Nóra Crióna

You were like a lily on a grave, Nóra Crióna! 
White and fair and frail: too frail to brave 
Autumn's winds and winter's shrouding snow 
For the sake of one that slept below. 
Now no winds you fear, nor summer heat, 
Snow, nor stinging sleet, Nóra Crióna! 

You were like a lily on a grave, Nóra Crióna! 
Golden heart and silver soul you gave 
Us, who gave you Sorrow to your maid 
Care, to watch you in your silken bed: 
O'er you lilies keep their watch to-night — 
Lilies far less white, Nóra Crióna! 

You were like a lily on a grave, Nóra Crióna! 
Now your sister-lilies hold and have 
What we fain would break our hearts to keep: 
We that scorned your waking, grudge your sleep 
We would kiss your lily to a rose 
But sleep holds you close, Nóra Crióna! 

You were like a lily on a grave, Nóra Crióna! 
Life had naught to bring you, but Death gave 
Fairest fruit and finest flower of all! 
Oh, your going left in bower and hall 
Fewer smiles and many secret tears, 
Ay, and shaken spears, Nóra Crióna!