BLESSED COLUMBA AND THE HORSE
Columba, weary-foot,
Went out and saw the sheaves,
And flames of yellow fruit
Trembling among the leaves.
Went out and saw the sheaves,
And flames of yellow fruit
Trembling among the leaves.
He saw the sheep and swine,
The oxen and the ass,
The drying swathes in line
Of honeyed aftergrass:
Opened the granary door,
And saw the brethren had
Of fruit and grain great store
To last through winter sad.
The oxen and the ass,
The drying swathes in line
Of honeyed aftergrass:
Opened the granary door,
And saw the brethren had
Of fruit and grain great store
To last through winter sad.
Upon a brother's arm
The great Columba leant;
Bowed was that stately form,
The holy head down-bent.
Yet peace was in his eyes,
Happy and satisfied:
He blessed the granaries,
The beasts and pastures wide.
The great Columba leant;
Bowed was that stately form,
The holy head down-bent.
Yet peace was in his eyes,
Happy and satisfied:
He blessed the granaries,
The beasts and pastures wide.
As slowly home they came,
There limped along the road
The old horse tired and lame,
That long had borne his load.
The horse that night and morn
Drew home the abbey milk,
Drew home the loads of corn,
And swathes of grass like silk.
There limped along the road
The old horse tired and lame,
That long had borne his load.
The horse that night and morn
Drew home the abbey milk,
Drew home the loads of corn,
And swathes of grass like silk.
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