Bounteous and mighty Aotlh ! whose potent shield
Glares like a fatal star upon the field-
Fierce as the stooping hawk, or following hound,
Resistless as the ocean-billow’s bound-
Thy shield I sing-the warrior’s best relief-
Avenger of the fall of sept and chief;
Brighter than foam that shrouds the bursting wave,
That glorious shield that heroes, monarchs crave,
Renown’d o’er all that warlike arm may wield
Amid the failing ranks ! dread speckled shield ;
That guardian shield where Duach’s son up-rears,
Awe-struck, the daring heart no longer dares.
Oh, would the prince our bardic spell requite
With that proud shield-dread portent of the fight;
Aodh’s glorious name through Erin’s plains should ring,
While Dallan’s hand could wake the trembling string.
(Dallan Forgaill)
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Based on Topics: Heroism Poems, Failure PoemsBased on Keywords: avenger, awe-struck, bardic, sept, aodh, sing-the