Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 8. THE EVICTION, by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM Poet's Biography First Line: In early morning twilight, raw and chill Last Line: And firesides buried under fallen thatch. Alternate Author Name(s): Pollex, D.; Walker, Patricius Subject(s): Grief; Labor Unions; Landlords & Tenants; Orphans; Police; Poverty; Strikes; Tears; Sorrow; Sadness; Foundlings; Labor Disputes; Lockouts | ||||||||
In early morning twilight, raw and chill, Damp vapours brooding on the barren hill, Through miles of mire in steady grave array Threescore well arm'd police pursue their way; Each tall and bearded man a rifle swings, And under each greatcoat a bayonet clings; The Sheriff on his sturdy cob astride Talks with the chief, who marches by their side, And, creeping on behind them, Paudeen Dhu Pretends his needful duty much to rue. Six big-boned labourers, clad in common frieze, Walk in the midst, the Sheriff's staunch allies; Six crowbar men, from distant county brought, Orange, and glorying in their work, 'tis thought, But wrongly,churls of Catholics are they, And merely hired at half a crown a day. The hamlet clustering on its hill is seen, A score of petty homesteads, dark and mean; Poor always, not despairing until now; Long used, as well as poverty knows how, With life's oppressive trifles to contend. This day will bring its history to an end. Moveless and grim against the cottage walls Lean a few silent men: but some one calls Far off; and then a child 'without a stitch' Runs out of doors, flies back with piercing screech, And soon from house to house is heard the cry Of female sorrow, swelling loud and high, Which makes the men blaspheme between their teeth. Meanwhile, o'er fence and watery field beneath, The little army moves through drizzling rain; A 'Crowbar' leads the Sheriff's nag; the lane Is enter'd, and their plashing tramp draws near: One instant, outcry holds its breath to hear; 'Halt!'at the doors they form in double line, And ranks of polish'd rifles wetly shine. The Sheriff's painful duty must be done; He begs for quietand the work's begun. The strong stand ready; now appear the rest, Girl, matron, grandsire, baby on the breast, And Rosy's thin face on a pallet borne; A motley concourse, feeble and forlorn. One old man, tears upon his wrinkled cheek, Stands trembling on a threshold, tries to speak, But, in defect of any word for this, Mutely upon the doorpost prints a kiss, Then passes out for ever. Through the crowd The children run bewilder'd, wailing loud; Where needed most, the men combine their aid; And, last of all, is Oona forth convey'd, Reclined in her accustom'd strawen chair, Her aged eyelids closed, her thick white hair Escaping from her cap; she feels the chill, Looks round and murmurs, then again is still. Now bring the remnants of each household fire. On the wet grounds the hissing coals expire; And Paudeen Dhu, with meekly dismal face, Receives the full possession of the place. Whereon the Sheriff, 'We have legal hold. 'Return to shelter with the sick and old. 'Time shall be given; and there are carts below 'If any to the workhouse choose to go.' A young man makes him answer, grave and clear, 'We're thankful to you! but there's no one here 'Goin' back into them houses: do your part. 'Nor we won't trouble Pigot's horse and cart.' At which name, rushing into th' open space, A woman flings her hood from off her face, Falls on her knees upon the miry ground, Lifts hands and eyes, and voice of thrilling sound, 'Vengeance of God Almighty fall on you, 'James Pigot!may the poor man's curse pursue, 'The widow's and the orphan's curse, I pray, 'Hang heavy round you at your dying day!' Breathless and fix'd one moment stands the crowd To hear this malediction fierce and loud. But now (our neighbour Neal is busy there) On steady poles he lifted Oona's chair, Well-heap'd with borrow'd mantles; gently bear The sick girl in her litter, bed and all; Whilst others hug the children weak and small In careful arms, or hoist them pick-a-back; And, 'midst the unrelenting clink and thwack Of iron bar on stone, let creep away The sad procession from that hill-side gray, Through the slow-falling rain. In three hours more You find, where Ballytullagh stood before, Mere shatter'd walls, and doors with useless latch, And firesides buried under fallen thatch. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THEN AND NOW by CECIL DAY LEWIS HIKING ON THE COAST RANGE by KENNETH REXROTH VIGNETTES OVERSEAS: 10. STRESA by SARA TEASDALE THE HIDING PLACE by JORIE GRAHAM THE STRIKE OF THE SMITHS by FRANCOIS COPPEE MUNDUS MOROSUS (THE WORLD MOROSE) by FREDERICK WILLIAM FABER |
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