 | Australian Lyrics &c |  |
TO A FAIR AUSTRALIAN.
I wonder what home folks would think, who saw you sitting there
In that delightful maze of pink by some French dressmaker,
Toying a slender foot, size two, in broidered silk encased,
In and out of the last court shoe that took Parisian taste.
In that delightful maze of pink by some French dressmaker,
Toying a slender foot, size two, in broidered silk encased,
In and out of the last court shoe that took Parisian taste.
The first time they took stock of you they'd note the union rare,
Complexion of the warmer hue with crown of pale gold hair,
'Twas this Italian masters loved on canvas to portray,
And some such witchery which moved the king Cophetua.
Complexion of the warmer hue with crown of pale gold hair,
'Twas this Italian masters loved on canvas to portray,
And some such witchery which moved the king Cophetua.
While the refinement of your face and the unconscious knack,
The careless captivating grace with which you're leaning back,
Could not be bettered, if you were the daughter of a peer,
Or long-descended commoner in the same social sphere.
The careless captivating grace with which you're leaning back,
Could not be bettered, if you were the daughter of a peer,
Or long-descended commoner in the same social sphere.
There's not a fairer in Mayfair or better bred or drest,
In the galaxy gathered there of England's loveliest,
You look so dainty, so complete, so far from common folk
As if you'd never crossed the street without a Raleigh's cloak.
In the galaxy gathered there of England's loveliest,
You look so dainty, so complete, so far from common folk
As if you'd never crossed the street without a Raleigh's cloak.
And yet I've seen you—often too—on a half-broken horse,
Pressing an old man kangaroo o'er fence and water course,
Galloping hard 'twixt low-branch'd trees, mid burrows, and ant heaps,
Pulling the colt up from his knees, or putting him at leaps.
Pressing an old man kangaroo o'er fence and water course,
Galloping hard 'twixt low-branch'd trees, mid burrows, and ant heaps,
Pulling the colt up from his knees, or putting him at leaps.
And if they knew the simple things with which you're gratified,
And saw your hearty welcomings and freedom from false pride,
They'd never dream that you command all money can acquire,
And occupy a block of land as large as Lincolnshire.
And saw your hearty welcomings and freedom from false pride,
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And occupy a block of land as large as Lincolnshire.
I wish I'd Millais' art to trace you as you're sitting there,
With your bright summer-tinted face and crown of golden hair,
To catch the sweet simplicity and gallant confidence,
That mingle in your frank blue eye and argue innocence.
With your bright summer-tinted face and crown of golden hair,
To catch the sweet simplicity and gallant confidence,
That mingle in your frank blue eye and argue innocence.
I like to see your elegance and fashionableness,
To see Australia meet France not blushing at her dress;
And like to think that when at rest and lounging as you please,
You can meet England's haughtiest and not look ill at ease.
To see Australia meet France not blushing at her dress;
And like to think that when at rest and lounging as you please,
You can meet England's haughtiest and not look ill at ease.
Innocence need not be uncouth and Nature's not ill drest,
Nor is it any crime for youth to try to look her best,
It pleases most when wealth and grace accomplished and ornate,
Seek not with coldness to efface the pleasure they create.
Nor is it any crime for youth to try to look her best,
It pleases most when wealth and grace accomplished and ornate,
Seek not with coldness to efface the pleasure they create.
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