Poems: Patriotic, Religious, Miscellaneous | Page 4

Rev. J. B.
Etienne
Tears
Lines (Two Loves)
The Land We Love
In
Memoriam
Reverie ["We laugh when our souls are the saddest,"]
I
Often Wonder Why 'Tis So
A Blessing
July 9th, 1872
Wake Me a
Song
In Memoriam (David J. Ryan, C.S.A.)
What? (To Ethel)

The Master's Voice
A "Thought-Flower"
A Death
The Rosary of
My Tears
Death
What Ails the World?
A Thought
In Rome

After Sickness
Old Trees
After Seeing Pius IX
Sentinel Songs

Fragments from an Epic Poem
Lake Como
"Peace! Be Still"

Good Friday
My Beads
At Night
Nocturne ["Betimes, I seem to
see in dreams"]
Sunless Days
A Reverie ["Did I dream of a song?
or sing in a dream?"]
St. Mary's
De Profundis
When? (Death)

The Conquered Banner
A Christmas Chant
"Far Away"
Listen

Wrecked

Dreaming
A Thought
"Yesterdays"
"To-Days"

"To-Morrows"
Inevitable
Sorrow and the Flowers
Hope

Farewells
Song of the River
Dreamland
Lines ["Sometimes, from
the far-away,"]
A Song
Parting
St. Stephen
A Flower's Song

The Star's Song
Death of the Flower
Singing-Bird
Now
M * * *

God in the Night
Poets
A Legend
Thoughts
Lines ["The
world is sweet, and fair, and bright,"]
C.S.A.
The Seen and The
Unseen
Passing Away
The Pilgrim (A Christmas Legend for
Children)
A Reverie ["Those hearts of ours -- how strange! how
strange!"] ---- Their Story Runneth Thus
Night After the Picnic

Lines ["The death of men is not the death"]
Death of the Prince
Imperial
In Memoriam (Father Keeler)
Mobile Mystic Societies

Rest
Follow Me
The Poet's Child
Mother's Way
Feast of the
Presentation of Mary in the Temple
St. Bridget
New Year
Zeila
(A Story from a Star)
Better than Gold
Sea Dreamings
Sea Rest


Sea Reverie
The Immaculate Conception
Fifty Years at the Altar

Song of the Deathless Voice
To Mr. and Mrs. A. M. T.
To Virginia
(on Her Birthday)
Epilogue

Posthumous Poems
In Remembrance
A Reverie [`"O Songs!" I said:']
Only a Dream

The Poet
The Child of the Poet
The Poet Priest
Wilt Pray for Me?
Memoir of Father Ryan
By John Moran
It is regretted that the materials at hand at this writing
are not
sufficient to warrant as extended a notice as the publishers of the
present enlarged volume of Father Ryan's poems would wish, and as
the many friends and admirers of the dead priest and poet desire. So
distinguished a character and so brilliant a man
cannot be passed over
lightly, or dealt with sparingly,
if the demand of his friends and the
public generally would be satisfied even in a moderate degree; for
Father Ryan's fame is the inheritance of a great and enlightened nation,
and his writings have passed into history to emblazon its pages and
enrich the literature of the present and succeeding ages, since it is
confidently believed that, with the lapse of time, his fame and his
merits will grow brighter and more enduring. With this appreciation of
his merits,
and a realizing sense of what is due to his memory,
and
with an equal consciousness of his own want of ability
to do justice to
the subject, the writer bespeaks the indulgent criticism of those who
may read the following remarks -- admittedly far short of what are due
to the illustrious dead.
The exact date and place of Father Ryan's birth are not yet definitely
settled. Some assert that he was born at Norfolk, Va.; others claim
Hagerstown, Md., as the place of his birth;
whilst there is some
ground to believe that in Limerick, Ireland, he first saw the light. The
same uncertainty exists as to time. Some claim to know that he was
born in 1834, whilst others fix with equal certainty, the year 1836 as
the time. In the midst of these conflicting statements, the writer prefers
to leave the questions at issue for future determination, when it is
hoped that final and conclusive proof will be obtained to place them
outside the realms of dispute. Meanwhile, he will present what may be

regarded as of primary importance in forming a correct estimate of the
character of the deceased, and the value of his life-work, which, after
all, are the chief ends sought to be accomplished.
From the most reliable information that can be obtained,
it is learned
that Father Ryan went to St. Louis with his parents when a lad of some
seven or eight years. There he received his early training under the
Brothers of the Christian Schools. Even at that early date young Ryan
showed signs of mental activity which gave promise of one day
producing substantial and lasting results.
He evinced rare aptitude for
knowledge, and made rapid progress in its attainment. His thoughtful
mien and modest look soon won for him the respect and friendship of
his teachers and the esteem and affection of his companions. It was
noticed that he had an instinctive reverence for sacred things and places,
and a rich and ardent nature which bespoke deep spirituality.
Discerning eyes soon recognized in the mild youth the germs of a
future vocation to the priesthood. It was, therefore, prudently resolved
to throw around him every possible safeguard in order to protect and
cherish so rare and precious a gift. The youth himself corresponded to
this design, and bent all his energies towards acquiring the necessary
education to fit him
for entering upon the still higher and more
extended studies required for the exalted vocation to which he aspired.