THE AOS SÍ

I

Nature's guardians, tutelary spirits,

untruths and cunning they forswear,

vanquished children of the Goddess Danu

these isles with man, bird and beast share.

Invading mortal sons of Míl Espáine

the good folk in battle subdued,

thence in woods, caves and mountains they linger,

'neath great mounds their peoples seclude.

Magical immortals to Nature bound

their sunken abodes jealous guard,

sequestered beings into legend passed, 

scriveners' tales their repute marred.

No taller than an earthly child they stand,

no webbed feet have, nor gift of flight,

'pon thrushes they ride, ragwort stems bestride,

minuscule whirlwinds we oft sight.

No deceivers, they, nor snaggers, nor sprites,

e'er nimble, silent and discreet, 

to the pure of heart their forms they reveal,

sole those menace, who folks mistreat.

The kind and penitent would they e'er aid,

the feeling no reprisals fear,

woe betide humans who their peace disturb,

as rascals who at wee folk sneer.

For such would they blight, their cattle and crops,

their bairns and kin spirit away,

'pon trespassers vicious revenge exact,

'pon all who to their ring forts stray.

Misfortune and disease farmers shall plague,

who their beloved whitethorns fell,

poison darts at sheep and horses they shoot,

their wells and gardens baleful spell.

II

Music of birdsong, of laughing waters

'pon gilded harps they artful play,

at twilight revels in circles cavort,

till dawn to mellow chanting sway.

Mystical melodies mortals enchant,

bewitched souls to the barrows lure,

from ceaseless frolicking these waste away,

suchlike must we from harm secure.

Thro' twilit hours 'pon the banks of Loch Gur

the Otherworld's gates open wide,

fulgent paths to eternal Summer lead,

where the faerie monarchs abide.

There, as a bairn one blessed Ostara,

wondrous loveliness I beheld,

as loch and trees in the gloaming sparkled,

my heart with astonished hope swelled.

For tales had I heard of the Faerie Queen,

her gilded doves and golden steed,

o'er the banks a vision ariding came

Spring's advent thro' the land decreed.

At Beltane, Midsummer's Eve and Samhain,

'pon these sacred days of each year,

faerie mounts 'cross fields and meadows they ride,

their paths to cross villagers fear.

With plentiful poteen, first milk and fruit

these sublime beings we appease,

thro' gifts and deeds our gratitude evince,

for words the fair folk do not please.

III

Tho' benevolent, e'er to peace disposed,

to gentle mischief they incline,

daisies to grass tether, the mare's mane braid,

sleeping bairns' locks nightly entwine.

Their corn they kibble when the village sleeps,

into the mill steal after dark,

the miller they unsparing recompense,

his silent consent grateful mark.

'Tis said they men bemuse, in riddles speak,

the trustful with banter waylay,

will o' the wisps such from safe paths distract,

befogg'd travellers lead astray.

In days of yore, a strapping passerby

faerie maids at the brook espied,

'pon a rock sat, for their bathing to view,

our forebears' warnings he defied.

With strident applause he the beauties cheered,

brazen grinned, as their laughter stilled,

all at once the faerie maidens vanished,

a gnawing fear this youth's heart chilled.

Out of the shadows a bent crone emerged,

with deepest loathing her lips pursed,

whispering, a malediction uttered,

this foolish youth with blindness cursed.

Charms to protect we 'pon our persons bear,

for their wrath and malice we dread,

cold iron, St. John's wort, four-leaf clovers

as rowan leaves, berries, and bread.

Lore of changeling souls, of shape shifters tells,

such human form and guise assume,

'mong mortals live as boon or affliction,

erelong their faerie life resume.

And so, to this would I the wise exhort,

kindness accord to all you greet,

your victuals with strangers ungrudging share,

for these might be wee folk you meet.

© 2014 Lily's Verse

Lilium Candidum

Image: RIDERS OF THE SIDHE
Source: territa.ru
Artist: John Duncan