Hobbits of the country Shire
(Pilgrims with crude farming tools)
Servants of the Secret Fire
(Priests concealed in stifling holes)
–
Ring of Power from Sauron’s hand
(Becket’s ring King Henry claimed)
Darkness falling o’er the land
(More and Margaret’s parting pain)
–
Evenstar of an Elvish maid
(Relics torn from Catholic breasts)
Secrets in a broken blade
(Swords that severed martyrs’ necks)
–
Enchanted string The Bearer climbs
(Brave Pearl of Tyburn with her rope)
A cape that can both warm and hide
(Bold Lady Nithsdale with her cloak)
–
Tokens from an elfin queen
(Gifts from Mary, full of grace)
Spider’s Cave pierced by the gleam
(Tower cell turned sacred space)
–
Crawling o’er Mt. Doom’s debris
(Dragged through London’s muddy lanes)
Through hellish ash no one can see
(Vision dimmed by bitter rain)
–
Ugly beings with deadened eyes
(Crowds are jeering all around)
In coarse Black Speech their insults rise
(Hot blood is splattered on the ground)
–
Ageless Middle Earthen lay
(“Te Deum” sung at Campion’s trial)
Water Silver, Havens Gray,
(Hearts torn out, lips in a smile)