Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
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 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
157
REST ONLY IN THE GRAVE.
I rode till I reached the House of Wealth—
'Twas filled with Riot and blighted health.
'Twas filled with Riot and blighted health.
I rode till I reached the House of Love—
'Twas vocal with sighs beneath and above!
'Twas vocal with sighs beneath and above!
I rode till I reached the House of Sin—
There were shrieks and curses without and within.
There were shrieks and curses without and within.
I rode till I reached the House of Toil—
Its inmates had nothing to bake or boil.
Its inmates had nothing to bake or boil.
I rode in search of the House of Content
But never could reach it, far as I went!
But never could reach it, far as I went!
The House of Quiet, for strong and weak
And Poor and rich, I have still to seek—
And Poor and rich, I have still to seek—
That House is narrow, and dark, and small—
But the only Peaceful House of all!
But the only Peaceful House of all!
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |