"My expectations of hereafter bliss.

"This consolation animates my mind,

"New vigour to my nerve imparts, that when

"We've chased the lawless spoiler from our coast,

"Subdued the haughty Danes, and Erin's isle "Restored to freedom and to peace, I shall,

"My loved Erina, claim, as richest prize

"Of victory, sweet recompence of toil,

"Remuneration large for bye-gone care,

"And pledge of future bliss. (So grant it Heaven!)

"I know Erina to her Oscar firm,

"I know her loving and sincere; oh! then

"Forbid, sweet maid! that Oscar should desire

"Renewal of our vows, or farther pledge

"Of faithfulness, since constancy itself

"Might err, but not Erina. Then, farewell

"My love, farewell-this fond embrace receive,

"As token of affection strongly dear,

"And enemy to change: may guardian saints "Protect thee safe, till these fond arms, by love "And victory nerved, thy lovely form enfold."

Thus spoke the parting youth, and waved adieu.
Erina follows with a tearful eye,

Presaging ill, her lover's flitting form,
Till Fancy only on the distant hill

Surveys the much-loved image of the chief,

And Recollection brings its tide of woe.

Alas! that mortals in this chequered stage,

This changeful pilgrimage of life, should taste
No happiness without alloy, no cup

Of bliss unmingled with the dregs,

The poisonous dregs of misery or pain!

So wills it Heaven, and what just Heaven decrees Must righteous be, and for wise ends ordained.

Now, with a dull and melancholy step,

And paly cheek, suffused with tears, see where

The sad Erina bends her lonely way

In quest of home; a home, till now, the seat

Of ev'ry joy that beams upon the blest,

Or gives to life the power to please. Stale, now, And tasteless is the walk at early morn;

The stroll at eve, the ramble down the glen,

The soft repose in noon-tide bower, the charms

Of rural scenery, or grotto, cave,

Or mossy dell, or fragrant breath of flowers;
Recess of bow'ry shade, or smiling sweets

Of meadow, garden, shrubbery, or lawn;
For far away is he, the tender youth,

Who bade the glowing beauties of the scene
For fair Erina bloom; who still was wont
To lend a helping arm, when up the height,
Or o'er the opposing fence, or mid the brake,
As fancy will'd, the blushing maid would rove
Gone, gone is he, whose lively wit, or tale,

Could lure away the tedium of the hour,
And give to every novelty a form,

To win instruction, and the mind amuse.
Deserted now is yonder spreading shade,
Beneath whose balmy quietude, full oft,
At dewy morn, or twilight gray, when all
Was still and silent in the grassy green,

Save melody of birds or low of kine,

Erina loved to wake the slumbering harp,

And teach the high-piled rocks, that stretch around

The sandy shore, to echo Oscar's praise.

Forsaken, now, the music of the lyre,

The sweets of poesy, the nectared draught~

Of fancied bliss, enthusiastic warmth,

And high-toned extacy's exalted thrill.

But, hark! the martial clarion sounds to arms, Loud beats the drum, the clanging noise of swords, And spears, and battle-axe the welkin rings;

While "victory or death," re-echoing, shrill,

From ev'ry mountain, sounds. "Illustrious chiefs!

"To guard our heav'n-born liberty, to save

"Our blessed Isle from dominating foes,

"And teach each foreign miscreant, who dares

"Intrude upon our fertle soil, that ne'er

"Will Erin brook oppression, or forego

"Her native rights and laws, but with the lives

"And ruin of her loyal progeny

"And warriors firm." Young Oscar cries, “We here,

"Invincible in arms, courageous lords,

"And patriotic bands, combine-Our cause.

"Is glorious, and our brav'ry in the fight

"Has long been known and tried; then let us hence

"To where the haughty Danes await the tide

"Of opposition, hopeful of success.

"But, come, let's forth into the field of war,

"And by our valour teach the vaunting foe,