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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DEIRDRE'S GREAT LAMENTATION FOR THE SONS OF USNACH, by JOHN TODHUNTER Poet's Biography
First Line: Ochone for the land left lonely
Last Line: Let the clods cover me!
Subject(s): Mourning; Bereavement
First Line: Ochone for the land left lonely
Last Line: Let the clods cover me!
Subject(s): Mourning; Bereavement
OCHONE for the land left lonely,
Without the Three, without the Three!
The warmth of the sun goes with you
To the cold house of the dead!
Without them the Red-Branch House
Is a place of ghosts, of black horror;
The feasts of the mighty mourn them,
The women of Eri weep!
My curse on Fergus, that left them,
My curse on Buine, that sold them,
My curse on Cathvah, that bound them,
My curse on Maini, that slew them!
And my curse's curse on the King
That snared them with words of honey,
Black hills of hate be above him,
My curse upon Conchobar!
O better than mother's love
Were Naisi's arms around me!
O gentler than loving brothers
Were Ainli and Ardan!
They fed me with love, they kept me
With spoil in their nest of eagles;
Without them the fields of Eri
Are blasted, and black the skies!
Ochone for the land left lonely
Without the Three, without the Three!
The warmth of the sun goes with you
To the cold house of the dead?
The Closing of the Tomb
In the house without a fire
Heap the black stones over me;
With Naisi where cold he lies
Let the clods cover me!
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