Classic Poem

Had I diamonds in plenty, I would stake
My pocket on kings that walked out with Queen Maeve,
Or wager the acre that no man digs in Connaught;
And after the drinking I would cross my soul, there,
At the bare stations of the Red Lake.

They gave me hearts as my share of the dealing,
But the head that I like is not red and it is not black;
So I thought of the three that went over the water
And the earth they had when they brought Deirdre back;
For who break their money on a card that is foolish,
May find the woman in the pack.

Patric came, without harm, out of cold Hell . . .
A beggar nailed the black ace on the board.
I flung the game to the floor, I rose from their cursing;
And paler than a sword, I saw before me
The face for which a kingdom fell.