An Echo in the Bone (Outlander, #7)

by Diana Gabaldon

“The Speech of Birds.” Columba went out An early mild morning; He saw a white swan, “Guile, guile,” Down on the strand, “Guile, guile,” With a dirge of death, “Guile, guile.” A white swan and she wounded, wounded, A white swan and she bruised, bruised, The white swan of the two visions, “Guile, guile,” The white swan of the two omens, “Guile, guile,” Life and death, “Guile, guile,” “Guile, guile.” When thy journey, Swan of mourning? Said Columba of love, “Guile, guile,” From Erin my swimming, “Guile, guile,” From the Fiann my wounding, “Guile, guile,” The sharp wound of my death, “Guile, guile,” “Guile, guile.” White swan of Erin, A friend am I to the needy; The eye of Christ be on thy wound, “Guile, guile,” The eye of affection and of mercy, “Guile, guile,” The eye of kindness and of love, “Guile, guile,” Making thee whole, “Guile, guile,” “Guile, guile.” Swan of Erin, “Guile, guile,” No harm shall touch thee, “Guile, guile,” Whole be thy wounds, “Guile, guile.” Lady of the wave, “Guile, guile,” Lady of the dirge, “Guile, guile,” Lady of the melody, “Guile, guile.” To Christ the glory, “Guile, guile,” To the Son of the Virgin, “Guile, guile,” To the great High-King, “Guile, guile,” To Him be thy song, “Guile, guile,” To Him be thy song, “Guile, guile,” “Guile guile!”

Prayer