Page:The Spirit of the Nation.djvu/167

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SPIRIT OF THE NATION.
71

Rich bowls bestrew the ground,
And broken harps around,
Whose once enchanting sound
In the bard's blood sleeps.


V.

False Sydney! knighthood's stain,
The trusting brave in vain—
Thy guests—ride o'er the plain
To thy dark cow'rd snare.
Flow'r of Offaly and Leix,
They have come thy board to grace—
Fools! to meet a faithless race
Save with true swords bare.


VI.

While cup and song abound,
The triple lines surround
The clos'd and guarded mound,
In the night's dark noon.
Alas! too brave O'More,
Ere the revelry was o'er
They have spill'd thy young heart's gore,
Snatch'd from love too soon!


VII.

At the feast, unarm'd all,
Priest, bard, and chieftain fall
In the treacherous Saxon's hall,
O'er the bright wine bowl;
And now nightly round the board,
With unsheath'd and reeking sword,
Strides the cruel, felon lord
Of the blood-stain'd soul.


VIII.

Since that hour the clouds that pass'd
O'er the Rath of Mullaghmast,
One tear have never cast

On the gore-dyed sod;