Rhymes of the Survey and Frontier

GEORGE BLACKSTONE FIELD
Toronto William Briggs 1911
Copyright. Canada, 1911 by GEORGE B. FIELD
TO MY FATHER F. B. FIELD AND MY FRIEND C. D. MACKINTOSH THE FORMER FOR HIS INTEREST IN HIS SON'S LIFE ABROAD AND THE LATTER FOR HIS KIND INDULGENCE AND SYMPATHY.
There is no more courageous body of men than those pioneers of civilization who, taking their lives in their hands, penetrate savage countries in the interests of commerce, to survey and open up the land. —Cecil Rhodes, Rhodesia.
CONTENTS

Rhymes of the Survey and Frontier
You, who have conquered the wilderness, You, who are building the land, You, whom I knew in the loneliness, To you, who will understand, Rhymes I have rhymed of the lonely ways, Stories I tell o'er again— Wandering days by the camp-fire's blaze, Fancy and frolic and pain.
Far in the silence I seem to see Shadowy forms in the mist, Moulding the key of a land to be, Steeled to its terrors resist; Daring it all, where the shadows fall, Lengthening far in the night; Answering ever to nature's call, Turning the darkness to light.
Many will follow, but you must lead The way o'er the ancient clay, Paying the price of a nation's need; Comrades you leave by the way. Yet in the future you see a land Peopled and loved as a home; Men who will listen and understand Your work in the great alone.
Many have judged with a judgment stern Your pleasures, which e'en are few; Judging, with little desire to learn, Of trials they never knew. Yet you have chosen, and who shall say Your choosing was not aright; Willing to follow the silent way, The way of the long, long night.