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Project Gutenberg Australia HomeReturn to Index of Poems
In the saddle ere the dawning
Penetrates the sable awning
Of the night
Out we canter from the station
Gaily, in anticipation
Of the light.
By the gum-clad hills we rattle,
Scaring oft the timid cattle
On our way;
In the hush before the chorus
Of the bush birds roosting o’er us
Greet the day.
Brushing o’er the dew-wet grasses,
Ducking ‘neath the hanging masses
Of green leaves,
’Twined anon some laughing rider
In the net the forest spider
Neatly weaves.
Clutching now a bunch of flowers,
Bringing down the dew in showers
On our heads;
Plunging through green reeds and rushes,
Where spring-water leaps and gushes,
Foams and spreads.
While the fog is slowly drifting
Like white clouds of smoke uplifting
From the plains,
And the soft, wet grass is dulling
Beat of horses strongly pulling
On the reins.
Here mammalia file to leeward,
‘Neath their boundings crisp and searwood
Fly and crack;
There a dingo leaps for cover
From the horses bearing over
On his track.
To the bellbirds’ notes we listen
While the dew begins to glisten
On the grass,
As the sun the hill peeps over,
And his rays across the clover
Proudly pass.
Plovers hide ‘mid fern and thistle
Cheery parrots chirp and whistle
In the trees;
And, all heedless of our coming,
‘Mong the flowers we hear the humming
Of the bees.
High upon the wooded mountains
Crystal gleam of tiny fountains
Catch the glance,
Whence the streams thro’ ferns that quiver,
Onward towards the distant river,
Play and dance.
With a fragrant breath that pleases
Cometh intermittent breezes,
Soft and low;
While the face of Nature’s smiling;
Pleasant hour of morn beguiling,
On we go.
Round the lake, and backward bounding,
Till the mountain bells are sounding
Far and dole.
Over flats and broken courses
How our fresh, impatient horses
Caracole!
Airy station chimes commingle
With our stirrups clank and jingle
O’er the lea;
And with pleasant, playful banter;
Spurting homeward, end our canter,
Merrily.
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