The Downfall of Heathendom This is part of the great introduction to the Festology of Aengus the Spouse of God. The Spouses of God were an early Irish religious order, and the author expresseswith amazing passion the self-confidence of the early Irish Church. Ailill the king is vanished, Vanished Croghan’s fort, Kings to Clonmacnois Come to pay their court. In quiet Clonmacnois About Saint Kieran’s feet Everlasting quires Raise a concert sweet. Allen and its lords Both are overthrown, Brigid’s house is full, Far her fame has flown. Navan town is shattered, Ruins everywhere; Glendalough remains, Half a world is there. Ferns is a blazing torch, Ferns is great and good, But Beg, son of Owen, And his proud hosts are dead. Old haunts of the heathen Filled from ancient days Are but deserts now Where no pilgrim prays. Little places taken First by twos and threes Are like Rome reborn, Peopled sanctuaries. Heathendom has gone down Though it was everywhere; God the Father’s kingdom Fills heaven and earth and air. Sing the kings defeated! Sing the Donals down! Clonmacnois triumphant, Cronan with the crown. All the hills of evil, Level now they lie; All the quiet valleys Tossed up to the sky. Source: O'Connor, Frank; Kings, Lords, & Commons: An Anthology from the Irish; London; Macmillan & Co Ltd; 1962; p.3