Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 011.djvu/549
His sunny childhood melted from my sight,
Like a spring dew-drop—then his forehead wore
A prouder look—his eye a keener light—
—I knew these woods might be his world no more!
He loved me—but he left me!—thus they go,
Whom we have rear'd, watch'd, bless'd, too much adored!
He heard the trumpet of the Red-Cross blow,
And bounded from me, with his father's sword!
Thou weep'st!—I tremble—Thou hast seen the slain
Pressing a bloody turf—the young and fair,
With their pale beauty strewing o'er the plain
Where hosts have met—speak!—answer!—was he there?
Oh! hath his smile departed?—Could the grave
Shut o'er those bursts of bright and tameless glee?
—No!—I shall yet behold his dark locks wave—
That look gives hope—I knew it could not be!
Still weep'st thou, wanderer?—Some fond mother's glance
O'er thee, too, brooded in thine early years—
Think'st thou of her, whose gentle eye, perchance,
Bathed all thy faded hair in parting tears?
Speak, for thy tears disturb me!—What art thou?
hy dost thou hide thy face, yet weeping on?
Look up!—Oh! is it—that wan cheek and brow!—
—Is it—alas! yet joy!—my Son, my Son!
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.[1]
"All parties were now (1793) fully employed preparing for the ensuing Session of Parliament. The Government, through the organ of the corporations and grand juries, opened a heavy fire upon us, of manifestoes and resolutions. at first we were, like young soldiers, a little stunned with the noise, but after a few rounds we began to look about us, and, seeing nobody drop with all this furious cannonade, we took courage and determined to return the fire. In consequence, wherever there was a meeting of the Protestant Ascendancy (which was the title assumed by that party, and a very impudent one it was,) we took care it should be followed by a meeting of the Catholics, who spoke as loud and louder than their adversaries; and as we had the right clearly on our side, we found no great difficulty in silencing the enemy on this quarter. The Catholics likewise took care, at the same time that they branded their enemies, to mark their gratitude to their friends, who were daily increasing, and especially to the people of Belfast, between whom and the Catholics the union was now completely established. Among the various attacks made on us this summer, the most remarkable for their virulence were those of the Grand Jury of Louth, headed by the Speaker of the House of Commons; of Limerick, at which the Lord Chancellor assisted; and of the Corporation of the City of Dublin, which last published a most furious manifesto, threatening us in so many words with a resistance by force. In consequence, a meeting was held of the Catholics of Dublin at large, which was attended by several thousands, where the manifesto was read, and most ably commented upon by John Keogh, Dr. R, Dr. Mac Nevin, and several others, and a counter-manifesto being proposed, which was written by my friend Emmett and incomparably well done, it was carried unanimously and published in all the papers, together with the speeches above-mentioned; and both the speeches and the manifesto had such an infinite superiority over those of the Corporation, which were also published and diligently circulated by the Government, that it put an end effectually
- ↑ Concluded from page 423.