The Hosting of the Sidhe

1899

The host is riding from KnocknareaAnd over the grave of Clooth-na-bare;Caolte tossing his burning hairAnd Niamh calling Away, come away:Empty your heart of its mortal dream.The winds awaken, the leaves whirl round,Our cheeks are pale, our hair is unbound,Our breasts are heaving, our eyes are a-glean,Our arms are waving, our lips are apart;And if any gaze on our rushing band,We come between him and the deed of his hand,

We come between him and the hope of his heart.The host is rushing 'twixt night and day,And where is there hope or deed as fair?Caolte tossing his burning hair,And Niamh calling Away, come away.

From The Wind Among the Reeds (1899), via the English Wikisource transcription.

Public domainThis poem is in the public domain. You may read it, copy it, recite it and publish it without asking anyone.