Веснянки

           Youcanbeproudthatyou’veneverevenoncedisappointedhimorfailedinwhathebelievedyoucoulddo.Youcanbeproudoverthewayeveryonespeaksofyouwithtrustandhonor,andabouthowbraveofheartandstrongofbodyyouareIheardabigmansayafewdaysagothattheLimberlostwasfullofdisagreeablethings—positivedangers,unhealthfulasitcouldbe,andthatsincethememoryofthefirstsettlersithasbeenarendezvousforrunaways,thieves,andmurderers.Thisswampisnamedforamanthatwaslosthereandwanderedaround’tilhestarved.ThatmanIwastalkingwithsaidhewouldn’ttakeyourjobforathousanddollarsamonth—infact,hesaidhewouldn’thaveitforanymoney,andyou’venevermissedadayorlostatree.Proud!Why,Ishouldthinkyouwouldjustparadearoundaboutproperoverthat!

           “AndyoucanalwaysbeproudthatyouarebornanIrishman.MyfatherisIrish,andifyouwanttoseehimgetupandstrutgivehimateenyopeningtoenlargeonhisrace.HesaysthatiftheIrishhaddecentterritorythey’dleadtheworld.Hesaysthey’vealwaysbeenhandicappedbylackofspaceandoffertilesoil.HesaysifIrelandhadbeenasbigandfertileasIndiana,why,Englandwouldn’teverhavehadtheupperhand.She’donlybeanappendage.FancyEnglandanappendage!HesaysIrelandhasthefinestoratorsandthekeeneststatesmeninEuropetoday,andwhenEnglandwantstofight,withwhomdoesshefillhertrenches?Irishmen,ofcourse!Irelandhasthegreenestgrassandtrees,thefineststonesandlakes,andthey’vejaunting-cars.