IRELAND'S VOW.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 85, 12 December 1874, Page 13

IRELAND'S VOW.

BY D. 3T. M'OAJRTHT.

Come ! Liberty, come ! we are ripe for thy coining — Come, freshen the hearts where thy rival has trod — Come, richest and rarest ! — come, purest and fairest ! Come, daughter of Science ! — come, gift of the God ! Long, long have we sighed for thee, coyest of maidens — Long, long have we worshipped thee, Queen of the brave Steadily sought for thee, readily fought for thee ! Purpled the scaffold and glutted the grave ! On went the fight through the cycle of ages, Never our "battle-cry ceasing the while — Forward; ye valiant ones ! onward, battalioned ones ! Strike for Green Erin, your own darling Isle ! Still in the ranks are we, struggling with eagerness — Still in the "battle for Freedom are we ! Words may avail in it — swords, if they fail in it — What matters the weapon, if only we're free ? Oh ! we are pledged in the face of the universe, Never to falter, and never to swerve j Toil for it ! — bleed for it ! — if there be need for itStretch every sinew and strain every ne^ve i Traitors and cowards our names shall be ever, If for a moment we turn from the chase — For ages exhibited, scoffed at, and. gibbeted, As emblems of all that was servile and "base ! , Irishmen ! Irishmen ! think what is liberty — Fountain, of all that is valued and dear — Peace and security — knowledge and purity — " Hope for hereafter and happiness here. Nourish it— treasure it deep in your inner heart — Think of it ever by night and by day — Pray for it ! — sigh for it ! — work for it ! — die for it ! — What is this fife and dear Freedom away ? List ! scarce a sound can be heard in our thoroughfares — Look ! scarce a ship can be seen on our streams — • Heart-crushed and desolate — spell-bound — irresolute — Ireland but lives in the bygone of dreams ! Irishmen ! if we be true to our promises, Nerving our souls for more fortunate hours, Life's choicest blessings — love's fond carressings — Peace, home, and happiness — all shall be ours !