The statesmanlike courage of President Roosevelt in acting over the heads of Congress and accepting Britain's token payment on account of war debts has awakened a world-wide sense of relief and an immense admiration for the man.
There comes a time in world affairs
When care and troubles press,
When every forlorn aspect wears
A guise of dire distress
And when the darkest hour seems near
And hope a thing forlorn --
A Roosevelt! A Roosevelt!
Comes like the light of morn.
There is a limit to men's schemes
Of avarice and greed,
When some one mind to higher themes --
Forced by his brother's need --
Conceives some altruistic plan
Of high and noble aim --
A Roosevelt! A Roosevelt!
To save the nation shame.
When all seems smashing to its doom
Earth wins the priceless dower --
The mind to pierce the deepest gloom,
The man to fit the hour.
We know not how. We know not why;
But for the nations' ease --
A Roosevelt! A Roosevelt!
Shall sway men's destinies.
First published in The Herald, 16 June 1933
Author reference sites: C.J. Dennis, Austlit, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian Poetry Library
See also.
