Poem by Thomas Moore

From “Irish Melodies”. 46. Avenging and Bright

          AVENGING and bright fall the swift sword of Erin
                On him who the brave sons of Usna betray’d! —
          For every fond eye he hath waken’d a tear in
                A drop from his heart-wounds shall weep o’er her blade.

          By the red cloud that hung over Conor’s dark dwelling,
                When Ulad’s three champions lay sleeping in gore —
          By the billows of war, which so often, high swelling„
                Have wafted these heroes to victory’s shore —

          We swear to avenge them! — no joy shall be tasted,
                The harp shall be silent, the maiden unwed,
          Our halls shall be mute, and our fields shall lie wasted,
                Till vengeance is wreak’d on the murderer’s head.

          Yes, monarch! though sweet are our home recollections,
                Though sweet are the tears that from tenderness fall;
          Though sweet are our friendships, our hopes, our affections,
                Revenge on a tyrant is sweetest of all!

1. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 75
2. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 16
3. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 27
4. From “Irish Melodies”. 114. I’ve a Secret to Tell Thee
5. Bright Be Thy Dreams

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