Topic 18 of 52: Irish verse
Mon, Apr 27, 1998 (04:30) |
nick a'hannay (pmnh)
121 responses total.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 1 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Mon, Apr 27, 1998 (04:56) * 33 lines
been reading lots of this stuff, recently... really excellent, too,
and so seldom seen, these days...
anyway, this one's among my favorites... pay particular attention
to verses 3 and 5... very powerful, moving words...
it was written by thomas davis...
(from) Lament for the Death of Eoghan Ruadh O'Neill
(commonly called Owen Roe O'Neill)
Did they dare, did they dare to slay Owen Roe O'Neill?
Yes, they slew with poison him they feared to meet with steel.
May God wither their hearts! May their blood cease to flow!
May they walk in living death, who poisoned Owen Roe!
Though it break my heart to hear, say again the bitter words.
From Derry, against Cromwell, he marched to measure swords;
But the weapon of the Saxon met him on his way,
And he died at Cloc Uactair, upon Saint Leonard's Day.
Sagest in the council was he- kindest in the hall;
Sure, we never won a battle- was Owen won them, all.
Had he lived, had he lived, our dear country would be free;
But he's dead, but he's dead... and slaves we'll ever be.
We thought you wouldn't die- were sure you would not go,
And leave us in our utmost need to Cromwell's cruel blow-
Sheep without a shepherd, when the snow shuts out the sky-
Oh, why did you leave us, Owen? Why did you die?
Soft as woman's was your voice, O'Neill; bright was your eye.
Oh, why did you leave us, Owen? Why did you die?
Your troubles are all over- you're at rest with God on high;
But we're slaves, and we're orphans, Owen!- why did you die?
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 2 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Mon, Apr 27, 1998 (17:23) * 1 lines
moving piece. those responsible for his death were cowards.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 3 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Wed, Apr 29, 1998 (00:20) * 25 lines
(yes... they were normans)...
from "carrickfergus", by louis macneice...
i was born in belfast between the mountains and the gantries
to the hooting of lost sirens and the clang of trams:
thence to smoky carrick in county antrim
where the bottle-neck harbor collects the mud which jams
the little boats beneath the norman castle,
the pier shining with lumps of chrystal salt;
the scotch quarter was a line of residential houses
but the irish quarter was a slum for the blind and the halt.
the brook ran yellow from the factory stinking of chlorine,
the yard-mill called it's funeral cry at noon;
our lights looked over the lough to the lights of bangor
under the peacock aura of a drowning moon.
the norman walled this town against the country
to stop his ears to the yelping of his slave
and built a church in the form of a cross but denoting
the list of christ on the cross in the angle of the nave...
(the bastards)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 4 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Wed, Apr 29, 1998 (20:26) * 1 lines
where were the normans from? dumb question to you, but humour me...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 5 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (01:24) * 4 lines
(not a "dumb" question at all)...
when i refer to normans, am referring to the post-invasion
brits... (the descendents of william (of normandy, you know),
et al)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 6 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (12:28) * 1 lines
Hey, keep me out of this!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 7 of 121: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (15:33) * 2 lines
you love the attention...
*smile*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 8 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (19:58) * 1 lines
well, some attention, anyway...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 9 of 121: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Fri, May 1, 1998 (16:25) * 1 lines
any particular place you'd like that attention focused?
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 10 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Sat, May 2, 1998 (01:39) * 4 lines
I can think of a couple...I'll let you know over our next beer...
(I think it's back to you, now, Nick...me and my (at least partial)
Norman self will be quiet now...(at least I don't identify with
that particular aspect of my muttness))
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 11 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Sun, May 3, 1998 (23:06) * 17 lines
i am wind on sea
i am wave in storm
i am sea-hound
and seven-horned stag
i am hawk on cliff
a drop of dew in the sun
a fair flower
a boar for valor
i am salmon in pool
lake on plain
a hill with ditches
a word of art
a piercing point
that pours out rage
the god who fashions
fire in the head
(from "amergin's songs"... anon., ninth century)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 12 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Mon, May 4, 1998 (03:10) * 1 lines
now this, I like
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 13 of 121: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (09:00) * 1 lines
...sam I am.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 14 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (20:42) * 1 lines
(shudder)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 15 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (20:43) * 1 lines
i dunno, thought it was powerful, they knew who they were.....
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 16 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (20:46) * 1 lines
(HUH?)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 17 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (20:48) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 18 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (20:57) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 19 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (20:58) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 20 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:03) * 1 lines
golly-gomer... (cool)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 21 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:05) * 1 lines
woohoo!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 22 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:11) * 3 lines
here now... let's have none of that loosiana
redneck-girl stuff...
(this is poetry, after all)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 23 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:16) * 1 lines
what was that? redneck-GIRL???
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 24 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:23) * 4 lines
okay...
(you're right... sorry 'bout that)...
"redneck-broad"...
(better?)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 25 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:25) * 1 lines
*giggle*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 26 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:31) * 1 lines
(apparently it is)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 27 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:33) * 1 lines
(hey, i asked for it)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 28 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:40) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 29 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:42) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 30 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:56) * 1 lines
(you are sooo brazen)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 31 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (21:58) * 1 lines
oh, you know you luv it *wink*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 32 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (22:03) * 1 lines
(indeed?)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 33 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (22:05) * 1 lines
did you raise one eyebrow when you wrote that?
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 34 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, May 5, 1998 (22:22) * 1 lines
(g'night-will wait for your reply afore signing off)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 35 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Fri, May 15, 1998 (23:53) * 2 lines
for Irish literature as a whole, go to
http://www.local.ie/culture/literature/
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 36 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Sat, May 16, 1998 (00:09) * 2 lines
hey, that's really cool, wer
(thanks!)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 37 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Sat, May 16, 1998 (00:12) * 4 lines
so is the rest of
http://www.local.ie/
(you're welcome)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 38 of 121: Flidais (Flidais) * Sat, May 16, 1998 (11:01) * 1 lines
I know that poem!...I've studied it before....well, not all of it...only the parts I'd been seeking....you posted one of those....it's neat to see it again...I found a fascinating site on Irish poetry and literature....VERY old school...most of it hasn't been translated from its original Welsh version...all the way back to Taliesan and his cronies....if your interested I'll hunt down the address again
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 39 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Sun, May 17, 1998 (02:15) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 40 of 121: Flidais (Flidais) * Sun, May 17, 1998 (12:20) * 4 lines
hmm....I tried to find it...but the scrap of paper I scribbled it onto is lost in the cesspool of papers I've been meaning to look through....this could take awhile...in the meantime, you might want to learn Welsh..it could be helpful and you'll probably have plenty of time(you should see this pile of papers)....but I promise I will get it to you sometime in....oh....the next three months
.....maybe
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 41 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 19, 1998 (11:10) * 4 lines
(was going to make an observation... but it
occurred to me that you break boards with
your bare feet and everything... so um never
mind)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 42 of 121: Flidais (Flidais) * Tue, May 26, 1998 (19:50) * 1 lines
rofl!.....sometimes a long-distance relationship isn't so bad after all.....what's your observation?
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 43 of 121: Flidais (Flidais) * Tue, May 26, 1998 (19:51) * 1 lines
I love you Nick...I really do...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 44 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, May 26, 1998 (22:27) * 3 lines
um, je aussi, mlle...
(but still wary of whatever the hell
it is you're secreting 'neath that bodice)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 45 of 121: Flidais (Flidais) * Tue, May 26, 1998 (22:27) * 1 lines
spit it out or you're going to find out
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 46 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Thu, May 28, 1998 (05:06) * 1 lines
(now there's an interesting proposition)...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 47 of 121: Flidais (Flidais) * Thu, May 28, 1998 (20:12) * 1 lines
*eyes that ankle and practices a few kicks*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 48 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Thu, May 28, 1998 (21:47) * 3 lines
(not PRECISELY what i had in mind)
(hmmm, but it's a start)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 49 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, Jun 9, 1998 (02:08) * 25 lines
doesn't seem fitting for this topic to lack
an offering from the greatest irish poet of
them all...
this is from "to ireland in the coming times"...
(and it's author, of course, is william yeats)
...Nor may i less be counted one
with Davis, Mangan, Ferguson,
because, to him who ponders well,
my rhymes more than their rhyming tell
of things discovered in the deep,
where only body's laid asleep.
For the elemental creatures go
about my table to and fro,
that hurry from unmeasured mind
to rant and rage in flood and wind;
yet he who treads in measured ways
may surely barter gaze for gaze.
Man ever journeys on with them
after the red-rose-bordered hem.
Ah, fairies, dancing under the moon,
a Druid land, a Druid tune!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 50 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (15:59) * 16 lines
The Curse (J.M Synge)
(to a sister of an enemy of the author's
who disapproved of "the playboy of the western world")
Lord, confound this surly sister,
Blight her brow with blotch and blister,
Cramp her larynx, lung and liver,
In her guts a galling give her.
Let her live to earn her dinners
In Mountjoy with seedy sinners:
Lord, this judgement quickly bring,
And I'm your servant, J.M. Synge.
(in spite of this, maggie did enjoy
a moderately successful career)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 51 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (17:02) * 1 lines
lol...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 52 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (17:42) * 63 lines
okay... i write this last night...
feeling my irish or something... yeah
whatever the hell that means...
anyway it's called "scaffolds and
englishmen"... (one thought frightening
as the other, i suppose)...
climb the stair
ascend some airy view
of once-believed
possibility, adhering to
a once-believing once
possible race
(inhabiting empty
tower rooms)
what remains- from here-
where i see
is blood and breath
and fear- such as runs
in me, and true-
few millions more, such
as, too
blood of painted ones
coursing veins
ostensibly of human issue but
irish, through and through
have it
take it
within savage lids
Heroic Centuries-
well and good-
but never enough to keep
the bastards out
the door
poetry and fantasy and
denial's sleep
no ticket, anymore
it is mystic impends
and short walk it is
from this business end
of bullets and ropes and
englishmen
eternity a stroll a
jaunt from this place
such dreaming victory
unsufficient- but
all that remains
for a dreaming dying
(once) heroic race
(nick)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 53 of 121: Wolf (Wolf) * Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (22:57) * 1 lines
wow...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 54 of 121: wer (KitchenManager) * Wed, Jul 1, 1998 (13:26) * 1 lines
*applauding between shots of Jameson's*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 55 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Sun, Oct 3, 1999 (22:43) * 19 lines
I was very excited to find this conference, but disappointed to see that no one had posted anything here for a long time. I'd like to see it revitalized, so here's my little contribution:
LOVE--a medieval Irish poem
My love is no short year's sentence.
It is a grief lodged under the skin,
Strength pushed beyond its bounds;
The four quarters of the world,
The highest point of heaven.
It is
A heart breaking or
Battle with a ghost,
Striving under water,
Outrunning the sky or
Courting an echo.
So is my love, my passion
& my devotion
To him to whom I give them.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 56 of 121: Wolf (wolf) * Mon, Oct 4, 1999 (19:01) * 1 lines
thank you for that, amy...and you're right, it's been awhile since anyone's posted here :)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 57 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Oct 4, 1999 (20:56) * 45 lines
You're welcome! Here's another:
LIADAN LAMENTS CUIRITHIR
9th century
Joyless
what I have done;
to torment my darling one.
But for fear
of the Lord of Heaven
he would lie with me here.
Not vain,
it seemed, our choice,
to seek Paradise through pain.
I am Liadan,
I loved Cuirithir
as truly as they say.
The short time
I passed with him
how sweet his company!
The forest trees
sighed music for us;
and the flaring blue of seas.
What folly
to turn him against me
whom I had treated most gently!
No whim
or scruple of mine
should have come between
Us, for above
all others, without shame
I declare him my heart's love.
A roaring flame
has consumed my heart:
I will not live without him.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 58 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Oct 4, 1999 (21:08) * 18 lines
Here are a couple of little epigrams from medieval Ireland:
Cu Chuimne in youth
Read his way through half the truth.
He let the other half lie
While he gave women a try.
Well for him in old age.
He became a holy sage.
He gave women the laugh.
He read the other half.
* * *
Ah!light lovely lady with delicate lips aglow
With breast more white than a branch heavy-laden with snow,
When my hand was uplifted at Mass to salute the Host
I looked at you once, and the half of my soul was lost.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 59 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (18:43) * 1 lines
Those are amazingly appropriate even now. Love them...More!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 60 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (22:24) * 67 lines
You're in luck--I have the most marvelous anthology of Irish verse which I received for a Christmas present.
Here's a funny one, an anonymous medieval lyric:
THE SNORING BEDMATE
You thunder at my side,
Lad of ceaseless hum;
There's not a saint would chide
My prayer that you were dumb.
The dead start from the tomb
With each blare from your nose.
I suffer, with less room,
Under these bedclothes.
Which could I better bide
Since my head's already broke--
Your pipe-drone at my side,
Woodpecker's drill on oak?
Brass scraped with knicky knives,
A cowbell's tinny clank,
Or the yells of tinkers' wives
Giving birth behind a bank?
A drunken, braying clown
Slapping cards down on a board
Were less easy to disown
Than the softest snore you've snored.
Sweeter the grunts of swine
Than yours that win release.
Sweeter, bedmate mine,
The screech of grieving geese.
A sick calf's moan for aid,
A broken mill's mad clatter,
The snarl of a flood cascade...
Christ! now what's the matter?
That was a ghastly growl!
What signified that twist?--
An old wolf's famished howl,
Wave-boom at some cliff's breast?
Storm screaming round a crag,
Bellow of raging bull,
Hoarse bell of rutting stag,
Compared with this were lull!
Ah, now a gentler fall--
Bark of a crazy hound?
Brats squabbling for a ball?
Ducks squawking on a pond?
No, rough weather's back again.
Some great ship's about to sink
And roaring bursts the main
Over the bulwark's brink!
Farewell, tonight, to sleep.
Every gust across the bed
Makes hair rise and poor flesh creep.
Would that one of us were dead!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 61 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (22:27) * 1 lines
I did not know my SO got around that much...she has obviously been attempting to sleep next to him - and know all the requisit sounds he can make. Loved it, too! (I have slept with earplugs in for years!)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 62 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (22:39) * 44 lines
He's another hilarious one:
A PRESENT OF BUTTER
by Tadhg Dall O'Huiginn
A woman gave me butter now,
Good butter too it claimed to be.
I don't think it was from a cow,
And if it was it finished me.
A beard was growing on the stuff,
A beastly beard without a doubt,
The taste was sickly, sour and rough,
With poison juices seeping out.
The stuff had spots, the stuff was grey,
I doubt if any goat produced it.
I had to face it every day,
And how I wish I had refused it!
This splendid butter had a mane,
The glory of my humble home.
No knife could cut it down again,
It made me sick for weeks to come.
This nasty grease a wrapping had
Like a discarded winding sheet.
Its very aspect was so bad,
I scarcely had the nerve to eat.
This horror had a heavy stink
That left one fuddled, stunned and dead.
'Twas rainbow-hued, with what you'd think
A crest of plumes above its head.
The salt's a thing it hardly knew,
In fact I think they'd barely met.
It was not white, but rather blue.
I am not quite recovered yet.
'Twas made of grease and wax and fat,
O thoughts too horrible to utter!
You may be sure that after that,
I rather lost my taste for butter.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 63 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (22:52) * 1 lines
Makes you wonder why he did not dig a hole somewhere and bury it! *lol*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 64 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (22:53) * 1 lines
Are you conversant with Lady Gregory's great work?
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 65 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (23:05) * 1 lines
Hmm, Lady Gregory...the name doesn't ring a bell, but unfortunately I don't know a whole lot about Irish poetry. In my British lit classes, we got Swift and Wilde and Yeats and Joyce, but not any of the lesser-known poets.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 66 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Oct 5, 1999 (23:17) * 1 lines
She was not so much a poet herself as a perserver of the ancient rhymes before they all got lost. Will get more on her for next post...it has been a while...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 67 of 121: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (15:59) * 3 lines
I LOVED "The Snoring Bedmate"
Brandon does NOT snore on a regular basis but those rare occassions when he is ill or very stuffed with allergies... I do have murder on my brain!
*grin*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 68 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (16:42) * 28 lines
Okay, here are some more serious ones.
EPIGRAMS
by John Swanick Drennan
L'Amitie et L'Amour
I.
With nought to hide or to betray
She eyed me frank and free.
But, oh, the girl that looked away
Was dearer far to me!
II.
A golden casket I designed
To hold a braid of hair;
My love was false, and now I find
A coil of serpents there.
III.
Love signed the contract blithe and leal,
Time shook the sand, Death set the seal.
(Does anyone know what "leal" means?)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 69 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (16:59) * 1 lines
faithful, as I recall...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 70 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (17:01) * 1 lines
(it is used in Penn State's Alma Mater) ...North of England dialect for loyal. Also to be true to...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 71 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (22:18) * 1 lines
Thanks Marcia! That makes sense now!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 72 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (22:23) * 2 lines
The only trouble is with my alma mater, the sentence in which it is used is
"May thy sons be leal and loyal to thy memory." Kinda redundant, no?!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 73 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (22:38) * 1 lines
Wow, you actually know your alma mater? When we were asked to sing it at graduation, I neither knew the words nor had ever heard it. As it turned out, it was a very stupid song anyway.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 74 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (22:46) * 1 lines
They are all stupid and maudlin and sticky...but my Dad was a Penn State grad, my eldest sister, her husband and my ex and me...we bleed blue and white in our family. I even knew the fight songs when I was a little kid!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 75 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (22:49) * 1 lines
Actually, I know all four verses, which is even scarier. I am a storehouse of irrelevant information, as you will discover. If it is abstruse, I just might know the answer...or know where to find it...!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 76 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (22:57) * 1 lines
When did you graduate from there? If you knew anyone in the English department, you might have known my research methods teacher who was there in the late seventies-early eighties, I think.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 77 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Oct 6, 1999 (23:03) * 1 lines
Longer ago than that, I am afraid... When I was in college the housemothers gave us morality lectures and warnings not to wear patent leather shoes 'cause guys could look up your skirts in the reflections. (We spent a fruitless evening trying to see anything in those reflections!) We signed in and out each time we left the dorm...and we stayed no more and no less chaste than the the coeds do today...amazing but true.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 78 of 121: Barry Kort (moulton) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (07:56) * 1 lines
Yes, leal is similar to loyal and league, meaning bound to a community.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 79 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (09:49) * 35 lines
Here's a poem from the period of courtly love:
O WOMAN, SHAPELY AS THE SWAN
O woman, shapely as the swan,
On your account I shall not die:
The men you've slain--a trivial clan--
Were less than I.
I ask me shall I die for these--
For blossom teeth and scarlet lips--
And shall that delicate swan-shape
Bring me eclipse?
Well-shaped the breasts and smooth the skin,
The cheeks are fair, the tresses free--
And yet I shall not suffer death,
God over me!
Those even brows, that hair like gold,
Those languourous tones, that virgin way,
The flowing limbs, the rounded heel
Slight men betray!
Thy spirit keen through radiant mien,
Thy shining throat and smiling eye,
Thy little palm, thy side like foam--
I cannot die!
O woman, shapely as the swan,
In a cunning house hard-reared was I:
O bosom white, O well-shaped palm,
I shall not die!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 80 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (16:59) * 23 lines
REST ONLY IN THE GRAVE
by James Clarence Mangan
I rode till I reached the House of Wealth--
'Twas filled with riot and blighted health.
I rode till I reached the House of Love--
'Twas vocal with sighs beneath and above!
I rode till I reached the House of Sin--
There were shrieks and curses without and within.
I rode till I reached the House of Toil--
Its inmates had nothing to bake or boil.
I rode in search of the House of Content
But never could reach it, far as I went!
The House of Quiet, for strong and weak
And poor and rich, I have still to seek--
That House is narrow, and dark, and small--
But the only Peaceful House of all.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 81 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (17:05) * 1 lines
The courtly one touched me...but this one rings so true! Thanks!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 82 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (17:17) * 32 lines
AGAINST BLAME OF WOMAN
by Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond
Speak not ill of womankind,
'Tis no wisdom if you do.
You that fault in women find,
I would not be praised of you.
Sweetly speaking, witty, clear,
Tribe most lovely to my mind,
Blame of such I hate to hear.
Speak not ill of womankind.
Bloody treason, murderous act,
Not by women were designed,
Bells o'erthrown nor churches sacked.
Speak not ill of womankind.
Bishop, King upon his throne,
Primate skilled to loose and bind,
Sprung of women every one!
Speak not ill of womankind.
For a brave young fellow long
Hearts of women oft have pined.
Who would dare their love to wrong?
Speak not ill of womankind.
Paunchy greybeards never more
Hope to please a woman's mind.
Poor young chieftains they adore!
Speak not ill of womankind.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 83 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (17:53) * 1 lines
This is the best yet...should be cast in bronze somewhere! About the worst thing I ever did was to fall in love with the wrong man...it caused no wars...except for small skirmishes...*sigh*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 84 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (17:57) * 1 lines
Yep, that's about the worst sin I've ever committed, too. It caused somewhat of a tempest in the teapot of my little world, but it was over quickly enough with no casualties (unless you count my broken heart) on either side.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 85 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (18:07) * 1 lines
...same here...as far as I know....
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 86 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (19:12) * 22 lines
And of course, no Irish verse page would be complete without J.M. Synge:
IS IT A MONTH
Is it a month since I and you
In the starlight of Glen Dubh
Stretched beneath a hazel bough
Kissed from ear and throat to brow,
Since your fingers, neck, and chin
Made the bars that fenced me in,
Till Paradise seemed but a wreck
Near your bosom, brow, and neck
And stars grew wilder, growing wise,
In the splendour of your eyes!
Since the weasel wandered near
Whilst we kissed from ear to ear
And the wet and withered leaves
Blew about your cap and sleeves,
Till the moon sank tired through the ledge
Of the wet and windy hedge?
And we took the starry lane
Back to Dublin town again.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 87 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Oct 7, 1999 (19:14) * 8 lines
And a little one from William Butler Yeats:
THE GREAT DAY
Hurrah for revolution and more cannon-shot!
A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot.
Hurrah for revolution and cannon come again!
The beggars have changed places, but the lash goes on.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 88 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (18:21) * 21 lines
I'm sitting here sighing over John McDermott singing "Believe Me," by Thomas Moore so I thought I might post the lyrics since I've been neglecting to post anything here lately.
Believe me if all those endearing young charms
Which I gaze on so fondly today
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms
Like fairy gifts fading away.
Thou woulds't still be ador'd as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofan'd by a tear
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear.
No, the heart that has truly lov'd never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets,
The same look which she turn'd when he rose.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 89 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (18:31) * 24 lines
While I'm still listening to my Irish Tenors CD, I might as well post another of my favorites from it:
VOYAGE
by Johnny Duhan
I am a sailor, you're my first mate,
All signed on together, we've completed our fate.
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail,
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail.
With no maps to guide us we steered our own course,
Rode out the storms when the wind was gale force,
Sat out the doldrums with patience and hope,
Working together, we learned how to cope.
Life is an ocean, love is a boat;
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat.
When we started the voyage there was just me and you;
Now gathered around us we have our own crew.
Together we're in this relationship,
We built it together with care to last the whole trip.
Our true destination's not marked on my charts,
For we're navigating the shores of a heart.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 90 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (18:51) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 91 of 121: Moon (moonbeam) * Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (16:55) * 1 lines
Amy, thank you. ;)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 92 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (20:36) * 1 lines
You're welcome! I just got the William Butler Yeats reader today, so as soon as I have time to look through it, I should be posting some Yeats yummies!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 93 of 121: MarkG (MarkG) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (11:32) * 14 lines
Just to kick off the Yeats yummies:
He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and the light and the half-light,
I would lay them under your feet,
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have laid them under your feet -
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
Thanks for posting Voyage here (a Christy Moore composition) - I quoted some of it for my parents' 40th anniversary recently. (I think it should be "coupled our fate" in the 2nd line).
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 94 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (12:19) * 1 lines
Ohh, that's a beautiful one, Mark! I'll have to remember it for future reference. It reminds me of that dedication from Montaigne: "I offer you nothing of my own both because it is already yours and there is nothing worthy of you." I'm looking through my Yeats book right now and they all seem so sad...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 95 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (13:10) * 2 lines
Mark that is so sad and so longing and so wonderful. Thank you! I know that feeling, as well. I perhaps should just stay out of poetry for a while.
Amy, is there any Happy Irish Verse or is that another oxymoron?! Yeats was a gloomy guy. There is a prof here who is a Yeats Scholar and spends his sabbaticals in Dublin. There are happier things to read to break the dispair, one hopes!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 96 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (16:05) * 1 lines
Hmm...happy Irish verse...well, the only things I can think of are very funny ones that are usually bewailing someone's situation (remember the ones about the butter and the snorer,) so I guess the answer would be no, not really. There are some happy Irish songs, but not a whole lot of those, either.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 97 of 121: Moon (moonbeam) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (16:48) * 1 lines
Irish drinking songs would probably fall in the "happy" verse category. ;)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 98 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (22:08) * 19 lines
Well, that depends on how drunk you are--the drunker you get, the sadder the songs get!
Here's one from the greatest of all Irish bards (in my opinion):
RECONCILIATION
by William Butler Yeats
Some may have blamed you that you took away
The verses that could move them on the day
When, the ears being deafened, the sight of the eyes blind
With lightning, you went from me, and I could find
Nothing to make a song about but kings,
Helmets, and swords, and half-forgotten things
That were like memories of you--but now
We'll out, for the world lives as long ago;
And while we're laughing, weeping fit,
Hurl helmets, crowns, and swords into the pit.
But, dear, cling close to me; since you were gone,
My barren thoughts have chilled me to the bone.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 99 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (22:36) * 1 lines
POLITICS
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 100 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Nov 1, 1999 (22:38) * 15 lines
POLITICS
By W.B. Yeats
How can I, that girl standing there,
My attention fix
On Roman or on Russian
Or on Spanish politics,
Yet here's a travelled man that knows
What he talks about,
And there's a politician
That has both read and thought,
And maybe what they say is true
Of war and war's alarms,
But O that I were young again
And held her in my arms.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 101 of 121: Moon (moonbeam) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (00:00) * 3 lines
Yep, those are sad indeed...
I was thinking on the order of "Bloody Orangeman" -- you know, "Oh, one Sunday morning while on me way to Mass / I met a bloody Orangman and I killed him for his pass / I killed him for his pass me boys and sent his soul to hell / and when he got back, he had a strange tale to tell...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 102 of 121: MarkG (MarkG) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (07:52) * 4 lines
Great stuff, Amy. Politics is one of my favourites. I'm not sure that all of this stuff is as sad as it may look. Much of Irish poetry is from the perspective of old but happy, or poor but happy, or defeated but brave.
For real melancholy, go to those drinking songs! You haven't felt maudlin until you've heard a soulful drunk singing Carrickfergus, or From here to Clare.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 103 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (12:43) * 1 lines
I've heard Van Morrison singing "Carrickfergus," and that was pretty moving. That's one of my favourite Irish ballads!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 104 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (19:53) * 42 lines
Here's a really sad one, sung by that blue-eyed, rosy-cheeked, sparkling Irish tenor boyo, Anthony Kearns:
GRACE
As we gather in the chapel here
In old Kilmainham jail,
I think about the last few weeks
Oh, will they say we failed?
From our schooldays they have told us
We must yearn for liberty,
Yet all I want in this old place
Is to have you here with me.
Oh Grace, just hold me in your arms
And let this moment linger,
Then take me out at dawn and I will die;
With all my love I'll place this wedding ring
Upon your finger.
There won't be time to share our love,
For we must say goodbye.
Now I know it's hard for you, my love,
To ever understand
The love I bear for these brave men,
My love for this dear land;
But when glory called me to his side
Down in the GPO,
I had to leave my own sick bed,
To there I had to go.
Oh Grace, just hold me in your arms, etc.
Now as the dawn is breaking,
My heart is breaking too,
On this May morn as I walk out
My thoughts will be of you;
And I'll write some words upon the walls
So everyone will know
I loved so much that I could see
His blood upon the rose.
Oh Grace, just hold me in your arms, etc.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 105 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (20:10) * 19 lines
The Folly of being Comforted
by W.B. Yeats
One that is ever kind said yesterday:
"Your well-belovèd's hair has threads of grey,
And little shadows come about her eyes;
Time can but make it easier to be wise
Though now it seems impossible, and so
All that you need is patience."
Heart cries, "No,
I have not a crumb of comfort, not a grain,
Time can but make her beauty over again:
Because that great nobleness of hers
The fire that stirs about her, when she stirs,
Burns more clearly. O she had not these ways
When all the wild summer was in her gaze."
O heart! O heart! if she'd but turn her head,
You'd know the folly of being comforted.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 106 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (20:27) * 3 lines
(I love this one! :-))
THE SCHOLARS
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 107 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (20:30) * 15 lines
By Yeats again
Bald heads forgetful of their sins,
Old, learned, respectable bald heads
Edit and annotate the lines
That young men, tossing on their beds,
Rhymed out in love's despair
To flatter beauty's ignorant ear.
All shuffle there; all cough in ink;
All wear the carpet with their shoes;
All think what other people think;
All know the man their neighbour knows.
Lord, what would they say
Did their Catullus walk that way?
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 108 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Tue, Nov 2, 1999 (20:30) * 3 lines
(I love this one! :-))
THE SCHOLARS
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 109 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Wed, Nov 3, 1999 (16:52) * 0 lines
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 110 of 121: MarkG (MarkG) * Thu, Nov 4, 1999 (06:33) * 3 lines
Sorry, Amy. You've held the fort magnificently. The Montaigne dedication you mentioned a while ago gave rise to the title of the anthology in which I discovered most of my early favourites: "Other Men's Flowers". (Montaigne said I have gathered a posy of other men's flowers, and nothing but the string that binds them is my own.") This was compiled by Field Marshal Wavell during breaks from the Second World War, from poems that he had by memory (or had at one time memorised).
The amount of stuff is staggering to me (in terms of the memory feats required), but as I also tend to like the stuff I can learn, it makes for a very enjoyable anthology for me. Off-topic, but you mentioned Montaigne...
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 111 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Thu, Nov 4, 1999 (18:29) * 3 lines
That's okay, Mark--you can get off topic any time you want, especially if you want to talk about Montaigne!
I used to have a lot of poems memorized, and I seem to have a pretty good capacity for doing so if I try, but I've found as time goes on that I tend to change words slightly or get lines turned around.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 112 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (16:47) * 30 lines
A LAST CONFESSION
by William Butler Yeats
What lively lad most pleasured me
Of all that with me lay?
I answer that I gave my soul
And loved in misery,
But had great pleasure with a lad
That I loved bodily.
Flinging from his arms I laughed
To think his passion such
He fancied that I gave a soul
Did but our bodies touch,
And laughed upon his breast to think
Beast gave beast as much.
I gave what other women gave
That stepped out of their clothes,
But when this soul, its body off,
Naked to naked goes,
He it has found shall find therein
What none other knows,
And give his own and take his own
And rule in his own right;
And though it loved in misery
Close and cling so tight,
There's not a bird of day that dare
Extinguish that delight.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 113 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (18:26) * 1 lines
The Irish out-Celtic the Celts...Gloomy and maudlin, though they are,they seem to wallow in it as though it were a blessing and a grace. Thanks for the Yeats and Montaigne. (Mark, the Cricket match is on!)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 114 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (18:44) * 1 lines
We are also very proud and with all of those traits combined, we've ended up a race of starving poets and musicians!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 115 of 121: Wolf (wolf) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (21:09) * 1 lines
i'm so glad there are people out there who enjoy poetry. thanks for keeping this conference alive (or, better yet, bringing it back to life) *hugs*
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 116 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (21:13) * 1 lines
For our Poetess-Laureate whose muse has gone on Hiatus with the men in my world, could we do less?! *hugs* (Thank you, Amy!)
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 117 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (21:14) * 1 lines
*bowing graciously* Thank you, ladies!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 118 of 121: Wolf (wolf) * Sat, Nov 6, 1999 (21:15) * 1 lines
indeed, amy, thanks so much!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 119 of 121: Amy Keene (Irishprincess) * Mon, Nov 8, 1999 (17:32) * 9 lines
A DEEP-SWORN VOW
by William Butler Yeats
Others because you did not keep
That deep-sworn vow have been friends of mine;
Yet always when I look death in the face,
When I clamber to the heights of sleep,
Or when I grow excited with wine,
Suddenly I meet your face.
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 120 of 121: nick a'hannay (pmnh) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (07:33) * 26 lines
the irish verse is lovely...
(especially the yeats)
...and i am moved to offer one of my own
favorites (from his 'fergus and the druid')...
druid: what would you, fergus?
fergus: be no more king, but learn the dreaming wisdom
that is yours.
druid: look on my gray hair, and hollow cheeks,
and upon my hands that cannot lift a sword;
this body trembling, like a wind-blown reed.
no woman's loved me, no man's sought my help.
fergus: a king's but a foolish laborer
who wastes his blood to be another's dream.
druid: then take, if you must, this little bag of dreams.
unloose the cord, and they will wrap around you.
fergus: i see my life go drifting like a river,
from change to change. i have been many things-
a green drop in the surge, a gleam of light
upon a sword, a fir tree on a hill,
an old slave grinding at a heavy quern,
a king sitting upon a chair of gold-
and all of these things have been wonderful and great;
but now i have grown nothing, knowing all.
ah! druid, druid, how great webs of sorrow
lay hidden in the small, slate-colored thing!
Topic 18 of 52 [poetry]: Irish verse
Response 121 of 121: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (13:29) * 2 lines
Thanks, Nick...very like Merlin and Arthur, is it not?! The price a druid pays for his "gifts" is far higher than any mere mortal would imagine. The celebacy would be enough to discourage most males from pursuing it in the first place!
Innocence has its value. I prefer stumbling along the best I can...making mistakes, as we all do, and looking back in wisdom.
poetry conference 
Main Menu