Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG OF THE PENAL DAYS; 1720, by EDWARD WALSH



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THE PENAL DAYS; 1720, by                    
First Line: Ye dark-haired youths and elders hoary
Last Line: Ma chreevin evin alga, o!
Alternate Author Name(s): Walshe, Edward
Subject(s): Prisons & Prisoners


YE dark-haired youths and elders hoary,
List to the wandering harper's song.
My clairseach weeps my true love's story,
In my true love's native tongue:
She's bound and bleeding 'neath the oppressor,
Few her friends and fierce her foe,
And brave hearts cold who would redress her --
Ma chreevin evin alga, O!

My love had riches once and beauty,
Till want and sorrow paled her cheek,
And stalwart hearts for honour's duty --
They're crouching now, like cravens sleek.
O Heaven! that e'er this day of rigour
Saw sons of heroes abject, low --
And blood and tears thy face disfigure,
Ma chreevin evin alga, O!

I see young virgins step the mountain
As graceful as the bounding fawn,
With cheeks like heath-flower by the fountain,
And breasts like downy ceanabhan.
Shall bondsmen share those beauties ample?
Shall their pure bosoms' current flow
To nurse new slaves for them that trample?
Ma chreevin evin alga, O!

Around my clairseach's speaking measures
Men, like their fathers tall, arise;
Their heart the same deep hatred treasures --
I read it in their kindling eyes!
The same proud brow to frown at danger --
The same long coulin's graceful flow --
The same dear tongue to curse the stranger --
Ma chreevin evin alga, O!

I'd sing ye more, but age is stealing
Along my pulse and tuneful fires;
Far bolder woke my chord appealing,
For craven Sheamus, to your sires.
Arouse to vengeance, men of bravery,
For broken oaths -- for altars low --
For bonds that bind in bitter slavery --
Ma chreevin evin alga, O!





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