Behind storm-fretted bastions gray and bare Flame-crested warriors of Cunedda's line Feast in a golden ring, -- their targes shine Along the wall and clang to gusts of air; And in the shadow, torches blown aflare Reveal a chief, half human, half divine, With brooding head, starred by the Dragon Sign, Hung motionless in some undreamed despair. But when he starts, three torques of twisted gold Writhe on his breast, for voices all men fear Wail forth the battle-doom dead kings have borne; And as the mead-hall fills with sudden cold, Above the wind-tossed sea his heart can hear The strange gods calling through their mystic horn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PROTESTS (AFTER A PAINTING BY HUGO BALLIN) by LOUIS UNTERMEYER ON THE COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) THE OLD SANTA FE TRAIL by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON BROTHERS by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE DESCRIPTION OF COOKHAM by AEMILIA (BASSANO) LANYER VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1878 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI SONNET by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |