Why deed Stalks rampant through the land, spoiling youth, And laughter, satire-soaked, comes from the birdsalone. Listen ! Yonder, in the far-off days, when Fate Was kissing northern lands I lay and nursed my barrenness : Storing little hoards of gold away— as old maids will, Pining for child— and ever to the southern bzeeze said: • I'll wait, I'll wait, for men must come, and the welcoming Will laugh in harvest— for Qodis good.' " They came, your sires, and saw not my flowers, Nor the rich breasts of me bursting to feed ; But with hungry handß rent my robe in search of an old maid's savings. Oae night while busy sleep men rocked, in the rigour of their dreams, The southern wind, my old-time friend, crept back, And I to him—' What name give they this race of mine ?' And he, whispering low—* They call them Avarice, and their love Begets their like— thy little hoard mis-spent, they, greed-impelled, Shall on each other feed. Bnt now farewell. I have no further word for you than this : Go burrow on as vermin will, and when the gold is gone, Come back to me, repentance-led, and I have golden corn for you, Laughing vines, and sweet forgiveness.' "