A Nation Once Again

I

 * When boyhood's fire was in my blood
 * I read of ancient freemen,
 * For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,
 * Three Hundred Men and Three Men.
 * And then I prayed I yet might see
 * Our fetters rent in twain,
 * And Ireland, long a province, be
 * A Nation Once Again.

II

 * And, from that time, through wildest woe.
 * That hope has shone, a far light;
 * Nor could love's brightest summer glow
 * Outshine that solemn starlight.
 * It seemed to watch above my head
 * In forum, field, and fane;
 * Its angel voice sang round my bed,
 * "A Nation Once Again."

III

 * It whispered, too, that "freedom's ark
 * And service high and holy,
 * Would be profaned by feelings dark
 * And passions vain or lowly:
 * For freedom comes from God's right hand,
 * And needs a godly train;
 * And righteous men must make our land
 * A Nation Once Again."

IV

 * So, as I grew from boy to man,
 * I bent me to that bidding—
 * My spirit of each selfish plan
 * And cruel passion ridding;
 * For, thus I hoped some day to aid—
 * Oh! can such hope be vain ?—
 * When my dear country shall be made
 * A Nation Once Again.

Source

 * The poems of Thomas Davis: now first collected. With notes and historical illustrations pp.73-4 By Thomas Osborne Davis Published by James Duffy, 1857