The Harp of Erin Containing the Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Dermody. In Two Volumes |
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THE OLD WORLD. |
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 | The Harp of Erin |  |
72
THE OLD WORLD.
O! what are all the cares of life?
Vain transitory, dubious strife;
The termagant and brave,
(Cares that must soon forbear to teaze,)
Must join, in melancholy peace,
The world beyond the grave.
Vain transitory, dubious strife;
The termagant and brave,
(Cares that must soon forbear to teaze,)
Must join, in melancholy peace,
The world beyond the grave.
Mysterious world! could I but guess
What habitants thy space posses:
Say, are all wise, and good?
Or does the noisy coxcomb prate?
The blockhead, there too, vex his pate,
With folly's idle brood?
What habitants thy space posses:
Say, are all wise, and good?
Or does the noisy coxcomb prate?
The blockhead, there too, vex his pate,
With folly's idle brood?
Does injury there with iron hand
The lab'rer's scanty meal command,
And gripe the well earn'd fee?
Does genius die, unknown, unpay'd—
O! is the world in yon dread shade
This world's epitome.
The lab'rer's scanty meal command,
And gripe the well earn'd fee?
Does genius die, unknown, unpay'd—
O! is the world in yon dread shade
This world's epitome.
73
Does dear seducing woman, ply
The syren lips, the roguish eye,
And beauty's gilded bait?
If things go on in such a way,
I ween, 'tis better here to stay;
Terra incognita may wait.
The syren lips, the roguish eye,
And beauty's gilded bait?
If things go on in such a way,
I ween, 'tis better here to stay;
Terra incognita may wait.
| The Harp of Erin | |