Dora Sigerson Shorter

“ Many sweet tales told her nurse, that fed her romantic young brain.
Till sleeping were sweet for its dreams, and waking was dreaming again.
What if their lone tower was built on a high rock right out in the sea.
Like the rock in that fountain of hers? or perhaps it might be
The world were a garden of flowers. ”

“ He half thought it was writ on his brow, that the people were sick of their laughter;
He turned the stone in his sleeve: ‘Let them laugh; he laughs best who laughs after.’
So Eogan, at word of the King, when he heard that the three youths had landed,
Was to welcome the brothers to Erinn, outspoken to seem and free-handed—
‘But,’ this in a whisper aside, ‘slay them, each man, without warning.’
So by the sword of a traitor fell AinM, Ardan and Naois, for scorning
Of a king by the daughter of Feilim. And Deirdré was brought to King Connor. ”