Page:The Wild Goose.djvu/3

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Who has not heard of the ancient fairy lore of Erin; of the pagan rites and incantations of the Danuans, when every hill, ruth, fountain, and ruin of Innisfail, had its own guardian genius; or which of us has not listened, with rapt attention, to the legendary traditions which we heard in our boyhood, of the adventurous deeds of Milesian heroes, or of the no less exciting and marvelous records of enchantments and spells, performed by some demoniacal witch, to cross the daring exploits of heroes, in their pursuit of love or war? How often around the quite and happy homes of our childhood, have we been hushed to rest by beloved lips, perchance, ere now, for ever silent in death, singing to us croons and lullabies of warriors and men long since departed! Amid the bustle and excitement of maturer years, those snatches of a melody, and those tales of other days will sometimes come crowding along the field of memory, bringing vividly to our recollection the calm and halcyon days of our parents' homesteads.

Before the benign influence of Christianity shed its halo of heavenly glory over the Island of Saints, no one, perhaps, of the witches, fairies or goblins or Eirie, exercised such sway, or was held in such dread, as Cliodhna, the Queen of the Munster Fairies. All round the borders of the green Isle, her name was celebrated as a being possessed of more than matchless power and many a witch bumbled over her incantations, as the name of the dreaded Queen was mentioned. From the enchanted shores of Lough Lene, around the seaside, to the farther borders of a Thomond, or North Munster, none dared dispute her sway, or enter the magical ring to compete with her, in a tourney of supernatural skill. She is described by the poets and storytellers of Ireland, as a young woman possessed of more than mortal charms; and, like some of the goddesses of Grecian mythology, she seems to have been passionately fond of earthly lovers, and her principal occupation was, by means of her magical rites, to assume various disguises, and thus seduce young men from their allegiance to their sweethearts. Many a lovely daughter of Erin shook with dread when she thought of the hateful influence of the all-powerful enchantress, and innumerable were the charms, and talismans employed, to counteract her diabolical arts. From the high-born and proud daughter of the King, and beautiful maiden of the cottage, all, without any distinction, prayed for the preservation of lover or brother, from the seductions of the dreaded enchantress. Others, vowed offerings, and dedicated feasts, to propitiate her good will, and though