Castle Clare

From holly-bush and leafless larch.
From beech-tree rusty-red,
Now music comes to wake the flowers
That sleep on mossy bed.
For blackbirds pipe upon the elms
To the echoes hiding there;
And merry and strong the thrushes flute
All round brave Castle Clare.

The deer feed in the sloping dell,
The swans are on the wave.
The trout leap up for very joy
In silver armour brave;
The lark above the fallow sings,
Poised in the calm blue air,
Rejoicing eveiy breeze that blows
Sweetly o'er Castle Clare.

Its towers stand grandly in the sun,
That gilds their circling vanes;
Soft clouds of billowing white roll by
Laden with gentle rains.
The birds upon a thousand trees.
Like children free from care,
Carol in the green spreading parks
Of leaf-clad Castle Clare.

Now foals in grassy paddocks pent
Leap, welcoming the spring;
I am the happiest creature born,
For Love has crowned me king.
Nelly, to-day, with arm in mine.
Said "Yes" to my fond prayer;
And now the meadows seem all flowers
Around dear Castle Clare.