Lysaght, Edward. "The Man, Who Led the Van of Irish Volunteers." Poems, by the Late Edward Lysaght Esq., Barrister at Law. Dublin: Gilbert and Hodges, 1811. 87-89.
THE MAN, WHO LED THE VAN OF IRISH
VOLUNTEERS.
Tune"The British Grenadiers."
The genrous sons of Erin, in manly virtue bold,
With hearts and hands preparing our country to uphold,
Tho cruel knaves and bigot slaves disturbed our isle some years,
Now hail the man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.
Just thirty years are ending, since first his glorious
aid,
Our sacred rights defending, struck shackles from our trade;
To serve us still, with might and skill, the vetran now appears,
That gallant man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.
He sows no vile dissensions; good will to all he bears:
He knows no vain pretensions, no paltry fears or cares;
To Erins and to Britains sons his worth his name endears;
They love the man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.
Opposd by hirelings sordid, he broke
oppressions chain;
On statute-books recorded his patriot acts remain;
The equipoize his mind employs of Commons, Kings and Peers,
The upright man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.
A British Constitution, (to Erin ever true)
In spite of state pollution, he gained in "Eighty-two;"
"He watchd it in its cradle, and bedewd its hearse with tears,"*
This gallant man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.
While other nations tremble, by proud oppressors
galld,
On hustings well assemble, by Erins welfare calld;
Our Grattan, there well meet him, and greet him with three cheers;
The gallant man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.
[Note from 1811 edition:]
*Mr. Grattans feeling and impressive words were these: "I watched by the cradle of Irish independence, and I followed its hearse."