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SPIRIT OF THE NATION.
37

IV.

Sagest in the council was he, kindest in the hall,
Sure we never won a battle—'twas Owen won them all.
Had he lived—had he lived—our dear country had been free;
But he's dead, but he's dead, and 'tis slaves we'll ever be.


V.

O'Farrell and Clanrickarde, Preston and Red Hugh,
Audley and MacMahon—ye are valiant, wise, and true;
But—what, what were ye all to our darling who is gone?
The Rudder of our Ship was he, our Castle's corner stone!


VI.

Wail, wail him through the Island! Weep, weep for our pride!
Would that on the battle-field our gallant chief had died!
Weep the Victor of Bunburb—weep him, young man and old;
Weep for him, ye women—your Beautiful lies cold!


VII.

We thought you would not die—we were sure you would not go,
And leave us in our utmost need to Cromwell's cruel blow—
Sheep without a shepherd, when the snow shuts out the sky,
Why did you leave us, Owen? Why, why did you die?


VIII.

Soft as woman's was your voice, O'Neill! bright was your eye,
Oh! why did you leave us, Owen? why did you die?
Your troubles are all over, you're at rest with God on high;
But we're slaves, and we're orphans, Owen!—why did you die?"


EPIGRAM

ON READING THE NEW NOVEL OF "BINANCA CAPELLO."

Strange things of Orpheus poets tell,
How for a wife he went to hell;
But B—— (wiser man, no doubt)
Would go to hell to be without.