Part 5 (1/2)

Still standing in the darkness Outside my door, The Watcher of the Threshold Waits evermore.

THE GREY RIDER

Why ride so fast through the wind and rain, Grey Rider of the Shee?

Lest a soul should call for me in vain To-night, O Vanathee.

Now, whose is the soul shall seek thine aid, Grey Rider of the Shee?

The soul of one that is sore afraid To-night, O Vanathee.

O fears he the flurry of wind and rain, Grey Rider of the Shee?

More deep is the dread that sears his brain To-night, O Vanathee.

Does he fear the tumult of clanging blows, Grey Rider of the Shee?

Nay, darker still is the fear he knows To-night, O Vanathee.

Does he fear the loss of wife or child, Grey Rider of the Shee?

Nay, a terror holds him that's still more wild To-night, O Vanathee.

O what should make him so sore afraid, Grey Rider of the Shee?

He fears a wraith that himself has made To-night, O Vanathee.

Then how shall you cleanse from fear his mind, Grey Rider of the Shee?

I will touch his eyes, and they shall be blind To-night, O Vanathee.

Yet still may he know the voice of fear, Grey Rider of the Shee?

I will touch his ears that he shall not hear To-night, O Vanathee.

Yet that wraith may linger around his bed, Grey Rider of the Shee?

No terror shall touch the quiet dead To-night, O Vanathee.

_Shee, Sidhe_--Fairies.

_Vanathee, Bean-an-Tighe_--Woman of the house.

JOAN THE MAID

Still, they say, she moves through the old-time places, Joan the Maid, with her great sword girt at her side; Sheen of wings and s.h.i.+mmer of angel faces Gather around her as she on doth ride.