Classic Poem

Just before the last elections, and the chaps were fighting well
Round about the Paroo River, on the borderland of hell —
But the story of the struggle doesn't matter anyhow,
For a Parliament of angels couldn't save the country now.

But a poor old fellow struggled to a hut one broiling day,
And his ragged swag fell off him in a hopeless kind of way.
He was sick and very shaky, and his eyes were blurred and dim —
It was plain to all the fellows that 'twas nearly up with him.

He was stiff and out of tucker (all the fellows understood);
He wanted medicine and rest before he wanted food.
He was making for the border, underneath the blazing sun —
Old, and weak, and ill, he tottered, and but half his journey done.

" If I could put the time in up at Hungerford, " he said,
" Until after the election — I'd be ready to be dead.
I wouldn't care so much, " he sighed, " my time is nearly past —
But I've got a vote for Hughie, and I s'pose 'twill be my last. "

And the rough and noisy bushmen gathered round. Their manner grew
In a moment soft and gentle, for their hearts, of course, were true;
And they said, " What's up, old fellow? " and " What can we do for you? "

Then he raised his head a moment, and the tired answer came:
" There is nothing you can do, lads, but I thank you, all the same;
I am pretty cronk and shaky — too far gone for hell or heaven,
An' the chances are I'm goin' — that I'm goin' to " do the seven".

" But it isn't that that gripes me, an' I'll tell you what it is —
Life ain't over bright an' rosy, battlin' round in times like this;
For many a year I've knocked round here, where livin' is a crime,
An' couldn't get a vote — not once, though I tried it every time.
But I got in on 'em this time, an' when I did, said I,
This belongs to Hughie Langwell, an' I'll vote before I die.
An' I can't reach Yantabulla — that's the thing that makes me fret.
Chaps, I've got a vote for Hughie — but it ain't no monte yet. "

And it wasn't, chaps; he knew it. That same night he " did his seven " ,
But no doubt the swagman's name is safe upon the list in heaven.