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IRISH MELODIES. |
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Forget not our wounded companions, who stood *
In the day of distress by our side ; While the moss of the valley grew red with their blood,
They stirr'd not, but conquer'd and died. That sun which now blesses our arms with his light
Saw them fall upon Ossory's plain; — Oh! let him not blush, when he leaves us to-night,
To find that they fell there in vain. |
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ERIN! THE TEAR AND THE SMILE IN THINE EYES.
Erin ! the tear and the smile in thine eyes Blend like the rainbow that hangs in thy skies ! Shining through sorrow's stream, Saddening through pleasure's beam, Thy suns with doubtful gleam Weep while they rise.
* This alludes to an interesting circumstance related of the Dalgais, the favourite troops of Brien, when they were interrupted in their return from the battle of Clontarf, by Fitzpatrick, prince of Ossory. The wounded men entreated that they might be allowed to fight with the rest.—" Let stakes (they said) he stuck in the ground, and suffer each of us, tied to 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. chap, i. |
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