THE WEST'S ASLEEP.

When all beside a vigil keep, The West's asleep, the West's asleep — Alas! and well may Erin weep, When Connaught lies in slumber deep.

There lake and plain smile fair and free, ‘ Mid rocks — their guardian chivalry — Sing oh! let man learn liberty From crashing wind and lashing sea.

That chainless wave and lovely land Freedom and Nationhood demand — Be sure, the great God never planned, For slumbering slaves, a home so grand.

And, long, a brave and haughty race Honoured and sentinelled the place — Sing oh! not even their sons’ disgrace Can quite destroy their glory's trace.

For often, in O'Connor' s van, To triumph dashed each Connaught clan — And fleet as deer the Normans ran Through Corlieu's Pass and Ardrahan.

And later times saw deeds as brave; And glory guards Clanricarde's grave — Sing oh! they died their land to save, At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave.

And if, when all a vigil keep, The West's asleep, the West's asleep — Alas! and well may Erin weep, That Connaught lies in slumber deep.

But, hark! some voice like thunder spake: “The West's awake! the West's awake!” — “Sing oh! hurra! let England quake, We'll watch till death for Erin's sake!”