Page:The Complete Poems of Francis Ledwidge, 1919.djvu/129

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE DEATH OF SUALTEM
123

In Emain Macha to low lights and song
Connor was dreaming of the beauteous Maeve.
He saw her as at first, by Shannon's wave,
Her insteps in the water, mounds of white.
It was in Spring, and music loud and strong
Rocked all the coloured woods, and the blue height
Of heaven was round the lark, and in his heart
There was a pain of love.
Then with a start
He wakened as a loud voice from below
Shouted, "The land is robbed, the women shamed,
The children stolen, and Cuculain low!"
Then Connor rose, his war-worn soul inflamed,
And shouted down for Cathbad; then to greet

The messenger he hurried to the street.