Sea-bird of the battle surf, Lorna is dead. Black on Colla's castled hill Ruin is spread. Weep for Lorna who rode forth With his king against the North. Lorna came again at morn, Riding from war. Messenger of battle won, Tidings he bore: -- "Quenchless was the charge he made, Low the insurgent walls were laid." And while revelry was rife Through Colla's halls, Then the lonely warder saw, Pacing the walls, Eastward in the morning's greys, Serried spears in the sunrise blaze. By an altar in a vault -- Night dripping dew -- Lorna's muffled cry arose; Bat-like it flew: -- "Sacrifice for victory! Priest and victim find in me!" Sea-bird of the battle surf, Lorna is dead. Black on Colla's castled hill Ruin is spread. Royal seal upon the tomb Where he sleeps in endless gloom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MILITARY MIND by CHARLIE SMITH VLAMERTINGHE: PASSING THE CHATEAU, JULY 1917 by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE SHEPHERDESS by ALICE MEYNELL PERFECT WOMAN by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE MORAL FABLES: THE MOUSE AND THE PADDOCK by AESOP THE VIOLINIST by MARGARET STEELE ANDERSON |