Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FRIAR LAURENCE O'FARRELL: LONGFORD, 1651, by THOMAS WALSH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FRIAR LAURENCE O'FARRELL: LONGFORD, 1651, by                    
First Line: The van of ireton's troops at morning broke
Last Line: By ireton gave it formal burial
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Capital Punishment; Clergy; Religion; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops; Theology


THE van of Ireton's troops at morning broke
On Longford Town, swept up the sluggard few
That had not fled, and hemmed the Abbey round,
Dragging two Preachers from the altarside—
Friar Bernard whom they hacked unto his death,
And Friar Laurence whom they haled before
Their chief upon his entry to the Town.
"So here you are, O'Farrell," Ireton cried,—
Caught like a wild thing on your native plains,—
You whom they speak in wonder of at Rome
And Salamanca, you their man of strength
When Catholic Armies gathered in the land!"
And Friar Laurence answered, "Lo, the Lord
Hath given and the Lord hath taken away!
But you, my Colonel, have the courtesy
Not to prolong my torments. Send me on
To join my brothers in the better world."
"Nay, not too fast, young friar; we shall hear
Some of your reasons and philosophies
Before you leave us. Godly men as we
Should join in converse, and who knows, in prayer—
Ere you can claim your martyr-crown of us."
Thus for three days they held him, while the smoke
And rapine spread around the plains afar,
And treason played its game of blood, till word
Was brought O'Farrell that his lurking kin
Among the hillocks looked with very dread
In one another's eyes, hearing a friar
Of Longford was so safe in Ireton's tents.
What dread apostacy was here? they asked.
Then he that held the weary officers
Half-subject to the grace his person breathed,
Attent upon his words of argument,
Sudden put off the charm and crudely urged
His points until at last indignantly
They led him forth amid the silent troops
To execution. On the ladder steps
He stood and saw his ancient flock assembled,
And bidding them farewell, his rosary
Around his neck, his cross within his hands,
He signed the executioner to act.
Then as his body swung upon the air
The onlookers in their amazement saw
The crucifix he held upraised above
His head in triumph and in blessing there.—
In the great silence that ensued they took
They body down, and with safe-conduct granted
By Ireton gave it formal burial





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