ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SEVENTH NUMBER. IF I had consulted only my own judgment, this Work would not have extended beyond the Six Numbers already published; which contain, perhaps, the flower of our national melodies, and have attained a rank in public favour, of which I would not willingly risk the forfeiture, by degenerating, in any way, from those merits that were its source. Whatever treasures of our music were still in reserve, (and it will be seen, I trust, that they are numerous and valuable,) I would gladly have left to future poets to glean, and, with the ritual words “ tibi trado,” would have delivered up the torch into other hands, before it had lost much of its light in my own. But the call for a continuance of the work has been, as I understand from the Publisher, so general, and we have received so many contributions of old and beautiful airs *, the suppression of which, for the enhancement of those we have published, would resemble too much the policy of the Dutch in burning their spices, that I have been persuaded, though not without considerable diffidence in my success, to commence a new series of the Irish Melodies. T. M. * One Gentleman, in particular, whose name I shall feel happy in being allowed to mention, has not only sent us nearly forty ancient airs, but has communicated many curious fragments of Irish poetry, and some interesting traditions current in the country where he resides, illustrated by sketches of the romantic scenery to which they refer ; all of which, though too late for the present Number, will be of infinite service to us in the prosecution of our task. DEDICATION TO THE MARCHIONESS OF HEADFORT, PREFIXED TO THE TENTH NUMBER. It is with a pleasure, not unmixed with melancholy, that I dedicate the last Number of the Irish Melodies to your Ladyship ; nor can I have any doubt that the feelings with which you receive the tribute will be of the same mingled and saddened tone. To you, who though but little beyond the season of childhood, when the earlier numbers of this work appeared, lent the aid of your beautiful voice, and, even then, exquisite feeling for music, to the happy circle who met, to sing them together, under your father's roof, the gratification, whatever it may be, which this humble offering brings, cannot be otherwise than darkened by the mournful reflection, how many of the voices which then joined with ours are now silent in death! I am not without hope that, as far as regards the grace and spirit of the Melodies, you will find this closing portion of the work not unworthy of what has preceded it. The Sixteen Airs, of which the Number and the Supplement consist, have been selected from the immense mass of Irish music which has been for years past accumulating in my hands; and it was from a desire to include all that appeared most worthy of preservation, that the four supplementary songs which follow this Tenth Number have been added. Trusting that I may yet again, in remembrance of old times, hear our voices together in some of the harmonised airs of this Volume, I have the honour to subscribe myself, Your Ladyship’s faithful Friend and Servant, THOMAS MOORE. Sloperton Cottage, May, 1834. IN DE X. Page 34 130 115 11 After the Battle....... 83 118 55 49 32 25 Before the Battle........ 46 119 32 68 Come o'er the sea .............. 76 23 Dear Harp of my country! in darkness I found thee......... 81 119 100 ........... 99 27 104 26 Echo ........ M 4 19 .............. Fairest! put on awhile ........ Page 7 Go where Glory waits thee......... 1 69 Has sorrow thy young days shaded ....... 14 16 .... I'd mourn the hopes that leave me........... 67 136 20 Lay his sword by his side 26 51 My gentle Harp, once more I waken. 82 ......... Nay, tell me not, dear, that the goblet drowns............. 48 70 28 5 94 63 O'Donohue's Mistress ...... 12 39 108 61 19 75 Quick! we have but a second........ 114 3 Remember the glories of Brien the Brave........... 86 96 Sail on, sail on, thou fearless bark 106 ........... 47 22 |