<> Conary Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Saturday, March 12, 2016 TIFF Ferg033 Manuscript Flies, Margin, Melody English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg033 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg033_2.jpg LHL Archive Been fooled and baffled in a darkling maze And kept abroad despite our better selves. From succour of our king. We were enough To have brushed them off as flies ; and while we made Our sallies through them, bursting from the doors. We quelled them flat : but when these wicked sprites, — For now I know, men of the Sidhs they were — Who played their pipes before us, led us on Into the outer margin of the night. No man amongst us all could stay himself, Or keep from following ; and they kept us there. As men who walk asleep, in drowsy trance Listening a sweet pernicious melody. And following after in an idle round Till all was finished, and the plunderers gone. Haply they hear me, and the words I speak May bring their malice also upon me As late it fell on Conary. Yet, now The spell is off me, and I see the sun. By all my nation's swearing-Gods I swear I do defy them ; and appeal to you Beings of goodness perfect, and to Thee Great unknown Being who hast made them all, Take Ye compassion on the race of men ; And, for this slavery of gaysh and sidh Send down some emanation of Yourselves To rule and comfort us ! And I have heard Text