She was gentler and shyer than the light fawn that stood by her,
And her eyes emit a fire soft and tender as her soul;
Love’s dewy light doth drown her, and the braided locks that crown her
Than autumn’s trees are browner, when the golden shadows roll
Through the forests in the evening, when cathedral turrets toll,
        And the purple sun advanceth to its goal.

Her cottage was a dwelling all regal homes excelling,
But, ah! beyond the telling was the beauty round it spread: 
The wave and sunshine playing, like sisters each arraying,
Far down the sea-plants swaying upon their coral bed,
As languid as the tresses on a sleeping maiden’s head,
        When the summer breeze is dead.

Need we say that Maurice loved her, and that no blush reproved her
When her throbbing bosom moved her to give the heart she gave;
That by dawnlight and by twilight, and, O blessed moon! by thy light,
When the twinkling stars on high light the wanderer o’er the wave,
His steps unconscious led him where Glengariff’s waters lave
        Each mossy bank and cave.

He thitherward is wending, o’er the vale is night descending,
Quick his step, but quicker sending his herald thoughts before;
By rocks and streams before him, proud and hopeful on he bore him;
One star was shining o’er him—­in his heart of hearts two more—­
And two other eyes, far brighter than a human head e’er wore,
        Unseen were shining o’er.

These eyes are not of woman, no brightness merely human
Could, planet-like, illumine the place in which they shone;
But Nature’s bright works vary—­there are beings light and airy,
Whom mortal lips call fairy, and Una she is one—­
Sweet sisters of the moonbeams and daughters of the sun,
        Who along the curling cool waves run.

As summer lightning dances amid the heavens’ expanses,
Thus shone the burning glances of those flashing fairy eyes;
Three splendours there were shining, three passions intertwining,
Despair and hope combining their deep-contrasted dyes,
With jealousy’s green lustre, as troubled ocean vies
        With the blue of summer skies!

She was a fairy creature, of heavenly form and feature,
Not Venus’ self could teach her a newer, sweeter grace,
Not Venus’ self could lend her an eye so dark and tender,
Half softness and half splendour, as lit her lily face;
And as the choral planets move harmonious throughout space,
        There was music in her pace.

But when at times she started, and her blushing lips were parted,
And a pearly lustre darted from her teeth so ivory white,
You’d think you saw the gliding of two rosy clouds dividing,
And the crescent they were hiding gleam forth upon your sight
Through these lips, as though the portals of a heaven pure and bright,
        Came a breathing of delight!