 | Ballads of Irish chivalry |  |
167
WILL OF THE GAP.
I
In castle or town was there never a manCould handle a broadsword or empty a can,
Could glory in danger, whatever might hap,
Like the Outlaw of Sloragh, young Will of the Gap!
168
II
From his boot to his basnet was burnished so sheen,And his arm was so strong, and his sword was so keen;
And his brain was the brightest that e'er laid a trap
To catch the proud Saxon—young Will of the Gap.
III
Up rose in the morning the Ridderah Fionn,And spurred with his vassals by forest and down,
To catch Will asleep in the mountain's broad lap;
But the sleep of a fox slept young Will of the Gap!
IV
For he'd gathered his men ere the Ridderah knew,And he placed them in ambush by lone Rossarue:
“Now he thinks he will catch us just taking our nap,
But we'll open his eyes!” said young Will of the Gap.
V
The Ridderah rode with his wild vassals in,Till he reached the deep bosom of Rossa's lone glynn;—
“Now the Ridderah's caught in his own wily trap,
So blow up the trumpet!” cried Will of the Gap.
VI
The signal was blown, and the ambush behindAnd the ambush before thundered down like the wind,
And scarcely three vassals, to tell their mishap,
With the White Knight 'scaped free from young Will of the Gap!
| Ballads of Irish chivalry | |