I felt quite secure in my then retreat.  During the day I learned that the men who were to conduct me safely to Cork were arrested three several[C] times on their way back.

In my sojourn for two days and nights in the woods of Coolmountain, I received attentions for which it would be shameful not to express my gratitude.  Although the crisis of my fate was so near at hand, I felt some hours of unalloyed pleasure in its shade.  I had leisure to peruse my letters from home, so full of courage, hope and love; and to consider well the different proposals and means of escape, suggested by others and contemplated by myself.  The weather had cleared up and there was a succession of brilliant harvest days.  I employed my evenings in composing the following two pieces; and after nightfall I was visited by some friends, with whom I sipped delicious champagne, till a late hour, ’neath the calm watchfulness of a brilliant harvest moon.

EIBLIN A RUIN

I sang thee other lays,
Eiblin a ruin,
But these were happy days,
Eiblin a ruin,
When mount and vale and grove,
Where we were wont to rove,
Were beautified by love,
Eiblin a ruin.

I said I loved thee well,
Eiblin a ruin. 
Too fondly far to tell,
Eiblin a ruin. 
I loved thee as the day,
Serener for the ray,
Thy smile shed o’er my way,
Eiblin a ruin.

    But day has turned to night,
                Eiblin a ruin. 
    With clouds and gloom and blight,
                Eiblin a ruin,
    Yet here an outlaw lone,
    My heart else, like a stone,
    Is more and more thy own,
                Eiblin a ruin.

    When in some rocky glen,
                Eiblin a ruin. 
    I share the wild dog’s den,
                Eiblin a ruin,
    Oppressed with woe and care,
    As sleep comes o’er me there,
    Methinks I hear thy prayer,
                Eiblin a ruin.

    Throughout that troubled rest,
                Eiblin a ruin
    Thy image fills my breast,
                Eiblin a ruin,
    And ere the vision’s fled,
    My cold and flinty bed
    Seems down unto my head,
                Eiblin a ruin.

    As night’s dark shadow flies,
                Eiblin a ruin,
    Along the opening skies,
                Eiblin a ruin,
    In the soft purpling ray,
    That heralds early day,
    I see thy fond smile play,
                Eiblin a ruin.

When, dangers thick’ning fast,
Eiblin a ruin,
My fate seemed sealed at last,
Eiblin a ruin. 
A low voice ever near,
Still whispers in mine ear—­
“For her sake do not fear”—­
Eiblin a ruin,

And oh, ’tis that lone hope,
Eiblin a ruin,
That nerves this heart to cope,
Eiblin a ruin. 
With peril and with pain,
And surging of the brain,
More boisterous than the main,
Eiblin a ruin.