At Nature's granduer, while in speechless awe

Thought dwelt on Him whose hand had caus'd the gulph

they saw

Full oft they smil'd, when loitering rustics told,

(As yet they tell,) how there the Fairies hold
Their Court on star-lit nights, and sportive march
In mimic grandeur o'er that tiny arch-
Close to the edge fair Lucy stepp'd-her eye
With playful sweetness beam'd-"See Albert, I
Am now the Fairy Queen-bow Vassal-nay,
My name shall be, "the Naid of the spray"-
She spoke and speaking slipp'd-the treacherous edge
Glided beneath her feet-swift o'er the ledge
She fell with headlong violence—Albert turn'd,
And saw the waves close o'er her-madness burn'd
Within his bosom-instant had he lept

At least to die with her, though flames had swept
Instead of billows there-a rustic's hand

Grasp'd him with friendly force, as though a band
Of Iron held his limbs-""Tis useless-see;
No arm can aid her now-leap, and for thee

A fate like her's is doom'd-cease madman; heed
A Friend's advice; yet look"-with headlong speed
His noble dog impetuous plung'd o'er

The dizzy height, and dash'd amidst the roar
Which thunder'd there--his limbs to sight were lost,
Amidst the milk-white surge with frantic fury tost.
Albert writh'd madly-each spectator deem'd
That sense had fled her throne—a century seem'd
Compress'd within a minute-through the cave
Urg'd with impetuous force a mighty wave

Rose to the dizzy summit, on its crest

The faithful animal was seen to breast
The surge, but not alone-firmly he grasp'd
The Lady's snow-white robes, and as he past,
(Though borne with headlong fury) seem'd to cast
A look upon his master-from his head

Gash'd deeply by the pointed rocks there spread
A crimson streak amidst the foam-the stain
Was trac'd distinctly; (thus the deep-blue vein
On Beauty's brow maanders,) o'er his back
A lily-arm was seen amidst the black

And thick wave-moisten'd hair-it seem'd to be
A silver ornament on ebony-

On, 'midst the foam they swept-one instant more
That wave had dash'd them 'gainst the rocky shore;
Another check'd its course-with fearful roar

And equal speed they met

Dimly their forms appeard,

amidst the spray

and seem'd to stay

Pois'd on the bursting waves-
-but e'er they broke,
A hardy Fisherman with practis'd stroke

Had cast a well-noos'd rope-"look, look! 'tis wound
O'er the fast-failing dog-there, there, around
His limbs 'tis fixd"-it was so-hurried o'er
That fearful gulph both reach'd the friendly shore
Breathless yet still alive-'twas many a dây
Ere Lucy's eye resum'd its bright-blue ray—
Oft would she stoop with fond caress to greet
The noble dog which gamboll'd at her feet.

End of Canto the First.

SCENERY

AND

GEND OF LOUGH NEAGH. (x)

Ο

(1842.)

Εν μεσημβρινὰις κοιτὰις
Εὐδεὶ ποντός ακὑμῶν.

ESCHYLI AGAMEMNON.

H! what happiness to be

Wandering void of care, and free,
By Lough Neagh's inland sea.
Stranger, come and sit with me,
Sun-beams shining gloriously
Form a gorgeous canopy;
Summer's hand hath softly spread
Nature's pillow for your head,
Where the honey-seeking bee
Labours humming drowsily;
Violets here and daisies there
Smiling in the sunny air
Spread a perfum'd couch for thee
On yon bank; this inland sea
Rippling gently at our feet,

Seems with murmuring voice to greet

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