B R E E D I N G B U S H R A N G E R S . Poetry 1883.

Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 - 1900), Thursday 3 May 1883

B R E E D I N G  B U S H R A N G E R S .

[Vide recent Tasmanian and other Episodes.]

INSIDE the untended cot he sat,
His bottle in his hand;
His breast was bare, his matted hair
Was thick with mud and sand.
gain he sacked of the warrior deeds
Done in his native land.

Wide through the landscape of his thoughts
The lordly Kelly rode;
Beneath the gum trees on the plain '
Once more a king he , strode;
And he saw the craven constables
Descend the mountain road.

He saw again that noble four
Call on the traps to stand;
Then heard the shots, and saw them fall
Fall by the brave ones' hand.
" Ah ! ah! my oath, when I can make
One of a blooming band."

The forests, with their myriad tongues,
Shouted of liberty;
And the blast of the wild bush cried aloud,
With a voice so wild and free,
That he started in his cot and smiled
At their tempestuous glee.

Ah! what a glorious life to lead,
Feared by the old and young ;
To shoot all dogs that won't "bail up,"
And to hear your praises sung
By the 'boys' at night round the red camp fire,
Wonder on every tongue.

Then to be shot by blooming traps,
And caught when wounded, lame;
Brought a hero to Melbourne jail
To make for yourself a name.
To be tried by a cove with a big white wig,
And die on the gallows—"game."