
A lyrical tapestry of myth and memory unfolds as a wandering minstrel named Cumhal journeys through the Irish countryside, his thoughts tangled between ancient druidic legends and the harsh realities of a world in turmoil. The narrative blends poetic reverie with vivid scenes of crossroads, stone crosses, and storm‑tossed seas, inviting listeners to feel the pull of a landscape where the spiritual and the natural clash in quiet, haunting moments.
Through richly drawn characters and a voice that echoes both the bardic tradition and modern introspection, the story explores the yearning for a hidden, inviolate rose—a symbol of love, loss, and the elusive promise of redemption. As Cumhal confronts the remnants of old faiths and the lingering echoes of forgotten heroes, the listener is drawn into a contemplative quest that feels both timeless and intimately personal.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (115K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Text file produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team HTML file produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1939
A giant of modern poetry, he blended Irish myth, politics, mysticism, and personal longing into language that still feels vivid and musical today. His work ranges from dreamy early lyrics to the sharper, darker poems of his later years, including some of the most quoted lines in English.
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