Country Towns - Portland

Here she hides, an aged dame.
  Here she dreams beside the waves.
Ever baulked of modern fame
  And the deep-sea trade she craves.
Tall ships, riding at her port,
  Waking her to life anew -
Here she hides, and holds the fort,
  Hoping yet dreams will come true.

Charming lady, dignified,
  Proud, hospitable and kind;
With full half her rights denied.
  Here she waits, and calls to mind
Pictures of the olden days
 When the whalers, sailing down
To her quiet waterways
  Gave first promise to her town.

First came Dutton - half forgot -
  To establish well her claim
As the land's historic spot.
  After him stout Henry came;
Followed Major Mitchell then,
  Pushing forward with the task -
Still she waits, denied by men
  All she has a right to ask.

But Dame Portland is not done;
  For her pioneering blood
Yet shall have ambition won,
  And her fortunes at the flood.
Tall ships riding at her port
  Thriving life about her strand;
She, the storehouse and the fort
  Of her fertile hinterland.