School: Graiguenamanagh (B.) (roll number 16311)

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1. A Dirge for Duiske (continued)

   

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   And early matins when the stars grew pale.

   
   In moonlight sleepless at his window small
   Stood hapless David who in grief repined,
   He saw the willows by the Abbey wall
   Dipped in the Barrow by the wakeful wind.

   
   Or heard at pearly dawn of summer day,
   Before the deep-toned bell invited prayer,
   The cuckoo's note in woodlands far away,
   Borne on the hawthorn-scented air.

   
   'Twas pleasant once at early morn in May
   To ramble here the time the freshening dew
   Was still upon the fragarant lilac spray
   And glistened on the wallflowers golden hue.

   
   But summer flowers only hide decay,
   And as the night in dark December falls
   I feel that winter's melancholy grey
   Adds deeper meaning to these ancient walls.

   
   The rain may rattle on the hearth-stone cold
   Where many a weary wanderer found a home,
   The briar may blossom where in days of old
   The patient annalist compiled his tome

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Alfred Byrne

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny