"Stella Australis": Poems, verses and prose fragments

POEMS
VERSES —— and —— PROSE FRAGMENTS
by E. COUNGEAU
Gordon and Gotch, Queen St., Brisbane, Printers and Publishers —— 1914. To Miss F. Vida Lahey, of Brisbane, this small volume is dedicated.
In East or West though I abide, By peaceful vale or mountain side, Thy crystal rills and sunlit sea— Dear land of beauty—calleth me.
THE raison d’être of this small work was suggested to me at the time of the lamented death of King Edward of happy memory. I essayed to mark the date of his decease by writing a few lines in commemoration of the event, and from that time forward I have felt a desire to express my thoughts in verse, with the hope that Queenslanders, no less than others, may see beauty in everything God has made. I am conscious there are many defects, and ask the leniency of my readers.
I would here acknowledge the kindness and courtesy of “The Brisbane Courier” for the production of my efforts in their valuable journal, which encourages me to trust that some little pleasure may be derived from their perusal. Such is the earnest wish of the Authoress.

A nation’s soul had hung with bated breath Upon two fateful words: ’Twas Life or Death. The King is dead!
Low lies that royal head; Death’s seal is pressed on that cold marble brow, Free from all sorrow now. He is at rest: The King is dead!
And she, whom he adored, is stricken low; Nor tears, nor loving words, avail him now. The King is dead!