In Taras Halls

 A man I praise that once in Tara's Hals
Said to the woman on his knees, 'Lie still.

My hundredth year is at an end.
 I think
That something is about to happen, I think
That the adventure of old age begins.

To many women I have said, ''Lie still,''
And given everything a woman needs,
A roof, good clothes, passion, love perhaps,
But never asked for love; should I ask that,
I shall be old indeed.
'
 Thereon the man
Went to the Sacred House and stood between
The golden plough and harrow and spoke aloud
That all attendants and the casual crowd might hear.

'God I have loved, but should I ask return
Of God or woman, the time were come to die.
'
He bade, his hundred and first year at end,
Diggers and carpenters make grave and coffin;
Saw that the grave was deep, the coffin sound,
Summoned the generations of his house,
Lay in the coffin, stopped his breath and died.

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