BLANNAID. 



XXI. 



The noise was hushed when first the dirge 

 Rose softly o'er the hoarser surge 

 Attracted by the music's sound, 

 In haste they came and gathered round. 

 They stood even when he sung no more, 

 As if they could not deem it o'er ; 

 And much they marvelled mortal had 

 A voice at once so sweet and sad. 

 His eye to them he did not raise, 

 But seemed as if he scorned the praise 

 Of all but one : fair Blannaid spoke, 

 As from her snow-white hand she took 

 A ring why doth that minstrel start? 

 As death's last pang were at his heart ! 

 " Stranger, those melancholy lays, 

 Like some I've heard in other days, 

 Have waked a moment's passing pain, 

 I hoped would never wake again, 

 And brought into my lid a tear, 

 I thought no longer lingered here. 

 Of southern province is that air, 

 I heard it once, a captive there, 

 And though in Ulster's land I dwell, 

 I love Momonia's * music well/' 

 " Lady, no gift but on my knee 

 One lowly boon I beg from thee ; 

 Thy beauty drew me here thine eye 

 First waked my uncouth minstrelsy ; 

 Let but my lip in fondness press, 

 Thy soft small white hand's loveliness, 

 And I will deem that rapture more 

 Than bard, or knight, possessed before." 

 She smiled, and gave her hand ; he pressed 

 It close unto his throbbing breast ; 

 -He firmly grasped that hand, and placed 

 His arm around her slender waist ; 

 His cheek is pale his eye is wild ! 

 And Blannaid would have back recoil'd ; 

 He clasps her form he nears the steep ; 



His foot is on its brow 

 Then dashes with her at one wild leap, 



Three hundred feet below ! 

 So sudden was that daring deed, 

 No hand could save no eye could heed ! 



XXII. 



The demon of the storm is out ; 

 Afar is heard his gathering shout : 

 The rain drops from the black sky pour 



Into the swelling wave 

 As if it shed that pitying shower 



Upon Feirchertne's grave, 

 That minstrel heart should never sleep, 

 Unwept on earth or in the deep ! 



629 



Munster. 



