Shadow and Flame
Hear now, ye sailors wandering the sweeping sea,
Who fare on Manann’s far resplendent waves.
Of Stingrays stout I sing and fates long sealed,
On Stirr’s black stream where sorrow silent raves.
With Morr’s grim, guarded knights they shaped their course,
Their pikes held poised and sabres shining keen.
Through Sylvania’s shadow shrouded realm,
Where seldom strides a son of mortal mien.
The mist moved in like grave cloths gathered close;
The reeds gave rasping warnings on the shore.
Then rose in ragged ranks the restless dead,
As did the crew unleash their flame once more
While Whaleback roared like wrathful winter storms,
So feared that sailors spoke not of her name,
Yet still the pale persistent host pressed on,
A death drenched tide untamed by hallowed flame.
Then ship by straining ship sank down to gloom,
To drown within the Stirr’s devouring deep.
At last their captain cracked each guarded seal,
And cast cold kindled fire upon the heap.
The river burned like lightning’s leaping path;
The fog fled far in fear before the blaze.
But death rose dark in tireless waves anew,
And claimed the crews beneath the haunted haze.
So whisper wary sailors when winds wake east:
“No flame nor fire can free the Stirr of doom.”
For ever shall its hungering waters hold
The weight of woe that wraps its watchful gloom.
a passage from the Songs of the Raven C.2299