LESSON XXII. THE DEDICATION OF IRELAND TO THE SACRED ᎻᎬᎪᎡᎢ . (PASSION SUNDAY, 1873.) 1. WHERE'ER beneath the saving rood The nation kneels to pray, A holy band of brotherhood Unites us all to-day : From north to south, from east to west, From circling sea to sea, Ierne bares her bleeding breast, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 2. She bares her breast, which many a wound, What time the martyred mother swooned But, ah, she could not die. No! no! One germ of life had she The love that turned, through weal, through woe, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 3. She gave her sighs, she gave her tears, She gave her blood for countless years, A happier fate we see, She consecrates her future hope, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 4. She consecrates her glorious past— Bright, though with many a cloud o'ercast; For through the wilds that round her spread, 5. She consecrates her dark despair, 6. And even the present, though it be, Its icy-cold philosophy, Its stained historic page, Its worship of brute force and strength 7. But, oh, forgive what I have said- 'Tis Thou hast suffered, Thou hast bled, That God alone doth see The insults done, so manifold, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 8. But still Thy feet I dare embrace Thou canst not that sweet look withstand, Nor that all-powerful plea, And so we consecrate our land, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 9. For us, but not for us alone, The holy Pontiff's plundered throne 10. One valiant band, oh Lord, from us Who bear Thy holy Name. Still guard them on their glorious track, In leading the lost nations back, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 11. Like some tired bird whose homeward flight Reseeks its distant nest, Ah, let my song once more alight Upon my country's breast; There let it rest, to roam no more, Awaiting the decree That lifts my soul, its wanderings o'er, Oh Sacred Heart, to Thee! 12. Then break, ye circling seas, in smiles, DENIS FLORENCE M'CARTHY. LESSON XXIII. QUEEN ISABELLA. 1. HER person was of the middle height and well proportioned. She had a clear, fresh complexion, with light-blue eyes and auburn hair-a style of beauty exceedingly rare in Spain. Her features were regular, and universally allowed to be uncommonly handsome. The illusion which attaches to rank, more especially when united with engaging manners, might lead us to suspect some exaggeration in the encomiums so liberally lavished on her. But they would seem to be in a great measure justified by the portraits that remain of her, which combine a faultless symmetry of features with singular sweetness and intelligence of expression. 2. Her manners were most gracious and pleasing. They were marked by natural dignity and modest reserve, tempered by an affability which flowed from the kindness of her disposition. She was the last person to be approached with undue famili mingled with the strongest feelings of devotion and love. She showed great tact in accommodating herself to the peculiar situation and character of those around her. 3. She appeared in arms at the head of her troops, and shrank from none of the hardships of war. During the reforms introduced into the religious houses, she visited the nunneries in person, taking her needlework with her, and passing the day in the society of the inmates. When travelling in Galicia, she attired herself in the costume of the country, borrowing for that purpose the jewels and other ornaments of the ladies there, and returning them with liberal additions. By this condescending and captivating deportment, as well as by her higher qualities, she gained an ascendency over her turbulent subjects which no king of Spain could ever boast. 4. She spoke the Castilian with much elegance and correctness. She had an easy fluency of discourse, which, though generally of a serious complexion, was occasionally seasoned with agreeable sallies, some of which have passed into proverbs. She was temperate even to abstemiousness in her diet, seldom or never tasting wine, and so frugal in |