Yet let me keep the book; Haply, when from those eyes Worthy those eyes to meet; Thoughts that not burn, but shine, Pure, calm, and sweet. And, as the records are, Which wand'ring seamen keep, You still the unseen light, HOW DEAR TO ME THE HOUR. AIR" The twisting of the Rope." How dear to me the hour when day-light dies, And as I watch the line of light that plays Along the smooth wave tow'rd the burning west, I long to tread that golden path of rays, And think 'twould lead to some bright isle of rest. THE LEGACY. WHEN in death I shall calm recline, O bear my heart to my mistress dear! Tell her it liv'd upon smiles and wine Of the brightest hue, whilst it linger'd here: Bid her not shed one tear of sorrow, To sully a heart so brilliant and light; But balmy drops of the red grape borrow, To bathe the relic from morn till night. When the light of my song is o'er, Then take my harp to your ancient hall; Hang it up at that friendly door Where weary travellers love to call :* Then if some bard, who roams forsaken, Revive its soft note in passing along, Oh! let one thought of its master awaken Your warmest smile for the child of song. Keep this cup, which is now o'erflowing, THE DIRGE. AIR-"The dear black Maid." How oft has the Benshee cried, * " In every house was one or two harps, free to all travellers, who were the more caressed, the more they excelled in music."-O'Halloran. Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth ! We're fall'n upon gloomy days,* Oh! quench'd are our beacon lights, * I have endeavoured here, without losing that Irish character which it is my object to preserve throughout this work, to allude to that sad and ominous fatality, by which England has been deprived of so manygreat and good men, at a moment when she most requires all the aids of talent and integrity. † This designation, which has been applied to lord Nelson before, is the ti tle given to a celebrated Irish hero, in a poem by O'Gnive, the bard of O'Nial, which is quoted in the "Philosophical Survey of the south of Ireland," page 433. Con, of the hundred fights, sleep in thy grass-grown tomb, and upbraid not our defeats with thy victories!" So long shall Erin's pride WE MAY ROAM THROUGH THIS WORLD. AIR" Garyone." We may roam through this world, like a child at a feast, Who but sips of a sweet, and then flies to the rest, And when pleasure begins to grow dull in the east, We may order our wings and be off to the west. But if hearts that feel, and eyes that smile, Are the dearest gift that heav'n supplies, We never need leave our own green isle For sensitive hearts and for sun-bright eyes. Then remember, wherever your goblet is crown'd, Through this world, whether eastward or westward you roam, When a cup to the smile of dear woman goes round, Oh! remember the smile which adorns her at home. In England, the garden of beauty is kept |