 | Ballads of Irish chivalry |  |
THE BATTLE OF THURLES.
A.D. 1174.
I
By the gray walls of Thurles in O'Fogarty's landWe came to the trysting with banner and brand:
'Twas no true-loves to meet, 'twas no fond vows to say,
But to conquer the foeman, or die in the fray.
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II
Royal Roderick was there with his bravest and best,The wild fearless clans from the vales of the West;
Royal Donal came up from the green hills of Clare,
With his stately Dalcassians, like lions from their lair.
III
Where our Ardrigh was resting, the sunburst gleamed wide,Donal's three bloody lions waved proud at its side,
And mavrone, on that morn how we vowed and we swore
To freshen their tints in the black Norman's gore.
IV
Out rode Earl Strongbow from Waterford gate,With his bowmen and spearmen in armour of plate,
And they harried rich ploughland, and dungeon and hall,
To O'Fogarty's mountains from fair Carrick's wall.
V
This news reached Marisco in strong Alia Cliath,And he smiled on his warriors a grim smile of glee,
And like wolves scenting carnage, with rapine and flame,
For their share in the booty to Thurles they came.
VI
In the sun gleamed their armour, waved their flags in the gale,Few warriors amongst us had helmet or mail:
But the hearts in our bosoms were fearless and strong,
And we clove thro' their corselets and helmets ere long.
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VII
Out rode the two kings mid our gallant array—Small need then for words: well we knew what they'd say;
But they pointed their spears where they wished us to go,
And we rushed in their path on the iron-clad foe.
VIII
The foe levelled lances our charge to withstand,And thick flew their arrows as we closed hand to hand;
And full stoutly they stood, for brave robbers were they,
Who would part with their lives ere they'd part with their prey.
IX
Oh! the crash of the onset as steel clanged on steel!Oh! the Ferrah we gave as our blows made them reel!
Oh! the joy of our vengeance as onward we poured,
Till we smote them as Brian smote the fierce Danish horde!
X
Earl Strongbow for life flies tow'rds Waterford Gate,But few vassals around him his orders await;
By the brave walls of Thurles 'neath our vengeance they died—
Wild we feasted that night by the Suir's reddened tide!
| Ballads of Irish chivalry | |