Chaunt of The Cholera Songs for Ireland. By the Authors of "The O'Hara Tales," "The Smuggler," &c. [i.e. John Banim] |
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THE IRISH MAIDEN'S SONG. |
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 | Chaunt of The Cholera |  |
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THE IRISH MAIDEN'S SONG.
I
You know it, now—it is betray'dThis moment, in mine eye—
And in my young cheek's crimson shade,
And in my whisper'd sigh—
You know it, now—yet listen, now—
Though ne'er was love more true,
My plight and troth, and virgin vow,
Still, still I keep from you,
Ever—
40
II
Ever, until a proof you giveHow oft you've heard me say
I would not even his empress live,
Who idles life away,
Without one effort for the land
In which my fathers' graves
Were hollow'd by a despot hand
To darkly close on slaves—
Never!
III
See! round yourself the shackles hang,Yet come you to love's bowers,
That only he may soothe their pang,
Or hide their links in flowers—
But try all things to snap them, first,
And should all fail, when tried,
The fated chain you cannot burst
My twining arms shall hide—
Ever!
| Chaunt of The Cholera | |