The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

IJie Death of Diarmad. 495
And glad was Diarmad at the task
And joyous grasped his shield and spear ;
His, nought, when Fion spake, to ask
Or to delay or fear.
But first the hunter's feast was spread :
The heroes on the grassy knolls
Sat eating flesh of deer and bread
Beside the Conas falls.
Huge draughts of old-world mead they drank ;
The cup went round with toast and song ;
The aspen sprays arose and sank
To heroic laughter strong,
Olympian. To rest the day
Was given. At ease, large-limbed and strong,
On thyme and fragrant moss they lay
Kings both of sword and song.
The morn saw Diarmad, bright of face,
Hopeful as morn and radiant.
Firm-hearted climb with steady pace
The hill, the Wild-boar's haunt.
Glad-hearted, too, as maiden fair
In haste to meet her trysted one
He went, the brown gold of his hair
Shone in the morning sun.
: —
Upon the right hand of his way
A Raven pecked at corpse of hare,
And on his left a Corbie gray
Perched on a boulder bare.
The Raven looking up askance
Said, " Diarmad goes the Boar to slay.
Brave Dimmad, dead upon thy lance
Shall roll the Boar to-day."
The Corbie fluttered on the stone,
And croaked malevolent prophecy
alone
" Go back to Grainne, go !
The Boar thy death shall be."
And Diarmad passed, and though he heard
He swerved nu whit from left or right ;
No bodeful voice of man or bird
Could turn him from the fight.