The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1879-10-03
IRISH TDY


work was over, and the faint glimnering
Of dawn appeared in the east, we turned
our boats bow toward the shore and
pur1ed swiftly homeward. There lay the
rroup of curraghs still upon the scene OF
their labor, loaded with phosphoreseent
fish and dripping nets, and manned with
crews Of shivering weary men. The sea:
which during the night had been throb-
bing couvulsively, was calm and bright as
polished mirror, while the gaunt gray
cliffs we're family shadowed forth by the
lustroua light Of the moon.
Wearied with my nights labor, I lay
listlessly in the stern Of the boat, listening
dreamiIy to the measured splash, splash
fthe oars, and drinking in Of the beauty
Of the scene around me-the placid sea,
the black outline of the hills and cliffs,
The silently sleeping village Of Storport'
Presently, however, my ears detected
another sound which came family across
the waters and mingled softly with the
monotouous splashfng ofthe oars and the
weary washing of the sea.
sis 1t q mermaid singing 2" I asked
sleeplly. "The village maidens are all
dreaming Of their lovers at this hour, but
the INDIAN Maras sing of theirs. Oh, yes,
it must be mermaid, for harkl the
sound is Issuing from the shore Yonder,
and surely no human being possessed q
voice half go beautiful ~
To my question no one vouchsafed q
reply, so lay still half -sleepilY and lis
tened to the plaintive wailing of the
voice, which every moment grew stronger.
It came across the waters like low
pwcet sound of an 4Eolian harp touched
by the summer breeze and as the boat
gHded swiftly on, bringing il ever nearer,
the whole scent around seemed suddenly
10 brighten as if from the touch Of a
magical hand. Above me sailed the
moon, scattering pale vitreous light
around her, and touching with her cool,
white hand the mellow thatched cabins,
lying 30 secluded on the bill, the long
stretch Of shimmering sand, and fringe Of
foam upon the shingle, the peaks of the
hills silhouetted against the pale gray
sky,
A white owl passing across the boat
and almost brushing my cheek with its
wing aroused me at length from my tor
por. The sound of the voice had ceased.
Above my head flock Of sea-gulIs
screamed, and as they sailed away, |
heard the whistle of the curlew little
pufins we're floating thick as bees around
us, vhile rock.doyes flew swiftly from the
caverns, and beyond, above the cormor
rants blackeued the weed-covered rocks
The splash Of our oars had for moment
created commotion presently all
c2lned down again, and again I heard
the plaintive waiIing Of the mermaid's
voice. The voice, more musical than
ever, was at last so distinct as to, bring
with it the words Of the song:
Ny Owen Bawn'shatr is of thread gold spun
Of gold in the shadow Of light in the sun;
And curlcd In g ceol9n the bright tresses are,
They make his head radiant with beams like q
...
Ny Owen Bawns mantle is long and is wide,
To wrap me UP safe from thqsto by his side;
And Id rather face suow-drift and winter wind
there ..
Than be among daises and sunshine elsewhere.
My Owen Bawn Con is bold fisherman,
lie spears the strong salmon ia this midst Of the
Bann,
And rocked in the tempest Of stormy Lough
Neash,
Drrws up the rcd trout throngh-tho bursting q
spr4y.
The Voice suddenly ceased,' and as i
did go | saw that the singer was young
girl who, with her hands clasped behind
her, and her face turned to The moonlit
sky, walked along the shore. Suddenly
she paused, and while the sen kissed her
bare feet, and the moon laid tremplous
hands upon her head, began to sing
again
have called my love but he atitl sleeps On,
And his are cold as clay
/ have kissed them DER and Ger agdiu-
Ilsyepressed his check with my burning brow,
And I've watched Ger him all the day
Is 1t then true thatno mere thou shaltsmiIe
On Moina
Art thou then lost to thy AIoina7
once had a lamb my love gayeno,
as the mountain snow twas white;
Oh, how loved it nobody knows
decksdit each morning with the myrtle rosa,
With forget-me-not at night.
hy lover they slew and they tere my lamb
From Moina.
They pierced the hearts core of poor Moinai
AS the last words fell from her trem-
Ing lips /, and tho echoes 81 the sweet
voice faded far away across the sea, The
boat gliding gently On, ran her boR into