 | Blanid |  |
THE FLOWER FEAST IN MANA.
In Mana of the Sea there reigned a king
Far famed for valor and for treasures rare
Of gems and gold and many a precious thing
Bright as the stars in frosty midnight air;
One daughter dear he had, within the ring
Of the round world the fairest of the fair,
And through the lands the loud-tongued wind of fame
Blew far and near the bloom-bright Blanid's name.
Far famed for valor and for treasures rare
Of gems and gold and many a precious thing
Bright as the stars in frosty midnight air;
One daughter dear he had, within the ring
Of the round world the fairest of the fair,
And through the lands the loud-tongued wind of fame
Blew far and near the bloom-bright Blanid's name.
14
As in some regal garden a young rose
Buds into bloom 'neath fostering sun and wind,
And each successive day new beauty shows
Of leaf or stem beyond its lovely kind,
Till in the summer's midst it smiles and glows
Fairest of all with pearly dews refined,
So grew that lady peerless, pure and good,
To the first morn of perfect womanhood.
Buds into bloom 'neath fostering sun and wind,
And each successive day new beauty shows
Of leaf or stem beyond its lovely kind,
Till in the summer's midst it smiles and glows
Fairest of all with pearly dews refined,
So grew that lady peerless, pure and good,
To the first morn of perfect womanhood.
And many a lay the wandering minstrels made
To the bright beauty of that Flower of flowers,
From Eman's hall and Tara's laurel shade
To Gwydilod and high Tintagel's bowers;—
From Gallia's shores by ocean broad embayed,
To the bleak isles where misty Coolin towers,
Her praises spread from eager land to land,
By the strong wind of fame for ever fanned.
To the bright beauty of that Flower of flowers,
From Eman's hall and Tara's laurel shade
To Gwydilod and high Tintagel's bowers;—
From Gallia's shores by ocean broad embayed,
To the bleak isles where misty Coolin towers,
Her praises spread from eager land to land,
By the strong wind of fame for ever fanned.
15
And men of high renown, the bold and brave,
Who ne'er before felt love illume their breasts,
Strove for the right with splintering lance and glaive
To wear her joyful colors on their crests;
Poet and mighty prince and lord and slave
Spoke of her, great kings sought her hand, and quests
By knights forlorn for her were underta'en
To take her from her sire, but all in vain.
Who ne'er before felt love illume their breasts,
Strove for the right with splintering lance and glaive
To wear her joyful colors on their crests;
Poet and mighty prince and lord and slave
Spoke of her, great kings sought her hand, and quests
By knights forlorn for her were underta'en
To take her from her sire, but all in vain.
And though a quest of danger and of dread,
Thick thronged the knights on it, as summer bees
Swarm round a hive in thousands; many a head
Grinned ghastly o'er her father's gate of these
Misguided champions valorous, fancy-led,
Who to Green Mana came across the seas,
Feeding their hearts with vain hopes all the while
To win that far-famed maid by force or guile!
Thick thronged the knights on it, as summer bees
Swarm round a hive in thousands; many a head
Grinned ghastly o'er her father's gate of these
Misguided champions valorous, fancy-led,
Who to Green Mana came across the seas,
Feeding their hearts with vain hopes all the while
To win that far-famed maid by force or guile!
16
Yet on those days when in his kingly hall
Her father held high court, and strangers came
From the earth's farthest ridge remote, and all
Sunned themselves in the smiles of that fair dame,
On prince and knight and squire, on great and small,
Her glorious eyes beamed unimpassioned flame,
As though her maiden heart could ne'er respond
To the soft touch of love's enchanted wand.
Her father held high court, and strangers came
From the earth's farthest ridge remote, and all
Sunned themselves in the smiles of that fair dame,
On prince and knight and squire, on great and small,
Her glorious eyes beamed unimpassioned flame,
As though her maiden heart could ne'er respond
To the soft touch of love's enchanted wand.
For, as the crystal well whose bosom sheen
Sparkled within her garden of delight,
And mirrored all the flowers and leaves of green
And sun by day and moon and stars by night,
But kept no image there, her heart serene
Took all impressions, sorrowful or bright,
With care unclouded and with love unwarm,
And treasured in its depths no hallowed form.
Sparkled within her garden of delight,
And mirrored all the flowers and leaves of green
And sun by day and moon and stars by night,
But kept no image there, her heart serene
Took all impressions, sorrowful or bright,
With care unclouded and with love unwarm,
And treasured in its depths no hallowed form.
17
But every heart hath its appointed hour
To wake to love's immortal joy or pain,
To feel through every nerve the tyrant's power,
And weep or laugh with gladness 'neath his reign.
It chanced upon a day to Blanid's bower
Uprode her sire with all his sylvan train,
And called her forth, with hounds and huntsmen bold
To chase the wild deer in the summer wold.
To wake to love's immortal joy or pain,
To feel through every nerve the tyrant's power,
And weep or laugh with gladness 'neath his reign.
It chanced upon a day to Blanid's bower
Uprode her sire with all his sylvan train,
And called her forth, with hounds and huntsmen bold
To chase the wild deer in the summer wold.
Fair as the moon and her attendant throng
Of glittering stars in heaven's blue firmament,
To sounds of huntsman's horn and minstrel's song
With her fair maids around her forth she went:
Then spread the many-voicèd chase along
The dales, the woods, the wind-waved mountain bent,
Like a gay streamer of the northern sky,
Sparkling and shifting till the noon drew nigh.
Of glittering stars in heaven's blue firmament,
To sounds of huntsman's horn and minstrel's song
With her fair maids around her forth she went:
Then spread the many-voicèd chase along
The dales, the woods, the wind-waved mountain bent,
Like a gay streamer of the northern sky,
Sparkling and shifting till the noon drew nigh.
18
Then reined she up her steed where rose the tune
Of merry birds half mad with summer glee,
In a lone hollow that with answering croon
Of murmuring leaves and winds sang joyously:
Below her in the lake the sky of noon
Was mirrored, and beside her many a tree
Gleamed bright with fragrant blooms, and singing rills
Shot down in music from the shadowy hills.
Of merry birds half mad with summer glee,
In a lone hollow that with answering croon
Of murmuring leaves and winds sang joyously:
Below her in the lake the sky of noon
Was mirrored, and beside her many a tree
Gleamed bright with fragrant blooms, and singing rills
Shot down in music from the shadowy hills.
Behind her, grim to heaven a moorland faced,
Home of great boars, and huge primeval kine
Whose savage bulls' loud bellowing shook the waste
At blink of early morn or day's decline:
Up from its midst, with wizard woods embraced
Of giant oak and strong sky-towering pine,
A dark hill with a bleached and barren skull
Towered o'er that region weird and wonderful.
Home of great boars, and huge primeval kine
Whose savage bulls' loud bellowing shook the waste
At blink of early morn or day's decline:
Up from its midst, with wizard woods embraced
Of giant oak and strong sky-towering pine,
A dark hill with a bleached and barren skull
Towered o'er that region weird and wonderful.
19
Now, from beneath that hill, upon the breeze
Sudden the clamor rose of hounds and horn,
Then came a bellowing sound that shook the trees,
As shakes a summer gust the shivering corn.
Trembling young Blanid looks; anon she sees,
With earth-consuming strength of fury born,
A mighty bull come thundering through the brakes,
Showering the moss behind in skyward flakes!
Sudden the clamor rose of hounds and horn,
Then came a bellowing sound that shook the trees,
As shakes a summer gust the shivering corn.
Trembling young Blanid looks; anon she sees,
With earth-consuming strength of fury born,
A mighty bull come thundering through the brakes,
Showering the moss behind in skyward flakes!
Onward he came with speed like the wild wrack
Of clouds pursued by tempests in their ire,
White foam-flakes on his brindled sides and back,
Flames darting from his burning eyeballs dire,
Two fierce hounds and a bold knight on his track,—
A knight whose javelin flashed like azure fire,
Whose harness gleamed, whose horse outstripped the blast
In Barna's wood, spurring behind him fast!
Of clouds pursued by tempests in their ire,
White foam-flakes on his brindled sides and back,
Flames darting from his burning eyeballs dire,
Two fierce hounds and a bold knight on his track,—
A knight whose javelin flashed like azure fire,
Whose harness gleamed, whose horse outstripped the blast
In Barna's wood, spurring behind him fast!
20
Trembling bright Blanid sat, without essay
From that fell spot of peril forth to go,
As one who from the vale, when suns of May
Put forth their strength on Pyrenean snow,
Sees o'er him th' avalanche its power display,
And, dazed with danger, waits for death below,
Unknowing what to do, so sat the maid
On her gay palfrey in that hollow glade!
From that fell spot of peril forth to go,
As one who from the vale, when suns of May
Put forth their strength on Pyrenean snow,
Sees o'er him th' avalanche its power display,
And, dazed with danger, waits for death below,
Unknowing what to do, so sat the maid
On her gay palfrey in that hollow glade!
On came the wrathful bull with tenfold wrath
At sight of her rich robe of many dyes,
Fast spurred the noble knight beside his path,
With well-poised form and valor-sparkling eyes;
In his right hand the javelin as a lath
Quivers, then like a lightning flash it flies
Forward shrill hissing, riving its red way
Deep through the great heart of its giant prey!
At sight of her rich robe of many dyes,
Fast spurred the noble knight beside his path,
With well-poised form and valor-sparkling eyes;
In his right hand the javelin as a lath
Quivers, then like a lightning flash it flies
Forward shrill hissing, riving its red way
Deep through the great heart of its giant prey!
21
As when an earthquake shakes the solid ground
From caverns deep where fires infernal burn,
From its high station on some lofty mound
A huge rock falls and shakes the earth in turn,
The forest trembles to its utmost bound,
Back the lake's gorge the waters choke and churn,—
So fell that mighty bull beside the shore
With deafening shock and loud rebellowed roar.
From caverns deep where fires infernal burn,
From its high station on some lofty mound
A huge rock falls and shakes the earth in turn,
The forest trembles to its utmost bound,
Back the lake's gorge the waters choke and churn,—
So fell that mighty bull beside the shore
With deafening shock and loud rebellowed roar.
And as some lovely flower that all day long
Laughing in air and sun the hours did pass,
Torn from its bed the green mound's blooms among,
Now helpless withers by the fallen mass,
So Blanid, from her frightened palfrey flung
Lies still upon the blossom-jewelled grass,
No little page anigh, or tearful maid,
With pitying hands to raise her lovely head.
Laughing in air and sun the hours did pass,
Torn from its bed the green mound's blooms among,
Now helpless withers by the fallen mass,
So Blanid, from her frightened palfrey flung
Lies still upon the blossom-jewelled grass,
No little page anigh, or tearful maid,
With pitying hands to raise her lovely head.
22
But he was there, that hunter beautiful,
Cuhullin, Eman's noblest Red Branch Knight;
He raised her gently up, and in the lull
Of her short swoon kissed face and forehead bright,
Kissed golden hair and eyes no longer dull,
For love's first touch brought back their sweetest light,
And half-shed tears and smiles, and blushes too
Unto her cheeks like the red rose's hue.
Cuhullin, Eman's noblest Red Branch Knight;
He raised her gently up, and in the lull
Of her short swoon kissed face and forehead bright,
Kissed golden hair and eyes no longer dull,
For love's first touch brought back their sweetest light,
And half-shed tears and smiles, and blushes too
Unto her cheeks like the red rose's hue.
He looked on her and found her radiant face
Beautiful beyond all his heart could dream,
She looked on him with sweet and modest grace,
And blushed and looked once more. The love supreme
That years of joy nor misery, time nor place,
Could change, awoke with its immortal gleam,
And stirred each young heart to its inmost nook,
And lightened in each eye and smile and look.
Beautiful beyond all his heart could dream,
She looked on him with sweet and modest grace,
And blushed and looked once more. The love supreme
That years of joy nor misery, time nor place,
Could change, awoke with its immortal gleam,
And stirred each young heart to its inmost nook,
And lightened in each eye and smile and look.
23
Of danger or of time they take no heed
Till round the lake sweet echoes roll and run,
And up the forest path at topmost speed
Come the gay courtiers spurring one by one:
Fondly he kissed her, light sprang on his steed
And through the wildwood vanished; wind and sun
Played as he went upon his face and hair,
Making strange gleams of wondrous glory there.
Till round the lake sweet echoes roll and run,
And up the forest path at topmost speed
Come the gay courtiers spurring one by one:
Fondly he kissed her, light sprang on his steed
And through the wildwood vanished; wind and sun
Played as he went upon his face and hair,
Making strange gleams of wondrous glory there.
Then sat she brooding for a little time
Amidst the grass and fragrant blossoms gay
Of the sweet place: the merry wild-birds' chime
She heard not, heeded not the flowers' display
Of beauty all around: then did she climb
Into her golden selle, and rode away
Silent and very glad, till with surprise
Her maid saw love's first brightness in her eyes.
Amidst the grass and fragrant blossoms gay
Of the sweet place: the merry wild-birds' chime
She heard not, heeded not the flowers' display
Of beauty all around: then did she climb
Into her golden selle, and rode away
Silent and very glad, till with surprise
Her maid saw love's first brightness in her eyes.
24
And he:—across the stream and through the wood
With lightsome heart he went, and 'neath the shade
Sped downward hopefully, till, where the flood,
Enlarged by many streamlets, tumbling made
Down a steep precipice in merry mood
Its path of silver foam, his course he stayed
Nigh the cliff's foot, beneath an oak whose heac
O'er flowers innumerous and sweet grasses sprea
With lightsome heart he went, and 'neath the shade
Sped downward hopefully, till, where the flood,
Enlarged by many streamlets, tumbling made
Down a steep precipice in merry mood
Its path of silver foam, his course he stayed
Nigh the cliff's foot, beneath an oak whose heac
O'er flowers innumerous and sweet grasses sprea
For in the midst of a small mead it grew,
Where the bright Goddess, Ainè, Queen of Flowers,
Delighted with its pleasures, thither drew
Sweet winds, warm beams and soft, life-giving showers:—
There all the lovely blooms that ever knew
The airs of springtide or the summer hours
Showed themselves to the butterflies and bees,
And glad birds singing o'er them in the trees.
Where the bright Goddess, Ainè, Queen of Flowers,
Delighted with its pleasures, thither drew
Sweet winds, warm beams and soft, life-giving showers:—
There all the lovely blooms that ever knew
The airs of springtide or the summer hours
Showed themselves to the butterflies and bees,
And glad birds singing o'er them in the trees.
25
Around the fragrant place high cliffs arose
Save where the path led downward by the fall
Of the sweet murmuring stream, and where in throes
Of elfin laughter o'er a mossy wall
Of rock it left the mead to its repose,
Far wandering seaward through the forest tall,
Where ringdoves cooed to it and larks sang o'er,
And many a bank of foxglove decked its shore.
Save where the path led downward by the fall
Of the sweet murmuring stream, and where in throes
Of elfin laughter o'er a mossy wall
Of rock it left the mead to its repose,
Far wandering seaward through the forest tall,
Where ringdoves cooed to it and larks sang o'er,
And many a bank of foxglove decked its shore.
Here while his horse grazed on the grassy bank,
And while his hounds slept by him, he lay down
On the fresh-smelling sward and sweetly drank
The wine of thought, until the far-off crown
Of the old hill grew dim: then soft he sank
Into deep sleep, and love and its renown
Forsook him not even then, for in his dreams
He walked alone anigh two singing streams.
And while his hounds slept by him, he lay down
On the fresh-smelling sward and sweetly drank
The wine of thought, until the far-off crown
Of the old hill grew dim: then soft he sank
Into deep sleep, and love and its renown
Forsook him not even then, for in his dreams
He walked alone anigh two singing streams.
26
And on the level sward that lay between
These warbling waters clear, bright garlanded
With many-scented blooms, the gentle Queen
Of Flowers and Summer, Ainè, towards him led
Her handmaids in their flowing kirtles green,
A coronal of lilies on each head:
And as she drew anigh with heavenly grace,
Fair Blanid's form she wore and Blanid's face!
These warbling waters clear, bright garlanded
With many-scented blooms, the gentle Queen
Of Flowers and Summer, Ainè, towards him led
Her handmaids in their flowing kirtles green,
A coronal of lilies on each head:
And as she drew anigh with heavenly grace,
Fair Blanid's form she wore and Blanid's face!
Unto a bank where many violets grew
She came and stood, while one beside her played
Upon a golden lute, and ever drew
Sweet strains from it, and sang, “Afraid! afraid
Of love am I!—to yearn as lovers do,
To laugh and weep by turns, to stand dismayed
At every cloud, to sigh for naught, to prove
All joy and bitterness,—and yet I love!”
She came and stood, while one beside her played
Upon a golden lute, and ever drew
Sweet strains from it, and sang, “Afraid! afraid
Of love am I!—to yearn as lovers do,
To laugh and weep by turns, to stand dismayed
At every cloud, to sigh for naught, to prove
All joy and bitterness,—and yet I love!”
27
And as she sang they moved, and back again
O'er the fresh blossoms passed, yet to his ear,
As they moved farther on, the handmaid's strain
Floated along the meadow, and more clear,
More piercing still with passion's bliss and pain
It grew and grew, until a thrill of fear
Shot through him at the marvel, and he woke
Nigh the dark shadow of the ancient oak.
O'er the fresh blossoms passed, yet to his ear,
As they moved farther on, the handmaid's strain
Floated along the meadow, and more clear,
More piercing still with passion's bliss and pain
It grew and grew, until a thrill of fear
Shot through him at the marvel, and he woke
Nigh the dark shadow of the ancient oak.
His horse was grazing near, his hounds at rest,
Yet scarce a spear-length from him, on the ground,
Sat a bright man in minstrel's colors drest,
Playing upon a harp whose lovely sound
Filled all the place:—upon his stalwart breast
A black beard flowed, and ivy leaves enwound
His broad brows, while, beneath, two dark eyes shone
And a fair face unbrowned by wind and sun.
Yet scarce a spear-length from him, on the ground,
Sat a bright man in minstrel's colors drest,
Playing upon a harp whose lovely sound
Filled all the place:—upon his stalwart breast
A black beard flowed, and ivy leaves enwound
His broad brows, while, beneath, two dark eyes shone
And a fair face unbrowned by wind and sun.
28
Upstood the knight, but not with hand on hilt,
For still the minstrel stirred not, and he said,—
“O rich-robed stranger, tell me what thou wilt
Of thine own mortal origin, but bred
With gods thou wert, or in some palace built
By the Sid People, for methinks I tread
In heaven while thou art playing! Who art thou,
Man of the pleasant face and wreathèd brow?”
For still the minstrel stirred not, and he said,—
“O rich-robed stranger, tell me what thou wilt
Of thine own mortal origin, but bred
With gods thou wert, or in some palace built
By the Sid People, for methinks I tread
In heaven while thou art playing! Who art thou,
Man of the pleasant face and wreathèd brow?”
Upstood the minstrel glittering in the moon
That now had risen and quenched the star which sees
Each day's red flame expire,—“A boon! a boon
I ask of thee, O Knight! The melodies
That my harp uttered will delight thee soon
If thou wilt follow me: beyond those trees
A cave there is where we can shelter find
From the damp night dews and the chilly wind.
That now had risen and quenched the star which sees
Each day's red flame expire,—“A boon! a boon
I ask of thee, O Knight! The melodies
That my harp uttered will delight thee soon
If thou wilt follow me: beyond those trees
A cave there is where we can shelter find
From the damp night dews and the chilly wind.
29
Then call thy horse and hounds and follow me:—
Men name me Ferkertnè, the lord of song,
And Curoi's bard, from where Tonn Cleena's sea
Buffets flat Beramain with billow strong.
Then come! I've spread the warm cave's floor for thee
With moss and blooming heather, and the throng
Of fancies fresh now flitting through my brain
I'll sing to thee to-night, if thou art fain!”
Men name me Ferkertnè, the lord of song,
And Curoi's bard, from where Tonn Cleena's sea
Buffets flat Beramain with billow strong.
Then come! I've spread the warm cave's floor for thee
With moss and blooming heather, and the throng
Of fancies fresh now flitting through my brain
I'll sing to thee to-night, if thou art fain!”
At the cave's mouth they sat where clear as day
'Tween two high pines the silvery moonlight fell,
And with blithe music passed the hours away,
And converse, and Ferkertnè 'gan to tell
How he had sailed across the salt sea spray
To look on Blanid's face, and in the well
Of Poesy to bathe his soul, and sing
Songs of her beauty to his lord and king.
'Tween two high pines the silvery moonlight fell,
And with blithe music passed the hours away,
And converse, and Ferkertnè 'gan to tell
How he had sailed across the salt sea spray
To look on Blanid's face, and in the well
Of Poesy to bathe his soul, and sing
Songs of her beauty to his lord and king.
30
“But now,” he said, “the moon soars o'er the pine
That crowns the eastern crag, and we will press
Our heathery couch and let the Night divine
Cover us with her sweet forgetfulness.
To-morrow morn the Beltane sun will shine
And we will seek strong Mana's hold and bless
Our souls with sight of her fair face, and see
Their Feast of Flowers and all their pageantry.”
That crowns the eastern crag, and we will press
Our heathery couch and let the Night divine
Cover us with her sweet forgetfulness.
To-morrow morn the Beltane sun will shine
And we will seek strong Mana's hold and bless
Our souls with sight of her fair face, and see
Their Feast of Flowers and all their pageantry.”
The morn rose fair and strong Cuhullin woke,
Placed food for horse and hounds, and in the cave
Left them, and with the minstrel from the Oak
And Mead departed upward by the wave
Of the wild stream, and soon the woodland folk
On paths they met trolling a merry stave
As they went on, and, further, on the plains
Stout husbandmen in flower-bedizened wains.
Placed food for horse and hounds, and in the cave
Left them, and with the minstrel from the Oak
And Mead departed upward by the wave
Of the wild stream, and soon the woodland folk
On paths they met trolling a merry stave
As they went on, and, further, on the plains
Stout husbandmen in flower-bedizened wains.
31
And further still, on the broad royal way
The crowds increased, as, when the rains pour down
From far Sleemis to Crotta's mountains gray,
Allo and Dallo, and the waters brown
Of Clyda, and strong Mulla white with spray,
And Funcheon tumbling fast by rock and town,
Swell the Blackwater's tide, so from each glen,
Hamlet and hold poured crowds of laughing men,
The crowds increased, as, when the rains pour down
From far Sleemis to Crotta's mountains gray,
Allo and Dallo, and the waters brown
Of Clyda, and strong Mulla white with spray,
And Funcheon tumbling fast by rock and town,
Swell the Blackwater's tide, so from each glen,
Hamlet and hold poured crowds of laughing men,
Women and children on the royal road
That Beltane morn, yet, nathless some were there
Who groaned in secret 'neath pale sorrow's load,
Remorse's sting, or cloud of black despair;
For life's fair holidays, howe'er bestowed,
Soften not grief for all, nor brighten care;
Yet on they went, life's pearls, life's heavy clods,
The hearts that blessed and those that cursed the Gods!
That Beltane morn, yet, nathless some were there
Who groaned in secret 'neath pale sorrow's load,
Remorse's sting, or cloud of black despair;
For life's fair holidays, howe'er bestowed,
Soften not grief for all, nor brighten care;
Yet on they went, life's pearls, life's heavy clods,
The hearts that blessed and those that cursed the Gods!
32
Anigh strong Mana's hold, in raiment new
Of summer bloom a hollow vale spread out
Its meadowy bosom to the sun and dew,
Encircled by a sacred wood where, stout
'Gainst time and change, the towering pine-trees grew,
And strong oaks bade defiance to the shout
Of wintry storms, and ash and beeches green
Shadowed the copse where wild things played unseen.
Of summer bloom a hollow vale spread out
Its meadowy bosom to the sun and dew,
Encircled by a sacred wood where, stout
'Gainst time and change, the towering pine-trees grew,
And strong oaks bade defiance to the shout
Of wintry storms, and ash and beeches green
Shadowed the copse where wild things played unseen.
And on the midmost sward, like giant thrones,
Reared by primordial hands, austere and grim,
Spread the great circle of Druidic stones,
High precinct of the Gods, wherefrom the hymn
Of the king's priests uprolled in varied tones
That now made bright by turns, and now made dim,
The eyes of the vast concourse all around
The sacred wood-skirts and the sloping ground.
Reared by primordial hands, austere and grim,
Spread the great circle of Druidic stones,
High precinct of the Gods, wherefrom the hymn
Of the king's priests uprolled in varied tones
That now made bright by turns, and now made dim,
The eyes of the vast concourse all around
The sacred wood-skirts and the sloping ground.
33
A space beyond the circle's open gate,
Arched o'er the flower-strewn way stood two oak-trees,
Whose trunks, tall pillars, well had borne the weight
Of all their leafy wealth long centuries:
Now each towered smiling grandly on his mate,
Bedecked with many garlands, while the breeze
Shook their broad branches with a voiceful quiver,
Like the light murmuring of some gladsome river.
Arched o'er the flower-strewn way stood two oak-trees,
Whose trunks, tall pillars, well had borne the weight
Of all their leafy wealth long centuries:
Now each towered smiling grandly on his mate,
Bedecked with many garlands, while the breeze
Shook their broad branches with a voiceful quiver,
Like the light murmuring of some gladsome river.
Beyond the oaks, a good spear-cast across,
Lay piled a circle of dry wood and fern
And withered larch-boughs and thyme-spicèd moss
And sea-grass from the home of swan and tern,
And aromatic pine and last year's floss
Of the white marsh flax, and all flowers that learn
Of God to scent earth's woods, from th' inward pyre
Waiting the high priest and the sacred fire.
Lay piled a circle of dry wood and fern
And withered larch-boughs and thyme-spicèd moss
And sea-grass from the home of swan and tern,
And aromatic pine and last year's floss
Of the white marsh flax, and all flowers that learn
Of God to scent earth's woods, from th' inward pyre
Waiting the high priest and the sacred fire.
34
And nigh the roadway, on a dais raised
High o'er the perfumed meadow, sat the King
Upon a golden seat, and all amazed
With love and wonder, 'mid a blooming ring
Of bright-clad maidens in a robe that blazed
With gems, Cuhullin saw fair Blanid fling
More garlands toward the oak-trees, singing sweet
To the light cadence of the moving feet.
High o'er the perfumed meadow, sat the King
Upon a golden seat, and all amazed
With love and wonder, 'mid a blooming ring
Of bright-clad maidens in a robe that blazed
With gems, Cuhullin saw fair Blanid fling
More garlands toward the oak-trees, singing sweet
To the light cadence of the moving feet.
And more amazed he saw the minstrel go
To the young maids, and with his harp-strings bare
Wake magic sounds thereon, until more slow
The dancing feet moved, and their joyous air
He matched with kindred music: soft and low
It warbled first, till with the dancers fair
He moved toward the green trees, then loud it rang
With his sweet voice and theirs, and thus he sang:—
To the young maids, and with his harp-strings bare
Wake magic sounds thereon, until more slow
The dancing feet moved, and their joyous air
He matched with kindred music: soft and low
It warbled first, till with the dancers fair
He moved toward the green trees, then loud it rang
With his sweet voice and theirs, and thus he sang:—
35
“Come hither with song and with glances bright:
Sing to the Glory who walks his way
For ever unchanged o'er the arching height,
The Helper, the Maker of man's delight,
The Father of Morning, whose piercing ray
Illumes the shores where the darkness lay!—
Sing to the Softener of grief, the Sower,
The Ripener, the Reaper, the Lord of day,
The Slayer of death and the Life-bestower!
Sing to the Glory who walks his way
For ever unchanged o'er the arching height,
The Helper, the Maker of man's delight,
The Father of Morning, whose piercing ray
Illumes the shores where the darkness lay!—
Sing to the Softener of grief, the Sower,
The Ripener, the Reaper, the Lord of day,
The Slayer of death and the Life-bestower!
“When Light withdrew from the Darkness old,
And the fresh blue heavens and the crystal sea
Laughed in the primal Morning's gold,
Earth's rocky wastes lay stark and cold
Without voice of zephyr or streamlet's glee.
Then the golden Sun smote the barren lea
And the shores and the hills and the plains and passes,
And the birthday was of the shrub and tree,
Of the painted flowers and the fragrant grasses.
And the fresh blue heavens and the crystal sea
Laughed in the primal Morning's gold,
Earth's rocky wastes lay stark and cold
Without voice of zephyr or streamlet's glee.
Then the golden Sun smote the barren lea
And the shores and the hills and the plains and passes,
And the birthday was of the shrub and tree,
Of the painted flowers and the fragrant grasses.
36
“The clouds arose from the ocean's breast
And fell on the deserts in silver showers,
The streams awoke in their sweet unrest,
And the new-born winds at the sun's behest
Sang in the leaves of the springing bowers,
Till the waste, transformed, was a world of flowers,
Where the glory of light from the dews would glisten,
And they whispered sweet in the windy hours
With no eyes to see them, no ears to listen.
And fell on the deserts in silver showers,
The streams awoke in their sweet unrest,
And the new-born winds at the sun's behest
Sang in the leaves of the springing bowers,
Till the waste, transformed, was a world of flowers,
Where the glory of light from the dews would glisten,
And they whispered sweet in the windy hours
With no eyes to see them, no ears to listen.
“Then the Maker of Gods, who ruled the span
Of the starry kingdoms, the sun, the earth,
To the uttermost spaces ere time began,
Of the red clay wrought him the primal Man,
Of the bright flowers fashioned the woman's birth;
For the joy of their bodies and hours of mirth
He gave them the grape and the wine to follow,
The game of the forest, the fish of the firth,
And the corn and the fruit of the plain and hollow.
Of the starry kingdoms, the sun, the earth,
To the uttermost spaces ere time began,
Of the red clay wrought him the primal Man,
Of the bright flowers fashioned the woman's birth;
For the joy of their bodies and hours of mirth
He gave them the grape and the wine to follow,
The game of the forest, the fish of the firth,
And the corn and the fruit of the plain and hollow.
37
“But best for them and their soul's delight,
The flower-web of glory round earth he spun,
The purple of Heather, the Mead-blooms bright,
The May and the delicate Woodbine's white,
The Daisy fresh, and the darling One,
The Hyacinth young; and a splendor shone
From their bloom in meadow and wood-glade stilly,
And the garden glowed in the golden Sun
With the Pink and the Rose and the saffron Lily.
The flower-web of glory round earth he spun,
The purple of Heather, the Mead-blooms bright,
The May and the delicate Woodbine's white,
The Daisy fresh, and the darling One,
The Hyacinth young; and a splendor shone
From their bloom in meadow and wood-glade stilly,
And the garden glowed in the golden Sun
With the Pink and the Rose and the saffron Lily.
“Come hither, come hither, with garlands meet
For Youth's bright brow and for Age's head,
Of the fairest flowers that the mornings greet
With perfumed breath and with kisses sweet
In glen and meadow and garden bed;
For Summer is come and the Winter's sped
From moor and mountain, from field and forest,
And the birds in the greenwood woo and wed,
And the blossoms laugh where the frosts lay hoarest!
For Youth's bright brow and for Age's head,
Of the fairest flowers that the mornings greet
With perfumed breath and with kisses sweet
In glen and meadow and garden bed;
For Summer is come and the Winter's sped
From moor and mountain, from field and forest,
And the birds in the greenwood woo and wed,
And the blossoms laugh where the frosts lay hoarest!
38
“Come hither, come hither, our song to weave
Of joy where the old Oaks branching rise!
Under their shadows let no heart grieve,
Let love meet love and its truth believe,
And laugh meet laughter!—while sunny skies
Brighten the sward and the sweet hour flies,—
From fell and forest, by spring and river,
From brake and bank where the dewdrop lies,
Gather the garlands and praise the Giver!”
Of joy where the old Oaks branching rise!
Under their shadows let no heart grieve,
Let love meet love and its truth believe,
And laugh meet laughter!—while sunny skies
Brighten the sward and the sweet hour flies,—
From fell and forest, by spring and river,
From brake and bank where the dewdrop lies,
Gather the garlands and praise the Giver!”
Now when the song was ended and the dance,
And gracefully again the maids drew nigh
Where the high dais stood, Cuhullin's glance
Fell on the King and marked the old man's eye
Bent on him with a furtive look askance,
Bitter, that seemed to say, “In days gone by
Thy father's blood coursed through a foeman's heart,
If I can rightly guess whose son thou art!”
And gracefully again the maids drew nigh
Where the high dais stood, Cuhullin's glance
Fell on the King and marked the old man's eye
Bent on him with a furtive look askance,
Bitter, that seemed to say, “In days gone by
Thy father's blood coursed through a foeman's heart,
If I can rightly guess whose son thou art!”
39
But now in th' inner circle a light smoke
Curled upward o'er the pyre, as though it came
From 'tween the high priest's hands, and as he spoke
With face upturned to heaven the Sun God's name,
Moving his outspread palms the while, there broke
From the sweet perfumed wood a golden flame
Whereat a torch he lit, and, turning, made
His slow way outward to the oak-trees' shade.
Curled upward o'er the pyre, as though it came
From 'tween the high priest's hands, and as he spoke
With face upturned to heaven the Sun God's name,
Moving his outspread palms the while, there broke
From the sweet perfumed wood a golden flame
Whereat a torch he lit, and, turning, made
His slow way outward to the oak-trees' shade.
Thence with straight-gazing eyes he passed the King,
And at the East side with loud voice of song
Touched the obedient wood of th' outward ring,
And by the South and West he went along
Unto the Northern boundary; with a spring
Up to the heavens the flame flew fresh and strong
Where'er he touched, then turned he, while a cry
Of gladness from the concourse filled the sky.
And at the East side with loud voice of song
Touched the obedient wood of th' outward ring,
And by the South and West he went along
Unto the Northern boundary; with a spring
Up to the heavens the flame flew fresh and strong
Where'er he touched, then turned he, while a cry
Of gladness from the concourse filled the sky.
40
And as he sought again the sacred place,
Swift runners rushed with ready torch in hand,
Caught the fresh flame, and with light feet, whose trace
The young grass felt not, cut the breeze that fanned
Each torch, as swept they in their headlong race
East, West, North, South, until throughout the land,
From sea to seaboard, each extinguished hearth
Laughed in the gladness of the new fire's birth.
Swift runners rushed with ready torch in hand,
Caught the fresh flame, and with light feet, whose trace
The young grass felt not, cut the breeze that fanned
Each torch, as swept they in their headlong race
East, West, North, South, until throughout the land,
From sea to seaboard, each extinguished hearth
Laughed in the gladness of the new fire's birth.
Now in the gay confusion and the swaying
Of the crowd to and fro, the minstrel stood
By the tall Knight. “O comrade, thou art playing
A game,” he said, “will spill thy valiant blood!
Then get thee hence! No more, no more delaying!
I've seen the King's brow bent in treach'rous mood,
I've heard him speak! O heed the minstrel's fears!
Look yonder, and behold that hedge of spears!”
Of the crowd to and fro, the minstrel stood
By the tall Knight. “O comrade, thou art playing
A game,” he said, “will spill thy valiant blood!
Then get thee hence! No more, no more delaying!
I've seen the King's brow bent in treach'rous mood,
I've heard him speak! O heed the minstrel's fears!
Look yonder, and behold that hedge of spears!”
41
He started not: he bent his kindly eye
Upon the bright-robed minstrel, as he spoke:
“Fear not for me, O friend! What looks awry
Will soon seem straight; and may Crom's lightning-stroke
Fall on my head when with base soul I fly
The frown of danger, for the golden yoke
Of love is linked around me, and I fear
Nor doom, nor death, while my beloved is near!
Upon the bright-robed minstrel, as he spoke:
“Fear not for me, O friend! What looks awry
Will soon seem straight; and may Crom's lightning-stroke
Fall on my head when with base soul I fly
The frown of danger, for the golden yoke
Of love is linked around me, and I fear
Nor doom, nor death, while my beloved is near!
“My father loved her mother and made war
On Mana's king, whence mortal hatred sprung,
And I was born beneath the selfsame star,
And I must love the daughter, and they've sung,
High bard and minstrel, that't is better far
To love and do great deeds when one is young:
And whatsoever weird is on me set
I'll bear it for her sake without regret!”
On Mana's king, whence mortal hatred sprung,
And I was born beneath the selfsame star,
And I must love the daughter, and they've sung,
High bard and minstrel, that't is better far
To love and do great deeds when one is young:
And whatsoever weird is on me set
I'll bear it for her sake without regret!”
42
“Look to thy neck then, and beware the axe,”
The minstrel said, “for the high King hath spoken
Thy doom ere this, and Vengeance never lacks
Her bitter food, in breasts of kings awoken;
With eager wings she flies upon thy tracks
Pursuing thee, and I believe no token
Of safety, but to see thee sit thy steed
Under the oak-tree in yon forest mead.”
The minstrel said, “for the high King hath spoken
Thy doom ere this, and Vengeance never lacks
Her bitter food, in breasts of kings awoken;
With eager wings she flies upon thy tracks
Pursuing thee, and I believe no token
Of safety, but to see thee sit thy steed
Under the oak-tree in yon forest mead.”
Then answered strong Cuhullin, “I am he
To whom fate gave two choices, and who said,
‘Better to live a short life gloriously
And as a hero die, than, living-dead,
An old man with bent frame and tottering knee,
Tumble into the grave!’ While hope is fed
By her kind looks, I stir not! Live or die,
Here Blanid's bright eyes gleam, and here am I!”
To whom fate gave two choices, and who said,
‘Better to live a short life gloriously
And as a hero die, than, living-dead,
An old man with bent frame and tottering knee,
Tumble into the grave!’ While hope is fed
By her kind looks, I stir not! Live or die,
Here Blanid's bright eyes gleam, and here am I!”
43
Then Blanid's bower-maid, Mora, touched his arm
With a red rose,—“My lady sends thee this,
Fair knight,” she said, “and bids thee flee the harm
That threats thy life and ending of her bliss!”
And she was gone like some bright fairy charm
One meets in desert places but to miss,—
Gone in the crowd that now thronged nigh the King
To see the people pass the fiery ring.
With a red rose,—“My lady sends thee this,
Fair knight,” she said, “and bids thee flee the harm
That threats thy life and ending of her bliss!”
And she was gone like some bright fairy charm
One meets in desert places but to miss,—
Gone in the crowd that now thronged nigh the King
To see the people pass the fiery ring.
First came a young betrothèd pair, their heads
All garlanded with flower-buds, side by side,
Light-footed, glad, across the clover beds
Of the fresh mead, more following, till a tide
Of human life and joy drew near the shreds
And ash left in a smouldering circle wide
By the swift flame, where each pair of the band
Leaped o'er the smoking barrier hand in hand;—
All garlanded with flower-buds, side by side,
Light-footed, glad, across the clover beds
Of the fresh mead, more following, till a tide
Of human life and joy drew near the shreds
And ash left in a smouldering circle wide
By the swift flame, where each pair of the band
Leaped o'er the smoking barrier hand in hand;—
44
Leaped in and kissed each other, then sprang out,
And onward danced beneath the ancient trees,
Scattering to right and left with song and shout
Over the grass,—all ages, all degrees,
Passed by the King's seat in that merry rout,
Singing sweet songs and love-woven melodies
Of birth and bloom of flowers and earth's first prime
And all the gladness of their summer clime.
And onward danced beneath the ancient trees,
Scattering to right and left with song and shout
Over the grass,—all ages, all degrees,
Passed by the King's seat in that merry rout,
Singing sweet songs and love-woven melodies
Of birth and bloom of flowers and earth's first prime
And all the gladness of their summer clime.
Then came the firstlings of each herd and flock,
The snow-white lamb, the silken calf, the foal
With wondering eyes, the gray kid from the rock,
And 'cross the smoking ring and round the bole
Of each tall tree were driven with gentle shock
Of down-poured primroses from ferny knoll
Or sunny bank, and stroke of blossomed spray
Of broom and lilac and sweet-smelling may.
The snow-white lamb, the silken calf, the foal
With wondering eyes, the gray kid from the rock,
And 'cross the smoking ring and round the bole
Of each tall tree were driven with gentle shock
Of down-poured primroses from ferny knoll
Or sunny bank, and stroke of blossomed spray
Of broom and lilac and sweet-smelling may.
45
Then for good fortune rode the young knights by,
All life and laughter pacing o'er the ring,
Till with drooped plumes and lance-points raised on high,
Half-hid in sacred smoke, they passed the King,
A crowd of spears thick as the bearded rye
Upon the wind-blown hill-side following,
And, led by a tall squire, adown the mead
Barana, the King's angry battle steed;—
All life and laughter pacing o'er the ring,
Till with drooped plumes and lance-points raised on high,
Half-hid in sacred smoke, they passed the King,
A crowd of spears thick as the bearded rye
Upon the wind-blown hill-side following,
And, led by a tall squire, adown the mead
Barana, the King's angry battle steed;—
Angry and swift and strong, for ne'er before
Had rein or tightened girth upon him pressed;
With brass-shod hoofs the blossomed sward he tore
As he pranced down the field in housings dressed
Of silk and gold;—fierce was the look he wore,
With shining haunch, and broad-extended breast,
And steel-gray coat, and mane of lighter gray
Tossed o'er his proud neck like a torrent's spray.
Had rein or tightened girth upon him pressed;
With brass-shod hoofs the blossomed sward he tore
As he pranced down the field in housings dressed
Of silk and gold;—fierce was the look he wore,
With shining haunch, and broad-extended breast,
And steel-gray coat, and mane of lighter gray
Tossed o'er his proud neck like a torrent's spray.
46
Now from beside the royal chair a knight
Came smiling forth to pace the charger through,
Sprang on his back, a moment curbed his might
With deft hand, and a doubtful struggle grew
'Tween both, and raged, till, like an arrow's flight,
Up in the air the gallant rider flew
And soon lay on the greensward, and was borne
Out from the throng with shame-faced looks forlorn.
Came smiling forth to pace the charger through,
Sprang on his back, a moment curbed his might
With deft hand, and a doubtful struggle grew
'Tween both, and raged, till, like an arrow's flight,
Up in the air the gallant rider flew
And soon lay on the greensward, and was borne
Out from the throng with shame-faced looks forlorn.
A second won the fortune of the first.
Then cautiously a third young knight began
To stroke the steed, and well nerved for the worst
Sprang up, and then came down his full-length span
Upon the sward again like one accurst.
Then cried the wily King, “Perchance yon man
A head and shoulders towering o'er the crowd
May mount my steed and try his mettle proud!”
Then cautiously a third young knight began
To stroke the steed, and well nerved for the worst
Sprang up, and then came down his full-length span
Upon the sward again like one accurst.
Then cried the wily King, “Perchance yon man
A head and shoulders towering o'er the crowd
May mount my steed and try his mettle proud!”
47
Cuhullin looked. Behind the royal chair
Stood Blanid with a red rose in her hand
Upraised, as though it said, “Beware! Beware!
The coil is round thee! Fly, ere yet the brand
Touch thy beloved neck!” But naught soe'er
Of danger now could curb him, and he scanned
The war-steed with admiring gaze, then stood
With eyes cast down awhile in musing mood.
Stood Blanid with a red rose in her hand
Upraised, as though it said, “Beware! Beware!
The coil is round thee! Fly, ere yet the brand
Touch thy beloved neck!” But naught soe'er
Of danger now could curb him, and he scanned
The war-steed with admiring gaze, then stood
With eyes cast down awhile in musing mood.
Then drew he near to strong Barana's side,
And at a bound bestrode him, seized the rein
And plunged him o'er the sward in circles wide,
Handling him with such care as on the main
The mariner bestows 'gainst wind and tide
Upon his bark that at the tiller's strain
Obedient turns though rough the course,—so led,
Along the echoing field Barana sped.
And at a bound bestrode him, seized the rein
And plunged him o'er the sward in circles wide,
Handling him with such care as on the main
The mariner bestows 'gainst wind and tide
Upon his bark that at the tiller's strain
Obedient turns though rough the course,—so led,
Along the echoing field Barana sped.
48
Now through the circle like a flash he went,
And onward 'neath the arching trees, and here,
As he drave rushing on, Cuhullin leant
Forward beside his mane and snatched a spear
From a rough soldier's hand, and frowning sent
A shout against the ranks that, marshalled near,
Stood ready to fall on him, and who now
Quailed at the darkness on the hero's brow,—
And onward 'neath the arching trees, and here,
As he drave rushing on, Cuhullin leant
Forward beside his mane and snatched a spear
From a rough soldier's hand, and frowning sent
A shout against the ranks that, marshalled near,
Stood ready to fall on him, and who now
Quailed at the darkness on the hero's brow,—
And scattered to each side as doth the pack
Of hungry wolves by lone Morgallion's wave,
That follows swift upon the wild boar's track,
To find him thundering from his hollow cave
Upon them with bright tusks and bristled back
Through brush and reed,—so at the shout he gave
They scattered right and left, as threatening still
He turned Barana towards the barren hill.
Of hungry wolves by lone Morgallion's wave,
That follows swift upon the wild boar's track,
To find him thundering from his hollow cave
Upon them with bright tusks and bristled back
Through brush and reed,—so at the shout he gave
They scattered right and left, as threatening still
He turned Barana towards the barren hill.
49
Away with cries and clattering hoofs behind,
Across the stream and through the sacred grove,
While rose the King's fierce shout upon the wind
Angry, as when in wild Tormana's cove
The beast howls for the prey he cannot find:
Yet howsoe'er his strong pursuers strove
At the King's voice, Barana's hoofs of speed
Soon left them far behind both man and steed.
Across the stream and through the sacred grove,
While rose the King's fierce shout upon the wind
Angry, as when in wild Tormana's cove
The beast howls for the prey he cannot find:
Yet howsoe'er his strong pursuers strove
At the King's voice, Barana's hoofs of speed
Soon left them far behind both man and steed.
That eve at set of sun Cuhullin gained
The Waterfall, the lovely Mead and Tree,
And by the cavern's mouth the charger reined,
Alit, and bowed his head and bent his knee
Unto the Gods with thankfulness unfeigned,
And with good hope of happy augury
Barana took, and in the cavern rude
Before him and his own steed spread the food.
The Waterfall, the lovely Mead and Tree,
And by the cavern's mouth the charger reined,
Alit, and bowed his head and bent his knee
Unto the Gods with thankfulness unfeigned,
And with good hope of happy augury
Barana took, and in the cavern rude
Before him and his own steed spread the food.
50
A moment stood he still, and with delight
Beheld the two great steeds their haunches press
Together, and like ancient comrades bite
The fragrant heap and share the selfsame tress
Of scented clover-blossoms, and affright
The same flies with their tails in friendliness;
Then laughed he as he said, “This augury
Beginneth well for my beloved and me!”
Beheld the two great steeds their haunches press
Together, and like ancient comrades bite
The fragrant heap and share the selfsame tress
Of scented clover-blossoms, and affright
The same flies with their tails in friendliness;
Then laughed he as he said, “This augury
Beginneth well for my beloved and me!”
| Blanid | |