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Three Irish Bardic Tales

Being Metrical Versions of the Three Tales known as The Three Sorrows of Story-telling. By John Todhunter
Todhunter, John (1839-1916)

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13

So howling on the blast fled from the face of men
Oifa, for evermore. But Bōv Derg went with Lir
Back to the gentle Swans, for solace of their song;
And with them by the lake they dwelt three hundred years.

14

And there dwelt peace: there came, by septs, the De Danann,
There Milith's warlike sons sat down with them in peace;
For all men loved the Swans, for comfort of their song.
And peace with all her arts reigned there three hundred years.

15

Then said Fianoula: ‘Ah, sweet brothers, know ye not
Our age is ended here? To-night our flight must be.’
Then sorrow for their fate fell on the sons of Lir,
‘We were still men,’ they said, ‘here dwelling with our kin.’
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