An Anthology of Australian Verse/Middleton's Rouseabout
MIDDLETON’S ROUSEABOUT
Tall and freckled and sandy,
Face of a country lout;
This was the picture of Andy,
Middleton’s Rouseabout.
Face of a country lout;
This was the picture of Andy,
Middleton’s Rouseabout.
Type of a coming nation,
In the land of cattle and sheep,
Worked on Middleton’s station,
“Pound a week and his keep.”
In the land of cattle and sheep,
Worked on Middleton’s station,
“Pound a week and his keep.”
On Middleton’s wide dominions
Plied the stockwhip and shears;
Hadn’t any opinions,
Hadn’t any “idears.”
Plied the stockwhip and shears;
Hadn’t any opinions,
Hadn’t any “idears.”
Swiftly the years went over,
Liquor and drought prevailed;
Middleton went as a drover,
After his station had failed.
Liquor and drought prevailed;
Middleton went as a drover,
After his station had failed.
Type of a careless nation,
Men who are soon played out,
Middleton was:—and his station
Was bought by the Rouseabout.
Men who are soon played out,
Middleton was:—and his station
Was bought by the Rouseabout.
Flourishing beard and sandy,
Tall and robust and stout;
This is the picture of Andy,
Middleton’s Rouseabout.
Tall and robust and stout;
This is the picture of Andy,
Middleton’s Rouseabout.
Now on his own dominions
Works with his overseers;
Hasn’t any opinions,
Hasn’t any “idears.”
Works with his overseers;
Hasn’t any opinions,
Hasn’t any “idears.”