And scattered the cards with a cry;
But the old men and the dancers were gone
As a cloud faded into the sky.

He knew now the folk of the air,
And his heart was blackened by dread,
And he ran to the door of his house;
Old women were keening the dead.

And he heard high up in the air
A piper piping away;
And never was piping so sad
And never was piping so gay.


THE RECONCILIATION: A. MARGARET RAMSAY

"The snow has ceased, the wind has hushed,
The moon shines fair and clear,
The night is drawing on apace,
Yet Evan is not here.

"The deer is couched among the fern,
The bird sleeps on the tree;
O what can keep my only son,
He bides so long from me?"

"O mother, come and take your rest,
Since Evan stays so late;
If we leave the door unbarred for him,