80
AN GAODHAL.
tage, near Devizes, England. He was visited in
1832 by Gerald Griffin.
Moore’s last years were clouded by mental infir-
mity. He died at Sloperton Cottage in February,
1852.
B. C. L.
As the anniversary of Tom Moore is close at
hand, and being furnished with a sketch of his
life by our young friend, B. C. L, we here give
one of his immortal poems, “Oh blame not the
Bard. The Gaelic translation, by the lamented
Archbishop Mac Hale, is given on page 73. We
also give the ballad composed by Lord Byron, in
compliment to him. These songs will be rendered
by the Brooklyn Philo Celtic Society, at their hall,
Adams and Willoughby sts, on the evening of May
28, the anniversary of Moore, along with other
choice selections. Friends are invited to be present.
Oh! Blame Not The Bard.
Oh! blame not the bard, if he fly to the bowers
Where Pleasure lies, carelessly smiling at Fame,
He was born for much more, and in happier hours
His soul might have burn'd with a holier flame;
The string that now languishes loose o’er the lyre,
Might have bent a proud bow to the warrior's
dart;
And the lip which now breathes but the song of
[desire,
Might have pour'd the full tide of the patriot's
heart.
But alas for his country! — her pride has gone by,
And that spirit is broken which never would bend;
O’er the ruin her children in secret must sigh,
For 'tis treason to love her, and death to defend.
Unpriz'd are her sons, till they’ve learn'd to betray;
Undistinguish'd they live, if they shame not
their sires;
And the torch, that would light them thro dig¬
[nity's way,
Must be caught from the pile where her country
expires.
Then blame not the bard, if in pleasure's soft dream
He should try to forget what he never can heal;
Ohl give but a hope, let a vista but gleam
Through the gloom of his country, and mark how
[he'll feel
Every passion it nursed, every bliss it ador'd
That instant his heart at her shrine would lay
down,
While the myrtle, now idly entwin'd with his crown,
Like the wreath of Harmodius, should cover his
sword.
But tho' glory be gone, and tho' hope fade away,
Thy name, loved Erin, shall live in his songs,
Not ev'n in the hour when his heart is most gay
Will he lose the remembrance of thee and thy
wrongs.
The stranger shall hear thy lament on his plains;
The sigh of thy harp shall be sent o'er the deep,
Till thy masters themselves as they rivet thy chains,
Shall pause at the song of their captive and weep!
LINES TO THOMAS MOORE by LORD BYRON.
My boat is on the shore,
And my bark is on the sea :
But, before I go, Tom Moore,
Here’s a double health to thee.*
Here’s a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate,
And whatever sky's above me,
Here's a heart for every fate!
Though the ocean roar around me,
Yet it still shall bear me on ;
Though a desert should surround me,
It hath springs that may be won.
Were't the last drop in the well,
As I gasp'd upon the brink,
Ere my fainting spirit fell,
'Tis to thee that I would drink.
In that water, as this wine,
The libation I would pour
Should be — Peace to thine and mine,
And a health to thee, Tom Moore!
* In singing, this verse is repeated as a chorus.
ANSWERS to CORRESPONDENTS.
J. D. Pittsburg Pa. — We are not in that line of
business. O'Donovan Rossa, Editor of the United
Irishman, 25 Beekman st, New York, is agent for
various lines of steamers ; communicate with him
and he will give you the information desired.
T. O’B. Lynchburg — We have made arrange-
ments to supply the following publications in
and concerning the Irish Language, at the prices
named, post paid.
O’Reily's & O'Donovan's Irish English Dictionary, $7
Bourkes Easy Lessons in Irish .90
College Irish Grammar by the very Rev Ulick
J. Canon Bourke, P. P., M. R. I. A. .90
School Irish Grammar, By P. W. Joyce, L. L. O.,
T. C. D., M. R. I. A. .40
Irish Catechism. .20
O'Connellans English Irish Dictionary. .90
First Irish Book .10
Second Irish Book .10
Third Irish Book .20
Irish Head-line Copy Book .15
Pursuit of Diarmuid and Grainne Part I. .45
" " " Part II. .45
Foras Feasa air Eirinn; or Dr. Keating's History
of Ireland in the original Irish, with new Trans-
lations, Notes, and Vocabulary, for the use of
schools. Book I. Part I. .60
