The Irish Poet and the Natural World: An Anthology of Verse in English from the Tudors to the Romantics

Matthew W. Hartstonge (1772–1805–1825)

353 Kilcarrick is near Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. The river Barrow, the principal river in the region described in this poem, rises in the Slieve Bloom mountains and flows for about 190 km to Waterford harbour where it joins the rivers Nore and Suir. MATTHEW WELD HARTSTONGE (1772–1805–1825) Matthew Weld (he added the name Hartstonge later in life) was born in Dublin and educated at Trinity College Dublin. He was a lawyer, but does not seem to have practised in Ireland. He corresponded extensively with Sir Walter Scott and wrote a historical romance entitled The Eve of All-Hallows; or, Adelaide of Tyrconnell (1825). The Minstrelsy of Erin, poems lyrical, pastoral and descriptive (Edinburgh 1812) – from which the following lines are taken – was his second volume of verse. Lines written at the rocks of Kilcarrick,1 County of Carlow, Ireland Kilcarrick, isolated vale! Shelter’d from the boisterous gale; Romantic, fair, enchanting spot! Oh, never be thy charms forgot! Delighted here, the eye may dwell On hill, or dale, on rock, or dell, Or hoary moss-capp’d pinnacle. Behold at distance, grand and wide, Where Barrow rolls his pond’rous tide. Majestic Leinster2 meets the skies, 10 Here Blackstairs’3 azure heights arise; While there the grey-clad mountain lies. On sullen wing the falcon glides, On rocky steep, the goat abides; On heathy couch reclines the hare, Securely keeps the fox his lair,— 354 While in aërial regions free, The sky-lark hymns his minstrelsy. No martial sound of trump, or drum, To silence here the wild-bee’s hum: 20 No hunter’s horn, the vales along, Startles the linnet’s lonely song: But each wild path, since time began, Each glen is free from restless man. Most grateful landscapes to my heart, That eye, that mem’ry can impart. While nations rage for sov’reign sway, Contented here I lonely stray, Where the wild-rose’s sweets combine With the dew-sparkling eglantine. 30 Grey rocks with plumes of ferns are crown’d, The tangled ivy creeps around. The gaudy furze, in yellow bloom, Here wafts its fragrant rich perfume; While drooping waves the dark-green broom. The purple heath from graceful stem, Might form an artless diadem For the lone genius of the scene, Or mountain-nymph,4 fair freedom’s queen. Serene the sky with balmy gales, 40 A pleasing stillness here prevails. Ambition’s woes are all unknown, Hence each corrosive care is flown: Content and competence are mine, Oh, spare me these, great Pow’r divine! Give me the sweet, the pensive vale! Where no rude sounds the mind assail; Mild Contemplation here may dwell, Her silent shrine some rocky cell, May here from mortal care retire, 50 And trim the lamp’s pale midnight fire. 355 Matthew Weld Hartstonge The trickling rill, so soft it flows, Perchance might lull the mourner’s woes, Or yield to hapless love repose! Then hail, ye pleasing rural charms, Unstain’d with blood, or faction’s arms; And ever peaceful may remain, The rocks that bound Kilcarrick’s plain; Tranquil, green Erin’s sea-girt shore, Though loud the storm at distance roar! 60 May no base tyrant’s ghastly band Enslave the fertile happy land; But may it long united be, In virtue, peace, and liberty!5 The contrast is between an Ireland conquered by Napoleon and one united with Britain. 5 ...