The Fairy Changeling and Other Poems

Transcribed from the 1898 John Lane edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
BY DORA SIGERSON (MRS CLEMENT SHORTER)
john lane the bodley head london & new york mdcccxcviii
Only one of the pieces in the following collection appeared in the writer’s earlier volume (“ Verses ” by Dora Sigerson ; Elliot Stock , 1893). The remainder have found refuge in “ Longman’s Magazine ,” “ The Pall Mall Magazine ,” “ The National Observer ” ( of Mr. Henley ), “ Cassell’s Magazine ,” and numerous American publications —“ The Century Magazine ,” “ The Bookman ,” “ The Boston Pilot ,” “ The Chap-Book ,” and others . The Author wishes to thank the Editors of these magazines and journals for the kindness implied .
Dermod O’Byrne of Omah town In his garden strode up and down; He pulled his beard, and he beat his breast; And this is his trouble and woe confessed:
“The good-folk came in the night, and they Have stolen my bonny wean away; Have put in his place a changeling, A weashy, weakly, wizen thing!
“From the speckled hen nine eggs I stole, And lighting a fire of a glowing coal, I fried the shells, and I spilt the yolk; But never a word the stranger spoke:
“A bar of metal I heated red To frighten the fairy from its bed, To put in the place of this fretting wean My own bright beautiful boy again.
“But my wife had hidden it in her arms, And cried ‘For shame!’ on my fairy charms;
She sobs, with the strange child on her breast: ‘I love the weak, wee babe the best!’”
To Dermod O’Byrne’s, the tale to hear, The neighbours came from far and near: Outside his gate, in the long boreen, They crossed themselves, and said between
Their muttered prayers, “He has no luck! For sure the woman is fairy-struck, To leave her child a fairy guest, And love the weak, wee wean the best!”