Page:Australian and Other Poems.djvu/24

Rh To seek relief from trivial cares the toilers forth repair, The children round the matron group, to breathe the evening prayer.

The hour when Slumber claims her sway descends upon the scene, Late-sitting guests, with gossip worn, are tending homewards seen, No change, to note, the vale comes o'er, no fear the homes among. The river, in his olden path, unswerving glides along.

The crescent night draws to its noon—amaze all hearts has thrilled; The waters, rising, flood the floors—the town with cries is filled. The mother, moaning, seeks her babes, whose limbs the waters lave. The father plies his anxious skill to ward th' intruding wave.