THE PENAL DAYS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 173, 21 July 1876, Page 6

THE PENAL DAYS.

BY THOMAS DAVIS.

Oh ! weep those days, the penal days, When Ireland hopelessly complained, Oh ! weep those days, the penal days, When godless persecution reigned ; When, year by year, For ierf and peer, Fresh cruelties were made by law, And, filled with hate, Our senate sate To weld anew each fetter's flaw : Oh ! weep those days, those penal days — Their memory still on Ireland weighs. They bribed the flock, they bribed the eon, To sell the priest and rob the sire : Their dogs were taught alike to run Upon the scent of wolf and friar. Among the poor, Or on the moor, Were hid the pious and the trueWhile traitor knave, And recreant slave, Had riches, rank, and retinue; And, exiled in those penal days, Our banners over Europe blaze. A stranger held the land and tower Of many a noble fugitive ; No Popish lord had lordly power, The peasant scarce had leave to live. Above his head A ruined shed, No tenure but a tyrant's will — Forbid to plead, Forbid to read, Disarmed, disfranchised, imbecile — What wonder if our step betrays The f reedman, born injpenal days ? They're gone, they're gone, those penal days ! All creeds are equal in our isle ; Then grant, O Lord, thy plenteous grace, Our ancient feuds to reconcile. Let all atone For blood and groan, For dark revenge and open wrong. Let all unite For Ireland's right, And drown our griefs in freedom's song ; Till time shall veil in twilight haze, The memory of those penal days.