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1879–1944

THE HERB-LEECH

Joseph Campbell

I have gathered luss At the wane of the moon, And supped its sap With a yewen spoon.

I have sat a spell By the carn of Medb, And smelt the mould Of the red queen's grave.

I have dreamed a dearth In the darkened sun, And felt the hand Of the Evil One.

I have fathomed war In the comet's tail, And heard the crying Of Gall and Gael.

I have seen the spume On the dead priest's lips, And the “holy fire” On the spars of ships;

And the shooting stars On Barthelmy's Night, Blanching the dark With ghostly light;

And the corpse-candle Of the seer's dream, Bigger in girth Than a weaver's beam;

And the shy hearth-fairies About the grate, Blowing the turves To a whiter heat.

All things on earth To me are known, For I have the gift Of the Murrain Stone!

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THE HERB-LEECH · Joseph Campbell · Poetry Cove