LONG they pine in weary woe, the nobles of our land, Long they wander to and fro, proscribed, alas! and banned; Feastless, houseless, altarless, they bear the exile's brand; But their hope is in the coming-to of Kathaleen Ny-Houlahan! Think her not a ghastly hag, too hideous to be seen; Call her not unseemly names, our matchless Kathaleen; Young she is, and fair she is, and would be crowned queen, Were the king's son at home here with Kathaleen Ny-Houlahan? Sweet and mild would look her face, oh none so sweet and mild, Could she crush the foes by whom her beauty is reviled; Woollen plaids would grace herself, and robes of silk her child, If the king's son were living here with Kathaleen Ny-Houlahan! Sore disgrace it is to see the Arbitress of thrones, Vassal to a Saxoneen of cold and sapless bones! Bitter anguish wrings our souls -- with heavy sighs and groans We wait the Young Deliverer of Kathaleen Ny-Houlahan. Let us pray to Him who holds life's issues in His hands -- Him who formed the mighty globe, with all its thousand lands; Girdling them with seas and mountains, rivers deep, and strands, To cast a look of pity upon Kathaleen Ny-Houlahan! He who over sands and waves led Israel along -- He who fed, with heavenly bread, that chosen tribe and throng -- He who stood by Moses, when his foes were fierce and strong -- May He show forth His might in saving Kathaleen Ny-Houlahan! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WOODSMOKE AT 70 by HAYDEN CARRUTH RETROSPECT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON WHEN I AM DEAD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ITALIAN PICTURES: JULY IN VALLOMBROSA by MINA LOY CITIES OF THE PLAIN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE LAKE BOATS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |