an ebook published by Project Gutenberg Australia

Title: "I Dips Me Lid" to the Sydney Harbor Bridge

Author: C. J. Dennis

Date first posted: 2021

This eBook was produced by: Walter Moore

View our licence and header

“I Dips Me Lid” to the Sydney Harbor Bridge

Being Further Musings of “The Sentimental Bloke”

C. J. Dennis

“Young sir,” ’e sez . . . Like that . . . It made me feel

Romantic like, as if me dream was reel.

’Is dress was fancy, an’ ’is style was grave.

An’ me? I ’ope I know ’ow to be’ave

In ’igh-toned company, for ain’t I been

Instructed careful by me wife, Doreen?

“Sing small,” she sez. An’ that’s jist wot I did.

I sounds me haitches, an’ I dips me lid.

“Young sir,” ’e sez . . . O’ course you understand

’Twus jist a dream. But, on the other ’and,

’E seemed so reel as ’e sat spoutin’ there

Beside me on ole Dame Macquarrie’s Chair,

Lookin’ across the ’arbor while ’e talked —

Seemed sumpthink more that jist a ghost ’oo walked

Out o’ the past . . . “Phillip by name,” ’e said.

A queer ole cock, wif lace, an’ wig on ’ead.

It ’appened this way: I ’ad jist come down,

After long years, to look at Sydney town.

An’ ’struth! Was I knocked endways? Fair su’prised?

I never dreamed! That arch that cut the skies!

The Bridge! I never thort there could ’a’ been —

I never knoo, nor guessed — I never seen . . . .

Well, Sydney’s ’ad some knocks since I been gone,

But strike! This shows she keeps on keepin’ on.

I’d strolled about the town for ’arf a day

Then dragged me carcase round the ’arbor way

To view the Bridge from Dame Macquarrie’s Chair;

Then parks me frame, an’ gits to thinkin’ there —

Thinkin’ of olden days; an’ I suppose

I must ’ave nodded orf into a doze.

Nex’ thing I knoo, ole Phillip come an’ sat

Beside me, friendly like, an’ starts to chat.

“Young sir,” ’e sez. “You, too, in sheer amaze

Look upon this, and hark to other days,

An’ dream of this fair city’s early start,

In which (’e bows) I played my ’umble part —

My ’umble part — a flagpole an’ a tent.”

“Come orf!” sez I. “You was a fine ole gent.

Reel nob. I’ve read about the things you did.

You picked some site.” (’E bows. I dips me lid).

“Young sir,” ’e sez. “I’ve dwelt in spirit ’ere

To watch this city waxin’ year by year:

But yesterday, from a mere staff, a tent,

Wonder on wonder as the swift years went —

A thrivin’ village, then a busy town,

Then, as a stride, a city of renown.

Oh! what a wondrous miracle of growth!

Think you not so?” “Too right,” I sez. “My oath!”

“I’ve watched, young sir,” ’e sez. “An’ I ’ave feared

Sometimes; feared greatly when ill days appeared.

Yet still they fought and wrought. I had small need

To doubt the great heart of this sturdy breed.

Black war has come. Yet, over half a world,

Their sons into that bloody fray they hurled;

And still they triumphed. Still their lodestar shone.”

“Sure thing,” sez I. “They kep’ on keepin’ on.”

“Young sir,” ’e sez. “The tears well in my eyes

When I behold yon arch that cleaves the skies —

That mighty span, triumphant, where we view

My old friend Darwin’s vision now made true:

’There the proud arch, Colossus-like, bestride

Yon glittering stream and bound the chafing tide!

’Twas so he dreamed a few short years agone.

Spoke truly, sir; they keep on keeping on.”

So Phillip spoke ’is piece, fair puffed wif pride.

An’ ’im an’ me dreamed by the ’arbor-side:

I, of the scene before, of years to be,

An’ of the marvels that men yet might see;

’Im, of a lantern gleamin’ thro’ the fog

To light a tent, an’ two men, an’ a dog . . . .

Then both of us, like some queer instinct bids,

Stands up, serloots the Bridge, an’ dips our lids.

THE END

Project Gutenberg Australia