Eireag

(Beauty) 

Eireag goeth by dale and down 
With a garland of furze for all her crown: 
Eireag, Eireag! 

She goes by down and she goes by dale, 
For lack of sorrow her face is pale. 

Tree after tree at her feet casts down, 
Oak-leaves and beech-leaves, yellow and brown. 

From pool and river the sheogues rise, 
Dreaming, they follow her dreaming eyes. 

At last they come to the open sea, 
And Manan gathers them greedily: 

So long, so low do the merrows call, 
And Manan gathers them, one and all. 

They followed thee, Eireag, a weary while, 
Canst not weep if thou wilt not smile? 

Canst not weep for them, drowned and dead, 
Lost for the love of thy dear black head? 

Lost in the smother of drowning seas. 
Never a tear have thine eyes for these? 

Lost and left in the bitter brine, 
Life of thy lovers, and death of thine, 
Eireag, Eireag!