 | Songs and ballads by Samuel Lover |  |
THE CHAIN OF GOLD.
[_]
The Earl of Kildare, Lord-Deputy of Ireland, ruled justly, and was hated by the small oppressors whose practices he discountenanced. They accused him of favouring the Irish to the King's detriment, but he, in the presence of the King, rebutted their calumnies. They said, at last, “please your Highness, all Ireland cannot rule this Earl.”—“Then,” said Henry, “he is the man to rule all Ireland,” and he took the golden chain from his neck and threw it over the shoulders of the Earl who returned, with honour, to his government.
Oh, Moina, I've a tale to tell
Will glad thy soul, my girl;
The King hath giv'n a chain of gold
To our noble-hearted Earl.
His foes they rail'd—the Earl ne'er quailed—
But, with a front so bold,
Before the King did backward fling
The slanderous lies they told,
And the King gave him no iron chain—
No—he gave him a chain of gold!
Will glad thy soul, my girl;
The King hath giv'n a chain of gold
To our noble-hearted Earl.
His foes they rail'd—the Earl ne'er quailed—
But, with a front so bold,
Before the King did backward fling
The slanderous lies they told,
And the King gave him no iron chain—
No—he gave him a chain of gold!
Oh, 'tis a noble sight to see
The cause of truth prevail:
An honest cause is always proof
Against a treacherous tale.
Let fawning false ones court the great,
The heart in virtue bold
Will hold the right, in power's despite,
Until that heart be cold:
For falsehood's the bond of slavery,
But truth is the chain of gold.
The cause of truth prevail:
An honest cause is always proof
Against a treacherous tale.
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The heart in virtue bold
Will hold the right, in power's despite,
Until that heart be cold:
For falsehood's the bond of slavery,
But truth is the chain of gold.
False Connal wed the rich one
With her gold and jewels rare,
But Dermid wed the maid he lov'd,
And she clear'd his brow from care:
And thus, in our own hearts, love,
We may read this lesson plain,
Let outward joys depart, love,
So peace within remain—
For falsehood is an iron bond,
But love is the golden chain!
With her gold and jewels rare,
But Dermid wed the maid he lov'd,
And she clear'd his brow from care:
And thus, in our own hearts, love,
We may read this lesson plain,
Let outward joys depart, love,
So peace within remain—
For falsehood is an iron bond,
But love is the golden chain!
| Songs and ballads by Samuel Lover | |