The Happy Man

TODAY I met a happy man
    A joyous light shone in his eyes;
I marked the ruffing smiles that ran
    Athwart his face, and wondered why
His recent gloom had given place
    To joy; so strangely he behaved.
He waved a paper in his face
    And cried aloud, "We're saved!
        We're saved!"

"We're saved!" he yelled. "It's the
    news!
Oh, have you seen it, man? It's
    great!"
"Why, yes," said I. "I did peruse
    My daily sheet. But why this state
Of jubilation? Has the fall
    Of deficits caused you this glee?
It's welcome news; but, after all,
    You're marked excitement puzzles
        me."

"Times nigh," said I, "on some day
    hence
Improve; but we've a way to go."
"Ay, deficits!" said he. "Talk sense!
    We're saved, I tell you! Don't you
        know
That what Australia these weeks past
    Has talked and thought and dreamed
        of, too,
In short, has come about at last?
    The country's saved! I'm telling
        you!"

"You speak of armaments, perchance,"
    Said I. "Has Germany agreed?"
He cast on me one pitying glance
    And waved his sheet. "Man! Can't
        you read?
Or, are you off your nut?" he raved.
    "It's here! The news! The very
        best!
I tell you, man, the country's saved!
    They've picked Don Bradman for
        the Test!"