The Irish standard., 1914-04-25
st. eriaid.

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Brigid, the daughter of Duffy, sh,
wasn't like other young things,
Dreaming of lads for her lovers, ant
twirling her bracelets and rings;
Combing and coiling and curling hel
hair that was black,,as the sloes;
Painting her lips and her cheeks thai
were rudy and fresh as the rose.
All, 'twasn't Brigid would waste al
her days in such follies as these
Christ was the Lover she worshipei
for hour after hour on her knees
Christ and His Church and His poor
and twas many a mile that she
trod
Serving the loathsomest lepers thai
ever were stricken by God.
Brigid, the daughter Of Duffy. she sold
all her jewels and gems,
Sold all her finely spun robes that
were braided with gold to the hens
Kept to her back but one garment, one
dress that was faded and old.
Gave all her goods to the poor who
were famished with hunger and cold
All, 'twasn't Brigid would fling at the
poor the hard word like stone
Christ the Redeemer she saw in each
wretch that was ragged and lone;
Every wandering beggar who asked
for a bite or bed
Knocked at her heart like the Man
who had nowhere to shelter His
head.
Brigid, the daughter of Duffy, she
angered her father at last.
Where are your dresses, my daugh-
ter? Crom Cruach! You wear them
out fast!
Where are the chains that I bought
you all wrought in red gold from
the mine?
Where the bright brooches of silver
that once on your bosom did shine?"
Brigid, the daughter of Duffy, made
answer, 20 father" said she,
What is the richest of raiment, and
what are bright jewels to me?
Lepers of Christ must l care for, the
hungry of Christ must feed;
How can I walk in rich robes when
His people and mine are in need?"
Brigid, the daughter of Duffy, was
brought to the court of the King,
(Monarch Of Leinster, MacEnda, whose
praises the poets would sing).
"Hither, o Monarch said Duffy, 1--WE
come with maiden to sell;
Buy her and bind her to bondage
she's needing. such discipline well!"
All, but twas wise was the King. From
the maid to the chieftain he turned;
Mildness he saw in her face, in the
others twas anger that burned;
"This is no bondmaid, I'll swear it,
o chief, but girl of your own.
Why sells the father the flesh of his
flesh and the bone Of his bone?"
Brigid, the daughter of Duffy, was
mute while her father replied:
Monarch, this maid has no place as
the child of a chieftain of pride.
Beggars and wretches whose wounds
would the soul of a soldier alright,
Sure, it's on these she is wasting my
substance from morning till night"
All, but twas bitter was Duffy; he
spoke like man that was vexed.
Musing, the monarch was silent; he
pondered the question perplexed.
Maiden" said he, "if tits true, as I've
just from your father heard tell,
Might it not be, as my bondmaid you'd
waste all my substance as well?"
Brigid, the daughter Of Duffy, made
answer, ooh, monarch" she said
Had I the wealth from your Golfers,
and had 1 the crown from your
head
Yea, if the plentiful yield Of the broad
breasts of Erin were mine,
All would I give to the people of
Christ who in poverty pine"
All, but twas then that the King felt
the heart in his bosom unleap
81 am not worthy" he cried, "such a
maiden in bondage to keep!
Here's a kings sword for her ran
som, and here's a kings word to
decree
Never to other than Christ and His
poor let her servitude bel"
THE UNITED BROTHERS
(Henry and John Sheares.)
The brothers in love are united in
death,
And they sealed with their blood
that alliance
The ties that one cause, of one kim
dred' and faith,
And affection, bid despots defiance.
They Joined, heart and hand, in one
struggle, and gave