Brewer's: Hibernia

A variety of Ierne (Ireland). Pliny says the Irish mothers feed their babes with swords instead of spoons.

While in Hibernia's fields the labouring swain, Shall pass the plough o'er skulls of warriors slain, And turn up bones and broken spears, Amazed, he'll show his fellows of the plain The relics of victorious years, And tell how swift thy arms that kingdom did regain.

Hughes: House of Nassau.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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