Page:Australian and Other Poems.djvu/57

52 Not how he led his legions far and wide, Subduing nations to his vaulting pride; Not how he made of war a game, or framed Huge, lifeless piles, unstoried as unnamed; Not these the deeds his sounding name shall spread: Far nobler works the Islander has sped. How conquering ocean and subduing space. The earth he traversed with a steady pace; How unallured by love of golden ores. He pitched his peaceful camp on doubtful shores; How by no dangers checked or turned aside. He pierced the forest, climbed the mountain side; How leading commerce in the wake of toil. He built up cities and subdued the soil; While all the chaster arts successive came, To gild and beautify the mighty frame; How carrying out the great behest he ran From pole to pole, the harbinger of man. Such deeds relating—shall the historian say, 'Twas thus the Briton held his glorious way"