A Nation Once Again

by Thomas Osborne Davis

I

When boyhood's fire was in my blood

I read of ancient freemen,

For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,

Three Hundred Men and Three Men.

And then I prayed I yet might see

Our fetters rent in twain,

And Ireland, long a province, be

A Nation Once Again.

II

And, from that time, through wildest woe.

That hope has shone, a far light;

Nor could love's brightest summer glow

Outshine that solemn starlight.

It seemed to watch above my head

In forum, field, and fane;

Its angel voice sang round my bed,

"A Nation Once Again."

III

It whispered, too, that "freedom's ark

And service high and holy,

Would be profaned by feelings dark

And passions vain or lowly:

For freedom comes from God's right hand,

And needs a godly train;

And righteous men must make our land

A Nation Once Again."

IV

So, as I grew from boy to man,

I bent me to that bidding—

My spirit of each selfish plan

And cruel passion ridding;

For, thus I hoped some day to aid—

Oh! can such hope be vain ?—

When my dear country shall be made

A Nation Once Again.

Source

• The poems of Thomas Davis: now first collected. With notes and historical illustrations pp.73-4 By Thomas Osborne Davis Published by James Duffy, 1857