AILEEN AROON When, like the early rose, Aileen aroon! Beauty in childhood blows, Aileen aroon! When, like a diadem, Buds blush around the stem, Which is the fairest gem? Aileen aroon! Is it the laughing eye? Aileen aroon! Is it the timid sigh? Aileen aroon! Is it the tender tone, Soft as the stringed harp's moan? Oh, it is truth alone, Aileen aroon! When like the rising day, Aileen aroon! Love sends his early ray, Aileen aroon! What makes his dawning glow Changeless through joy or woe! Only the constant know, Aileen aroon! I know a valley fair, Aileen aroon! I knew a cottage there, Aileen aroon! Far in that valley's shade I knew a gentle maid, Flower of the hazel glade, Aileen aroon! Who in the song so sweet, Aileen aroon! Who in the dance so sweet, Aileen aroon! Dear were her charms to me, Dearer her laughter free, Dearest her constancy, Aileen aroon! Were she no longer true, Aileen aroon! What should her lover do? Aileen aroon! Fly with his broken chain Far o'er the sounding main, Never to love again, Aileen aroon! Youth must with time decay, Aileen aroon! Beauty must fade away, Aileen aroon! Castles are sacked in war, Chieftains are scattered far, Truth is a fixed star, Aileen aroon! -- Gerald Griffin (1803-1840)