Thomas MacDonagh

Inscription on a Ruin

I stood beside the postern here,
    High up above the trampling sea,
In shadow, shrinking from the spear
    Of light, not daring hence to flee.

The moon beyond the western cliff
    Had passed, and let the shadow fall
Across the water to the skiff
    That came on to the castle wall.

I heard below murmur of words
    Not loud, the splash upon the strand,
And the long cry of darkling birds.
    The ivory horn fell from my hand.