Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEATH OF AILILL, by FRANCIS LEDWIDGE Poet's Biography First Line: When there was heard no more the war's loud sound, Last Line: And knew by the cold touch that he was dead. Subject(s): Death; Love; War; Dead, The | ||||||||
WHEN there was heard no more the war's loud sound, And only the rough corn-crake filled the hours, And hill winds in the furze and drowsy flowers, Maeve in her chamber with her white head bowed On Ailill's heart was sobbing: "I have found The way to love you now," she said, and he Winked an old tear away and said: "The proud Unyielding heart loves never." And then she: "I love you now, tho' once when we were young We walked apart like two who were estranged Because I loved you not, now all is changed." And he who loved her always called her name And said: "You do not love me, 'tis your tongue Talks in the dusk; you love the blazing gold Won in the battles, and the soldier's fame. You love the stories that are often told By poets in the hall." Then Maeve arose And sought her daughter Findebar: "O, child, Go tell your father that my love went wild With all my wars in youth, and say that now I love him stronger than I hate my foes. . . ." And Findebar unto her father sped And touched him gently on the rugged brow, And knew by the cold touch that he was dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND EVENING CLOUDS by FRANCIS LEDWIDGE |
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