141. The Three Woes

THAT angel whose charge was Eiré sang thus, o’er the dark Isle winging;

By a virgin his song was heard at a tempest’s ruinous close:

“Three golden ages God gave while your tender green blade was springing;

Faith’s earliest harvest is reaped. To-day God sends you three woes.

“For ages three without laws ye shall flee as beasts in the forest;

For an age and a half age faith shall bring, not peace, but a sword;

Then laws shall rend you, like eagles sharp-fanged, of your scourges the sorest;

When these three woes are past, look up, for your hope is restored.

“The times of your woes shall be twice the time of your foregone glory;

But fourfold at last shall lie the grain on your granary floor.”

The seas in vapour shall flee, and in ashes the mountains hoary;

Let God do that which He wills. Let his servants endure and adore!”