As vanquish'd Erin wept beside <br />The Boyne's ill-fated river, <br />She saw where Discord, in the tide, <br />Had dropp'd his loaded quiver. <br />"Lie hid," she cried, "ye venom'd darts, <br />Where mortal eye may shun you; <br />Lie hid -- the stain of manly hearts, <br />That bled for me, is on you." <br /> <br />But vain her wish, her weeping vain -- <br />As Time too well hath taught her -- <br />Each year the Fiend returns again, <br />And dives into that water; <br />And brings, triumphant, from beneath <br />His shafts of desolation, <br />And sends them, wing'd with worse than death, <br />Through all her maddening nation. <br /> <br />Alas for her who sits and mourns, <br />Even now, beside that river -- <br />Unwearied still the Fiend returns, <br />And stored is still his quiver. <br />"When will this end, ye Powers of Good?" <br />She weeping asks for ever; <br />But only hears, from out that flood, <br />The Demon answer, "Never!"<br /><br />Thomas Moore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-vanquish-d-erin/
