Thomas Moore

From “Irish Melodies”. 121. The Wine-Cup Is Circling

          THE wine-cup is circling in Almhin’s hall,
          And its Chief, ’mid his heroes reclining,
          Looks up, with a sigh to the trophied wall,
                Where his sword hangs idly shining.
                      When, hark, that shout
                      From the vale without —
                "Arm ye quick, the Dane, the Dane is nigh!"
                      Every Chief starts up
                      From his foaming cup,
                And "To battle, to battle!" is the Finian’s cry.

          The minstrels have seized their harps of gold,
          And they sing such thrilling numbers —
          ’Tis like the voice of the Brave, of old,
                Breaking forth from their place of slumber!
                      Spear to buckler rang,
                      As the minstrels sang,
                And the Sun-burst o’er them floated wide;
                      While remembering the yoke
                      Which their fathers broke,
                "On for liberty, for liberty!" the Finians cried.

          Like clouds of the night the Northmen came,
                O’er the valley of Almhin lowering;
          While onward moved, in the light of its fame,
                That banner of Erin, towering.
                      With the mingling shock
                      Rung cliff and rock,
                While, rank on rank, the invaders die:
                      And the shout, that last
                      O’er the dying pass’d,
                Was "victory! victory!" — the Finian’s cry.