 | The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth |  |
THE IRISH ORPHAN.
CITIZEN.Irish maiden, whither fly you?
Whence the moisture on your cheek?
Danger here shall not come nigh you—
Tell me what, and whom, you seek.
IRISH GIRL.
Pity, sir, a hapless stranger,
Friendless on a foreign shore!
Much, alas! I fear of danger—
I'm from Erin, just come o'er.
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Where 's your kindred, friend, protector?
Sure you ventured not alone?
Had you not some kind director?
Father, brother—have you none?
IRISH GIRL.
Yes I have—I had a brother,
Once a widowed parent's stay;
Yes, alas! I had a mother
Both by fate were snatched away!
CITIZEN.
Then, an orphan, unprotected,
You have left your native isle,
To Columbia's shore directed,
Where you meet no kindred smile?
IRISH GIRL.
No—a parent, and a brother,
With me from oppression run;
Death deprived me of my mother—
Cruel Britons pressed her son.
With me from oppression run;
Death deprived me of my mother—
Cruel Britons pressed her son.
Under Freedom's banner sailing,
Just in view of Freedom's shore,
Brightning prospects Hope was hailing,
Whispering future bliss in store:
Just in view of Freedom's shore,
Brightning prospects Hope was hailing,
Whispering future bliss in store:
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When we spied the flag of Britain,
Where foreboding fancy read
Some impending evil written—
How my bosom beat with dread!
Where foreboding fancy read
Some impending evil written—
How my bosom beat with dread!
First a shot our course arrested,
Then their slaves disgraced our deck,
Fathers from their children wrested!
Son from parent's—sister's neck!
Then their slaves disgraced our deck,
Fathers from their children wrested!
Son from parent's—sister's neck!
“Spare!” I cried, “oh, spare my brother!
Spare him for a parent's sake!”
“Save! oh, save him!” cried my mother,
“Or his sister's heart will break!”
Spare him for a parent's sake!”
“Save! oh, save him!” cried my mother,
“Or his sister's heart will break!”
Smiling pirates! they but mocked us!
Laughed at fond affection's grief!
And with brutal language shocked us,
While we wept without relief!
Laughed at fond affection's grief!
And with brutal language shocked us,
While we wept without relief!
But when from us they departed,
Shrieks of anguish pierced the air!
Then my mother, broken-hearted
Fell, the victim of despair!
Shrieks of anguish pierced the air!
Then my mother, broken-hearted
Fell, the victim of despair!
Pity, then, a hapless stranger,
Friendless on a foreign shore!
Oh, protect a maid from danger,
Who for comfort looks no more.
Friendless on a foreign shore!
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Who for comfort looks no more.
CITIZEN.
Yes, fair daughter of oppression!
Exile from Hibernia's plains,
Victim of that cursed aggression
Which the flag of freedom stains:
Exile from Hibernia's plains,
Victim of that cursed aggression
Which the flag of freedom stains:
Here I swear to be thy brother;
See a sister in my wife;
Find a parent in my mother,
I'll protect thee with my life.
See a sister in my wife;
Find a parent in my mother,
I'll protect thee with my life.
| The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth | |