So soothly kind is Erin to her own!

And one, at Hare and Hound, plays all alone,—

For Phelim's gone to tend his step-dame's cow;

Ah! Phelim's step-dame is a canker'd crone!

Whilst other twain play at an Irish row,

And, with shillelah small, break one another's brow!

XXVIII.

But careful Dominie, with ceaseless thrift,

Now changeth ferula for rural hoe;

But, first of all, with tender hand doth shift