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IRISH SONGS AND LYRICS |
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THE BAN-SHEE
A BALLAD OF ANCIENT ERIN
" T TEARD'ST thou over the Fortress wild geese flying and crying ? Was it a gray wolf's howl? wind in the forest sighing ? Wail from the sea as of wreck ? Hast heard it,
Comrade?" "Not so. Here, all's still as the grave, above, around, and below.
" The Warriors lie in battalion, spear and shield beside them,
Tranquil, whatever lot in the coming fray shall betide them.
See, where he rests, the Glory of Erin, our Kingly Youth !
Closed his lion's eyes, and in sleep a smile on his mouth."
"The cry, the dreadful cry ! I know it—louder and nearer,
Circling our Dun—the Banshee /—my heart is frozen to hear her !
Saw you not in the darkness a spectral glimmer of white
Flitting away ?—I saw it!—evil her message tonight.
" Constant, but never welcome, she, to the line of our Chief; Bodeful, baleful, fateful, voice of terror and grief. |
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