Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Science and Water) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—To mark the departure from the Senate of Senator Hill, and in the style of Wordsworth’s ode to Milton:

Canberra 2006

Robert! Thou should’st be leaving at this hour

America hath need of thee: she is a fen

of stagnant waters: pellet gun and pen,

both indicate how life there has gone sour,

their ancient wealth is crumbling (like a Tower)

they know unhappiness. They are selfish men;

Oh! Raise them up (they all watch CNN!):

and give them manners, virtue, freedom, power:

Here in the Senate, thou were’t quite a Star

Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:

“Fortune favours the brave” thou cried, and we

Admired thee making waves here and afar.

Thou possessed more political artillery

Than Dubya, Condi Rice or even Hillary

So now, as we smile and bid thee fond adieu,

Dame fortune’s favour surely goes with you.

We hope for future exploits quite sublime

Oh who can tell how high this Hill will climb!