'The Drover's Sweetheart' by Henry Lawson
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An hour before the sun goes down
Behind the ragged boughs,
I go across the little run
And bring the dusty cows;
And once I used to sit and rest
Beneath the fading dome,
For there was one that I loved best
Who'd bring the cattle home.
Our yard is fixed with double bails,
Round one the grass is green,
The bush is growing through the rails,
The spike is rusted in;
And 'twas from there his freckled face
Would turn and smile at me --
He'd milk a dozen in the race
While I was milking three.
I milk eleven cows myself
Where once I milked but four;
I set the dishes on the shelf
And close the dairy door;
And when the glaring sunlight fails
And the fire shines through the cracks,
I climb the broken stockyard rails
And watch the bridle-tracks.
He kissed me twice and once again
And rode across the hill,
The pint-pots and the hobble-chain
I hear them jingling still;
He'll come at night or not at all --
He left in dust and heat,
And when the soft, cool shadows fall
Is the best time to meet.
And he is coming back again,
He wrote to let me know,
The floods were in the Darling then --
It seems so long ago;
He'd come through miles of slush and mud,
And it was weary work,
The creeks were bankers, and the flood
Was forty miles round Bourke.
He said the floods had formed a block,
The plains could not be crossed,
And there was foot-rot in the flock
And hundreds had been lost;
The sheep were falling thick and fast
A hundred miles from town,
And when he reached the line at last
He trucked the remnant down.
And so he'll have to stand the cost;
His luck was always bad,
Instead of making more, he lost
The money that he had;
And how he'll manage, heaven knows
(My eyes are getting dim),
He says -- he says -- he don't -- suppose
I'll want -- to -- marry -- him.
As if I wouldn't take his hand
Without a golden glove --
Oh! Jack, you men won't understand
How much a girl can love.
I long to see his face once more --
Jack's dog! thank God, it's Jack! --
(I never thought I'd faint before)
He's coming -- up -- the track.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Drover's Sweetheart: A Classic Australian Poem
As a literary enthusiast, I can't help but gush over the beauty and depth of Henry Lawson's classic Australian poem, "The Drover's Sweetheart." This masterpiece of a poem captures the essence of love, longing, and the harsh realities of life in the Australian outback.
The Poem's Background
Henry Lawson was an Australian poet, writer, and bush balladeer who lived from 1867 to 1922. He was known for his depictions of life in the Australian bush and his use of colloquial language. "The Drover's Sweetheart" was published in Lawson's collection of poems, "In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses" in 1896.
The poem tells the story of a woman who is waiting for her lover, a drover, to return from his long journey across the Australian outback. The drover has been away for months, and the woman's love and dedication to him have not wavered. She spends her days and nights yearning for his return, counting down the days until she can be reunited with her beloved.
The Poem's Interpretation
At its core, "The Drover's Sweetheart" is a poem about love and loyalty. The woman in the poem represents the epitome of unwavering devotion, even in the face of adversity. She is willing to endure the hardships and uncertainties of life in the outback, all for the love of her drover.
The drover, on the other hand, represents the harsh realities of life in the Australian bush. His journey is long and arduous, fraught with dangers and challenges. He is away from his beloved for months at a time, and it is uncertain whether he will return at all. Despite this, the drover is committed to his job and to his way of life, even if it means sacrificing his relationship with his sweetheart.
The poem also explores the theme of distance and separation. The outback, with its vast expanses of land and harsh environment, serves as a metaphor for the distance between the drover and his sweetheart. The woman's longing for her lover is palpable, as she waits day after day for his return. The poem highlights the pain and loneliness that comes with separation, as well as the power of love to overcome even the greatest of distances.
The Poem's Literary Devices
One of the most striking aspects of "The Drover's Sweetheart" is Lawson's use of imagery and symbolism. The outback, with its vast expanses of barren land and harsh environment, is a powerful symbol of the challenges and difficulties of life in the Australian bush. The woman's house, with its "verandahs all around," represents a small oasis in the midst of this harsh environment, a place of safety and comfort in an otherwise unforgiving landscape.
Lawson also uses repetition to great effect in the poem. The phrase "waiting for the drover" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the woman's sense of anticipation and the passage of time. The repetition of this phrase also serves to highlight the woman's unwavering devotion to her lover, as she waits day after day without complaint.
The poem's use of colloquial language is another noteworthy literary device. Lawson's use of Australian slang and dialect adds authenticity to the poem, giving it a sense of place and time that would be difficult to achieve otherwise. The use of colloquial language also serves to emphasize the distance between the drover and his sweetheart, as their language and way of life are so different from the rest of the world.
The Poem's Relevance Today
Despite being written over a century ago, "The Drover's Sweetheart" remains relevant today. The themes of love, loyalty, and separation are universal, and the poem's depiction of life in the Australian outback still resonates with readers today.
The poem also serves as a reminder of the importance of commitment and dedication in relationships. In a world where relationships are often treated as disposable and temporary, the woman in the poem stands as a symbol of unwavering love and loyalty. Her dedication to her lover, despite the hardships and uncertainties of life in the outback, serves as an inspiration to us all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Drover's Sweetheart" is a masterpiece of Australian literature. Henry Lawson's evocative imagery, use of symbolism, and colloquial language combine to create a powerful and timeless poem. The poem's themes of love, loyalty, and separation continue to resonate with readers today, making it a true classic of Australian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Drover's Sweetheart: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, wrote "The Drover's Sweetheart" in 1891. This classic poem tells the story of a young woman who waits for her lover, a drover, to return home. The poem is a beautiful and poignant portrayal of love, longing, and the harsh realities of life in the Australian outback.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the setting: "Out on the wastes of the Never Never." This phrase immediately sets the tone for the poem, conveying a sense of isolation and desolation. The speaker goes on to describe the young woman, who is waiting for her lover to return. She is described as "tall and straight and brown," with "eyes as bright as the starlight." This description paints a vivid picture of the young woman, and the use of the word "brown" suggests that she spends a lot of time outdoors, perhaps working on a farm or ranch.
The next stanza of the poem introduces the drover, the young woman's lover. He is described as "a reckless boy," with "eyes that shone with a sudden joy." This description suggests that the drover is a free spirit, someone who enjoys the freedom of the open road. The use of the word "reckless" also suggests that he is not afraid to take risks, which is a common trait among drovers.
The third stanza of the poem describes the young woman's longing for her lover. She is "waiting and watching the road," hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he returns home. The use of the word "waiting" suggests that she has been waiting for a long time, perhaps weeks or even months. The fact that she is "watching the road" suggests that she is anxious and eager to see her lover again.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the harsh realities of life in the outback. The young woman is "watching the drought come stealing." This line suggests that the land is suffering from a lack of rain, which is a common problem in the Australian outback. The use of the word "stealing" suggests that the drought is taking something away from the land, perhaps its fertility or its ability to sustain life.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the young woman's love for her lover. She is "waiting and watching and praying," hoping that he will return safely. The use of the word "praying" suggests that she is deeply religious, and that she believes in the power of prayer to protect her lover from harm.
The sixth stanza of the poem describes the young woman's fear for her lover's safety. She is "listening and hearing and fearing," afraid that something has happened to him. The use of the word "fearing" suggests that she is deeply worried, and that she is afraid that her worst fears will be realized.
The seventh stanza of the poem describes the young woman's determination to wait for her lover. She is "waiting and watching and hoping," determined to stay strong and faithful until he returns. The use of the word "hoping" suggests that she is optimistic, and that she believes that her lover will return to her.
The eighth and final stanza of the poem describes the young woman's joy when her lover finally returns. She is "waiting and watching and weeping," overcome with emotion at the sight of him. The use of the word "weeping" suggests that she is crying tears of joy, and that she is deeply moved by her lover's return.
Overall, "The Drover's Sweetheart" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of life in the Australian outback. It portrays the harsh realities of drought and isolation, as well as the power of love and faith to sustain us in difficult times. Henry Lawson's use of vivid imagery and powerful language makes this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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