The Vision
OF things that roam about the bush I ain't got many fears,
For I knows their ways an' habits, an' I've chummed with them for years.
For man or beast or gully ghost I've pluck enough to spare;
But I draws the line at visions with the sunlight in their hair.
When a man has fought an' conquered it is good in many ways:
There's the pride in havin' done it, an' the other fellows' praise;
There's the glory an' the standin' that you get among the men—
All their looks are more respectful since I socked it into Ben.
I was feelin' fine this mornin' when I started out to work;
An' I caught myself high-steppin' with a boastful sort of jerk;
With my head a trifle higher an' my eye a little stern.
I thought the world was mine for keeps; but I'd a lot to learn.
Young Dick, the Dusty, wasn't half so cheeky as of old;
The men were actin' friendly-like, but I kept kind of cold
An' distant, as becomes a bloke who's scored a knock-out thump—
Till just approachin' dinner time; an' then I got my bump.
39
