Poem by George Essex Evans

Brunton Stephens

The gentle heart that hated wrong,
   The courage that all ills withstood,
The seeing eye, the mighty song
   That stirred us into Nationhood,
       Have passed. What garlands can be spread?
       The Prince of Courtesy is dead.

The power that touched all human chords
   With wit that lightened thro’ the years
Without a sting, whose tender words
   Unsealed the fountain of our tears—
       Ah! bow the heart and bend the head—
       The Prince of Courtesy is dead.

Great Singer of the South, who set
   Thy face to Duty as a star,
Though, in hushed skies of violet,
   Thy throne of kingship gleamed afar,
       Shall not the toil of common days
       Add nobler lustre to thy bays!

O Mighty Voice, whose words shall stand—
   When all our songs have ceased to be—
Steadfast, the watchwords of our land,
   The guide and torch of Liberty!
       The Master-Poet called afar,
       And thou at last hast found thy star!

1. Australia
2. Adrift: A Brisbane River Reverie
3. A Federal Song
4. The Song of Life
5. Ad Astra

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