way and conquer'd the land:
Rebellion had smooth'd the invader's career,
The natives shrank from him, in hate, or in fear;
While Erin's proud spirit seem'd slumb'ring in peace,
In secret it panted for death--or release.

The tumult of battle was hush'd for awhile,--
Turgesius was monarch of Erin's fair isle,
The sword of the conqueror slept in its sheath,
His triumphs were honour'd with trophy and wreath;
The princes of Erin despair'd of relief,
And knelt to the lawless Norwegian chief.

His heart knew the charm of a woman's sweet smile;
But ne'er, till he came to this beautiful isle,
Did he know with what mild, yet resistless control,
That sweet smile can conquer a conqueror's soul:
And oh! 'mid the sweet smiles most sure to enthral,
He soon met with one--he thought sweetest of all.

The brave Prince of Meath had a daughter as fair
As the pearls of Loch Neagh which encircled her hair;
The tyrant beheld her, and cried, "She shall come
To reign as the queen of my gay mountain home;
Ere sunset to-morrow hath crimson'd the sea,
Melachlin, send forth thy young daughter to me!"

Awhile paused the Prince--too indignant to speak,
There burn'd a reply in his glance--on his cheek:
But quickly that hurried expression was gone,
And calm was his manner, and mild was his tone.
He answered--"Ere sunset hath crimson'd the sea,
To-morrow--I'll send my young daughter to thee.

"At sunset to-morrow your palace forsake,
With twenty young chiefs seek the isle on yon lake;
And there, in its coolest and pleasantest shades,
My child shall await you with twenty fair maids:
Yes--bright as my armour the damsels shall be
I send with my daughter, Turgesius, to thee."

Turgesius return'd to his palace; to him
The sports of that evening seem'd languid and dim;
And tediously long was the darkness of night,
And slowly the morning unfolded its light;
The sun seem'd to linger--as if it would be
An age ere his setting would crimson the sea.

At length came the moment--the King and his band
With rapture push'd out their light boat from the land;
And bright shone the gems on the armour, and bright
Flash'd their fast-moving oars in the setting sun's light;
And long ere they landed, they saw though the trees
The m