EVICTED.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 62, 4 July 1874, Page 13

EVICTED.

By Daniel Connelly.

It was not much of a place, you say, And we need'et be breaking our hearts about it. That's true ; it, was poor enough every way, But what are we going to do without it? Sure, it was the only home we had, And the home of the poor old people before us ; Ah, Sir, but the heart must be dark and bad Thai takes what the whole world can't restore us. When the times were better, and I was young, Belore the famine and dreadful fever, It's many a merry old song was sung Within those walls that are gone forever. It's many a fiolicvome hour we spent, Strong bouchals and colleens all glad together, Beside the hearth where a true content Made pleasant tke wildest wintry weather. It was there our simple marriage feast Was spread, and the kindly jest passed lightly, Wd'h the neighbors round and the holy priest An * the smile of friendship beaming brightly, Aiid it was there our first poor darling died (Hush, Mary, alwnnah, don't be cry in', Sure Heaven is just and the best are tried), There, where the rafters now are lying. When lords and ladies, the great and high Were wast in' riches in mirth and riot, And mun urid women were left to die For food, not having wherewith to buy it ; Then gaunt-faced hunger wae often there, And «ic-kßess, sorrow, and sore denial — The pain that follows the steps of care, And many a bitter and darksome trial. But still through all that was drear and sad, Some comfort ever remained to cheer vs — A. roof to shelter the aching head And the dariing children always near us! But now, ah now, with the children gone To the lands where the old may be forsaken, And the home a ruin of thatch and stone, Is it strange our hearts are almost breakin' ? God pity the .poor ! it's many a load Fate bids them carry, though weak and weary, Along the rugged and cheerless road That fades in future dim and dreary. And heaven have mercy on the great When splendor, station, wealth and power, All rlarkty vanish and soon or late At the dreadful Judgment Seat they cower.