6 OH! haste and leave this sacred isle, “Unholy bark, ere morning smile; * In a metrical life of St. Senanus, which is taken from an old Kilkenny MS. and may be found among the Acta Sanctorum Hiberniæ, we are told of his flight to the island of Scattery, and his resolution not to admit any woman of the party; he refused to receive even a sister saint, St. Cannera, whom an angel had taken to the island, for the express purpose of introducing her to him. The following was the ungracious answer of Senanus, according to his poetical biographer : Cui Præsul, quid foeminis “For on thy deck, though dark it be. 66 A female form I see ; " And I have sworn this sainted sod “ Shall ne'er by woman's feet be trod!' THE LADY. “Oh! Father, send not hence my bark “ Thy morn and evening prayer ; The Lady's prayer Senanus spurn'd; Till morning's light delay’d, Nec te nec ullam aliam See the Acta Sanct. Hib. page 610. According to Dr. Ledwich, St. Senanus was no less a personage than the river Shannon; but O'Connor, and other Antiquarians, deny this metamorphose indignantly. HOW DEAR TO ME THE HOUR. Air - The Twisting of the Rope. I. And sun-beams melt along the silent sea, II. Along the smooth wave toward the burning west, I long to tread that golden path of rays, And think 'twould lead to some bright isle of rest! Some hand more calm and sage The leaf must fill. Thoughts come as pure as light, Pure as even you require ; But oh! each word I write Love turns to fire. II. Yet let me keep the book ; Oft shall my heart renew, When on its leaves I look, Dear thoughts of you! Like you, 'tis fair and bright; Like you, too bright and fair To let wild passion write One wrong wish there! III. Haply, when from those eyes Far, far away I roam, Should calmer thoughts arise Towards you and home, Fancy may trace some line Worthy those eyes to meet ; |