Ballads of Irish Chivalry (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ... he should remain in Fairyland for evermore. This was the cave through which--with the fairy queen's permission--the maiden entered and returned. This ballad is founded on a Munster folk legend. I. 'mid Galty's woody highlands, by a torrent's lonely shore, There dwelt a banished monarch in the dusky days of yore; Long the pleasant Munster valleys had owned his kingly sway, Till uprose a fierce usurper and reft his throne away. II. No vassals filled his chambers, no courtiers thronged his hall; His bright-eyed little daughter and a grey-haired chief were all, --Were all the friends remaining since the day of gloom and woe, When he fled, a careworn exile, to that tower in Aherlow. In. Around that grey old fortress, by the shady forest springs, With a heart for ever dreaming of all bright and lovely things, . Roamed that regal little maiden every golden summer e'en, Watched and loved, where'er she wandered, by the radiant Fairy Queen. Iv. The sunset light was reddening on the crest of tall Benn Gar, As sat that little maiden beneath the woods afar;--"How lovely spreads this land," she said, "in the golden sunset's light, But my father's bard has told me of a world more fair and bright. v. "Through that land I'd wish to wander; there I'd ask a warrior train Of its queen, to set my father on his Munster throne again." Scarce the maid the words had uttered when there shone a radiance sheen Up and down the shady valley and the forest depths between. vI. On the song-birds fell a silence, was no sound through earth or air, Till in robes of snowy splendour stood a heaven-browed lady there; With kindly eyes down-looking on the little maid stood she, While the birds began their gladsome song again from bower and tree. vII. Then spoke the Queen of...