At length brave Michael Dwyer and his un-

daunted men

Were hunted o'er the mountains, and tracked

into the glen;

The stealthy soldiers followed, with ready blade

and ball,

And swore to trap the outlaw that night in wild

Emall.

They prowled about the valley, and toward the

dawn of day

Discovered where the faithful and fearless

heroes lay;

Around the little cottage they formed into a ring,

And called out "Michael Dwyer! Surrender to

the King!"

Thus answered Michael Dwyer—"Into this

house we came

Unasked by those who own it; they cannot be

to blame;

Then let those guiltless people, unquestioned,

pass you through;

And when they've passed in safety, I'll tell you

what we'll do."

'Twas done. "And now," said Dwyer, "your

work you may begin;

You are a hundred outside—we're only four

within;

We've heard your haughty summons, and this

is our reply—

We're true United Irishmen—we'll fight until

we die."

Then burst the war's red lightning, then poured

the leaden rain;

The hills around re-echoed the thunder peals

again;

The soldiers falling round him brave Dwyer

sees with pride;

But, ah! one gallant comrade is wounded by his

side.

Yet there are three remaining, good battle still

to do;

Their hands are strong and steady, their aim is

quick and true—

But hark that furious shouting the savage

soldiers raise!

The house is fired around them!—the roof is in

a blaze!

And brighter every moment the lurid flame arose,

And louder swelled the laughter and cheering

of their foes;

Then spake the brave M'Alister, the weak and

wounded man—

"You can escape, my comrades, and this shall

be your plan.

"Place in my hands a musket, then lie upon the

floor,

I'll stand before the soldiers, and open wide the

door;

They'll pour into my bosom the fire of their array,

Then, while their guns are empty, dash through

them, and away!"

He stood before his foemen, revealed amidst

the flame;

From out their levelled pieces the wished-for

volley came;

Up sprang the three survivors, for whom the

hero died,

But only Michael Dwyer burst through the

ranks outside.

He baffled his pursuers, who followed like the

wind,

And swam the River Slaney, and left them far

behind;

But many a scarlet soldier he promised soon

should fall

For those, his gallant comrades, who died in

wild Emall.

——T. D. Sullivan.

Original