Poems MacCarthy, Florence Denis

91
This, which it is to be presumed was the great gulf-stream, brought his
vessel to shore somewhere about the Virginian capes, or where the
American coast tends eastward, and forms the New England States. Here
landing, he and his companions marched steadily into the interior for
fifteen days, and then came to a large river, flowing from east to west:
this, evidently, was the river Ohio. And this the holy adventurer was
about to cross, when he was accosted by a person of noble presence--but
whether a real or visionary man does not appear--who told him he had
gone far enough; that further discoveries were reserved for other men,
who would, in due time, come and Christianise all that pleasant land.
It is said he remained seven years away, and returned to set up a
college of three thousand monks, at Clonfert.--"Caesar Otway's Sketches
in Erris and Tyrawley," note, pp. 98, 99.]
THE VOCATION.
[When St. Brendan was an infant, says Colgan, he was placed under the
care of St. Ita, and remained with her five years, after which period he
was led away by Bishop Ercus in order to receive from him the more solid
instruction necessary for his advancing years. Brendan always retained
the greatest respect and affection for his foster-mother, and he is
represented, after his seven years' voyage, amusing St. Ita with an
account of his adventures in the ocean.]
O Ita, mother of my heart and mind--
My nourisher, my fosterer, my friend,
Who taught me first to God's great will resigned,
Before his shining altar-steps to bend;
Who poured his word upon my soul like balm,
And on mine eyes what pious fancy paints--
And on mine ear the sweetly swelling psalm,
And all the sacred knowledge of the saints;
To whom but thee, dear mother, should be told
Of all the wonders I have seen afar?--
Islands more green and suns of brighter gold
Than this dear land or yonder blazing star;
Of hills that bear the fruit-trees on their tops,
And seas that dimple with eternal smiles;
Of airs from heaven that fan the golden crops,