TO ERIN'S MARTYRS.

New Zealand Tablet, 17 July 1919, Page 33

TO ERIN'S MARTYRS.

(For the X.Z. Tablet.)' God girt them with the armor of His grace And fortitude to carry Erin's cross— And from high Heaven, their intrepid souls, Rein cent with the crown of martyrdom, Shine down upon . the altars of our race — A sacred holocaust to liberty ; Not marble tomb —nor purple panoply Shroud _ their proud dust— pall, of Erin’s tears Sheds glory o'er their immortality Rv sacrifice their deeds are sanctified — I heir names are shrined in every Irish heart I hey are not dead who breathe into our cause The deathless spirit of fidelity; From out (he icy silence of the grave Their voices speak as tongues of living fire, ruing into our hearts that holy vow . For which they died ; and by their blood we cleave Unto their heritage of sufferings. Just God ! Thou art not mocked by tyranny— And they who bore this cross unto Thy feet Across the weary centuries of woe, Look now upon the dawn their labors wrought. Christchurch.' ; . Cylas.