CHRIST IN BRITAIN: 16. THE BLESSING OF SAINT COLUMCILLE by THOMAS SAMUEL JONES JR.

Torqued warriors turned their galley's crimson prow
To hear a white monk hymn the Holy Three
In Derry's orchard vale beside the sea,
The light of peace upon his shining brow;
And angels, watching near the forest plough,
Saw Colum's blessing change the withered tree,
Cursed by the demon riders from the shee,
And bring the wild sweet apples to the bough.

Beneath his voice, clear as a ringing bell,
Dark kerns laid down their spear-shafts, then were still,
And in each bitter heart the sweet fruit grew;
Dim oak woods, wakened from the Druid spell,
Shone white with wings; and on the sunset hill
The old gods listened, lonely in the dew.

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