My Country.
180
But through slow years of peace wherein her life in mine I nourish
And she must sink, as sink my aims, or flourish as they flourish.
And she must sink, as sink my aims, or flourish as they flourish.
The Patriot is no sudden flower that war's red soil produces
Spontaneously, long years the seed lies ripening for its uses
Spontaneously, long years the seed lies ripening for its uses
In silence and obscurity, its life shut fast within it
Till the heroic moment brings the hero forth to win it.i
Till the heroic moment brings the hero forth to win it.i
To sow this seed, and foster it with every high endeavour
That deep beneath all other thoughts its roots may live for ever,
That deep beneath all other thoughts its roots may live for ever,
This is the patriotic love with which I would possess her,
My Country! kernel of my heart! Australia! God bless her!
My Country! kernel of my heart! Australia! God bless her!
