•MRLF GIFT OF Enqlish Aiumnu POETS AND POETRY OP MIJNSTER: A SELECTION OF IRISH SONGS BY THE POETS OF THE LAST CENTURY, WITH MEl'RICAL TRAKSta.TIO?iS, BY ERIONNACH. DUBLIN : JOHN O'DALY, 9, ANGLESEA-STKEET. 1860. £>70//}/)V^^""^^''J TO MY FATHER I DEDICATE Cljis ILtttle iJolumc. CRioMHac?). -"j -%^'^ CONTENTS. Poets axd poetry, &c. ^t) BuACAiU B^v ' • |IÓ CAI^ Locb Léjt) 2lt) CAjiAbAC .... 2lt) CbuAicip BbiT?t? 21t) Cea]tb]T)el . . "pa j 1*3 l^T^A .... U] 11] Alt) Jvs^T T*^ ^^^ • 2lr) 2t)bA^5beAt) CbeA^p- r^ . , Seiv5Af) 0'í)í5e . . 2l)a]jte Ni 2l)jlleoiT) TSivib A5 Ti^eArCC . 2lr) CjtoiÓe C]tíci8ce 2lr) Cifb A Bb^<'^f) Bbocc . Ma Sl^]DC]5e Coif r)A Lao] . 2t)A]|tbne . T^ité^ce B|tiior)r) . 2I9 'p|ieA5|aA6 Sliav-Na-Man . . 105 Seaan O'Dwyer of the Glenn .... Ill Here's a Bumper to Philip .... By the Bride . . . Cluster of Curls . . Better Leave Them Alone .... 127 Help! Help! ... 131 The Dells of Orrery . 137 Sile Ni Chonnollain . 141 Farewell to Croom . 14^ The Boys of Wexford lol Faults and Failins^s . 155 A Lament after Mar- riao^e The Cruisgin Lan Hail ! Fair Maiden Fairy Mary Barry . Eibhlin a Ruin Sad One, Hear The Farewells Beside the Lee A Caoine . . The Attributes of Erin The Reply .... 161 163 167 169 173 177 181 185 189 201 205 APPENDIX. 2lt) «DibeATicAC 5 Q>]]\]vr) (The Exile of Erinn) . 209 2l)A|ibDA í)bor)r)CAÓ rbfc C|tA]cb 5 Sbll^^^b 5-CuA 211 2li) &u]r)e bocc ua|*aI A5 ]A|t|tAi6 be^jitce . , 218 Kapoa 6A5ou]óe (Wise Sayings) 224 THE FOETS AND POETRY OF MUNSTER, " I^ike some old Irish song Brimfiul of love, and life, and truth." Thomas Davis. t LEE AD Y has the subject of Irish versification and poetrj been suf- ficiently examined in essays, I : grammars, and introductions, to allow me to spare the reader I": a disquisition upon it. Nor ^' will he find in the the present littíe volume many examples of those varied and intricate kinds of verse, the difficulty of whose structure it pleased the bards, when they flourished, to increase — in order it would seem, both to show their ovm skill in fuifiUing such regulations, and to deter the uninitiated from encroaching on their privi- leges. Although these more learned styles have been almost the sole kind transmitted to us through our ancient manuscripts, yet it appears to me that there may have been poems of easier flow and simpler measure — 5ongs and ballads, in fact — circulating among the people the mselves. It is true, that the bards recited before the chieftains and their clanna the lays of their heroism, or the chivalrous actions of Finn, and Oism, and Oscar, " the gold-deeded ;" vm THE rOETS AND POETRY but had not tlie young men and maidens their own private loves, and joys and sorrows, to tell of beneatli the many- columned green forest domes of ancient Erinn. Had they not, thei-efore, emotions powerful enough to stir them to song, — ay ! and a language soft and flexible enough, in all truth, to give to the natural poetry of the peasant's heart a voice the most sweet and seductive of the whole world ! Grateful, indeed, should they have been to their melli- fluous mother-tongue, and gratefully has a bard expressed himself in later times. The following is the production of O'Lionan, a man who could appreciate how much beauty and tenderness might be lost, having the opportunity he liad of hearing the inflexible, un-endearing language of the "porker" Saxons jarring upon the ear of his country. How the Irish people clung to their language with a love, increased by their knowledge of that harsh and un-sonorous tongue, may be judged by the answer of O'Neill's interpreter to a London citizen. When Seaan " of the Pride" went to the court of Elizabeth, some of the courtiers asked his interpreter why it was his prince spoke not the English. " Think you," was the scornful answer, " it would become The O'Neill to writhe his mouth with such barbarous jargon." This is the lay of O'Lionan in praise of the Gaelic : — uiiim^i) o'LiowínH no cb^ri. "HiOTl CAf)4Ó A T1.&T^&ACCA]b tlUAjl, CeAT)5A ]r UAirle n).\v. cuile lu.Air ; Cait)c ir 5lé-5lAine A5 ceAcc Tt)ATV ffteAb, "H^ t:u]l XAOxx) leAii), tjxv |:AOt) Att). "HloTt lAbAin V)órr)ev- bA caotÍ) n^^W, "Na 5lé 0]b]& T}An bAoc 5neAt}i) ; Cait)c Tf rnu^-lJoncA TDAjx eAr 5AtJ C|l.A5 Í 3ut-bii)t) ce5]l ijATi ceb Ati z-\i'A.i. t5A bmne 5U)r HA &-c&Ab Tt}.bi^n, 'S 5'-ÓTX AOÓAtlÓA T)A 17-&At) Tt)]!) ; l)u6 CA0]TT)-5ile l]OTi)rA A ^U-Mn). 'S A ptlAf-VniOCAl &UAt) QA b-VlÓ UA)r» OF MUNSTER. IX Never was heard a strain so sweet, A language so noble — a flood rolling fleet, A speech so pure-bright, so warm and chaste, Like a nourishing stream from a mother's breast. Never spake Homer, the old and grand, Nor brilliant Ovid the gay and bland, In speech so fidl-swelling — a cascade that ne'er Dr jeth up — a music that floats on the air. Than melodious tones of the golden chords, Than airy notes of the tuneful birds. Thy thrilling voice comes to my soul more clear. And thy songs to my heart more nobly dear ! In onr own days an anonymous but sweet singer, to whom doubtless the Irish was the language sung by his cradle, thus affectionately remembers it in his manhood : — " The language of old Erinn, of her history and name — Of her monarchs and her heroes — her glory and her fame — The Sacred Shrine, where rested thro' sunshine and thro' gloom. The spirit of her mart\Ts, as their bodies in the tomb ; The time-wi'ought Shell, where murmured, 'mid centuries of wrong" The secret voice of Freedom, in annal and in song — The olden Tongue is sinking, like a patriarch to rest. Whose youth beheld the Tyrian on our Irish coasts a guest, Ere the Koraan or the Saxon, the Norman or the Dane, Had first set foot in Britain, o'er trampled heaps of slain. The glories of old Erinn, with her liberty have gone. Yet their halo linger'd round her while the Gaelic speech lived on. For, 'mid the desert of her woe, a monument more vast Than all her pillar-towers it stood — that Old Tongue of the Past. Ah ! magic Tongue, that round us wove its spells so soft and dear ! Ah ! pleasant Tongue, whose murmurs were as music to the ear I Ah ! glorious Tongue, whose accents could each Otitic heart en- thrall ! Ah I rushing Tongue, that sounded like the swollen torrent's fall ! The tongue that in the Senate was lightning flashing bright, Whose echo in the battle, was the thunder in its might, X THE POETS AND POETRY That Tongue, which once in chieftain's hall poured loud the min- Btrel lay, As chieftain, serf, • and minstrel old is silent there to-day ! " The language had indeed been sinking "like a patriarch to rest," but of late years it has arisen " like a giant re- freshed," and there is every hope that now our ancient literature will be preserved to the glory of the country, by publication, " The language of a nation's youth," said Thomas Davis, " is the only easy and full speech for its manhood and for its age. And when the language of its cradle goes, itself craves a tomb. What business has a Russian for the rippling language of Italy or India ? How could a Greek distort his organs or his soul to speak Dutch upon the sides of Hymetus, or the beach of Salamis, or on the waste where once was Sparta ? And is it befitting the fiery, delicate-organed Celt to abandon his beautiful tongue, docile and spirited as an Arab, ' sweet as music, strong as the wave'— is it befitting in him to abandon this wild liquid speech for that mongrel of a hundred breeds called English, which, powerful though it be, creaks and bangs about the Celt who tries to use it ? — Even should the effort to save it as the national language fail, by the at- tempt we will rescue its old literature, and hand do^vn to our descendants proofs that we had a language as fit for love, and war, and business, and pleasure, as the world ever knew, and that we had not the spirit and nationality to preserve it." And again in his " Lament for the Mile- sians," the poet recurs to the same ever-cherished subject ; — ' The author must either have allowed the exigencies of metre to compel him to use a wrong word, or else mean the Saxon slaves which the noble Anglo-Saxon fathers and mothers sold to the Celts — for " serf" and "vassal" were creatures unknowm among the an- cient Irish. It is curious what immense sympathy there is now among the descendants of those noble (children-selling Anglo-Saxons), for the Slaves in the States. True, the ancient Irish freed their fathers at the call of the Christian missionaries, and this example dwelling for hundreds of years in the dull Anglo-Saxon brain, has produced its aloe-like flowers at last. OF MONSTER. XI Oh, sweet were the minstrels of kind Innis-Fail, Tr cnUA5 5AI) oióne 'i)v\ b-irAmiAh ! ' T\Tiose music, nor ages nor sorrow can spoil, tr cnuA5 5At? o|óTte 't)A b-^ATiriA?5 ! But their sad stifled tones are like streams flowing hid. Their CAovie^ and pfobtiAcc were chid, And their language " that melts into music" forbid 1r cttUA5 5A0 ojorie 'i)A b-íTAfiTiAÓ ! Nor have the Celts been unworthy of a defender so ex- cellent, seeing they have sent forward a youthful bard (0'b-JA|tfilATce) to render his thoughts with equal elo- qience into the language he loved : — O, bu6 biijf) blAr&v\ ceólnuióce CAO]t) Itjijir f ivjl ■fr criuA5 5At) Clone 'riA b-pATtn^o ! tí'íVTt cIaoi) niATÍ) A t)-AT)bTioi& A 5-ce5lcA ^ó í^ll, If criUA5 5At} Clone 't)A b-pAnn-^í' ! Z'A A riollAibe bcbnopAc njsn fnocA jTAC] r5^^» 2ln A 5.CACine h] n)in)eAr 5at) p^xc, '5 ATt A í>-reAT)5A bi't^n-bniAcrtAC b] co]tiTi}lcr5 cn^c 1r ctiuA5 5AT) cjóne 'i^A b-pAnn'^o ! Believing that, although the ijoeins handed down to us by ancient manuscripts have been the productions of pro- fessed and educated bards, there were still, even at the more remote periods, simpler songs and ballads, more especially adapted to and perhaps originated by the ancient times, it is natural to suppose that, as the bardic order became op- pressed and persecuted to death by English law, the sim- pler style would become the prominent one in the country. But with the fall of the bards came also a decadence of poetic merit. The rustic rhymers having no longer gene- rous chiefs who could allot to them lands and cattle,'^ and having not the same cultivated audience as the older bards, nor so highly educated competitors, had neither time to give to refining their lays, nor the same emulative necessity for so doing. Hence many of the ballads now cun-ent are ' Pr. iss tru-a gan oyra na varra ! " 'Tis pity without heirs of their company. 2 Never was literature so cherished as in ancient Erinn ; in one county alone (Donegal) the rental of the lands bestowed upon the Ollavs or Professors of Learning would be worth now £2000 a ye;ir. Xll THE POETS AND POETRY mere plagiarisms, the one of the other, rhymed in different metres to suit other tnnes. Tliis is the case especially with the Jacobite relics — the frame- work of most being the vision of a beautiful impersonification of Erinn. The minor bards, also, were too much attracted (like many of the present day) by smoothness of versification and fine sonorous words, and being able to produce such, many have had theh* lucu- brations preserved, which ought to have been cast away. Where the heart w-as the cause of the song, the result, as this little volume Avill, I hope, show, is very different. There were, indeed, many to be cast aside, which never would have attained popularity, but for the music to which they were linked. Ireland has not, however, so many of these as other countries ; yet, as there are few things which have more power over the human mind than song, any one who has an influence in popularizing it, should carefully remember, if he be not a mere collector or speculator for gain, that what he sends forth may be fruitful for good or for evil. It is incumbent upon honourable men to place nothing before their country which might deteriorate the aspirations of its citizens, and more especially of its youth. Of craft-songs, or songs adapted to various occupation, it is proper to say a few words. A few of the following spe- cimens are extracted from a work of rare excellency, the Petrie Collection of "The xincient Music of Ireland, Vol. I." — in w^hich the research displayed upon the history of L-ish tunes, has thrown much light upon a subject hitherto very obscure. As the tunes of the various occupations had certain pecidiarities, so had the songs, which were sung to these airs. Thus in the Ploughman's song, a part of which we give here, it will be seen that there is a dramatic form adopted, a dialogue being sustained by the ploughman and his as- sistants. In the old-fashioned ploughing, three persons were necessary ; the ploughman properly so called, who held the handles of the plough, the driver who guided and urged on the horses, and lastly, the director, who pressed with a forked stick upon the beam of the plough, so that a OF MUNSTER. XUl sufficient and uniform depth might be had, the direction of forces being to lift the plough out of the earth, and this he counterbalanced. THE PLOUGH SONG. l)tto& 'r buAil 't clonjivii),! Cór ATX At) 5-céAccA óeATi&T'-^^'^'MTt, '5 péAc At) b-puil :a\\ T).&|i)éATi A5 ceAcc. C2^ re óív buATH, t)noí3 'r buA]i, 'r cioTbíxio, ic. Cív fé ÓA bllAlAÓ, l)tiob 'r buAjl 'f -|on)AiD, ic " Goad and strilte and urge on The small red mare of the bad woman — Put foot on the plough, Brother, And see if our dinner comes forth " •' It is a-cutting, Goad and strike and urge on, &,c It is a-threshing. Goad and strike and urge on, &c" In the first two lines the ploughman addresses himself to the driver, in the last to the director. His instructions to di'iver, questionings of the director, and the latter's answers form the composition. These responses vary ac- cording as the director sees the progress of the dinner. It is first " a-cutting," then " a-threshing, a-winnowing, a- drjing, a-grinding, a-siftiug, a-kneading, a-baking," but not until he announces "it is a-coming," does the plough- man change the style of his injunctions. Now, however, he says : — " Hob and hein and urge on, The small red mare of the good-wife — Unyoke the horses, Brother ! Now, that our dinner comes forth." This song may have been sung about meal-time, when 1 These words were sung to the second part of the air only ; to the first part Hoho-hoboljo^ words of cheering to the horses, were re- peated. XIV THE POETS AND POETRY the men were employed in a place where the housewife was dilatoiy in culinary affairs. Her little mare is not spared the whip and goad, until dinner appears, when the driver is directed to hob and heiii, that is, to cheer her on by the sound of the voice alone. As the plough-tunes differed in the different provinces, so, doubtless, did the words which were adapted to them. It would be of great service to the better knowledge of the customs and literature of our country, did those who have the opportunity of research in the various counties, exert it and forward the results to some of those periodicals (such as THE Nation, Irishman^ Ulster Journal of Arch(B- ology^ and Transactions of the Kilkenny Archoeological So- ciety) which either possess a fount of Irish type, or are able to print the language correctly in Eoman characters. The second specimen of craft-songs, which I am enabled to give is termed " The Smith's Song." The tune is pe- culiar, as the reader will see who can refer to the work, already mentioned, in which somewhat similar words] are given ; but it seems that words and tune are now generally sung, not by the smiths, to the ring of whose hammer the time is well suited, but by nurses to lull irritable children. The nurse adapts the motions of her foot to the time of the tune, and thus imitates, with toe and heel, the sound to the hammer and sledge of the smiths. THE SMITH'S SONG. t5]n5 sons t>lí5^Tto, t)UAll xeo yep yeo^ t5]T)5 &oT)5 &]&erio, \)\XA]\ reo réib reo, tD]i)5 &O05 &ibeno, buAjl reo, réi& reo, le]r Aij &-c;\]liii]ri AottAC. "Hi ti)Aic A 5PÍAin) r^lO, CuAT) tia corini^n, "Hi Ti^Aic A 5T)í6]n) véia, RíviijAij i;A 5txa]:;m}, OF MUNSTER. XT le 5Ai5e ctiuv\3, 5A1) bUAib 5A1) tpoitAij. t)|f}5 &on5 bj&eTto, tiiT)3 &oi)5 fcéno, beAT) AT7 CXVlljUTlA, 'S beAT) Afj cAii)CéATtA, buAilre é SbeívSAit) 505^' GAbctioTt), eAbrttoTt), buAilri &, buAilre é, '5 buA]litT)í& 50 léiit^é.* Ding dcng didero, := Strike this, blow this, Ding dong didero, Strike this, blow this^ Ding dong didero, Strike this, blow this^ Away went my wife AVith the airy3 tailor. Not well do I make A hatchet or a hook, Not well do 1 make A spade or a hoe, Since went from me INIy darling wife "With a coxcomb-fool Without gold or kine 1 Ding dong didero, Ding dong dero, The tailor's wife And the tinker's lady ! ^ This version (as internal evidence partly shows) was the favorite pong of no less a personage than long Jack Farrell, better known by the cognomen of " 5ex\5AT) 5obA," i.e.. Jack the Blacksmith, who kept his forge at Lickoran, in the county of Water ford, early in the present century ; and who, aided by a choir of the Famane boys, chaunted the song in full chorus whilst hammering into shape with their sledges the red-hot iron on the anvil. — J. O'D. ' This chorus is sung wh;.n the iron is at its full heat, and the smith calls all hands to strike along with him, as may be seen in country forges. ' i.e. flighty. XVI THE POETS AND POETRY Strike it, Jack Smith, Lightlr, lightly, Strike ye ! strike ye ! Strike it all together, A very good picture of the mifortunate man's desolation is simply represented above ; the frequent-recurring burden, the monotonous metre, and the uncheerful rhyme-sound of the broad vowels in the original are all well suited to that grief which spread a veil of tears between the mournful man and the objects of his toil. In other times, indeed, the smiths were a mighty race and highly honoured in ancient Erinn ; they were even feared, for were they not cunning in charms and incantations ? In the olden hymn attributed to Saint Patrick they are placed in the same category to be guarded against as the drnids and (wise) women — *'}:\x] b|i]CCA b^r) ocuf jobAi^b ocuy bjiuAb" — " contra incantamenfa mulieruvi et fabrorum ferrarioruni d druidum''^ — " against the incantations of women, and smiths, and druids." In the case of the author of the song, however, the powers seem to have departed from his kind ; perhaps grief or love prevented him from using his mystic weapons of might, or perhaps the woman had aiTus supe- rior to his own. The woman takes precedence, certainly, in the last quoted Irish line. Next comes the domestic class of craft-songs, if we may elevate to that rank the " spinning-wheel" songs and the lullabies. The first, assuredly, deserves a high position, for besides that the occupation requires a great deal of sldll and dehcacy of hand-work, it also gives an opportu- nity of lightening the labour into an amusement by the singing of cheerful songs — a high recommendation, surely, to a writer and admii-er of such things ! Truly and sadly, the grating cough of consumption is oftener heard than the 8ong from the stooping votaries of shirt-making — a trade that now in ]\iunster and gleunfull Ulster replaces over- much the pleasant spinning-wheel. However, any home- labour is better than factories. OF MUIÍSTER. XVII A SPIXNIXG WHEEL SOXG. t>UA]l co\x AbvMjij A5ur CAbAitt tt)o 5TV^6 CÚ5ATIJ." " luinit) 6 lutti^A, luriÍA lívtirA, 'Sé Coi}i) 0'CAO]rij í)0 beiTiin; Ajt Ixvirg óu]c," ** luinin 5 luncA, lun^^A U\n^A, CéAíJ bo bAii)5e A]5e, feAnti^lS 'r l^]T^l^« ** lumit) Ó lutirA, luTtrA lAtf^A, bUAjl CO}f AbA^ ir CAbAJtl Tt;0 5tl^Ó CU5ATT)." ** luiTiTt) Ó luTxrA, luTtcA lani^A, Sé l)Ai)|iAO] ^AíJA &0 beitijnj Aft líxiri? éujc." ** luiTtÍTj 6 lUTtrA, lunÍA Iati- a, y. ceAijq A 5-CotiCAió 'fA cofA A b-PottclAi|t5e." Luirin lurtha, lurtha lartha,i CrO by the river, and bring me my lover. Luirin lurtha, lurtha lartha, ""Tis Conn O'Keeffe I'll bring to you over. Luirin o lurtha, Ivurtha, lartha, He has hundreds of kine, but never my favor. Luirin lurtha, lurtha lartha, Go by the river, and bring me my lovw. Luirin lurtha. htrtha lartha, 'Tis Harry the Tall I'll bring to j-ou over. Luirin lurtha, lurtha lartha. His head is at Cork and his heels are at Dover. It will be at once visible, that, to carry on a ballad so constiTicted, there must be two songstresses at least. There ' Pr. Looreen loora, loora Imira. This specimen was kindly communicated by that bol5 of song and anecdote, Sergeant John L. Hart, 2nd battalion, iSth Royal Irish, Aldershot Camp. Another specimen is given in Petrie's Miisic, commencing — ' " INIaUeo lero and imbo nero, I -went to the v. cod when day was breaking, Maileo lero and imbo ban ! B XVIU THE POETS AND POETBT may be a whole group of them, as when the young girls of a neighbourhood assemble in one house for an evening's spinning. In the latter case the duty of responding to the command to the first speaker, " to go by the river and bring her her lover," would devolve upon the company in succession. Each answers until, by her excluding or dis- paraging answer, they gradually narrow the circle of their eligible acquaintances, finding out at last her lover, or the lad she had chosen in sport. The first line of the above is merely a burden line, thus rendering the composition easier for the young maidens. For they need only rhyme to the first line, to the word " lartha" (laura) and this is not difficult in Irish. Because, although there are poems in Irish rhjTued as perfectly in every sense (especially in these latter days) as can be found in any language, yet it is generally sufficient to cause the vowels alone to have similar sounds. This vowel as- sonance is common also in Spanish, because in these lan- guages the softer vowel-sounds predominate over the con- sonantal. The following is a specimen^ of another spinning-wheel song, slightly different from the above, by which the young ladies who were to be manied that Shrove-tide were dis- covered. Ónó, A cun)AiT) 31I ! 'r íotió a 5ile 511, C& \y\ At) beAT} 05 &o pórpATV ai) ]t)]& reo, OiaO A CUT1)A]1) 51I, A UAIP ! 'r A 5TVÍVÓ ! " Oro, darling fair ! and ioro Fairness fair ! Who's the young maid atíII be wed upon Shrove-tide there? Oro, O darling fair ! lamb ! and love !" " Oro, darling fair ! and ioro Fairness fair ! Mary Ni Clery I hear ^vill be wedded there, Oro, O darling fair ! lamb ! and O love !" " Oro, O darling fair ! and ioro Fairness fair ! Who'3 the young man upon whom fell thi? happy air? Oro, O darling fair ! O lamb ! and love !" ' For the entire of this nnd tJie following see " Ancient Music of Ireland" — the Irish being from the able care of Professor O'Curry. OF MUNSTER. XIX The name is communicated, and, in answer to another donbting stanza, the enumeration of the wedding trousseau is given, which, of com*se, places the matter beyond doubt. Of lullabies there is a numerous muster. Dr. Petrie considers that the music of the Irish lullabies approaches much to the oriental in character, aud gives it much praise. The following is a stanza of a "fairy lullaby": — 21 beAf) Ú& p'of ATX bttUAc ah c-ttio^'S^T}» Seocó leú ! S&ozó leó ! 2li) &--ui5eAi) cufA T^ívi iT)o ^eATtíviq ? 5eoi5 leó ! Seoió leó ! 'SoUTi blK\^v\iT; 'rAi} lív -Diu |:uAí3A]5 Tije on)' leAijívi), Seo'o leó ! Seocó leó ! 'Soo |tu5Aó AtreAc nje a Ijor at) Cf)i)ócív]tj, « S&ozb leo ! Seoió leó ! Seoicín, reoirin, reojcín,^ reoiciij, Seozo leó ! Seocó leó ! Seo]z]r). reoicír), reoiiín, reo)cíi), Seotó leo ! Seocó leó ! O maid that standest é.o\ra. by the rill, Sho ho lo, Sho ho lo^ Or dost thou know my grief and my ill, Sho ho lo^ Sho ho lo, A year and a day I was snatched so still ! Sho ho lo, Sho ho lo, From my love to the lios on the little green hill, Sho ho lo, Sho ho lo, Shoheen, Shoheen, Shoheen, Shoheen, Sho ho lo, Sho ho lo, Shoheen, Shoheen, Shoheen, Shoheen, Sho ho lo, Sho ho lo. This ballad represents a newly-married young woman who has been taken away by the fairies from her husband, and whose occupation in the lios or fort was to nurse a fairy child. She is supposed to sing the song on the anniversary of her capture, when she is permitted outside the lios. She has a fairy child in her arms, and espying one of her own kind afai' off tries to inform her of her desolate sitaation, and the way to break the spell, while she carefully caresses and hushes the child to sleep. For " The Boatman's Lay" see Walsh's "Popular Songs." XX THE POETS AND POETET Such are some of the domestic songs, which are always the truest min'ors of the home-habits of a people. This being the case, it matters not much whether prejudiced foreigners, looking at the squalor in which their iniquitous laws have placed some of our people, and exaggei'ating basely and lyingly that misery, pubUsh abroad their de- rision or blame upon our country. So long as the mind of the people ia chivalrous and refined, as the songs which they love most, because these possess noble, tender, and patriotic sentiments, show that the mind of the Irish people undoubtedly is, squalor will not debase them, tnor will their misfortune be their fault. The reader well find many a love-song in every language ; the following fragment will appear to him, perhaps, in its simple heart-lovingTiess, equal in feeling and expression to the most delicate. Yet, it is evident that it is (in the Irish) the production of an untutored peasant. UNDER THE GREENWOOD. Air : — " Tlie Maid in Bedlam.'''' | A5 Tr)T)A bo 5TV05Airie 1]ac '5 1)1 ^íx5T:aó At) bAf &A íx|lt)e &U]t)e i)a ó|ai5. No Lazy "Well-fed to the Hungry's kind, Yet Laz}^ always leaves a lack behind, No love from maiden woos decrepit age. And Death stays not for Beauty's equipage. In the following stanzas, which seem to me highly- poetical, the stricken bard ecsays to persuade Misfortune to depart awhile to dwell among the rich ; but is answered that, stricken though he be, there are yet greater miseries to come. ON MISFORTUNE. WILLIAINI lilAC GEARALT SAÍíG : 5Ab rontt), A t)ot)Air ! cAirT)re cuiftreAC 6ioc, "Ha bi Art) f:ocAlT^ Ati fopAlb A 5-cori)nui5e lui5e, dnSTO Ati ^locAf— be]6iri cotxcATtA Ab cort}r)H]^e njf, 2Í)atv a b-T:A5<\in &eocAt)t)A tocatia beóiTV bTieA5 ]r riot). 2lt) t5ot)Ar. ■NÍ b-Ail Ijott), A brl».é^^ln ! i)i rB^TiP^^ ^^b 5f)Aoi, betóeAb r^icce t:Aoi At» rbAfAib, t)o A& bnollAc At)iof ; l)ei8 At) bAir^eAC 5AC \!X 'qAtt) a tT)-bAÍ:Ar t)0 cÍ5e, '5 be]ó cAmP5e ASAtt) x'^]^^^ -<^^ boT)Aib 50 ceit). THE BARD. " Pass on, O misfortune ! I am weary of thee, DweU not longer on misery's straw with me, Rise forth to the down-beds, Leveller, see ! Thou'lt find the red wine and SAveet beoh:' flow free." jnSFORTUXE. Not I, O my cousin ! I wiU not flee ! The pang to dart through each limb I'll be, ril guide, through thy hut, the rains grey sea, And the keen thorns of sickness I've yet for thee !" ' \)eó]V- must not be mistaken for beer, though seemingly the same as the latter, and possibly its root. OF MUNSTER. XXV Here are words from an elevated and uprijlit mind — they would not be ill guides for a life. K) ciKWirx) sujiie, 'f vi 'Í^U5A]ti) ^r)o flivi? r^o] Aot), 'S rx)i\ CÍXTI71& njire VI TTjeAfAin) pun c:x]t} o]xn) é, y.n cnivc r'-Molt' roilbm, ^l rojlbitie c:\c t)íx nje '5 t)i'l c;aiil A i)-&uiT)e i)Ac i)U|t)e &oi) c^xjl x'W n)é. I traduce no man — my honour to none confide — • If / am traduced, I feel no stain abide, While men sit merry none merrier is than I, "Who in differing minds still find some common tie. The " blant, bluff honesty" of Englishmen has been so truly appreciated by the people, that there is no proverb in Munster looked upon as more an axiom than this : — 5v\me^ SAcrAT)T}A75, Smile of a Saxon, t>n.AnT)-Aé n)Aí5nv\Ió, Grinning of curs, iilóAnc bó, Horn of oxen, tic c]xúh CApU]U. Or hoof of horse. The " Englishman's smile," it will be seen, leads the van — it being the most destructive.^ The next epigram was made on seeing an Englishman hanging on a tree. Hideous must the perfidy have been to wring so bitter words from a generous-hearted people, as these are : — - It TT)Air &o roTiAb A cxiA]r} ! Rac &o coriAÓ Atl 5AC AGO c^tAOib ; 2i)o léAT) ! 5Af} co]Uce Itjpir Fivjl,! L'vvr) &e&" cotiAó 5AC Aoi) l:x. • Hardiman gives another with translation to the same effect — indeed they are nearly as plenty as their causes. "Na béAi) cún)Ai7T) jxe reATi ^aUída ?r)A 5T)i&in, 1)1 peinn^e bujc, l)eií5 co]6ce Atl rj oo njeAllcA. 2I5 T]f} conjAf) AT) viT^ 5AII&A v-ioz, "With one of English race all friendship shun, For if you don't, you'll siurely be undone, He'll lie in wait to ruin you when he can. Such is the friendship of the Englishman. This has been pithily done into Latin, by one who, (remembering the Pope's pun on seeing the Saxon children — " mm antjU sed anjeli.''^ " They are not Angles (Saxons) hut anr/els") — thought the English were certainly angels — of the torrid zone ! Anglicus angalus est cui nunquam credere fas est, Cum tibi dicit " are," velut ab hoste cave ! XXVI THE POETS AND POETEY Good is thy fruit, Tree ! Plenty of such to each branch of thee ; I only grieve that the forests of Erinn Are not daily full of the fruit thou'rt bearing. t5ibinc A5ur &iAT)ronior Am A5ur íxn, "PjAt^cA 5AD ]ce All ]:é]c it ati cnarij l^n AT) cé Ú& le'n TT)1AT} lucb béATxlA be]c flxvi), t5o bjbitt tIiocc ]yi A5ur CiTteAtij'Aii) ! Banishment and bondage, ruin and remorse, Pangs incurable thro' each bone and sinew's course, Be his lot, who'd wish well to England's faithless clann, That exiled the noble race of Ir and Ereaman. i?o rfteArSAiTV at) rA05Al, 'r X^p atj 5A0C TTjATt rn)Al, yilAfftnou) 'r Sé^TAV- TAT) n}&lí3 ri^ a 5í6 T)A b-pAlT^" ; Ca AT) CeATÍ)A]Ti PA réATl, If V^'AC At) CtXAO] TTJATt ACA, *5 T)A 5AcrAT)T)Ai5 ^éjT) &0 b-j:ft]í'lT>' 50 b-t;ui5&ír bar- Empires have fallen and decay swept, like a blast, Caesar, Alexander, and their like into the Past, Tara is hut grass, and io, how Troy is ghast. So England will surely die the death at last. I shall now conclude these specimens "with : — CHAKACTERISTICS OF THE FOUR PROVINCES.» Ir AlUlD V5'A'\i S-AC plAlC A ?r)ÚTÍ)AT), 2I5 COrA)r)C CyX^Ce 5AC A1)bVAT)T), Ir ~iV- lioncA Í be tt;iI [r be beói|t, y,5 ^itt-^ibeAT) 5AC &ír.leó]ti ! Ir ioTT)óA 5UC, A 5-clixri l^i^lB^Ai), 50 TijeAtt, Sceub lÚActi)Ari A5ur cTiéAT)-reAri ; Ir ú]5-beAr) voiT}eAT)&A fxviTT) ceójl, 10T)t)A })-10t1)A& UAjrle 'r 01)Ó]]\ I "Hi I1ACCA1Ó tuinúíT) A5 r^r •ATI VA]c 'H;x TT)Ai5&eAT) ivluiT) ir iv|t&-rlA|r, 21 o-criiocAjb UUao T)A IaT)T) TT)eAri "Ma r5]Ac, i)A T)-eAc ]r t)A &-ctié|T)-reATt ! Ca CopriAcc TOolcAib SA T7)-beib|T)T) it)o rorb, CoT)r)Acc AOibii)T), 5Ar) act) locb, ZiX Ó\l le rA5All ATlt) A5 lUCb Airfiir t^AT)T), 2l5ur 'ri Coi)i)Acc ctiuicijeAcc GiTieAi)!) ! Each Munster chief is a stately Flower, The weak one's dauntless defending power ; 'Tis'a Is.nd o'er-flowing with honey and beoir, And shelters and succours The Poor evermore ! 1 This has been hindly ccmmunicated by Professor Connellan, who received it from the lifa of a Donegal peasant, OGaUai/ur, in 1825. OF MUNSTER. XXVU On Leinster's plains what voices of revelry, What fleet-footed steeds ! what Cohimns of Chivalry ! How. musical, mirthful and modest each maiden, WTiose soul is with honor and truthfulness laden ! 'Twere easier to reckon the leaves of the lea Than the beautiful maids and high chieftains that be, In Ulster ! — Grand home of stout steed-mounted warriors, Thy shields and thy quick swords are Liberty's barriers ! Dear Connacht were praised, tho' hushed in the tomb I lay, Land without fault ! — thou never look'st gloomily ! For the Children of Song gold and honors flow therein, And 'tis Connacht's the wheat' of our green pleasant Erinn ! Thus terminates a desultory but not, I hope, an unread- able preface. Throughout — the Irish and an-angement have been under Mr. O'Daly's care. On me fell the choice, translation and versification of the poems. The English I have tried to make more faithful to the original in meaning, metre, idiom, and order of ideas than is usually the case. Where I have departed from the metre (as in " The Slight Red Steed") it was in order to give another which, inEnglish, sang better to the air. If it be objected, as has been the case, that the Grecian and Roman deities are carefully excluded from the few Jacobite relics herein, I cheerfully acknow- ledge myself to be alone the delinquent. If the opinions I have expressed above and through the body of the work, seem too favorable to these Celtic compositions, as peasant- ballads, they cannot be attributed to a Celt's or Momonian's partiality. For, the translator is an Ulsterman and of Vi- king race, deriving from their publication no other gain than an increase of respect and love for the delicacy, devotion and chivaliy of a much-maligned people. That loving, ever-young loyalty to Erinn, which they tenderly and manfully cherished through the most tempestuous ragings of persecution, and to which they devoted their heart's blood as nourishment, appears to me mexpressibly noble and beautiful. It was -the prototype of that young Frenchman's conduct, who, ' This very flattering allusion to Connacht might give a clue to the anonymous poet's birth-place. XXVm THE POETS AND POETEY OF MUNSTER. having obtained in the Holj Land a scion of a cedar of Lebanon, watched over it carefully on the voyage home. AVho, when that voyage happened to be protracted by adverse winds, and the allowance of provisions reduced, watered it with part, and when that did not suffice, with all of his own curtailed allowance of water — and who, when the irresistible tempest came and wreck followed, swam ashore with it in his bosom, and died exhausted upon that shore. The little scion, however, has itself grown and increased, till it is now capable of giving a home to many singing birds and a shelter t(T a multitude of men — a stately cedar of Lebanon, in the Jardin des plantes, in Paris. Courteous Reader ! — Farewell. ERIONNACH, M.D. ERRATA. The f ollomng errors occurred in tlie hurry of printing which the reader will kindlj- correct -with his pen : — Read for line pa The literal translation of the heading of this song, 2lt) t)UACA]U \>'/\x), signifies the Fair Youth, the Darling One. The present poem is one of these Jacobite reliques, whose beauty has forced me to translate them, although I am far from admiring the conduct of the Stuarts. Yet, I do think it woidd be -wrong to consider these songs purely Jacobite (in the Scotch sense), for the Irish cared less for a king than for a deliverer of that land, which they loved with an intensity beautifully shown in tliis ballad, but perhaps more so in that of Slle \^ Cboin&eAlbiviT) in this volume. — Ek. 2 Those, whose rage for anglicising is great, have made this John Collins ; now, the Irish family of O'Coilean, or O'Cullane as written in Munster at present ; or Cidlion, as in Ulster ; or CttUen, as in Leinster, has not the slightest affinity with the English family of Collins, and consequently no right to usurp the name. — Er. 3 John Collins, author of this poem, was born about the year 1754, and descended from the O'CuUanes, an ancient Irish sept, who were formerly lords of Castlelyons in the county of Cork, and the surrounding territory. But having lost all their possessions by AN BUACHAILL BAN.^ JOHN COLLINS SANG.^ Air : — " CaÁlin Bonn." "With crimson gleaming the dawn rose beaming On branchy oaks, nigh the golden shore ; Above me rustled their leaves and, dreaming, Methought a nymph rose the blue waves o'er ! Her brow was brighter than stars that light our Dim dewy earth ere the summer dawn. But she spake in mourning : — " My heart of sorrow ! Ne'er brings a moiTOw — mo Bhuacliaill Ban /" Her teeth were pearlets, her curhng tresses All golden flowed to the sparkling sea, Soft hands and spray- white, such brow as traces The artist's pen with most grace, had she ! the turbulence of the times, his tribe and famUy, like most of the Irish, were thrown on the -svorld for subsistence. CoUins, showing early symptoms of a disposition for learning, was destined by his parents for the priesthood ; but after he had made considerable pro- gress in the classics, untoward circumstances, or perhaps his own wishes, prevented the carrying out this object. At the age of manhood he took a wife, and soon became the father of a family, and was obliged to turn schoolmaster for their support. He taught at Myross for a long period ; and, while thus occupied, composed several beautiful compositions in his native tongue. His poem, en- titled '' 2í)Ací)r)ATÍ) A») t)\X]x)e óo]l5ÍorAió" (see Hardm^m''s Minstrelsy^ vol. 2, p. 234), surpasses anything in the modern Gaelic for sublhn- ity of thought and elegance of expression. His translation of the Exile of Erin is equally beautiful. Mr. O'Grady, late President of the OssiAxic Society, has in his possession a large collection of his manuscripts, written about 1774, and among which is a history of Ireland, but left in an unfinished state. He died at Skibbereen, in the year 1816, at the age of 64 years. — J. O'D. * Pix|\, i.e. parchment. 4: THE POETS AND POETRY SbocroAÓ, 11Í056A, b^^ BuACA]ll BiVT) ! jf z^pA fléACbAf bo't) rt)-b|iu]T)5ioll rbAOjtÓA, 2t)blocrT^^]o "'^ ^1 '^ l^o]te 5?ib At) c-f ao]5]1 a 5|tix6 ; No c|téAb ^1) ctié]r)-^eA|i bo buA]]t a céAbpAjÓ, 2lft A 1)-5lA0bAt) fi ^' 21t) BuACAjll B^T) ?" 21t) cu|*a ad jteAlcAt)^ |iu5 bív|í]t f5éiTbe, O n)i)^lb r)A b-^lT^low '^ 50I |*a T)-^|t ; Of C]or)i) A cftéii)-p1Tt) MAOjf bo c|tA0CA6, %r) UIaó AT) 6]|ili5 le ceAl5 t)^rt)Ab : — Hó'i) leApívi) co]t)ceAC ]x]\) 56]^ bo'i) Lifi cIaiiji),^ ^}\i fjiut i)A 2t)A0|le bob' frAbA A5 f i)ivri) ; Mo Céjle AT) CA01fT5 V^Aljt Cé^TT) T)A CtiAo^be, Mo'll éA5 f AT) 5-C01t)C]T)T) AT) BuACAlU B^T) ? 21 bubAijic AT) cé]b-p]OT)T), ^' v] T)eAc bo't) b|ié]rT) f |T), IJo itiott) bo 6|téAcc me, acc "poblA acív; pív 5|t^ollA "^^W le cjaeAll Ai]t Sb^'^oólujb, CjtóÓA, CAorbrjAc, at) ji)T)]f T^'^jl ! — ]y c^AT) A5 5éA|x-5ol a CAO]T)e a c]té]T)-p]|i, 21 curi)AT)T) ce^le ^f ^AbA A|i f^P ' 0|3|ie 5aoItt)A|x 2l)bileA6 \ Q>]h]\i, S Cb01t)T) T)A 5-CéAb 5-CAC, A BuACAjll B^T) ! ' Cinel or clann. * RéAlcAi), star. The allusion is to Deirdre and the sons of Uis- neach, called CutiAjoe ija CTtAO]be Hua]ó:>. or Heroes of the Red Branch ; for an account of whom see Transactions of the Gaelic /80- dety, Ihib. 1808.— J. O'D. OF MUNSTER. Like crimson rajs of the sunset streaming O'er snowy lilies, her bright cheeks shone. But tears down fell from her eyes, once beaming, Once queenly seeming, for Buachaill Ban ! I lowly knelt to the nymph of glory, The fair an!l gentle, the beauteous flow'r, And sought the lay of her gloomful story The kineU owning such lustrous dow'r. " Art thou a fay of the azure sky, is't From royal ranks that thy race is drawTi ? 0, name this Highest whose fate thou sighest, For whom thou diest — thy Buachaill Ban ? " Art thou that star of the maids of Erinn Whose heart is bearing such burning grief, Since Ulla's dolor, when fell, unfearing, Thy Naesi prey to a faithless chief ? Or plaintive fairy who, o'er Moyle's waters. Sent Lir's fair daughters in form of swan, A red-branch knight who lies low in slaughters. Was he thy darling — thy Buachaill Ban ?" " 0, none of these," said this wondrous maiden, " For I am Fodhla^ — Queen of the Gael ! With chains o'er-laden my clans are fading, And chiefs are bondsmen in Innisfail ! In wasting woe I've been long a griever For One — the heir of victorious Conn, The knightly scion of royal Eibhir,^ My darling ever — my Buachaill Ban /" 5 tin clA]t)i), the children ofLir, who were transformed into swans by their stepmother, and spent seven years in that form in the British channel. Vide MS. 0Í5ió cUii)t}e litt, announced for pub- lication by the Ossianic Society, also Griffin's Tales of the Jury Boom. —J. O'D. * Pr. " Folia." An ancient name of Erinn. * Sometimes written Heber, pronounced Eiver. THE POETS AND POETBT 2l'f b] 50 |*ivfcA, 56 ijí^b^ Acív; ÍDO p|tlOt)T)|*A jt^bAC, clÚn)ATT)U]l, la]b^|t, 'CtlÚpAC, 5ÍV|tbAC, A]t f eAC|tílT) ! — "CíC 'T)0]f 50 CjlÓÓA, V bujÓeAT) t)A b-^ÓftpA, 2l|t At) 5-c5pbA 50 b-1ort)líxt) ; , 2I5 cj jeACc Ab pófacLiib le r)eA|tc 3AT) ce5]tA6, 'S buA]6p]& póblA bo't) rt^-BuACA^ll B^t) ! 2l|t clof AT) ]*5éll |*]T) bo |*5A]p A clAOr)CA, 'S bo jAb A CAori)-c|tu]ú oftbA blívc ; t)0 fe]!)!) A 5éA5A 5A0]l A t)-bftéACCAÓ, 2lY A T1Í05A AO|*bA bA Tbójt le |t^6 : — Na b-^lt), t)<^ TTJÍolcA, T)A C1)0|C, T)A CO]Uce, 2lfboe, Y IÍ05A, A t)-] on) A|ibív6, í)o b^ A5 ]t^]Dce i|* v^ 5leAt)r)CA qn^cioU, Le 5|teAut) ^^ lAO|cjb bo't) n)-BiiACA]ll Bívi> !" Ceó bfiAoi^eAccA feo^l oíóce currj ]:í^5A]T) nje, 2lV A|t rbít) tíji bo c^jtlAÓ curt) |*uAir) ; ^lft}' fíoit-CAfAÓ A 5-co]llce 5Ar) ^|C|tiob, 3^ bftAO]-loc T)A Bl^íti)Ar)r) bo cua8a|* : — ArjuA]* ! ' Mac Gearoit was a native of Blarney, county of Cork, and composed this song about A.D. 1744. He must be an obscure OF MONSTER. " Rejoice ! Rejoice ! tho' long thy slav'rj, At last, Bright One ! he comes — thy Chief ! He comes — thy Champion — with hosts of brav'ry, T\Tiose hearts are burning for thy relief. With armies bearing the flag of Erinn, On tall barques steering thy seas upon, Soon shalt thou crown with thy hand victorious Thy lover glorious — thy Buachaill Ban /'* Her sorrows fleeted — she struck the golden Sweet-ringing harp with her snowy hand, And poured in music the regal, olden, The glorious lays of a free-made Land ! The pebbly brooks in the vale seemed springing With brighter sheen on that sunny dawn, And birdful woods with delight were ringing, So sweet her singing for her Buachaill Ban / THE SPIRIT OF BLARNEY. PATRAIC MAC GEAROIT SANG. Air : — " Blarney Castle my Darling. ^^ Night robed in a mist of enchantment The slopes and the glade-arching boughs, As, tired roaming where mansions were scant, went The bard by the fay-lake to drowse. The branches of blossoms drooped over Which, sudden, a brightness illumed, And a Fay of all fairness did hover Where shadows druidic had loomed ! " ollATt) fxe bivi)" among the bardic profession, as this is the onJj effusion of his we ever remember having seen. — J. CD. THE POETS AND POETRY BÍ063AT) njo c|io]6e 'v^rtj le b-^cAf, í)'ív 5T)A0] cujA]* l^T^-^e^t) 50 luA^c ; 43ic b]tAOjce, biv ]tir)-|iO|*5, biv s^v^T^e, í)ít CAO]r)-leACAir) ^Iu|T)T) 5^.17 5]tuAiTt) : — í)íi }5lAO]--polc c|ub, buióe-CAfbA, ^ívitjtjeAC, 4)^ cíoc C|tu^r)r)e, bl^ctbA|tA, cituA^b; 2l'f b^ ^íojt-^AbA Í 't) o|óce v]o]i cd^y liom, Bb^lC A5 |*ÍO|t-ATbA|tC ív^lr)eAcc A |*T)UA6 ! 21 cAO]T)-beAr> tja roitJ-glAC \é TtaOA^rt) leAc, 2li) cu 2lo|bill o'l) rD-b^r)-c|iA]5 a b-cuA^^ ? 2lr) cu Clio6t)A o't) T]t l]oy po 2l^r)e, Mo 2t)io]t|tAf tiUA]]t b^|t]t Ti7AT|*e at) c-fluAjb : — Mo 'v bitijbeAc ftu5 Mao]]* \e]x cA]t f^^le, Mo't) iolc|iocAC C|tiV]bceAC fuA]|i buA]6 ; Mo ']t cu]be leAC|*A a ir)f]r)c a b-C|i^c óatt), Civ Ci|t AÍ* A b-CiVT)5A]f A|t CUA^jtb ? í)'-pío|i clAt)T)A 2t)ileA6 le |tiv6 njé, Ce 6'j|'5e ti7o c^^iibe curt) cua^i); 2l'|* fjof A5 B^T) 2lo]b]T)t) bo 5T)^CA]rr), 2lY le bio5|iAf 50 b-civt)5A6 at)t)|* a ftuA]5 : — 4)iv pn^^ 3^ n)-b]A6 B]OCÚT)c t)a Bl^|it)AT)t), 'Ma T)-Aol-b|to5Aib iv^lr)e 50 Iua^c; 2lV At) SqobA|tc f]t) bi le |*eAl ^ívt)ac, 'Ma |ií5 Aifi cjt] b-^TibAjb 50 buAij. 2lciv T)í6 e^le a|i n)'ir)ciT)t) le ftivS 't)0]|*, ^íc']* bír)T) Ijbfe c|tívcc A|t r)ó Iua6; 3o b-^u]lLAO]feAc 50 bui6eAt)tbA|i'fAt) Spiv^|T)T)eAc, 2lV A T)5|to]6e-lo]t)5]f lAr)rbA|t a 5-cuÁT) : — SsAo^lp^b CUT17 c|iic )\)]y ^p^a^lbe, 2l'f T)"! f*c|tioc|:Aib b^ tJ^TbA^b A]t cuA^jib, 2l'f 5u|i r^ TDÍ beA5 |*o a b-pío|i-6e]|te At) 2t)bivncA 21 ij-bAoit-bTtACA^b f iob, 2l*f rr)o cAorb-beAi)nAcc cojóce cu]a leó, 3o T)-b6AT)CA]t n)o léj|t-cu|t ]í^ lío5A]b, 2t)íi c|té]5]Ti7 cu A CAO]0-beAi) ]:^rt)' óeop í • Tyrone, all Ulster, was anciently famous for its skUl in druid power, and this reputation of superhuman art seems to have long adhered to it. This sometimes appears even yet under a modified iorm, in a manner rather flattering indeed, but also not seldom OF MUNSTEB. 11 " And thou, wilt thou visit th' entrancing, The beauteous green glenns of Tyrone,^ Where a hundred bright maids, in silk glancing, Enchantment doth number her own ! We'll have festivals, dancing, and gladness, The harps shall light music outpour, The fairest faj love thee to madness, And thine age change to glad youth once more !'* *' 0, fairest of Fairies ! so sweet are Thy words that I'll fly to thy dell. Ere a month when I place my goods meeter And say to my kindred — ' farewell !' The beloved of my youth I must give her My kindest of blessings for aye, Then, from thee, gentle fay, If I sever May I swiftly go down into clay !" astounding to Ulster families who may have settled in some parts of the south. Whenever a neighbour falls sick, or an animal pines away, to them come the persons most interested in the matter ask- ing for medical ad\áce, and discontented unless they receive it, believing the refusal to proceed from surliness of disposition, and not from want of power I — Eb. 12 THE POETS AND POETRY tOCl) tfejM. TOT)i) : — Be4T) At) Tlj)tl KlUTD. Lively. £ ifjf ..Ta-nff i rM i rTTTr AT) c-f lé^b ;^ Mi t^eArAc ACT) iv^c bA bjiea^cA aV bA 6e|re v^ é, 2lt) bA]le beA3 b^t) ca U]ri7 le bA|t]tA Locb t6]Q. ■ SloTjAin. the river Shannon. » R;\c, Charleville, county of Cork. OF MONSTER. 13 LOCH LEIN.4 Air : — " Red-haired Man's Wife." The following song was supplied to us some years ago by Mr. Conor Mac Sweeny, a gentleman well known to Irish scholars through his edition of the '' Songs of the Irish," &c., published in 1844. who took it down from the recital of his mother, an excellent Irish singer. It is very popular in the South of Ireland — more particularly in the locality which it commemorates. KUlarney is the most attractive place of resort now in Ireland, being visited by tourists from all parts of the world. It has also been immortalised in Fenian poetry, as a place of general resort by the Fianna Eirionn, or Irish Militia, for hunting the red deer, with which the coimtrythen abounded. In one of these poems, published in the Fourth Volume of the Ossianic Society Transactions (see p. 201), it is stated that vast amount of treasures are buried under the waters at the northern and other sides of the lake. The O'CearbhuiUs or O'CarroUs, were ancient chiefs of this dis- trict, but the O'Donohues, ancestor of the present O'Donohue, M.P. dispossessed and reduced them, and erected a new territory, to which they gave the name of Eoganacht Locha Lein. — J. O'D, I've roved thro* a thousand vallies when gay yonth was mine, O'er Sliav's verdant slopes, and from Rath to where Shannon's waves shine, Yet never a spot — tho' fair, and fair withont stain, Was bright as the white dear village bj blue Loch Lein ! 3 SM<^^, a district so called in the county of Kerry, where an annual fair is held, known by the popular name of aoijac At) c-fl&^lbe, i.e. the mountain fair. * Kow the Lakes of Killarney. 14 THE POETS AND POETRY Mac Aoib^T)!) At) ivjc t)A b-^^fA^b co]tcu]5e 30 b-úfi 2I1) bAljl 50 |IÓ b|ieíV5 ASUf plaT)A A|1 tbACA^b T)A 2t)úrbAt) ; C|tA]T)r) lo|T)5if A'f biv^b 5At) c|iivcr a|i plumA ijí^ AbAll, 2lV 3u|t A5 Hox A15 CbAifleA]T)/ bjop TDt)i^ A3 fe^t)]?!) A b-qu^t>. 21 Tt)-buT) CO]aCA T)A 1*163 biOT) I'lJOItC A3 f AO]C]b b^ fieAbAp, Biot) vioo ^S^^r be6]]t A|i b6]tb aca a nj-but) co|tCA A v'sle^vv ', Bjot) At} |:]AÓ 'co curl) ]*p6||ic, cutt) ceo^l ai) b|xuib aV AT) c]aeAbA]t, 2lt) lot) bub i*At) i'ti)6lAc 30 ce6lrf)A|t a|i bA]t]tAOi T)A 3-C|tAt)T). i)o fjublAi* Bao] Bb^-^TiT^^i^ co]f 6]|ti)e/ a']* Af f Al) C-]*0]]t CUAlb, Co]|* ^^11)36^ 3 At) b|téA3, A3UI* cjté^rbfe a T)-A|iTt) a b-'CuArbu]!),^ M] ^ACAf Aot) bAÍl be't) ti)&]b cé 3U]i b-pAbA ] Tt)o CUA]]lb, Ba b|ieiv3CA t)iv Locb t-e^i) ti)A|t a tt)-biot)t) At) Tt)^3- fluA3.^ » Ror Ai) CbAirleivto, Ross Castle on the lakes of Killarney. « This mention of Ross Castle proves that a certain degree of an- tiquity belongs to this poem ; for, in all probability, it was com- posed long before the siege of this stronghold by the English under vhe command of the "mercil ss Brochil"' in 1653. Ross Castle be- longed to the noble family O'Donochoe Mor, chieftains of the ter- ritory called the Eoganacht of Loch Lein. It is picturesquely si- tuated on a jutting " ross" or headland on the eastern side of the lower Lake, and commands a beautifid \áew of the waters, the winding strands, the green and wooded islets, and the wavy outline of the mountains — boundaries of the horizon. — Er. OF MUNSTER. 15 How beauteous that vale where berries blnsh on each tree, And stateliest oaks overshade the flow'r-starr'd lea ! stately as tall masts are they, where apples gleam bright And damsels from Ross-castle casements^ pour songs of delight ! Bontorra of hosts ! thou gladden'st the children of song, They've red wine and sweet mead ever thy valleys among, They've deer for the chasing, woodcocks and starlings I trow, While blackbird and thrush, their minstrels, sing on each bough ! I've wandered red Bearra and Thomond many times o'er, Through Ulad'^ the grand and by Erne's^ bright green- woody shore, But never my eyes have seen, by mountain or main, The peer of the fairy min*or of blue Loch Lein ! ' béAtiTtA, a region, and now a barony, that of Bere, in the south-Tvest of the county of Cork. * Q^V'Ve, the lake called Lough Erne. 5 2i):^ln5, a river in the county of Kerry. 6 Cuxxc 2í)úTt)Aij, Thomond in Clare. 7 Ulster. 8 Loch Erne is a most magnificent expanse of water, gercmed with green emeralds of islets, whose trees and shrubs look down over the very brink ; it is situated at Enniskillen, the azure moun- tains of Connacht guard it on the west, and one of the most perfect of the " monarchs of time," an Irish Bound Tower, raises its mystic head above its once sacred islet, and seems to rule the waves from the island of Devenish. — Er. ' 2l7i^5-tlUA3, the good people or fairies ; literally, the host of the plain. 16 THE POETS AND POETEY 21N C2lK2lBl)2li:.i SeSl^JlUS Ot)0?í)í)t42nil RO Ct)2lH. ^ot}t)— " Civinjre ATp' co&Ia, ^c." )f ^AbA Civ iruA^rn A5 3luA]|*eAcc eAb|iAiT)T), 2I5 tuAH CUH7 ]*pA]t|iuir)r)e a 5-Cliv|t Uj Né|ll; O bA^lce T)A CUACA 50 b|tUAC T)A ^Ai|i5e, llAbAji aV ca^Ia a'i* ^|x Afi 5AO]6eil ; TSc fTOf*rnAÓ -fxó rbó|t fAt} 5-cuAt) T^ t)-Aice l]t)r), 2lr) eAjÍAif buA|tCA A]i ua]|i At) A]i:|a]T)r), 2I5 file r)A ful cAbAijtc corbA^itle bufi leAfA 6]h, 21Y civ^Tpfe ATT) co&Ia t)6 If fiori n70 f5éAl! 21 buACA]llíóe AT) c|ioi6e t)a b]5í6 a b-f eA]a5 lion?, )f bjb bo fp|teA5A]rt7 7170 ^t^ióce hé]\ ; 'CA5AT)r) OfT)A6 AtT) CjtOl 6e T)ll A] [l Citt) t)A leAT)AT) f]b Í)lí5e v^ b-eAjA^lfe if ^iltje n)éir)T); 2lcc A5 iroceACc le bAOif A5 béAi;AÓ Aiti^lif bu^t t) Ar)Ti)AT)r), 2t)A|i bo beic bAill 5Ar> itAÓAitc a|i TneA]tbAll, OeAÍlAiTDfe óíb 50 b-fuil hú\í t)<^lri?be A5 íi)A5A fÚ5Aib, T^lTTjfe Am coblA T)5 If fiojt Ti)0 f5^<^l ! jf é i:éA5Af5 t)a cléiiae A'f ]téi|t t)A })-eA3Ailfe, 9Xr) c-fli5e, njAjt njeAfAimre, b'fe^itjt cuit; í)é ; 2lV T)i A5 bul curt) AT) A0T)Ai5 le f AobAji 50 f eA]t5AC, "CitéAT) f AOi AjtiD cun? lívTÍjAC i^A b-pleAi^ ; 1 2li) CÁttAbAC, the Caravat This song was composed about the year 1810, by James O'Donnell, of Laurencetown, Kilfinan, co. of Limerick,for two factions which staited in Munstcr, who went by the soubriquet of Caravat and ShanavestXe. cravat and old waistcoat. Not- withstanding the exhortations of the clerg}^, and their denunciation of the lawless system pursued by these misguided men, they followed their nocturnal \-isits to the farmers of the infected diátricts,regulating OF MUNSTEE. l7 THE CARAVAT. JAMES o'dOKNELL SANG. Air : — " Fm Asleep, or the Truth I Declared Among us this long time a rumom* in motion goes, Foreboding dissent in thy land, O'Neill ! From towns of the inland to where the blue ocean flows Stalks Arrogance, Slaughter, and Dread 'mong the Gael. There are murmuring whispers abroad in my haveu here. That at mass-hour the Chm-ch seems in sorrow most gi'ave and drear, That from you, for your own sakes, with tears it doth crave an ear Taimse am chodhla no is fior mo sgeal ?^ 0, friends of my heart against me bear not anger's wrath, 'Tis you, you — faraor ! whom my sad words wail, I mourn that I see you tread only Red Rancour's path. Exiled from that Chm-ch who for you did ne'er quail. men ! of the drink of Despair are ye quaffers mad ? blind men ! you see not the grief — the Hereafter sad. Now ! now ! may the Saxons, yom- foes, look with laughter glad ! Taimse am chodh a no is fior mo sgeal ! Hear the voice of that Church which toheav'n is gratefullest, The tones of our patriot priests which cry : — " Go not unto fair-greens with anger- and-hate full breast, 'Tis friends and not foes whom you doom to die." the letting of land, sale of bvittermilk, &c., until many of them paid the penalty by sacrificing their lives on the gallows. James O'DonneU composed the present song on the occasion, which. Lf deficient in poetic talent, is at least highly valuable as containing a wholesome advice.— -J. O'D. * Literally, " I'm asleep, or true is my tale." 2 l^ THE POETS AND POETRY Mac beoilb At) fS^Al biv léA^AÓ aj 3<'^ll^co|r), 3w|l b']Ab clAT)t)A 5A06aI CÍX A5&éAt)A6Ar) ACA|tA]r)T), 2I5 ^eAllAÓ Aft A céile pAO] 5r)é 5AC feAi>A ce]]tc, Bbi^fc A5uf CA]tAbAc biVT) bo c|té]5 ! 21 6u]T)e 5AT) TbeAbA^jt z'<\ A3 lAbA^jtc 50 ceAT>Af ac,^ 'Ce^r)l), jAr) eA5lA, Ai) ^]C pAO| at) c-fA05Al; 'Cu]5 ^eAfCA t)ACCAbA]|l 6U|C A T)-An? AT) féAT)A-befC, Lort), T)ii At) cAjTAbAC b^T? bo cíté|5 ; ]y ]Ab At) biv bAll CU5 bú|t 5-ceAt)T) trAO] CA|icu]|«r)e, 21^ cA|i]tu|T)5 blj^ce t)A t)3<'^^l '<'^ 5-ciot)i) 5AC bA^le A^uib, jf* eA5lAC IjOTT) 5Ufi ^At)t) rib eACO|ttlA, 'C^inji'e Art) coblA ']*t)^ ^^^ITIS 't)^ • 2l|i cAif5e t)^ Ati tc6|i, A]t ó|i t)^ A]t Ai|i5|ob, 2t)o b|t6r) ! t)l'i ^]Tte aco acc bftuj^eAt) A'f pie; 21 leAbAjt 't*A n)6]be a t)-ól 'f^ T^^S^lT^^^i 2l'|' Tt)ó|i-cu]b bjieACAib boS) bívi)-píxipéAft ; 2I5 ceACc bo't) c-|*]Ofút) b^jot) C|t6t)-piMC bA^l^5ce, 2lY eAcbjtA Tt^oja aco A|i Roman Catholics. 2I5 ^ceAÓ ']*A5 ol, a']* bú|t b-pocA^be A5 ceAtJt)^ 1^5, 'C-ivjrrii'e Art) cobÍA \)b w pjoji tt^o |*5éAl I Mac iot)3r)A6 l|orr) t)ac Tr)ú]t)eAt)t) bAbA n^i CorbAi]tle |*A5AT]ic t)^ cufifA ad c-fA0^5eil; C^ b-|:uil bá|t s-CAjtAjb a 5-cúi|tc U't) pie tjo't) ACA]1]aA]i)t), Cburt) bú|t 5-CÚ]]* bo cA5itA6, X)o bú]t 5-cív]* bo plé ; I The poet repeats here one of those arguments which doubtless assailed his good advice in conversation before. His opponent me- naces him first, and then taunts him with the fact that the law (which he had broken in the bard's neighbourhood) laid its penalty on the hard^ I suppose in the shape of an extra-police tax. — £r. OF MUNSTER. 19 How woeful the Saxon would look and sink evermore, Did the Irish uniting once vow not to sever more, And for sake of old Freedom resolve to cease never more This Shan-vest and Caravat factions did fly ! " man without spirit ! who talkest so very meek, Thy high, gallant courage can need no stay, Understand, then, henceforth thou'st no aid on that merry week, When Shanvest and Caravat factions display ! These two arms have left thy friends powerless to squeak behind, And foreigners' laws brought on your homes to wreak their blind Vengeance ! — I fear that both leave thee but weak of mind, Taimse ain chodhla 's na duisigh me !"^ Alas ! you've no thought but for striving and quaiTcling, You stay not for friendship, for love, or gold ; Mid swearing on books and the black ale unbaiTeling, With ink-homs prepared and the parchment um-oU'd What tales at the Sessions your foes will be setting forth. The vile-visaged bailitfs will then spread their netting forth, They'll diink and be merry while your purse is sweating forth Its very heart's blood in their wringing hold ! I wonder that nothing will teach you to mend your lives, Clerical counsels or ways of men ; At court, in the law- battle, where is the friend who strives To plead for, or shelter or shield you then ? 2 In the last line, he says, " I am in my sleep, and don't awaken me"' — a very significant phrase. Pr." Taiunsha mo hulla iss nee yoosa me," or as it is often said especially in Ulster, Ta me mo hulla iss na doosi me, which a Sacsanach, when calling for that air, meta- morphoied into, " Tommy Maculla made boots for me !" — Ek 20 THE POETS AND POETRY Miv |:e]C]ot) lib ]t5TÍ)Aib búji 5-c5TT)A|tf a ceA 5-CA]tfxbuf, 'Ci\]Tt7|*e Arf) coblA t)ó ]|* ^^ioft n^o f5éAl ! í)ív m-b^AO cIat)T)a 3<'^o6aI A|t act) co]l Ai3r)e, 2i)o b|tóT) ! bA 6eACAi|t a 5-cIao]6 50 b-é^5; í)o bllOr)T)pA8 n)AC í)é f At) C-|*A05AlfA |tAC OfX|lA, 2lY |t105^CC T)^ b-plACA|* A 5-CfliOC A 7*A05A]l : ]y eA5lAC l]on), ^A|tAO]|t ! 5u|t meAllAÓ x]h, 5o b-]:u]l ^lACAi'tpAii T)i& CÓTT) |*u]5celeSA5|*Ar)r)AT3;, Sat) ATpAjtc A]t Cftio^b, tJiv'i) 'Citíorjóib beApt)A]5ce 'CivjTtji'e AH) coblA t)5 If ^io|i too |*5éAl ! 21 t)-A|T)]Tr) rbjc i)6 bo béAjtpA^TjT) ceA5Af5 bjb, CoTt)A]tile bú]t leAf A biv rrj'Ajl l^b é ; 3 An be^c A5 yvte^cz a|i |*c|tAe t)a |tAobA a acat)ca, Ho }y bA05Al b^b eAy^u^rye t)ó c^]t) o't) 5-cléiii : 5lACA]5^Óe cjaU a']* be|t)]b bú]t T)At)rt}Ar)r)A, 'Cu|5]5^6e ^é]t) 50 b-]:u]l ao |*ao5aI A|t Ia]*a t:Ú5A]b 2I5 peAllA A|t A C&]le A|l 5AC TAOb bo't) C-]*eAT)l?A- ce||tc Bbe|*c A5uf CA]tAbAc cnjot) 5Ar) t*5éftt) ! 21H Cl)U2ljCl)JN Bt))NN. )r <^W1* At) o^Óce bin) yix b|t6i) ! BíoÓAr)r) TT)0 c|io|óe-f] a -}*q5 att) 6óc ; C]orn) zn]Z]n) a T)5]a^6 le bliic i)a u-ój, ^Í'r 5^P C0^ D^ C|tO|6e T)íli AOI) CATT). OF MUNSTER. 21 Behold ! now already vonr neighbours in fetters there, With no sweet hope of Freedom — till to Death thev are debtors there — Paying boors for scant friendship — a breath of the better air Their white money strengthens our foeman's den. Did the clanns of the Gael but unite in sincerity, What foeman could conquer or good man grieve ? Heaven would grant us long-living prosperity, And glory of glories when life would leave. That path, my friends ! you are turning your backs on it. Before you Disunion stands armed with his axe on it. He flees from our foeman — he leaves the vile Saxon it ! — The sway upon earth and life divine ! In the name of the Highest — these counsels I speak then forth ; For your sake — for sake of our bleeding land ; — Return to the fold, nor its mild orders break henceforth, Lest on your brows be imprinted the brand. O return and turn quickly ! — we've but a short life of it. This sorrowful wrath, sure the Low'r W^orld is rife with it. What fools 'mong their friends would make one scene of strife of it. Life to your GOD and for Liberty stand ! THE MELODIOUS LITTLE CUCKOO.' 'Tis night by night I sink in gloom ! Dim shadows around my sad heart loom Since Ive come to love youth's fairest bloom. The pure, the true-souled maiden ! • 2li) cUAlcfi) Bfi)!), literally, the melodious little cuckoo. 22 THE POETS AKD POETRY O i)blA 5AI) ife A^uf rr)-]ye A5 ól, 21 b-CAbAi|aT)e at) f?iOT)A t)0 a t>-q|i t)a t)-55j, í)'^ív5^ATr)T) ^é]i) 11)0 cé]le a n)-b|iór) Sao co|t 5At) luc, 3AT) coifcé]rn fiúbA^l, 21 T)-0]leAT) ^UA|t 5AT) ceA|* T)A CÓ||t, 21']* 5AT) AOp T)eAC léj b^ 5AolcAjb. jf ]Ab T)A lj-éAt)lA-|c If fe]T)e ^y biT)t}e 5l5|t, 2l|t bA]t|tA 5éA5 A5 béAT)Ari) ceojl ; )T 7)^^'}}^^ 5^ rt)-b]Ab|*A ATI) C0TÍ7A]t|*A 86ib 2I5 |*]ubAl A|t A b-^ruA^b 5Ar) aoi) c]aII ! O c^iti) |ie ]*eAlAb a b-p^Ar) |tó tt)5|i, BljA^A]!) l^t)-^AbA A5U]* ll^ltce AT) fr05Tt)A]|t, Le ceAT)r)CA co|tA t)íx]i ív]|tTr)í6eAf -pó-p, 21 ]tí5 t)A 5-con)Acc t)ív lé]^ me a b]ieoj;, Sír)ce A T)-uAj3 aY tdo ceAT)t) y^'v b-pób, 2l'f 5eAb^b b^i* idutja b-p6f pA|i lé Tr>e ! 'Cív AOf) be]|ib-fiú]t Arbeit) a'|* td'aca]]! bed 2l'f b]A|b 50 bti^c A5 cí^l i)A T)-beóft ; 2I5 chiaII V^^' ^^I^ '^'t TT^ir^ A|t |:eó6, 5at) co|i T)ív lúc atd' 5^a5a ! 'C'Hi'o AT) 5-cIat)T) t)ac T)-beA|tT)Ab peACAÓ ]:5f, 21 co]TD ix 5ile 'T)^'t) c-A]|a5eAb beó ; 43o c]ob]tA6 ]'olii|* A t)-bo|tcAbA|* t)ó]h, 21 T)5leAT)T)CAib ceó A5 5AbAil at) |i5b, 2lV 3U|t TD]ll|*e l]OTD ó T)A béilír) ^65, 'Mív 7*]úc[tA a'i* n)]\ T)A b-6lI^eAt)T) ! 'C^ié cuAc t)A 5-c|tAob Tnív q^iTT) cum bíV]f, Mí b-^íAJjAÓ ]"í co]6ce peAjt r)f ]♦ |íeív|t|t, 3o b-cu]5]:e<\6 y] yé]\) y^o] ceATji) beA5^]t), 3u|t Ab olc ACÍV |*í béAT)AÓ ! 1 " The Land of Youth." For descriptions of this beautiful clime the reader is referred to Vol. IV. of Transactions of the Ossianic or MUNSTER. 23 Dhia ! that we were in the " Tir na n-og,"^ Or in streamy glenns where joys disembogue, The suitors and sorrows aforetime in vogue, The scornful tones and saddening sneers, Looks brimming over and over with tears. Some chill, far isle would be laid in ! The sweet voice of birds in leafy trees, Would shed soft songs on the honied breeze, — 'Twere smiling to have such neighbours as these, And wander with care unladen ! For long, long have I this crushing pain, In griefs which could no solace obtain Red xlutunm passed — ere it blush again My head shall rest 'neath the grass so green, Or I'll win for my bride my bosom's queen, This flower of Blossoms unfaden ! My father lives and my sistereen, But they cherish tears, they grieve unseen, For my strength is fleeting, and pale's my mien, My arm — no vigour is therein ! Thro' the sinless bird of snowy white, Whose brow is more fair than the silver bright, 'twould shed a ray of beauteous light In the darkest glenn of mist in the South, And I'd rather one kiss of her little mouth Than the honey of Olden Erinn ! Ah ! if I die from my white cuckoo. She never will find a heart so true — And she will mourn, in a small time, too. The deed she doth is so cruel, Society ; the Voyage of St. Brendan, by D. F. M'Carthy, and the radiant romances of mv talented friend, " Feardana," of the Natiojí. — Eb. 24 THE POETS AND POETET í)ív n)-b]A6 A^o^rp "j 'h]]t rt)0 livrb^v, T^blobjtA^t^t) |*ocA]tAcc b] 5At) c^jm, B'^]ú Í ^íV5A]l be b|te]f ca|i TÍ)T)^ib, le ^eAb^i* A c|té}ce, a n}é]x)V, 't^ cív^l, 'Sa c6ii)T)ui5e A 3-cúi]tc b|teív3 AolrbAjt ! 2t)ívY A]t CÍ TDO rbeAllcA A]i)y a c^]|t, Mi Cfteibjit) leAc a b-^u]l cú ]t^i6, í)ív n)-biA6AiT)T)fe bocc aV 30 b-]:A3A6 ti) ^eA|i bi^f 5o r)-3e5bc^ Ijort) 3AI) A01) ]tAb ? M") bob' cu^b bo CU3 me 3|ii^8. 2lcc buic]*e ^é]r) a |*pé]|ibeAT) b|te^3, 21 cuAC TjA 3-c|iAob x^^V leAc 30 b|i^c, 21 c|ioióe Y^ 5T^^^ It c^ c^td' c|t^8, i)^ rrjo l^on? 3AC ^c^c a b-]:u]l ):&A|t A5 |:^]*, Mi jA]t^Ait)i; |:e6]|il]t)3 ]*p|xé leAc ! 9m ce2iKt)jHeL.» "C^ CACÚ3A6 n)ó]t A]t n)V]3oe, 2lY bólÁf le]|*, O c)n) AT) 7*ao3aI A3 ACAft|iÚ3A6, "Le z]ié]tvye a'^ b|te]f, CIat)!} t)A b-cAO]feAC 3-ceAT)r)AfAC, *DiV b-CAbA]|tC AT)UA]* Ctttl) CA|tCAl]*T)e, 21']* cIaT)1) t)<^ lopAC ACA]l|tAC, pAO] Cbei^]tb]T)el ! ' 2ttj Cívt^í>Ti}e]l, This was an article of female apparel, much worn about the middle of the last century, same as hoops are at the present day. About the same time came into vogue the high- heeled shoes and high-cauled caps, which formed the fashion till OF MUNSTER. Might I press her to my breast for aye I'd soothe her sighs in the gleaming gray, With soft caress and sweet minstrelsy, For in beauty of mien and mind more fair, 0, she's worth all the troops of damsels rare, Who have mansion, gold and jewel ! *' If to deceive me once more you try, I trust not half your bright words, I ! Had I no grass growing misfortune nigh. Would you sing me then of your true love ?" "I've never loved your grass nor kine, But your own dear self, maid divine ! And now farewell ! my blessing be thine — bird of the wood ! you have grieved me keen, Had I every spot where gi'ass grows green I'd ask for no farthing with you^ love !" 25 THE CARDINEL.2 My heart is full of gall, to-night, And son'ows swell ; To see what changes fall, a blight On hill and dell ; Kindly clanns and valorous Are sinking poor and dolorous. And crafty clanns look taU o'er us In the Cardinel ! about the year 1800 or a little later, when they gave way to a more becoming and tasteful mode of female attire. — J. O'D. ' This, the cardinel cloak, was a " new-fangled" kind of mantle for the female sex ; I think the word should be Avritten cardinal, but not being deeply versed in millinery, I prefer retaining the original Celtic orthography so far. — Er. 26 THE POETS AND POETRY Mil A|i AT) r)-buAl5A]* civ ó'i) ^cA|t-rbAC, Le ^ív^Ajl liv Ar) b]te]c; 21']* 50 &-cÓ5|:AbA0]^ t)A rtjAtib-coitip, "Civ |:illce fioj* A t)5lAf At)r)A]b, Le ]:uA]n) a 5-cir)r) A5 eACCA]tAÓ, 'Aji AT) 5-Ceiv|ib]T)el ! jf é be]]t SAÓb N] CbACAf A, '3ur 2i]T)t)e le^r; Nfl fjObA A5U]f)T) T)^ ^AT|*]Ot)CA, '■^ir 3^^T^T^ 5^ n)-be]ó ; JofpAnjAOjb AT) 5eAi)Af|te, 2lY bpl|:An7A0ib ai) CTjAfcA^jte, %\ ceAT)T)ócA8rT)A0]bT)e ^ai|*|Ot;t)CA, Í)o't) Cbeiv|tb]í)el ! 21 rbivcA^ji t)iv b^ T)-eA]t|tAib l^ort), Mi c5]]t bu]c A beic; T^a '5Ab 1170 f'AOCAit feACcrbu]t)s> 21']* ^ivbAÍCA]* le]|*, Div^b 6iv 5AbA]|iÍT) bATt)5e Ajuipt)) 2l'f |lA5ATr) biV t)-biol bjA SACA]|tT)T), 2lY CeAT)T)5CATb f|Ab f At) ^Al|*]Ol)CA Í)1)o't) Cbeiv]tb]t)el ! 21)aIIacc A]tc ^^llce A|i cA^ll];^ é, 'S H76 A5 5AbAil c|te 5ble^t)r) pl^irs* i)o p|xeAb TT)o C]ao]6e ]te b-Ar)r)pA6 Ba cofrbú^l Í le b-Arjorpl^T^^l^; i)o buA]leAf aV ^0 leA5AO]tb|tui&, 2I5 ACCAT)r)A cú||tce, BbíÍT^ 5-cA]tcA 'i)bú|i T)-búcAi5, 2lc|iAT6e a'i* y>\x\x)z 5AC ]:é]le ! Hív cu]5í6 A c^jjibe a tiíió jujt Treason, C)o 6u]r)e biv b-c|t^ccA6 A]t Ó^Ia at) c-]»AOi5|lfeo, ^Sa b-cu3AbA]t cú^AiT^r), í)o 6l]5ce \)\xx)oxc\o\)\), Le Tt)]OT)A]be 6^ b-cAbA]|xc |*a T)-é^ceAC, P^r)3]t) t)^T^ b-|:]ú at) cojap i^AorbcA, 21 b-|iO]]tn) At) pfi'jopnrA f ao|i r]t)t), 'S t)^ jXA^b At) 2l)u|tie bo b]ií5 2lcc AT) 0|]teAb le xx)\) ^l f^ Poebuf ; "No A|t At) 5-CUAICÍ1) bír)T), í)o bí A5 lAbAijtc x^V 5-co]ll, Mó Afl AT) ÍAVAllt &0 b] ATJT)!* T)A fpéAjtCAÓ ; 5u|t Ab ACA|IAC |tÍ5 bí T)5A0|t ÓÚ]T)r) í)'pi|l ATT)TÍ7eA|l 6]ll|* C-SéATr)U]f/° 'S 5U|t Tr>]qb AT) T)í6 f(T), *t)o ceACcu]r) cun) citjce, 5u|i Tt)A|c ]:e]C]orb le b^ol uajh e^SH)» )r ]0rT)6A SA5|'AT)r)aC la]b]|l IaT) &0 fA05AlcACC, '5a b-pujl beACA 50 x'^^ 'r b|xea56ACC éA&A^s; Ha 5-CATC|:|b f]ub tcfipca, ' 3aT) AjClOf 5At) AOjbT^eAf, 3 A C]r)r) 50 pa^l, te'fi reólAÓ rit)r), nj^^ft leo]r)ce o't) t)3<'^o]C, 21 5-coTÍ)5Ait cji^jb AT) c-|*|tA]b. ' For an account of William English, see Poets and Poetry oj Munstsr, first series, p 27, Lntkoduction. OF MUNSTEK. -33 V AVhile the iinn-flame above us bums ever, While water fills oeeau and river, Our gi'een Father's-lancl Shall no more bear the brand, And a tyrant shall enter it — never. I THE EXILE'S FLOWER OF LOVE. BY WILLIAM ENGLISH, A maiden I did see In this pleasant counterie, With tresses bright, with looks of liglit, All beauteous grace is she I She strikes the soft harp's notes And her voice most sweetly floats, My woe ! my loss ! I may not cross With her, the brine of boats. A stately maid, I've seen, Of all brave youths the queen, Our star of Love, our sun above, Our blithesome, gold baibin.'^ Her heart's a very shrine Of qualities divine, My loss ! my woe ! 'twere joy to go With her across the briue ! Her hair of curling gold That to the grass is rolled. Doth make us move where'er she rove, As to sails the breezes hold. 2 Pron. bau-been, an affectionate diminutive, " my little bob-/." 34 THE POETS AND POETRY te t)A bé]líT) bit)!), cA]f*, cUc, 'SeAÓ lé]5eArí f | 'i) B^oblA a|i cl^^t, 'S3AC i^]c bo't) qfi, 't), Sai?' iv]c-]*eo 50 bubAC ! 21 2t)buj|te ^ó|tcAi5 6ú]t)r), 2l'f t)Ac ^íx5pAit)t)ri ^T^ b^]t)-ct)e]f, í)ív TT)'íVjl lé] ceACC \]on) l 2t)ív q5irt)-f] A T)ut) cA|t co|t>p, 2l'f 50 b-c]OC):Ab cÚ5Ab 5AT) n^Ojll, O^ b-c|0c^ív6 liort) 50 c<\OTÍ7-6]l, C|U]t), 5o b-c55|:ív6 at) x^^\^ ^^' cjtojóe ! Cuiji^^ob ^Ú5Ac 5AT) rbojll, 5llMt) TOAC 5Ttoi6e, C)o bé^|ii::u]T)T; liorr) cú b-|íAb ob' óú]cce, OF MUNSTER. 35 With little red lips, bright, She reads, so sweet and right. The Book of Heav'n — where'er I'm riv'n, May HE shield her round with light ! The beiTy's crimson glows, Amid her cheeks' pure snows, faú''s his life who wins as wife This brightest flow'r man knows ! long would be my way With her by dell and bay. Were there none behind to weep, or find Some means their hate to pay. But now upon the brine Of barques, is floating mine. And I must leave my love to grieve, My Flower of Love to pine ! Sweet Virgin ! ah, bestow Some solace on our woe. For, sure, I'd ne'er forsake my dear AVhite Love, if hence she'd go ! If now I cross the sea. Yet, soon, I'll turn to thee. And then thou'lt come, — thou'lt surely come, And drive this cloud from me ! Soon, soon, I'll guide unseen, A poney, swift and keen, And we will rove from Erinn, love. My gentle, maiden queen ! 36 THE POETS AND POETRT 21H 2t)t)2lj5t)5?t)A6 lit^t}, O civ|tlA|6 Ttje ; 2I5 CA]fb|ol qoficA A b-^6]T)r), OF MUNSTEE. 37 THE GENTLE MAIDEN. PATRICK O'CONNOR SANG, AiK : — " Cashel of Mtmster,'^ My heart is o'erladen With trouble and care, For love of a maiden Sweet, gentle, and fair ! iVe strayed among strangers Full many lands o^er. But the peer of that dear one I ne'er m^ before i Her beauty so rare is That love her I must, The snow not so fair is, And swan-like's her breast ! And her word's gentle measure Rings tunefully elear, O, it wounds me with pleasure The voice of my dear I Her yellow hair streaming Soft-curling and free. Like liquid gold gleaming Is beauteous to see ; The sweet smile of her glances So joyous and bright, Al! my reason entrances With love and delight- 38 THE POETS AND POETKT 2lY -* leAC-Ok cim TtjAjt f t)eAccA sl^iji^r 2l|t hlíxt v^ 5-ciiAob ; 21 leAbAiit-cjtoib mii) ir 5^r^^ 5t)lTbr 'Sir r^1t)t)eAC jieiTt) ; 2I3 CA|l|tAll)5 5txib A|t bftACAjb 1]Vt he b^|i]a A Ti)éA|i, CeA]tcA -pjiAOic, aIa6 a|í lit)5, jf cl56 5AC e^Tj, 'it)qt)T) bAn? 5AT> |*c|iaoca6, Le 5|t, 3u|i 3Tiiv8 l^Ac n>e Ni ceA|tc At) blí5e 50 fSAttVAn^AOtf 3o bjiivc leb' 5T)é|. OF MUNSTER. 39 Her pure brow most foir is Mid maids joimg and meek, The snow-circled berries But shadow her cheek 1 Her breast has the whiteness That thorn-blossoms bore, 0, she shames all the brightness Of Helen of jore ! Her soft, queenly fingers Are skilful as fair, While she gracefully lingers O'er broideries rare. The swan and the heath hen, Bird, blossom, and leaf. Are shaped by this sweet maid Who left me in grief I Tho' long proud and stately From women afar, And 'mid chiefs strong and great, lay My revel and war. Yet, humbled I yield me To this gentle maid, For travel can't shield me Nor sweet music aid I Then, dear one ! since Heaven Did guide thee to me, And since all see me giveR In love-bonds to thee, And that pledged from this hour I am thine evermore, O, cursed be the power That would part us, a star ! 40 THE POETS AND rOETRT • PfteAb le })-}^z'\])v AT)0^f An? cojipbeAcc, Mó bo beAT)i9Acc b^ob 5AÍ) fCAb Art) qttjcjoU, 2l5U|* i^l^i; leAC |:éií^ I Míojt 5é|lliOf ftjArb bo fi^^óce^ }^|le, -p^i5, T)a bjiAOi; 3o b-|:uA]7i Ap Bb«lcart 5T^ívoa, Bb^tJHT í>Tte^5 rt)A]t tíjv^o] : — Mó 30 b-^ACAÓ péA]ilA8 AT) ba|i)-ct)e|f. Le co]l A cívTiabe 5A0ib]l ; Ma CAttclu^r)!) fr)eACcA |*^]5ce, 2l]t leAbAÓ SbeA5A|t) U] Í)bl5^ * "Níoit 5éTll]0f 3a|t fp|0|tAb rjeAtbéA, í)o c^cAi3 blúc Ai) bír; 2lcc cofpóijt peACAÓ 21:)bívn)0|T;, ^l'i* pAT)t) CA]|* b'A]|tibeo|i) bjb; 2t)opfO r)í|*A bívcuft, O CU3A6 péAjllAb AT) bíVjT)-CT)e|f, í)'peA|i n)A|i Sbí'^SAi) 0'í)bl3e l ^SeíX5Ai) Ot5Í5e, John O'Dee, the hero of this song, was a black- smith by profession, and resided at Knockadoon in the parish of Bal- limaeoda, about four miles to the south-east ©f You^ihaL in the county of Cork. He paid his addresses to a farmer's dau^ihter, -who was looked upon as the handsomest woman in the parish, and OF MUNSTER. 41 Sweet maiden ! sweet maiden ! My own love, so fiiir, Since far this is spreading From Leim unto Clare 0, fly "with me kindly, O'er ocean's wild swell, Or give me thy blessing, And love fare thee well I SEAAN2 O'DEE. PIEESE FITZGERALD SANG, I ne'er believed the story Prophetic bard! yon sung; How Vulcan, swarth and hoarj, "Won Venus fair and young, Till I saw my Pearl of AVhiteness By kindi'ed forced to be, In her robes of snowy brightness, The bride of Seaan O'Dee ! I ne'er thought God, the Holy, A bndal would allow, Where Mammon spui-s them solely To crown her drooping brow. " The Pvichest w^eds the Karest," That truth, alas ! I see Since my sunny pearl and fairest Is bride to Seaan O'Dee ! eventually got her parents to consent to their union, much to the astonishment of the surrounding country. Pierse Fitzgerald, the well- known poet and wag, who resided at Ballykennely, the adjacent to^vnland, and whose hoiise still stands there in fine preservation, took up the subject, and composed these stanzas on the happy occasion. — J. O'D. 2 Pr. Shaun 42 TÍIE POETS AND POETRY í)^ mo yeA}i m<\|t CÍVC n)&, Of é &o bfteóÓA^5 'fbo ctiívÓA]^ rpé, ^'f bu'^or)T) A be]c |*a T)-ATbA|tc oftc, 21 05^t)Ai5 ó]5 ! ^ b-c]0C]:i)c6 A»T)i)f A T)5ívitibít) Ifort^, ^ plú|l T)A TD-bAT) Ó5 ? C|téAb bo be]6roAO]f a óéAi^AÓ At)T), ^ cu]b bo'p c-f A05AI 'f^ Tcói|t ? ^5 buA^T)c AbÍAÓ bo biv]tft jéA^Ab, ^\ h\i]c At* locA A5 létn^eAÓ ^'1* CA]líT) beAf* le b^teAjAO 2l)Att 2l)biv]|te Mi 2t)|lleo]t) ! 1 3Í)ao|1, i,e., a bald or hornless cow ; probably the only stock Seaan O'Dee possessed. — J. O'D. 2 This dramatic ballad, from the analytical form of the verb in the original, seems to be of Ulster origin OF MUNSTER. 43 "Were 1 like most, ere morrow, A dire revenge I'd take, And in his grief and sorrow My burning anguish slake ; For gloom o'ershades my lightness- 0, woe's my heart to see Her form of snowy whiteness Embraced by Seaau O'Dee ! MAIRE NI MILLEOIN. *' Will you come where golden furze I mow Mo Mhaire Ni Milleoin ?" " To bind for you I'll gladly go. My Bliss on Earth, mine own " To chapel, too, I would repair,!" Tho' not to aid my soul in prayer. But just to gaze with rapture where You stand, mo b'uac'aill b'an !^ " Will you rove the garden glades with me, Flower of Maids, alone ?•" " What wondrous scenes therein to see. My BHss on Earth, mine own ?" " The apples from green boughs to strike. To watch the trout leap from the lake. And caress a pretty cailin^ like Mo Mhaire Ni Milleoin ! 3 Pr. '' Mo vohil vaun," my white or fair youth ; this term is often used as an expression of endearment, See that intensely touching scene in Carleton's " Valentine M'Clutchy,'' where the widow la- ments for her youngest son, her " darling Torlach, her white-headed boy." — Er. * Pr. " colleen," a young girl. — Er. 44 THE POETS AND POETRY ^ b-c(0cp^6 curt) at) ceArnpA^U \]ori) U 2t)bivi|ie Mi ^illeoit)? Cjté^vb bo h]<^6Tr)4iO]x b']] 'S^^ ^n7uA]T)eA}* cjierr?' T)éAlcAib, ^fi cúfi|*Aib AT^ c-fA05 ]téAlcAr), ^ lúb coille AOfiAC ^AT) ceÍTÍ^eAl : — C)o b] looi)tiA8 o Pboebuf, ^jt 5éA5A]b 5AC c|iA]r)i7, ^^Y loi)i7ti^í5 bA 5|té-5uc i)A T)-éAT>lcl]pn 21']* b|túcA]5 At) béA|tlA 5^0 bfxí5 ! )f ]:lú||ifeAC b^AÓ 5AO]6e]l5e, 21 T)-búr)-bTto5ATb aoI&a, "Le cot}5t}ATb At) Aoprbic 5AT) Tbo^ll; 5o ]:]opo pleA5AC ]:éA|*&Ac, 2t)eA|i, c|túpAC, CAic]ié]tT)eAc ; 'S&^T^ b-p|tioT)T)f A ceAjtc 5éill]:]6 5AC |tÍ5 Be^Ó mÚCA A5U|* C|tAOCA 'CA 2l|t béA|iAib At) ^e]ll, Sl^occ Sb^'^CT^lt) t)^ 3-clAor) beAjic, "Na 56^116 Ar)i) t)0 Cbl^lorc; ' 'S5U11 b'^|li)e Í t)^|t ])-íV]|tn7ÍóeA5, Í)o't) 2l8A^Tb-cl<\.it)T) 50 lé]|t ! 'Sí ir blív]c-óí|ieArC béAb, 21 bívT) cíoc, T)^|t lívrbuijeAÓ, 2l|t 5r)^c Ijc bo't) sé^i*, 21 b|ií^5Aib rb]!) 5 AT) ^ejc, Cbu5 ]*5^C bAO]l A|l Aol, *Sí cfií\ÓA]5 f]r)r) — le lívrbAC 7*A]5eAb, S]V p^c a']- biaí5 Ti}o r5é]l ! )f é 6ú]]*í5eAf TT7é oro r)éAl, Sul A TT)ll|*5lA0]b T)A b"^]t)r 9X\i t) &lúc-fÍT)eA6 lé] ! 1 Andrew M'Curtin composed this poem, for a young lady- named Dorah Power, daughter to a ^Ir. Power of Clonmult, county of Cork, the greatest beauty of her day, and, appar- ently, the theme of the Munster bards, from the numerous son zs written in her praise. He was a native of Clare, and flourished about the year 1 740, and led a wandering sort of life, which he devoted to the muses, as the numerous songs and poems, which he OF MONSTER. 53 THE SUN OF ERINN'S MAIDENS- ANDRIAS ÍLA.C CUIRTIN SANG. 'Tis dark I long have been, With sorrow-shaded mien, Thro' true-love for you, love, Illy stately, stainless queen. And, in truth, 'tis no disgrace To be love-sick from your face, "'TIS the fairest — the rarest, Ever seen of Adam's race I Thy little teeth to me Seem the pearlets of Tralee, And thy white breasts the bright breasts Of swans upon the sea No hand has toucht their glow, Nor ) et thy n€ck of snow, But their gladness brings sadness To me and bitter woe ! For I'm driven from my rest, Ere the birds forsake the nest, Thinking ever, — I'll be never Worth the Beautiful and Best. has left behind, testify. The family of the M'Curtins, of whom he and 2loó l)ii]óe were the most celebrated, were of a yellowish complexion, and to this the poet alludes in the eleventh stanza, where he says, " C]A 17 AC j:]or)t) n)e acc bu^oe," although I am not fair but yellow," &c.. See also O'Reilly's Irish Winteis. — J. O'D. 2 Here the poet probably alludes to the rock crystal, or " Kerry Diamond," abundantly found on the shore about Dingle — J. O'D. 54: THE POETS AND POETKT 21)0 cúrb, Mo A n7Úft]tCA0lb t)A féAt) ! Jf buc b|T?tj A béAl. CjA curt^CA "i ']* 5U|t CAorb, 'S50 b-v^ll fú^AjóeACc T)A rtie^t^r), 2lY lont^t^AOAC ^A b-]:]Oor) CAO]t, Ha 5T)úif 5|tiT)r> rr)A|t Aol ! 21 ÍV|tb-|lÍ3 T)A t)A0TÍ7, B. C|téí5' 5i}úir 3M»59 "?^n c^^- Mio|t clu 6|b^ 30 be^Tbiitr 2t)a |'iDUA]n5i|t 30 sluK), N^|i b-^]ú b]h he.]t &úft-c|iO)8eAC Le citu bujoeAC iDA|t t*]r)i) • 2lc^ frrjujc A||i rno citojóe, Jf t)eA?r)-fOi)i) A 3-corbt)U]6e ; 3aC C^U]») TT7A|b|0r> bjlUCCA, Le ituo-feA^tc bo'r) it)r)AO| ! ' CuiTCAOif CbltixTJM^^f ^^6 Cotmfess of Tralee. This was doubt- less a Countess of Desmond. One of the Four Castles of Tralee was the chief seat of the Earls of Desmond — Smith's Kern/, 162. It was called the Great Castle by way of eminence. It was the birthplace of Thomas a Nappah, progenitor of the noble houses of Kildare and Desmond. Sixteen Earls of Desmond held this as their chief stronghold. It is traditionally recorded among the Munster OF MUNSTER. 57 'Tis my grief that I'm not fair, For how many like me weie, With hopes crumbled, sad and humbled, Thro' this homd sandy hair ! But, love ! gently tliink on me, Mind the Countess of Tralee, How she married, — yea ! she carried Her dear cripple, forced to flee ! And tho' priceless is each tress Of your cuilionn's^ loveliness, Tho' the Munster men can't once stir When they've seen thy peerless face, You'd gain little fame to try ('Tis not worthy one so high) To be parted, or hard-hearted, ■ With so lora a youth as I ! THE DROOPING HEART. WILLIAM MAC COTTER SANG. A cloud shades my soul And my heart droops in dole. Thro' each soft dewy dawning. And eve's crimson air, peasantry that there was once a countess who, having accidentally met a cripple at a country fair, fell deeply in love with him, and eloping from her husband, carried the cripple on her back through the kingdom for the space of seven years, but after that returned to her home. — J. O'D. 2 Pr. CooUun, i.e. fair long hair ; it is also used to signify a maiden, or formerly a young man. — Er. 58 THE POETS AND POETRl' 21t) plúft-b(iu]r)t7eAll h']\j^, D'úft-f50c T)A T)5A0i8e n7]l 5bTt^A3, Mil beom T)A -ceAr) bAO^rje, 'Si^ív PÍ00CA 5 Le CAol peAr)r) A|t clival, 'S fc»o fejoopeAÓ po]ic t)éACA, i)a liACAiT^nj-e lero' fcoft, T^AO] CO]ll UA15T)eAC T)A 5-CT)6, Mo An At) 2t)A0]lii) rDA^bjT) AO]b]r)r), 3<^P C|tir)Acc Ai|i ceo, jf meA6]tAC bA|t t)-hó]t, 21 jiéAlcAT) b|te^5 Tr)ú]r)ce, 'S A plú|t T)A ii)-bAt) 05. 21^0 ctieAC a']* Ttjo léAt) ! Mac l]OTt) AT) cinn 3^ ^^1T^> Jf 5 f At) 50 rD-buAileAt)t) r^> BjtUAC LOCA X.é]X)^ ! |ie3<'^oi6eil 50 buAt) ? 21 b-co|tA8 jtúit) bo ^uA]tA|* t)Úa6acc, Ha n)^]]ize a t)^] ; Í)a|1 AT) leAbA]t bA CAlCt)10Tt)AC l^OH^fA, C'^]\ 5AC rs^ii, 3u|l bA]t)eAb 1.0I)t)bU]T) 'f Pojic 2t)AC5ATbr)A/ 4)o'i) ^CÍVC A t)é], 3u|t p]teAb At) i)|U]C A|i eAc cuid i*iiibA]l, 'S 50 n)-be]6 At) liv le 3A0]6e|l. eA]tc pléAfi ; t^b|teA|*5|iA0]órt}A]|t i), 21 b-cúf At) lAe ! 'S A]t b-^reAjtAib sr^ojoe sujt a b-cA]f5e ^riq^eAÓ, Le bu^l f AT) n)-b|tAOt) ! jf ^AbA Ar) 2t)bún)Ait)^ t)A cobU jAt) n?úf5Ailc, 'NuAi|t b] AT) c 2loiB)i>i) aluji^f) Ó5." Sub |:eAfcA le n)]^r) 5^6 bl|A5A|r) A3 c|t^cc, 2l|t-5T)ioTbu]5eAcc 1.^011*15^ b'i\|ibu]5eAf 5leá, 3o cApA TDeAjt b]Ar) a 5-ciAr) le TjiVTbA^b, 3o 5-clAoi6eAT) bjob njílce ajx liv|t ^ ! Ni ]*cAbpA6 ^fi r)5liAÓAi|tef5]Ac i)a T1^bíví^ Tt>-b|iAc,^ pu|C, 3o b]T)T) C|lé C]0|tCA )^beA|t5u]|* Tbói|i. ClAt)t)A t)A i-crtiApAC b']A|t^A6 yixyAU), 21 b-c|teAf5AT|ic at) ^]a6 ct) ^P l)-^CAcb^ Le 3^lir<'t)l'<^T^ CU5 lAb cuTT) r)^i|te ; jf A^C AT) fulc A leAbAÓ 'B}j]X)-^, A b-]í10|tA0|b a|ibA, 'S A CAO] )y b|T)T) llT)T) TJA cív]r)ce 60' t) C-fÓflC ! 1 2lt) CtXAOibin !dlo]bit>t7, T^e Delightful Little Branch, By this epithet Ireland is allegorically meant. ' lAOireAc, i e., Louis of France. 3 VnxT) btXAC, i.e , the French colours. * The Rev. William English. OF MCNSTER. - 71 THE CRAOIBHIN AOIBHINN. JOHN CUNNINGHAM SANG. Air : — " Craoihhin Aoibhin Almrm Og."'^ 0, henceforth raise the song of rapture Sing how our heroes' actions glow ! Afar, the foeman has fall'n their capture ! Their flaming swords laid thousands low. They'll stay not now for shield nor baaner, Till crusht the foe of black dishonour, Till they've freed for ever from the foes that ban her Mo chraoibhin, aoibhin, aluinn og ! Brave Alba« girds her loins in gladness, Calling for vengeance on the foe ; She smiles to think of his yelling madness When chased through Fergus- land he'll go. She cries " Revenge upon those vile hands Which tracked the brave stag of the Highlands." 0, soon he'll come unto these Islands — To craoibhin, aoibhin, aluinn og! Our poet priest and holy friars Once more in Conn's-lands faith will sow; They'll twine joy's roses instead of briars, Most pure, celestial lives they'll show. For Hawk's troops now are strewn and sunder'd, Defeat and shame o'er foes have thunder'd, And the knaves hang high who long have plundered Mo chraoibhin aoibhin, aluinn og ! * This is Conn of the Hundred Battles. ^ l)-ivCAcb, Lord Hawk, the English naval commander who fought against the French. ^ Pronounced " ino chreemn, eevin, aulin o .'" It symbolizes our Native Land, and means literally " my little-bough pleasant, beau- teous, young ;" this expression being applicable to a youthful maiden as " scion" is used in English to designate a descendant. — Er. * Scotland. 72 THE POETS AND POETRY 21 3-cé|rT) T)í!cn)Ab 3u]8]rr) t)ívp buAjSceAji bív]]te Oftc, Clo|6eArb ^Aob0 o V-'^VS^^ ^^ 6o]b, i)o béA]a ^éjt) bjol n)A]c uajtt) bo l 5AC cluAft) b'^jt b-f ua^I cu A]t n}t)<\ ; ' Coi)AU Cei\Tit)AT5, hiight of the Red Branch, The history of this hero will be found in the Civil) bo Cl)UA]l5t>e, now preparing for publication by the Ossianic Society. 2 This song is the effusion of an artless country girl to an unfaithful swain, and is characterised by that simplicity of style and language peciiliar to the humbler classes of the Irish peasantry. It is entirely free from that redundancy of epithets, and com- pound words, &c., Avhich mark the compositions of those versed in classical literature, in which the reader will find frequent mention made of Helen, Venus, Mars, Minerva, Neptune, Thetis, &c. intended OF MUNSTER. 73 May never foeman dim thy gloiy, Eut joy to thee as tribute flow, Chaste bard !•* whose sires were famed in story, Let Fionn's sharp sword in thy right hand glow. I, too, shall share thy fight, undaunted, Give thee Naesi's shield and Connall's vaunted War-mail for Freedom. Oh, may Heav'n gi'ant it To craoibhin, aoibhin, aluinn og ! DEATH'S DOLEFUL VISIT. youth, so proved and gi'ateful ! You've covered me with grief, You mind not my heart's breaking, Nor think to give relief ; How black to you and shaming, If you save me not from blaming, Who swore upon the Manual To ne'er leave me 'neath grief! • Death will come to seek you A small half-hour ere day. And for each guileful action He'll make you strictly pay. to show the profound learning of the -wTÍter, and how thoroughlr conversant he was with heathen lore, whilst entirely forgetting his o-^vn fairy mythology-, as well as the heroines and heroes of ancient Ireland. — J. O'D. * 2í)ívt}Afl. The English word manual, a Catholic prayer-book, is Irecised here. * It was often the custom of the hards of the last century to correspond in rhjine. The present communication was addressed to Eamonn do Nogla, a Cork taUor, who courted the Muses more than he did the goose or the thimble. The author, Seaan O'Cuinneagain, flourished in the year 1737, (see Poets and Poetry of Munster, íírst series, p. 169) and wrote several beautiful compositions now current among the Munster peasantry. —J. O'D. 74 THE POETS AND POETRY Be]6 CÚ AT) jtuTrD^r) uA]5r)eAc/ 'S hjl^Z Ijl) bi^t) AT)UAf 0]XZ, 'S T)iv|i b|teiv5 Í AT) ^icfií^e 'ouAjfi f^r), Jf cAilit) beA5 3Ar) ^ituA^H) nje 21 b-|:u]l fUA^lceAf ai)1) n)o 5l6|t, Hiv|i cA|tlA|ó beA|ic Ajt cuacaI, '^\x}i ca|*a6 cuí*a6 Art) cói|t, 2lt)oif Ó civ CÚ A5 ^luAjfeAcc, 2l5Uf cúl bo livrbA 50 Iuac l]orn, 2t)o cúrbA n^a cé^^im fAt) uAjj leAC, )l* búbAC bu]c n7A]t f5eól ! *Do CUl|t^lT)t) t*lACC A|X 5f)5ó 6u|c 3^T) rb5|icuf* onj' livjri) ; 21 |t lel^e T)Ó A|l COCA, Ho Ajt fCOCAÓ CÚ]l 5AT) CÍVjTl) : AlTT)p|l CA^bA T)A 5ÍV|lbAt) : 2lcc AT)0]f 6 c^]TT)|*e Art) CAT6ir)-bocc 6eAlb, 21 rT)eA|*5 T)A T)-buCA^6e jt^jajt) ]*eo, )f é rf)0 cúrbA C]xo]6e ii)A|t puAift TDé at) 5A||trT), Bbe]C jtlATT) ATI) '' SpA^lpÍT) )^A-T)Acb !" 21 5-C]ATt]iAi5e at) 5|iit)T) bo jeAbcAo^ Ar) A|r)5]|i, 5o TD'pot^T) le ]:eA]t ]*u] j;e lAri) lé ; Ma TT)-bei6' lAfA cjtí lícji* v^ 5t)3 1)4^ C]101)C, í)'ól|:^6 ^t) porler ^f m6\\ cu^b be't) llúrj, 'S A fc5]]tír) cé CAbAjipAO beAt) bfie^j bu]c ! M^ c|ie|bfe r)A b|té]C|te v^ V^ b|t&A3A fo A|t |*]úbAl, 2t)A]t if Ar)ATt) 'rno 6ul 30 C13 ai^ cabAnii^e ; TTív Ai|i3]ob ATT) pócAÓ '3u|* n)5|t-cu]b att) c|i6i>c, 'S T)ÍO|t ólAf |t]Arb pÚT)C A]t AOt) lílCAl|t ! Bbí ^ TÍ?AlAi|tc bo 5r)66 '3An) be 'fA b-f 03n)A]t bo bf CÚ3ATD, 2I3 buAit) 3A|t|iAi6ce 'ríicAO] 'f^ cu|t |*cívcA]6e A|t boT)r), 2t)o TTjACA be]t 1^1) bo bAÓ bíJCT)A A3uf búbA, ^At) AO]r)T)e b^ 3-c]túÓ acc njo Tt):xv cujiii'e Y^t) b]aÓT) yo, Kó Tbójx c]rr)c^oU n)o cfio]6e ! "Cix V^v ")o ó, Bbi A5 T^VS^ A cir)i) 50 fU]5ce Aft beAt)bAO], Cr)eA& i)A C|tO|6e, t)A clj, '^uf 5UAif, Ba te]t)r), bA cjtuAJ, bA Iuac, bA IA5 ] ! )y U5 Aca]rr), A|i fi, TT?or)UA|t ! 2t)A|i cuACAc ^uAfi At) uA]rb pAO| leACA]6e ; '2lrr) ^eAjtitA ctiioiD ;^at) r^lit), 5Ai> c|tuA5; 'Sir ^í^ "5^ ^ b-TuAÓ 2t)buTbA|l>/ 'fA &-CtlACCA|8e :^ )r cl^cAC ce|i)t) ACA njo cfio|6e ; 2^0 fl^iDce ATT? 6]z — n>o rbile CfieAC ], 3aIa|i piTbe Ajitf cl|r)5 An) clu^]|-, 'S rD'|r)Cjt)T) fuAi6ce 5 uAill f)A CA|llí5e ! jr ^AbA riT)T) ^"^ 6|tA0]6eACC A b-'CuATTj^x^rjt), *Sif b^t)!? Aji ri)-buA]T) A r»)-buA|C jac T)eA|tcA]5e; 2I5 r^eAfbAl r^lW ir VP\^ 3^^ V^^^^y y^ix f}o\i Ac-luAÓ 5AC uA^ll bí^ T>50|T*c:]5;e ; li^'l cis^iit b^ AOjfibe l^ n'<\ 0]6ce, O't) ^ttb OA n)-b]6eAri> 50 cujrjtj ba leAclu^je ; Mac 0|t|tA ir)u]6]n) Ajt^r 5AI) buA^r, Mac cu]rb|T) leb' cluAif n>Axi 5luA|r mo ^ucAjÓe. Í CuAC ^Htt"?^^» Thoraond. 2 eAccuije, or Slpb GACCUi^e. This is the name of a cele- brated mountainous district lying in the frontiers of the counties of OF MUNSTER. 89 I laid me down 'mid blossoms bright, Sleep came on their whisperings airy ; Sweet the sight ! — there flash'd a light, And beamed a noble, stately fairy ! Mournful, mournful was her wail, Her bitter tears were falling ever ; Sad her beauteous brow and pale. Dishevelled, torn, her tresses waver. Her noble head bowed tow'rd the gTound, Dim her lustrous eyes now languish ; A bandage bound her brow around. The lint- white cincture — type of anguish ! " 'Tis / am weak,' she said, "mo bhron !^ Ev'n as corse the chill, chill tomb in ; Arrows pierce me — friends I've none — No more my voice is heard in Thomond I* Fainting-sick my heart is drear. Gone my vigour — woes are swelling. Venom -ills and knells mine ear Doth ever hear, with a hag's^ wild yelling. " Long I've been 'neath druid-sway. And glad my voice was once in Thomond, Answering faint but faithful aye, Each sound that rose, or day or gloom in. No cry of chieftain on the height. No murmur of the billows' bending, But gained responses, loud or light ; Dost thou not mind my voices' blending ? Clare and Galway. It is now generally called SHnv Aughiy, bat corrupted to Slieve Baughta, by Beaufort on his Ecclesiastical Map of Ireland.— J. O'D. 2 Pron. mo vron — my sorrows. * Cuv\ó-^úii)AT), North Munster, or Thomond. ^ England is thus personified. 90 THE POETS AND POETRY SeACAr)<\^6e, cé cAO]n) 50 ^AOt) ! Miv ]*il 5Uft pé]cl]oc f