Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HERB-LEECH, by JOSEPH CAMPBELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HERB-LEECH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I have gathered luss / at the wane of the moon
Last Line: Of the murrain stone!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ultach; Maccathmhaoil, Seosamh


I HAVE gathered luss
At the wane of the moon,
And supped its sap
With a yewen spoon.
I have sat a spell
By the carn of Medb,
And smelt the mould
Of the red queen's grave.
I have dreamed a dearth
In the darkened sun,
And felt the hand
Of the Evil One.
I have fathomed war
In the comet's tail,
And heard the crying
Of Gall and Gael.
I have seen the spume
On the dead priest's lips,
And the 'holy fire'
On the spars of ships;
And the shooting stars
On Barthelmy's Night,
Blanching the dark
With ghostly light;
And the corpse candle
Of the seer's dream,
Bigger in girth
Than a weaver's beam;
And the shy hearth-fairies
About the grate,
Blowing the turves
To a whiter heat.
All things on earth
To me are known,
For I have the gift
Of the Murrain Stone!





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