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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REST ONLY IN THE GRAVE. |
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Poems of James Clarence Mangan | ||
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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 | ||