Books and other items printed in Gaelic from 1871 to 1900 > Gaelic bards, and original poems

110LL0W FRIENDSHIP.
255
HOLLOW FRIENDSHIP.
The stream tfiat’s swollen by the ice,
And the loose and melted snow,
Doth, with a swift and sounding pace,
Down from the mountain go.
The cold of winter in its breast,
Fast sweeps its turbid flow,
O’er stone and rock with shout and shriek,
Like a hero through the foe.
I’ve seen that stream when summer’s lip,
And parched and burning throat,
Sucked in its loud and liquid strength,
Soon lose that vaunting note.
And melt away and shrink before
The sultry, scorching air,
Till not one whispering sound was left
To cheer its channel bare.
And I have said, “Lo! there’s the man
Who doth our spring-time meet
With words that are extremely good,
And very brave and sweet.
“Till the exhausting summer air
Creates some need of him;
And then, alas! his promise good
Grows very small and slim.
“ Till, in the highest noon of need.
Its very ooze is gone—