I WOULD not give my Irish wife For all the dames of the Saxon land; I would not give my Irish wife For the Queen of France's hand; For she to me is dearer Than castles strong, or lands, or life: An outlaw-so I 'm near her To love till death my Irish wife. O what would be this home of mine, A ruin'd, hermit-haunted place, But for the light that nightly shines Upon its walls from Kathleen's face! What comfort in a mine of gold, What pleasure in a royal life, If the heart within lay dead and cold, If I could not wed my Irish wife? I knew the law forbade the banns; I knew my king abhorr'd her race; Who never bent before their clans Must bow before their ladies' grace. Take all my forfeited domain, I cannot wage with kinsmen strife: Take knightly gear and noble name, And I will keep my Irish wife. My Irish wife has clear blue eyes, My heaven by day, my stars by night; And twin-like truth and fondness lie Within her swelling bosom white My Irish wife has golden hair, Apollo's harp had once such strings, Apollo's self might pause to hear Her bird-like carol when she sings. I would not give my Irish wife For all the dames of the Saxon land; I would not give my Irish wife For the Queen of France's hand; For she to me is dearer Than castles strong, or lands, or life: In death I would be near her, And rise beside my Irish wife. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLAINT OF THE DISGUSTED BRITON IN THE STATES by GEORGE SANTAYANA TELL'S BIRTHPLACE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 1. HIS EXCUSE FOR LOVING by BEN JONSON LITTLE JESUS by FRANCIS THOMPSON I SIT AND LOOK OUT by WALT WHITMAN TO A COMMON PROSTITUTE by WALT WHITMAN CHELSEA by LILLIAN M. (PETTES) AINSWORTH |