In the Days When the World Was Wide, and Other Verses

<h2> The Free-Selector's Daughter </h2> <p>I met her on the Lachlan Side &mdash;<br/> A darling girl I thought her,<br/> And ere I left I swore I'd win<br/> The free-selector's daughter.<br/> <br/> I milked her father's cows a month,<br/> I brought the wood and water,<br/> I mended all the broken fence,<br/> Before I won the daughter.<br/> <br/> I listened to her father's yarns,<br/> I did just what I 'oughter',<br/> And what you'll have to do to win<br/> A free-selector's daughter.<br/> <br/> I broke my pipe and burnt my twist,<br/> And washed my mouth with water;<br/> I had a shave before I kissed<br/> The free-selector's daughter.<br/> <br/> Then, rising in the frosty morn,<br/> I brought the cows for Mary,<br/> And when I'd milked a bucketful<br/> I took it to the dairy.<br/> <br/> I poured the milk into the dish<br/> While Mary held the strainer,<br/> I summoned heart to speak my wish,<br/> And, oh! her blush grew plainer.<br/> <br/> I told her I must leave the place,<br/> I said that I would miss her;<br/> At first she turned away her face,<br/> And then she let me kiss her.<br/> <br/> I put the bucket on the ground,<br/> And in my arms I caught her:<br/> I'd give the world to hold again<br/> That free-selector's daughter!<br/></p> <p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"></SPAN></p> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />