Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BARD'S LAMENT OVER HIS CHILDREN, by PADRAIC GREGORY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BARD'S LAMENT OVER HIS CHILDREN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O river of great kings and sons of kings!
Last Line: I lay my blessings on thee with my tears.
Subject(s): Ireland; Patriotism; Irish


O river of great kings and sons of kings!
O river of swift bark and silver fish!
O Boyne once famed for battle frays and sports,
And heroes of the regal race of Conn!
Art thou grey-grown for all thy comeliness?
O aged woman of the grey-green pools!
O sorrowed Boyne! O stream of many tears!

Where gone the golden glory of thy sires?
The fame of mighty Art, and wise Meltain--
Art of the Arrows, Meltain of the spears,
Sons of the hero-house of the O'Neill?
To thee, of yore, belonged red victory,
When fires of Fenian wrath were kindled well,
And blood-smeared bridles clanked on foaming steeds,
As leagued legions swept to venging war.

O river of great kings and sons of kings!
O river of swift bark and silver fish!
I lay my blessings on thee with my tears--
For thou wilt watch forever o'er the grave
Wherein my treasures sleep, close by thy side;
O aged woman of the grey-green pools!
O sorrowed Boyne! O stream of many tears!

There lie my sons in all their lusty strength,
There lies my girl in all her budding charms--
Rory and Brian with their sister, Rose.
These have I given sore against my will,
O deep, dark grave to thee! They were myself,
My life, my love, my heart, my blood, my bone.
The blessing of all men were on the three,
The blessing of the folk that loved them well,
From Holy Kells to ancient Drogheda.
May Peace be on the grave wherein they lie
Beside the waters, royal stream of kings!
Here in the spreading lands of the O'Neill.

O river of great kings and sons of kings!
O river of swift bark and silver fish!
O aged woman of the grey-green pools!
I lay my blessings on thee with my tears.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net