C. J. Dennis

“ But all this game uv grab an' greed
An' silly 'ate--Why, where's the need?"
The hills be'ind the orchard trees
Jist caught the settin' sun. A bloke might easy think that there,
'Way back be'ind the range somewhere,
Where streaks uv sunlight run, There was a land, swep' clear uv doubt,
Where men finds wot they dreams about.
. . . . . . . .
"Beauty," sez Digger, sudden-like,
"An' love, an' kindliness ”

“ But Poole, 'e sez 'e don't see no sich thing,
So Begg gits 'ot, an' starts to loose a "Damn." 'E twigs the missus jist in time to check,
An' makes it "Dash," an' gits red down 'is neck.
There's me an' Peter Begg, an' ole man Poole--
Neighbours uv mine, that farm a bit close by-- Jist once a week or so we makes a school,
An' gives this game uv Dummy Bridge a fly. Doreen, she 'as 'er sewin' be the fire,
The kid's in bed; an' 'ere's me 'eart's desire.
'Ome-comfort, peace, the picter uv me wife
'Appy at work, me neighbours gathered round All friendly-like--wot more is there in life? ”

“ When they've been out to 'ave their fun;
But no word uv the game. On fights an' all the tale uv blood
Their talk, as they remark, is dud.
It's so with soldiers, I 'ave 'eard,
All times. The things that they 'ave done, War-mad, with blood before their eyes,
An' in their ears wild fightin' cries,
They ever after shun. P'r'aps they forget; or find it well
Not to recall too much uv 'Ell.
An' when they won't loose up their talk
It's 'ard for us to understand 'Ow all those boys we used to know,
Ole Billo, Jim an' Tom an' Joe,
Done things to beat the band. We knoo they'd fight ”

“ An' two designin' women ain't 'is match."
I puts me foot down firm, an' tells 'em, No!
Their silly plan's a thing I wouldn't touch. An' then me wife, for 'arf an hour or so,
Talks to me confident, of nothin' much; Then, 'fore I know it, I am all red 'ot
Into the scheme, an' leader uv the plot.
'Twas Mar Flood starts it. She got 'old uv 'im--
You know the way they 'ave with poor, weak men-- She drops a tear or two concernin' Jim;
Tells 'im wot women 'ave to bear; an' then She got 'im talkin', like a woman can.
'E never would 'ave squeaked to any man. ”

“ An' then ole Peter Begg, Doreen an' me We walk together 'ome, an' on the way,
Doreen 'as quite a lot uv things to say.
"Did you see Flo?" sez she. "Don't she look grand?
That Jim's the luckiest in all the land--
An' little Smith--that girl uv 'is, I'm sure,
She'll bring 'im 'appiness that will endure." She 'ugs my arm, then sez, "'Usband or wife,
If it's the right one, is the wealth uv life."
I sneaks a look at Begg, an' answers, "Yes,
Yeh're right, ole girl; that's the reel 'appiness. ”

“ West
'VE seen so much uv dirt an' grime
I'm mad to 'ave things clean. I've seen so much uv death," 'e said--
"So many cobbers lyin' dead--
You won't know wot I mean; But, lad, I've 'ad so much uv strife
I want things straightened in my life.
"I've seen so much uv 'ate," 'e said--
"Mad 'ate an' silly rage-- I'm yearnin' for clear thoughts," said 'e.
"Kindness an' love seem good to me.
I want a new, white page To start all over, clean an' good,
An' live me life as reel men should."
We're sittin' talkin' by the fence,
The sun's jist goin' down, Paintin' the sky all gold an' pink. ”

“ An' Poole was thinkin' uv a father's part.
An' then 'e speaks: "This war 'as turned us 'ard.
⁠Suppose, four year ago, yeh said to me
That I'd sit 'eedless, starin' at a card
⁠While that ole mother told—Good Lord!" sez 'e
"It takes the women for to put us wise
To playin' games in war-time," an' 'e sighs.
An' 'ere Doreen sets out to put 'im right.
⁠"There's games an' games," she sez. "When women starts
A hand at Bridge like she 'as played to-night
⁠It's Nature teachin' 'em to make it 'earts. ”

“ It's jist the form 'is nerves 'ave took.
Now 'e's been watchin' Flo an' seen
'Er style, an' 'ow she's always keen For news uv Jim.Then 'e starts out
To 'ope, an' 'esitate, an' doubt.
'E wonders if 'is own girl spoke
Jist this same way about 'er bloke.
'E wonders if in 'is girl's eyes
That same look came; an' then 'e sighs, An' dulls 'is senses with the dope
That 'arf a man ain't got no 'ope.
'E makes me tired. But, all the same,
I tries to work a little game.
"Look 'ere," I sez. "About this Flo.
Jim mightn't come back 'ome, yeh know. You 'ave a fly; yeh're sure to score ”

“ Would tell; an' when 'is wife comes to our place,
An' sez that Dad is ill an' took to bed,
Flat out with work--though that ain't wot she said-- I ain't su'prised; an' tells 'er when I'm thro'
I'll come across an' see wot I can do.
I went across, an'--I come back again.
Strike me! it's no use reas'nin' with some men.
Stubborn ole cows! I'm sick uv them ole fools.
The way 'e yells, "Keep yer 'ands off my tools!" Yeh'd think I was a thief. 'Is missus said
I'd better slope, or 'e'd be out uv bed. ”

“ Crackin' reel 'ardy, an'--jist sawin' wood.
Dad Flood, 'is back is bent, 'is strength is gone;
'E'd done 'is bit before this war come on.
At sixty-five 'e thought 'is work was done;
'E gave the farmin' over to 'is son, An' jist sat back in peace, with 'is ole wife,
To spend content the ev'nin' uv 'is life.
Then come the war. An' when Syd 'esitates
Between the ole folk an' 'is fightin' mates,
The ole man goes outside an' grabs a hoe.
Sez 'e, "Yeh want to, an' yeh ought to go. Wot's stoppin' yeh?" 'E straightens 'is ole frame. ”

“ Me talk in' so uv Jim, but when I see
⁠Your face it brings 'im back; 'e's jist your kind.
⁠Not quite so 'an'some, p'r'aps, nor so refined.
I've got some toys uv 'is," she sez. "But there—
⁠This is ole woman's talk, an' you be'ind
With all yer work, an' little time to spare."
She gives me 'and a squeeze an' turns away,
⁠Sobbin', I thort; but when she looks be'ind,
Smilin', an' wavin', like she felt reel gay,
⁠I wonders 'ow the women works that blind,
⁠An' jist waves back; then goes inside to find
A lookin'-glass, an' takes a reel good look. . . . ”

“ An' look reel neat, from me waist up at least,
⁠An' sling remarks in at the proper place,
An' not makes noises drinkin', like a beast.
"'Ave some more cake. Another slice, now do.
⁠An' won't yeh 'ave a second cup uv tea?
'Ow is the children?" Ar, it makes me blue!
⁠This boodoor 'abit ain't no good to me.
⁠I likes to take me tucker plain an' free:
Tea an' a chunk out on the job for choice,
⁠So I can stoke with no one there to see.
Besides, I 'aven't got no comp'ny voice.
Uv course, I've 'ad it all out with the wife.
⁠I argues that there's work that must be done. ”

“ An' this 'ere Flood—I tips it must be Jim—
⁠Was cobbers up in France, an' things occurred.
⁠⁠⁠ (I got 'is word
Things did occur up there) . But, anyway,
Seems Flood done somethin' good for 'im one day. ”

“ I whispers. "Grab yer 'and, An' look reel occupied when they comes in.
Per'aps they'll 'ave the sense to understand. If it's a man, maybe 'e'll make a four;
But if"--Then Missus Flood comes in the door.
'Twas ole Mar Flood, 'er face wrapped in a smile.
"Now, boys," she sez, "don't let me spoil yer game. I'll jist chat with Doreen a little while;
But if yeh stop I'll be ashamed I came." An' then she waves a letter in 'er 'and.
Sez she, "Our Jim's a soldier! Ain't it grand?"
"Good boy," sez Poole.
"Let's see.I make it 'earts."
"Doubled!" shouts Begg. . . . ”

“ To welcome Jim, 'oo's comin' 'ome nex' day.
We're 'angin' flags around to make things gay, An' shiftin' chairs, an' candle-greasin' floors,
'As is our way when blokes come 'ome from wars.
"A little game uv Bridge," sez Peter Begg,
"Would be more decent like, an' p'r'aps a keg
Uv somethin' if the 'ero's feelin' dry.
But this 'ere darncin'! Be the Hokey Fly, These selfish women never thinks at all
About the guest; they only wants the ball. ”

“ An' then 'e gits so snarky that I clear.
But 'e'll do me. I like the ole boy's nerve.
We don't do nothin' that 'e don't deserve;
⁠But me an' Peter Begg an' ole man Poole,
⁠We fairly 'as our work cut out to fool
The sly ole fox, when we sneaks down each day
An' works a while to keep things under way.
We digs a bit, an' ploughs a bit, an' chops
The wood, an' does the needful to 'is crops. ”

“ So long as 'e 'ad one sound, dinkum arm.
"So, 'ere I am," 'e sez, an' grins again.
"A promise is a promise 'mong us men."
⁠Sez I, "You come along up to the 'ouse.
⁠⁠⁠Ole Dad won't rouse
When once 'e's got yer strength, an' as for Mar,
She'll kiss yeh when she finds out 'oo yeh are."
So we goes up, an' finds 'em both fair dazed
About this little Smith; they think 'e's crazed. ”

“ This Princess was a dinkum Aussie girl. I can't do nothin' else but sit an' stare,
Thinkin' so rapid that me 'air roots curl. But 'er? She sez, 'I ain't 'eard talk so good
Since my child'ood.
"`I wish,' sez she, `I could be back again
Beneath the wattle an' that great blue sky. It's like a breath uv 'ome to meet you men.
You've done reel well,' she sez. `Don't you be shy. When yer in Blighty once again,' sez she,
`Come an' see me.'
"I don't see 'er no more ”

“ An' sock it into some base foe.
Nothin' but glory fills 'is mind;
⁠The British charge is somethin' grand;
The soldier that 'e reads about
Don't 'ave no time for fear an' doubt;
⁠'E's the 'eroic brand. ”

“ Wants great swank 'ead-stones on their chest?
"You coots at 'ome 'as small ideer
⁠Uv wot we think an' feel.
We done our bit an' seen it thro',
An' all that we are askin' you
⁠Is jist a fair, square deal.
We want this land we battled for
To settle up—an' somethin' more.
"We want the land we battled for
⁠To be a land worth while.
We're sick uv greed, an' 'ate, an' strife,
An' all the mess that's made uv life." . . . ”

“ Doreen an' ole Mar Flood 'as got a scheme.
⁠They've been conspirin' for a week or more
About this Digger Smith, an' now they dream
⁠They've got 'is fucher waitin' in cool store
To 'and 'im out, an' fix 'im up for life.
But they've got Buckley's, as I tells me wife.
I've seen 'em whisperin' up in our room.
⁠Now they wants me to join in the debate;
But, "Nix," I tells 'em. "I ain't in the boom,
⁠An' Digger Smith ain't risin' to me bait;
'E's fur too fly a fish for me to catch,
An' two designin' women ain't 'is match." ”

“ She ain't forgotten Jim.
"I'd like to swap my luck for Jim's
If 'e comes 'ome with all 'is limbs.
An', if 'e don't--well, I dunno.
I've taken notice uv this Flo, An' wonder if"--'e stares at me--
"If there is more like 'er" sez 'e.
Now, Digger Smith 'as learned a lot
Out fightin' there, but 'e ain't got
The cunnin' for to 'ide 'is 'eart.
'E's too dam honest, for a start; 'Is mind's dead simple to a friend.
I've read 'im through from end to end.
I've learned from things 'e 'asn't said
Jist wot's been runnin in 'is 'ead.
I know there is a girl, somewhere ”

“ I tells 'er, 'Straight; I drives 'em four-in-'and
⁠⁠⁠'Ome in my land.'
"You 'ear a lot," sez little Digger Smith,
⁠"About 'ow English swells is so stand-off.
Don't yeh believe it; it's a silly myth.
⁠I've been reel cobbers with the British toff
While I'm on leaf; for Blighty liked our crowd,
⁠⁠⁠An' done us proud.
"Us Aussies was the goods in London town
⁠When I was there. If they jist twigged yer 'at
The Dooks would ask yeh could yeh keep one down,
⁠An' Earls would 'ang out 'Welcome' on the mat,
An' sling yeh invites to their stately 'alls
⁠⁠⁠For fancy balls. ”

“ The gold was creepin' up, the sun
⁠Was 'arf be'ind the range.
It don't seem strange a man should cry
To see that glory in the sky—
⁠To me it don't seem strange.
'Digger!" said 'e. "Look at it now! ”

“ Gawstruth!" sez I. "You ain't includin' me?"
"Well, it takes two to make a row," sez little Digger Smith.
"A bloke can't argue 'less 'e 'as a bloke to argue with.
I've come 'ome from a dinkum scrap to find this land uv light
Is chasin' its own tail around an' callin' it a fight.
"We've seen a thing or two, us blokes 'oo've fought on many fronts;
An' we've 'ad time to think a bit between the fightin' stunts.
We've seen big things, an' thought big things, an' all the silly fuss,
That used to get us rattled once, seems very small to us. ”

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1938, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 84 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”

“ An' then our soldier guest could 'ave 'is fun
⁠If 'e'd lost both 'is legs. It makes me sick—
⁠'Ere! Don't yeh spread that candle-grease too thick.
Yeh're wastin' it; an' us men 'as to buy
Enough for nonsense, be the Hokey Fly! ”

“ I tells 'im, "only this:
⁠When there's a waitin' tart to kiss
Yeh're only 'arf a man; but when
There's blokes to fight, yeh're twenty men."
"Wot tart?" 'e asks. "Yeh mean this Flo?"
"P'raps not," I sez. "You ought to know." . . . ”

“ Some work, some play, an' food an' such."
"See 'ere," I sez. "You 'ark to me.
⁠I've done some thinkin' too.
An' this 'ere land, for wot yeh did,
Owes some few million solid quid
⁠To fightin' blokes like you. ”

“ I thinks reel 'ard; an' then I lets it go.
⁠I tells 'er, out at Richmond, on me Run—
A little place uv ten square mile or so—
⁠I'm breedin' boomerangs; which is reel fun,
When I ain't troubled by the wild Jonops
⁠⁠⁠That eats me crops. ”

“ An' stammers, "Must 'ave found a piece—somewheres."
⁠But, by the way she smiles—so extra sweet—
⁠I know she twigs me game, an' I am beat.
"Fancy," she sez. "Yeh're absent-minded, dear.
Sure there was nothin' else yeh wanted 'ere?"
"Nothin'," I sez, an' feels a first-prize fool;
An' goes outside, an' grabs the nearest tool. ”

“ They 'ave got somethin' from this war,
Somethin' they never 'ad before,
⁠That makes 'em better men.
Better? There's no word I can get
To name it right. There's somethin' yet.
We 'ear a lot about reward ”

“ Fly.—A turn; a try.
Game.—Occupation; scheme; design.
Grandstand play.—Playing to the gallery.
Groggy.—Unsteady.
Grouch.—To mope; to grumble.
Hokey Fly, by the.—A mild expletive, without any particular meaning. ”

“ Seems like a reel ripe peach to me.
"Not that I'm askin'" . . . 'Ere 'is eyes
Goes sort uv swiv'ly, an' 'e sighs.
"Not that I'm askin' with idears
Uv love an' marridge; 'ave no fears. I've chucked the matrimony plan,"
'E sez. "I'm only 'arf a man."
This Digger Smith 'as fairly got
Me rampin' with 'is "'arf man" rot.
'E 'as a timber leg, it's true;
But 'e can do the work uv two. Besides, the things 'e's done Out There
Makes 'im one man an' some to spare.
I knoo 'is question was jist kid.
'E'd met this girl; I know 'e did. ”