A Nation Once Again

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A Nation Once Again
by Thomas Osborne Davis
411293A Nation Once AgainThomas Osborne Davis

I[edit]

When boyhood's fire was in my blood
I read of ancient freemen,
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,
Three Hundred Men and Three Men.
And then I prayed I yet might see
Our fetters rent in twain,
And Ireland, long a province, be
A Nation Once Again.

II[edit]

And, from that time, through wildest woe.
That hope has shone, a far light;
Nor could love's brightest summer glow
Outshine that solemn starlight.
It seemed to watch above my head
In forum, field, and fane;
Its angel voice sang round my bed,
"A Nation Once Again."

III[edit]

It whispered, too, that "freedom's ark
And service high and holy,
Would be profaned by feelings dark
And passions vain or lowly:
For freedom comes from God's right hand,
And needs a godly train;
And righteous men must make our land
A Nation Once Again."

IV[edit]

So, as I grew from boy to man,
I bent me to that bidding—
My spirit of each selfish plan
And cruel passion ridding;
For, thus I hoped some day to aid—
Oh! can such hope be vain ?—
When my dear country shall be made
A Nation Once Again.

Source[edit]

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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