From the Land of Dreams :: :: University of Virginia Library

From the Land of Dreams

By John Todhunter. With an introduction by T. W. Rolleston

Todhunter, John (1839-1916)

UNDER THE WHITEBOY ACTS, 1800

THE SUNBURST

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THE SUNBURST

I

Through the midnight of despair I heard one making moan
For her dead, her victors fallen to gain all battles but her own;
I heard the voice of Ireland, wailing for her dead
With wailing unavailing, and sighing as she said:
“In vain in many a battle have my heroes fought and bled,
Like water, in vain slaughter, my sons' best blood been shed;
For my house is desolate, discrowned my head!

II

In vain my daughters bear their babes, babes with the mournful eyes
Of children without father, soothed by strange lullabies,
Rocked in their lonely cradles by mothers crooning low,

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And weeping o'er their sleeping sad songs of long ago;
Whose eyes, when they remember, as the wailing nightwinds blow,
Their Nation's desolation in their singing overflow
With the overflowing of an ancient woe.”

III

O Mother, mournful Mother, turn from wailing for thy dead,
Grey Sibyl, yet unvanquished, lift up thy dauntless head!
O Swan among the nations, enchanted long, so long
That the story of thy glory is a half-forgotten song,
Lift thine eyes, and bless the living, thy sons who round thee throng,
In the hour of their power they shall right thine ancient wrong;
For their love is deathless, and their faith is strong.

IV

Thy leaf of many sorrows, wet with thy tears for dew,
Emblem of thy long patience, thy champions brave and true,

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Knights of the threefold Heart of Green, like saints the Cross, have worn
Through their nation's tribulation, through infamy and scorn,
We'll blazon with the Sunburst, star of thy destined morn,
On our azure's ancient blazure in royal banners borne,
To lead for ever the World's Hope Forlorn.