Another search for Leichhardt's tomb, <br />Though fifty years have fled <br />Since Leichhardt vanished in the gloom, <br />Our one Illustrious Dead! <br />But daring men from Britain's shore, <br />The fearless bulldog breed, <br />Renew the fearful task once more, <br />Determined to succeed. <br /> <br />Rash men, that know not what they seek, <br />Will find their courage tried. <br />For things have changed on Cooper's Creek <br />Since Ludwig Leichhardt died. <br /> <br />Along where Leichhardt journeyed slow <br />And toiled and starved in vain; <br />These rash excursionists must go <br />Per Queensland railway train. <br /> <br />Out on those deserts lone and drear <br />The fierce Australian black <br />Will say -- "You show it pint o' beer, <br />It show you Leichhardt track!" <br /> <br />And loud from every squatter's door <br />Each pioneering swell <br />Will hear the wild pianos roar <br />The strains of "Daisy Bell". <br /> <br />The watchers in those forests vast <br />Will see, at fall of night, <br />Commercial travellers bounding past <br />And darting out of sight. <br /> <br />About their path a fearful fate <br />Will hover always near. <br />A dreadful scourge that lies in wait -- <br />The Longreach Horehound Beer! <br /> <br />And then, to crown this tale of guilt, <br />They'll find some scurvy knave, <br />Regardless of their quest, has built <br />A pub on Leichhardt's grave! <br /> <br />Ah, yes! Those British pioneers <br />Had best at home abide, <br />For things have changed in fifty years <br />Since Ludwig Leichhardt died.<br /><br />Andrew Barton Paterson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lost-leichardt/
