Charles Richard Panter

Orpheus and Eurydice, and Other Poems. Charles Richard Panter

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... PREFACE TO THE O'NEILL'S GATHERING OF THE IRISH CLANS. LEST it may be inferred from the language put into the mouth of The O'Neill, in the following poem, that his real character was that of a haughty and bloodthirsty barbarian, it will be proper to allude briefly to the part he played at an eventful period of his country's history; and to mention the circumstances that might have induced him to give utterance to the ardent sentiments attributed to him. Listening with avidity, in the halls of his ancestors, to the history and traditions of his family, and to the songs of the bards that embalmed the deeds of heroes since the days cf" Nial of the Nine Hostages," O'Neill early imbibed a hearty hatred and jealousy of those invaders who despised the history, tongue, and customs of his race. The English Pale was pointed at, by the native Irish, as a blemish that ought not to be tolerated in the land of a free and ancient people. It was believed also, that the Palesmen eagerly awaited the moment when they might with impunity seize the whole country, and enslave the native possessors who had held it in freedom from time immemorial. Almost as early in life as he leamt his rude lesson of patriotism, O'Neill acquired, in a very different school, the smoother art of statecraft. In quite early youth, and frequently afterwards, we find him at the splendid Court of Queen Elizabeth, learning to wind and unravel the mazy threads of intrigue that entangled almost everyone within the circle of her Court. The acute Irish Chieftain became a clever adept in diplomacy, and successfully plotted to win the smile of that most discerning sovereign. The perfect knowledge he obtained of the characteristics of Saxon and Celt, from his intimate connection with both countries, enabled h...