PREFACE. H46E2 MANY of the following songs and poems were composed in leisure moments, many years ago, at an early age, and others have been continued, at intervals, to the present time. I am fully sensible that the public taste for poetry has much declined since the days of Moore, Byron, and Scott; but I am also persuaded that a strong poetical taste always exists in the world, particularly for the young; for it is, or ought to be, 'the exponent of fine feelings, elevated ideas, and deep national sympathies, which no one will say exist only in the past; and I am disposed to believe that it only requires a hand to touch the chords with enthusiasm and devotion to produce a tone at once responsive and effective as those of a former day. 649 The Author is painfully sensible of the temerity he incurs in entering a path lighted up by the brilliancy of Moore, the fire and energy of Byron, and the charming simplicity of Scott; but he feels his efforts will not be altogether useless if he succeed in evoking a love of country where that sentiment lies dormant, or in alleviating a single pang when pain and sorrow oppress the heart. Farnogue Cottage, Wexford. P. R. HANRAHAN. I cannot sing of love to-night O Kathleen! guard, oh! guard thy Heart Oh! turn away those eyes of light Come wander by the Valley's Well 156 There's none like thee I met thee in life's early prime |