Dunluce Castle, A Poem :: :: University of Virginia Library

Dunluce Castle, A Poem

Edited by Sir Egerton Brydges

Quillinan, Edward (1791-1851)

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VII.

And now, perchance, McDonnel's child
Had in the cave been sought;
But, lo! with apprehension wild,
She comes, by Owen brought.
They've passed the square; they're on the bridge,
A precipice-o'er-hanging ridge;
That flings across its narrow wall,
And threats the careless walker's fall.
But there, they may not pass the guard,
By Caledonian sentries barr'd;

“And who are ye?” cried Owen then;
“And whence is this obstructive daring?
And where are all my Father's men,
The saffron-vested kerne of Erin?”
The mocking eyes; the hands of Scorn
Down pointed to the wave;
And larum-blast of bugle horn
Was all reply they gave:
It brought their Chief, that larum-blast;
He comes, he sees: a moment past,
In death the knees of Owen stagger;
His heart has felt McDonnel's dagger!

The only passage into the Castle lies along the top of a narrow wall, built in the form of a rude arch from the main land to the rock on which the Castle stands.