T. D. SULLIVAN'S POEMS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 30, 16 November 1888, Page 13

T. D. SULLIVAN'S POEMS.

The following are the poems of T. D. Sullivan sung and recited by the pupils of the Christian Brothers in the intervals of Father Bnrke's lecture in tlie Choral Hall, Dunedin, on the 6th inst.: — SONG FBOM THE CANADIAN BACKWOODS. (SLIGHTLY ALTERED FOR NEW lEALAND.) Here on New Zealand soil we've met, From one bright i land ilown ; Great is the land we tread, but yet Our hearts aie with our own. And ere we leave this fes'ive hall, We'll sing one grand hurrah — For deir old Ireland, Good old Ireland, Ireland, boye, hurrah 1 Chorus — Hurrah, my boys, hurrah ! Hurrah, my boys, hurrah 1 For dear old Ireland, Good old Ireland, Ireland, boys, hurrah 1 n. We've heard her faulte a hundred times, Tbe new ones and the old, In songs and sermons, rants, and rhymes, Enlarged some fifty-fold, Bnt take them all, the great and small, And still we'll sing hurrah — For dear old Ireland, Good old Ireland, Ireland, boys, hurrah ! Chorus. ill. We know that brave and good men tried To snap her rusty chain, That patriots Buffered, martyrs died, And all, 'tis said, in vain. But no, boys, no ! a glance will show They've won their way — hurrah — For dear old Ireland, Brave old £i eland , Ireland, boys, hurrah ! Choriis, IV. And happy and bright are the groups that pass From tbeir peaceful homes, for miles Ocr fields, and roads, and hills, to Ma->s When fcunaay morning Bmiles I And deep the aeal their true heaits feel When low they kneel nnd pray — Oh ! dear old Ireland, Blest old Ireland, Ireland, boyp, hurrah 1 Chorus. v. But here, on New Zealand coil, we've met, And we nevr may see again Tbe deir old is'e where our hearts are set And our first lond hopes remain. But come, boys, come, a song strike ud, And ning Home Kuie, hurrah ' For dear old Ireland, Good old Ireland, Home Rule, boys, hurrah 1 Ch«rm — Home Rule, my boys, hurrah ! Home Rule, my boys, hurrah 1 For dear old Ireland, Good old Ireland, Home Rule, boys, hurrah !

A VISION. [rendered into foe-tut.] I. Once within my little study, while the firelight gleaming ruddy Threw fantastic lights and shadows on tta wall and oa the floor, I was thinking of two nations that for many fcenerationß Had known nought but deadly hatred and cjntenlions sad acd tore Nought but deadly strife and hatred and con ten 1 ions sad and sore Going on for evermore. 11. And I thought, all this is blameful, "us not only pad but shameful, All this pinnderiag and oppressing and th s spilling lHkes of gore, 'Tia the na'ion that is stronger that has been the other's wronger, Let her play this part no longer, but this cruelty give o'er — Turn to ways of love and kindness and this cruelty give o'er, And have peace for evermoio. in. While unto myself thus speaking, on the stairs I heard a creating As of someone softly sneaking up to listen at the door ; Then eaid I, " You need not fear me, you can just come in and hear m . Take a seat or stand a-near me, let us talk this matter o'er — 'Tii a grave and Berious subject, let us talk it calmly o'er," Then I opened wide the door IV. Then a beiog thin and ehanky, white of vbage, tall and lanky Looking ill at ease and cranky, came and stooa upon the floor ; In bis hinds some keys he dangled, keys that karsbly clinked and jangled

And over his right optic a large pane of glass he wore— When it fell, he Blowly raised it, and replaced it as before — This be did, and nothing more. v. " Now," said I, the shape addressing, " don't you thiik 'twould be a blessing If this Anglo-Irish conflict, coming down from days of yore — If this age-long woe and sadness could be changed to peace and gladness And the holy ties of friendship could be knit from 6hore to shore And no words but word a of kindoess pass across from shore to shore ?' — Quoth the lank one, " Tullamore." VI. At this word I marvellei 'ruly, for it seemed to come unduly As a misplaced exhibition of bis geographic lore ; So my thread of thought resuming, 1 aatd, '■ Therj ara dangers j •• iiog Over England's wide dominion that 'tis useleis to ignore, What shall strengthen and sustain her when the bat tie- thunders roar?" Answer made he, " Tullamore." VII. Then said I, " Across the waters Erin 'a faithful sons and daughters Now hare fierce and bitter memories burning in each bosom's core, Think what peace and joy would fill them and what happiness would thrill them If but England yielded freedom to the land that they jtdore— If she spoke the word of freedom to Ihe land tbeir soals adore"— But Ma word was " Tullamore." ▼111. "Think," said I, "of England's masses; every day that o'er them passes Hears their murmurings and complainings swelling louder than before. They object — and 'tis no wonder — to the rule of force and plunder That so long has kept them under, squeezing blood from every pore — Have yon any word of comfort that their patience may restore V ' His reply was " Tullamore." it. From my vision quick he glided ; in my heart I then decide 1 That if this was England's message by this popinjay brought o'er, She had missed a chance ot glory that would brighten all her story — Bui, 1 said, th it lanky Tory was a humbug and a bore : Tuese words from both the peoples soon will ring from shoie to a'loru —

" We are fiiends for evermore "