Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Ireland: Vol. V. 1876–79.
Kinsale
By Aubrey Thomas de Vere (18141902)
W
Nor yearn to that poor vanquished dust beneath?
Above a nation’s grave no violet blooms;
A vanquished nation lies in endless death.
All lost; the air is thronged with moan and wail:
But one day more and hope had been fruition:
O Athunree, thy fate o’erhung Kinsale!
A hand like fire, striking strong locks gray?
What name is named not save with shame and dread?
Once let us name it,—then no more for aye!
“A city stands where roamed but late the flock”;
Accursed the day when, from the mountain dragged,
Thy corner-stone forsook the mother-rock!