LESSON 21 LAMENT OF THE IRISH EMIGRANT

LAMENT OF THE IRISH EMIGRANT

LADY DUFFERIN , Helen Selina, Countess of Dufferin and Gifford (1807-1867); distinguished Irish poetess; wrote several famous Irish ballads, best known of which are The Irish Emigrant and Terence’s Farewell .

I’M sitting on the stile, Mary,

Where we sat side by side

On a bright May morning long ago,

When first you were my bride:

The corn was springing fresh and green,

And the lark sang loud and high—

And the red was on your lip, Mary,

And the love-light in your eye.

The place is little changed, Mary,

The day is bright as then,

The lark’s loud song is in my ear,

And the corn is green again;

But I miss the soft clasp of your hand,

And your breath, warm on my cheek,

And I still keep list’ning for the words

You never more will speak.

’Tis but a step down yonder lane,

And the little church stands near,

The church where we were wed, Mary,

I see the spire from here.

But the grave-yard lies between, Mary,

And my step might break your rest—

For I’ve laid you, darling! down to sleep

With your baby on your breast.

I’m very lonely now, Mary,

For the poor make no new friends;

But oh! they love the better still

The few our Father sends!

And you were all I had, Mary,

My blessing and my pride:

There’s nothing left to care for now,

Since my poor Mary died.

Yours was the good, brave heart, Mary,

That still kept hoping on,

When the trust in God had left my soul,

And my arm’s young strength was gone:

There was comfort ever on your lip,

And the kind look on your brow—

I bless you, Mary, for that same,

Though you cannot hear me now.

“I SEE THE SPIRE FROM HERE.”

I thank you for the patient smile,

When your heart was fit to break,

When the hunger pain was gnawing there,

And you hid it for my sake!

I bless you for the pleasant word,

When your heart was sad and sore—

Oh! I’m thankful you are gone, Mary,

Where grief can’t reach you more!

I’m bidding you a long farewell,

My Mary—kind and true!

But I’ll not forget you , darling!

In the land I’m going to;

They say there’s bread and work for all,

And the sun shines always there—

But I’ll not forget old Ireland,

Were it fifty times as fair!

And often in those grand old woods

I’ll sit and shut my eyes,

And my heart will travel back again

To the place where Mary lies;

And I’ll think I see the little stile

Where we sat side by side;

And the springing corn and the bright May morn

When first, you were my bride.

—LADY DUFFERIN