Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ATONEMENT OF FERODACH THE KING; FOR LLOYD R. MORRIS, by THOMAS WALSH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ATONEMENT OF FERODACH THE KING; FOR LLOYD R. MORRIS, by                    
First Line: High in his crystal-lighted grianan
Last Line: Clan connla's henchmen, and hacked off his head.
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Death; Murder; Dead, The


HIGH in his crystal-lighted grianan
King Ferodach lay dying; round the couch
To glad him they had piled his glittering hoard
Of mighty weapons forged for other hands,
Of crusted crowns, of torques and amulets,
Goblets and brooches. Ah, for their bright sake
How many a province had he razed and burnt!
How many a burgh and dun bedrenched in blood!—
But hark, amid his very death-throes came
His sons all breathless crying, "Away! Away!
Our foes, Clan Connla come! Away with all
The treasure chests, and cheat their hungry grasp!"
Then groaned the king: "Stir not this leprous gold;
Too many a noble house has wailed for it.
Stiff in their mounds are they who bore these shields,
And moved these golden chessmen on the board.
See, on yon voiceless harps the strings hang loose
Where once their soulful fingers joyed to glide!
These goblets, emptied of their royal draught
Poured for the sons of song! Unfed, unwarmed,
The cleric left my door,—yea, see, to-night
No poor man comes to weep or pray for me!
So get ye gone and leave me here to God!—"
They left him with the gold upon his brow,
His sword beside him, his great shield of bronze
Laid down his breast. The light of cresset lamps
Played through the jewels on his ashen hands,
And from the polished vessels heaped around
Gleamed back a thousand eyes mysterious.
There all night long he cried to God,—"Thy scourge
Is grievous, but Thy law is just! Behold,
Lest Thou exact my ransom past the grave,
Behold, I render up my spoils of blood,
Beseeching Thy great mercy!—"

Soon the light
Of a grey eye looked over Ossory,—
It was the morn, and at the sunrise came
Clan Connla's henchmen, and hacked off his head.





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