WitH THE Story TELLERS

FIFTEENTH NIGHT
Mike Fitz

“l’m sure it is a welcome sight

To see you all so well and bright,

For you will hear more of the fight,
By Art McMurrough waged.

The harper has come here tonight;

I’m sure he will you all delight,

With tales of daring death or flight,
When war through Leinster raged.”

The Second Invasion—The Harper

The shires and towns King Richard taxed
For to augment his force;
But to increase his mariners,
To the press-gang had recourse.
His chief of staff is hastening
The Royal Decree to send—
That every ship must join his fleet
From Solway to Lands End.
For to transport his troops across,
Required three hundred ships;
In Waterford again they land
On docks and piers and slips.
Then with much pomp the king declares,
The Irish chiefs must make
Submission to his majesty;
Or else their lands he’ll take.

“Enduring peace must Ireland have,
And to that end I plan

To crush the Prince of Leinster, and
The whole McMurrough clan.

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