k, Thistle, and the Rose.

"My Boys have come of age to-day,"
The proud old mother smiling said.
"They write a brand-new page to-day,
By far-off futures to be read!"
Throughout all lands of British blood,
This stroke hath kindled such a glow;
The Federal links of Brotherhood
Are clasped and welded at a blow.
And aye the gold o' the Wattle glows
With Shamrock, Thistle, and the Rose.

THE BOYS' RETURN.

BY GERALD MASSEY.

Wives, mothers, sweethearts sent
Their dearest; waved their own defenders forth;
And, fit companions for the bravest, went
The Boys, to test their manhood, prove their worth.

As Sons of those who braved
All dangers; to Earth's ends our Flag unfurled,
The old pioneers of Ocean, who have paved
Our pathway with their bones around the world!

To-day the City waits,
Proudly a-throb with life about to be:
She welcomes her young warriors in her gates
Of glory, opened to them by the Sea.

Let no cur bark, or spurt
Defilement, trying to tarnish this fair fame;
No Alien drag our Banner through the dirt
Because it blazons England's noble name.

Upon the lips of Praise
They lay their own hands, saying, _"We have not won
Great battles for you, nor Immortal bays,
But what your boys were given to do is done!"_

When Clouds were closing round
The Island-home, our Pole-star of the North,
Australia fired her Beacons--rose up crowned
With a new dawn upon the ancient earth.

For us they filled a cup
More rare than any we can brim to them!
The patriot-passion did so lift men up,
They looked as if each wore a diadem!

Best honours we shall give,
If to that loftier outlook still we climb;
And in our unborn children there shall live
The larger spirit of this great quickening time.

To-day is the Women's day!
With them there's no more need o' the proud disguise
They wore when their young heroes sailed away;
Soft smiles the dewy fire in loving eyes!

And, when to the full breast,
O mothers! your re-given ones you take,
And in your long embraces they are blest,
Give them one hug at heart for England's sake.

The Mother of us all!
Dear to us, near to us, th