There is a pretty story, more than a thousand years old, in the Book of the Dun Cow, which relates how Prince Connla of the Golden Hair, son of the great king Conn the Hundred-Fighter, was carried off by a fairy from the western shore in a crystal boat to Moy-Mell. One day--as the story relates--while the king and Connla and many nobles were standing on the sea-shore, a boat of shining crystal approached from the west: and when it had touched the land, a fairy, like a human being, and richly dressed, came forth from it, and, addressing Connla, tried to entice him into it. No one saw this strange being save Connla alone, though all heard the conversation: and the king and the nobles marvelled, and were greatly troubled. At last the fairy chanted the following words in a very sweet voice: and the moment the chant was ended, the poor young prince stepped into the crystal boat, which in a moment glided swiftly away to the west: and prince Connla was never again seen in his native land. THE CHANT OF THE FAIRY TO CONNLA OF THE GOLDEN HAIR. I. A land of youth, a land of rest, A land from sorrow free; It lies far off in the golden west, On the verge of the azure sea. A swift canoe of crystal bright, That never met mortal view-- We shall reach the land ere fall of night, In that strong and swift canoe: We shall reach the strand Of that sunny land From druids and demons free; The land of rest, In the golden west, On the verge of the azure sea! II. A pleasant land of winding vales, bright streams, and verdurous plains, Where summer, all the live-long year, in changeless splendour reigns; A peaceful land of calm delight, of everlasting bloom; Old age and death we never know, no sickness, care, or gloom; The land of youth, Of love and truth, From pain and sorrow free; The land of rest, In the golden west, On the verge of the azure sea! III. There are strange delights for mortal men in that island of the west; The sun comes down each evening in its lovely vales to rest: And though far and dim On the ocean's rim It seems to mortal view, We shall reach its halls Ere the evening falls, In my strong and swift canoe; And ever more That verdant shore Our happy home shall he; The land of rest, In the golden west, On the verge of the azure sea! IV. It will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden hair, It will guard thee from the druids, from the demons of the air;[12-1] My crystal boat will guard thee, till we reach that western shore, Where thou and I in joy and love shall live for evermore: