Page:The Spirit of the Nation.djvu/31

Rh

I.

What's my thought like?—What's my thought like?

—Like a column tumbled down—

Its noble shaft and capital with moss and weeds o'ergrown!

How is my thought so like unto a column thus laid low;

Because your thought is Ireland now—laid prostrate, even so!

What with it would you do?—oh, say—what with it would you do?

Upraise it from the earth again, aloft to mankind's view.

A sign unto all those that mourn, throughout earth's vast domain,

That Heaven rewards the patient, and will make them joy again.

II.

What's my thought like?—What's my thought like?

—Like a gallant ship on shore!

Dismasted all and helpless now, amid the breakers' roar!

Her crew, so faithful once to her, each seeking plank and spar,

To 'scape from her and safety seek, upon the land afar.

How is my thought like such poor ship in peril and distress?

Because your thought is Ireland now, whose peril is no less!

What with it would you do?—oh, say—what with it would you do?

Like to some few but faithful hearts among such vessel's crew—

Stand by her to the last I would! and die, if so decreed,

Ere man should dare to say to me, You failed her at her need!

III.

What's my thought like?—What's my thought like?

—Like a land by Nature bless'd

Beyond most other lands on earth—and yet the most distressed