Ere Tully arose in the zenith of Rome, Though unequall'd, preceded, the task was begun But Grattan sprung up like a god from the tomb Of ages, the first, last, the saviour, the one! With the skill of an Orpheus to soften the brute; -- And Corruption shrunk scorch'd from the glance of his mind. But back to our theme! Back to despots and slaves! Feasts furnish'd by Famine! rejoicings by Pain! 50 True freedom but welcomes, while slavery still raves, When a week's saturnalia hath loosen'd her chain. Let the poor squalid splendour thy wreck can afford (As the bankrupt's profusion his ruin would hide), Gild over the palace, Lo! Erin, thy lord! Kiss his foot with thy blessing, his blessings denied! Or if freedom past hope be extorted at last, Each brute hath its nature; a king's is to reign,- From Cæsar the dreaded to George the despised! 60 Wear, Fingal, thy trapping! O'Connell, proclaim convince Half an age's contempt was an error of fame, 66 And that Hal is the rascaliest, sweetest young prince!" Will thy yard of blue riband, poor Fingal, recall 70 The fetters from millions of Catholic limbs ? Or, has it not bound thee the fastest of all The slaves, who now hail their betrayer with hymns? Ay ! "Build him a dwelling!" let each give his mite! Till, like Babel, the new royal dome hath arisen! Let thy beggars and helots their pittance uniteAnd a palace bestow for a poor-house and prison ! Spread-spread, for Vitellius, the royal repast, Till the gluttonous despot be stuff'd to the gorge ! And the roar of his drunkards proclaim him at last The fourth of the fools and oppressors call'd George! 66 80 Let the tables be loaded with feasts till they groan! Till they groan like thy people, through ages of woe! Let the wine flow around the old Bacchanal's throne, Like their blood which has flow'd, and which yet has to flow. But let not his name be thine idol alone On his right hand behold a Sejanus appears! Without one single ray of her genius, without If she did let her long-boasted proverb be hush'd, Which proclaims that from Erin no reptile can spring See the cold-blooded serpent, with venom full flush'd, Still warming its folds in the breast of a king! 100 Shout, drink, feast, and flatter! Oh! Erin, how low My voice, though but humble, was raised for thy right, Yes, I loved thee and thine, though thou art not my land, I have known noble hearts and great souls in thy sons, And I wept with the world, o'er the patriot band Who are gone, but I weep them no longer as once. For happy are they now reposing afar,— Thy Grattan, thy Curran, thy Sheridan, all Who, for years, were the chiefs in the eloquent war, And redeem'd, if they have not retarded, thy fall. III Yes, happy are they in their cold English graves! Till now I had envied thy sons and their shore, Though their virtues were hunted, their liberties fled; There was something so warm and sublime in the core Of an Irishman's heart, that I envy-thy dead. Or, if aught in my bosom can quench for an hour My contempt for a nation so servile, though sore, Which though trod like the worm will not turn upon power, 'Tis the glory of Grattan, and genius of Moore! September, 1821. STANZAS WRITTEN ON THE ROAD BETWEEN FLORENCE AND PISA Он, talk not to me of a name great in story; What are garlands and crowns to the brow that is wrinkled ? 'Tis but as a dead-flower with May-dew besprinkled. Then away with all such from the head that is hoary! What care I for the wreaths that can only give glory! Oh FAME!-if I e'er took delight in thy praises, "Twas less for the sake of thy high-sounding phrases, Than to see the bright eyes of the dear one discover, She thought that I was not unworthy to love her. 9 There chiefly I sought thee, there only I found thee; Her glance was the best of the rays that surround thee; When it sparkled o'er aught that was bright in my story, I knew it was love, and I felt it was glory. November, 1821. ON THIS DAY I COMPLETE MY THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR MISSOLONGHI, Jan. 22, 1824. "TIS time this heart should be unmoved, Since others it hath ceased to move: My days are in the yellow leaf; The flowers and fruits of love are gone; The fire that on my bosom preys Is lone as some volcanic isle; The hope, the fear, the jealous care, But 'tis not thus-and 'tis not here Such thoughts should shake my soul, nor now, The sword, the banner, and the field, Awake! (not Greece-she is awake!) Tread those reviving passions down, If thou regrett'st thy youth, why live? Is here:-up to the field, and give Seek out-less often sought than found- Then look around, and choose thy ground, ΙΟ 20 30 40 |