YES! heaven protect thee, thou gem of the ocean; <br />Dear land of my sires, though distant thy shores; <br />Ere my heart cease to love thee, its latest emotion, <br />The last dying throbs of its pulse must be o'er. <br /> <br />And dark were the bosom, and cold and unfeeling, <br />That tamely could listen unmoved at the call, <br />When woman, the warm soul of melody stealing, <br />Laments for her country and sighs o'er its fall. <br /> <br />Sing on, gentle warbler, the tear-drop appearing <br />Shall fall for the woes of the queen of the sea; <br />And the spirit that breathes in the harp of green Erin, <br />Descending, shall hail thee her 'Cushlamachree.'<br /><br />Joseph Rodman Drake<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lines-to-a-lady/
