BLANNAID. 



The tale of my disgrace : 

 His hand then clipp'd the raven hair 

 Which, knight-like, waved in ringlets there, 



And shadow'd o'er my face ! 

 Twelve moons Binn Bouchi's wilderness 

 Concealed my grief and mad despair. 

 Thou knowest it was for thee I bled 



When coming like a thief he stole 



Thee thee, the idol of my soul ; 

 I would not rest my weary head 



In shieling low or Daingean gay 

 Until I first had traversed o'er 

 From Lergan's wild and shrubless shore, 



Even to the hills of Soloched. , 

 Thou knowest the issue of that day 

 I fell and morning's early ray 

 Saw thee and Conree far away 

 And I 



But yet thou see'st now 

 The ringlet waving o'er my brow, 

 As long and free as though a stain 

 Upon this head had never lain ; 

 And I will meet mine enemy 

 Where never eye of friend can see, 

 Or heed him in the hour that's nigh 

 Unaided helpless he must die. 

 Thou see'st yonder sheltering wood, 

 Five hundred knights, both brave and good, 



Are waiting for the time, 

 When thou the torch shalt wildly wave, 

 To light him to his bloody grave 



Before the morning's prime. 

 His Clana Deagha, distant far, 

 Shall never hear the sound of war. 

 It is not that their force I fear, 

 But, lest my hope of vengeance here 

 Might yet be foiled if they were near." 



XI. 



" Oh ! never," quoth Blannaid, " my love, 



Shall fearful separation prove 



The strength of passion which we know, 



But which as yet hath sprung from woe. 



Thou knowest the force which from thy side 



First tore thy self-betrothed bride ; 



Thou can'st not know the hate and scorn 



For him my soul hath ever borne : 



Go ! and at noon of night thou'lt see 



If love and vengeance live in me : 



Go ! and if first my foolish heart 



Hath felt a moment's pity, then 

 Thou'lt find such weakness can depart, 



And never to return again : 

 Go ! and when first thy watchful eye 

 Shall view my red torch streaming high, 

 Thou'lt know the fatal hour is come, 

 Which darkly gives him to the tomb !" 



