The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

496
The Highland Monthly.
Nor paused he once, till he attained
On Meall-an-Tuirc the topmost height.
Below the distant river plained
With voice of old delight.
The murmurous music of the water,
Bore from afar a voice he knew
The voice of King Fo-thuinn's daughter,
Who loved with love so true.
It sang, the winds took up the song :
" Ben Eudainn's slopes how dear to me
Come, Diarmad, come ;
the years are long.
The years I wait for thee.
My father's realm and halls are bright,
But, light of life, thou art away.
My life is empty of delight,
My heart lone night and day.
" The tide goes streaming past our land,
Embosomed green within the sea.
From rock and purple tinted sand,
I look in vain for thee.
But soon thou comest, love, I know.
My arms again shall thee enfold.
One morn thou wakest, love, and lo !
I kiss thy locks of gold."
He looked around on scuir and ben,
O'er lake and pass and rivered vale ;
Half down the hill he saw the den
Where styed the Beast of bale.
The Beast of the vile sorceress
He found asleep in thorny brake,
But Diarmad, flower of nobleness,
Would no advantage take
Even of his deadliest foe. He cried.
And waked the mt-nster to fair fight.
The brute awoke with grunt and gride.
And, maddening at the sight.
Paused ere he rushed to annihilate
The foe that came with shield and spear :
" Go back, vain lool," he said, " your fate
Tempt not by staying here.
;
!