Classic Poem

1.

" O, rise up, Willie Riley, and come along with me.
I mean to go with you and leave this counteree,
To leave my father's dwelling house, his houses and free land. "
And away went Willie Riley, and his dear Colleen Bawn.

2.

They go by hills and mountains and by an lonesome plain,
To over shady groves and valleys all dangers to refrain;
But her father followed after with a well-armed band,
And taken was poor Riley and his dear Colleen Bawn.

3.

It's in the cold, cold irons his hands and feet are bound;
" I'm handcuffed like a murderer and tied unto the ground,
But all the toil and slavery I'm willing for to stand,
Still hoping to be succeeded by my dear Colleen Bawn. "

4.

The jailer's son to Riley go and thus to him did say:
" O, get up, Willie Riley; you must appear this day,
For great Squire Follard's anger you never can withstand;
I'm afraid you'll suffer sorely for your dear Colleen Bawn. "

5.

Now Willie's dressed from top to toe all in a suit of green;
His hair hangs o'er his shoulders most glorious to be seen.
He's tall and straight and comely as any could be found;
He's fit for Follard's daughter, were she heiress to a crown.

6.

" This is the news, young Riley, last night that I did hear, —
That lady's oath will hang you, or else will set you clear. "
" If that be so, " said Riley, " that pleasure I will stand,
Still hoping to be succeeded by my dear Colleen Bawn. "

7.

The judge he said, " This lady being in her tender youth,
If Riley has deluded her, she will declare the truth. "
Then like a moving beauty bright before him she did stand:
" You're welcome here, my heart's delight, my dear Colleen Bawn. "

8.

" O gentlemen, " Squire Follard said, " with pity look on me.
This villyan came amongst us to disgrace our family,
And by his base contrivance this villany was planned.
If I don't get satisfaction, I'll quit this Irish land. "

9.

The lady with a tear began and thus replied she:
" The fault is none of Riley's; the blame lies all on me.
I forced him for to leave his place and come along with me;
I loved him out of measure, which wrought our destiny. "

10.

Out spoke the noble Fox, at the table he stood by:
" O gentlemen, consider on this extremity, —
To hang a man for love it's murder you may see;
To spare the life of Riley, let him leave this counteree. "

11.

" Good my lord, he stole from her her diamonds and her rings,
Gold watch and silver buckles and many precious things,
Which cost me in bright guineas more than five hundred pounds.
I'll have the life of Riley should I lose ten thousand pounds. "

12.

" Oh, good my lord, I gave them him as tokens of true love,
And when we are a-parting he will them all remove.
If you've got them, Riley, pray send them home to me. "
" I will, my loving lady, with many thanks to thee. "

13.

" They are a ring among them I allow yourself to wear
With thirty locket diamonds well set in silver fair,
And as a true-love token, wear it on your right hand,
That you'll think on my poor broken heart when you're in a foreign land. "

14.

Then out spake the noble judge, " You may let the prisoner go.
The lady's oath has cleared him, as the jury all may know.
She has released her own true love, she has renewed his name;
May her honor bright gain high estate and her offspring rise to fame. "