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IRISH SONGS AND LYRICS 317 |
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The old man said, and listened by the fire;
And, " 'Tis the souls that pass us on their way," The young maids whispered, clinging side by side —
So left their glowing nuts awhile to pray.
Still the pale spirit, singing through the night,
Came to this window, looking from the dark Into the room; then passing to the door
Where crouched the whining dog, afraid to bark, Tapped gently without answer, pressed the latch,
Pushed softly open, and then tapped once more. The maidens cried, when seeking for the ring,
" How strange a wind is blowing on the door ! "
And said the old man, crouching to the fire.
" Draw close your chairs, for colder falls the night; Push fast the door, and pull the curtains to,
For it is dreary in the moon's pale light." And then his daughter's daughter with her hand
Passed over salt and clay to touch the ring, Said low: " The old need fire, but ah ! the young
Have that within their hearts to flame and sting."
And then the spirit, moving from her place
Touched there a shoulder, whispered in each ear,
Bent by the old man, nodding in his chair, But no one heeded her, or seemed to hear.
Then crew the black cock, and so, weeping sore. She went alone into the night again ;
1 There is a belief in some parts of Ireland that the dead are allowed to return to earth on November 2 (All Souls Night), and the peasantry leave food and fire for their comfort, and set a chair by the hearth for their resting before they themselves retire to bed.—Author. |
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