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
