| Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse. 1918. |
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| 168. Youth and Age |
| | | By Vance Palmer |
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| YOUTH that rides the wildest horse, | |
| Youth that throws the deadliest steer, | |
| Spending strength without remorse, | |
| Grappling with the ghosts of fear, | |
| Knows it only holds to-day | 5 |
| All it freely flings away. | |
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| Youth that rides a race with Death | |
| When the frightened cattle break, | |
| Living in the moment’s breath, | |
| Risking all for honour’s sake, | 10 |
| Lightly knows it holds in fee | |
| Life and immortality. | |
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| Age that rides the spavined grey, | |
| Age that seeks the safest track, | |
| Scenting perils by the way, | 15 |
| Dreaming of the journey back, | |
| Leaves behind it all the truth | |
| Known to the wild heart of youth. | |
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