Alfred H. Miles, ed. Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By Songs and Ballads. I. To God and Ireland TrueEllen OLeary (18311889)
I
Who in the prison died,
And tho’ my tears fall thick and fast
I think of him with pride:
Ay, softly fall my tears like dew,
For one to God and Ireland true.
“And then I love my land,
And next I love my Lily sweet,
Who pledged me her white hand:
To each—to all—I’m ever true,
To God, to Ireland, and to you.
Or softly raised his head;
He fell asleep and woke in heaven
Ere I knew he was dead;
Yet why should I my darling rue?
He was to God and Ireland true.
I’m prouder than a queen,
To sit beside my hero’s grave,
And think on what has been;
And, oh my darling, I am true
To God—to Ireland—and to you.