 | Ballads of Irish chivalry |  |
232
THE CAILIN RUE.
I
When first I sought her by Cashin's water,Fond love I brought her, fond love I told;
At day's declining I found her twining
Her bright locks shining like red, red gold.
She raised her eyes then in sweet surprise then—
Ah! how unwise then such eyes to view!
For free they found me, but fast they bound me,
Love's chain around me for my Cailin Rue.
II
Fair flowers were blooming, the meads illuming,All fast assuming rich summer's pride,
And we were roving, truth's rapture proving,
Ah! fondly loving, by Cashin's side;
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Our hearts, that fonder each moment grew,
Till friends delighted such love requited,
And my hand was plighted to my Cailin Rue.
III
Ere May's bright weather o'er hill and heather,Sweet tuned together rang our bridal bells;
But at May's dying, on fate relying,
Fate left us sighing by Cashin's dells;
Oh! sadly perished the bliss we cherished!
But far lands flourished o'er the ocean blue,
So as June came burning I left Erin mourning,
No more returning with my Cailin Rue.
IV
Our ship went sailing with course unfailing,But black clouds trailing lowered o'er the main,
And its wild dirge singing, came the storm out springing,
That good ship flinging back, back again!
A sharp rock under tore her planks asunder,
While the sea in thunder swallowed wreck and crew;
One dark wave bore me where the coast towered o'er me,
But dead before me lay my Cailin Rue!
| Ballads of Irish chivalry | |