Beautiful Lofty Things

BEAUTIFUL lofty things: O'Leary's noble head;

My father upon the Abbey stage, before him a raging crowd:

'This Land of Saints,' and then as the applause died out

'Of plaster Saints'; his beautiful mischievous head thrown back.

Standish O'Grady supporting himself between the tables

Speaking to a drunken audience high nonsensical words;

Augusta Gregory seated at her great ormolu table

Her eightieth winter approaching: 'Yesterday he threatened my life.