Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DEATH OF LEAG, CUCHULAIN'S CHARIOTEER, by FRANCIS LEDWIDGE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DEATH OF LEAG, CUCHULAIN'S CHARIOTEER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I only heard the loud ebb on the sand
Last Line: "they come to you with sleep."
Subject(s): Heroism; Ireland; Mythology; Heroes; Heroines; Irish


CONALL

"I ONLY heard the loud ebb on the sand,
The high ducks talking in the chilly sky.
The voices that you fancied floated by
Were wind notes, or the whisper on the trees.
But you are still so full of war's red din,
You hear impatient hoof-beats up the land
When the sea's changing, or a lisping breeze
Is playing on the waters of the linn."

LEAG

"I hear Cuchulain's voice, and Emer's voice,
The Lia Macha's neigh, the chariot's wheels,
Farther away a bell bough's drowsy peals;
And sleep lays heavy thumbs upon my eyes.
I hear Cuchulain sing above the chime
Of One Who comes to make the world rejoice,
And comes again to blot away the skies,
To wipe away the world and roll up Time."

CONALL

"In the dark ground forever mouth to mouth
They kiss thro' all the changes of the world,
The grey sea fogs above them are unfurled
At evening when the sea walks with the moon,
And peace is with them in the long cairn shut.
You loved him as the swallow loves the South,
And Love speaks with you since the evening put
Mist and white dews upon short shadowed noon."

LEAG

"Sleep lays his heavy thumbs upon my eyes,
Shuts out all sounds and shakes me at the wrists.
By Nanny water where the salty mists
Weep o'er Riangabra let me stand deep
Beside my father. Sleep lays heavy thumbs
Upon my eyebrows, and I hear the sighs
Of far loud waters, and a troop that comes
With boughs of bells-----"

CONALL

"They come to you with sleep."





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