The Fairy Forewarning at Clontarf

Spirit-Bride.
"Though thy heart be high, O Love,
When the hosts move forth to fight,
Though thy face be flushed, its glow
Change shall know, ere come the night."

Prince Murcad.
"I could tell, ere that befall,
Story small, indeed, but true:
Fear for fate of life in war
Ne'er shall mar my face's hue.

"If We die, so die the Gall —
Gael shall all their strongholds share;
None may count the crowded dead
Hewn beneath my red sword there."

Spirit-Bride.
"Thou, O Dublaing! keep from fight
Till the light of morning's ray:
Thou shalt live an hundred years, —
Shun the spears for but one day."

Dublaing.
"I would not quit Murcad bold.
Not for silver — not for gold;
Nor would bear dishonour's breath
For inevitable death.

"All the steeds in Lure that live
He would for my body give:
I that body's bulwark bring
For the heir of Erinn's king."

Spirit-Bride.
"Fall shall Murcad— Brian shall fall-
Fall in one career, shall all, —
Gory the field of sorrow
With haughty blood to-morrow."