And this was the first butterfly that was ever seen in Ireland; and now all men know that the butterflies are the souls of the dead, waiting for the moment when they may enter Purgatory, and so pass through torture to purification and peace.
But the schools of Ireland were quite deserted after that time, for people said, What is the use of going so far to learn, when the wisest man in all Ireland did not know if he had a soul till he was near losing it, and was only saved at last through the simple belief of a little child.
Footnote
[52] Ancient Legends of Ireland.
THE PRIEST OF COLOONY.
W. B. YEATS.
Good Father John O'Hart
In penal days rode out
To a shoneen [53] in his freelands,
With his snipe marsh and his trout.
In trust took he John's lands,
—Sleiveens [54] were all his race—
And he gave them as dowers to his daughters,
And they married beyond their place.