The Irish standard., 1914-06-27

The field Of literature is a broad
one. and though many are the rare
flowers from different nations which
adorn it, few are there brighter than
Ireland's gift. shedding glory that
will last till time has sped its course.
never furnishing or losing shade Of
the brightness it now possesses.
Thomas Moore, Bard of Erin, poet
Of SMILES, was born in 1879. In his
brilliant career through Trinity he
gave proof of the genius of his after
life. His first work was a transla-
ton into English, 1.-THE Odes Of Ana.
creon." This was followed by his
miscellaneous poems. under the
pseudonym of Thomas Little. This
was the first step to establish his rep
utation, and though he won great
praise, it received it's due share of
censure. How justly does he merit
the title "Poet of similies." for who
has given us of such rare beauty
and grace?
GAS a beam DER the face of the
waters may glow,
While the tide runs in GOODNESS and
darkness below.
So the cheek may be tinged with a
warm sunny smile.
Though the cold heart to ruin runs
Sdarkly the WHILE"
"Lalla Rookh," his most elabor-
ate work, proves the Imagination
and the originality of the poet. "It
is more Eastern than the East it.
SELF" 1t holds you spellbound as
you follow the princess in her travels
through that glorious land; you see
the sun rise wreathed in its most
magnificent shades; you watch it as
it sinks behind the hills, lighting
the heavens with its soft and mellow
tints, and Illuminating the earth
with its dying splendor. 1t pos
esses an irresistible influence, and we
can hardly believe that Moore never
saw the East, so wildly are the
scenes described. 1t can justly be
summoned up as possessing an un-
limited amount of fascination,
sparkle. beauty, imagination and
sweetness.
The cornerstone OF Moore's fame
is his Irish melodies, in which he
brought glory not only to himself,
but on his country. He sought for
something in the presence to effect
this, but, not finding it, he turned to
the past, and with true patriotism
rescued the national airs from OBJ
livion by adapting them to his own
soul-stirring verse.
Dear harp of my country! in dark
ness I find thee,
The cold chain of silence had hing
Ger thee long,
When proudly. my own native harp!
unbound thee,
And I gave all thy chords to light,
freedom and song!"
How his heart must have vibrated
to the chord, and beat in perfect
measure the time to such a work OF
love. 1t is work that will never
die, for "his songs are truly things
to be sung" Should Ireland never
claim another lyrist, this one is suf.
ficient for her fame; the sparkel OF
this bright jewel shall ever shine re-
splendent. casting glittering rays
over less favored ones. In just mer.
it is the epithet applicable, "Moors
is the Rossini of musicians, and tho
hummingbird of poets"
Moore's invective productions are
certainly of the first rank: HE has
wit at will and of the first quality.
In the 1.-TWO Penny Post Bag" LII:
genius showed to advantage
Fudge Family" undoubtedly va:
amusing, and won great fame in :ts
Gay, but, like other poems of its ma
ture. it persisted with the cause
which gave it birth. Moore possess
es most graceful, flowing style
his Imagination bears him aloft, ani
on its wings he scars far from thi!
land Of ours; his muse is ever light
airy and fantastic, but nothing more
he does not possess the wisdom o.
Shakespeare. or the strength Of BY
ron. and despite his popularity h
can never be placed in the world,
gallery of great poets. He possessel
undoubted polish and sheen, and fol
that he shall ever be read. The tru,
wit Of his native land beams in man,
Of the verses nothing seems to appl,
more suitably to him than his owl
words from ''Lalla Rookh":
mine is the lay that lightly floats.