The brave sons of the Lord of Clare, they left the land to mourning; _Mavrone!_ for they were banished, with no hope of their returning-- Who knows in what abodes of want those youths were driven to house? Yet _you_ can give yourself these airs, O Woman of Three Cows! O, think of Donnel of the Ships, the Chief whom nothing daunted-- See how he fell in distant Spain, unchronicled, unchanted! He sleeps, the great O'Sullivan, where thunder cannot rouse-- Then ask yourself, should _you_ be proud, good Woman of Three Cows? O'Ruark, Maguire, those souls of fire, whose names are shrined in story-- Think how their high achievements once made Erin's greatest glory-- Yet now their bones lie mouldering under weeds and Cyprus boughs, And so, for all your pride, will yours, O Woman of Three Cows! Th' O'Carrols, also, famed when fame was only for the boldest, Rest in forgotten sepulchres with Erin's best and oldest; Yet who so great as they of yore in battle or carouse? Just think of that, and hide your head, good Woman of Three Cows! Your neighbour's poor, and you, it seems, are big with vain ideas, Because, _inagh!_ you've got three cows, one more, I see, than _she_ has; That tongue of yours wags more at times than charity allows-- But, if you're strong, be merciful, great Woman of Three Cows! THE SUMMING-UP. Now, there you go! You still, of course, keep up your scornful bearing, And I'm too poor to hinder you; but, by the cloak I'm wearing, If I had but _four_ cows myself, even though you were my spouse, I'd thwack you well to cure your pride, my Woman of Three Cows! _James Clarence Mangan_ PRINCE ALFRID'S ITINERARY THROUGH IRELAND _From the Irish_ I found in Innisfail the fair, In Ireland, while in exile there, Women of worth, both grave and gay men, Many clerics and many laymen. I travelled its fruitful provinces round And in every one of the five I found, Alike in church and in palace hall, Abundant apparel, and food for all. Gold and silver I found, and money, Plenty of wheat and plenty of honey; I found God's people rich in pity, Found many a feast and many a city. I also found in Armagh, the splendid, Meekness, wisdom, and prudence blended, Fasting, as Christ hath recommended, And noble councillors untranscended. I found in each great church moreo'er, Whether on island or on shore Piety, learning, fond affection, Holy welcome and kind protection. I found thy good lay monks and brothers Ever beseeching help for others, And in their keeping the holy word Pure as it came from Jesus the Lord.