Poems: New and Old Part 25

{204}.

'Rilloby-Rill'

Gra.s.shoppers four a-fiddling went, Heigh-ho! never be still!

They earned but little towards their rent But all day long with their elbows bent They fiddled a tune called Rilloby-rilloby, Fiddled a tune called Rilloby-rill.

Gra.s.shoppers soon on Fairies came, Heigh-ho! never be still!

Fairies asked with a manner of blame, "Where do you come from, what is your name?

What do you want with your Rilloby-rilloby, What do you want with your Rilloby-rill?"

"Madam, you see before you stand, Heigh-ho! never be still!

The Old Original Favourite Grand Gra.s.shopper's Green Herbarian Band, And the tune we play is Rilloby-rilloby, Madam, the tune is Rilloby-rill."

{205}.

Fairies hadn't a word to say, Heigh-ho! never be still!

Fairies seldom are sweet by day, But the Gra.s.shoppers merrily fiddled away, O but they played with a willoby-rilloby, O but they played with a willoby-will!

Fairies slumber and sulk at noon, Heigh-ho! never be still!

But at last the kind old motherly moon Brought them dew in a silver spoon, And they turned to ask for Rilloby-rilloby, One more round of Rilloby-rill.

Ah! but n.o.body now replied, Heigh-ho! never be still!

When day went down the music died, Gra.s.shoppers four lay side by side, And there was an end of their Rilloby-rilloby, There was an end of their Rilloby-rill.

{206}.

'Pereunt Et Imputantur'

(AFTER MARTIAL).

Bernard, if to you and me Fortune all at once should give Years to spend secure and free, With the choice of how to live, Tell me, what should we proclaim Life deserving of the name?

Winning some one else's case?

Saving some one else's seat?

Hearing with a solemn face People of importance bleat?

No, I think we should not still Waste our time at others' will.

Summer noons beneath the limes, Summer rides at evening cool, Winter's tales and home-made rhymes, Figures on the frozen pool-- These would we for labours take, And of these our business make.

{207}.

Ah! but neither you nor I Dare in earnest venture so; Still we let the good days die And to swell the reckoning go.

What are those that know the way, Yet to walk therein delay?

{208}.

'Felix Antonius'

(AFTER MARTIAL).

To-day, my friend is seventy-five; He tells his tale with no regret, His brave old eyes are steadfast yet, His heart the lightest heart alive.

He sees behind him green and wide The pathway of his pilgrim years; He sees the sh.o.r.e, and dreadless hears The whisper of the creeping tide.

For out of all his days, not one Has pa.s.sed and left its unlaid ghost To seek a light for ever lost, Or wail a deed for ever done.

So for reward of life-long truth He lives again, as good men can, Redoubling his allotted span With memories of a stainless youth.

{209}.

'Ireland, Ireland'

Down thy valleys, Ireland, Ireland, Down thy valleys green and sad, Still thy spirit wanders wailing, Wanders wailing, wanders mad.

Long ago that anguish took thee, Ireland, Ireland, green and fair, Spoilers strong in darkness took thee, Broke thy heart and left thee there.

Down thy valleys, Ireland, Ireland, Still thy spirit wanders mad; All too late they love that wronged thee, Ireland, Ireland, green and sad.

{210}.

'Hymn'

IN THE TIME OF WAR AND TUMULTS.

O Lord Almighty, Thou whose hands Despair and victory give; In whom, though tyrants tread their lands, The souls of nations live;

Thou wilt not turn Thy face away From those who work Thy will, But send Thy peace on hearts that pray, And guard Thy people still.

Remember not the days of shame, The hands with rapine dyed, The wavering will, the baser aim, The brute material pride:

Remember, Lord, the years of faith, The spirits humbly brave, The strength that died defying death, The love that loved the slave;

{211}.

The race that strove to rule Thine earth With equal laws unbought: Who bore for Truth the pangs of birth, And brake the bonds of Thought.

Remember how, since time began, Thy dark eternal mind Through lives of men that fear not man Is light for all mankind.

Thou wilt not turn Thy face away From those who work Thy will, But send Thy strength on hearts that pray For strength to serve Thee still.

{212}.