ts beat hearts that felt as great
pangs at being driven from their native homes as the highest in the
land.

One of these English families demands special mention. Edmund Spenser's
grandson was now commanded to transplant, as though he to had been "mere
Irish" and the very estate near Fermoy, which had been confiscated from
the FitzGeralds seventy years before, and which the poet had obtained
thus fraudulently, was now confiscated anew, and granted to Cromwell's
soldiers. William Spenser protested; he pleaded his grandfather's name,
he pleaded his grandfather's services, especially the odium he had
incurred amongst the Irish by the way in which he had written of them;
and lastly, William Spenser declares of himself that he had utterly
renounced Popery since he came to years of discretion. But even
Cromwell's interference could not save him; the soldiers were determined
to have his lands, and they had them.

The commissioners appointed to conduct the transplanting had a busy
time. They were overwhelmed with petitions: the heads of families
demanding permission to return and save their crops; the women
requesting to remain a few months longer for a similar purpose, when the
men were not permitted to return. Hundreds of petitions were sent from
aged and bedridden persons, to obtain leave to die in peace where they
were. Then there were complaints from the officers who had charge of
driving the people into the plantation; and above all, there was a
charge, a grave charge, against the Irish people--they were as
stiff-necked, wicked, and rebellious[497] as ever, and could not be
brought to see that they were created for no other end than to be
sacrificed for the benefit of English adventurers; and, moreover, they
were declared to be a most treacherous race, for, years after, they
might revenge all this kindness, by murdering the men who had taken
possession of their lands and farms; and some had absolutely refused to
transplant, and preferred death.

The manner in which these difficulties were met is thus recorded in a
letter which was written for publication in London:--

"_Athy, March_ 4, 1664-5.

"I have only to acquaint you that the time prescribed for the
transplantation of the Irish proprietors, and those that have been
in arms and abettors of the rebellion, being near at hand, the
officers are resolved to fill the gaols and to seize them; by which
this bloody people will know that th