Heroic Romances of Ireland — Volume 1 by Arthur Herbert Leahy
page 57 of 287 (19%)
page 57 of 287 (19%)
|
In that land of no "mine" nor of "thine" is there speech,
But there teeth flashing white and dark eyebrows hath each; In all eyes shine our hosts, as reflected they swarm, And each cheek with the pink of the foxglove is warm. With the heather's rich tint every blushing neck glows, In our eyes are all shapes that the blackbird's egg shows; And the plains of thine Erin, though pleasing to see, When the Great Plain is sighted, as deserts shall be. Though ye think the ale strong in this Island of Fate, Yet they drink it more strong in the Land of the Great; Of a country where marvel abounds have I told, Where no young man in rashness thrusts backward the old. There are streams smooth and luscious that flow through that land, And of mead and of wine is the best at each hand; And of crime there is naught the whole country within, There are men without blemish, and love without sin. Through the world of mankind, seeing all, can we float, And yet none, though we see them, their see-ers can note; For the sin of their sire is a mist on them flung, None may count up our host who from Adam is sprung. Lady, come to that folk; to that strong folk of mine; And with gold on thy head thy fair tresses shall shine: 'Tis on pork the most dainty that then thou shalt feed, And for drink have thy choice of new milk and of mead. |
|