THE PACIFIC FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1928, Page 4

THE PACIFIC FLIGHT

(Melbourne Herald.) “ Roaeo hath her victories”. . . Not where the reek Of-battle rises and, in blind, brutehate, Men tor the lives of men insanely seek: Not here do nations earn an honoured fate ; - • • Hut where men, striving with a mightier foe, Win on to nobler, mightier victories: blessing the nation that in peace may know Such sons ns these. Peace hath her victories; yet knows leifeat, hen, ifat with ease, and drugged by tranquil days Australia’s sons stray upon errant feet. Led by false prophets, into devious ways. Then the heart sickens and the nation quails To learn the measure of man’s vanities; 'Fill hope again glows to the glorious tales Of men like these. Now come the conquerers! Not in the guise • Of slayers, hut life-givers to the earth; For in their valiant battle with the skies Has man’s ambition come to newer birth, To wider vision, till he understands— Forgetting petty spites and jealousies— Australia’s greatness lies there, in the hands Of men like these. They come in triumph, wheeling from on high, Kings of the air and conquerors of space Who found, ’twixt angry sea and angrier sky, A vision and an ideal for their race; Until, inspired, a wakened nation Teels New vigour; and a contrite nation sees Folly and Sloth bound to the chariot wheels Of men like these. Peace may not last: clear skies may yet grow gray, Anzacs and seed of Anzacs! Carry on! | Who be there else to guard against the | - day I We, or our children, yet may look upon— i That, fateful day when, stricken to the sod, Yet rising, still unconquered, to her knees, Australia shall know cause to thank her God For men like these. —C. J. DENNIS.