The Poems of J. J. Callanan A New Edition, with Biographical Introduction and Notes |
 |
[“A poet's eye whilst yet a child] |
|
|
|
|
|
 | The Poems of J. J. Callanan |  |
[“A poet's eye whilst yet a child]
“A poet's eye whilst yet a child,A boyhood wayward, warm, and wild,
A youth that mocked correction's rod,
Caressed would strive to be a god,
And scorned to take the second place,
In class, or honor, field, or race;
A manhood with a soul that flies
More high than heaven's own highest skies,
But with a wing that oft will stoop,
And trail in filthiest dross, and droop;
A heart that knows no other fears
But fear of Him beyond the spheres.
With brow and cheek and look as mild
As ever graced a sinless child,
But still with passions strong and warm
As lava flood or headlong storm;
With rebel tumult in his veins,
And one who rides with spurs, not reins;
With mind, which through the waves of sin
Still hears the helmsman's voice within.
In short, a man who has no life,
Unless he feel the mortal strife
Of songs and harps and Freedom's fights,
And glory's call and Erin's rights—
Who's weak, but looks for strength above,
Who'd die for those he ought to love.”
| The Poems of J. J. Callanan | |