The Cloud over Emain

"Lo, Naisi, the cloud on high
Which I see in yonder sky:
I see, o'er Emain's tower,
A crimson Blood-cloud lower.

"Chilled with sudden fear am I,
Seeing that cloud in the sky;
Like gout of gore it showeth —
The thin cloud dreadful groweth.

"I would give you counsel here,
Sons of Usnach, fair and dear:
Wend not Emain-ward this night
Under omen of affright.

"To Dundelgan be our way,
With Cuchulainn let us stay;
Then, upon the morrow, forth
Hie with him unto the north."

Naisi, in a wrath, replied
To fair Deirdre, prophet-eyed:
"Fear frights not us, unshaken,
Thy course shall not be taken."

"Seldom was it known of old,
Royal sons of Rury bold,
That discord did us sever —
I and thou, Naisi — never!

"When Manannan gave the draught,
We and true Cuchulainn quafft,
Thou hadst not, for might of men,
Been against me, Naisi, then.

"That day we fled together,
O'er Esroe's stormy weather,
Thou hadst not, I say again,
Been against me, Naisi, then!"