| Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse. 1918. |
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| 121. Pioneers |
| | | By Frederick William Ophel |
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| THEY said: ‘Now here is gold; | |
| The cloth of gold unrolled | |
| Lies spread about our feet, | |
| Now fortune smiles and sweet.’ | |
| The mulga hid the face of Fate | 5 |
| Watching with ruthless eyes of hate. | |
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| ‘Now wealth is ours,’ they said, | |
| ‘Great wealth and riches red. | |
| Our journeying is done, | |
| Guerdon and gold are won.’ | 10 |
| Red were the written words they signed; | |
| And, scenting blood, the wild dog whined. | |
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| They said: ‘Now ours is fame, | |
| An honoured glorious name— | |
| The name of pioneers, | 15 |
| And honour as of seers.’ | |
| They turned to take the homeward track, | |
| And dreamed a joyous welcome back. | |
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| No man knows where they lie; | |
| None heard their last death-cry; | 20 |
| Unmarked their grave by mound; | |
| But at the last trump sound | |
| Perchance some God who all things hears | |
| Will give them praise as pioneers. | |
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