_From the Irish_
My heart is far from Liffey's tide
And Dublin town;
It strays beyond the Southern side
Of Cnoc-Maol-Donn,
Where Capa-chuinn hath woodlands green,
Where Amhan-Mhor's waters flow,
Where dwell unsung, unsought, unseen
_Mo craoibhin cno_,
Low clustering in her leafy screen,
_Mo craoibhin cno_!
The high-bred dames of Dublin town
Are rich and fair,
With wavy plume and silken gown,
And stately air;
Can plumes compare thy dark brown hair?
Can silks thy neck of snow?
Or measur'd pace thine artless grace?
_Mo craoibhin cno_,
When harebells scarcely show thy trace,
_Mo craoibhin cno_!
I've heard the songs by Liffey's wave
That maidens sung--
They sung their land the Saxon's slave,
In Saxon tongue--
O! bring me here that Gaelic dear
Which cursed the Saxon foe,
When thou didst charm my raptured ear,
_Mo craoibhin cno_!
And none but God's good angels near,
_Mo craoibhin cno_!
I've wandered by the rolling Lee!
And Lene's green bowers--
I've seen the Shannon's wide-spread sea
And Limerick's towers--
And Liffey's tide, where halls of pride
Frown o'er the flood below;
My wild heart strays to Amhan-mhor's side,
_Mo craoibhin cno_!
With love and thee for aye to bide,
_Mo craoibhin cno_!
_Edward Walsh_