Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-13
TDs C constitutional g1tbtg.
trom the Boston Eoeniag C.seue.
DERMOT MAC MoRRoGu.


DERMOT MAC MORROGH.
Mr.. J. .. ADAMS Poem of "DERMor Mao
MoaRooH or Conquest 0f lrelaHd." Issues this day
from the press of Massrs. Garter, icndcc 81 Co.
1t is apparent from the dedication AMI preface,
that tho writer's object is To show what sort of
Philosophy would DC taught ny the cramips of Hem
ry the Second Of England, OF Dermot NJ &c Nor
Togh, hing of lobster, which resulted in the con-
quest of Ireland by tho English Monarch After
quoting al full length from Huinos history what
tho historian says OF the conquest OF Ireland, OF
Dernot Mae Morrogh and OF Henry the Second,
Mr.. A. concludes his preface as follows:
$50 much for Humcs philosophy, teaching by
the example Of Henry the Second. Ii there be in
the annals OF the human race, transaction OF
deeper and more melancholy dcpravity than the
conquest OF Ireland by IioDry the Second, it has
not fallen under my notice. 1t would seem AK if it
could no; be accomplished bnt by u complication of
tho most odious crimes, public aud private. Der
mot Nc Morrosh, tor insdpportable tyranny over
his subjects aggravated 10y the violation OF the most
sacred of human lies, the seduction of another's
wilo, is justly expelled from the kingdom. He inn
modiately repairs To- the greatest prince of his time,
for wisdom virtue 81 Abilities" aud ellis his country
for the price OF being restored by the foreign nva-
der To his principulity. Tho English king,
to cover tho bascst OF aggrcssons With tho mantle
of religion, applies To Pope Adrian tho Fourth,
Engshnan, toT authority to vagc Ireland with
lire aud sword, under pretence OF reforming the
lnhaoitants, and reducing them to the orthodox
faith of paying tribute TO the Roman Soc. This
authority Pope Adrian grants him without scruplc.
ou may read i'll Rapin the Jrict itself. And with
this sacresigio"s abuse OF religion, Henry, rocking
with The blood of Docket, ana pormot. the ufiian
builder of monastrries, achieve the conquest of
Ireland, in vassalagG TO the of England.
And this Is the tenure by which Ireland is held
an appendage to the sister island, at the present
dav.
'History, have said should be the school of NOR
mis-. When first read this part Of Hume's history,
was shocked at the careless indifference with
which he tells this tai" of wickcdncss and wo; and
UNQUALIFIED NO >yyiic Ina
the character of Henry the Second-a great man,
no doubt and and hero, but in tho estimate of phil
osoph,c virtue IA mlXcd character has appeared
on the chechcrcd scene of human affairs. The his
tory cot the conquest OF Ireland appeared to me to
DC full OF instruction. by au exhibition of the ac.
lions aud motives which concurred to effect it.
but to bring these into proper relief it ncces-
sory that 1t should be told again. The period, how.
ever remote; the history of Ireland had by The
subjugation of that island been merged in that of
her oversiadowing noig Dor aud MISTRESS and tho
conquest of land at this day hearing popula-
non OF seven millions OF souls, had sunk into
mere incident i'll the Annals of England scarce
ly known noticed by the general readers of his
tory. The characters, excepting that of tho prin.
ciPal adventurer, Henry Plantagepct, were so OBJ.
bcuro and mouldering INTO oblivion, that / doubt
whether one IN hundred of my readers will
on first seeing my title page recollcct even
know that such person Drrmot Mac Murrorl
ever existed. 70 give the story, therefore, an in
tercst which might invite readers, it appeared to
Inc advisable 10 present it in the garb of poetry
The subject was well adapted to the composition of
an historical! tale, and as such deliver it to tic
judgment of my couutrv.-It is intended also as
moral tale teaching the citizens OF these States of
both sexes, tho virtues OF coniugal fidelity, of &C.
nune pciy. aud of devotion 20 their country, by
pointing the h1ger of scorn at tho example six
hunGfed wears since exhibited of country sold
to foreign Invader by tho i"n agency of violated
marriage vows, unprincipcd ambition and religious
inrosiure."
The story, extracted from Hume is versIfed
t.ItIrr al,
lures and country of the hcro,-,he Elopomcnt; tho
Expul6om; the Restoration: tho Conquest; division
that gives the narrative greater disinctucss. The
Spencer stanza is adopted throughout, and the
sitication is easy. From an hlsoral tale of the
l2th century, the solo object appears TO be illus
trato and enforce neral lesson this is plain from
the preface; and The commencement OF tho poem pre-
cludcs other construction.
Il sing Of Dcrmot, Er,n's early pride;
The pious patriot Of the Eucrald strand;
The first deverer for stolen bride
Who sold TO Albion's King lis native land
But-countrymen Of mine, let bctide
Tine nan who thinks Of ought bat what's in hand.
What shall tell you, happened, you must know, |
beyond the seas six hundred years ago.
'Tis strange how often readers viii indulge
Their wits, mystic moaning to discover;
Secrets meier drcamed of by tie bard divulge,
And where nc shoots duck, will find a plover
Satire shdis iron every line promulgc,
DGtect tyrdnt, when he draws d lover:
Nay, so intent his hidden thoughts to see,
Cry, If he paint sCoundroi--"That means me-"
'rIs human nature. In old Roman days,
When that sweet Mantunn minstrel tuned his Tyre;
Sung how Encas from the Trojan blaze
On his broad shoulders bore away his sre
Yet, scrupl;d net, with vIlost arts to raise
In Tyrln Dilo's VEINS, unhallow'd fire:
pebiuched her, left her, 'yhelGid with scern and
shame,
BY sclt.con.bustion to redeem her fimo.
It Roman delivers straight began to pry
Into the court;cT n,instreIs full intent:
i oy's fall Rome's rise, they kcnd with half an eye,
" as but the Outward mask of what lie meant:
H., alron prince with oil Of fools TO ply,
They soon discovered was tine poets bent;
The good .EnoIs wisp Of straw;
Augustus Cmsar was the man they
And for rxteon hundred years and more
That willy kuavo Tor Vrg.Is hero pass'd;
Till Father tiordonin vcrssd III classic lore,
To fni another clue about him cast:
And, wont il legendary lies TO pore,
lie dey'd, and delvd, aud dyIy'd aud found at
last,
That Vrgis Bonid WIS monkish tale,
10 verse, oar Saviour's passion to unvol.
Poor Sagn1c! how hard fate was thine;
Thy pupil, heir apparent to a throne,
Thou drcw'st the moral gem from Iioner's mine,
And mad'st the Grccidn Ausos all thy own.
To teach him wisdom with voice divine;
This was thy noble purpose, this alone:
Bat when thou paiutedsL court and courtssau,
They said twas Louis and his Monlcspan.
Against all this, / enter my protest:
Dermot Mac Morrngh shows my hcros faco;
Nor viii |, or in earnest or in Jest.
Pernit another to usurp his place;
And give leave g say that know best
NJ Y own intentions in the lines | trace;
Let 10 heroforo draw aside the screen
And say It's any other that mean
The Pops's interference in this niquito1s busi.