The uncovered passage
under this tufty uneven pasture
became a stone-lined tunnel
discovered, not by scholars,
but by the local IRA
intent on hiding weapons.
Traps for indigent robbers
had been worn away by decay
and in the large inner sanctum
lay three open graves,
carefully, reverently surrounded
by treasure and homely objects.
Combs and knives
little personal tools:
even kings need things
in the Other World.
Golden torcs, jewellery, six swords,
and seven golden drinking cups
of exquisite execution,
buried for more than a thousand years
under a rain drenched field
under placid munching cows.
