A PROPHECY

By Joseph Campbell

“The loins of the Galldacht

Shall wither like grass” —

Strange words I heard said

At the Fair of Dun-eas.

“A bard shall be born

Of the seed of the folk,

To break with his singing

The bond and the yoke.

“A sword, white as ashes,

Shall fall from the sky,

To rise, red as blood,

On the charge and the cry.

“Stark pipers shall blow,

Stout drummers shall beat,

And the shout of the north

Shall be heard in the street.

“The strong shall go down,

And the weak shall prevail,

And a glory shall sit

On the sign of the Gaodhal.

“Then Emer shall come

In good time by her own,

And a man of the people

Shall speak from the throne.”

Strange words I heard said

At the Fair of Dun-eas —

“The Gaodhaldacht shall live,

The Galldacht shall pass!”