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STORIES OF
ried to another; and after some time they pre-vailed upon her to consent to marry a rival of O'Daly's. The day was fixed for the nuptials, but O'Daly returned the evening before. Under the first influence of his disappointment, he sought a wild sequestered spot on the sea-shore, and inspired by love, composed the song of " Eileen Aroon." Disguised as a harper he gained access among the crowd that thronged to the wedding. It happened that he was called by Eileen herself to play and sing. It was then touching the harp with all the pathetic sensi-bility which the interesting and dramatic occa-sion incited, he infused his own feelings into the song he had composed, and breathed into his " softened strain" the very soul of plaintive melody. In the first stanza he intimates, ac-cording to Irish idiom, that he would walk with her, that is, be her partner for life, or constant lover for life. In the second, that he would entertain, and afford her every delight; and then he continues:
" Then wilt thou come away? Eileen a Roon ! O wilt thou come or stay ? Eileen a Roon."
She soon felt the power of his eloquent plead-and answered, by signs, in the affirmative,
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