AustLit
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.
Latest Issues
Notes
-
Dedication: To My Brothers Alan and Charlie Who Did Not Return
-
Epigraph: Your fancies and fortunes I've borrowed, / Your songs of the land or the air: / Men say not 'He joyed', or 'He sorrowed', / But say, 'My Battalion was there'.
-
Introduction by Lieutenant General John Monash states: '...Many an Australian pen has written of the war and of its soul-stirring episodes and phases, but no other has yet so fully, so searchingly, or so poignantly pictured the emotional side of that great and terrible adventure.'
-
The poems are grouped together in six titled parts: Part I - The Argonauts (pp. 5-25) ; Part II - This We Knew (pp. 29-80) ; Part III - The Return (pp. 83-100) ; Part IV - Afterthoughts (pp. 103-126) ; Part V - Tributes (pp. 129-151) ; Part VI - Other Themes (pp. 155-190)
-
Miller (1940) comments: 'Pryce's poems were written on the way to and at the front, and also in hospital; they are based on his experiences in action and give an intimate insight into the mind of the soldier. He writes in a variety of moods, stirring, expectant and reflective. His mental attitude is vigorous, forthright and sincere. He has in him the spirit of the conqueror, with a deep sense of responsibility. Pryce opened well, and in the zest of service found poetic utterance of promise.' (p. 101)
-
Contents indexed selectively.
Contents
* Contents derived from the
Sydney,
New South Wales,:Cornstalk Publishing
, 1926 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
- The Soldieri"The bugle spoke to him from far away,", single work poetry war literature (p. vi)
- The Song of a Happy Warriori"When through the bannered streets we strode", single work poetry war literature (p. 1)
- The Troopshipi"Come, comrades! Hours of ease return:", single work poetry war literature (p. 5-11)
- Night in the Bushi"To weave her spells for hearts of men,", single work poetry war literature (p. 12)
- The Storm Ridersi"There's a road from Dakar Town leading to the nor'ward;", single work poetry war literature (p. 13-15)
- The Drifting Boati"Northward, and ever north sailed we,", single work poetry war literature (p. 16-17)
- The U-Boat's Decoyi"Decks where trailing cordage clings, heavy in the rain;", single work poetry war literature (p. 18-19)
- The U-Boati"On Biscay in an hour's release,", single work poetry war literature (p. 20-21)
- Salvagei"Once on a day a lame duck lay", single work poetry war literature (p. 22)
- Plymouthi"Oh, dreary landfall! In a misty rain", single work poetry war literature (p. 23)
- A New Centurioni"From the south, as the Legions came of old,", single work poetry war literature (p. 24-25)
- The Gods Jesti"Over the wood the mistral blows;", single work poetry war literature (p. 29-35)
- On Theimbronne Hilli"On Theimbronne Hill the mists disclose", single work poetry war literature (p. 36-37)
- The Rider of Theimbronnei"Last night when the moonlight on Theimbronne lay still,", single work poetry war literature (p. 38-39)
- In the Valley of the Aai"Daisies modest and humble; poppies pagan and proud;", single work poetry war literature (p. 40)
- Moving Upi"A whistle nags across the yard,", single work poetry war literature (p. 41-42)
- Before Battlei"Have we demanded of our God", single work poetry war literature (p. 43)
- The Bugle and the Larki"Waked on a misty morning,", single work poetry war literature (p. 44)
- I Wonderi"Could Homer walk this hill and hear", single work poetry war literature (p. 45-46)
- In Flandersi"O muddy fields of Flanders! O little farms forlorn!", single work poetry war literature (p. 47-48)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
- y The Poetry of Henry Weston Pryce The Poetry of Henry Weston Pryce as an Expression of Historical Experience, and the Literary Influences on His Work Sydney : 1979 Z11106 1979 single work thesis
-
A Bundle of Books
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Home , 1 January vol. 8 no. 1 1927; (p. 44)
— Review of Your Old Battalion : War and Peace Verses 1926 selected work poetry -
Let's Talk About Books
1926
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian Woman's Mirror , 21 December vol. 3 no. 4 1926; (p. 24) -
Untitled
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 16 December vol. 47 no. 2444 1926; (p. 3)
— Review of Your Old Battalion : War and Peace Verses 1926 selected work poetry
-
A Bundle of Books
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Home , 1 January vol. 8 no. 1 1927; (p. 44)
— Review of Your Old Battalion : War and Peace Verses 1926 selected work poetry -
Untitled
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 16 December vol. 47 no. 2444 1926; (p. 3)
— Review of Your Old Battalion : War and Peace Verses 1926 selected work poetry -
Let's Talk About Books
1926
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian Woman's Mirror , 21 December vol. 3 no. 4 1926; (p. 24) - y The Poetry of Henry Weston Pryce The Poetry of Henry Weston Pryce as an Expression of Historical Experience, and the Literary Influences on His Work Sydney : 1979 Z11106 1979 single work thesis
Last amended 18 Feb 2013 12:23:22
Export this record