Inheritance “And what is the new kingdom he inherits? Creeping things and carrion beast, and worm.” This verse from Ecclesiasticus the people of the Middle Ages interpreted more particularly. Three things seek my death, Hard at my heels they run— Hang them, sweet Christ, all three, Devil, maggot and son. Each of them only craves The morsel that falls to his share, And cares not a thrauneen what Falls to the other pair. The spirit of guilt and guile Would compound for my soul in sin And leave my flesh to the worm, My money to my kin. My sons think more of the gold That will come to them when I die Than a soul they could not spend A body that none would buy. And how would the maggot fare On a soul too thin to eat And money too tough to chew? He must have my body for meat. Christ speared by the blind man, Christ nailed to a naked tree, The three that seek my end, Hang them, sweet Christ, all three. Source: O'Connor, Frank (tr); Kings, Lords, & Commons: An Anthology from the Irish; 1962; London; Macmillan & Co; p.76