The Irish standard., 1886-05-29
CATHOLIC NEWS.
THE BISHOPS LAST SERMON.

:, Of Ross by CromWe!Is fofces was a Sa.nons M
bishop who had been active III preaching ul
resistance to the invader. He couid expect nc
forgiveness yet forgiveness was pfomlset !! nl1n ~
if he would use his great influence IN INDUCING
his friends in NOnnleI to surrender. he was
taken before the town, but the gallant captlve,
unshaken by fear of death, when he came
within sight Of his countrymen, 1mploreu tnen I'LL
to maintain their post resolutely against the
enemies of their country ana their re!iEio.l 81
and be ready as he was. to die in their de-
fence: and then insanity resigned mnoseH &c
Brave friends, who view me from your solid
walls,
NV foreign captors bring me here tc preach
Submission. Thanks to heaven, they do not
The stern vehemence Of Celtic speech.
They SOY they'll spare your bishops life it you
At his request your portals open cast;
Unylelding shepherd and defiant flock
Are p,offered pardon for resistance past.
They think I'll urge compliance. List, o you
Who oft before have hardened to my word,
The promise OF the Saxon is as false
As tllat which hapless Eve in Eden heard.
The steel you yield to such ignoble hands
Shall drink your Efc's hot current ere you
sleep.
But wives and children shall not mourn you
long,
For Cromwell viii not let them live to weep.
Remember Wcxfords massacre. Can those
Who slaughtered women, babes. and hoary
BE trussed? Drogheda laid down her srrns
In foolish faith; yon>know the sequel; then
Her streets ran crimson five long nights and
days;
Not one in all the town was left alive.
Surrender never! Never cease to strive
Aeainstinjusticc. Never credence give
70 promise or to oath OF knaves whose vile
Ard impious bIasphelnes are raised to Heaven
In shsckiug cant as if jehovah smile,
Cave sanction to their black and aud tiendish
deeds.
The God OF peace and mercy must abhor
The sight of carnage and the ruthless hordes
That curse land with cruel, needless war.
But even reptiles struggle for their lives.
And you, who 'gainst aggressors lift the
sword
For altars kindred, liberty. and homo,
Deserve the help and favor of the Lord.
Thc ease CT country is a holy cause.
And mcn who te1nely bear the yoke OF
slaves
sha, live despised, dishonorea, tramped,
scorned
Their clay shall crumble in forgotten graves.
Snail such iuith be yours, D we who boast
Heroic ancestors, whose deeds shall OlAze
Like beacons through disasters deepest gloom,
10 light iheir children on TO glorious days?
No no. you dare not shame your race or land;
The ]igh,ring.Aash Of Freedoms scornful
eye
1he sword wonld shiver in each nerveless
hand, -
And rouse the dead to teach you how to die.
Forgive n.e-noL Cor you are words like these;
You'll live unf,ticred as your mighty sires.
Or war nntii The spirit OF isle
Reside heE last unconQucred son expires.
Your foes alv watching, eager for the town,
To basey buy my freedom, with surrender,
Their savage hearts exuting in the thought
or calmly hutchering eacI, brave tefeuder,
Ha! now they see or think my words have
failed,
And mean to Stay me here within your view;
To tempt YOU headlong from the gates to
rush
In vain attempt to rescue me. But you
Restrain you wrath, go to death nnawed;
Lift not an arm to MD me, I command.
My life is little worth. On you depend
Eu part the fate, the welfare Of our land.
Their blades are ready. From my soul receive
My dying blessing. God of might look down
Upon this naartyred people, sorely tried;
Bestow the victor's paal. they've earned the
crown.
On make their arms III righteous battle strong,
And keep their hearts to thee for ever true,
In living, dying, bless theul, o my Cod
Friends, turn your faces, pray for me adieu