A Dream of Bear.

The Russian advance continues.Press item.

The tyrant slept. Far off the cannon spoke Their thunderous challenge to the tireless foe. The chiefs of war with stroke and counterstroke Tossed maddened leagues of manhood to and fro. Wide landscapes leaped in flame, but still he slept, Regardless still of tortures, deaths and prayers, Till through the silence of his dreams there crept Those awful bears. He dreamt that in a happy summer green He wandered through a meadow lush with grass. The warm sun on the hills appeared to lean, The little winds with music seemed to pass. Twas joy a while to leave the world behind, To put aside his crown and all its cares; Blithely he whistled till he turned to find Bears and more bears. Kaiser he seemed of mighty realms and proud, Of battle hosts drawn up in long review. The legions of his dream appeared to crowd The whole wide earth, and far his ensigns flew, Flaunting his glory in the eyes of men. His feet were on ambitions topmost stairs King of living world he stood.and then He saw those bears! Loping along the dreamscape of his sleep, Brown, shaggy, purposeful, he saw them come, Hard-breathing, waiting for the rush and leap, He watched them with dry lips that fear made dumb. Bears and more bears. The white fangs shone and gleamed. Bears in the rear to catch him unaware; Bears on the front, the flankthe whole world seemed One endless bear!
Curse O Moses. Pseudonym of David McKee Wright. N.S.W. The Bulletin, 29 June 1916.