The camp-fire gleams resistance To every twinkling star; The horse-bells in the distance Are jangling faint and far; Through gum-boughs torn and lonely The passing breezes sigh; In all the world are only My star-crowned Gove and I. The still night wraps Macquarie; The white moon, drifting slow, Takes back her silver glory From watching waves below; To dalliance I give over Though half the world may chide, And clasp my one true Lover Here on Macquarie side. The loves of earth grow olden Or kneel at some new shrine; Her locks are always golden- This brave Bush-Love of mine; And for her star-lit beauty, And for her dawns dew-pearled, Her name in love and duty I guard against the world. They curse her desert places! How can they understand Who know not what her face is And never held her handy- Who may have heard the meeting Of boughs the wind has stirred, Yet missed the whispered greeting Our listening hearts have heard. For some have travelled over The long miles at her side, Yet claimed her not as Lover Nor thought of her as Bride: And some have followed after Through sun and mist for years, Nor held the sunshine laughter, Nor guessed the raindrops tears. And if her droughts are bitter, Her dancing mirage vain- Are all things gold that glitter? What pleasure but hath pain? And since among Love's blisses Love's penalties must live, Shall we not take her kisses, And, taking them, forgive? The winds of Dawn are roving The river-oaks astir . . . What heart were torn of loving That had no I've but her? Till last red stars are lighted And last winds wander West, Her troth and mine are plighted- The lover I love best!