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| THIS is the hero-heart of the enchanted isle, | |
| Whom now the twilight children tenderly enfold, | |
| Pat with their pearly palms and crown with elfin gold, | |
| While in the mountain’s breast his brothers watch and smile. | |
| Who now of Dana’s host may guide these dancing feet? | 5 |
| What bright immortal hides and through a child’s light breath | |
| Laughs an immortal joy—Angus of love and death | |
| Returned to make our hearts with dream and music beat? | |
| Or Lu leaves heavenly wars to free his ancient land; | |
| Not on the fiery steed maned with tumultuous flame | 10 |
| As in the Fomor days the sunbright chieftain came, | |
| But in this dreaming boy, more subtle conquest planned. | |
| Or does the Mother brood some deed of sacrifice? | |
| Her heart in his laid bare to hosts of wounding spears, | |
| Till love immortal melt the cruel eyes to tears, | 15 |
| Or on his brow be set the heroes’ thorny prize. | |
| See! as some shadows of a darker race draw near, | |
| How he compels their feet, with what a proud command! | |
| What is it waves and gleams? Is that a Silver Hand | |
| Whose light through delicate lifted fingers shines so clear? | 20 |
| Night like a glowing seraph o’er the kingly boy | |
| Watches with ardent eyes from his own ancient home; | |
| And far away, rocking in living foam | |
| The three great waves leap up exulting in their joy, | |
| Remembering the past, the immemorial deeds | 25 |
| The Danaan gods had wrought in guise of mortal men, | |
| Their elemental hearts madden with life again, | |
| And shaking foamy heads toss the great ocean steeds. | |
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