 | Australian Lyrics &c |  |
AMBITION.
Should he then always have to read of others
Sailing amid the palm-isles of the East?
Of no more venturesome or valiant brothers
Piercing the veil, and seeing the high-priest
Of Nature in her holiest of holies,
Deep in a tropic forest, or beside
N'yanza lake, or where the ocean's roll is
Broken by the Amazon's prodigious tide?
Sailing amid the palm-isles of the East?
Of no more venturesome or valiant brothers
Piercing the veil, and seeing the high-priest
Of Nature in her holiest of holies,
Deep in a tropic forest, or beside
N'yanza lake, or where the ocean's roll is
Broken by the Amazon's prodigious tide?
Should he then always have to read of others
Playing the leading parts in history?
Of no more masterful or sapient brothers
Ruling vast empires, dealing destiny
To politics and commerce, creeds and races,
And laying down a daily rule of life
To millions with pale and dusky faces—
Judges of right and arbiters of strife?
Playing the leading parts in history?
Of no more masterful or sapient brothers
Ruling vast empires, dealing destiny
To politics and commerce, creeds and races,
And laying down a daily rule of life
To millions with pale and dusky faces—
Judges of right and arbiters of strife?
Should he then always have to read of others
Crossing the path of godlike womanhood?
Of no more gifted or attractive brothers
Winning submission, love, and gratitude
From some fair girl—her snowy bosom panting
With sweet emotions, fraught with innocence,
And with a look of the blue heaven haunting
Her blue eyes as if they had issued thence?
Crossing the path of godlike womanhood?
Of no more gifted or attractive brothers
Winning submission, love, and gratitude
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With sweet emotions, fraught with innocence,
And with a look of the blue heaven haunting
Her blue eyes as if they had issued thence?
Should he then always have to read of others
Basking at ease in the warm rays of wealth?
Of no more prudent or industrious brothers
Living like gods, while he impaired his health
And sacrificed his sleep, forewent his leisure,
Hobbled his hobbies, quenched his impulses,
And caught at best a fleeting glimpse of pleasure
Just for existence—for mere bread and cheese.
Basking at ease in the warm rays of wealth?
Of no more prudent or industrious brothers
Living like gods, while he impaired his health
And sacrificed his sleep, forewent his leisure,
Hobbled his hobbies, quenched his impulses,
And caught at best a fleeting glimpse of pleasure
Just for existence—for mere bread and cheese.
He would die, knew he not that the hereafter
Had for him somewhere golden gifts in fee,
Long sunny days of exercise and laughter,
And balmy nights sweetened with love and glee.
He knew not whether he in wealth should revel,
Or rule a land, or hostile armies spoil;
He only knew that man must find his level
If he lives long enough and shirks no toil.
Had for him somewhere golden gifts in fee,
Long sunny days of exercise and laughter,
And balmy nights sweetened with love and glee.
He knew not whether he in wealth should revel,
Or rule a land, or hostile armies spoil;
He only knew that man must find his level
If he lives long enough and shirks no toil.
| Australian Lyrics &c | |