To Dora Sigerson

New Zealand Tablet, 8 September 1921, Page 11

To Dora Sigerson

[The following poem is from the pen of George Sigerson, M.D., F.R.U.1., who, among other notable things in literature, is the author of that classic rendition of early Irish poetry, The Bards of the Gael and the Gall. Though beyond his ninetieth year he is still writing. His gifted daughter, Dora (Mrs. Clement Shorter, to whom the sonnet is addressed), was an intimate friend of the late Imogen Guiney, whose praises Dr. Sigerson here sings, and their charming correspondence will soon be a valuable addition to the literature of letters.]' '

Dear dweller in a world unknown, Whose shining spirits walk our seas, In clouds of floating harmonies, From Hesperidian cities flown! We hear their voices shoreward blown, With kiss of freedom's living breeze Paeans of new-born destinies,

And death songs of a race o'erthrown. One voice comes clear of all the choir, Sweet as the ripe Falernian wine, That thrills as thrilled the classic lyre: In thee still glows that Light Divine That touched' the Hellas-heart with fire, And kept night-watch in Palestine.