THE STORY OF BLESSED COLUMBA AND THE HORSE
Columba was kept back
Four years from his reward,
The brethren's prayers, alack,
Prevailing with the Lord.
"O children, let me go!"
Twas oft and oft he prayed,
Yet still with prayer aglow
They held him from the dead.
Four years from his reward,
The brethren's prayers, alack,
Prevailing with the Lord.
"O children, let me go!"
Twas oft and oft he prayed,
Yet still with prayer aglow
They held him from the dead.
They held him back with might,
Kissing his habit's hem;
His soul's wings set for flight
Were prisoned long by them.
His soul was sick for death;
Yea, anguished long and dumb
To take the lonely path
Should lead the exile home.
Kissing his habit's hem;
His soul's wings set for flight
Were prisoned long by them.
His soul was sick for death;
Yea, anguished long and dumb
To take the lonely path
Should lead the exile home.
At last one autumn day,
When woods were red and gold,
And the sea moaned alway
For summers dead and cold,
When woods were red and gold,
And the sea moaned alway
For summers dead and cold,
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