Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922.
By James H. Cousins105. A Curse on a Closed Gate
B
Of the man who would shut his gate
On the stranger, gentle or simple, early or late.
For the savour of salted fish,
Let him sit and eat his fill of an empty dish.
Let water stand in his churn, instead of milk
That turns a calf’s coat silk.
May never a thatch made tight
Shut out the clouds from his sight.
Good cheer, may he never know it,
Nor a tale by the fire, nor a dance on the road, nor a song by a wandering poet.
To the stranger, early or late,
And turn back the stone of his fate.