THE LOVE CHARM.
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I.
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“Ancient crones that shun the highways,
In dark woods to weave your spells—
Holy dwellers in the byeways,
Erenachs of blessed wells;
House and Lands to whoso finds me
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Where the cure for Connor dwells!” |
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II.
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One went out by night to gather
Vervain by the summer star;*
Hosts of Leeches sought the father
In his hall of Castlebar;
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Blessed water came in vials
From the wells of ancient Saints;
Vain their knowledge—vain their trials—
Science wots not youth’s complaints: [Page 120] |
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III.
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“Nearer, nearer, sister Margaret—
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(Lest the baffled Leeches hear)—
Listen to me, sister dearest,
’Tis of Love that I lie here
In Athenree there is a blossom
More than all their charms could do; |
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There is healing in her bosom,
All my vigor to renew: |
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IV.
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“But our father hates her father—
Deadly feud between them reigns—
Peace may come when I am sleeping
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Where the lank laburnum’s weeping
And the cold green ivy creeping
O’er the grave where nothing pains! |
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V.
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“Tell her then!” “Nay, brother, brother,
Live and hope and trust to me;
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In a guise none can discover,
I will be your Lady’s lover,
Woo her to thee, my brother,
Ere the new moon faded be!” [Page 121] |
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VI.
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Clad in boyish guise sits Margaret, |
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With a harp upon her knee,
Harping to the lovely mistress
Of the castle’d Athenree—
Chaunting how, in days departed,
All the world was truer-hearted— |
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How death only could have parted
Love and fond Fidelity. |
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VII.
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Sighed the Lady—“Gentle minstrel,
If such lovers een lived now,
Ladies might be found as faithful,
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But few such there are, I trow——.”
Quoth the singer, also sighing,
“Nay, I know where one is lying
For thy sake—know where he’s dying—
Tell me, shall he live or no?” |
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VIII.
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Through the green woods, blossom laden,
Ride the minstrel and the maiden
O’er the Robe’s bright waters gushing—
He exhorting and she blushing—
Athenree behind them far,
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Riding till the sun of even’,
Lingering late upon Ben Nephin,
Saw them enter Castlebar. [Page 122] |
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IX.
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Sat the sick heir in his chamber,
Sore besieged by early death,
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Life and death’s alternate banners
Waver’d in his feeble breath;
All the Leeches had departed,
While the sad Sire, broken-hearted,
Gazes from his turret lonely, |
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Thinking of his sick heir only—
O’er his heirless lands beneath. |
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X.
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“Connor! Connor! here’s your blossom,
Take her—take her to your bosom;
Said I not to trust to me?
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And this reverend man will wive you.
Albeit he comes here to shrive you.
And the Bridesmaid I shall be!” |
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XI.
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On the turret wept the Father,
(While the Son beneath was wed)—
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Came the Priest reluctant to him—
“Ah! I know,” he cried, “he’s dead!”
“——Nay, not so, my noble master,
Young Lord Connor’s come to life!”—
“Say’t again, again—speak faster—” |
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“Yea, my Lord—and here’s his wife!” [Page 123] |
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* Vervain, a healing plant in great repute among the Irish; it should be gathered under the dog-star, by night, barefoot and with the left hand. [back]
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