OCR Text |
Show THE LANGUAGE OF THE GAEL. (By John Clinton O'Boyc.e.) From 'Malta Head to Fanad shore, and thence to Tory Isle. . Around the Rosses and Guidore, "and inland in-land many a mile;" From ArdaAt jriv. Teelta Point, our west-- west-- errt coait along. Is heard again in dulcet tones our grand old Irish tongue. 'Tis spoken by the Connacht hearths, hence onward to Kilkee, 'Tis cherished in the s-unny south, along the banks of Lee: From Wexford's hay to Antrim's coast,' and all along through Innisfail, We are' resolved to keep alive the language lan-guage of the Gael. Why should we not revere it, so framed in beauty's mould? The language of the bards and chiefs, our saints and seers of old; The language in which Patrick prayed, our own Columba wrote. And Brian inspired h is! trusty troops ere thty the Norsemen smote. But why prolong the list of those who bore an honored name. Inscribed upon our history's page nfgn on the bill of fame? These all, with ''few exceptions, were, alike the old and young. Conversant with, enamored of, our grand old Celtic tongue. And shall we not preserve it. then,, this tongue so sweet and old? Perish the thought t'hat ever we should ir. us cause grow coin Around it clings an aureole, begemmed with smiles and tears. Extending hack into the past beyond three thousand years. Its tones are richly rhythmical, sympho- niously rare Who knoweth best they find jt b.est for music and for prayer";' And then denunciations grand when at your foe 'ti3 flung; Commend rne-for expressiveness our dear old Irish tongue. It now behooves our Celtic friends' in concert to engage. To save yet for dear Erin our ancient heritage. And cherisn with a final care so long as time shall last This golden chain that binds us to the glories of the past. . . Be ours and hope it may succeed, nor aid nor effort lack We've put our hands now to the plow, nor shall we e'er turn back. As in the past, henceforth 'twill be, true Irishmen won't fail To "cherish in their heart of hearts the language of the Gael." |