353 M824 Lit ■ iiiiiii I85«5 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/cantushiberniciOOmoorrich CANTU8 HIBERNICI, AUCTOBE THOMA MOORE, LATINE REDDITT. EDIT 10 NOVA A NICHOLAO LEE TORRE, COLL : NOV : apud oxoniam, OLIM SOCIO. LEAMINGTON : THOMAS KNIBB. MDCCCLVI. TO THE MOST HONOURABLE HENRY PETTY FITZMAURICE, MARQUIS OF LA.NSDOWNE, K.G., D.C.L., F.R.S., &c., &c. THIS VOLUME W [TH HIS LORDSHIP'S KIND PERMISSION IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY HIS LORDSHIP'S OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, NICHOLAS LEE TORRE. • 327 CONTENTS. Bemember the glories of Brien the brave Erin ! the tear and the smile in thine eyes Oh ! breathe not his name When he who adores thee The harp that once through Tara's halls Fly not yet Though the last glimpse of Erin Rich and rare were the gems she wore The meeting of the waters St. Senanus and the lady How dear to me the hour when daylight dies Take back the virgin page The legacy PAGE 1 4 5 6 8 10 12 U 16 18 21 22 25 Silent, O Moyle ! be the roar of thy water 28 VI CONTENTS. PAGE Believe me, if all those endearing young charms 30 Oh ! blame not the bard ... ... ... 32 By the hope within us springing ... ... 35 Like the bright lamp that shone in Kildare's holy fane ... ... ... ... 38 When through life xmblest we rove ... ... 40 She is far from the land where her young hero sleeps ... ... ... 42 Avenging and bright fall the swift sword of Erin ... ... 44 Love and the novice ... ... ... 47 At the mid hour of night ... ... ... 49 'Tis the last irose of summer ... ... ... 51 The minstrel-boy to the war is gone ... 53 The song of O'Ruark, Prince of Breffni ... 55 Farewell ! but whenever you welcome the hour .. ... ... ... 59 You remember Ellen ... ... ... 62 While history's muse the memorial was keeping 64 Where is the slave so lowly ... ... ... 67 I saw from the beach, when the morning was shining ... ... ... ... 69 CONTENTS. vii PAGE Dear harp of my country 71 My gentle harp ! once more I waken 73 ! banquet not in those shining bowers 76 Quick! we have but a second 78 I wish I was by that diin lake 80 Desmond's song 84 Has sorrow thy young days shaded ... 88 Come o'er the sea 91 The origin of the harp 93 Oh ! had we some bright little isle of our own 95 APPENDIX. Oft in the stilly night 99 Believe me if all those endearing young charms 102 The last rose of summer 104 Oft in the stilly night 106 Come, rest in this bosom 108 Oh ! breathe not his name 110 How dear to me the hour 111 IRISH MELODIES, "REMEMBER THE GLORIES OF BRIEN THE BRAVE." Pectoee sub memori famam servate Bri- enni,^ Quamvis extremo stemitur ille die ; Amisit quamvis fortem Mononia^ regem, Nee sua Kinkorae^ conspicit arva redux. Occidit heu! clarum certaminis occidit astrum, In medio solitum reddere Marte jubar ; At satis irradiat districtos luminis enses, Ut cito nos victrix inveuiamus iter. 2 IKISH MELODIES. Cum Natura tuos pinxit, Mononia ! campos, Montibus eximium cum dedit ilia decus, Constituitne unquam durum sine lege tyran- num lUic servitii jam stabilire pedem ? Haud ita : — Libertas ! Danis haec verba referto ! (Te quoniam spes est nostra tenere diu,) Ut decet immunes potius mala ferre per aevum, Quam semel immerita sub juga pace frui. Pectore sub memori laceros servate sodales,* Qui strage haud media deseruere locum ! Dum rubicunda suo fumabat sanguine vallis, Victores illic succubuere neci. Sol, nunc arma novo circumdans lumine nostra, Vidit in Ossoriis corpora fusa plagis : lEISH MELODIES. ! minime rubeat, cum tandem absconditur undis, Credens nequicquam tot periisse viros. ^ Brien Borombe, the great monarch of Ireland, was killed at the battle of Clontarf, in the beginning of the eleventh century, after having defeated the Danes in twenty-five engagements. ^Mononia, Munster. ^Kinkora, the Palace of Brien, * This alludes to an interesting circumstance related of the favourite troops of Brien, when they were in- terrupted in their return from the battle of Clontarf, by Fitz Patrick, prince of Ossory. The wounded men entreated that they might be allowed to fight with the rest. "Let stakes," they said, '^e stuck in the ground, and suffer each of us, tied and supported by one of these stakes, to be placed in his rank by the side of a sound man." Between seven and eight hundred wounded men," adds O'Halloran, "pale, emaciated, and supported in this manner, appeared mixed with the foremost of the troops ; — never was such another sight exhibited." — History of Ireland. Book xii. ch. i. IKISH MELODIES. 11. "ERIN! THE TEAR AND THE SMILE IN THINE EYES." Erin ! risus lachrymseque vestris Ssepe concurrunt oculis, ut Trim Vestra cingentem vario videmus Nubila gyro. Saepe per tantum rutili dolorem, Per voluptatis radios opaci, Jam tui soles dubio nitore Flent orientes. Erin ! nunquam tacitos licebit Sorte felici cohibere fletus; Major baud unquam decorabit segrum Gratia risum : Si tamen sese varii colores Misceant, Iris veluti coruscans, Te super, coelo aspiciente, surget Pacifer arcus ! IRISH MELODIES. III. «0H ! BREATH NOT HIS NAME.' Nulla vocet nomen proscriptum lingua; sub umbra Obscurum lateat, quse tegit ossa simul. Tristes sint fletus, tristes et voce repressa, Ut cadit in stratum roscida gutta caput. Ast hsec gutta cadens tranquilla roscida nocte Florenti tumulum cespite viva teget : Et lachrymse, quamvis per longa silentia fusse, Servabunt memori pectore fata diu. IRISH MELODIES. IV. "WHEN HE WHO ADORES THEE.' Cum tandem illius, qui te inconcussus amavit, Nil nisi sors tristis, nil nisi culpa, manet, Tune igitur famam plorabis labe notatam, Dum pro dilecta te periisse juvat? Funde, precor, lachrymas ! hostis si crimine Isedat, Solvetur lachrymis crimen inane tuis : Teste Deo, quamvis jure incusaverit hostis, Fas erat heu! nimia te coluisse fide. Te petiere olim sanctse primordia flammae, De te soUicitum cor fuit usque meum ; IBISH MELODIES. Ciimque preces reddet mutescens lingua supremas, Pro te reddentur vota suprema simul. Vivant felices, terque quarterque beati ! Queis te conspicuam cernere laude datum: Hoc minus optandum dederunt mihi numina fatum, Dulce tamen, pro te succubuisse neci. IRISH MELODIES. "THE HARP THAT ONCE THKOUGH TARA'S HALLS." Heu ! Lyra, quae Tarae quondam modulata per aulas Sueverat sethereos fundere pulsa sonos, Nunc sonitus expers Tarse laquearibus haeret, Hand aliter quam si fugerat omne melos. Sic jacet setatum tenebris obducta priorum Gloria, sic famae vox inhonora silet; Et corda, implerat laudum quae summa cupido, Amplius baud laudes exstimulare solent. Amplius baud dominos inter dominasque sonabit Dulciloqua Tarae nobilis aula lyra; IRISH MELODIES. Diruptseque fides per longa silentia nocUs Exitii tantiim cognita signa dabunt. Sic pia Libertas ponit tarn rara soporem, Ut, quando assurgit pectore dius honos, Assurgit solum, cum corda infracta revelant Libertatem ipsam non abiisse solo. 10 IRISH MELODIES. VI. "FLY NOT YET." Abite nondum ! nunc veluti, jubar Solare vitans, flosculus, emicat Sub luce Dianse Voluptas, Virginibus juvenumque turbse. Solum ut sacrarent tempora Vesperis, Fulsere Diana et Veneris chorus ; Sub nocte jam solum micantes, Munera condecorant Lysei : Manete paulum — ! nectite vos moras- Raro Voluptas imposuit jugum Tanti paratus, ut doleret Solvere tam subito catenas. IRISH MELODIES. 11 Abite nondum ! Fons Jovis inclytus, Etsi rigebat frigore per diem, Naxratur, ut Comi sodales, Per mediam tepuisse noctem. Sic foeminarum corda, meridie, Sic pra, brumalem exuperent aquam ; Sed nocte fervescant reducta Blanditiis iteriim caloris. Manete pauliim! 0! nectite vos moras — Aspexit unquam Sol revocans equos Fulgentiores his ocellos, Pocula qui vigiles coronant ? 12 IRISH MELODIES. VII. "THOUGH THE LAST GLIMPSE OF ERIN." Heu ! fugit ex oculis tellus mihi dulcis Hiberna, Sed tecum tellus omnis Hiberna mihi: Quocunque erramus, facient tua lumina coelum, Et domus exilio pectus amantis erit. Tecum saxa petam, latebrosis atra cavernis, Amplius baud aliis conspicienda viris; Et minus horrescam nimbosi murmura venti, Quam procul hostilem, te comitante, manum. lEISH MELODIES. 13 Felix, admirans fusos per colla capillos, Felix, percipiens murmura blanda lyrae, Amplius baud metuam Saxonem csede cruentum, Ut chordam avellat, diripiatve comam.^ 1 In the twenty-eighth year of the reign of Henry VIII. an act was made respecting the habits, and dress in general, of the Irish, whereby all persons were restrained from being shorn or shaven above the ears, or from wearing glibbes, or Coulins (long locks) on their heads, or hair on their upper lip, called crommeal. On this occasion a song was written by one of the bards, in which an Irish virgin is made to give preference to her dear Coulin, or the youth with flowing locks, to all strangers (by whom the English were meant) or those who wore their habits. About the same period, also, some harsh measures were taken against the Irish minstrels. 14 IRISH MELODIES. VIII. • "RICH AND RARE WERE THE GEMS SHE WORE." Ibat insuetis decorata gemmis ; Virga cingenti rutilavit auro; At super cultus nitidos micavit Forma puellse. " Nonne per tristes feritate tractus Ore prsesignis metuis vagari ? Nulla torpentes mulier nee aurum Captat Hibernos?" " Cordis incedo trepidantis expers ; Nemo vexabit patriis in arvis ; Chara sit gemma, et pretiosa virgo, — Charius sequum." IBISH MELODIES. 15 Ibat, — et vultu per aperta rura Suaviter ridens sine labe cursum Lseta tendebat, fidei suorum Foemina credens.^ 1 This ballad is founded upon the following anecdote : " The people were inspired with such a spirit of honour, virtue, and religion, by the great example of Brien, and by his excellent administration, that, as a proof of it, we are informed that a young lady of great beauty, adorned with jewels and a costly dress, imder- took a journey alone, from one end of the kingdom to the other, with a wand only in her hand, at the top of which was a ring of exceeding great value : and such an impression had the laws and government of this monarch made on the minds of all the people that no attempt was made upon her honour, nor was she robbed of her clothes or jewels." — Warner* s History of Ireland, Vol. i. book x. 16 IRISH MELODIES. IX. THE MEETING OF THE WATERS. Emicat in terris non vallis amoenior ilia, Obvia qua miscent flumina bina sinus '} Spiritus ante mens tenues vanescet in auras, Quam corde immemori concidet iste locus. Non mihi cincta tamen Naturae munere vallis, Non redolens verno fiore placebat humus ; Non aures solum captabat murmur aquarum ; Charius ast aliquid gaudia plura dabat. ! dum laeti aderant, animae pars major, amici. Naturae facies visa nitere magis : IRISH MELODIES. 17 ! magis insignes jactas, Natural colores, Cum te nobiscum laudat arnica cohors. utinam placide, dilectos inter amicos, Ipse tuis umbris, dulcis Ovoca, fruarl Cum vitoe decedit hyems, et pace quiescunt Tandem, sicut aquae, pectora fida, tuae. 1 The "Meeting of tlie "Waters" forms a part of that beautiful scenery which lies between Eathdrum and Arklow, in the county of Wicklow. ^ The Rivers Avon and Ovoca. 18 IKISH MELODIES. ST. SENANUS AND THE LADY. St. Senanus.1 " Insulam sacram, ratis scelesta ! Lin que, dum noctis tenebrse supersunt : Nonne juravi ut pede foeminarum TeiTa maneret Semper intacta ? et mediis in umbris, Quae cadunt circiim, veniente puppi, Proh pudor ! longe manifesta cemo Virginis ora." The Lady. " Pater ; cymbam minime repelle, Tentet ut fluctus hyemis tumentes ! IKISH MELODIES. 19 Corde submisso, mihi crede, sacrum Littus adivi ; Quo piis Numen precibus vocarem Indies tecum, Pater verende ! Meque ventura nihil hie beatos Polluet agros." Movit haudquaquam muHer Senanum ; Ventus afflavit nimium secundus ; Cymba processit : — tamen hsec sonabant Murmura famae, Virgo quod, sacris remorans in agris, Lseta vixisset reditura nunquam, Si patri risus lepidos dedisset. Luce reducta. 20 IRISH MELODIES. 1 In a metrical Life of St. Senanus, which, is taken from an old Kilkenny MS., and may be found among the 'Acta Sanctormn Hibernice,^ we are told of his flight to the island of Scattery, and his resolution not to admit any woman of the party : he refused to receive even a sister saint, St. Cannera, whom an angel was supposed to have taken to the island for the express purpose of introduction to him. The follow- ing was the ungracious answer of Senanus, according to his poetical biographer : " Cui Prsesul ; — quid foeminis Commune est cmn monachis? Nee te nee ullam aliam Admittemus in insulam." IRISH MELODIES. 21 XI. "HOW DEAR TO ME THE HOUR WHEN DAYLIGHT DIES." quam chara mihi decedens hora diei, Cum Sol occiduo lumine tingit aquas! Turn menti occurrunt elapsi temporis acLaj Datque memor pectus vota suprema tibi. Et cum prospicio radianti tramite lucem, Quae micat Hesperiis per mare fusa plagis, Ut cupio tentare viam fulgore coruscam, Ducturam sperans quo vocat alma quies ! 22 lEISH MELODIES. XII. ^TAKE BACK THE VIKGIN PAGE.** Bursus intactas, Catharina I chartas Sume, quas nondum calamus notavit ; Forsan implebit sapientioris Dextra libellum. Purus, ut lumen radians, adesset Versus, et purse tibi qui placeret; Omne sed carmen variant in ignem Tela Cytherse. Attamen librum mihi da ; juvabit Ssepe, dum chartas oculis pererro, Dulcius de te meminisse curas Mente repostas. IKISH MELODIES. 23 Paginse lucent niveo pudore, Sicut omatus, Catliarina, vestri; Nil ibi scribat malesanus ardor, Nil inbonestum. Forte si terris vagus in remotis, Qua tui nunquam rutilant ocelli, Mente tranquilla patriae tuique Dona revolvam, — Musa turn versus aliquos pararet, Tuque laudares sine labe carmen. Quale non fervet nimis, at pudico Conditur sestu. Utque nautarum tabulae vaganttim Indicant omnes pelagi meatus, Alta velato quoties sub astro iEquora verrunt, 24 lEISH MELODIES. Sic quod inscribit manus hsec docebit De tot adversis mihi nunc procellis, Abdita sic te, Catharina ! flamma, Te duce cursus. ntlSH MELODIES. 25 XIII. THE LEGACY. Morte cum tandem placida recumbam, Cor meum charse dominae referto, Vina depastum facilesque risus Tempore vitse. Sistat omnino lachrymas; nee unquam PoUuat cor tam leva, tam jocosum ; Munus aspergat roseo Lyaeo Nocte dieque. S6 IRISH MELODIES. Cum tacent cantus, patulis vetustae Januis aulse^ cithaxam repone, Quo solet fessos properare gressus Ssepe Viator : Si vagans spreto Citharista voto Increpet chordas, precibus magistrum Fidus absentem memores, et adsis Ore faventi. Hoc mero spumans epulas adomet Poculum, me sub tumulo jacente, Labra quod solum tetigere dulci Tincta rubore. IKISH MELODIES. 27 Dumque commotus studio fideli Hospes optabit dominse salutem, Spiritus circa meus advolabit Munera sacrans. 1 "In every house was one or two harps, free to all travellers, who were the more caressed, the more they excelled in music." — O'Ealloran. 28 IKISH MELODIES. XIV. "SILENT, O MOYLE! BE THE ROAR OF THY WATER." Moyla ! cessent murmura gurgitis, Serventque longum flabra silentium, Dum noctis enarrat sub umbris Liria^ siderese dolorem. Quando solutis emoriens olor Eflfundet alls funereum melos? Quandoque, campana sonante, Hauc animam Superi vocabunt ? Longos per annos, fluctibus in tuisj Moyla ! vitam flebiliter traho ; IKISH MELODIES. 29 At sancta lux or turn moratur, Et jacet in tenebris Hibernus. Quando sub almo lumine Phosphor! Nostrum beabunt Pax et Amor solum ? Quandoque, campana sonante, Hanc animam Super! vocabunt ? iFionnuala, the daughter of Lir, was, by some supernatural power, transformed into a swan, and condemned to wander, for many hundred years, over certain lakes and rivers in Ireland, till the coming of Christianity, when the first sound of the mass-bell was to be the signal of her release. 30 IKISH MELODIES. XV. "BELIEVE ME, IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS." ! quanquam illecebrse, quae nunc juve- nilibis annis Delectare nimis pectora nostra solent, Effugiant celeres, cum crastina fulserit Eos, Haud secus ac Lemurum munus inane perit, — Crede mihi, quanquam decedat tota venustas, Vivet adhuCyfinem non subiturus,amor; Crede mihi, forma quamvis mutata, placebis iEternum fido, chara puella, viro. At dum pulchra viges praestanti flore juventse, Dumque carent lachrymis lumina, dumque gense; IBISH MELODIES. 31 Vix bene nota fides, vix certus pectoris axdor, Cui lapsu aetatis charior esse potes. ! qui rectus amat, tenet, seternumque tenebit Fervorem, donee venerit atra dies ; Sic vultu immoto Phoebi flos aureus idem Suspicit occiduum luciferumque diem. 32 IRISH MELODIES. XVI. OH ! BLAME NOT THE BARD." Ne vatem culpate, petat si prata, voluptas Qua viget, et famse respuit omne decus ; Hand ita semper erat: quondam felicibus horis Musarum forsan dignius esset opus. Chorda, super citharam quae nunc laxata recumbit, Curvasset quondam cornua, Marte sonans ; Et vates, quem sola ciet nunc cseca libido, Spirasset patriae raptus amore melos. Heu patriae delapsus honos I jam gloria fugit; Robora jam, flecti nescia, fracta jacent; IRISH MELODIES. 33 Occulte et tacite fatum plorare neccesse est ; Tutari mors est nunc, et amare nefas. Vilis erit civis, nisi doctus prodere civem; Vilis, si doleat dedecorare patrem ; Et qu8e tseda viam retegit splendoris, ab ipso Tollitur heu patriae perniciosa rogo. Ne vatem culpate, petat si gaudia, pellat Si curam ex animo, quam superare nequit. Spem praebete brevem, patriae subducite noc- tem! Turn pateat quanto pectus amore tumet : Turn, natale solum ! pro te mens Iseta re- ponet Quicquid erat studii luxuriseque prius ! Myrtus et, baud apte nostra jam nexa corona, Mox gladium, Harmodii^ more modoque, teget. 34 IRISH MELODIES. Carmine sed vatis semper laudata vigebis, Quamvis spes abiit, praeteriitque decus : Nunquam, IsetitiaB quoties cantabit in hora, Te simul expellet mente, vicesque tuas. Tristis in externa fundes tellure dolorem, Trans mare tollentur mnrmura moesta lyrae; Duraque dum collo circumdat vincla ma- gister, Captivi lachrymans audiet ille melos. ^ See the Hymn attributed to Alcseus, — "Ev [xvprov Kkabi to ^tt^oj ^op-qara &c." " I will carry my sword hidden in myrtles, like Harmodius and Aristogiton," &c. IRISH MELODIES. 35 XVII. "BY THE HOPE WITHIN US SPRINGING." Per spem cientem pectora, crastini Quae Martis aifert indicium, precor, Per solis exortum, daturi Vincula, servitiive finem, — Memento vitam non nisi liberis Prsebere certi munera gaudii : En I qualis occumbens in undas Phosphorus, in tumulum suorum Defletus heros agmine concidit. — Fehx, paterni cui requies domi iEtate confecto senili Lethiferos minuit dolores ; 36 IRISH MELODIES. Ast ille quanta parte beatior, Quantoque mortem nobilior subit, Qui nuper exultans in bora Lumina composuit triumpbi I Nunc, dum per ignes excubias agit, Pallescit hostis ; nunc grave prselium, Quo nostra formidabat arma, Mente manet trepida repostum. 0'! non catenas amplius alliget, Quales in isto Marte fuit datum Vitare nobis : heus ! canorum Signa ciet furibunda cornu ; Illud ^ repletum et spumiferum mero Haurire nostris, ! liceat, die Vergente, turmis ; dum triumphi Conveniunt celebrare pompam. IRISH MELODIES. 37 Quot spe tumentes divite milites Sero jacebunt vespere mortui, Quels ipse Victorum tumultus Rumpere non poterit soporem I Sed quam beato sternitur otio, Quern laude dignum Musa vetat mori ; Et cujus admirans sepulchrum Fletibus accumulabit Orbis ! ^ " The Irish Corna was not entirely devoted to martial purposes. In the heroic ages, our ancestors quaffed meadh out of it, as the Danish hunters do their beverage at this day." — Walker. 38 IRISH MELODIES. XYIII. "LIKE THE BEIGHT LAMP, THAT SHONE m KILDARE'S HOLY FANE." Kildariae ^ veluti, per tot discrimina, lampas Perpetuum sacra lumen in arce dabat, Enitet hand aliter coUecto robore pectus, Quod frustra urgebant aspera fata malis. Sic tua, post longam moeroris, Hibemia I noctem, Post juga servitii vis reparata micat. Torpent Sole suo gentes abeunte propinquse, Sed tuus exoritur Sol, tua fama viget : Quamvis mane novo durse pressere catenae, Libertate frui dat tibi sera dies ; lEISH MELODIES. 39 Submersumque diu nunc ardet, Hibernia ! sidus Luce tuum, circa dum latet omne jubar. Imbribus baud concreta jacent, baud concita vento, Lilia sub terris, dum fera ssevit by ems ; At mox torporem verno quum tempore sol- vunt, Libertate nova Iseta die que virent. Jam tua fugit hyems ; decessit, Hibernia ! luctus, Spesque retenta diu jam stabilita manet. ^ "Apud Kildariam occurrit Ignis Sanctse Brigidae, quein inextinguibilem vocant ; non qu6d extingui non possit, sed quod tarn solicite moniales et sanctse mulieres ignem, suppetente materia, fovent et nutriunt, ut a tempore Yirginis per tot annorum curricula semper mansit inextinctus." — Cri/raldua Comb, de Mirahil. Hibem. 40 IRISH MELODIES. XIX. "WHEN THEOTJGH LIFE UNBLEST WE ROYE." Dum luctu in medio longos producimus an- nos, Et querimur charum jam superesse nihil, Si numeros liceat nobis audire canoros, Qui flore setatis gaudia mira dabant, — quanta resonant laeti dulcedine cantus ! Turn menti occurrunt quae latuere diu ; Tum trepidans iterum consurgit risus, in ipsis, Heu ! nimium solitis illachrymare, genis. Ac veluti spirat genitabilis aura Favoni, Quae solet Eoas pervolitare rosas, IKISH MELODIES. 41 Haud secus induitur prasstanti Musica dono, Quae felici olim tempore grata fuit : Quamvis jamdudum flores periere caduci, Aura tamen fragrans munus odoris habet ; Et quamvis aevo cecidit labente voluptas, Vivit adhuc, quoties Musica reddit opem. Ars divina ! fugax omnino gratia linguae Deficit, Aonios te meditante modos : Cur vox facundas cupiat proferre loquelas, Cum tu tam blandos scis iterare sonos ? Fallat amicitiae simulato pectore nomen, Saepius occulto vulnere fallat amor, — Sed tu, dum cunctos delectas, Musica! sen- sus, Nescia fallendi, corripis arte viros. 42 IRISH MELODIES. XX. "SHE IS FAR FROM THE LAND WHERE HER YOXJNG HERO SLEEPS." Est procul a patria, juvenis qua conditur heros, Foemina, dum multos torquet amore viros ; Sed multorum oculos fugit aversata, dolet- que;— Cor jacet in tumulo, quo jacet ille, suum. Cantus blandisona modulatur voce paternos, Quales, luce fruens, ille docebat amans : 1 nescit, quicunque extollit voce canentenij Quam paene eflracto pectore vulnus alit. lEISH MELODIES. 43 Dilexit patriam solum, fidamque puellam ; Vixit ut banc foveat, pro patriaque perit. Haud cito cessabit patrise dolor iste; su- perstes Haud longum in terris fida puella gemet. Sit funebris honos, ubi Sol descendit in umbras, Crastina poUicitus gaudia luce nova ; Sol supra cineres effundet lumina, qualis Risus ab Hesperiis, quo jacet ille, plagis. 44 IRISH MELODIES. XXI. AVENGING AND BRIGHT FALL THE SWIFT SWORD OF ERIN." Ductorem in visum, natos qui prodidit Usnae^, Supplicio celeri concita vexet Erin : Exosi aspergent tot guttae sanguinis ensem, Quot lachrymas olim victima quseque dedit. Per rubram^, Conori quae texit limina, nu- bem, Cum tres Ulsterii succubuere duces ; — Per tumidos belli fluctus, qui saepe solebant Hosce triumphali toUere Marte viros ; — IKTSH MELODIES. 45 Ulcisci juramus adhuc : jam plectra sile- bunt; Absint deliciae, juraque sacra tori; Nee prius aula sonum, nee campus munera reddat, Quam scelerum poenas improbus ille luat. ! quanquam meminisse domi sit suave, re- currat Quanquam grati aliquid dum pia corda dolent, Spes et amicitise quanquam dulcedine tan- gent, Nostrorum cineres plus satiasse juvat. 1 The treachery of Conor, King of Ulster, in putting to death the three sons of Usna, was the cause of a desolating war against Ulster, which 46 IRISH MELODIES. terminated in tlie destruction of Eman. "This story," says Mr. OTlanagan, " has been from time immemorial held in high repute as one of the three tragic stories of the Irish. These are, ' The Death of the Children of Touran ;' 'The Death of the Children of Lear, or Lir ;' and this, ' The Death of the Children of Usna.' " The second of these stories has been alluded to in the ballad, " Silent. ohMoyle!" &c. ' ^ " Oh Nasi ! view that cloud which I here see in the sky ; I see over Eman-green a chilling cloud of blood-tinged red," — Deirdr^s Song. IRISH MELODIES. 47 XXII. "LOYE AND THE NOYICR' Hie consecratas incolimus domos; Advertit aures hie precibus eohors CcBlestis, et spirans odorem Veris honos mediis videtur Adesse Yotis : — Veneris puer 1 Ne sis quieti noxius ; heu I pias Cap tare tu possis sorores, Coelicolas referens figura. Juxta Sororem jam Puer adstitit ; Amoris illic indicium notans, 48 lEISH MELODIES. Assumit alas Angelorum, Dum pietas oculis refulget. " Quis cogitasset tarn nitidis modis," Exclamat Infans, " esse Cupidinem Alas novaturum vagantes, Atque oculos nimium sinistros ?' Incendit horis nunc Amor omnibus Te, Virgo demens ! et stimulat preces; Nunc ille suspirans ad ai'am Lampadis ingeminavit ignes : Est ille Numen quod colis, est Amor Idolon ipsum pectoris ; Angeli Non hunc removissent amictum Conspicuo pietatis ostro. IRISH MELODIES. 49 XXIII. "AT THE MID HOUK OF NIGHT." Nocte super media, vallem, deflentibus astris, Desertam inviso, quae tibi chara fuit; Et mihi vana fides, (si linquant sethera Manes, Tellurisque iterum gaudia lapsa petant)- Te mihi dicturum, nota turn valle morantem, In coelis etiam te meminisse mei. Illic chara olim modulari carmina fas est, Quaha concentu vox tua juncta dabat; 50 IRISH MELODIES. Et dum saepe cavis Echo^ procul assonat antris, Te credo altemos reddere voce sonos: Dulcia tu lente demittere verba videris, Umbrarum Elysiis edita verba locis. 1 "There are countries," says Montaigne, "where they believe the souls of the happy live in all manner of liberty, in delightful fields ; and that it is those souls repeating the words we utter which we call Echo." IBISH MELODIES. 61 XXIV, ''TIS THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER." Postrema floret jam rosa munerum, Quae protulerunt sestiferi dies ; Hanc omnis effugit sodalis Fronde super vacua relictam : lUic iisdem laetus odoribus Flos nuUus astat, nuUus in hortulis Nunc germen emittit, rubore et Tristitia simili venustus. Non te relinquam, flos nimis abdite ! Sub fronde languens ut pereas mora : 62 IRISH MELODIES. I, quo decori nunc recumbunt, Et proprio recuba sepulcbro! Sic dextra spargit per viridaria Labore grato sic tenues comas; Qua, dulcis expertes odoris, Decidui comites quiescunt. Te mox solutis te studiis sequar ! Arnica quando me refugit cohors; Quandoque gemmatse reponit Tristis amor radios coronse. ! cum recedit casta fides procul, Cum sanctus exit fervor amantium, Quis solus hunc orbem pererrans Ferret onus strepitumque vitse ? IRISH MELODIES. 63 XXV. "THE MINSTREL BOY TO THE WAR IS GONE." Bellum petivit nunc, fidibus potens, Inter catervas conspicuus, puer ; Nunc ense succinctus paterno Ex humeris citharam locavit. " dulce Musis! te, patriae solum ! " Si totus orbis decipiat dolis, " Hoc ense tutari juvabit, " Hac cithara celebrare famam." Heu ! occidisti : vincla sed hostium Domare tantam non animam valent; Testudo non rursum sonavit ; — Diripuit manus ista chordas. 54 IKISH MELODIES. Dixitque vates : " Te, lyra nobilis ! " Nunquam catenae dedecus obruet ; " Et quseque libertas sacravit " Carmina servitio tacebunt." IKISH MELODIES. 65 XXVI. THE SONG OF O'RUARK, PRINCE OF BREFFNIi. " The Yalley lay smiling before me." Vallis in aspectu reduci mihi Iseta jacebat, Et, qua nuper erat sponsa relicta, domus. Attamen heu ! tremui, et depellens gaudia pressit Nescio quid subitum tristia cor da malum. Qusesivi rutilam, quam jusserat ipsa, lucer- nam, Accendi, not as me repetente vias ; Frustra : — nox terram fuscis amplectitur alis, At nulla in specula nulla lucerna nitet. 56 lEISH MELODIES. Interiora domus vidi deserta ; putares Jamdudum dominam succubuisse neci. utinam solum vulnus mors ipsa dedis- set ! — Fugerat heu ! conjux rumpere docta fidem. lUic suspensam vidi sonituque carentem, Aspera quae poterat fata levare, lyram ; Jamque manus, toties didicit quae tangere nervos, Oscula rivalis turpia ferre solet. Olim tempus erat, cum pro te, perfida con- jux! Breffnius, hostiles actus adire manus, Invasisset eum prseceps per mille cater- vas, Audentem de te verba sinistra loqui. IKISH MELODIES. 57 Nunc tamen, heu! oblita nimis virtutis avitse Filia, quo cecidit fama priusque decus ? Heu ! perpessa jugum, et csesorum aspersa cruore, Crimine vexatur terra paterna tuo. Jam dolet, et tristi jactatur Hibernia damno ; Advena jam foedo polluit arva gradu : Aspergit famse maculas, et dividit agros, Et per longa ferox saecla tyrannus erit. Ite tamen, socii ! capulo tenus exigat en- sem Dextera, vexillum pandat in astra virens : Ite ! et pro nobis virtus et Hibernia pug- nent, Saxones ast ilium crimen et omne juvet. 58 IRISH MELODIES. ^ These stanzas are founded upon an event of most melancholy importance to Ireland ; if, as we are told by our Irish historians, it gave England the first opportunity of profiting by our divisions and subduing us. The following are the circumstances, as related by O'Halloran : — " The King of Leinster had long conceived a violent affection for Dearbhor- gil, daughter to the King of Meafch ; and though she had been for some time married to O'Ruark, Prince of Breffni, yet it could not restrain his passion. They carried on a private correspondence; and she informed him that O'Ruark intended soon to go on a pilgrimage (an act of piety frequent in those days), and conjured him to embrace that opportunity of conveying her from a husband she detested to a lover she adored. Mac Murchad too punctually obeyed the summons, and had the lady conveyed to his capital of Ferns." The monarch Roderick espoused the cause of O'Ruark, while Mac Murchad fled to England and obtained the assistance of Henry the Second. IRISH MELODIES. 59 XXVII. "FAREWELL!— BUT WHENEVER YOU WELCOME THE HOUR." Valete ! — sed cum Isetitise sonus Implebit sedes vespere, me simul Serrate, paulisper remotum, Pectore sub memori, sodales I saepe curas fas mihi pellere Vestiis in aulis ! mox redeat dolor, Spes omnis evanescat (eheu ! Eara tamen) ; mala me fatigent ; — At nulla nostro ex pectore pristinas Delebit unquam delicias dies, Quae, ssepe vobiscum morantem, Me magico tenuere vinclo. 60 lEISH MELODIES. Et cum replentur pocula Massico, Cum corda miris exiliunt modis, — Quocunque sim jussus vagari, Sors mea sit mala vel benig- na, — Ludis fruetur spiritus omnibus, Noctis per boras, et lepidis jocis ; Et mane diffusus redibit Leetitia teneroque risu: quam beatus tunc ego, dis- cere Quondam, catervas inter amabiles, Me voce submissa vocantem. In medio cupiisse coetu ! Fortuna vexet ; — relliquise manent Jam gaudiorum fine carentium. Quae, nocte sub longa doloris, Prseteritum referunt leporem. IRISH MELODIES. 61 pectus ardens haec foveat diu ! Ut vas rosarum tingitur halitu ; Vas multa dispergat ruina, Non odor effagiet rosarum. 62 IRISH MELODIES. XXVIII. « YOU EEMEMBER ELLEN.' Nonne, decus vici, Ellenam meminisse juva- bit, Sorte sua doctam pauperiore frui, Quando illam uxorem primo Gulielmus habe- bat, Angustamque casam luce sacrabat amor ? Dulce erat uno animo duros perferre labores, Cum subito tristis sic Gulielmus ait — *' Nunc alii fines, alienaque tecta petenda," Lin quit et angustam territa nupta casam. Longam fessa viam moerens EUena tenebat ; Nee cor sollicitum deserit iste dolor. IRISH MELODIES. 63 Cum tandem labente die, nimbisque fugatis, • Eminet ante oculos turribus alta domus. " lUic optatam fas est contingere metam ; " Assurgunt venti, nox tenebrosa ruit :" Sic fatus, comu juvenis dat signa recurvo ; Salvere intrantes janitor ipse jubet. " Jamque libens tibi grator," ait Gulielmus, " adesto ! " Use tibi sunt turres, hoc nemus omne tuum." At putat amentem ignorans EUena maiitum; Hand ita; — nunc aulis stat Comitissa suis. Nee minus ille Comes vigilante fovebat amore Quam prius uxorem duxerat exul inops ; Et jam fidus amor splendenti in sede moratur, Qualis in angusta stramineaque casa. 64 lEISH MELODIES. XXIX. « WHILE HISTORY'S MUSE THE MEMORIAL WAS KEEPING." Dum forte seternis mandabat Musa tabellis Kegnorum memori fata vicesque fide, Huic comes assiduos fundebat Hibernia fletus, Namque suis aderat charta repleta malis : Ast oculi tandem tremulo fulgore micabant, Cum, post tristitiae dedecorisque notas, Aspersum vidit radianti lumine librum, Dum Wellingtoni nomen arundo dedit. " Ter salve," exclamat, " Patriae lux inclyta, salve I " (Et roseum tinxit virginis era jubar — ) IKISH MELODIES. '66 "Luctibus in mediis, longum deserta per 86vum, " Speravi talem gaudia ferre virum. " Sors erat heroum quamvis infausta prio- nim, "In tumulo quamvis nunc sine laude ja- cent, " Enitet baud ulla florescens labe coro- na, " Quae WeUingtoni cingit bonore caput. " Attamen ulterius restattibi nobile factum; " Hie labor illustri fine coronat opus : " Grande decus quamvis aliis solvisse cate- nas, " Grandius est gentis fata levasse tuse. "Regis apud solium, pro quo fera bella movebas, " I nunc, pro patrise funde salute preces ! 66 IKISH MELODIES. " Sic luctu in medio, medioque in sanguine fuso, " Sic Wellingtoni spes sua nomen erit." IRISH MELODIES. d7 XXX. "WHERE IS THE SLAVE SO LOWLY f Estne captivus patiens catenae, Qui sub infami potius tyranno Proferat vitam, bene cum liceret Rumpere nexus ? Estne qui fati maneat supremi Tardus adventum, opprobrio notatus, Cum Creatoris patulse vocarent Protinus aulae ? Laurus, in campo stabilita, famam Jactat avulsis foliis minorem, Quae tiiumphantum nitida corona Tempora cingunt. 68 IKISH MELODIES. Ecce versamur patriis in arvis ! Ecce vexillum viridans tuemur ! Dumque succurrunt comites, in hostem Vertimus ora. IRISH MELODIES. 69 XXXI. "I SAW FROM THE BEACH, WHEN THE MORNING WAS SHINING." Vidi, mane novo, coUustrans littoris oram, Egregie vectam per vada salsa ratem ; Solis ad occasum, ratis ilia in littore stabat, Attamen heu I retro cesserat unda maris. Sic fato subiit tenerse spes alta juventse ; Lsetitise celeres sic periere vices : Qui modo primsevis fluctus nos sustulit annis Deficit, et sero littora sola manent. i 70 lEISH MELODIES. Splendorem ne pande mihi sub nocte sere- nuDi, Otia dum rident, et senis alma quies ; Redde mihi incertae nova munera, redde, juventse ! Dulcior hsec aetas nubila luce senis. ! quis non reditu Isetetur temporis acti, Cum primum insolitis ignibus arsit amor ; Ciim, veluti lignum fervens quod prodit odores, Cor dedit affectus corripiente deo ? m IRISH MELODIES. 71 XXXII. "DEAR HARP OF MY COUNTRY !' Te ferrata diu, patriae lyra chara ! silenti Vincula presserunt, te tenebrosa quies : Sed mihi fas longos chordarum expellere somnos, Et libertatis dulce ciere melos. Murmura laetitise, blandi modulamen amoriSj Ssepe per argutas insonuere fides ; Attamen heu ! toties fuderunt plectra quere- las, Surgit ut in Isetis jam dolor ipse modis. 72 IRISH MELODIES. lyra chara, vale ! extremo sub fine labo- rum, Hos ego versiculos, dona suprema, dedi. Chara, vale ! at donee fuerit me dignior alter, Te, dum voce cares, lucida fama teget. Carmine si nostro exultet Mavortia pubes Concita, vel civis, vel capiatur amans. Hoc decus omne tuum est, solum tua gloria ; vates Nil nisi, quae chordas commovet, aura levis. IRISH MELODIES. 73 XXXIII. "MY GENTLE HARP! ONCE MORE I WAKEN." Rursus poetse soUicitat manus Te, dulce plectrum ! quod lachrymans semel, Quod corde demisso, reliqui, Et lachrymans iterum pererro. Nullum dedisti Isetitiae sonum ; At semper, antiquse ut Solymae fides, Moestis pependisti salictis, Servitii queribunda casu. Sed dum jacebas triste silentio, Fortuna risit nuper, et otium ; Et Iseta spes, mentis dolorem, Heu 1 citius peritura, mulsit. 74 IRISH MELODIES. Ast ilia pax, per littora, per mare, Quamvis ciebat dulciloquos modos, Plerisque solamen ministrans, Te petiit graviore damno. Quis gaudiorum murmura postulet, Testudo languens ! e fidibus tuis ? Cantus alaudarum querelis Non bene conveniunt olorum. Non me decebit, dum tibi vincula Sertis parantur mixta rosariis, Ut fila compellam solutas Laetitise resonare voces. At si liceret pectine lugubri Proferre paucos laetitise sonos, Quid possit eluctans catena, Quid lyra moestitise sub ictu. lEISH MELODIES. 75 Ediscat Orbis, — dum tenebrae premunt, Quam dulce carmen projiciant fides, — Ut chorda dat voces per ipsam Memnone dimidio ruinam^. ^ "Dimidio magicae resonant ubi Memnone chordae." Juverwl. 76 IRISH MELODIES. XXXIV. "OH ! BANQUET NOT IN THOSE SHINING BOWERS." Hue ades ! hand pictis epulse celebrentur in hortis, Quo coeunt juveues : hue modo fleete gra- dum ! • Sunt mihi deciduis horrentia floribus arva, Chara seni, et moestis eommoda, et apta tibi: Instituemus ibi taeiti convivia luctus, Et dabitur pressa voce levare sitim. Nobis sint eomites elapsi temporis umbrae, Et cyathis nomen pallida labra dabunt. IRISH MELODIES. 77 H^c, dmn circa divinse Cypridis arbos Spargit humum densis jam peritura comis, In mentem venient perjura et mania vota, Et comitum instabilis raptaque morte co- hors. lUic, dum supra tristes diflfiisa recessus Lam"us fronde carens brachia nuda gerit, Dum bibimus, spreti liceat meminisse sepul- chri, Pristina quo virtus nunc inhonora jacet. 78 IRISH MELODIES. XXXV. "QUICK ! WE HAVE BUT A SECOND." Evolat prseceps spatium diei ; Dum sinit tempus, cyathis vacate 1 Jam monet, nos et monitos jubebit Linquere mensas. Gaudimn, quaeso, memores amici ! Dulce carpamus ; minime fugaces Protrahet luxus, minime reducet Thracius Orpheus. Ecce ! quam pulchre calices nitescunt ; Labra sic rident juvenilis Hebes ; Ecce I te lento, cyathi rubescunt, Ducere vinum. lEISH MELODIES. 79 Proh pudor ! cum tu, veniente sseclo, Labra si captent, roseumve nectar, Munus intactuin gelido, sodalis ! Pectore linques. 80 IRISH MELODIES. XXXVI. "I WISH I WAS BY THAT DIM LAKE. Me siste juxta Cimmerium lacum^, Qua mortis ictum nunc animse manent, Et vana peccantes relinquunt Gaudia, luxuriemque mundi. Illic, priusquam fata vocaverint, Vitse nefandos efFugiam dolos ; Quicunque sint luctus vel umbrse, Spes ibi non agitant caducae. lEISH MELODIES. 81 Lethalis illic aura, gementia Reconditorum murmura fontium, Tristesque silvarum susurri, (Ut sopor irre quietus urnse) Pectus levabunt sollicitum nimis, Vitse reponens vana negotia ; Mentemque versari docebunt Admonitu penitus sepulchri. Ut lampas illis nocte reconditur, Somni salubrem qui requiem petunt; Sic eruantur spes molestsB, Pectora si cupiant levamen : 82 IRISH MELODIES. Cor nunc rigescet ; gaudia, vel dolor, AfFerre suetas non poterunt vices : Sic quicquid in fontes gelatos Injicitur, solet esse saxum. 1 These verses are meant to allude to that ancient haunt of superstition called Patrick's Purgatory. "In the midst of these gloomy regions of Donegal," says Dr. Campbell, "lay a lake, which was to become the mystic theatre of this fabled and inter- mediate state. In the lake were several islands ; but one of them was dignified with that called the Mouth of Purgatory, which, during the dark ages, attracted the notice of all Christendom, and was the resort of penitents and pilgrims from almost every country in Europe." "It was," as the same writer tells us, "one of the most dismal and dreary spots in the North ; — almost inaccessible, through deep glens and rugged mount- ains, — frightful with impending rocks, and the hollow murmurs of the western winds in dark IRISH MELODIES. 83 caverns, peopled only with such fantastic beings as the mind, however gay, is, from strange association, wont to appropriate to such gloomy scenes." — JStrictv/res on the Ecclesiastical and Litera/ry History oflrdamd. 84 IRISH MELODIES. XXXVII. DESMOND'S SONG.i Nescium cursus, media vagantem Nocte, me nuper Cytherea proles Duxit in tectum, tua quo trahebant Lumina sensus. Cum pedes istam tetigere portam, Vox dedit leni monitum susurro, Prsecinens casus, mea si Cupido Pectora fallat. • IRISH MELODIES. 85 limit velox amor, et dolor em Intulit ; sed si reditu veniret Crastinse lucis dolor iste, semper Dulcis adesset. Me graves luctus agitent procellse, Fas erit cunctos animo labores Ferre tranquillo, tua cum pararit Dextra ruinam. Dedecus tu qui reputas amorem, Ecce I quod temnis decus, et, puellse Dum vides formam, rubeo notentur Ora colore : 86 IKISH MELODIES. An minus pandit tibi propter ortum Bacca candoris? violas recedit Mira dulcedo, quia flos lutosis Frondet in arvis ? Gloriam, priscos numerans honores, Vir petit, frustra proavis beatus; Foeminae, claris oculis nitentes, Laude fruuntur: Stripe mortali fragilique princeps Gaudet humanus; mulier venusta, Gratias inter, genus a profundo Ducit Olympo. IKISH MELODIES. 87 1 "Thomas, the heir of the Desmond family, had accidentally been so engaged in the chase, that he was benighted near Tralee, and obliged to take shelter at the abbey of Feal, in the house of one of his dependants, called Mac Cormac. Catherine, a beautiful daughter of his host, instantly inspired the earl with a violent passion, which he could not subdue. He married her; and by this inferior alliance alienated his followers, whose brutal pride regarded this indulgence of his love as an unpard- onable degradation of his family." — Leland, Vol. II. 88 lEISH MELODIES. XXXVIII. "HAS SORROW THY YOUNG DAYS SHADED?" Luctus inumbravit primse lanuginis annos, Contegit ut nubes sethera mane novo ? Heu 1 nimium velox eflFagit dulcior aetas, Quae tamen in medio grata dolore fait ? Tempus edax gelidis affectus obruit alis, Quos tua foverunt pectora Iseta diu ? Hue ades ! exagitat dum sors ita ferrea mentem, Et tecum lachrymas jam miser ipse dabo. Anne tuo cordi fiiit insidiosa Cupido, Qualis in his nostris nota fodina^ plagis ? lEISH MELODIES. 89 Ipsa superficies ex omni parte videtur Ssepius auratis hie micuisse notis ; At quoties nitido captus ftdgore colonus Altius effossi viscera pandit hmni, Haud secus ac noctu fallunt ludibria somni, Vel crudelis amor, lamina dives abit. Ac veluti male praepes avis^, quam fabula narrat Tentasse hue illuc per nemus omne fugam, Dum tulit ardentem sublimis in aera gem- mam, Siccine spes animi fallere vota solet ? Nunc huic, nunc ilH, gaudens insidere frondi, Anne tuis oculis munera chara dabat ? Cumque videbatur propius jam flectere cur- sum, Siccine tum gemmam surripiebat avis ? 90 IRISH MELODIES. ! ita si rapido cursu decesserit aetas, Quando etiam luctus sollicitare nequit, — Si spes crudeli sic vana fefellerit ictu, Quae tu gaudebas lumine capta sequi, — Si genus humanum, placidi sic pectoris ex- pers, Sustulerit studium, quod tibi dulce fuit, — Hue ades ! exagitat dum sors ita ferrea men- tem, Et tecum lachrymas jam miser ipse dabo. ^ The Wicklow gold-mines, to which this verse al- ludes, deserve, it is feared, but too well the charac- ter here given of them. 2 " The bird, having got its prize, settled not far off, with the talisman in its mouth. The prince drew near it, hoping it would drop it ; but as he approached, the bird took wing, and settled again," &c. — Arabian Nights: Story ofKummir al Zum- ma/wn cmd the Princess of China. IKISH MELODIES. 91 XXXIX. "COME O'ER THE SEA, MAIDEN! WITH ME." Virgo, per fluctus aditura mecum, Hue ades ! semper mea, sen procellse, Seu nives turbent, rutiletve Phoebi Lucidus orbis. Sign a labentis varientur anni ; Pectus at verum retinens amorem, Quseque sors usquam fuerit, perennes Concipit sestus. 93 IRISH MELODIES. Fata nos vexent, sed amore fido Semper adjuncti modo si fruamur, Vita sit tecum mihi, — te remoto, Morte quiescam !♦ Nonne libertas, inimica frseno, Gaudet omnino pelagi meatu ? ^ Apta sed tellus vitiis palati, Apta catenis ? Vincla servorum miseri subimus, Luce vescentes patriis in arvis ; Grata libertas, et amor patenti Ridet in alto. Nos ibi nulli speculantur hostes; Lingua non aiFert petulans venenum ; Nos ibi curis vacui vagamur Mihere puro. IRISH MELODIES. 93 XL. THE ORIGIN OP THE HARP. Haec lyra, quam pulso, te sollicitante Ca- msenam, Virgo fait quondam sub mare saepe canens: Ilia per undosos properavit vespere tractus, Et juvenem petiit, dum male suasit amor. Diligit heu I finistra, quem nulla incendia tangunt, Et spretam queritur virgo relicta fidem ; At Superi tristes miserantur pectoris sestus, Formaque Sirenes fit variata chelys. 94 IRISH MELODIES. At sinus est idem niveus, faciesque venusta, Dum citharae decorat cauda marina latus ; Et coma, quae supra candentes labitur ulnas Fusa, dat auratse fila canora lyrse. Evenit hinc, resonans ut tot per ssecula plec- trum Tristes commixtos edit amore modos : Tu tamen hos disjungis adhuc ; nam, te pro- cul, omnes Luctus agit chordas, — te prope, tentat amor. IRISH MELODIES. 95 XLI. "OH! HAD WE SOME BRIGHT LITTLE ISLE OF OUR OWN." utinam nobis, procul inter coerula pouti, Insula perpetuis floreat alma rosis I Qua nunquam in mediis folium vel flos perit hortis, Veris et seterni muncra tollit apis ; Qua, dum composita longum sol luce mora- tur, Vix fugat obscurse noctis imago diem ; Qua magis hie solum gaudebit vescier aura, Quam summas alibi caq)ere delicias. 96 lEISH MELODIES. Hie ter felices purum capiamus amorem, ' Qualem viderunt aurea ssecla fidem ; Hie quoque peetoribus nostris sestate pe- renni Fervere^ det mtilans Phoebus, et aura tepens. Et dum spirat amor, similis florentibus hortis, Dum spes semper habet proemia, sieut apis, — Vita sit hie nobis longi lux blanda diei, Tardaque mors veluti noctis amoena quies I ^ Fervere — ut ^ Fervo : " jamfervere littora flammis.** Virg. uEn.y 4., 567. APPENDIX. %* The following Latin Versions of Moore's Irish Melodies are taken, by permission of the Authors, from the Anthologia Oxonien- siSf the Arundines Cami, and the Sahrince Corolla, with consent also of the Editors and Pubhshers of these Volumes. lEISH MELODIES. 99 I. "OFT IN THE STILLY NIGHT." (From, the Anthologia Oxoniensis.) Nocte saepius, antequam Me quies religaverit, Cum late loca conticent, Lucis baud rediturae Fida Mnemosyne jubar Circumfuderit irritmn ; Sen sit ulla puertise Forte insumpta jocando, Seu moestis lachrymis dies, Blandulove Cupidini, Seu benignius arserint, Qui nunc morte gravati 100 lEISH MELODIES. Languescunt oculi, aut nimis Corda luxuriaverint Jampridem cruciatibus Lenti rupta doloris. Cum recorder ut omnibus Arcto pectora vinculo Sint connexa sodalibus, Quos perire, comaxum Instar arborearum, ego Senserim ante pedes meos, Hybemis aquilonibus, Tum solus spatiari Atrio videor mihi Convivis vacuo suis, Inter arida serta, nee Lampadas face viva lEISH MELODIES. 101 Superstes reliqui chori ! Quid juvat, Dea, sic jubar Circumfundere noctibus Lucis baud rediturse ! R. R. W. L. 102 IRISH MELODIES. II. « BELIEVE ME IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS." (From the Anthohgia Oxoniensis.) Tarn cupidis hodie quern specto blandus ocellis Iste tuus dulci vernus in ore decor, Crede, meis si eras fugeret mutatus in ulnis, Qualia quae Nymphae dant fugitura dese ; Fidus adhuc cultor toto te corde foverem ; Caxa fores pariter, facta venusta minus ; Interea, priscse tibi per vestigia formae Nexilis aeterna fronde vireret amor. Dum tibi nee turpis veneres prsedabitur setas, Lacryma nee teneras poUuet aegra genas, IRISH MELODIES. 103 Non poterunt ea, quels fies labentibus annis Carior, ardentem corda probare fidem. Frigida nam nescit verax oblivia pectus, Et manet ad finem, qui fuit ante calor ; Ut Clytie, quo mane suum veneratur, eodem Deperit obtutu vespere fixa deum. G. B. 104 IRISH MELODIES. III. "THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER." (From the Anthohgia Oxoniensis.) Ultima ab sBstivo floret rosa sole relicta, Ultima qua nuper tot nituere nitet : Quaeque venustatis sociae fulsere prioris, Deciduse tristi jam periere vice. Nulli cognato distincti lumine flores, Nulla tibi rosese gentis .alumna manet. Undo repercusso niteas suffiisa rubore, Et suspirantum mutuus halet odor. Csetera cum linquant, ego te, rosa, linquere nolim, Ne pereas segre vimine fulta tuo. IKISH MELODIES. 105 I, quoniam pulchrse sic occubuere sorores, I rosa, communi digna quiete frui. Sic ego jam viyos diffundens mitis honores, Frondibus irroro gramina sicca tuis, Qua tibi quot sociae Isetos viguere per hortos Undique maxcentes et sine odore jacent. Mox sequar ipse tui moriens vestigia fati, Quum dextrae faerint foedera nipta mese; Quum tandem, qua nunc pietas religata nitescit, Deciderit gemmis orba corona suis. Sincere simul ac studium snb pectore lan- guet, Avolat et cari cordis amica fides, Quis velit, heu I vitse gelida sub luce supers- tes, Ingratas rerum solus obire vices ? W. B. J. 106 lEISH MELODIES. IV. « OFT IN THE STILLY NIGHT." (From thv Arv/ndines Ccrnii.) Ssepe mihi, dmn nox late silet, ante catena Quam domitos sensus vinxerit alma quies, Praeteritos reparat magica dulcedine soles Mnemosyne, cupida sollicitata prece. Omne redit quidquid ridere ant flere sole- bam, Quidqnid et effari motus am ore puer ; Qui nunc luce carent, oculi efFugere videntur ; Quae periere, novo corda lepore micant. IBISH MELODIES. 107 Ah ! quoties animo veteres remiuiscor ami- cos, Indelibata pectora juncta fide, Quos ego, vae misero, vidi cecidisse superstes, Ut folia hyberno flamine rapta cadunt ; Deserta videor spatiari moestus in aula Quam nuper festi perstrepuere chori; Qua lychni sine luce manent. sine odore corollse ; Et, de convivis tot modo, solus ego! B. H. K. - • 108 IKISH MELODIES. o V. "COME, REST IN THIS BOSOM, &c. (From ike Sahrince OoroUa.J Laesus in hoc fessusque sinu pete, dama, quietem ; Quum socti fugiunt, hie tibi certa domus : Hie tibi risus adest, et lux innubila frontis, Et tibi mens certa juncta manusque . fide. Ah ! quid amor prodesse valet, ni semper eundem Gaudia et serumnee, lausque pudorque, vident. Nee scio, nee qusero, culpamne in pectore celes ; Hoc scio, cams eris tu mihi, quidquid eris. IRISH MELODIES. 109 Ut me dixisti media inter gaudia divam, In mediis eadem sim tibi diva malis : Per flammas tua pone sequi vestigia, teque Eripere, aut tecum dent mihi fata mori. B. H. K. 110 IKISH MELODIES. VI. *'0H ! BREATHE NOT HIS NAME, &c/ (From the Sabrince GoroUa.J Ah ! nomen sileatur ; in umbra dormiat ilia, Relliquise gelidse qua sine honore jacent. Nos lacrymis ilium moestis sine voce fleamus, Cui bustum tacito nox pia rore levat. Sed qui nocte cadunt etiam sine murmure rores Induerint laeto funebre vera solum ; Inque animis nostris nomen servant amici Quae memor e cseco lacrima fonte cadit. B. H. K. lEISH MELODIES. Ill VII. "HOW DEAR TO ME THE HOUR, &c. (From the Sahrmce Corolla.) Cara mihi redeunt moriturse tempora lucis, Quum radii in tacitas dissoluuntur aquas. Somnia turn lapsos reddunt mihi dulcia soles, Teque memor cupido murmure, vita, sequor. Dumque ego contemplor tremula freta consita luce, Levis ubi Hesperiis ignibus unda rubet, Mens avet aurato vestigia ponere tractu, Transque vias solis rapta quiete frui. B. H. K. LEAMINGTON : PRINTED BY NATHANIEL MERRIDEW, 63, RUSSELL TERRACE. / irVihv;;. wMMmmmmmi mM{\:''u iBfliiilfli itiiiliiil vfM',m ,l'./'' .1:'/. 'i' 'fi. ' V-' ■^/.» /'I'-.' •? ;:;■' ^ ■' :?.l ! 'm^ i(& m^jj^jj^ji^y^^^iPiJi