AN GAODHAL
461
tied round with a single strip of scarlet cloth or
ribbon, to denote the approach of a sanguinary
religious crisis out of whc the church shall tri¬
umphantly emerge, The cross is to be worn un¬
exposed on the left breast close to the shoulder, to
signify that it is to regain possession of the North:
It is an intended symbol of victory. The crosses
however may be exposed in public procession on
solemn occasions . or crosses of scarlet cloth may
be substituted for them. In cities, towns and o¬
ther localities where the members are numerous,
they may assume a more definite form of organi¬
zation, not inconsistent with the principles herein
laid down. But the flag of the society shall be
plain and unostentatious. it is intended to be¬
come the standard of a free Ireland. Its color
shall be olive-green and no device whatever shall
appear upon it but a scarlet cross, wherein shall
be inserted and hidden an Agnus Dei in the central
part, where the lateral arms meet the perpendicu¬
lar. Its Gaelic appellation shall be —
BRATACH NA BUADH.
in English the Flag of Victory. It is not to be
unrolled in battle for Irish freedom until a coali¬
tion of foreign powers is formed favorable to the
object of its institution. It is symbolical of world¬
ly prosperity and Christian power : and is destin¬
ed to become hereafter more renowned than the
Dannebrog of the North, the Oriflamme of the
South, the blessed banner of Joan of Arc, or the
sacred standard of King Brian, under the shadow
o whose cheering effulgence the heroic Dalcass¬
ians overthrew the mail-clad warriors of Denmark,
upon the ensanguined battlefield of Clontarf. The
institution whose plain, facile principles, I have
above delineated contains no element of inequality
and will afford no pecuniary pabulum for the ag¬
grandizement of leaders. It may be spurned, des¬
pised, ridiculed by many, but still I am confident
that if it be generally accepted, that it will redeem
Ireland, liberate Poland and strike the shackles
from the limbs of the vicar of Christ who, very
much after the manner of Prometheus of old, is
figuratively chained down upon the rock of Peter,
while the infidel vultures of secret societies are
virtually preying upon the vitals of Christianity.
Yes, and I am further led to believe by my own
positive convictions that this Order of the Cross is
the Stone of Destiny that will fall upon the feet of
the colossal image of tyranny that stands in the
citadel of the third Babylon, and that will grind
to dust and powder its iron and brass, its silver and
gold to be scattered far and wide by the whirl¬
wind of Gods wrath. But having extended my
remarks on this subject further than I at first in¬
tended, I now leave the matter to the consideration
of my Gaelic compatriots and all others whom it
may concern, and beg of God, from whom pro¬
ceeds all wisdom and prudence, to guide their
judgement in the premises.
In conclusion, believe me in the interest of na¬
tional autonomy and the cherished vernacular of
our sires. Yours most patriotically,
GAEL GLAS.
Sail Óg Ruadh
OILEÁN ÉADUIGH.
Brian MacAaodh ro chan.
Air Youghal Harbor, — Slow & solemn.
?
Ceap a' Chaoin.
agam
t-snámh?
1
Is i n-oileán Eaduigh atá mo cheud ghrádh,
Ag air leig mé léithe mo rún go h-óg;
A bh-fuil triúr air aon céill a gul gul 'nna
diaidh orm,
'Sgan bean a bréagadh mo chreach le fágh¬
[ail.
Tá mise tréith-lag — ní'l gar d'a sheunadh,
Agus ní'l mé air aon chor ach mar bheidh¬
eadh an ceo;
'Sa stór mo chléibh' is tú d'fhág liom féin
(mé,
'Gus chuaidh tú g-cré uaim in do chailín óg.
2
A n-aois a sédeug a fuair mé féin í,
'S bu lághach an féirín í ag fear le fághail;
Bu deas a beusa 'sbu cúmhra a méin-mhaith
'S bu geall le reultán í air mhaidin bhreágh.
Mo ghrádh do bhéilín nár chum na breugadh,
'S do ghruagh gheal, ghlégeal mar an eala
air trá;
Do dhá chích chórra le do leanbh i bhreug'dh,
Ach, a stór, níor fheud mé thú thabhairt ó
'n m-bás.
3
Dá b-pósainn sláimín de chaille ghránna
Do thóigfeadh lán orm bheith gul na diaidh,
Ach an chiuin bhean bhán úd ag ar d-tug
me grádh dhí,
Is gur in a páisde do fuair mé í.
B'fheárr liom go mór mór mo dhiaidh 'san
ród í
A bleághan mo bhó no a g-cinn mo thigh,
'Ná saidhbhreas Sheorsa & fághaim fa dhó é
'Sgur faoi na fódaibh do chuir mé í.
4
Dá m-beidheadh fios aig na daoine cho
buadhartha 's bhídhim-se
An trá do smuainím air mo Shalóg ruadh
Bhídheadh in aice liom air feadh na h-oidhche
'S ag córadh caoin liom le h-éirighe 'n lae
Ní'l gar dam smuaineadh go bh-fuigh mé
choidhche
A g-cinn mo thígh í, mo leanbh bán,
