| Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922. |
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| 141. The Three Woes |
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| By Aubrey de Vere |
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| THAT angel whose charge was Eiré sang thus, o’er the dark Isle winging; | |
| By a virgin his song was heard at a tempest’s ruinous close: | |
| “Three golden ages God gave while your tender green blade was springing; | |
| Faith’s earliest harvest is reaped. To-day God sends you three woes. | |
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| “For ages three without laws ye shall flee as beasts in the forest; | 5 |
| For an age and a half age faith shall bring, not peace, but a sword; | |
| Then laws shall rend you, like eagles sharp-fanged, of your scourges the sorest; | |
| When these three woes are past, look up, for your hope is restored. | |
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| “The times of your woes shall be twice the time of your foregone glory; | |
| But fourfold at last shall lie the grain on your granary floor.” | 10 |
| The seas in vapour shall flee, and in ashes the mountains hoary; | |
| Let God do that which He wills. Let his servants endure and adore!” | |
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