Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Ireland: Vol. V. 1876–79.
Prince Aldfrids Itinerary through Ireland
By From the Irish
I
In Ireland, while in exile there,
Women of worth, both grave and gay men,
Many clerics and many laymen.
And in every one of the five I found,
Alike in church and in palace hall,
Abundant apparel, and food for all.
Plenty of wheat and plenty of honey;
I found God’s people rich in pity,
Found many a feast and many a city.
Meekness, wisdom, and prudence blended,
Fasting, as Christ hath recommended,
And noble councillors untranscended.
Whether on island or on shore,
Piety, learning, fond affection,
Holy welcome and kind protection.
Ever beseeching help for others,
And in their keeping the holy word
Pure as it came from Jesus the Lord.
Kings, and queens, and poets a many,—
Poets well skilled in music and measure,
Prosperous doings, mirth and pleasure.
Of riches, milk in lavish abundance;
Hospitality, vigor, fame,
In Cruachan’s land of heroic name.
Bravest heroes, ever victorious;
Fair-complexioned men and warlike,
Ireland’s lights, the high, the starlike!
Hardy warriors, resolute men;
Beauty that bloomed when youth was gone,
And strength transmitted from sire to son.
Brehon’s, Erenachs, weapons bright,
And horsemen bold and sudden in fight.
From Dublin to Slewmargy’s peak,
Flourishing pastures, valor, health,
Long-living worthies, commerce, wealth.
In the broad rich country of Ossorie,
Sweet fruits, good laws for all and each,
Great chess-players, men of truthful speech.
Virtue, vigor, and hospitality,
Candor, joyfulness, bravery, purity,
Ireland’s bulwark and security.
I found historians recording truth;
The things I sing of in verse unsmooth,
I found them all,—I have written sooth.