University of Virginia Library

ON THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW CHURCH AT MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.

XIII. THE PAST.

Not vain the faith and patience of the Saints!
Not vain, sad Isle, thy many-centuried woes!
Thy day was tempest-cradled; but its close
Is splendour; and the shattered forest's plaints
In music die. No dull repining taints
That ether pure of memory's realm, which far
Recedes, like some long tract left waste by war,
Some tract which eve with peaceful purple paints.
Long time thy priests, my country, were thy poor:
The Cross their book they raised the Sacrifice
In ruined chancel, and on rainy moor:
Behold, the great reward is come! Arise,
Fane long desired! Beneath thy roofs of gold
Throne the new rites—the creed and worship old!

XIV. THE FOUNDATION STONE.

Descend, strong Stone, into my country's breast:
Child of the sea-beat cliff, or skiey height,
Descend, well-pleased, into the eternal night;
Amid the eternal silence make thy rest!
Descend in hope, thou high, prophetic Guest,
For God a covenant upon thee doth write:
On thee His pledge is graved in words of might
Plain as those mandates by His hand impressed,
While Sinai's peaks made answer, thunder-riven,
On the twinned Tablets of the Hebrew Law.
This day the future with the past is wed;
The undying promise with the greatness dead;
Ireland this day her ancient pact with Heaven
Renews in godly triumph, loving awe.