English Roses by F. Harald Williams [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] |
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| I. |
| II. |
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| IV. |
TO THE MOST REV. DR. ALEXANDER,
Archbishop of Armagh. |
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| VI. |
 | English Roses |  |
434
TO THE MOST REV. DR. ALEXANDER, Archbishop of Armagh.
“ARMAGH VIRUMQUE CANO.”
Prelate and teacher, poet and divine,
On whose broad forehead many gifts entwine
Their excellences fair, I gladly bring
To thee this praise and in my measure sing.
Thy namesake, Lord of Hellas and the lands,
Made but one world the slave of his commands;
But, as they fable, in his glory fell
Before a baby,—though invincible.
Yet thou hast conquered every world which thought
Could enter, earth and heaven itself, and fought
With each great problem of all time and shed
Light beautiful as day, where'er thy tread
Came in its triumphs. Thou hast wrung their spoil,
From darkest ages; and the deepest coil
Of mysteries, in labyrinthine maze
Involved path behind path with mocking haze
Inextricable, yielded to thy hand
Their secret treasures to less natures bann'd.
By every child and child-like spirit blest,
Thou winnest each and turnest fear's unrest
To faith; and masking even the mitre's awe,
The poet's lays and love's most righteous law
Do form thy crown, to brighten with the years
While hearts are young and Erin smiles through tears.
| English Roses | |