I saw the spires of Oxford
As I was passing by,
The gray spires of Oxford
Against the pearl-gray sky.
...
There was a man, - don't mind his name,
Whom Fear had dogged by night and day.
He could not face the German guns
And so he turned and ran away.
...
You gave your life. Boy.
And you gave a limb:
But he who gave his precious wits,
Say, what regard for him?
...
To come at tulip time how wise!
Perhaps you will not now regret
The shining gardens, jewel set,
Of your first home in Paradise
...
John Delaney of the Rifles has been shot.
A man we never knew,
Does it cloud the day for you
That he lies among the dead
...
O jewel of my heart, I sing your praise,
Though you who are, alas! of middle age
Have never been to school, and cannot read
...
IT'S in Connacht or in Munster that yourself might travel wide,
And be asking all the herds you'd meet along the countryside,
...
They put the screens around his bed;
a crumpled heap I saw him lie,
White counterpane and rough dark head,
...
I think if I lay dying in some land
Where Ireland is no more than just a name,
My soul would travel back to find that strand
From whence it came.
...
There’s a woman sobs her heart out,
With her head against the door,
For the man that’s called to leave her,
— God have pity on the poor!
...