School: Moyaugher (roll number 4523)

Location:
Moyagher, Co. Meath
Teacher:
Máire, Bean Uí Choileáin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0695, Page 442

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0695, Page 442

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  3. XML “A Poor Man's Happiness”

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  1. Blest be that Power which cast my lot,
    Among such hills and vales as these,
    That left me my paternal cat,
    And time for work, and time for ease,
    Just wealth enough, and none to spare,
    A bit to eat, a rag to wear.
    Oh, all ye great ones of the earth,
    Though most of you might envy me,
    'Tis idle - I'm of humble birth,
    While ye have wealth and pedigree.
    And therefore, pe'er can task the bliss,
    That fills his breast who scribbles this.
    No, aught of it you ne'er can know
    Save what my muse may choose to tell
    The fairest flowers in vain must blow
    For him whose gifts of sight, and smell
    Are dull or dead ; he can but hear
    Of joys in which he cannot share.
    What pleasures has my cat for me?
    That cat, thats scarce a storey high.
    O smile not! its humility
    But makes it dearer to my eye.
    E'en as that virtue makes of man
    what pride and pomp and wealth ne'er can.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Mary Collins
    Gender
    Female
    Occupation
    Múinteoir