 | The Poems of Thomas Davis |  |
98
EMMELINE TALBOT.
A BALLAD OF THE PALE.
I
'Twas a September day—In Glenismole,
Emmeline Talbot lay
On a green knoll.
She was a lovely thing,
Fleet as a falcon's wing,
Only fifteen that spring—
Soft was her soul.
II
Danger and dreamless sleepMuch did she scorn,
And from her father's keep
Stole out that morn.
Towards Glenismole she hies;—
Sweetly the valley lies,
Winning the enterprise,—
No one to warn.
99
III
Till by the noon, at length,High in the vale,
Emmeline found her strength
Suddenly fail.
Panting, yet pleasantly,
By Dodder-side lay she—
Thrushes sang merrily,
“Hail, sister, hail!”
IV
Hazel and copse of oakMade a sweet lawn,
Out from the thicket broke
Rabbit and fawn.
Green were the eiscirs round,
Sweet was the river's sound,
Eastwards flat Cruach frowned,
South lay Sliabh Bân.
V
Looking round Barnakeel,Like a tall Moor
Full of impassioned zeal,
Peeped brown Kippure.
Dublin in feudal pride,
And many a hold beside,
Over Finn-ghaill preside—
Sentinels sure!
100
VI
Is that a roebuck's eyeGlares from the green?—
Is that a thrush's cry
Rings in the screen?
Mountaineers round her sprung,
Savage their speech and tongue,
Fierce was their chief and young—
Poor Emmeline!
VII
“Hurrah, 'tis Talbot's child,”Shouted the kerne,
“Off to the mountains wild,
Faire, O'Byrne!”
Like a bird in a net,
Strove the sweet maiden yet,
Praying and shrieking, “Let—
Let me return.”
VIII
After a moment's doubt,Forward he sprung,
With his sword flashing out—
Wrath on his tongue.
“Touch not a hair of her's—
Dies he, who finger stirs!”
Back fell his foragers—
To him she clung.
101
IX
Soothing the maiden's fears,Kneeling was he,
When burst old Talbot's spears
Out on the lea.
March-men, all staunch and stout,
Shoutíng their Belgard shout—
“Down with the Irish rout,
Prets d'accomplir.”
X
Taken thus unawares,Some fled amain—
Fighting like forest bears,
Others were slain.
To the chief clung the maid—
How could he use his blade?—
That night, upon him weighed
Fetter and chain.
XI
Oh! but that night was long,Lying forlorn,
Since, 'mid the wassail song,
These words were borne—
“Nathless your tears and cries,
Sure as the sun shall rise,
Connor O'Byrne dies,
Talbot has sworn.”
102
XII
Brightly on Tamhlacht hillFlashes the sun;
Strained at his window-sill,
How his eyes run
From lonely Sagart slade
Down to Tigh-bradán glade,
Landmarks of border raid,
Many a one.
XIII
Too well the captive knowsBelgard's main wall
Will, to his naked blows,
Shiver and fall,
Ere in his mountain hold
He shall again behold
Those whose proud hearts are cold,
Weeping his thrall.
XIV
“Oh! for a mountain side,Bucklers and brands!
Freely I could have died
Heading my bands,
But on a felon tree”—
Bearing a fetter key,
By him all silently
Emmeline stands.
103
XV
Late rose the castellan,He had drunk deep,—
Warder and serving-man
Still were asleep,—
Wide is the castle-gate,
Open the captive's grate,
Fetters disconsolate
Flung in a heap.
XVI
'Tis an October day,Close by Loch Dan
Many a creach lay,
Many a man.
'Mongst them, in gallant mien,
Connor O'Byrne's seen
Wedded to Emmeline,
Girt by his clan!
| The Poems of Thomas Davis | |