James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. October 6 Parnell By Lionel Johnson (1867–1902)
Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish statesman and leader of the Home Rule party which, under his guidance, accomplished more than ever before or since. He died on Oct. 6, 1891.
HE WAIL of Irish winds, The cry of Irish seas; Eternal sorrow finds Eternal voice in these. I cannot praise our dead 5 Whom Ireland weeps so well; Her morning light that fled Her morning star that fell. She of the mournful eyes Waits, and no dark clouds break; 10 Waits, and her strong son lies Dead, for her holy sake. Her heart is sorrow’s home; And hath been from of old; An host of griefs hath come 15 To make that heart their fold. Ah, the sad autumn day When the last sad troop came Swift down the ancient way, Keening a chieftain’s name! 20 Gray hope was there, and dread, Anger and love in tears; They mourned the dear and dead, Dirge of the ruined years. Home to her heart she drew 25 The mourning company; Old sorrows met the new In sad fraternity. A mother, and forget? Nay! all her children’s fate 30 Ireland remembers yet, With love insatiate. She hears the heavy bells Hears, and with passionate breath Eternally she tells 35 A rosary of death. Faithful and true is she, The mother of us all; Faithful and true may we Fail her not though we fall. 40 Her son, our brother, lies Dead for her holy sake; But from the dead arise Voices that bid us wake. Not his to hail the dawn; 45 His but the herald’s part; Be ours to see withdrawn Night from our mother’s heart.
