I wish and I wish

I wish and I wish

And I wish I were

A golden bee

In the blue of the air,

Winging my way

At the shut of day

To the honey-marges

Of Loch-ciuin-ban;

Or a little green drake,

Or a silver swan,

Floating upon

The Stream of Aili,

And I to be swimming

Gaily, gaily!

I wish and I wish

And I wish I could be

A bud on a branch

Of the red-thorn tree

That blows at the head

Of Blanaid's Bed,

And sheds a petal

At every breath;

[Or a poppy-flower

In the scented swath

That the reapers reap

In the hills of Easa,

For sacrifice

To the dread Lúghnasa.]

I wish and I wish

It could come to pass

That I would be changed

To a leaf of grass,

Growing green

On Tulach-caoin,

Where Caoimhin and Conn

And Ciaran sleep,

And I to be rooted

Strong and deep

In the hearts of the Three

Who fell in slaughter

For love of Eilit,

The Druid's daughter.

If wishes had wings

I would not stay,

But Wine would wile

My soul away;

And Love would creep

Into my sleep

As soft as a dream

At evenfall,

When the crickets sing

And the curlews call;

And 'tis I would wake

For no new morrow

On the grey round

Of this world of sorrow!