Be it what you will, brother,-
worse than what you say,-
Try to make the best of things,
or beat them as you may!
For never have I read in books,
or heard, or seen, ill luck
That didn't mend apace, when met
by hearty English pluck.

I wot you've come a longish way,
and watch'd a longish while,
And long'd in vain, from day to day,
for crabbed Fortune's smile;
But cheerly, man! the longer you
have look'd for luck in vain
It must be something never now;-
so look for it again!

The blackest cloud that ever was,
eclipsing summer light,
How looks it on its other side?
all beautiful and bright!
The darkest providence there is,
beheld by Wisdom's eyes,
Is merciful, and just, and kind,
and excellent and wise!

So, friend, though disappointed hopes
be bitter in the mouth,
Hope on! for Nature's very heart
is hopeful in the South:
Australia, with her tempered clime,
and richly teeming soil,
Will well repay with golden luck
for hopefulness and toil.

Try Labour! No more lottery-work
in digging pits for gold,
But honest, well-paid labour,
in the field and in the fold;
The luck that lives on nuggets
is but poorly off for health;
But wheat, and fruits, and wholesome roots,
are food as well as wealth!