A PARAPHRASE
From the Prose of Jeremy Taylor
HOSPITALITY
From the Irish, Seventh to Tenth Century
THE STUDENT
From the Irish, Seventh to Tenth Century
AT A HOLY WELL
THE PRIEST'S LAKE
SONNETS
A PAPER-SELLER
TO ONE IN PRISON
A HOME-COMING
LOVE, THE DESTROYER
ENVOY
THE LOVING CUP
NOTES
Etain the Beloved:—This poem is founded on an ancient Irish myth. It is not a translation from the Gaelic; but rather is an attempt at transfiguration, by seeking to "unfold into light" the spiritual vision that was the inspiration, and is the secret of the persistence and resilience, of the Celt. Such modifications as I have made in the story have neither archæological nor philological significance: they arise entirely from whatever measure of insight into artistic necessity, on the side of pure literature, has been granted to me; and also from obedience to a view of the universe which is embodied in the ancient Irish mythology, and whose operations the personages of the story body forth as Psyche bodied forth the soul of humanity to the Greek.
The names of the personages may be pronounced thus: Etain—Etawn', Eochaidh—Yo'hee, Ailill—Al'yil, Mider—Mid'yir.
Dagda is the Irish God of Day, Balor the Irish God of Night.
A dun is a fortified dwelling, a liss is a place for domestic animals.
Death and Life:—On Friday, August 13, 1909, the author went by currach from Dunquin to the Great Blasket Island, Kerry, to visit Miss Eveleen Nicolls, M.A., who was spending a holiday on the island. Instead of joining her, as was intended, in music and conversation amongst the islanders, he had to participate in an endeavour, alas! unsuccessful, to restore her to life. She had been bathing with a fisher-girl. The latter got into difficulties in the strong Atlantic current, and an effort by Miss Nicolls to save the girl ended in the heroic sacrifice of her own life.
A Schoolboy plays Cuchulain:—Cuchulain, the supreme hero of Celtic romance, who, single-handed, defended his province against the army of Queen Maeve. Maeve had chosen for a foray the time when the Ulster chiefs lay in weakness under a curse by the warrior Goddess, Macha.
Hospitality:The Student:—Put into verse from the literal translations of Kuno Meyer in "Ancient Irish Poetry."
To One in Prison:A Home-coming:—Occasioned by the imprisonment of the author's wife for taking part in the active movement for the political enfranchisement of women.
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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.