 | Blanid |  |
105
THE TAKING OF MANA.
Said Mora in the garden, “He is gone!
But fear thou not, for in the hall to-day
As the great storm subsided, I asked one
About thy love who in the ambush lay,
And he replied, ‘Some bright God by the Sun
Sent down to earth he seemed, as in the ray
Of lightning he rushed through us, and his shout
Worse than the thunder was and storm's wild rout!’
But fear thou not, for in the hall to-day
As the great storm subsided, I asked one
About thy love who in the ambush lay,
And he replied, ‘Some bright God by the Sun
Sent down to earth he seemed, as in the ray
Of lightning he rushed through us, and his shout
Worse than the thunder was and storm's wild rout!’
106
“What think'st thou now of love?” Then Blanid kept
Her glance fixed on the ground awhile, and wrung
Her lovely hands, and with wild passion wept
As though her heart would burst, but from her tongue
No answer came; while Mora nigh her crept
And kissed her cheek and said, “The bards have sung
Thy fame throughout the world, and thinkest thou
That he'll forget? that he forsakes thee now?
Her glance fixed on the ground awhile, and wrung
Her lovely hands, and with wild passion wept
As though her heart would burst, but from her tongue
No answer came; while Mora nigh her crept
And kissed her cheek and said, “The bards have sung
Thy fame throughout the world, and thinkest thou
That he'll forget? that he forsakes thee now?
“I know not love, but yet I know fond eyes!
And each sad morn when thou from him didst part,
O mistress fair, I marked his tear-drops rise
And his great bosom heave, and saw him dart
Sweet glances back on thee; and as for sighs,
He sighed as doth the merchant for his mart
Of jewels, when 'mid wrath and pillage born
The robbers come and leave him all forlorn.
And each sad morn when thou from him didst part,
O mistress fair, I marked his tear-drops rise
And his great bosom heave, and saw him dart
Sweet glances back on thee; and as for sighs,
He sighed as doth the merchant for his mart
Of jewels, when 'mid wrath and pillage born
The robbers come and leave him all forlorn.
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“Who sighs like him will ne'er his love desert,
But, like my brother, when his bride he sought,
The fair Brigantian, Nera;—as thou wert
These days she was, she loved him, till she brought
Upon his head her father's ire;—begirt
For war my brother sailed the sea and fought
For love and Nera, and with sword and fire
And fifty galleys reft her from her sire.
But, like my brother, when his bride he sought,
The fair Brigantian, Nera;—as thou wert
These days she was, she loved him, till she brought
Upon his head her father's ire;—begirt
For war my brother sailed the sea and fought
For love and Nera, and with sword and fire
And fifty galleys reft her from her sire.
“So he will come and take thee, and when I,
In other days, shall grow to womanhood,
Some lovely lord with heart and courage high
May spread his sails and plough the salty flood
And win me for his bride, and when I die
May weep for me!” Then up the bright one stood,
Folding the Chatterer in her fondling arms,
Half comforted and cured of love's alarms.
In other days, shall grow to womanhood,
Some lovely lord with heart and courage high
May spread his sails and plough the salty flood
And win me for his bride, and when I die
May weep for me!” Then up the bright one stood,
Folding the Chatterer in her fondling arms,
Half comforted and cured of love's alarms.
108
And still increased her fame: on wingèd feet
Rumor danced round the world with cap and bells,
Jangling his foolish music wild and sweet
All in her praise, from courts where empire dwells
In glory, to the babbling village street,
Casting o'er all a glamour of strange spells,
Till no man's head or heart or soul was free,
And the world bound in love's strong slavery.
Rumor danced round the world with cap and bells,
Jangling his foolish music wild and sweet
All in her praise, from courts where empire dwells
In glory, to the babbling village street,
Casting o'er all a glamour of strange spells,
Till no man's head or heart or soul was free,
And the world bound in love's strong slavery.
Then rose throughout the lands a threatening hum,
Man's savage growl to taste forbidden fruit,
And those who in her presence erst were dumb,
Or wooed her with sweet songs of harp and lute,
Now set their passions free,—grew venturesome
With bloody sword and spear to press their suit,
And leagued and schemed till their invading sails
Shadowed the deep and swallowed all the gales.
Man's savage growl to taste forbidden fruit,
And those who in her presence erst were dumb,
Or wooed her with sweet songs of harp and lute,
Now set their passions free,—grew venturesome
With bloody sword and spear to press their suit,
And leagued and schemed till their invading sails
Shadowed the deep and swallowed all the gales.
109
And like thick flocks of gulls that from afar
Strain landward in white myriads when the storms
Out on the ocean wage their thundering war,
From northern coasts the slant sun scarcely warms,
From east and west, from 'neath the southern star,
From continent and sea-beat isle, in swarms,
With sails spread wide and pennons flying gay,
The mustering ships thronged bright Dun Dalgan's bay.
Strain landward in white myriads when the storms
Out on the ocean wage their thundering war,
From northern coasts the slant sun scarcely warms,
From east and west, from 'neath the southern star,
From continent and sea-beat isle, in swarms,
With sails spread wide and pennons flying gay,
The mustering ships thronged bright Dun Dalgan's bay.
From far Hispanian mountain crests that lower
Over the wallowing bay of Biscany,
Batanjos came with all his vassal power
In twelve long galleys laboring up the sea,
His prow a Wolf, his ensign a high Tower,
His men in armor glittering barbarously;
Fierce were their looks and savage was their speech
Like growling of wild waves on Lora's beach.
Over the wallowing bay of Biscany,
Batanjos came with all his vassal power
In twelve long galleys laboring up the sea,
His prow a Wolf, his ensign a high Tower,
His men in armor glittering barbarously;
Fierce were their looks and savage was their speech
Like growling of wild waves on Lora's beach.
110
Next from strong Gallia's shores Toutillos came
Whose conquering sword oft crossed the Roman blade.
The heart that throbbed within his mighty frame
Was love-sick now at thought of that fair maid;
His followers trod the decks with eyes of flame,
And flashing arms, and heavy helms arrayed
With head-skins of great beasts whose gorgon look
The weak beholder's heart with terror shook.
Whose conquering sword oft crossed the Roman blade.
The heart that throbbed within his mighty frame
Was love-sick now at thought of that fair maid;
His followers trod the decks with eyes of flame,
And flashing arms, and heavy helms arrayed
With head-skins of great beasts whose gorgon look
The weak beholder's heart with terror shook.
From where the Sea Ploughers bored the glistening sod
For ores by toppling crags of Cornuaille,
Stout Penon came with ensign flying broad
And gilded pine-tree mast and silken sail
Phœnician-like; the lord of Guydilod,
Mathonwy, in his plumes and painted mail,
Across the tumbling waves behind him bore
With seven tall ships from wild Brigantia's shore.
For ores by toppling crags of Cornuaille,
Stout Penon came with ensign flying broad
And gilded pine-tree mast and silken sail
Phœnician-like; the lord of Guydilod,
Mathonwy, in his plumes and painted mail,
Across the tumbling waves behind him bore
With seven tall ships from wild Brigantia's shore.
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Like a fierce sea-hawk from its savage nest,
Down from the woody shores of Caledon,
Dara was there in ruffling tartans drest
With shining eagle plumes his helm upon;
With him five chiefs the self-same amorous quest
Sought from their windy homes where billows run
With ceaseless clamor loud before the breeze
Of Orkney and the wave-worn Hebrides.
Down from the woody shores of Caledon,
Dara was there in ruffling tartans drest
With shining eagle plumes his helm upon;
With him five chiefs the self-same amorous quest
Sought from their windy homes where billows run
With ceaseless clamor loud before the breeze
Of Orkney and the wave-worn Hebrides.
From stern Norwegian valleys, well bedight
In armor of stout bull-hide studded o'er
With scale of brass and boss of silver bright,
Tall Broder came with nine ships, and the shore
Resounded like strong thunder in the night,
As his fierce followers with loud uproar
Leaped from the bulwarks knee-deep in the wave,
And to the strand in long lines shouting drave.
In armor of stout bull-hide studded o'er
With scale of brass and boss of silver bright,
Tall Broder came with nine ships, and the shore
Resounded like strong thunder in the night,
As his fierce followers with loud uproar
Leaped from the bulwarks knee-deep in the wave,
And to the strand in long lines shouting drave.
112
And Erin sent her lords and chiefs of pride,
Their valiant hearts by love's enchantment led,
From coasts where morn salutes Kilmantan's side,
To Mizzen and Kinsala's ancient head;
From west and north, to where with sunset dyed,
Ben Borka seeks the stars o'er ocean's bed,
And inland from the mighty flood that drains
Heberian hills and Heremonian plains.
Their valiant hearts by love's enchantment led,
From coasts where morn salutes Kilmantan's side,
To Mizzen and Kinsala's ancient head;
From west and north, to where with sunset dyed,
Ben Borka seeks the stars o'er ocean's bed,
And inland from the mighty flood that drains
Heberian hills and Heremonian plains.
Now on the gathered ships slow fell the night,
And the sky oped o'er earth her jewelled page,
And in Dun Dalgan's hall of festive light
The thronging warriors met for council sage;
Over their heads the white lamps glittered bright
On arms that oft had stemmed the battle's rage,
On brazen harnesses and helms of gold
And flags and trophies of the days of old.
And the sky oped o'er earth her jewelled page,
And in Dun Dalgan's hall of festive light
The thronging warriors met for council sage;
Over their heads the white lamps glittered bright
On arms that oft had stemmed the battle's rage,
On brazen harnesses and helms of gold
And flags and trophies of the days of old.
113
And fast the goblets flowed, and clear and sweet
The minstrels on their harps began to play,
While heroic poems' flowing rhythmic feet
Danced from their mouths, and many a shorter lay
Of love was sung with heavenly joy would greet
The dullest ear, till in his bright array
Of war upstood the Gaul, Toutillos strong,
And thus in soldier's words addressed the throng:—
The minstrels on their harps began to play,
While heroic poems' flowing rhythmic feet
Danced from their mouths, and many a shorter lay
Of love was sung with heavenly joy would greet
The dullest ear, till in his bright array
Of war upstood the Gaul, Toutillos strong,
And thus in soldier's words addressed the throng:—
“Comrades! some hero must command this quest
Over us all for high achievement good,
Some man of wondrous soul whom all the rest
Can follow, and, if fate wills, wade through blood
For honor and for love; and in my breast
On the high place one hero long hath stood,
Brighter than all by fame's effulgence lit,
Cuhullin, in whose bannered hall we sit!”
Over us all for high achievement good,
Some man of wondrous soul whom all the rest
Can follow, and, if fate wills, wade through blood
For honor and for love; and in my breast
On the high place one hero long hath stood,
Brighter than all by fame's effulgence lit,
Cuhullin, in whose bannered hall we sit!”
114
Then turned he to Dun Dalgan's lord. “To thee,
Strongest of heroes, prince of high renown,
And topmost flower of valor's stately tree,
I give my voice, and droop my pennon down;
Her father was thy dead sire's enemy,
Then do thou lead, and bright success shall crown
Our enterprise!” And through the echoing hall
Assent the heroes shouted one and all.
Strongest of heroes, prince of high renown,
And topmost flower of valor's stately tree,
I give my voice, and droop my pennon down;
Her father was thy dead sire's enemy,
Then do thou lead, and bright success shall crown
Our enterprise!” And through the echoing hall
Assent the heroes shouted one and all.
Now stately rose Cuhullin: “O brave peers,
I may not say ye nay, the more that I
Have seen her, that these glad, enraptured ears
Heard her delightful voice in days gone by;
But ere we win her, many a grove of spears
And many a man and cloven shield shall lie
Along the smoking breaches as we cross
With victor feet her castle's circling fosse!”
I may not say ye nay, the more that I
Have seen her, that these glad, enraptured ears
Heard her delightful voice in days gone by;
But ere we win her, many a grove of spears
And many a man and cloven shield shall lie
Along the smoking breaches as we cross
With victor feet her castle's circling fosse!”
115
And so it fell that ere the jewels red
That deck Dawn's golden sandals lit the sky,
Raising the anchors from their oozy bed
The sailors their strong cables 'gan to ply.
And as the sun upraised his burning head
Over the bulging waves, afar and nigh,
Scattered along the breezy waters free,
The great fleet sailed for Mana of the Sea.
That deck Dawn's golden sandals lit the sky,
Raising the anchors from their oozy bed
The sailors their strong cables 'gan to ply.
And as the sun upraised his burning head
Over the bulging waves, afar and nigh,
Scattered along the breezy waters free,
The great fleet sailed for Mana of the Sea.
Deep in a vale the Hold of Mana stood,
Where many a dell with falling streamlets rang,
Where trees their blossomy raiments from each wood
Flaunted, and all day long the wild-birds sang;
Yet not so far from Ocean's restless flood
But one might smell the salt and hear the clang
Of sea-birds and the muffled sound of waves
Rumbling in hollow thunder through the caves.
Where many a dell with falling streamlets rang,
Where trees their blossomy raiments from each wood
Flaunted, and all day long the wild-birds sang;
Yet not so far from Ocean's restless flood
But one might smell the salt and hear the clang
Of sea-birds and the muffled sound of waves
Rumbling in hollow thunder through the caves.
116
Far other sounds that castle soon shall hear
Than songs of birds and murmurs of sweet streams,
From iron rams' rock-splintering, ponderous gear,
From catapults' loud-clashing chains and beams;
Yet little does the old King fret or fear,
But sits from day to day like one in dreams
Of great exploits and actions to be done
When the strong leaguer draws his hold upon.
Than songs of birds and murmurs of sweet streams,
From iron rams' rock-splintering, ponderous gear,
From catapults' loud-clashing chains and beams;
Yet little does the old King fret or fear,
But sits from day to day like one in dreams
Of great exploits and actions to be done
When the strong leaguer draws his hold upon.
What should he fear within his lordly hold,
Through middle air by magic might uphurled,
Built by his foresire, Mananan, of old,
A wonder and a glory to the world?
Three giant walls its broad girth did enfold,
Three shining fosses like great serpents curled
Between them, by three brazen bridges spanned,
With brazen gates wrought by no earthly hand.
Through middle air by magic might uphurled,
Built by his foresire, Mananan, of old,
A wonder and a glory to the world?
Three giant walls its broad girth did enfold,
Three shining fosses like great serpents curled
Between them, by three brazen bridges spanned,
With brazen gates wrought by no earthly hand.
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'Tween the two outward fosses and high walls
Laughing in light the lovely garden spread,
One fair expanse of bloom, with waterfalls
And singing runnels from the fountain fed;
There lived no noisome thing that creeps or crawls,
There glad birds sang with notes would wake the dead,
And flowers of every clime and every hue
In nurtured bed or glade of wildness grew.
Laughing in light the lovely garden spread,
One fair expanse of bloom, with waterfalls
And singing runnels from the fountain fed;
There lived no noisome thing that creeps or crawls,
There glad birds sang with notes would wake the dead,
And flowers of every clime and every hue
In nurtured bed or glade of wildness grew.
High o'er the towered walls twelve faces bright
To the green woods that castle did display,
Whereon the figures of the Months were dight
With cunning art in wonderful array;—
There was chill January clad in white,
And February sullen, cold and gray,
And March would through the budding green-woods go,
A blustering boy with bright face all aglow.
To the green woods that castle did display,
Whereon the figures of the Months were dight
With cunning art in wonderful array;—
There was chill January clad in white,
And February sullen, cold and gray,
And March would through the budding green-woods go,
A blustering boy with bright face all aglow.
118
There April stepped the daisied pastures through
In azure gown with girlish smile most sweet,
Pale pansies, primroses, and violets blue
Sprang up where'er she set her dainty feet;
And May, her laughing sister,—seemed she flew
Over the spangled meads in joy to greet
Bright June, the lovely queen of all the flowers,
Enthroned amid her ever-blooming bowers.
In azure gown with girlish smile most sweet,
Pale pansies, primroses, and violets blue
Sprang up where'er she set her dainty feet;
And May, her laughing sister,—seemed she flew
Over the spangled meads in joy to greet
Bright June, the lovely queen of all the flowers,
Enthroned amid her ever-blooming bowers.
And there was strong July, the lusty swain,
Knee-deep amidst the new-mown meadow grass,
And August, jolly farmer, on his wain
Of golden corn by orchards ripe did pass,
One hand upon the poppy-wreathèd rein,
One beckoning to a brown-cheeked country lass,
Buxom September, bright-eyed, rose-lipped, clad
In russet not too gay and not too sad.
Knee-deep amidst the new-mown meadow grass,
And August, jolly farmer, on his wain
Of golden corn by orchards ripe did pass,
One hand upon the poppy-wreathèd rein,
One beckoning to a brown-cheeked country lass,
Buxom September, bright-eyed, rose-lipped, clad
In russet not too gay and not too sad.
119
Next like the remnant of a kingly man
October 'mid the brown woods brooding came;
Him followed, as though 'neath some withering ban,
November sour, a wrinkled spitfire dame,
Then he whose steps had reached life's farthest span,
Hoary December, wheezing, hobbling, lame,
Bent double o'er his crutch and very lean,
And all but dead from palsy, pains, and spleen!
October 'mid the brown woods brooding came;
Him followed, as though 'neath some withering ban,
November sour, a wrinkled spitfire dame,
Then he whose steps had reached life's farthest span,
Hoary December, wheezing, hobbling, lame,
Bent double o'er his crutch and very lean,
And all but dead from palsy, pains, and spleen!
High towering o'er these wondrous imageries
Shot up a world of gilded dome and vane,
Pinnet and fretted roof, like phantasies
That run at full moon through a madman's brain;
And could you through its crystal galleries
And golden halls and bowers hear fitting strain,
One long-drawn dream of glory none could tell
Would hold you many an hour beneath its spell!
Shot up a world of gilded dome and vane,
Pinnet and fretted roof, like phantasies
That run at full moon through a madman's brain;
And could you through its crystal galleries
And golden halls and bowers hear fitting strain,
One long-drawn dream of glory none could tell
Would hold you many an hour beneath its spell!
120
Within the garden on the fragrant grass
Sat Blanid with her bower-maid at the noon
Of a still day, and made the fond hours pass
With talk of love, the ever-living boon
Of the almighty Gods, that yet, alas!
Oft treads upon our souls with angry shoon;
And Blanid said, “I know, howe'er it be,
That some great horror now approacheth me!
Sat Blanid with her bower-maid at the noon
Of a still day, and made the fond hours pass
With talk of love, the ever-living boon
Of the almighty Gods, that yet, alas!
Oft treads upon our souls with angry shoon;
And Blanid said, “I know, howe'er it be,
That some great horror now approacheth me!
“Rumor is busy now, and tells his tale
This way and that, how 'cross the heaving brine
For Mana's shore each ship of war doth sail
That e'er was built; and what joy can be mine,
Well knowing that ev'n here shall rise our wail
Some day for my sire's loss, that we shall pine
Captives of some dread lord whose looks shall lower
And slay us as the east wind slays the flower?”
This way and that, how 'cross the heaving brine
For Mana's shore each ship of war doth sail
That e'er was built; and what joy can be mine,
Well knowing that ev'n here shall rise our wail
Some day for my sire's loss, that we shall pine
Captives of some dread lord whose looks shall lower
And slay us as the east wind slays the flower?”
121
“What fearest thou,” said Mora, “of thy doom?
The minstrels sing thy lover's praises loud;
One look from his kind eyes will chase the gloom
That chills thy heart. Remember ye are vowed
Soul unto soul forever. He will come,
And, like the royal eagle from the cloud
'Midst little hawks contending for the prey,
He'll swoop and bear thee to his home away!”
The minstrels sing thy lover's praises loud;
One look from his kind eyes will chase the gloom
That chills thy heart. Remember ye are vowed
Soul unto soul forever. He will come,
And, like the royal eagle from the cloud
'Midst little hawks contending for the prey,
He'll swoop and bear thee to his home away!”
But nathless Blanid wept, and in her grief
Asked for the lute, and said, “To yonder dell
Go thou and bring me dewy flower and leaf
Of roses, that unwitnessed I may tell
Some thoughts unto my love, for no reprief
My heart has in his absence!” By the well
She sat alone, her blue eyes filled with tears,
And sang unto her love her hopes and fears:—
Asked for the lute, and said, “To yonder dell
Go thou and bring me dewy flower and leaf
Of roses, that unwitnessed I may tell
Some thoughts unto my love, for no reprief
My heart has in his absence!” By the well
She sat alone, her blue eyes filled with tears,
And sang unto her love her hopes and fears:—
122
SONG.
“I walk in dreams 'mid heavenly hills,
I hear the music of their rills,
Their wild-birds sing, their zephyrs play,
In greenwoods of eternal May.
I hear the music of their rills,
Their wild-birds sing, their zephyrs play,
In greenwoods of eternal May.
“I see their morn and sunset gleams
Far glittering over lakes and streams,
Where happy spirits born to love
Disport by fragrant bank and grove.
Far glittering over lakes and streams,
Where happy spirits born to love
Disport by fragrant bank and grove.
“Amidst those spirits everywhere,
By lake and stream and forest fair,
With gladsome heart, with sweet surprise,
I see thee and thy smiling eyes.
By lake and stream and forest fair,
With gladsome heart, with sweet surprise,
I see thee and thy smiling eyes.
“And as I feel thy radiant glance,
My fears retreat, my hopes advance,
The hemlock, grief, hath lost its bane,
The rose of joy is mine again.
My fears retreat, my hopes advance,
The hemlock, grief, hath lost its bane,
The rose of joy is mine again.
“Then oh! perchance these visions come
As messengers from some fair home,
Some world of bliss and constancy
Bright after death for you and me!”
As messengers from some fair home,
Some world of bliss and constancy
Bright after death for you and me!”
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“O love! O love!” she cried, “couldst thou stand by us
On the dark day of doom that comes so fast,
In glorious wage of war the world might try us
And reap defeat and ruin, and, aghast
With terror at thy hand of valor, fly us,
But ah! my sire, relentless to the last!
He will not see my tears, or hear thy suit,
But thirsts for vengeance and war's bitter fruit!”
On the dark day of doom that comes so fast,
In glorious wage of war the world might try us
And reap defeat and ruin, and, aghast
With terror at thy hand of valor, fly us,
But ah! my sire, relentless to the last!
He will not see my tears, or hear thy suit,
But thirsts for vengeance and war's bitter fruit!”
By this young Mora from the dell of flowers
Came with one hand beneath her robe, and said,
“I've roamed and searched around the white-rose bowers
But found none fit for thee, nor through the red:
At last I reached a sward of sun and showers
Whereshone these lovely blooms I brought instead,
These gems that deck the garden's fairy spots,
Wild hyacinths and sweet forget-me-nots.”
Came with one hand beneath her robe, and said,
“I've roamed and searched around the white-rose bowers
But found none fit for thee, nor through the red:
At last I reached a sward of sun and showers
Whereshone these lovely blooms I brought instead,
These gems that deck the garden's fairy spots,
Wild hyacinths and sweet forget-me-nots.”
124
And then she bared her nimble hand and laughed,
And, holding up the flowers, said, “Here they are!
These blue-bells, in the gentle poet's craft
Emblems of constancy, and, dearer far,
These beautiful forget-me-nots that quaffed
The cool dew when the blinking morning star
Rose o'er the hill! Here, take them, and be sure
As that thou'lt kiss them his love will endure!”
And, holding up the flowers, said, “Here they are!
These blue-bells, in the gentle poet's craft
Emblems of constancy, and, dearer far,
These beautiful forget-me-nots that quaffed
The cool dew when the blinking morning star
Rose o'er the hill! Here, take them, and be sure
As that thou'lt kiss them his love will endure!”
And Blanid took the flowers and in their bloom
Buried her rosy mouth. “Ah! well I see,”
Then Mora cried, “how thy bright eyes illume
One for remembrance, one for constancy!
But sit thee down. No more of grief and gloom!
Give me the lute and I will sing to thee
The song that Tiernan made for me and taught me
With the first bright forget-me-nots he brought me!
Buried her rosy mouth. “Ah! well I see,”
Then Mora cried, “how thy bright eyes illume
One for remembrance, one for constancy!
But sit thee down. No more of grief and gloom!
Give me the lute and I will sing to thee
The song that Tiernan made for me and taught me
With the first bright forget-me-nots he brought me!
125
FORGET ME NOT.
“The East Wind sprang into a lovely place,
And cried, ‘I'll slay the flowers and leave no trace
Of all their blooming in this happy spot!’
And, as before his breath the sweet flowers died,
One little bright-eyed blossom moaned and cried,
‘O woods! forget me not! forget me not!
And cried, ‘I'll slay the flowers and leave no trace
Of all their blooming in this happy spot!’
And, as before his breath the sweet flowers died,
One little bright-eyed blossom moaned and cried,
‘O woods! forget me not! forget me not!
“‘O woods of waving trees! O living streams!
In all your noontide joys and starry dreams,
Let me, for love, let me be unforgot!
O birds that sing your carols while I die,
O list to me! O hear my piteous cry!
Forget me not! alas! forget me not!’
In all your noontide joys and starry dreams,
Let me, for love, let me be unforgot!
O birds that sing your carols while I die,
O list to me! O hear my piteous cry!
Forget me not! alas! forget me not!’
“And the Gods heard her plaint and swept away
The bitter-fanged, strong East Wind from his prey,
And smiled upon the flower and changed her lot,
So now that, as we mark her azure leaf,
We think of life and love and parting grief,
And sigh, ‘Forget me not! forget me not!’”
The bitter-fanged, strong East Wind from his prey,
And smiled upon the flower and changed her lot,
So now that, as we mark her azure leaf,
We think of life and love and parting grief,
And sigh, ‘Forget me not! forget me not!’”
126
And thus the hours were passed, while to their shore
Over the waters wide the ships drew near,
Propelled by favoring wind and sturdy oar
And thronged with valiant hearts that knew not fear,
Plying, as to some stricken field of gore
The prey-birds haste from rocks and deserts drear,
With hungry eyes and eager wings outspread,
To raven and to batten on the dead!
Over the waters wide the ships drew near,
Propelled by favoring wind and sturdy oar
And thronged with valiant hearts that knew not fear,
Plying, as to some stricken field of gore
The prey-birds haste from rocks and deserts drear,
With hungry eyes and eager wings outspread,
To raven and to batten on the dead!
'Mongst wonders told by hardy sailor folk
Who from hot climes their way of peril win,
Some monstrous spider, just as morn has broke,
O'er a cave's mouth his treacherous web doth spin,
To wrap round robber wasps the fatal yoke,
And flies and gilded gnats to catch therein,
So sat the old King in his halls and planned
Death to the coming raiders of his land!
Who from hot climes their way of peril win,
Some monstrous spider, just as morn has broke,
O'er a cave's mouth his treacherous web doth spin,
To wrap round robber wasps the fatal yoke,
And flies and gilded gnats to catch therein,
So sat the old King in his halls and planned
Death to the coming raiders of his land!
127
At length it happed that, as one morn he chose
To view his manned walls, with sour look and fell
He saw the glancing banners of his foes
Rising and falling with the ocean swell
Over the bay, and, as next morn arose,
From clouds of dust that choked the forest dell
Flashed hostile sword and helm and bright cuirass
And many an iron spear and shield of brass!
To view his manned walls, with sour look and fell
He saw the glancing banners of his foes
Rising and falling with the ocean swell
Over the bay, and, as next morn arose,
From clouds of dust that choked the forest dell
Flashed hostile sword and helm and bright cuirass
And many an iron spear and shield of brass!
And like some orient grove that all in bloom
Nods its tall blossoms to the swaying breeze,
With myriad mantles gay, with crest and plume,
With fluttering flags and war's best braveries,
Emerging from the dusky valley's womb,
From forest path and pass, his enemies
Over the open meads, far shining, wound,
Encompassing his stronghold round and round!
Nods its tall blossoms to the swaying breeze,
With myriad mantles gay, with crest and plume,
With fluttering flags and war's best braveries,
Emerging from the dusky valley's womb,
From forest path and pass, his enemies
Over the open meads, far shining, wound,
Encompassing his stronghold round and round!
128
Ere the hot sun had set, their ordered camp,
White tent and silk pavilion, gleamed like gold
Smit by his rays, and tramp re-echoed tramp
Of sentinels around the glittering wold;
And on the castle walls, when rose night's lamp,
Her silvery rays glimmered with radiance cold
On swords and spear-points thick as autumn corn
Ready for fight and waiting for the morn.
White tent and silk pavilion, gleamed like gold
Smit by his rays, and tramp re-echoed tramp
Of sentinels around the glittering wold;
And on the castle walls, when rose night's lamp,
Her silvery rays glimmered with radiance cold
On swords and spear-points thick as autumn corn
Ready for fight and waiting for the morn.
And when the next sun's life-inspiring rays
Smote the moist meads and dried the pearly dew,
A herald, his gay tabard all ablaze
With broideries rich, slow toward the castle drew
And halted nigh the fosse, his fearless gaze
Bent on the foe awhile; then shrilly blew
His trumpeter three warning blasts, and then
He spoke his message unto Mana's men.
Smote the moist meads and dried the pearly dew,
A herald, his gay tabard all ablaze
With broideries rich, slow toward the castle drew
And halted nigh the fosse, his fearless gaze
Bent on the foe awhile; then shrilly blew
His trumpeter three warning blasts, and then
He spoke his message unto Mana's men.
129
Prompt to the message came the thundering clang
Of a great arblast's chain, and then down bore
A bolt that through the bright air whizzed and sang,
And nigh their feet the sunny greensward tore;—
High o'er the grass the trumpeter upsprang
And turned his back and fled in panic sore,
The haughty herald pacing slow behind
With stately step and unperturbèd mind!
Of a great arblast's chain, and then down bore
A bolt that through the bright air whizzed and sang,
And nigh their feet the sunny greensward tore;—
High o'er the grass the trumpeter upsprang
And turned his back and fled in panic sore,
The haughty herald pacing slow behind
With stately step and unperturbèd mind!
Whereat, along the weapon-bristling walls
Pealed a great laugh that made the valleys ring,
And from the camp uprose the captains' calls,
With clash of arms and noise of marshalling,
Till from the forest's sunny intervals
Out rushed the hosts in long lines glittering,
With shout and threatening clang, and many a note
Defiant from the trumpet's brazen throat.
Pealed a great laugh that made the valleys ring,
And from the camp uprose the captains' calls,
With clash of arms and noise of marshalling,
Till from the forest's sunny intervals
Out rushed the hosts in long lines glittering,
With shout and threatening clang, and many a note
Defiant from the trumpet's brazen throat.
130
Then javelins sang their death-songs as they flew
With sharp, shrill clangor swift from foes to foes,
And clouds of feathered darts obscured the blue,
Huge engines thundered and great cries arose;
And louder and more wild the clamor grew,
As when a storm at morn begins and blows
With gathering fury, till, ere night's dull shade,
The tall trees of the forest low are laid.
With sharp, shrill clangor swift from foes to foes,
And clouds of feathered darts obscured the blue,
Huge engines thundered and great cries arose;
And louder and more wild the clamor grew,
As when a storm at morn begins and blows
With gathering fury, till, ere night's dull shade,
The tall trees of the forest low are laid.
So fought they, till the broad fosse deep and calm
Was bridged with dead, and o'er that weapon-gored
And ghastly ridge, the incessant thundering ram
A yawning breach through the outward ballium bored:
Then towering o'er his men, as towers a palm
O'er the tall forest-trees, Dun Dalgan's lord
Shouted his battle-cry, and with firm tread
The fierce assault o'er the red ruin led.
Was bridged with dead, and o'er that weapon-gored
And ghastly ridge, the incessant thundering ram
A yawning breach through the outward ballium bored:
Then towering o'er his men, as towers a palm
O'er the tall forest-trees, Dun Dalgan's lord
Shouted his battle-cry, and with firm tread
The fierce assault o'er the red ruin led.
131
High were their valiant hearts as they rushed in
And planked the second fosse with small delay,
Haling between them the remorseless gin
That through the second ballium tore its way;
Then rose above the high walls such a din
As thunder makes, when on an autumn day
The trembling wanderer hears its earthquake tone
Rattling behind the ridgy hills of stone.
And planked the second fosse with small delay,
Haling between them the remorseless gin
That through the second ballium tore its way;
Then rose above the high walls such a din
As thunder makes, when on an autumn day
The trembling wanderer hears its earthquake tone
Rattling behind the ridgy hills of stone.
Hard fought the heroes in that bold attack
With all that men could do of bravery:
Twice were they driven the bloody breaches back,
Thrice inward drave as rolls Toth's plunging sea
'Tween Skerry's Rocks, and with hearts nothing slack
Of valiance, breast to breast, and knee to knee,
Fighting they held the vantage they had won,
Till on the turmoil sank the blood-red sun.
With all that men could do of bravery:
Twice were they driven the bloody breaches back,
Thrice inward drave as rolls Toth's plunging sea
'Tween Skerry's Rocks, and with hearts nothing slack
Of valiance, breast to breast, and knee to knee,
Fighting they held the vantage they had won,
Till on the turmoil sank the blood-red sun.
132
As a young vestal with the sacred flame
Lights the gemmed arches of some temple dome,
The moon from pearl-bright bowers then upward came,
Flooding the heavens with light as on she clomb:
On hills and lakes and woods she writ her name,
Queen of repose, and her calm smiles brought home
Quiet to marshalled camp and guarded hold,
Till Morn awoke and shook her locks of gold.
Lights the gemmed arches of some temple dome,
The moon from pearl-bright bowers then upward came,
Flooding the heavens with light as on she clomb:
On hills and lakes and woods she writ her name,
Queen of repose, and her calm smiles brought home
Quiet to marshalled camp and guarded hold,
Till Morn awoke and shook her locks of gold.
Then rose again the clang, the shout, the cry
Of war from inward fosse and outward pale,
And fast again the arrowy showers did fly
From twanging bows thick as the rattling hail
From thundering cloud and lightning-litten sky,
And shields were split, and riven breast and mail
Gave forth the souls of heroes, till the night
Lowered o'er the woods, and still the clamorous fight
Of war from inward fosse and outward pale,
And fast again the arrowy showers did fly
From twanging bows thick as the rattling hail
From thundering cloud and lightning-litten sky,
And shields were split, and riven breast and mail
Gave forth the souls of heroes, till the night
Lowered o'er the woods, and still the clamorous fight
133
Raged round the castle with redoubled roar
Through all the long and lonesome hours of dark,
As roll Moyle's wallowing billows on the shore
Mixed with the mariners' cries; and still their mark
The axe and red glaive made of steaming gore
On many a hero's front, until the lark
Sang his thin song from heavenly meadows sweet
Bright with the radiance of Dawn's rosy feet.
Through all the long and lonesome hours of dark,
As roll Moyle's wallowing billows on the shore
Mixed with the mariners' cries; and still their mark
The axe and red glaive made of steaming gore
On many a hero's front, until the lark
Sang his thin song from heavenly meadows sweet
Bright with the radiance of Dawn's rosy feet.
And still the battle raged. Of great deeds done
By strong Toutillos, Penon, and their peers
What need to tell? How Mana's heroes won
High names of bright renown for after years;
How from the clashing catapults out spun
The whizzing bolts through groves of splintering spears,
Till the hot noon, when th' inner ballium broke
Before the cruel ram's earth-shaking stroke.
By strong Toutillos, Penon, and their peers
What need to tell? How Mana's heroes won
High names of bright renown for after years;
How from the clashing catapults out spun
The whizzing bolts through groves of splintering spears,
Till the hot noon, when th' inner ballium broke
Before the cruel ram's earth-shaking stroke.
134
Then, as Dun Dalgan's lord prepared to cross,
Beside the breach rose an unearthly sound
From a huge wheel gray with ten centuries' moss
That now 'gan turning slowly round and round,
Until the weeds and waters of the fosse
With ever-growing speed it churned and ground,
While round the echoing walls the watchword ran
Of “Gaily speed thy wheel, O Mananan!”
Beside the breach rose an unearthly sound
From a huge wheel gray with ten centuries' moss
That now 'gan turning slowly round and round,
Until the weeds and waters of the fosse
With ever-growing speed it churned and ground,
While round the echoing walls the watchword ran
Of “Gaily speed thy wheel, O Mananan!”
For there 'twas set in ages long gone by
By Mananan, the Ruler of the sea,
With many a magic rite the wall anigh,
Better than stone a triple fence to be,
And thus within they raised their triumph cry
To Mananan, and clashed their shields in glee
To see the wheel's tremendous vans below
Smite the red fosse with many a sounding blow;—
By Mananan, the Ruler of the sea,
With many a magic rite the wall anigh,
Better than stone a triple fence to be,
And thus within they raised their triumph cry
To Mananan, and clashed their shields in glee
To see the wheel's tremendous vans below
Smite the red fosse with many a sounding blow;—
135
To see the broad fosse once as smooth as glass
Driven in a tide no mortal power could stay,
That almost choked the shuddering bridge of brass
With whirling watery torrents white with spray!
It was a stream no living wight could pass,
And thus, as smote the sun's retiring ray
In red effulgence upon land and main
The heroes met for council once again.
Driven in a tide no mortal power could stay,
That almost choked the shuddering bridge of brass
With whirling watery torrents white with spray!
It was a stream no living wight could pass,
And thus, as smote the sun's retiring ray
In red effulgence upon land and main
The heroes met for council once again.
With fierce eyes full of baffled rage and care
And burning heart each hero told his need,
Till all had spoken, yet no man would dare
To tempt the magic tide's devouring speed;
Then 'midst them suddenly were they aware
Of a tall warrior clad in brazen weed,
Whose voice from out his hollow helmet broke
Like a strong torrent's rumbling as he spoke:—
And burning heart each hero told his need,
Till all had spoken, yet no man would dare
To tempt the magic tide's devouring speed;
Then 'midst them suddenly were they aware
Of a tall warrior clad in brazen weed,
Whose voice from out his hollow helmet broke
Like a strong torrent's rumbling as he spoke:—
136
“O valiant ones! the yawning breach is red
With many a brave man's blood, but all in vain,
For o'er the whirling moat may no man tread,
The castle's shield of safety and your bane!
Yet here am I, and by my father's head,
And by the Sun and Wind, I swear to gain
Your passage to the hold, if you decree
The brightest jewel there my choice to be!
With many a brave man's blood, but all in vain,
For o'er the whirling moat may no man tread,
The castle's shield of safety and your bane!
Yet here am I, and by my father's head,
And by the Sun and Wind, I swear to gain
Your passage to the hold, if you decree
The brightest jewel there my choice to be!
“See ye this magic spear? With its strong aid
Can we alone the castle overthrow;
By a great Danaan smith of old 't was made
With many a potent spell against the foe
And one against its master:—when its blade
Is raised to strike, and strikes not a sure blow,
Stayed by one thrill of fear, it hath the charm
To wither for a moon the coward arm.
Can we alone the castle overthrow;
By a great Danaan smith of old 't was made
With many a potent spell against the foe
And one against its master:—when its blade
Is raised to strike, and strikes not a sure blow,
Stayed by one thrill of fear, it hath the charm
To wither for a moon the coward arm.
137
“Then first at morn when the red sunbeams spring
O'er the whale's restless home, again fall on,
For I would hear the bolts of iron swing
From the strong arblasts, and the shout and groan
Of heroes, and the rattling javelins ring
On the hard mail, and crash of falling stone
From the high walls the earth around me shake,
To swell this heart such deed to undertake!”
O'er the whale's restless home, again fall on,
For I would hear the bolts of iron swing
From the strong arblasts, and the shout and groan
Of heroes, and the rattling javelins ring
On the hard mail, and crash of falling stone
From the high walls the earth around me shake,
To swell this heart such deed to undertake!”
And so it was: and as the earth was dight
By the glad Morn in robes of pearl and gold,
The great sun's eye unblinking saw the fight
Rage once again around that stubborn hold:
And myriad deeds were done of matchless might
In that stern fray, and myriad heroes bold
Slept the long glorious slumber of the brave
Beneath their earthen mounds by Mana's wave.
By the glad Morn in robes of pearl and gold,
The great sun's eye unblinking saw the fight
Rage once again around that stubborn hold:
And myriad deeds were done of matchless might
In that stern fray, and myriad heroes bold
Slept the long glorious slumber of the brave
Beneath their earthen mounds by Mana's wave.
138
There many a man's dim closing eye was cast
In wonder at the strange Knight's glittering form,
His spear-shaft sloped, like a tall galley's mast
Bent slantwise by the buffets of the storm,
As with grim frowning brows and footsteps fast
Along the breach with heroes' heart-blood warm,
'Mid showers of bolts and darts, like Crom the God
Of Thunder, toward the magic wheel he trod.
In wonder at the strange Knight's glittering form,
His spear-shaft sloped, like a tall galley's mast
Bent slantwise by the buffets of the storm,
As with grim frowning brows and footsteps fast
Along the breach with heroes' heart-blood warm,
'Mid showers of bolts and darts, like Crom the God
Of Thunder, toward the magic wheel he trod.
Now paused he for a space and looked, when, lo!
Between him and the fosse erstwhile so near,
There spread a stricken war-field, where the glow
Fell lurid upon broken sword and spear;
And from a reedy marsh a javelin's throw
Upon his right crept forth a thing of fear,
A serpent vast, with crested head, and coils
Would crush ten battle chargers. Like the spoils
Between him and the fosse erstwhile so near,
There spread a stricken war-field, where the glow
Fell lurid upon broken sword and spear;
And from a reedy marsh a javelin's throw
Upon his right crept forth a thing of fear,
A serpent vast, with crested head, and coils
Would crush ten battle chargers. Like the spoils
139
Of a great city gleamed his spotted back
As from the trembling reeds his volumes rolled,
Wide spread, approaching o'er the tangled wrack
Of battle, his bright head now flashing gold,
Now red, now green, now sapphire. On his track
The hero stood in wrath, and with firm hold
Raised high the spear that from his right hand sped
Down crashing through the monster's burnished head.
As from the trembling reeds his volumes rolled,
Wide spread, approaching o'er the tangled wrack
Of battle, his bright head now flashing gold,
Now red, now green, now sapphire. On his track
The hero stood in wrath, and with firm hold
Raised high the spear that from his right hand sped
Down crashing through the monster's burnished head.
As he plucked forth his spear and still strode on,
Out from behind a heap of slain there rose
A dreadful beast with eyes that gleamed and shone
In fury, like the eyes of one of those
Twin Dragons of the Strife that ever run
Beside the feet of Bava when she goes
From the bright Mount of Monad with the brand
Of war far flaring in her armèd hand.
Out from behind a heap of slain there rose
A dreadful beast with eyes that gleamed and shone
In fury, like the eyes of one of those
Twin Dragons of the Strife that ever run
Beside the feet of Bava when she goes
From the bright Mount of Monad with the brand
Of war far flaring in her armèd hand.
140
So flashed the beast's wild eyes, while o'er the dead
He rushed to meet his foe; as he drew nigh
Uprose the glittering shaft and spear-point dread
And then shot forth, and 'mid the fire-bright eye
Pierced him through brain and body, on the bed
Of war transfixing him; then rising high
The hero loosed his spear, and 'mid the slain
Left him still writhing, and strode forth again.
He rushed to meet his foe; as he drew nigh
Uprose the glittering shaft and spear-point dread
And then shot forth, and 'mid the fire-bright eye
Pierced him through brain and body, on the bed
Of war transfixing him; then rising high
The hero loosed his spear, and 'mid the slain
Left him still writhing, and strode forth again.
And, as he went, there rose at every rood
Some monster dire his onward course to stay
To the dread wheel, but through the demon brood
He fearless broke, until before him lay
A river whirling by of streaming blood.
Shouting he plunged therein, and made his way
Up the far bank, and raising high his spear
Strode onward still across that field of fear.
Some monster dire his onward course to stay
To the dread wheel, but through the demon brood
He fearless broke, until before him lay
A river whirling by of streaming blood.
Shouting he plunged therein, and made his way
Up the far bank, and raising high his spear
Strode onward still across that field of fear.
141
Then rose from off the blood-stained fern a shape
Tall, threatening, with a crown upon his head,
Bright clad in gold and brass from heel to nape
Of sturdy neck, and with a mantle red
Wind-blown, that let the dazzling flashes 'scape
Of the strong mail, as now with onward tread
He strode, and raised his giant arm in wrath,
To the great wheel to stop the hero's path;—
Tall, threatening, with a crown upon his head,
Bright clad in gold and brass from heel to nape
Of sturdy neck, and with a mantle red
Wind-blown, that let the dazzling flashes 'scape
Of the strong mail, as now with onward tread
He strode, and raised his giant arm in wrath,
To the great wheel to stop the hero's path;—
The hero who, now pausing, looked, and there
Under the crown saw his dead father's face
Approaching with fell frowning, ghastly stare
Against him: yet no whit the hero's pace
Was checked thereat;—on high his spear he bare
And pierced the Phantom's breast, and all the place
Was empty now, and by the fosse's marge
He felt the mortal arrows smite his targe.
Under the crown saw his dead father's face
Approaching with fell frowning, ghastly stare
Against him: yet no whit the hero's pace
Was checked thereat;—on high his spear he bare
And pierced the Phantom's breast, and all the place
Was empty now, and by the fosse's marge
He felt the mortal arrows smite his targe.
142
Then stood he like a tower and poised his spear,
And lightning-like the fateful weapon flung,
And lodged it in the wheel's loud-roaring gear,
Firm fixed in the huge plank whereon 'twas hung;—
No more the fosse whirled round with tide of fear,
No more the magic engine thundering rung:
Still as a frozen mill-wheel now it lay,
And through the last breach open was the way.
And lightning-like the fateful weapon flung,
And lodged it in the wheel's loud-roaring gear,
Firm fixed in the huge plank whereon 'twas hung;—
No more the fosse whirled round with tide of fear,
No more the magic engine thundering rung:
Still as a frozen mill-wheel now it lay,
And through the last breach open was the way.
No minstrel's tongue, or taught in heaven or hell,
Whate'er of pearls of price his harp adorn,
Howe'er his fingers touch the strings, could tell
The great deeds done upon that far-famed morn;
How amid heaps of slain the old King fell,
How to the wood the Bloom-bright One forlorn
And her fair maids were brought forth from the hold,
With all the treasures of bright gems and gold.
Whate'er of pearls of price his harp adorn,
Howe'er his fingers touch the strings, could tell
The great deeds done upon that far-famed morn;
How amid heaps of slain the old King fell,
How to the wood the Bloom-bright One forlorn
And her fair maids were brought forth from the hold,
With all the treasures of bright gems and gold.
| Blanid | |