School: Moneytown, Roundwood
- Location:
- An Muine, Co. Chill Mhantáin
- Teacher: Mrs. Redmond
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0918, Page 062
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- Poem by Sir J. Ferguson
The shades of eve had crossed the glen,
That frown o'er infant Avonmore,
When, nigh Loch Dan, two weary men,
We stopped before a cottage door.
"God save all here" my comrade cries
And rattles on the raised latch pin;
"God save you kindly," quick replies,
A clear sweet voice, and asks us in.
We enter; from the wheel she starts,
A rosy girl with soft black eyes;
Her fluttering curtsy takes our hearts,
Her blushing grace and pleased surprise.
Poor Mary, she was quite alone,
For, all the way to Glenmalure
Her mother had that morning gone,
And left the house in charge of her.
But neither household cares, nor yet
The shame that startled virgins feel,
Could make the generous girl forget
Her wonted hospitable zeal.
She brought us in a beechen bowl
Sweet milk that smacked of mountain thyme,
Oat cake and such a yellow roll
Of butter - it gilds all my rhyme
And while we eat the grateful food,
(With weary limbs on bench reclined,)
Considerate and discreet, she stood
Apart, and listened to the wind.
Kind wishes both our souls engaged,
From breast to breast spontaneous ran
The mutual thought - we stood and pledged
The modest rose above Loch Dan
