Page:Poems of the Great War - Cunliffe.djvu/249

 ��AUSTRALIANS TO THE FRONT!

(Captain Cook hears the Drums)

From the Scheldt to the Niemen,

Hark, the music of the drums ! Not unthrilled the souls of freemen

When that instant message comes. Rolling east the wild fantasia

Stirs the Orient blood to flame ; And the drums call Austral-asia

And she answers to her name.

Far away from hosts in battle,

Yet in time with marching feet. Here and now the war-drums rattle

In the sunbright city street. Horse and foot in martial manner,

Swift commands, and glances high, Naked steel and silken banner ;

Thus the ranks go proudly by.

But within the gardens spacious. Not a stone's throw from the crowd

One who fronts the landscape gracious Listens to the war-drums loud.

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