Great-limbed and swift and beautiful Past any dream, he came to her, From Emain Macha through a land For gladness of the Spring astir. And on the flutes of Morning blown, Strong Joy that took for breath no pause, The song of Breeze and Stream and Bird, The herald of his coming was. Yea, and through all her April ways, To Erin's utmost sea-girt rim, Through waking seed, and blade and leaf, Green Nature laughed for joy of him. And where he held his sun-bright course, Straight-sped as arrow on its flight, Men thronged as to a pageant wrought By the high gods for their delight. And seeing, with a fairer faith The Deathless Mighty Ones adored, Who thus unto their Ulster's need Had shaped at once a shield and sword. So through the singing land he passed, The peerless warden of her fame, So, Lord himself of Love and War, Unto his fair-faced love he came. |