School: Kilkea, Mageney (roll number 9123)
- Location:
- Kilkea Lodge Farm, Co. Kildare
- Teacher: Cáit Ní Chába
![The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0781, Page 278](https://doras.gaois.ie/cbes/CBES_0781%2FCBES_0781_278.jpg?width=1600&quality=85)
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0781, Page 278
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- (continued from previous page)At first the river Greese, that near
Where Kilkea Castle stood
Ran gently by, now quickly rose
In wild and sweeping flood,
And whirled round the Castle wall
And through the doorway flowed,
But soon again it fell away,
For she no terror showed.
And then, when out the waters went,
A fish-like creature wound
Its body through, in serpent form
And wriggled on the ground,
And 'twinned about the lady's feet,
But soon to disappear
It slunk away, for bravely still
She showed not any fear.
But third and last, a shadowy form
Moved silent through the room
The form of one long years ago
Laid low within the tomb;
And now it flitted further off,
And now it flitted near,
But still the lady, gaging gave
Not any sign of fear.
Then he who never bent to man
Or failed in deadly strife,
By soft entreaty was overcome,
And yielded to his wife.
Through great in arms, and gently skilled
In each intricate art,
The Earl was lost, not knowing
To try a woman's heart;
For, changed into a small black bird
And on her shoulder lit,
The lady scarce had raised her hand
To stroke and cherish it.(continues on next page)