Poems (Elgee, 1907)/Dedication,—to Ireland

by Jane Francesca Agnes Elgee

DEDICATION.  To Ireland.

I.
Y COUNTRY, wounded to the heart,
 Could I but flash along thy soul
Electric power to rive apart
 The thunder-clouds that round thee roll,
And, by my burning words, uplift
Thy life from out Death's icy drift,
Till the full splendours of our age
Shone round thee for thy heritage—
As Miriam's, by the Red Sea strand
Clashing proud cymbals, so my hand
  Would strike thy harp,
  Loved Ireland!

II.
She flung her triumphs to the stars
 In glorious chants for freedom won,
While over Pharaoh's gilded cars
 The fierce, death-bearing waves rolled on;
I can but look in God's great face,
And pray Him for our fated race,
To come in Sinai thunders down,
And, with His mystic radiance, crown
Some Prophet-Leader, with command
To break the strength of Egypt's band,
  And set thee free,
  Loved Ireland!

III.
New energies, from higher source,
 Must make the strong life-currents flow,
As Alpine glaciers in their course
 Stir the deep torrents 'neath the snow.
The woman's voice dies in the strife.
Of Liberty's awakening life;
We wait the hero heart to lead,
The hero, who can guide at need,
And strike with bolder, stronger band,
Though towering hosts his path withstand
  Thy golden harp,
  Loved Ireland!

IV.
For I can breathe no trumpet call.
 To make the slumb'ring Soul arise;
I only lift the funeral-pall,
 That so God's light might touch thine eyes,
And ring the silver prayer-bell clear,
To rouse thee from thy trance of fear;
Yet, if thy mighty heart has stirred,
Even with one pulse-throb at my word,
Then not in vain my woman's hand
Has struck thy gold harp while I stand,
  Waiting thy rise
  Loved Ireland!