A scribe in the woods

 

 

Trees thickly tower round me,
Unto me makes moan the merle.
Above my little book, lined,
Unto me I find babbling birds.

Unto me words come from the cuckoo,
Grey-mantled lofty in light leaves.
Lord! bless not blast me,
I write best in the wildwood.

 

 

Irish, 9th c.