AN EASTER RHYME.
Easter Monday in the city—
Rattle, rattle, rumble, rush!
Tom and Jerry, Nell and Kitty,
All the down-the-harbour ‘push'—
Little thought have they, or pity,
For a wanderer from the bush.
Shuffle, feet, a merry measure!
Hurry, Jack, and find your Jill!
Let her—if it give her pleasure—
Flaunt her furbelow and frill!
Kiss her while you have the leisure;
For to-morrow brings the mill.
Go ye down the harbour winding
'Mid the eucalypts and fern,
Respite from your troubles finding:
Kiss her till her pale cheeks burn;
For to-morrow will the grinding
Millstones of the city turn.
Stunted figures, sallow faces,
Sad girls striving to be gay
In their cheap sateens and laces . . .
Ah! how different 'tis to-day
Where they're going to the races
Yonder—up Monaro way!
Light mist flecks the Murrumbidgee's
Bosom with a silver stain:
On the trembling wire bridge is
Perched a single long-legged crane;
While the yellow, slaty ridges
Sweep up proudly from the plain.
