ODELL

By James Stephens

My mind is sad and weary thinking how

The griffins of the Gael went over the sea

From noble Eire, and are fighting now

In France and Flanders and in Germany.

If they,‘ mid whom I sported without dread,

Were home I would not mind what foe might do,

Or fear tax-man Odell would seize my bed

To pay the hearth-rate that is overdue.

I pray to Him who, in the haughty hour

Of Babel, threw confusion on each tongue,

That I may see our princes back in power,

And see Odell, the tax-collector, hung.