Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FATE OF KING DATHI (A.D. 428), by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FATE OF KING DATHI (A.D. 428), by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Darkly their glibs o'erhang
Last Line: Lieth king dathi!
Subject(s): Dathi, King Of Ireland


I.

DARKLY their glibs o'erhang,
Sharp is their wolf-dog's fang,
Bronze spear and falchion clang --
Brave men might shun them
Heavy the spoil they bear --
Jewels and gold are there --
Hostage and maiden fair --
How have they won them?

II.

From the soft sons of Gaul,
Roman, and Frank, and thrall,
Borough, and hut, and hall, --
These have been torn.
Over Britannia wide,
Over fair Gaul they hied,
Often in battle tried, --
Enemies mourn!

III.

Fiercely their harpers sing, --
Led by their gallant king,
They will to EIRE bring
Beauty and treasure.
Britain shall bend the knee --
Rich shall their households be --
Vhen their long ships the sea
Homeward shall measure.

IV.

Barrow and Rath shall rise,
Towers, too, of wondrous size,
Tailtin they'll solemnize,
Feis-Teamhrach assemble.
Samhain and Beal shall smile
On the rich holy isle --
Nay! in a little while
OEtius shall tremble!

V.

Up on the glacier's snow,
Down on the vales below,
Monarch and clansmen go --
Bright is the morning.
Never their march they slack,
Jura is at their back,
When falls the evening black,
Hideous, and warning.

VI.

Eagles scream loud on high;
Far off the chamois fly;
Hoarse comes the torrent's cry,
On the rocks whitening.
Strong are the storm's wings;
Down the tall pine it flings;
Hail-stone and sleet it brings --
Thunder and lightning.

VII.

Little these veterans mind
Thundering, hail, or wind;
Closer their ranks they bind --
Matching the storm.
While, a spear-cast or more,
On, the front ranks before,
DATHI the sunburst bore --
Haughty his form.

VIII.

Forth from the thunder-cloud
Leaps out a foe as proud --
Sudden the monarch bowed --
On rush the vanguard;
Wildly the king they raise --
Struck by the lightning's blaze --
Ghastly his dying gaze,
Clutching his standard!

IX.

Mild is the morning beam,
Gently the rivers stream,
Happy the valleys seem;
But the lone Islanders --
Mark how they guard their king!
Hark, to the wail they sing!
Dark is their counselling --
Helvetia's highlanders.

X.

Gather, like ravens, near --
Shall DATHI's soldiers fear
Soon their home-path they clear
Rapid and daring;
On through the pass and plain,
Until the shore they gain,
And, with their spoil, again,
Landed in EIRINN.

XI.

Little does EIRE care
For gold or maiden fair --
"Where is King DATHI? -- Where,
Where is my bravest?"
On the rich deck he lies,
O'er him his sunburst flies --
Solemn the obsequies,
EIRE! thou gavest.

XII.

See ye that countless train
Crossing Ros-Comain's plain,
Crying, like hurricane.
Uile liu ai? --
Broad is his carn's base --
Nigh the "King's burial-place,"
Last of the Pagan race,
Lieth King DATHI!





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