Soliloquy

Patrick has a little farm with green hedges round it— And a little grey cottage with a door that latches tight; He says I have the heart of him—that I alone have found it,— Faith—he said the same to Norah when the moon was bright!

Dennis has the high hand, though his words are sweet as honey; And gold he has safe stored away, if all they say be true; But his dogs and horses fear him—and money's only money, It won't put bloom upon the cheek the white shows through.

My father's anvil rings all day,—and himself is often saying "It's I that needs ye, Colleen—so just at home abide;"— And I'd rather rest beneath his roof—so there I'll be staying If I cannot wed a sailor, who sailed with the morn's tide.

'Tis true he has no place for me where all the winds are blowing The way they might be breaking up a ship however strong;— It's little home a sailor has—and this I'm well knowing; The grieving of his blue eyes said I could not go along.

They tell me there are other maids in other ports he's making; The gossips say he sails from them—as he sailed from me;— But there's no vow in all the Book my lips will be taking, Until his ship comes home again, and brings him from the Sea!