67. The Warnings

I WAS milking in the meadow when I heard the Banshee Keening:

Little birds were in the nest, lambs were on the lea,

Upon the brow o’ the Fairy-hill a round gold moon was leaning—

She parted from the esker as the Banshee keened for me.

I was weaving by the door-post, when I heard the Death-watch beating:

And I signed the Cross upon me, and I spoke the Name of Three.

High and fair, through cloud and air, a silver moon was fleeting—

But the night began to darken as the Death-watch beat for me.

I was sleepless on my pillow when I heard the Dead man calling,

The Dead man that lies drowned at the bottom of the sea.

Down in the West, in wind and mist, a dim white moon was falling—

Now must I rise and go to him, the Dead who calls on me.