Shiela Gal ni Connolan

Alone, at dim dawn early,
I stood within the islet bowers,
Where Lawin's stream flows pearly
'Mid wavy grass and fragrant flowers;
Green earth gave fruits unchary,
And rosy wines, they over-ran
For me, from nymphs of faery
Like Shiela gal ni Connolan!

Fair flocks of birds sang sweetly
'Mid floods of flowers, their pleasant home,
And in the stream-isle meetly
I broke the golden honey-comb:
When lo! on brink tree-shady,
A Child of Glory on me shone,
With features like our Lady —
Our Shiela gal ni Connolan!

In beauty white, this daughter
Of graceful majesty was drest,
Like swans above the water
The snowy radiance of her breast.
On her cheek the crimson berry
Lay in the lily's bosom wan,
And forth my love did hurry
To Shiela gal ni Connolan!

Her teeth were small and pearl-like,
And white as brightness of the blooms;
Her lustrous palms were fair like
Downy silk from finest looms;
No gems or 'broidered glove or
Red gold her fingers glittered on, —
O, in meanest garb I'd love her
Fair Shiela gal ni Connolan!

Her rose-red lips beguiling
Spake words more than honey-sweet,
And o'er her glad eyes smiling
Were pencilled eyebrows arching meet, —
As if some artist loreful
Twin bows with compass fine had drawn.
I'd not leave for empires oreful
Sweet Shiela gal ni Connolan!

In truth, I'll lose all gladness
With wasting love for her, the Sprite
Who clings with yearning sadness
To Eire's woods and valleys bright.
My arrowy piercing sorrow
Would vanish swiftly, blue-eyed one!
If far and free to-morrow
With Shiela gal ni Connolan!

Her clustering, loosened trees
Flowed glossily, enwreathed with pearls,
To veil her breast with kisses
And sunny rays of golden curls!
But grief has pierced my bosom —
My weary days lag 'neath a ban —
Thro' thy beauty, O white Blossom!
O Shiela gal ni Connolan.

When birds, 'mid branches twining,
Beheld her eyes, they thought them, sure,
Two rays of sun, or shining
Beams from the crystal pure;
When rose her sweet voice ringing,
They strove to peer its. mellow tone,
But were vanquished by the singing
Of Shiela gal ni Connolan!

While o'er the smooth stream glancing,
A moment ere her form I spied,
I saw her shadows dancing
Deep in the glassy limpid tide —
I thought some fairy rarest,
Had playful 'mid the waters gone,
Till I saw thee near, my Fairest
Bright Shiela gal ni Connolan!

As sunbeam through the blue air,
Or light above the ocean's tide,
Her flashing glances flew there,
And thrilled my very heart inside.
O theirs was all the brightness
That shines from heaven's starry van,
Their light has darked my lightness —
Dear Shiela gal ni Connolan!

I thought to win her graces
And love-smile on that rosy morn,
In those green islet-places
Beneath the shady forest-thorn.
But she vowed, with fiery fervour,
To never grant her love to man,
Till came her Strong to serve her
True Shiela gal ni Connolan!

"No foreign tyrant lover
Nor slave who bends to him the knee,
Till judgment day be over,
Need hope to win a smile from me;
I'll brook not lord in age or
In youth, of whatsoever clan,
Till come the Gael to wage war
For Shiela gal ni Connolan.

"Then bards and books shall flourish,
And gladness light the looks of all,
Then gen'rous knights shall nourish
Our olden fame of open hall.
Brave men and chiefs to lead them
Shall flash their spears in valour's van,
And glorious days of freedom
Crown Shiela gal ni Connolan!"