I am sitting by the river,
And I while an hour away,
Watching circles start and widen
In their momentary play.
...
I cared not what they failings were
They faults I would not see.
I only knew I loved thee well
And thought thee true to me.
...
The waratah has stained her cheek,
Her lips are even brighter;
Like virgin quartz without a streak
Her teeth are, but far whiter.
...
Come gather, brave Australian sons,
And join us in a song,
And if you like the way it runs
Then make it roll along.
...
Going round the back street.
Through the silent lane,
While the folks at church meet,
Coming home again.
...
Sickness, sorrow, death, disgrace,
All of these I have to face ;
Pain of body, fret of mind,
Poverty, with bread to find.
...
I love at eve to wander
Alone among the hills,
While Nature and her myst'ries
My soul with wonder filia.
...
I culled them fresh on the mountain side,
Where they blossomed wild and free,
They were emblems in the fair noontideFix this text
Of my thoughts, dear friend, for thee.
...
Oh, could I as I lift this pen
Mark out thy destiny,
I would have thee happy now as when
Nurs'd at thy mother's knee.
...
I knew not what thy failings were,
Thy faults I did not see,
I only felt I loved thee well,
And thou wert true to me.
...