Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GLENGARIFF, by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GLENGARIFF, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I wandered at eve by glengariff's sweet water
Last Line: When the last of our foemen is vanquished and fled!
Subject(s): Glengariff, Ireland


I.

I WANDERED at eve by Glengariff's sweet water,
Half in the shade, and half in the moon.
And thought of the time when the Sacsanach slaughter
Reddened the night and darkened the noon;
Mo nuar! mo nuar! mo nuar! I said, --
When I think, in this valley and sky --
Where true lovers and poets should sigh --
Of the time when its chieftain O'Sullivan fled.

II.

Then my mind went along with O'Sullivan marching
Over Musk'ry's moors and Ormond's plain,
His curachs the waves of the Shannon o'erarching,
And his pathway mile-marked with the slain:
Mo nuar! mo nuar! mo nuar! I said, --
Yet 'twas better far from you to go,
And to battle with torrent and foe,
Than linger as slaves where your sweet waters spread.

III.

But my fancy burst on, like a clan o'er the border,
To times that seemed almost at hand,
When grasping her banner. old Erin's Lamh Laidir
Alone shall rule over the rescued land;
O baotho! O baotho! O baotho! I said, --
Be our marching as steady and strong,
And freemen our valleys shall throng,
When the last of our foemen is vanquished and fled!





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