Sprays of Shamrock

Woe once more, red woe for Kerry,
Blood-drops were as mountain dew
When that cry so mad, yet merry,
Rang and rang--"O'Donnell Aboo!"

Gone those sanguine days of slaughter,
Sword and matchlock, pike and brand;
Peace now o'er the ways of water,
Peace o'er all the length of land.

Yet sometimes when night is sealing
Cairn and ruined shrine from view,
Down the Kerry glens goes pealing
That wild cry--"O'Donnell Aboo!"

NIGHTFALL IN SLIGO

I

I heard the bells of Sligo say
The tranquil requiem of day.

I saw the fires of sunset burn
Dim in the great west's golden urn.

O'er Calvary's sharp spire afar
Clear flowered one hyacinthine star.

Then mother Night her children hid
Under her purple coverlid.

II

Well can I recall that eve at Sligo,
And the vacant arches of the abbey
Framing the ethereal rose of sunset!
Round about me si