ASSAROE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 262, 10 May 1878, Page 7

ASSAROE.

BY ANTHONY M'NEBLY.

Back through the misty, vanished years my heart flies evermorej ' To early scenes of childhood's days by Ballyshannon's shore ; J Where Erne's laughing waters seek the chasm far below, And sparkle onward to the sea by Abbey Assafoe. Its shattered walls are lonely now ; the stillness of the tomb Has reigned around its trampled fanes through centuries of gloom ; For, oh 1 it felt the heat and power of Ireland's ruthless foe ; Razed are the walls Tyrconnell built round Abbey Assaroe. ' Along the banks of Erne to the cascades of Belleek The fond old tongue of motherland the prattling infants speak, And saintly clerics come to pray, and kneel in joy or woe, Above the graves where slept the brave in Abbey Assaroe. Fair are the glens and heathy hills fanned by the ocean breeze, As the bright Summer sunbeams woo and kiss the rowan trees ; The swelling tide, outspreading wide, doth proudly ebb and flow, And grand and fair the loved scenes there, round Abbey Assaroe. Back, back again in memory round Erne's banks I stray. And muse and dream amid the haunts of childhood's happy day ; And as I see the mountain soar, and watch the waters flow, I sigh to rest and hope to sleep near Abbey Assaroe. — Exchange.