Irish Air Castles

"Sweet Norah, come here, and look into the fire;

Maybe in its embers good luck we might see;

But don't come too near, or your glances so shining,

Will put it clean out, like the sunbeams, machree!

"Just look 'twixt the sods, where so brightly they're burning;

There's a sweet little valley, with rivers and trees, --

And a house on the bank, quite as big as the squire's --

Who knows but some day we'll have something like these?

"And now there's a coach, and four galloping horses,

A coachman to drive, and a footman behind;

That betokens some day we will keep a fine carriage,

And dash through the streets with the speed of the wind."

As Dermot was speaking, the rain down the chimney

Soon quenched the turf-fire on the hollowed hearth-stone;

While mansion and carriage in smoke-wreaths evanished,

And left the poor dreamers dejected and lone.

Then Norah to Dermot these words softly whisper'd, --

"'Tis better to

strive

, than to vainly desire;

And

our

little hut by the roadside is better

Than palace, and servants, and coach --

in the fire!

"

'Tis years since poor Dermot his fortune was dreaming --

Since Norah's sweet counsel effected its cure;

For ever since then hath he toiled night and morning,

And now his snug mansion looks down on the Suir.