I02 LIFE IN IRELAND 



water edge, and the royal squadron rode at anchor 

 near the end of the Pier, richly decorated with 

 streamers. The scene was noble and impressive ; His 

 Majesty drove rapidly down to the pavilion, and as he 

 descended to the barge, took off his hat, and repeatedly 

 bowed to all around, making use of the most affectionate 

 expressions of regard for the sons and daughters of old 

 Ireland. 



Brian Boru and Sir Shawn stood on either side 

 as he entered the barge, and amidst the plaudits of 

 assembled thousands and the thunder of artillery, 

 George the Fourth left a land where his name will be 

 venerated for ever ! 



Nothing now remained for our heroes to do but 

 effect a passage back to Dublin, and this was no easy 

 task to perform from the immense crowds that peopled 

 the passages ; it seemed as if all Ireland had been 

 collected together and precipitated in one solid mass 

 upon the shores of Dunleary. 



Merriment was fled with the cause of it ; the King 

 was gone, and all was gloom. Sir Shawn whipped his 

 bays with uncommon severity, as if they were to blame 

 upon the occasion. Brian Boru leaned on his hand 

 and whistled ' Oh, then came the day when I was forc'd 

 to retire,' in a tone which at any other time would have 

 made a cat laugh, or frightened a cow into a milk 

 fever; Grammachree rested his head upon his hands, 

 and his elbows upon his knees, ejaculating at intervals, 

 accompanied with deep drawn sighs, ' Och ! chreena 

 faila ! Charamachree ! Cuish la machree ! ^ he is gone 



1 The heart of my heart — the dear of my heart — the vein of my 

 heart. 



