Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922.
By T. W. Rolleston18. Cois na Teineadh
W
There lives a subtle spell—
The faint blue smoke, the gentle heat,
The moorland odours tell.
Of bare, untamèd land,
Where dry stone wall or ragged hedge
Runs wide on either hand.
From rainy Western skies;
And by the friendly glow within
Of simple talk, and wise,
From days when princes met
To listen to the lay that charms
The Connacht peasant yet,
There beauty blends with mirth—
Wild hearts, ye never did aspire
Wholly for things of earth!
On many a time-stained page
Your pride, your truth, your dauntless will,
Burn on from age to age.
Live on the ancient days;
There still do living lips repeat
The old and deathless lays.
Blue in the evening air,
The soul of Ireland seems to bend
Above her children there.