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Poem by Thomas Davis
Emmeline Talbot
A Ballad of the Pale The scene is on the borders of Dublin and Wicklow. ’T WAS a September day,— In Glenismole, Emmeline Talbot lay On a green knoll. She was a lovely thing, Fleet as a falcon’s wing, Only fifteen that spring,— Soft was her soul. Danger and dreamless sleep Much did she scorn, And from her father’s keep Stole out that morn. Towards Glenismole she hies; Sweetly the valley lies, Winning the enterprise,— No one to warn. Till by the noon, at length, High in the vale, Emmeline found her strength Suddenly fail. Panting, yet pleasantly, By Dodder-side lay she— Thrushes sang merrily, “Hail, sister, hail!” Hazel and copse of oak Made a sweet lawn, Out from the thicket broke Rabbit and fawn. Green were the ciscirs round, Sweet was the river’s sound, Eastwards flat Cruach frowned, South lay Sliabh Bán. Looking round Barnakeel, Like a tall Moor Full of impassioned zeal, Peeped brown Kippure. Dublin in feudal pride, And many a hold beside, Over Finn-ghaill preside,— Sentinels sure! Is that a roebuck’s eye Glares from the green? Is that a thrush’s cry Rings in the screen? Mountaineers round her sprung, Savage their speech and tongue, Fierce was their chief and young,— Poor Emmeline! “Hurrah, ’t is Talbot’s child,” Shouted the kerne, “Off to the mountains wild, Faire, O’Byrne!” Like a bird in a net, Strove the sweet maiden yet, Praying and shrieking, “Let— Let me return.” After a moment’s doubt, Forward he sprung, With his sword flashing out, Wrath on his tongue. “Touch not a hair of hers, Dies he who finger stirs!” Back fell his foragers; To him she clung. Soothing the maiden’s fears, Kneeling was he, When burst old Talbot’s spears Out on the lea. March-men, all stanch and stout, Shouting their Belgard shout,— “Down with the Irish rout, Prets d’accomplir.” Taken thus unawares, Some fled amain; Fighting like forest bears, Others were slain. To the chief clung the maid,— How could he use his blade?— That night upon him weighed Fetter and chain. O, but that night was long, Lying forlorn, Since, mid the wassail song, These words were borne: “Nathless your tears and cries, Sure as the sun shall rise, Connor O’Byrne dies, Talbot has sworn.” Brightly on Tamhlacht hill Flashes the sun; Strained at his window-sill, How his eyes run From lonely Sagart slade Down to Tigh-bradán glade, Landmarks of border raid, Many a one. Too well the captive knows Belgard’s main wall Will, to his naked blows, Shiver and fall, Ere in his mountain hold He shall again behold Those whose proud hearts are cold, Weeping his thrall. “O for a mountain side, Bucklers and brands! Freely I could have died Heading my bands, But on a felon tree”— Bearing a fetter key, By him all silently Emmeline stands. * * * * * Late rose the castellan, He had drunk deep,— Warder and serving-man Still were asleep,— Wide is the castle-gate, Open the captive’s grate, Fetters disconsolate Flung in a heap. * * * * * ’T is an October day, Close by Loch Dan Many a creach lay, Many a man. ’Mongst them, in gallant mien, Connor O’Byrne ’s seen Wedded to Emmeline, Girt by his clan!
Thomas Davis
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