FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 15, 27 January 1893, Page 20

FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE.

[These verses, by John Walsh, the " Waterfori Minstrel," first appeared in the Waterford CiliMen.] This throbbing heart of mine to-night ia out upon the sea, With him who from my loving Bide had for his life to flee ; For wild the storm beats on our door, and shakes the wooden latch , And peltingly the driving rain is drifting o'er the thatch. Will love and truth forever-more beneath our rooftrte dwell ? Must death and doom the forfeit be of loving Ireland well f Thongh be was dearer far than life and all the world to me, I'd have him do the same again for chance of Ireland free. His smile was fresher than the grass upon the green hillside, And brighter than the full moon's beam when danoing on the tide ; And fair and frank and manly were his loving words to me, With welcome ever on his lips— asthore, asthore, machree 1 My people say I'm foolish when I think of him so long, Bat they don't know how true we loved, how trustingly and strong, — How wearily the heavy days roll round and fly o'er me ;— How every night I dream of him beyond the glinting sea ! God send him honest wealth and gold within that distant land I God speed and prosper every work to which he lends a hand I Good angels guard and guide him, and keep him day and night Secure against his enemies in honour'd pathway bright I I'll say my evening prayers for him before I reach my bed, I'll bless him thrice before to rest I lay my weary head, I'll beg tbe Virgin speed the day that sends him home to me, Or sees me happy with him there — asthore. asthore, machree !