The Need for Ships.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 51

The Need for Ships.

(“The Bulletin.’*) Australia’s fleet consists of a few obsolescent gunboats and one fifty-year-old ballleship.—Disturbing fact. Themistocles proposed that, instead of dividing amongst themselves the revenues derived from the silver mine at Laurium, they should use that fund for the construction of ships of war. With the fleet thus obtained, Greece was saved at the Lattle of Salamis. — Plutarch, abridged. ■Broken Hill, one of the richest mineralproducing cities in the Commonwealth, has its biggest mines closed down. —News item. Athens in the long ago—ere the Asiat foe Laid the Spartan legion low—drifted thus; Wasted time in revelry, launched no ships upon the sea— Drowsed long quite carelessly— Same as us! From her mines at Laurium, ere the Persian beat his drum. Lo, she raised a mighty sum every But that foolish land afar threw its coin across the bar. Bought with it ti e brown cigar, Likewise beer! But Themistocles, the wise, gazed with grim, prophetic eyes — Whilst the crowd swapped jokes ami lies; saw the need; Fought the ancient Tory crew —fool Athenian leaders who Saw no need for measures now—(Cook and Reid) And he beat them, so it seems—bright •to-day his action gleams— Built one hundred big triremes speedily; Aristides and his gang grieved to hear his hammers clang— Yea, they felt the Tory pang Inwardly ! Came King Xerxes, bight the Proud, with his monstrous fighting crowd— Blared his trumpets long and loud as they came: On that ancient land at last burst the Asiatic blast, And the Tories stood aghast At the same! With twelve hundred lighting ships came the Persian ‘neaili his whips Marched the millions—in eclipse sank the star (So opined the Tory crew) of the land that Homer knew— Land of heroes brave and true In times afar. Some observed, “'Tis best to run—• Greece, it seems, is clearly done.” But their leader hade them shun such a crime; “Here be ships wherewith to light — grasp your swords,*’ said he, “ami smite: ' ' Let us keep our country White— This land sublime! ‘‘Brave Leonidas is dead—yea, Thermopylae runs red With the blood his heroes shed for his laud; Athens burns—our city dear; but. our lighting ship- are here. Greece is safe—ye need no fear, Let us stand!’’ Blaring loud did echoes come— echoes of the Persian drum; (Touched the Tories pah' and numb on the shore. But the man who manned the fleet raised no wail of dread defeat — Resolute* each seaman beat With his oar! Where the Mr of Salamis lifts, (he lips of Greece* In kiss. Lo. they made their galley hiss through the swell; Xerxes proud, upon his throne*, thought the' victory bis oWn ; Soon he raised a bitter groan, Then a yell I For behold! with iron beaks drave the warships of the* Gtpek*— The Athenian proudly -peaks of that day; Shining yet across the yodrs see their swords, their shields am! spears, Hear the ringing Grecian cheer** Far aw ay I ✓ ‘

Turned the Persian ships and fled —in the -ea their floating dead Dyed the blue Aegean red with their blood ; Xerxes proud in anguish rose, quit bis large, all conquering pose. For his name, as history shows, Was Plain Mud! He who came two millions strong tore with whirlwind speed along— Came no glad, triumphant song from his lips; Thu* Themistoclos the grim, in those days long dead and dim, Spoilt the Asiatic hymn .With his ships! i ■ 1,1 " t'. 1 1 - - 'rr:- -.zs