But this they do (which is doubtless a spell) and other matters more strange,

Until, by the operation of years, the hearts of their scholars change:

Till these make come and go great boats or engines upon the rail

(But always the English watch near by to prop them when they fail);

Till these make laws of their own choice and

Judges of their own blood;

And all the mad English obey the Judges and say that the Law is good.

Certainly they were mad from of old: but I think one new thing,

That the magic whereby they work their magic -wherefrom their fortunes spring

May be that they show all peoples their magic and ask no price in return.

Wherefore, since ye are bond to that magic, O Hubshee, make haste and learn!

Certainly also is Kitchener mad. But one sure

thing I know

If he who broke you be minded to teach you,

to his Madrissa go!

Go, and carry your shoes in your hand and bow your head on your breast,

For he who did not slay you in sport, he will not teach you in jest.

993894A

THE YOUNG QUEEN

THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, INAUGURATED NEW YEAR'S DAY 1901)

HER hand was still on her sword-hilt, the spur

was still on her heel,

She had not cast her harness of

steel;

grey war-dinted

High on her red-splashed charger, beautiful,

bold, and browned,

Bright-eyed out of the battle, the Young Queen rode to be crowned.

She came to the Old Queen's presence, in the Hall of Our Thousand Years

In the Hall of the Five Free Nations that are

peers among their peers:

Royal she gave the greeting, loyal she bowed the head,

Crying

"Crown me, my Mother!" And the Old Queen stood and said:—

"How can I crown thee further? I know whose

standard flies

Where the clean surge takes the Leeuwin or the coral barriers rise.

Blood of our foes on thy bridle, and speech of our friends in thy mouth

How can I crown thee further, O Queen of the Sovereign South?

"Let the Five Free Nations witness!" But the Young Queen answered swift:

"It shall be crown of Our crowning to hold Our crown for a gift.

In the days when Our folk were feeble thy sword made sure Our lands:

Wherefore We come in power to take Our crown at thy hands."

And the Old Queen raised and kissed her, and the jealous circlet prest,

Roped with the pearls of the Northland and red with the gold of the West,

Lit with her land's own opals, levin-hearted,

alive,

And the Five-starred Cross above them, for

sign of the Nations Five.

So it was done in the Presence-in the Hall of

Our Thousand Years,

In the face of the Five Free Nations that have

no peer but their peers;

And the Young Queen out of the Southland kneeled down at the Old Queen's knee, And asked for a mother's blessing on the excellent years to be.

And the Old Queen stooped in the stillness where the jewelled head drooped low:

"Daughter no more but Sister, and doubly Daughter so

Mother of many princes-and child of the child I bore,

What good thing shall I wish thee that I have not wished before?

"Shall I give thee delight in dominion-mere pride of thy setting forth?

Nay, we be women together-we know what that lust is worth.