Once ye were happy, once by many a shore, br Wherever Glooscap's gentle feet might stray, br Lulled by his presence like a dream, ye lay br Floating at rest; but that was long of yore. br He was too good for earthly men; he bore br Their bitter deeds for many a patient day, br And then at last he took his unseen way. br He was your friend, and ye might rest no more: br br And now, though many hundred altering years br Have passed, among the desolate northern meres br Still must ye search and wander querulously, br Crying for Glooscap, still bemoan the light br With weird entreaties, and in agony br With awful laughter pierce the lonely night.