The Dawn of Day

The Fair Maid Morning moved o'er the ocean,
The flow'rs grew fragrant on ev'ry bough;
Sweet rose the voices of birds in motion,
And joy in all breathed around me now: —
Slow sound of waves, where the swans were gliding,
Soft call of cuckoos in greenwood gay,
Smooth shimm'ring gleams from the billows sliding,
And the heavens smiling the Dawn of Day!

The bees o'er meadows went seeking sweetness,
The splendid fish gleamed o'er ocean's brow,
The white lambs played in a happy fleetness,
And ripples ran from the rushing prow;
When, lo! there shone, on the surface sunny,
Our Hero-champions in war's array,
The dew that fell was of newest honey —
How gay and gladsome the Dawn of Day!

Floating Sea-nymphs were round them glancing,
The blowing breeze bade their banners hail —
Hosts on hosts of our friends advancing,
In gleaming arms, came to free the Gael.
Loud rang the trumps o'er ranks victorious
Of noble knights for the noble fray,
Our brave defence in the battle glorious —
Great God! how radiant the Dawn of Day!

Through wondrous forests the hosts came marching,
Through glades that glowed with all berries sweet,
The very brambles that rose, o'er-arching,
Rained scented blossoms before their feet.
'Twas Paradise, methought, in glory,
With gate thrown wide to the Gael for aye!
I looked again — ah, the cruel story!
There was naught, my grief! but the Dawn of Day!