O cool South-wind,
Blowing from icebergs and the world of sea!
Yet you remind
Me of my northern home, and wing to me,
With your crisp breath,
Whiffs of the breezy spring, and the wind-flower
That blossometh
In Kentish woods in March's budding hour.
And you, ye Waves,
You too hail from the ice and Southern Pole:
The tide, that laves
My home, knows of you but as soul knows soul,
Alike in kind
But moving in its own and distinct sphere:
Yet, as the wind,
You waft me memories of North lands dear.
O threatening Sky,
You are not beautiful; but when there be
Dark clouds on high,
They conjure up remembrances for me
Of my old home,
And dear ones drawing-in to the hall fire;
And with them come
Mists of regret and rain-drops of desire.
I love the sun,
Blue heavens, soft still air, and sea in calm:
When summer's gone
I feel as, in a northern clime, a palm
Transplanted from
The South. And yet, when clouds or cold appear,
Or chill sea-foam,
I welcome them as if old friends drew near.
First published in The Queenslander, 1 April 1882
Author reference sites: Austlit, Australian Dictionary of Biography
See also.
Blowing from icebergs and the world of sea!
Yet you remind
Me of my northern home, and wing to me,
With your crisp breath,
Whiffs of the breezy spring, and the wind-flower
That blossometh
In Kentish woods in March's budding hour.
And you, ye Waves,
You too hail from the ice and Southern Pole:
The tide, that laves
My home, knows of you but as soul knows soul,
Alike in kind
But moving in its own and distinct sphere:
Yet, as the wind,
You waft me memories of North lands dear.
O threatening Sky,
You are not beautiful; but when there be
Dark clouds on high,
They conjure up remembrances for me
Of my old home,
And dear ones drawing-in to the hall fire;
And with them come
Mists of regret and rain-drops of desire.
I love the sun,
Blue heavens, soft still air, and sea in calm:
When summer's gone
I feel as, in a northern clime, a palm
Transplanted from
The South. And yet, when clouds or cold appear,
Or chill sea-foam,
I welcome them as if old friends drew near.
First published in The Queenslander, 1 April 1882
Author reference sites: Austlit, Australian Dictionary of Biography
See also.
