Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/111

 When my arms are seen, And they bony and thin, They are not fit, I declare, To be uplifted over comely youths.

The maidens rejoice When May-day comes to them: For me sorrow is meeter, For I am wretched, I am an old hag.

I hold no sweet converse, No wethers are killed for my wedding-feast, My hair is all but grey, The mean veil over it is no pity.

I do not deem it ill That a white veil should be on my head: Time was when many cloths of every hue Bedecked my head as we drank the good ale.

The Stone of the Kings on Femen, The Chair of Ronan in Bregon, 'Tis long since storms have reached them. The slabs of their tombs are old and decayed.

The wave of the great sea talks aloud, Winter has arisen: Fermuid the son of Mugh to-day I do not expect on a visit.

I know what they are doing: They row and row across The reeds of the Ford of Alma— Cold is the dwelling where they sleep.

'Tis 'O my God!' To me to-day, whatever will come of it.