XLIV.
And thereupon arose confusion, such
As ne’er was seen before, and ne’er again
Shall e’er be seen. With tops that seemed to touch
The heights of Heaven arose the strenuous main
In wild tumultuous strivings, till the brain
Of those beholders whirled, and they that spake
In terror seemed all voiceless, for in vain
Speech called at its own ears. All heaven did make
Sound at whose dreadful voice all earth did seem to shake.
XLV.
And far across the world a tempest bore
Sounds of a conflict such as never yet
Man’s eyes beheld,—e’en to the cloudy shore
Of distant Britain: there did they beget
Vague words of wonder. Ere the sun had set
Within a stormy west nor man nor maid
Of all Ultonia but with spray was wet
As, lo! from each far hill, each distant glade
Long thousands shoreward drew with wide-eyed wonder swayed.
XLVI.
And when it seemed as if the heavens swam
In wild bewilderment,—each starry sphere
Would topple earthward, straightway fell a calm
That laid a hush upon the heart of fear,
And soothed both sea and sky, till softest tear
Would drop with sound of cataracts in the glen.
And thus they waited what should next appear,
Uncounted thousands of full-armëd men,
Bards, chieftans, clansmen, women, maids, youths, children:—then
XLVII.
As if the sea had stolen half the glow
Of the sunk sun, the quiet Loch flushed red,
And lengthened day, e’en tho’ the day did go
To other lands. “Some portent this,” they said,
“Of the fight’s finish: one hath joined the dead—
Which, shall appear full soon.”—Lo! on the sea
What form is yon that waves a hideous head
Within its hand? They gaze, they shout: “’Tis he,
Fergus, Ultonia’s King. Fergus hath victory!”
XLVIII.
Then that red glory brightened, and they scanned
The King’s marred visage—marred?—nay, pure and bright
As erst in youth! He called: “With this right hand
Nerved with the fury of revengeful might,
I fought—and won! I’ve lived my day; now night
Doth wrap its blackness round me: I but pay
The price of mine own deed.” And from their sight
He sank beneath the waters of the bay
Which rolled in waves of blood for many a devious day!