Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/142

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Jones's Party—note the sequel— Rules that country of the Free, And the fight, so nearly equal, Swayed the whole land's destiny. And the Big Things of the Nation are delayed till Hope grows sick— Offered up as sacrifices to "the bridge across the crick."

Dawking now is sadly fearing For the crowd's intelligence. Joseph, skilled in engineering, Full of pomp and sly pretence, Still holds out the pleasing promise of that bridge whene'er he goes Up to Wombat, patient Wombat, where the Muddy River flows.