And his young dear one close beside him knelt,

And gazed upon the wisdom of his eyes,

More mournful than the depth of starry skies,

And pondered on the wonder of his days;

And all around the harp-string told his praise,

And Conchubar, the Red Branch king of kings,

With his own fingers touched the brazen strings.

At last Cuchulain spake, ‘A young man strays

Driving the deer along the woody ways.

I often hear him singing to and fro;