Three monks sat by a bogwood fire! Loud wailed the wind through cloister and nave! With penitent air by that bogwood fire The first that spake it was Eustace grave, And told, “He had been a soldier brave In his youth, till a comrade he slew in ire; Since then he forswore helmet and glaive, And, leaving his home, had crossed the wave, And taken the cross and cowl at Saint Finbar’s spire!” Three monks sat by a bogwood fire! Swift through the glen ran the river Lee! And Alleyn next, by that bogwood fire, Told his tale--a woeful man was he: Alas, he had loved unlawfullie The wife of his brother, Sir Hugh Maguire! And he fled to the cloister to free His soul from sin: and ’twas sad to see How sorrow had worn the youthful friar! Three monks sat by a bogwood fire! And red the light on the rafters shone, And the last who spoke by that bogwood fire Was Giles, of the three the only one Whom care or grief had not lit upon; But rosy and round, throughout city and shire His mate for frolic and glee was none; And soon he told how “A peasant’s son, He was reared to the church by their former Prior!” Three monks sat by a bogwood fire! The moon look’d o’er all with clouded ray; And there they sat by that bogwood fire, Watching the wicket till break of day; And many that night did call, and stay, Whose names--if, gentles, ye do not tire-- In next strain shall the bard essay-- (Many and motley I ween were they)-- Till then, pardon he craves for his humble lyre! And to each and all, Benedicite! [2] Kilcrea Abbey, near Cork, was dedicated to Saint Bridget, and founded, A. D. 1494, by Cormac Lord Muskerry. Its monks belonged to the Franciscan order commonly called “the _Grey_ Friars.” COMPARATIVE VALUE OF BLACK BOYS IN AMERICA AND IRELAND.