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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Notes
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Includes brief biographical/critical notes about contributors.
Contents
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Introduction to the Penguin Book of Australian Verse,
single work
criticism
Explores the passage of Australian poetry from 1788 to the early 1970s, discussing why the anthology focuses on 'articulate, personal poetry', and is weighted toward the fruitful period after 1930. Highlights important themes and concerns of Australian poetry - the quest for an Antipodean Eden, the pursuit of Romantic idealism within a strongly secular culture, and the need to define an Australian vision and identity against English culture - and assesses the individual contributions of major poets.
- "A settler in the olden times went forth" The Creek of the Four Gravesi"I tell a Settler's tale of the old times,", single work poetry (p. 55-62)
- A Midsummer Noon in the Australian Forest "Not a sound disturbs the air," A Mid-Summer Noon in the Australian Foresti"Not a bird disturbs the air,", single work poetry (p. 62-64)
- The Sick Stock-Rider The Sick Stockrideri"Hold hard, Ned! lift me down once more, and lay me in the shade,", single work poetry (p. 65-68)
- Bell-Birdsi"By channels of coolness the echoes are calling,", single work poetry (p. 69-70)
- The Last of His Tribei"He crouches, and buries his face on his knees,", single work poetry (p. 70-71)
- The Song of Ninian Melvillei"Sing the song of noisy Ninny - hang the Muses - spit it out!", single work poetry humour satire (p. 71-74)
- Dreamsi"I have been dreaming all a summer day", single work poetry (p. 75)
- When London Callsi"They leave us - artists, singers, all-", single work poetry satire (p. 76-77)
- The Man from Snowy Riveri"There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around", single work poetry (p. 78-82)
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Saltbush Billi"Now this is the law of the Overland that all in the West obey,",
single work
poetry
The character of "Saltbush Bill" is introduced in this poem as a drover of sheep along "the track of the Overland", who stretches the "the law of the Great Stock Routes" by allowing his sheep to make use of all the good grass they find. On the occasion described in the poem, Bill's sheep have spread across a squatter's property. A Jackaroo arrives and attempts to drive the sheep back into the accepted "space of the half-mile track". An argument and then fight ensues between Bill and the Jackaroo, and, while Bill concedes after a marathon fight, in the end he achieves his aim of finding his sheep a good feed.
- Eve-Songi"I span and Eve span", single work poetry (p. 86)
- Never Admit the Paini"Never admit the pain,", single work poetry (p. 87)
- The Men of Eureka (A Recollection)i"They have gone out, the men of Eureka,", single work poetry (p. 87-88)
- The Yarran-Treei"The Lady of the Yarran-tree,", single work poetry (p. 88-90)
- An Aboriginal Similei"There was no stir among the trees,", single work poetry (p. 90)
- Old Botany Bayi"I'm old", single work poetry (p. 91)
- Where the Dead Men Liei"Out on the wastes of the Never Never-", single work poetry (p. 92-94)
- An Allegoryi"The fight was over, and the battle won.", single work poetry (p. 94)
- Australiai"Last sea-thing dredged by sailor Time from Space,", single work poetry (p. 95)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Sincerity and Flight-- 100 Years of Australian Poetry
1977
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Westerly , June no. 2 1977; (p. 53-61) -
Untitled
1973
single work
review
— Appears in: The Times Literary Supplement , 27 July 1973; (p. 876)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
The Musing Conscience : Heseltines's Anthology of Verse
1973
single work
review
— Appears in: Meanjin Quarterly , Autumn vol. 32 no. 1 1973; (p. 94-96)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16 September 1972; (p. 21)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sunday Telegraph , 17 September 1972; (p. 27)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry
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[Brief review]
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: New Poetry , vol. 20 no. 3 1972; (p. 44)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 October 1972; (p. 12)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: Poetry Australia , no. 44 1972; (p. 63-64)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sunday Telegraph , 17 September 1972; (p. 27)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16 September 1972; (p. 21)
— Review of The Penguin Book of Australian Verse 1972 anthology poetry -
Sincerity and Flight-- 100 Years of Australian Poetry
1977
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Westerly , June no. 2 1977; (p. 53-61)