The Fair-Hair'd Girl (From the Irish)

The sun has set, the stars are still.
The red moon hides behind the hill;
The tide has left the brown beach bare,
The birds have fled the upper air;
Upon her branch the lone cuckoo
Is chaunting still her sad adieu;
And you, my fair-hair'd girl, must go
Across the salt sea under woe!

I through love have learn'd three things.
Sorrow, sin, and death it brings;
Yet day by day my heart within
Dares shame and sorrow, death and sin
Maiden, you have aim'd the dart
Rankling in my ruin'd heart:
Maiden, may the God above
Grant you grace to grant me love!

Sweeter than the viol's string,
And the notes that blackbirds sing;
Brighter than the dewdrops rare
Is the maiden wondrous fair:
Like the silver swans at play
Is her neck, as bright as day!
Woe is me, that e'er my sight
Dwelt on charms so deadly bright!