A May Night on the Mountains
The story revolves around a group of men who gather at a pub to share tales of their adventures on the mountains. The narrator recounts his own experience of being caught in a storm on a May night and having to take shelter in an old hut. He reflects on the harsh conditions and the resilience of the people living in the area.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1894 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Nature · 341 words
First lines
'Tis a wonderful time when these hours begin, These long ‘small hours' of night, When grass is crisp, and the air is thin, And the stars come close and bright. The moon hangs caught in a silvery veil, From clouds of a steely grey, And the hard, cold blue of the sky grows pale In the wonderful Milky Way.
There is something wrong with this star of ours, A mortal plank unsound, That cannot be charged to the mighty powers Who guide the stars around. Though man is higher than bird or beast, Though wisdom is still his boast, He surely resembles Nature least, And the things that vex her most.
What this Textopian page supports
A May Night on the Mountains is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Nature, Speculative
- Length: 341 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential questions about humanity and the universe, reflecting philosophical themes.
- Nature — The imagery and descriptions focus on natural elements like stars, the moon, and the night sky.
- Speculative — The work speculates about life on other planets and the nature of existence beyond Earth.
Tags
Australian literature · Short story collection · Realism · Regional fiction · Rural setting · Poverty · Social commentary · Class struggle · Outback life · Sheep station · Isolation · Loneliness