Francis William Lauderdale Adams

Here you will find the Poem Australia of poet Francis William Lauderdale Adams

Australia

I SEE a Land of desperate droughts and floods:
I see a land where Need keeps spreading round,
And all but giants perish in the stress:
I see a Land where more, and more, and more
The demons, Earth and Wealth, grow bloat and strong.
I see a Land that lies a helpless prey
To wealthy cliques and gamblers and their slaves,
The huckster politicians: a poor Land
That less and less can make her heart-wish law.
Yea, but I see a Land where some few brave
Raise clear eyes to the struggle that must come,
Reaching firm hands to draw the doubters in,
Preaching the gospel: 'Drill and drill and drill!'
Yea, but I see a Land where best of all
The hope of Victory burns strong and bright!