O fate, cruel fate! would’st thou only replace me
On the Treasury Bench, with few Tories to face me,
With Biggar, O’Donnell, Parnell to embrace me,
I’d seem like their leader, though they might command.
Where is my great University measure?
Prelates and priests, did ye weep o’er its fall?
O how can you dwell on its failure with pleasure,
Which gave to you Trinity College and all?
O my poor pen, long abandoned to railing!
O my sad tongue, is thy influence failing?