. . . I went the other day br To see the birds and beasts they keep enmewed br In the London Zoo. One of the first I saw — br One of the first I noticed, was an Eagle, br Ragged, befouled, within his iron bars br He sat without a movement or a sound, br And, when I stood and pitying looked at him, br I saw his great sad eyes that winkless gazed br Out to the horizon sky. I passed from there, br And walked about the gardens hither and thither, br Till all the afternoon was spent. Returning then br To seek my home, again by chance I passed br The Eagle's cage, and stood again and looked, br And saw his great sad eyes that winkless gazed br Out to the horizon sky. So I went home. . . . br The Eagle is Ireland.