Human transgression owes, were surer paid To nerve with will twofold, a great resolve, Then would the Just, ere biding time they search, Foregone conclude, as late in heaven propos'd, Blackwater's coming strife: Fardora's son The victor with the tribal force he leagu'd, Then searching through the maze of Universe, "Tween these the earth revolves, her nights and days, In size, her disk, a satellite might seem, E'en the chaste moon of the great continent She follow'd from the deep; and shines to view, A beauty austere; a stern recluse or sphere Where gods might dwell, to which, the world's approach A land of verdurous life, where all the blooms * To mortals bless'd; all beauty's naked forms, The Moon. Vindictive to unfavour'd eyes, that dare With looks profane; if by the sportive brook, Or on the pastures of green-sided hills, Hath never scar'd: his seasons duly care Fresh pluck'd and fragrant for their fairy Queen. Salutes the hills in friendship, and beneath, Glosses the cheek of lake and river fam'd, Dispels the mist, and gives the flowers to smile; In meditation of his length of days, At Eire's feet he lingers, to recall With hope the happy memories of her reign: How oft in years he hail'd the Holy Isle, To spread her glory's fame, and hither light The nations, for their lore. How hard to think, Such loveliness should ever bosom grief! Life's font so bless'd beget a world of tears! The Rock of Arranmore. SCENE 1. The forthcoming victory at the Yellow Ford, being conditionally assumed as foregone, its first sequence, after a second victory on Seaghais' Hills, presented to the celestial courts, is the judgment of heaven upon the Gael, in the overthrow at Cremna, for the crimes of the Tribemonster. Eire with her bleeding breast, fallen into a deadly swoon, unseen and unheard of, seems lost forever. Arising after forty-eight years, she wanders to the Isle of Arranmore, where she revives Banba, whom she finds expiring in the agony of grief. Banba recounts to her the afflictions of her people since her defeat at Cremna. Eire, abandoned to the tale of horror, cries aloud to all the nations. Cromwell's descent on Banba. Her despondency. The ancient oracles are dumb. Eire sends her forth to consult the Christian shrines. Saint George, before the heavenly Powers, reflects upon the scene. At Eire's wounds, now spirits that once had hearts, And in their courts on high, their judgment blend 13 |