To Australia

WITH THE WOUNDED AND THE SURVIVORS OF 1914 RETURNING HOME IN AUTUMN, 1918.

A loving message at Christmastide, Sent round the world to the underside A-sail in the ship that across the foam Carries the wounded Aussies home, Who rallied at War’s far-thundering call, When England stood with her back to the wall, To fight for Freedom, that ne’er shall die So long as on earth the old flag fly.

O hearts so loving, eager and bold-- Whose praise hath claim to be writ on the sky In letters of gold, of fire and gold-- Never shall prouder tale be told, Than how ye fought as the knights of old “Against the heathen in Turkye In Flanders Artois and Picardie:” But above all triumph that else ye have won This is the goodliest deed ye have done, To have seal’d with blood in a desperate day The love-bond that binds us for ever and aye.

September, 1918.