That went and this replaced it
D'imigh seo agus thánaig siúd
The white roads were improved
with tar macadam
and the bright candles were extinguished.
But high among the racing clouds
the same moon still presides
which scattered its etherial silver
over Benbulben and Knocknarea
and on the smooth, damp thighs
of the sand-women on the White Strand;
that lit the Little Black Donkey's road
to the love-nest of Sean-Phádraig and Mrs Rudmose-Brown
in the corner of the glen.

Tonight this is a magical world
- this Land of Shadows -
transformed by the moon's silver light.
My heart overflows with happiness.
Even though keyed up
to quench once more
the urgent thirst of my desire,
I still seek my bright vision.


Cóiríodh na bóithre bána
le gairbhéal is le tearra
is tá na coinnle geala múchta.
Ach go hard i measc na scamall reatha
tá an ghealach cheannann chéanna ina suí
a dhoirt a solas taibhseach
ar Bhinn Ghulbain is Chnoc na Ria
is ar cholpaí míne taise
mhná gainimhe na Trá Báine;
a léirigh bealach an Asail Bhig Dhuibh
go nead Sheana-Phádraic is Mrs Rudmose-Brown
i gclúid an ghleanna.

Is críoch dhiamhar í seo anois
- Tír na Scáth -
í claochlaithe ag airgead gealaí.
Brúchtann an t-aoibhneas im chroí.
Fiú is mé ar tinneall
chun tart práinneach mo mhianta a mhúchadh
aon uair amháin eile
táim fós ar thóir m'aislinge.


Na Grása agus Dánta Eile (Coiscéim 1993); Chapman 55-56.