Because you suffered for the Cause;

Because you strove with voice and pen

To serve a Law above all laws

That purifies the hearts of men;

Because you failed, and grew not slack,

Not sullen, not disconsolate,

Nor stooped to seek a lower track,

But showed your soul a match for Fate;

Because you hated all things base,

And held your country’s honour high;

Because you wrought in Time and Space

Not heedless of Eternity;

Because you loved the nobler part

Of Erinn,—so we bring you here

Words such as once the Irish heart

On Irish lips rejoiced to hear:

Strains that have little chance to live

With those that Davis’ clarion blew,

But all the best we have to give

To Mother Erinn and to you.

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