THE ROAD ACROSS SLIEVE RUE

As I went down to Dublin town

The road across Slieve Rue,

I met a maid in crimson gown;

Her little feet were bare and brown,

She looked at me, she laughed at me

With eyes of watchet blue.

No mortal maid was half so fair,

Or half so dainty sweet;

The sun was tangled in her hair,

And O her feet were brown and bare;

I laid the very heart of me

Before those dancing feet.

“O go you down to Dublin quay

To sail upon the Bay?

I pray you, gentle sir,” said she,

“To turn and walk a mile with me.”

So witching were the eyes of her

I could not say her nay.

She gave to me a ring of gold,

And kisses, two and three;

She sang me elfin songs of old,

She lured my heart into her hold,

Then turned and left me lonely there —

A wicked witch was she.

As I went down to Dublin quay

By darkling ways alone,

My fairy maid was gone from me,

For O a wicked witch was she,

And all my heart within me lay

As heavy as a stone.