The Death of Sualtem

After the brown bull passed from Cooley's fieldsAnd all Muirevne was a wail of pain,Sualtem came at evening thro' the slainAnd heard a noise like water rushing loud,A thunder like the noise of mighty shields.And in his dread he shouted: "Earth is bowed,The heavens are split and stars make war with starsAnd the sea runs in fear!"For all his scarsHe hastened to Dun Dealgan, and there foundIt was his son, Cuculain, making moan.His hair was red with blood, and he was woundIn wicker full of grass, and a cold stoneWas on his head."Cuculain, is it so?"Sualtem said, and then, "My hair is snow,My strength leaks thro' my wounds, but I will dieAvenging you."And then Cuculain said:"Not so, old father, but take horse and rideTo Emain Macha, and tell Connor this."Sualtem from his red lips took a kiss,And turned the stone upon Cuculain's head.The Lia-Macha with a heavy sighRan up and halted by his wounded side.In Emain Macha to low lights and songConnor was dreaming of the beauteous Maeve.He saw her as at first, by Shannon's wave,Her insteps in the water, mounds of white.It was in Spring, and music loud and strongRocked all the coloured woods, and the blue heightOf heaven was round the lark, and in his heartThere was a pain of love.Then with a startHe wakened as a loud voice from belowShouted, "The land is robbed, the women shamed,The children stolen, and Cuculain low!"Then Connor rose, his war-worn soul inflamed,And shouted down for Cathbad; then to greetThe messenger he hurried to the street.And there he saw Sualtem shouting stillThe message of Muirevne 'mid the soundOf hurried buddings and uneasy horse.At sight of him the Lia-Macha wheeled,So that Sualtem fell upon his shield,And his grey head came shouting to the ground.They buried him by moonlight on the hill,And all about him waves the heavy gorse.