THE KING OF ERIN'S DAUGHTER

The King of Erin's daughter had wind-blown hair and bright,

The King of Erin's daughter, her eyes were like the sea.

( O Rose of all the roses, have you forgotten quite

The story of the days of old that once you told to me? )

The King of Erin's daughter went up the mountain side,

And who but she was singing as she went upon her way?

“O somewhere waits a King's son, and I shall be his bride;

And tall he is, and fair he is, and none shall say him nay.”

The King of Erin's daughter ( O fair was she and sweet )

Went laughing up the mountain without a look behind,

Till on the lofty summit that lay beneath her feet

She found a King's son waiting there, his brows with poppies twined.

O tall was he and fair was he. He looked upon her face

And whispered in her ear a word unnamed of mortal breath,

And very still she rested, clasped close in his embrace,

The King of Erin's daughter, for the bridegroom's name was Death.