Page:The Spirit of the Nation.djvu/117

Rh And now, that Man of demon guilt,

To fated Wexford flew—

The red blood reeking on his hilt,

Of hearts to Erin true!

III.

He found them there—the young, the old—

The maiden and the wife;

Their guardian Brave in death were cold,

Who dared for them the strife.

They prayed for mercy—God on high!

Before they cross they prayed,

And ruthless Cromwell bade them die

To glut the Saxon blade!

IV.

Three hundred fell—the stifled prayer

Was quenched in woman's blood;

Nor youth nor age could move to spare

From slaughter's crimson flood.

But nations keep a stern account

Of deeds that tyrants do;

And guiltless blood to Heaven will mount,

And Heaven avenge it, too!

I.

How did they pass the Union?

By perjury and fraud;

By slaves, who sold for place or gold

Their country and their God;