September 1913 by W.B. Yeats (Stanza 1)

For Leaving Cert English

Stanza 1, Line 1 - The Irish people need nothing else because they have “achieved wisdom”.

“What need you, being come to sense,”

Stanza 1, Line 2 - Cacophony, slyness, materialism.

“But fumble in a greasy till”

Stanza 1, Line 3 - materialism, counting money.

“And add the halfpence to the pence”

Stanza 1, Line 4 - Praying out of fear, not devotion. Also implies poverty.

“And prayer to shivering prayer, until”

Stanza 1, Line 5 - Taking all that they can (implying materialism and exploitation of others for money).

“You have dried the marrow from the bone;”

Stanza 1, Line 6 - Very sarcastic.

“For men were born to pray and save:”

Stanza 1, Line 7 - There is no passion, idealism or patriotism left in Ireland. All that’s left is greed and selfishness.

“Romantic Ireland’s dead and gone,”

Stanza 1, Line 8 - Romantic Ireland “died” with a certain Irish patriot.

“It’s with O’Leary in the grave.”