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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THE SECOND DUAN.
THE SWANS ON DERRYVARRAGH. |
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 | Three Irish Bardic Tales |  |
THE SECOND DUAN. THE SWANS ON DERRYVARRAGH.
Sorrowful is my song
Of songs most sorrowful,
The song of the doom of the Children of Lir.
Of songs most sorrowful,
The song of the doom of the Children of Lir.
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So from the Swans went Oifa, and cold slept in her heartRevenge's glutted snake; and to Bōv Derg she came.
Bōv Derg her coming marked, and starting from his place
Asked her: ‘Where are the children?’ She softly smiling, said:
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‘Strange madness works in Lir: his brow grew black in wrathWhen hither I would come. He loves not thee nor me.
No more his flock may rove out of his jealous eye,
Come to thee never more. I am weary, and would rest.’
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Thereat amazed, Bōv Derg laid ambush in his mind,Marking the witch's eye that glittered like a snake's
With inward fire, and felt a lurking evil there;
And sent to Lir, seeking the children in their home.
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Lir, when he heard, his wrath flaming from sudden dread,Took horse for the hill of Bōv, with visions by the way
Of Oifa's murderous mind; and schemed some vast revenge,
Rushing in flames of wrath by Derryvarragh Lough.
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The Swans beheld afar, and with a human wailOf song over the water, called on the name of Lir.
Pierced with their wistful sad melodious moan, sat Lir
Fumbling his rein, aghast, as wailing they drew nigh.
| Three Irish Bardic Tales | |