The Poetry Corner

York Street (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

By James Stephens

If in winter you shall drive Birds from crumbs, you shall not thrive; But if you feed them, they will fly To sing it sweetly on the sky. So throw up the window, and Scatter with a lavish hand, Taking care you do not spill Flower-pots from the window-sill, Singing, "Ireland shall be free From the centre to the sea"; Singing bravely once again, "We are Dan O'Connell's Men."