We read in the press that Lord Northcote is here <br />To take up Lord Tennyson's mission. <br />'Tis pleasant to find they have sent us a Peer, <br />And a man of exalted position. <br />It's his business to see that the Radical horde <br />From loyalty's path does not swerve us; <br />But his tastes, and the task, don't seem quite in accord <br />For they say that His Lordship is nervous. <br />Does he think that wild animals walk in the street, <br />Where the wary marsupial is hopping? <br />Does he think that the snake and the platypus meet <br />And "bail up" the folk who go shopping? <br />And the boomerangs fly round the scared passer-by <br />Who has come all this way to observe us. <br />While the blackfellow launches a spear at his eye? <br />-- No wonder His Lordship is nervous. <br /> <br />Does he think that with callers he'll be overtasked, <br />From a baronet down to a barber? <br />Does he dream of the number of times he'll be asked <br />"What he thinks of our Beautiful Harbour?" <br />Does he sadly reflect on the sorrows that ding <br />Round his task? (From such sorrows preserve us!) <br />He must hear John See speak and O'Sullivan sing, <br />-- It's enough to make any man nervous. <br /> <br />Does he think he'll be waked in the dead of night <br />From Melbourne to go willy-nilly, <br />To live in the Federal Capital site <br />At Tumut or Wagra-go-billy? <br />Well, the Melbournites may let the Capital go <br />(Here we wink with one eye, please observe us!) <br />But not in a hurry! By no means! Oh, no! <br />He has not the least need to be nervous!<br /><br />Andrew Barton Paterson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-nervous-governor-general/
