THE SARSFIELD STATUE, LIMERICK

From a photograph

The leading facts of Sarsfield's life are told by W. J. Onahan in Vol. VII., and the story of his famous ride in 1690, when he surprised and wiped out a body of King William's troops, by A. M. Sullivan in Vol. IX. of IRISH LITERATURE.

And let our eyes, with glad surprise, the warlike sight enjoy
Of him who stood, 'mid fire and blood, our tyrants to destroy.
O sculptor! trace on his bold face the spirit-blaze which shone
The day he rolled the flood of war to Limerick from Athlone;
As if, with word and waving sword, he called on Limerick's
men,

"My freeborn sons! with hearts and guns, go man yon breach again!"

O sculptor! show on his high brow his freedom-grasping zeal When Limerick's streets and brave old walls blazed red with fire and steel;

When, undismayed, with sweeping blade he cleared the flaming town,

Oh! show us how his stalworth arm had cut the foemen down. Show us his godlike bearing 'mid the burning wreck of fight, His loud command and lifted hand, and blazing eye of light; His eagle glance, that, like a lance, pierced center, rear, and

van

His form tall revealing all the majesty of man.

Let daring thought be sternly wrought in his high, dauntless air,

As if the seed of some great deed had grown to action there; Like on the night when his fierce might from Limerick sallied forth,

And swept the foe, at one dread blow, for ever from the earth. Show us the grief that filled the chief, when, with his hopes betrayed,

Far, far away, across the sea, he led the brave Brigade;

Show us the blood-gout from his side, red-welling on his hand, With his last words "I wish 't were shed for thee, my Native Land!"

DRAHERIN O MACHREE.1

I grieve when I think on the dear, happy days of youth, When all the bright dreams of this faithless world seemed

truth;

When I strayed thro' the woodland, as gay as a midsummer

bee,

In brotherly love with my Draherin O Machree.

1 Draherin O Machree, little brother of my heart.