THE BATTLE TO COME

Morrigan, thou Crow of Battle, I call on thy name,
And on the name of Badb, and the name of Macha.
And on the names of all the spirits in the red domain,
To shield me in the battle to come.

When the mouth shall be closed,
When the eye shall be shut.
When the breath shall cease to stir,
When the heart shall cease to beat.

When I put my foot into the barque
That shall take me to that distant shore,
O Morgan, priestess of Avalon, shield thou my spirit,
O Elaine the fair, pillow my head in your lap.
O Nimue, wisdom's daughter, guide my spirit craft!

The Three Queens to accompany my departure!