over the heart of Deirdrê hung that black cloud of sorrow to come, of woe unspeakable.
When the golden dawn crept over the blue hills of Loch Etive, and the white-winged birds of the sea swooped and dived and cried in the silver waters, the galley of the Sons of Usna set out to sea.
And Deirdrê, over whom hung a doom she had not the courage to name, sang a song at parting:
The Lay of Deirdre
"Beloved land, that Eastern land,
"Alba, with its wonders.
"that I might not depart from it,
"But that I go with Naoise.
"Beloved is Dunfidgha and Dun Fin;
"Beloved the Dun above them;
"Beloved is Innisdraighende;[1]
"And beloved Dun Suibhne,[2]
"Coillchuan! O Coillchuan!
"Where Ainnle would, alas! resort;
"Too short, I deem, was then my stay
"With Ainnle in Oirir Alban.
"Glenlaidhe![3] O Glenlaidhe!
"I used to sleep by its soothing murmur;
"Fish, and flesh of wild boar and badger.
"Was my repast in Glenlaidhe.
"Glenmasan! O Glenmasan![4]
"High its herbs, fair its boughs.
"Solitary was the place of our repose
"On grassy Invermasan.
