XI. Nor when the war is waged Of Darkness, will your aid Be wanting in the cause of Light and Love, What tho' the Romanist, in numbers strong, And bigotry's blind force, Assail your Fortress; though the sons of Schism Join in insane alliance with that old Inveterate enemy, Weening thereby to wreak Their covenanted hatred, and effect What tho' the unbelieving crew, Set up their fiercest yell, to augment Clad in your panoply will ye be found, Wielding the spear of Reason; with the sword Of Scripture girt; and from your shield of Truth Such radiance shall go forth, As when, unable to sustain its beams Earth-born Orgoglio reel'd, as if with wine; And from her many-headed beast cast down Her three-crown'd mitre in the dust devolved, XII. O thou fair Island, with thy Sister Isle Dear pledges hast thou rendered and received O land profuse of genius and of worth, Largely hast thou received, and largely given! XIII. Green Island of the West, The example of unspotted Ormond's faith Boyle's venerable name : And that great Orator who first Unmask'd the harlot sorceress Anarchy What time, in Freedom's borrowed form profaned, She to the nations round Her draught of witchcraft gave: And him who in the field O'erthrew her giant offspring in his strength, And brake the iron rod. Proud of such debt, Rich to be thus indebted, these, Fair Island, Sister Queen Of Ocean, Ireland, these to thee we owe. XIV. Shall I then imprecate A curse on them that would divide Our union?.. Far be this from me, O Lord! Far be it! What is man, That he should scatter curses?.. King of Kings, Father of all, Almighty, Governor Of all things, unto Thee Humbly I offer up our holier prayer! But in thy mercy, to confound These men's devices! Lord, Lighten their darkness with thy Gospel light, And thus abate their pride, Assuage their malice thus ! |