Poems from the Works of Aubrey De Vere

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...when the boy-king Nial,.Was train'd by Torna: when Britain and Gaul Their laurel crowns sent to Dallan Forgial. To-day we can launch the clans into fight: That day we could freeze them in mid career! Whatever man knows, was our realm by right: The lore without music no Gael would hear. Old Cormac, the brave, blind king was bard Ere fame rose yet of O'Daly and Ward. The son of Milesius was bard--" Go back, My people," he sang; "ye have done a wrong! ' This is the earliest record ot Irish song. Its import has doubtless been faithfully preserved. It asserts those great principles of Truth and Justice, upon which alone national greatness can be founded. Nine waves go back o'er the green sea track; Let your foes their castles and coasts make strong. To the island ye came by stealth and at night: She is ours if we win her in all men's sight! " 'Tis past! some think that we err'd through pride, Though Columba the vengeance turned aside. Too strong we were not: too rich we were: Give wealth to knaves: 'tis the true man's snare! XIII But now men lie: they are just no more: They forsake the old ways: they quest for new ' They pry aind they snuff after strange false lore As dogs hunt vermin. It never was true: I have sc0rn'd it for twenty years--this babble That eastward and southward a Saxon rabble Have won great battles, and rule large lands, And plight with daughters of ours their XIV How long He leaves me--the great God--here! Have I sinn'd some sin, or has God forgotten? hands l We know the bold Norman o'erset their throne Long since! Our lands! Let them guard their own! This year, I think, is my hundredth year: I am like a bad apple, unripe yet...