Classic Poem

I.

When boyhood's fire was in my blood,
I read of ancient freemen,
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,
T HREE H UNDRED MEN AND T HREE MEN .
And then I prayed I yet might see
Our fetters rent in twain,
And Ireland, long a province, be
A Nation ONCE AGAIN .

II.

And, from that time, through wildest woe,
That hope has shone, a far light;
Nor could love's brightest summer glow
Outshine that solemn starlight:
It seemed to watch above my head
In forum, field, and fane;
Its angel voice sang round my bed,
" A Nation ONCE AGAIN . "

III.

It whispered, too, that " freedom's ark
And service high and holy,
Would be profaned by feelings dark
And passions vain or lowly:
For freedom comes from God's right hand,
And needs a godly train;
And righteous men must make our land
A Nation ONCE AGAIN . "

IV.

So, as I grew from boy o man,
I bent me to that bidding —
My spirit of each selfish plan
And cruel passion ridding;
For, thus I hoped some day to aid —
Oh! can such hope be vain? —
When my dear country shall be made
A Nation ONCE AGAIN .