Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922.
By Francis Ledwidge123. Lament for the Poets: 1916
I
“At break of day the fowler came,
And took my blackbirds from their songs
Who loved me well thro’ shame and blame.
Their songs shall bless me mile by mile,
Nor to white Ashbourne call me down
To wear my crown another while.
For the skylark the places they lie,
From there its little family
Shall dip their wings first in the sky.
Sweet songs excite, from the far dawn
Shall there come blackbirds loud with love,
Sweet echoes of the singers gone.
Weeping I grieve the silent bills.”
I heard the Poor Old Woman say
In Derry of the little hills.