so? No southern breezes come to bless, So conscious of their emptiness My lonely arms I spread in woe, I want you so.

p. 29

p. 30A BIRD FROM THE WEST

p. 30

At the grey dawn, amongst the felling leaves, A little bird outside my window swung, High on a topmost branch he trilled his song, And “Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!” ever sung.

Take me, I cried, back to my island home; Sweet bird, my soul shall ride between thy wings; For my lone spirit wide his pinions spread, And home and home and home he ever sings.

We lingered over Ulster stern and wild. I called: “Arise! doth none remember me?” One turnèd in the darkness murmuring,  “How loud upon the breakers sobs the sea!”

We rested over Connaught—whispering said:  “Awake, awake, and welcome! I am here.” One woke and shivered at the morning grey;  “The trees, I never heard them sigh so drear.”

We flew low over Munster. Long I wept:  “You used to love me, love me once again!” They spoke from out the shadows wondering;  “You’d think of tears, so bitter falls the rain.”

p. 31Long over Leinster lingered we. “Good-bye! My best beloved, good-bye for evermore.” Sleepless they tossed and whispered to the dawn;  “So sad a wind was never heard before.”

p. 31

Was it a dream I dreamt? For yet there swings In the grey morn a bird upon the bough, And “Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!” ever sings. Oh! fair the breaking day in Ireland now.

p. 32ALL SOULS’ EVE

p. 32

I cried all night to you, I called till day was here; Perhaps you could not come, Or were too tirèd, dear.

Your chair I set by mine, I made the dim hearth glow, I whispered, “When he comes I shall not let him go.”

I closed the shutters tight, I feared the dawn of day, I stopped the busy clock That timed your hours away.

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