CXXIV ADVERTISEMENT TO THE * the lip, while its flavour is yet, we trust, fresh and sweet, than to risk any longer trial of the charm, or give so much as not to leave some wish for more. In speaking thus I allude entirely to the Airs, which are, of course, the main attraction of these Volumes; and, though we have still many popular and delightful Melodies to produce, yet it cannot be denied that we should soon experience some difficulty in equalling the richness and novelty of the earlier Numbers, for which, as we had the choice of all before us, we naturally selected only the most rare and beautiful. The Poetry too would be sure to sympathize with the decline of the Music; and, however feebly my words have kept pace with the excellence of the Airs, they would follow their falling off, I fear, with wonderful alacrity. So that, altogether, both pride and prudence counsel us to stop, while the Work is yet, we believe, flourishing and attractive, and, in the imperial Among these is Savourna Deelish, which I have hitherto only withheld, from the diffidence I feel in treading upon the same ground with Mr. Campbell, whose beautiful words to this fine Air have taken too strong possession of all ears and hearts, for me to think of producing any impression after him. I suppose, however, I must attempt it for the next Number. attitude," stantes mori," before we incur the charge either of altering for the worse, or, what is equally unpardonable, continuing too long the same. We beg, however, to say, it is only in the event of our failing to find Airs as exquisite as most of those we have given, that we mean thus to anticipate the natural period of dissolution, like those Indians who put their relatives to death when they become feeble :-and they, who wish to retard this Euthanasia of the Irish Melodies, cannot better effect it than by contributing to our collection, not what are called curious Airs, for we have abundance of them, and they are, in general, only curious, but any really sweet and expressive Songs of our Country, which either chance or research may have brought into their hands. Mayfield Cottage, Ashbourne, T. M. IRISH MELODIES. mmmm No. V. OH, THE SHAMROCK! AIR.-Alley Croker. I. THROUGH ERIN's Isle To sport awhile, AS LOVE and VALOUR wander'd, With WIT, the sprite, Whose quiver bright A thousand arrows squander'd ; Where'er they pass, A triple grass * * Saint Patrick is said to have made use of that species of the trefoil, to which in Ireland we give the name of Shamrock, Shoots up, with dew-drops streaming, As softly green As emeralds, seen Through purest crystal gleaming! Oh, the Shamrock, the green, immortal Shamrock! Chosen leaf Of Bard and Chief, Old ERIN'S native Shamrock ! II. Says VALOUR, "See, "They spring for me, "Those leafy gems of morning!" Says LovE,"No, no, "For me they grow, "My fragrant path adorning!" But WIT perceives The triple leaves, And cries" Oh! do not sever "A type that blends in explaining the doctrine of the Trinity to the pagan Irish. I do not know if there be any other reason for our adoption of this plant as a national emblem. HOPE, among the ancients, was sometimes represented as a beautiful child, "standing upon tip-toes, and a trefoil or three-coloured grass in her hand." |