Author: Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

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It lies beyond the Western Pines
Beneath the sinking sun,
And not a survey mark defines,
The bounds of "Brumby's Run".

On odds and ends of mountain land,
On tracks of range and rock
Where no one else can make a stand
Old Brumby rears his stock.

A wild, unhandled lot they are
Of every shape and breed.
They venture out 'neath moon and star
Along the flats to feed;

But, when the dawn makes pink the sky
And steals along the plain,
The Brumby horses turn and fly
Back to the hills again.

The traveler by the mountain-track
May hear the hoof-beats pass,
And catch a glimpse of brown and black
Dim shadows on the grass.

The eager stock-horse pricks his ears,
And lifts his head on high
In wild excitement, when he hears
The Brumby mob go by.

Old Brumby asks no price or fee
O'er all his wide domains:
The man who yards his stock is free
To keep them for his pains.

So, off to scour the mountain side
With eager eyes aglow,
To strongholds where the wild mobs hide
The gully-rakers go.

A rush of horses through the trees,
A red shirt making play;
A sound of stockwhips on the breeze,
They vanish far away!

            *             *             *             *             *

Ah, me! before our day is done
We long with bitter pain
To ride once more on Brumby's Run
And yard his mob again.

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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem presents a vivid and dynamic depiction of rural life, specifically the phenomenon of "Brumby's Run," a place where wild horses roam freely. The central theme revolves around the freedom, wildness, and untamed spirit of these horses, paralleling a similar sense of independence and resilience in humans.

The poem's tone oscillates between admiration for the wild horses and a nostalgic longing for the exhilarating experience of capturing them. The structure, composed of rhymed quatrains, creates a rhythmic and engaging narrative flow, adding to the sense of movement and dynamism inherent in the themes.

The poem is rich in imagery, creating a strong sense of place and atmosphere. The poet employs various literary devices, such as personification, particularly seen in the depiction of the horses as a 'wild, unhandled lot' and the landscape as a living, breathing entity. The use of sound imagery, like the hoof-beats and the stockwhips, adds an auditory dimension to the visual imagery, creating a more immersive experience.

The final stanza shifts the tone from a simple description to a more personal and emotional register, revealing a yearning to relive the past. This introduces the theme of nostalgia and the human tendency to romanticize the past, offering a poignant close to the poem. In summary, the poem is a beautifully crafted tribute to the wild spirit of nature and a subtle exploration of human emotions.