JOHN MITCHEL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 111, 12 June 1875, Page 6

JOHN MITCHEL.

BY JOHN BOTIE O'BEILIY.

Dead, -with his harness on Mm : Rigid and cold and white, Marking the place of the Vanguard Still in the ancient fight. The climber dead on the hillside. .Before the height is won j The workman dead on the building, Before the work is done ! O, for a tongue to speak the words Of his worth, that should be said— -The worth that was silver, living, That is gold and jasper, dead ! Dead ! but though death was fitting : Hiß life, to the latest breath, Was poured like wax on the Chart of Right, And is sealed by the stamp of death ! Dead ! but the end was fitting : First in the ranks he led ; And he marks the height of his nation's gain, As he ließ in the harness — dead ! Weep for him, Ireland — mother lonely ; Weep for the son who died for thee. Wayward he -was, but he loved thee only, Loyal and fearless as son could be. Weep for him Ireland— faithful nation— Faithful to all who are true to thee : liever a son in thy desolation Was truer to thee and thy cause than he. Sons of the Old Land, mark the storyMother and son in the final test : Weeping Bhe sits in her darkened glory, Holding her dead to her stricken breast. Only the dead on her knees are lying Ah, poor mother beneath the Cross ; Strength is won by the constant trying, Crowns are gemmed by the tears of loss. Sons of the Old Land, mark the story— Mother and son to each other true : She eilled, and he answered, old and hoary And gave her his life as a man should do. She may weep— but for us no weeping : Tears are vain till the work is done. Tears for her— but for us the keeping Our hearts as true as her faithful son* —'Pilot.'