This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ...as if they also mourned the dead; Then keenly sniffed the air, and barked and leaped About the woman's skirts. The children wept. Steps crackled on the leaves. And like a dart Straight aimed, flew Michael, straining Mary to his heart. LX. Lo, all her pent-up anguish, all her fears, Then broke their flood-gates in a storm of tears Upon her husband's shoulder; with her arms Locked closely round him, the fell night's alarms, The home in ashes laid, the sick and old Relentlessly thrust forth into the cold Autumnal night--yea, all the pain and trouble Seemed bearable to her, now that her heart was double. LXI. Few were his words. What comfort was in speech? The news had smitten Michael on the beach, Where late at night he landed. For a cloud Of densely rolling smoke hung like a shroud On the familiar cliffs and well-known bay, Till the bewildered mariners lost their way Even in broad noon, but won the shore at night. Piloted by the flames that flashed from vale and height. LXII. Oh, ghastly home-coming! Oh, cruel blow! To find their levelled walls and huts laid low; Their crofts destroyed, their stacks of fragrant hay Devoured of greedy flames or borne away By all the winds of heaven. Oh, harrowing sight! Sore labour's fruits all wasted in a night; The banished clansmen hurrying to the shore, To sound of pipes that wail, Farewell for evermore. LXTII. They fly and turn not on the hireling band, That unresisting drives them from their land. Dowered with the lion's strength, like lambs they go, For saith the preacher: "God will have it so. Therefore, lest worse befall them, lest they yell Hereafter from the burning pit of Hell, Let them in judgment for their sins go hence, Nor vainly strive, poor folk, against God's providence." 'IGH...