Three Irish Bardic Tales Being Metrical Versions of the Three Tales known as The Three Sorrows of Story-telling. By John Todhunter |
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 | Three Irish Bardic Tales |  |
Dumb before Conchobar she stood, never more fair,
Never more proud. She looked at Naisi; and such love
Shone in her faithful eyes, that love and jealousy
Tore the King's heart in his breast. She looked at Conchobar
With such a fearless hate, that madness in his brain
Wrought murderously. ‘What peace or comfort shall I have,
Though I have her,’ he thought, ‘If still her lover live?’
And Deirdrè's face was flame within him, and burnt up
The memory of his vow to Cathvah, and all ruth
Went with his honour; rage seemed weak to glut revenge.
Never more proud. She looked at Naisi; and such love
Shone in her faithful eyes, that love and jealousy
Tore the King's heart in his breast. She looked at Conchobar
With such a fearless hate, that madness in his brain
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Though I have her,’ he thought, ‘If still her lover live?’
And Deirdrè's face was flame within him, and burnt up
The memory of his vow to Cathvah, and all ruth
Went with his honour; rage seemed weak to glut revenge.
| Three Irish Bardic Tales | |