Page:Irish minstrelsy, vol 2 - Hardiman.djvu/132

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
120
NOTES.

called "festering boars," Bréan-toirc, and in others they are designated fetid goats, wolves, churls, &c. Similar feelings, have given birth to similar expressions amongst the modern Greeks, towards their Turkish oppressors. Accordingly, in their popular songs, we find the Turks called wild rams, wolves, and other opprobrious names. From among many bitter and sarcastic stanzas, current in Ireland, the following epigram is selected, as a striking proof of the national hatred here alluded to. One of our bards seeing an Englishman hanging on a tree, exclaimed extempore:—

Is maith do thoradh a chrain,
Rath do thoradh air gach aen ’craoibh,
Mo léun gan coillte Inse Fáil
Lán de’d thoradh gach aen lá.

Pass on—'tis cheering from yon stately tree,
A foe's vile form suspended thus to see;
Oh! may each tree that shades our soil, appear
Thick with such fruit throughout the lengthen'd year

James the Second, has been accused, not only of overlooking, but even of encouraging the excesses of his soldiery, against the protestants in Ireland; but, whatever were his faults, and they were not few, this was not among the number. The following letter, which I transcribe from the original, is of itself, sufficient to acquit him of that opprobrious charge.—

"James R.

"Our will and pleasure is that you forthwith repaire to our Towne of Cavan where you are during our pleasure to command in chiefe all our fforces in the said Towne and in our County of Cavan. You are likewise to take care that noe disorder be comitted by any of our Army within the said Towne or County of Cavan. And that you from time to time informe