BANNERMAN OF THE DANDENONG
Down the hill-side the fire-floods rushed,
On the roaring eastern wind;—
Neck and neck was the reckless race,—
Ever the bay mare kept her pace,
But the grey horse dropped behind.
On the roaring eastern wind;—
Neck and neck was the reckless race,—
Ever the bay mare kept her pace,
But the grey horse dropped behind.
He turned in the saddle—“Let’s change, I say!”
And his bridle rein he drew.
He sprang to the ground,—“Look sharp!” he said
With a backward toss of his curly head—
“I ride lighter than you!”
And his bridle rein he drew.
He sprang to the ground,—“Look sharp!” he said
With a backward toss of his curly head—
“I ride lighter than you!”
Down and up—it was quickly done—
No words to waste that day!—
Swift as a swallow she sped along,
The good bay mare from Dandenong,—
And Bannerman rode the grey.
No words to waste that day!—
Swift as a swallow she sped along,
The good bay mare from Dandenong,—
And Bannerman rode the grey.
The hot air scorched like a furnace blast
From the very mouth of Hell:—
The blue gums caught and blazed on high
Like flaming pillars into the sky; . . .
The grey horse staggered and fell.
From the very mouth of Hell:—
The blue gums caught and blazed on high
Like flaming pillars into the sky; . . .
The grey horse staggered and fell.
“Ride, ride, lad,—ride for her sake!” he cried;—
Into the gulf of flame
Were swept, in less than a breathing space
The laughing eyes, and the comely face,
And the lips that named Her name.
Into the gulf of flame
Were swept, in less than a breathing space
The laughing eyes, and the comely face,
And the lips that named Her name.
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