The French poem "The Illusion of Life" that appears in "Tragedy on the Nile" is the work of the Belgian poet Léon Montenaeken.
This poem is quoted in the preface of the verse novel "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke" written by Australian C.J. Dennis in 1915, with the subtitle "To Mr and Mrs J. G. Roberts".
About the author:
Léon Montenaeken, whose full name is Louis Moreau Constant Corneille van Montenaeken, was born in 1859 and his death year is unknown.
The original text of this poem:
La vie est vaine: Un peu d'amour, Un peu de haine . . . Et puis — bonjour!
La vie est brève : Un peu d'espoir, Un peu de rêve . . . Et puis — bonsoir!
Translation:
Life is illusory.
A little love,
A little hatred,?
And a good day greeting.
Life is short.
Have a little hope,?
Have a little dream,
And say good night to each other.