Fairy Changeling and Other Poems — A Bird from the West

A BIRD FROM THE WEST

At the grey dawn, amongst the felling leaves, A little bird outside my window swung, High on a topmost branch he trilled his song, And "Ireland!

Ireland!

Ireland!"

ever sung.

Take me, I cried, back to my island home;

Sweet bird, my soul shall ride between thy wings;

For my lone spirit wide his pinions spread, And home and home and home he ever sings.

We lingered over Ulster stern and wild.

I called: "Arise!

doth none remember me?"

One turned in the darkness murmuring, "How loud upon the breakers sobs the sea!"

We rested over Connaught--whispering said: "Awake, awake, and welcome!

I am here."

One woke and shivered at the morning grey;

"The trees, I never heard them sigh so drear."

We flew low over Munster.

Long I wept: "You used to love me, love me once again!"

They spoke from out the shadows wondering;

"You'd think of tears, so bitter falls the rain."

Long over Leinster lingered we.

"Good-bye!

My best beloved, good-bye for evermore."

Sleepless they tossed and whispered to the dawn;

"So sad a wind was never heard before."

Was it a dream I dreamt?

For yet there swings In the grey morn a bird upon the bough, And "Ireland!

Ireland!

Ireland!"

ever sings.

Oh!

fair the breaking day in Ireland now.

ALL SOULS' EVE