LXXXVI

TO THE LAKE OF KILLARNEY

Pride of Ierne's Sea-encircled bound,

Rival of all Britannia's Naiads boast,

Magnificent Killarney!—from thy coast

Tho' mountains rise with noblest woods embrown'd;

Tho' ten-voiced Echos send the cannon's sound

In thunders bursting the vast rocks around,

Till startled Wonder and Delight exhaust

In countless repercussion—Isles embost

Upon thy liquid glass; their bloomy veil

Sorbus and ārbutus;—yet not for thee

So keenly wakes our local ecstacy,

As o'er the narrow, barren, silent Dale,

Where deeply sleeps, rude circling Rocks among,

The Love-devoted Fount enamour'd Petrarch sung.