there are no fires

there are no fires upon the beacon hill
where armies marched long silence now must fall
no fair folk gather by the pond and rill

only dust gathers at the broken mill
no one will answer at the last bird's call
there are no fires upon the beacon hill

no cheerful maiden comes to clear the spill
the tackle rots beside the empty stall
no fair folk gather by the pond and rill

no swine are left to swallow the last swill
upon the wall no hungry spiders crawl
there are no fires upon the beacon hill

no scavengers appear to eat their fill
the lizard has no kingship in the hall
no fair folk gather by the pond and rill

nothing will matter in the end of skill
no human power will rise above the small
there are no fires upon the beacon hill
no fair folk gather by the pond and rill