The Swart Raven

Our parting I awaited
Thou did not bear in mind, here in life
While I thee, in the world did inhabit
That thou were, through flesh and sinful lusts
Strongly excited
Through me composed.

Thou art no longer dear
To any living one
Nor to Mother or Father
Nor any of thy kin
'cept the swart raven
After I alone from thee passed out
Through the same one's hand
From which I came.

Here shall abide bones bereft
Torn from the sinews
Thy joys are naught
Thou art deaf and dumb
Yet must I thee at night
By compulsion visit
For thy sins afflicted
And soon from thee depart.

When holy men to their living God
Chant their hymn
Must then I seek the home
Which I hath been assigned?

That un-honoured dwelling-place
While thee shall mould
Worms many chew
From sinews tear
Wretched creatures
Ravenous and greedy
Wretched creatures
I lie undone!