El Mahdi to the Australian Troops
El Mahdi to the Australian Troops - meaning Summary
Imperialism Condemned from Afar
The poem voices the Mahdi addressing Australian troops at Suakim Bay, accusing them of serving imperial tyranny rather than liberty. It condemns their role in upholding the Khedive, exploiting Egyptian peasants and enforcing foreign debts. The speaker rejects the campaign as unholy, recalls Gordon’s sacrifice, and prophesies a popular desert uprising backed by divine justice that will overturn the invaders and restore freedom.
Read Complete AnalysesAnd wherefore have they come, this warlike band, That o'er the ocean many a weary day Have tossed; and now beside Suakim's Bay, With faces stern and resolute, do stand, Waking the desert's echoes with the drum -- Men of Australia, wherefore have ye come? To keep the Puppet Khedive on the throne, To strike a blow for tyranny and wrong, To crush the weak and aid the oppressing strong! Regardless of the hapless Fellah's moan, To force the payment of the Hebrew loan, Squeezing the tax like blood from out the stone? And fair Australia, freest of the free, Is up in arms against the freeman's fight; And with her mother joined to crush the right -- Has left her threatened treasures o'er the sea, Has left her land of liberty and law To flesh her maiden sword in this unholy war. Enough! God never blessed such enterprise -- England's degenerate Generals yet shall rue Brave Gordon sacrificed, when soon they view The children of a thousand deserts rise To drive them forth like sand before the gale -- God and the Prophet! Freedom will prevail.
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