Chapter XV: Introduction (14)

Buaidh thighearn air thoisichibh, a ta o thùs an cinne,
Airidheach de na h-oig fhearaibh, gach aon fhear a breith fios,
Ceud tighearn na tir-sa, Dunchadh beag fa mòr aigne,
Do dh’ fhàg mar a chuid dilib, aig clann Ghrigoir an gaisge.
Dunchadh mòr de mhileadhaibh, athair beannaichte Mhaolcholuim,
Seanair Eoin aonfhlaith nior gheill, cunradh ’n uair a chunbhail.
Grigoir deagh-mhac Dhunchaidh, mac o Eoin do b’e oighre,
Fear aibheasach o’n chontath, o Loch thaobh sholuis Tulaich.
Eoin dubh an goil geillte, mac aireadhach Eoin mhic Grigoir,
Sealgair dhamh dhreachach, tùs gach cogadh do fhrìtheal.
Maolcholum go dheagh chunbhal, aithnichte Eoin d’éis a athar,
Deisceart glinne geal Urchaidh, maiseach do chaidh m ’a ceachta,
A ta toiseach an uibhireachd, do chloinne Ghrigoir o Ghallaibh,
’Ga bheil tri tighearn beò, gràdh sealga, ’us beò ghaisge.
An aimsir Chuinn cheud chatha, do chuala mi a mhac samhail,
Fionn ni ghabh o gheur lannaibh, Mac Cumhail nan grath calm.
Sealg Eirinn ’s a thighearnas aig Mac Cumhail ’n a coillibh
Aoibh dha no tighearnas, air criochaibh clanna Ghuill.
D’fhiodh r’a linn da ’n leigeadh, o Charaidh gu Carn Bhalair,
Roimhe ghabh na seisir, bha aig ’n a fhiodha.
O shamhainn gu bealltainn, bhuineadh gach tì d’a Fhianaibh,
An t-sealga fa soimheamh samhadh, aig an inbhe an fhiodha.
Iomadh cìs nach airmhear, aig Fionn no aig fear a àirmhidh,
Fiacha Eirinn da roinn, air Mhac Cumhail ’n a fhiodh.
Fiodh mhoir ridir dh’ Fhiantaibh, air bruachaibh gach buinne,
Aig sin ni bheil diongairean, Mhaoilcholuim aig Mac Muirne.
Ni dheanadh Fionn féin sealg, gun sireadh a cheada,
Sealg Albainn gun fharraid aig Maolcholum ’s a chreacha.
Cunbhalach ’n an coshealg Mac Grigoir is garg daoine,
Nior mhince coin cro-dhearg, gu longphort cloinne Bhaoisgne.
Linn trodach de thoisichibh, éiridh leis an la catha,
Fir iad air oirleachaibh, ’g a luchd tì ’san tàchair.
Ceannas fion ’us fiùdhantais, coitchinn is cliù dh’a chinneadh,
Air barn ghaisge ghlé dhearbhas, Mac Grigoir gràdh ni bheil.
Iomadh ’n a chuirt coluath, saolaim cuideachd a ’s colg teann,
Or dearg air an dornairibh, airm leoghain Loch Abh.
Co sheirm eadar clàrsaichibh, na daoine an léich ’n an lamhaibh,
A luchd tì o thaibhlisibh a dol far gheibhear gadhar.
Mac Grigoir bos bàrr chorcuir, Mac Diarbhuil buaidh a Ghallaibh,
Aon chara na calmachd a lamh, le’r ràinig gach rath buaidh.
Buaidh feile ri filidhibh, a ni Mac Laomuinn a chosnadh,
Do mhadaidh a chliù ceann-aigh, air thiolacadh a lamh luath.
Mairidh muime ollamhan, mingheal is maith com,
Na cliar ’g a comoladh, corcra a gruaidh no sùgh.
Buaidh thighearn.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

A houdir so ym bard roygh finlay.

Hest ein doyll ni geyll skaile is coyr a chomeith
Way ra der lot chaalle is crossimeil tork maale gin waas
A hewrin hanik er dwss ussit a skayle ymbuss
Mir haa wea reiss er ball in gae zreiss in deoyll
Di naskiddir er fa rinn nor a zaig say teach eyffrin
Toycht din downe chadni er assi is cowle ra readli farris
Nayr hanik in tork dow bimmy dayvin ga chwnryth
Gerwe moeyr gi bestyth gir hein gow hanwe oyl eddyth
Er eggill a weith gin nee rinnith zi v’royre
A ckuycht gi honnarych ann an rycht chonna in neiffrin
Is coyr in nagryth hay in deewe ag allane er in deolew
Gar bee faa reit orrith er leym no heim etrycht
Is meith skurri ryth warwne hennwythick weicharne
Vek royre on wour a mach foyr nee gin low gin lawych
Fa chathram a chur in sinne dlewm conyth re collwm
O see cathram ter ulle allane weil wyonurre
Di rinn tussi is ne he wanenych creach y is rellig ooran
Is tow zochin gi borbe ann coychill nyn nord is nyn neiffrin
Is tow woyr olk inchezawle is tow vok a keiss si termyn
Is tow is geltee noss a mach la lentir foss di hossych
Ach ein wille er a law clee di wrayr a v’royree
Ne closs di zlo o sin machi si cross wee zid wallichyth
Math in deiss faa in will di lane dowsen foyss is dalwyth
Woo cheyd tossych di chogge a wrane clossich in abbe
Creach ellyth nach royth sin lygh er fenane in glen gar
Wallich di neive fertyth feyne di weill zalytth a allane
Id taa mir gith neiwe elli a deilt a orwrrych
Chur dowich la chwiss feyn in cowych in guwss allane
Di her zowich is di loyg di wonit deit a chraw hoygh
Leggit derri di wurn eddir selli is sowyrnni
Ne henyth a wee a banenych faddyth o bin chroich allane
Na looyewe er layr in ir quhoy ga wayr is ga fwyr
Meith in ness skurri zid ter a v’royre anmein
Ellein nach gress in gress cathrame tesgin is orchess.
Hest.

Hoaris mak mir in taayr mach er flathew ir neolyes
A areoll a eyg si agna is me ga chaddrew in looyss
Fess is agna flaa oyra raath la in deantir
Der lat in mak soo foyr mee gir a bea in royree cadna
Is innyn in dy chooyll is monor za olt faymyth
Is innin woltyr in gaew torkild is ayir ayrrewich
Da deggew ra linn torkild ni hay lokgi din tromm zawe
Di ne za bert is boyn aythris zor v’colman
Immi carde er a moltyr torkill in awra chreive
Er low is er lawyth curre a tacht gow dull in c ...
Is der me za halle dess ane si eolyss
Nach danik fer a eiss is farre no re so looyss
Da bi less a charga worwe schayd is sorve hor sal
Di wronna ni v’corkill da rochin ter a inna
Ag m’royere ne mercholl da ym beit in sann cholg sneith
No schayd elli a ber foynow di wronna so re ennycht
Skea chenzaik no schayd orryk far aiss formit ni wulle
Wssless ym brwnnych no elli ollew in sirri
Da ym bea in lea mor mathi zaithew no in dark drwtych
Ner wunyth farda clachlin gin weith fa eachree dwltych
Da bi less in dow seillin m’leoda da in nythrin clarri
Less ni haksow in teachsin ga ba a racha da harre
Ta ag torkill ogeanych nach myghich namm choltke
Cosga gych terri zi hylych di loyg menych gow cokgi
Ne warri no eiss cachullin na torkill dwlling tentaa
Lawe is callma si is clista fer wreisse gi a bernna
Gar zinvin m’v^c corkill ne wollin ay er ansicht
Far is tress in noyr awza ewthir zraw zin wratycht
Ne elle ni re no flaa di wadda rath za goalla
Ne v’callen katreine boss weilli arla doilch ...
Inynn earla erzeill in neywen is farri hoaris
Horrimyr ben ir neille di zayk wor zreive zast
Ne v’callen crowich oykwla cowle mir in cornan cass.
Hoaris.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

Is e ùghdair so am bard ruadh Fionnladh.

Theasd aon diabhul nan Gaidheal, sgeul is coir a chuimhneach,
Bha ri daor lot chille is chroise, maol torc mall gun mheas;
A ifrionn thainig air tùs, usaide an sgeul iombus,
Mar tha bhi ris air ball, an gathaibh ghreas an diabhuil.
Do nasgaidear air faraon ’n uair a dh’ fhàg se teach ifrinn,
Teachd do ’n dùn cheudna air ais, ’us cùl ri reulta Pharrais.
’N uair a thainig an torc dubh, b’iomadh deamhain ’ga chur,
Garbh meoghar gach béisd, gur h-aon guth sheanmh uile iad;
Air eagail a bhi gun ni, roinneadh do Mhac Ruaraidh,
A chuid gu h-onoireach ann, an riochd chon ann an ifrionn.
Is coir an agradh tha an diugh, aig Allan air na diabhlaibh,
Ge ’r bith fa ruig orra, ar leam ni thiom eadrochd,
Is mithich sgur ri foirionn, sheanmhadhach mhiochaireanach,
Mhic Ruaraidh o’n mhuir a mach, fhuair ni gun lùth gun lamhach.
Fa chaithream a chur an suim, dligheam coinnidh ri Calum,
O ’s e caithream an tìr uile, Allan mhaoil a mhionoir,
Do rinn tusa ’us ni h-e mhàin, creach I ’us reilig Orain,
Is tu dhochainn gu borb ann, cochull nan ord ’us nan aifrionn;
Is tu mhòr olc Innse Ghall, is tu bhochd a cìs ’s a tearmunn,
Is tu is geilte nòs a mach, le leantar fòs do thoiseach,
Ach aon bheil air a laimh chlì, do bhrathair a Mhic Ruaraidh,
Ni clos do ghleò o sin a mach, ’s a chrois bhi ’g ad mhallachadh,
Maith an dithis fa an bheil do lan, dubh sin fòs is dealbh,
O cheud thoiseach do chogaidh, a bhreun chlosaich an Aba,
Creach eile nach robh ’s an lagh, air Finan an Gleann Garaidh.
Mhallaich do nimh fhearta féin, do mhaol dhealbh, a Allan,
A ta mar gach nimh eile, a diolt a oirbhireach;
Chuir dùthaich le chuis féin, an cuthach an gnuis Allain.
Do shaor dhuthaich ’us do shluagh, do bhuineadh duit a chràdh
thuath,
Leigeadh deireadh do mhuirn, eadar Seile, agus Subhairn.
Ni h-ioghnadh a bhi buininn, fada o binn chroiche, Allan,
Na luaidhe air lathair an fhir, chaidh ’g a mhathair ’us ga
phiuthair,
Mithich a nis sguir dhe d’aoire, a Mhic Ruaraidh ainmhìne,
Oilean nach greasann greas, caithream d’éisgein is oircheas.
Theasd.

Fhuaireas mac mar an t-athair, mach thar flathaibh ar n-eòlais,
A airill ’aghaidh ’us aigne, ’us mi ’g a chaidrimh an Leodhas;
Fios agus aigne flath, uair rathach le an deantar,
Deirim leat am mac so fhuair mi, gur a b’e an Ruaraidh ceudna.
Is ionann an da chùl, is onoir athar dh’ a ’fholt fainneach,
Is ionann a mholtar an cathaibh, Torcuil ’us ’athair airidheach.
De’n tigeadh ri linn Thorcuil, ni e lochda do’n trom dhaimh,
Do ni dha beart ’us buaidhean, aithris a fhuair Mac Colmain.
Iomadh ceaird air a mholtar, Torcuil an amhra chraoibh,
Air lùth ’us air làmhach, cuiridh a thaic gu dol an cathaibh.
A deir mi dh’ a thaobh, d’éis aithne ’s a eòlas,
Nach tainig fear d’a aois is fearr, no rìgh so Leodhais.
Do bu leis a chairge mhordha, seud a’s soirbhe a fhuair sàil,
De bhronnadh Mac Mhic Thorcuil, da rochdainn tir a fhineadh,
Aig Mac Ruaraidh nam mircheol, do’m bitheadh an seann cholg
snaigheach,
’N a seud eile a b’fhior fuanadh, do bhronnadh se rìgh Eanaich.
Sgiath cheannghaig ’n a seud oirdheirc, fear is farumaich nimheil,
Usa leis am bronnadh, no a bheil ullamh an sireadh.
Da am bith an leth mòr maith, dh’ eachaibh ’n an dearg druidhteach,
Nior bhuineadh fear a chleachdainn, gun bhith fo eachraidh diultach.
Do bu leis an Dubh Seibhlin, Mac Leoid do ’n iarrann cliara,
Leis na th’ aigse an t-each sin, ge b’e a rachadh d’ a iarraidh.
Tha aig Torcuil òganaich, nach meathaich an àm chogaidh,
Casgadh gach tir dh’ a theaghlach, de shluagh miannach gu cogadh.
Ni b’fhearr ’n a aois Cuchullain, na Torcuil d’fhulang teanntachd,
Lamh is calma ’s is clisde, fear a bhriseas gach a bearna.
Ge ’r ionmhuinn Mac Mhic Thorcuil, nior mholainn e air annsachd,
Fear is treise an uair agha, iuchar ghràidh do ’n bhantrachd.
Ni bheil mac rìgh no flath, do b’fhaide rath do chualas,
Ge minic leinn an rochdainn, is fearr no Torcuil a fhuaireas.
Ni Mhic Chailein, Caitriona, bos mhil earlamh dualchas,
Inghin Iarla Earaghaidheal, an aon bhean is fearr a fhuaireas.
Fhuaireamar bean ar n-ìle, de gheug mhor dhream ghasda,
Ni Mhic Chailein chraobhach ògail, cùl mar an coirnean cas.
Fhuaireas.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

A houdir so gillecalum m’yn noollew.

Hanic yvyr mi hurss cha lamm quhoy in wlygin soo
Ne tugsi zi nach nacht tug mi hurss hecht mir hanic
Gai bee neach nach tuggi sin hecht coythlane dim chow
Ni lwtsi faich om chomm turssi na creachew royowm
Is hevin lamm ga degkir royf tegwaill er chort ni co ...
It ta ym brone gym crayg fa claa is mor mi zrayg zin ...
Ha mi crei na za la cha neynith aa weith breista
Ha mi chorp gin noyill gin nwll mir wocht gin troyr ch ...
Cha neynith kow za mayd orrwm in ney v’merraid
A beith cwnich er waath yn ir cha nwlmist flaath zaks ...
Is trwmi zwnith na zwl anwon na zey sin seill
Mi craw is toyr er zwll ass in law foaris we Eithnis
Ga dagkir lamm dellew riss m’oone a choarra will ...
Is messi ay gyn willi ass gin way tilli gow heinis
Ga fadda weithm woa mow is mi luch toayllis ym zei
Di bi zanith mi rayth rinn kenich cha nearrih orr ...
Cha neynith magnith di waith re faggin tearn elli
Mi lane gin mi wreith gi tromm o ta mi re gin anw ...
Di crawg mi cre za essi skaill is furris a assness
Cha nelli fwlich er mi wrone di wlygh cwrith mi ...
Mor mi wrone is ne henith doith cha twrssi ta ...
Zargin mi creith gi lomm gin sleith in albin aggwn
Nessi oss egin doif tryill mi wee ag caith f ...
Ra luithsi di banith zwll a hinsoo ald a alb ...
Ga di rylum is degkir lwm ga ta mir eahw orrwm
Mi rown di zlowe a mew cowle reim zowe ym zeyge
Is sai neit fa derri zoif er lamne cha vec in tyvir
Gin mi zeil a heacht er ass eill er a lechtisi enis
Is trwm na ayg sin a low tanic za amsir
A cnoo chre si craw cwrp gin slee ag caich ga zeilt
Ner hellis dwnni er doithin a wayd a raith er chensichyth
Gyr falli orn agis ort malli lar horn a hygirt
O sai zonedir a zwll troyg nach awl di waamir
A v’mur wasszall vinn gin dwn tasgin aggin
In nean neach ra ygre zill na gar gin doll na zeyge
Noch rayey is feddi no sin din waid vag di wontyr
Luch catdrew a chowle gamm er nanich chach a gomun
A nagni di choye er assi troye gi caddrew ass taguss
Da bi zekgir commis rwmm is di we om hearn aggwm
Catdrew coychoill is tawf agni roywor gin an lawe
Nor hed caith za dy noyll is sea mi chwt da nonor
Weith fa wrone gin dein a mew ag goyll mi zeill di chowe
Tym anvin gin dol ter ayss cha nanin cowe ass magwss
. ach aggi din chowe mee is palte ni dowe elli
. ymith neach roythin reyve di chur cowe fa zemeyg
. na wonso darvir loom wrskal nar zawe roythim
Di quhoala mee fad o hen--ut sequitur in alio loco etc.
Mac sowalti ni bree binn daltan chaiff is chonell.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

Is e ùghdair so Gilliecalum Mac an Ollaimh.

Thainig aobhar mo thuirse, cha leam chaidh a bhliadhna so,
Ni tuigse do neach nach tuig, mo thuirse theachd mar thainig,
Cia b’e neach nach tuigeadh sin, theachd comhlan do ’m chumha,
Na lotsa feuch o’m chom, tuirse na creuchda ro gheibheam.
Is aoibhinn leam ge deacair roimhe, teugbhail air ghoirt cna ...
A ta am bròn gu ’m chradhadh fo ’m chlèibh, is mòr mo ghràdh
do’n ...
Tha mo chridhe ’na dha leth, cha-n ioghnadh e bhi briste,
Tha mo chorp gun fheol gun fhuil, mar bhochd gun treoir ...
Cha-n ioghnadh cumha dh’ a meud, orm an deigh Mhic Mairirid,
A bhi cuimhneach air mhaith an fhir, cha-n bheileamaid
flath o dh’ fhàg ...
Is truime dhuinne na dhol, anmhuinn ’n a dheigh ’s an t-saoghal,
Mo chràdh a’s d’fhuair air dhol as, an làmhach fhuaireas o Aonghus,
Ge deacair leam dealach’ ris, Mac Eoin a chomhraidh mhilis,
Is miosa e gun mhilleadh esa, gun bhi tilleadh gu ’innis.
Ge fada a bhitheam o m’àgh, us mo luchd tuaileis a’m dheigh,
Do bu dheanadh mo rath ruinn, ceannach cha-n iarradh orra ...
Cha-n ioghnadh m’aigne do bhaithte, ri faicsinn tighearn eile,
Mi làn gun mo bhrìgh gu trom, o ta mo rìgh gun anamain.
Do chràdhadh mo chridhe d’a éis, sgeul is furasd a fhaisneas,
Cha-n eil fulachd air mo bhròn, do bhlagh cuiridh ...
Mor mo bhròn ’us ni h-ioghnadh dhomh, cha tuirse ...
Dheargainn mo chridhe gu lom, gun sliochd an Albain againn.
Nis o ’s éigin domh triall, mo bhi aig càch fo ...
Ri luidhese do b’aithne dhol, á h-innse ald na h-Albainn.
Ge do thriallaim is deacair leam, ge ta mar fhiachaibh orm,
Mo rùn do dhlù a mùghadh, cùl re’m dhùthaich a ’m dheigh.
Is e an ni fa d’éirich dhomh, ar leam cha bheag an t-aobhar,
Gun mo ghaoil a theachd air ais, Ile air a leth taobh Innis.
Is trom na aghaidhsan, a lùth thainig dha aimsir,
A cnàmh’ chridhe ’s a cràdh’ chorp, gun slighe aig càch d’a dhiolt.
Nior shaoileas duine ar domhainn, a mheud a rath air cheansachadh,
Gur falamh oirnn agus ort, mala le’r h-oirnn a thigeadh.
O ’s e ghuineadar a dhol, truagh nach amhuil a bhamar,
A Mhic Mhuire bhos-gheal bhinn, gun duine a d’asgainn againn.
An aoin neach r’a aghaidh ghile, na gur gun dol ’n a dheigh.
Noch rath is fada no sin, de’n mheud bha aig do mhuinntir.
Luchd caidrimh a chuil cam, air n’ aithnich càch an comunn,
An aigne do chaidh air ais, is truagh gach caidrimh as d’eugmhais.
Do bu dheacair coimeas rium, ’us do bhi o ’m thighearn agam,
Caidreamh cochaill ’us daimh, aigne ro mhòr gun a laimh.
’N uair theid càch dha do’n òl, is e mo chuid de’n onoir,
Bhith fo bhròn gun deanamh mùgh, ag òl mo dhiol de chumha.
Taim anmhuinn gun dol tar éis, cha-n anmhuinn cumha as m’eugmhais.
Cach aig do’n chumha mi, is pailte na dubha eile,
Iomadh neach romhainn riamh, do chur cumha fo dhimhiodh,
. na bhuin so dearbhar leam, ursgeul na’r ghabh romham,--
Do chuala mi fad o shean, etc.--Ut sequitur in alio loco.
Mac samhailt na brigh binn, daltan Chaoimh ’us Chonuil.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

Artour dawle mak gurkych.

Dail chawle er chastel soyne swork in nathre in innisfail
Markeich yth rachtych nyth tonnyth glantyr barkyth done nyth zawe
Fir ardyth geggyr nyth longso er lome loyth lenis cort
Newe lawyth gin galzaith gast nare scarryth snast swork
Dyth chottonew is dew zegre yin nyth barg fa chrewe laig
Dyth chothrew in gress clar zone lochlynnych is armyn eaid
Dyth clyew gin or is ded eggyr vark nyth brad done
Narre claith dyth zaithew galzaith skaith re fraew lawrych long
Er skayth scai er scwddai brakith broo scarrych chorkrych cloch nor
Broythnyth ad keve agis collar er teve nyth slat ro zarrowe
Geyth gorm in golnew lowark long gai lenyth nare traith
Claith hend zai gohind dyth cholgew forrin skaith re bordew barg
Mnaew findmyth in grenanew longsyth lappyth ard ag naynyth vawle
Pyllyth vrakkyth zawe gane darryth lap ag mnaew ra hanelaith and
Pyllyth wrakith royl is tynoll is e sen lochr in long
Byve hwnenyth syth ror goth dwllych royl chorkir oss gych cran
Gin lawin chroy gin chreiss codyth nar gerve seiss gin chur la clar
Na said derrit and gyn nymirt dyth clarrew cland vyn ard vail
Ner cholis urdil in nane zor nynoss gyn chur re kard
Na said or o errin aggyth dyn wrone var hang dattych derk
Ni low la long zane loigew ym baith na nach is nid boe
Gin ocht gin von dew gyn wronenyth snee el ter gyn lomyth loe
Ne heillssyth loa carve zai garrew in lane dynnoss hyntych voy
Ag ryne or er vardew ra hard zoive carve coyne
Ymit fer land is fer lorych ymit fer loith gyth lem caith
Ra sow monezone farg farzone ra hard in long banchar blaith
Ka so la soltyr in cawlych er chaslane soyne sleive trom
Fer srengych nach sechnit sedyth lai chryne schorryth codeith coy
One m’soyne soil yth longsyth er drome yth choyne croy in kenn
Cryne yth long deine chor in nard dervit tone in varg ...
Geith gyth derrych zove nane dye ag keil akkyth deryth trait
Soil vrakkyth zove na bolgew oyne id tech gow bordew barg
Gavis eine aggirsaid evin in nuch chnappiddil corg kow ...
Nawra vartew donenyth dalvych lakrych crandyth lowyth is
Lynd ag ballichew albin fartych faltych ra hocht sliomis ...
Alin sin in gorkrych colane sillyth drochtych lomlane lynd
Faltych ag sroythew sleyve moone re m’soynyth sleve miss
Teggyth tantyth daksk nane nyrvr daltyr mir rask rinland riss
Leggyth gaiggyth in glownyth fow fartych failtych rar vlaith coil
Mest slantyth cowl gych callyth trome in valtyth nye oyne
Tegge eiss ellin albin yth farrit faltyth er one chone miss
Lwch canteith myr venour dychnir failtyth o renew riss
Grayth wee ymirwae ane ettryth feine in nan choil
Annyth mir doesyth dey hr mr hai tullyth hanyth oyne
Dyth neid caith in gasslane soyne fa hawik chroithin chryn vurb
Soyit fa hymchil in scorsen fynvar neve luslane lurk
Za ley hollis tewe nawit myr neve nathyr gone nyth grand
Keil clave o zress ezoyr meilnayr less golnyth gawle
Cellar mitt oil v’soyne ra solss in nad clwk dyth choym
Is feyr nach deine din clok in cawor sie deine doltnych valklang vor
Nor nach deine dai lwrych thrawre er skai chottone na skadow
Gavis rachlin sceinezar scarrych mevor clathwan calm cor
In tane clai is farryth sin norpe sai is lewrych lenis myne
Cai skaith sin doyn nach dingsen treach gyn noyn clyne erm
One m’soyne ny sly godyth lai cholg tane teskbych vawle
Sar nach skaith wai skai brak done taris treach dekhorn dawle.
Dail chawle.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

Artuir dail Mac Gurcaich.

Dail chabhlaich air Chaisteal Suibhne, suairc an eachdraidh an
Innisfail,
Marcaich a rachadh nan tonn, glantair barc an tonn nior ghabh.
Fir arda ag eagar na luingse, air leam luath a leanas cuairt,
Ni bhith làmh gun ghalghath gasd, an aircamh sgarach, snasda,
suairc.
Do chotanaibh is duibh dh’ eagradh, do na bharc fa chraobh léig,
De choraighibh an crios clàr-dhaoine, Lochlanaich is armuinn iad.
De chleathaimh gon òr ’us deud, eagar bhàrc nam breid donn,
An aireamh cliath de ghathaibh galghath, sgiath ri fraighibh
lamhrach long.
Air sgiath sgiothach air sgud breac, brù sgarach chorcrach,
chlothara,
Broin fhad caomh ’us comhlair, air taobh nan slat ro gharbh.
Gaoth ghorm an guailnibh an luath bharc, long ’g a lionadh an
éiridh traigh,
Cliabh theann do chochuinge de cholgaibh, foirionn sgéith ri
bordaibh bàrc.
Mnathan fionn an grianaibh ’n longsa, leabaidh ard aig nigheanaibh
mhall,
Pille bhreac dhoibh gun d’fhuaireadh, leap aig mnathaibh
ri eanfhlaith ann.
Pille bhreac de shroil is taithneal, is e sin lothar an long,
Baoibh, shonnanach, ’s an ruathar gu dol, ’shroil chorcuir os
gach crann.
Gun lamhan chruaidh gun chrios cuide, nar garbh sios gun chur
ri cleir,
Na seoid d’eirich ann gun imirt, de chliaraibh, clann bhinn
ard bhéil.
Nior chualas urdail an Fhian, dh ’ur n-innis gun chuir ri ceaird,
Na seoid ùr o Eirinn aca de’n bhroin bhar-sheang, dathta, dearg.
Ni luath leatha long dhe ’n longaibh, am bi na neach ’us ni ’d beo,
Gun och, gun lionn dubh, gun bhròn, ’s ni bheil teirginn loma leo.
Ni shaoileadh si luath cairbh de chairbhibh, an làn de ’n nòs
shinte uaith,
Aig roinn òr air bhàrdaibh, ri h-àrd dhoibh cairbhe cuain.
Iomadh fear lann ’us fear luirich, iomadh fear luath gu leum catha,
Ri sùgh muinghin fairg fearghuin, ra h-ard an luing banchair blaith.
Cia so le soltar an cabhlach, air chaislean Suibhne Sleibh troma,
Fear sreangach nach seachnadh seideadh, le chroinn sireadh
chuid còir.
Eoin Mac Suibhne, seol an longsa, air druim a chuain, cruaidh
an ceann,
Croinn an luing dean chur an aird, dearbhaid tuinn a bharc sin ....
Gaoth gun d’éirich dhoibh ’n an deigh, aig Caol Aca deireadh tràigh,
Siuil bhreaca dhoibh ’n am bolgaibh, Eoin a teachd gu bord ...
Gabhas an acarsaid aoibhin, an uchd Chnapadail coirce ...
An amhra mhòr, tiugh, donn, dealbhach, lacharach, crannach,
luath ’us ...
Leinn aig ballachaibh Albainn, furtach failteach ri uchd sloimh ...
Aluinn sin an corcradh comhlan, sileadh driuchd lomlan loinn.
Failteach aig sruthaibh Sleibh Muin, ri Mac Suibhne Sleibh Mis,
Tigidh cainntich d’fhogus ’nan eirbhar, daltair mar rosg roinnlan
ris.
Leigidh geug an glùn fo fhàirtidh, faillteach ri ’r bhlaith goil,
Misde slainte cùl gach cala, trom am failte an aghaidh Eoin.
Tigidh aois Eilein Albainn, a farrach faillte air o’n thonn meise,
Luchd cainnte mar bhuinear, deichnear faillte o rannaibh ris.
Greath bhi iomarbhaidh ann, eadara féin ann an ceòl,
Aithne nithear doibh ’s an deagh uair, mar tha tulach àine Eoin.
Do nithead cath an Caislean Suibhne, fa sheabhag chroidhein
a chroinn bhuirb,
Suidhead fa thimchioll an sgor sin, fionnmhor nimh luslan luirg.
De shleigh thollas taobh namhaid, mar nimh nathair guineich grannd,
Caol chlaidheamh o ghreas a fhuair, meilnichear leis colna Ghall.
Ceilearmaid uile Mhic Suibhne, ri soillse an fhad ghlug d’ an
chuain,
Is fior nach dean do ’n ghlug an cabhar, ’s e dian, diultnach,
balglan, mòr.
Ni’r nach dian doibh luireach threibheir air sgiath chotan
na sgeith donn,
Gabhas Reachlinn sgian-gheur sgarach, meobhar claidhean calma corr.
An tan chlaidheamh is fearr ’s an Eorpa, se is luireach le
na ’s miann,
Cia sgiath ’s an domhain nach diongainn, treabhach gun on cloinn
Eirinn.
Eoin Mac Suibhne na sligheadach, le ’cholg tan, teasgach, mhall,
Fear noch ’sgiath bhi sgiath bhreac, dhonn, fhuaireas treabhach,
deaghrunach, dall.
Dail chabhlaich.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

Yssbell ne v’kellan.

Margi za gallir in grawg ga bee fa fane abbrum ee
Degkir skarrichtin ra phart troyg in chayss in vellum feyn
In grawg sen tuggis gin ness oss sai mi less gin a loyth
Mir hwe mi furtych traa beeth mi wlaa gi tannyth troyg
In fer sen za duggis graw ys nach feadis rawge oss nard
Da gurfee missa boyn gymi do feyn is kayd marg.
Margi.

A houdir so dunchaa ogga.

Seachta seyda ter mo hee ta gach sayada deive gim lot
Teachta eddrim agis dea o say sin is mean lam chorp
Hein dew ta in near ym bey za in goo anmyth creiss
Menknit waal ay mee in boyt er ne hanyth foss yn neiss
In darnyth sayda in drwss sin a chwss da willum der
Woo lot nyth syda na zoo ne ellwm boa woa a rein
In tress dew id taa in naltew mi craw is steith
Cha lega in lessga za doyn miss slee chor er beitht
An carrow sayd in tant a zea mark in doyr ee gwn
Furtych cha naym rem ray gin reach crea er mo vwn
In cogew sayd din zlag chur demis a chur rwm gi holk
Cut re marrum a chrawg agis o noch slane mi chorp
Zeiwe in tessow sayd garga churris ferga eddrwm is cayd
Mwrre chaska nyn nurchir reym o nath wewm dein gow brath
An seachtow sayd in tuil formit is tnow riss gi neith
Ni sayd gay in waymot kin inta sin cha nil er breith
Zlaksin ille nach choyr mor a wilter lessin narm
Char heilk dwn zeyve nar woyal char woul dwn reyve nor warve
Currwm peaddir ein v’dey is crea nyn nostil gyth beacht
Eddrwm agis gwn nyn arm is v psalm no vi no seacht.
Seachta.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

Iseabail ni Mhic Chailein.

Mairg do ’n galar an gràdh, ge b’e fàth fa ’n abraim e,
Deacair sgarachdainn r’a phàirt, truagh an càs ’s a bheileam féin,
An gràdh sin thugas gun fhios, o ’s e mo leas gun a luaidh,
Mar fhaigh mi furtachd tràth, bìthidh mo bhlàth gu tana truagh;
Am fear sin do ’n tugas gràdh, ’us nach faodas ràdh os n-aird,
Da cuiridh mise am buan chioma, domh fein is ceud mairg.
Mairg.

Is e ùghdair so Dunchadh òg.

Seachd saighid ta air mo thi, ta gach saighid diubh ’g am lot,
’Teachd edraim agus Dia, o ’s e sin is miann le’ m chorp;
A h-aon diubh ta an t-uabhar, am bi dha an gath ann mo chrios,
Minic a mheall e mi am buaidh, air ni thainig fois a nis.
An dara saighead an drus, sin a chuis do bheileam daor,
O lot na saighid ’n a ghò, ni bheileam beò o a rian;
An treas diubh a ta, an altaibh mo chré a stigh,
Cha leig an leisg dhe ’dheoin, mise slighe choir air bith;
An ceathramh saighead an t-sannt, a Dhia mairg an d’fhuair e guin,
Furtachd cha-n fhaigheam ri m ré, gun riochd cré air mo mhuin.
An cuigeamh saighead an glamair, dimeas a chuir rium gu h-olc,
Cuide ri m’urram a chràdhadh, agus o nach slan mo chorp;
Dhiubh an t-seathamh saighead gharg, chuireas fearg eadraim
’us càch,
Muire ’chasgadh nan urchair rium, o nach fhaigheam dion gu bràth;
An t-seachdamh saighead an t-sùil, farmad ’us tnù ris gach ni,
Na saighid ’g am faigheamaid cion, annta sin cha-n ’eil ar brìgh;
Ghlac sin gille nach còir, mòr a mhiltear leis an arm,
Char thilg duine dhoibh nar bhuail, char bhuail duine riamh
nar mharbh.
Cuiream paidear aoin mhic Dhé, ’us creud nan Abstol gu beachd,
Eadraim agus guin nan arm, ’us cuig salm no sé no seachd.
Seachd.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

Auctor murreich albanach.

Meich doth treyl gow teigh pharris nor a zone gon a sorve
Cossnome in teyg trane gin cherri gyn skail ag nach el orn
Dane dy struth rad haggirt scor cwne gi dlow ymit tolk
Na berra a hy reith gyn ag skail is preve ra akre ort
Na dan folchan id fekgith ga grane re ynnis a holk
Legga did chwt a clath davr mar be angre zayvil ort
Dane di he ris in luchd drach ga din ga avezon lad cor
Scur rid locht di zul dyn doyn ma ym be olk ri oyn ort
Marg a threig teyg in ardre er zray phekke troy in nee
In tolk in ne donna gi devyr ymmi in sin feyzin mon zneve
Ag so sermon di heil nawzeve mir helim nath vil sche in brek
Fulling a vaissyth schal gow sathin in fer noch dothe gin ded
Ar a chenych seil nawzeve dwl a cholle agis da chree
Er a reir gi dany salke gyr ga deine ra ym begca mee.
Meich.

Murreich _ut supra_.

Baith yn cre vec zey pekkich mir a mee mor in skail
Meissit dith di dor in neiss cross eiss crist er my vail
A eissi crist sayn ditvoss mayth za choss is mo za lave
Agis saynsi mis id zone a eddir ulli is sal is chnave
Ner scurris danew ulk di chin voyr mi churp an ...
A choissvoyg gyn rove hawle er mi chenn is er mi chree
Raith mis a voyr vor vin gi brone a ma dor li mai
Sol fan dachaa mee fan nod gin rove roym gych rod raa.
Baith.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

An t-ùghdair Muireadhach Albanach.

Mithich domh triall gu tigh Pharais, ’n uair a ghuin gun e soirbh,
Cosnaim an tigh treun gun choire, gun sgeul aig neach eile oirnn,
Dean do sriuth ri ’d shagairt, ’s coir cuimhneach gu dlù mu d’ olc,
Na beir do thigh rìgh gun agh, sgeul is priomh ri agradh ort.
Na dean folchainn a’d pheacadh, ge grain ri innseadh a h-olc,
Leigeadh do chuid an cleith diomhair, mun bi angair gabhail ort,
Dean do shìth ris an luchd dreuchd, ge dona, ge anbhuan le’d chor,
Sguir ri’d lochd, do ghul dean domhain, mu ’m bi olc ri fhaighinn
ort.
Mairg a threigeadh tigh an Ardrigh, air ghràdh peacaidh, truagh
an ni,
An t-olc ni duine gu diomhair, iomadh an sin fiachan mu’n ghniomh.
Aig so searmon do shiol an Adhaimh, mar shaoilim nach bheil
se am breug,
Fulang a bhàis seal gu seachainn, is fior nach deth gun d’theid,
Fhir a cheannaich siol an Adhaimh, d’ fhuil, a cholla, ’us
da chridhe,
Air a réir gun deanadh sealga, ge’r ge dian ri’m bitheadh mi.
Mithich.

Am Muireadhach ceudna.

A bhi an cridhe Mhic Dhe, peacach mar mi mòr an sgeul,
Mise d’a gun d’fhuair a nis, crois Iosa Criosd air mo bheul;
A Iosa Criosd sean de’d mhos, mo dha chos ’us mo dha làmh,
Agus seansa mise de’d dheòin, eadar fhuil, ’us shal, ’us chnàmh.
Nior sguireas deanamh uilc, do chion mhòr mo chuirp a ni,
A chaisrig gun robh thall, air mo cheann ’us air mo chridhe.
Rath mis a mhoir fhir bhinn, gach bròn mu’n d’fhuair le mi,
Sul fa ’n deachaidh mi fo ’n fhoid, gun robh romham gach ròd reidh.
A bhi.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

A houdir soo murreich albanych.

Dane mi heggissk a threnoit a hearn in deit in choyl
Ling er mi hange a threnot bennych inn id venot wor
A threnot new er ni neyve nert marm neyve in noss
Ling agis coddill ym chree a chinn phopbill neywe in noss
Stur my layve teggisk mi chree teggisk mi roskg reith nyn skayle
Ling er mi zouth gloss ym henge skouth reim chloos benne mi wayl
Soo ym bayl leddri leive chaskis cayth chwneiss gi neith
Soo yn tange nach terg lawryth benne a herk manmi ee
Ort a threnoit ocht a threnoit ter yn leyghis lawyr rwmm
Id ta a will zal chrann darrych cree pekkych sallych yn sown
Gar zolk maa nar willis denyth ne zarni merlee a v’zey
Mi law nochar leddar dwnyth fregir er zraw wur mee
Fer gin danynsi dane breyga er wrega ella awra gorm
Ne zin wreyga er wreyga ella re in deyd er ormmae
Hwss a hug elle in nwm ne hagoyr zoiss zwll reay
Noch cha lawe in rik no aalsi helic dane dawsi ach dea
Ne dwni er talwun dim heggisk a hearn ach hwss feyn
Ne far a ne rann ach re neiwe di ne hawle si chre cheyll
Ma si licht fer er a willum caythe ay mayd moyd inn
Mass er a wreyg a taym a threnot leyg er layr ner royd inn
Ner choyr crea na tallow harrum ach tonn wraye beg in nerg
Ner choyr ne elli dim allich a reith ach tennyth zarrych zerga
Di zalvesi in teyve soo a threnot di hallow is di henni wee
Dwnni di henni is hallown fwnni zy r awli ee.

The following fragment is continued from pages 12 and 13 of the
Gaelic, where the first twenty-two lines of the composition will
be found. Having been misplaced in the MS., the leaf
containing the following lines was only discovered after the rest
had been printed off:--

Ga beg a chwle chronanych ni in dad one zat zryme
Gin nis din re woralych ne rey fa wil a skaye
Ne hay sin di v’cowle re math we sin ne faynow,
Rachteis fir in doythin ’n a thigh wle gin nearri
Is troygh lwm a henor is how in derri teissi
Cha chorymich a wra sin ver how er mi reissi
Barr in chath layddir verri fenni ny fayni
Na di hearnyth crawe is tow feyn lay cheill
Bog sin a henor a ne an coyra bolla
Is far dea re hynlay na fayne errin olla
Ga taring mi layis is me derri meissi
Phadrik na toythr ayhis er mathew clynni beiskni
Ne hurrinn zwt aythris ossin v^c in reayne
Ach nath innyn far mathis agis flathis mi heyarni
Di ɯarra aggwm conane far mewlass ni fayni
Ne legfe layd wnnill di chomis a cleyrri
Na habbir sen a ossin is anmein di wrayrri
Be fest gi fostynich is gawe hugit me ryilt
Da wacca ni catha is ni braddiche grast
Ne wee ane reid id ter ter ach moyir ni fayni
Ossin v^c ni flaa mest tanmyn a beithyll
Na cwne ni cath cha nil ag asling sin seill
Da glun ni gyir is meith ni shealga
Bar lat wee na warri na wea si chaythir noya
Troyg sin a henor is meithur ni schelga
Faychin gi honnor za wil si chaythir noa
Na habbir sin a phadrik is fallow di wrayrri
In deggow sin daynyth barr finn is no fayni
Er a lawe v^c eweissni ne fallow mi wrarri
Is farr angil din di hanglew na finn is ni faynyth
Da beanyth mir a weissith a gath zawryth ni beymin
Di zelin in demis ver tow er ayne errin
Dimmyth di wor zail er cath di heill
Ni warrin did choyth lawyth ach how neiss a tenour
Da marri mi zenissi ne estin di choyllane
Is zoywo di hemoo in narrik di choyrra
Da mardeis sin ulli si goynith ra cheilli
Ne wea mi holli lwe re vii caithe ni fayni
Vii fegthit urrit urrit vil tuss zi cleyrrew
Di huttideis sin ulli lay oskir na henyr
Ta tou in der di heill a henor gin cheyll
Scur a neiss id wreysrow is be fest zim rayr
Da wacca in lwcht cogthoill a v’fin in alvin
Ne raacha za gomor re muntir ni caythre noya
Aggis ner low ir dynoyll nor heg most gow tawri
Sanossil ni braythryth fane woory zi rynis
Mathwm zwt a cleyrre di sgeul na hynnis.
Innis down.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

Is e ùghdair so Muireadhach Albanach.

Dean mo theagasg a Thrianaid, a Thighearna d’ an teid an ceòl,
Ling air mo theangaidh a Thrianaid, beannaich ann ad bhinne mhòir,
A Thrianaid naoimh air na neamhaibh, neartaich m’ arm naomh a nis,
Ling agus codail a’m chridhe, a chinn phobuill neimh an nois.
Stiuir mo làmh, teagaisg mo chridhe, teagaisg mo rosg, rìgh
nan sgeul,
Ling air mo ghuth, gluais a’m theangaidh, sguth ri m chluais,
beannaich mo bheul,
So am beul leadradh leibh, chaisgeas cath, chuimhn ’eas gach ni,
So an teangaidh nach tearc labhradh, beannaich a sheirce m ’anamain.
Ort a Thrianaid, och! a Thrianaid, toir mo leigheas, labhair rium,
A ta amhail gheal chrann daraich, cridhe peacach salach an sunn.
Ge h-olc mi nior mhilleas daoine, ni dheanadh mearla, ’Mhic Dhé,
Mo lamh noch char leadar duine, freagair air ghràdh Mhuire mi.
Fior gun deanainnse dion breige, air bhreug eile amhra gorm,
Ni dhe ’n bhreug air bhreug eile, a rìgh an teid air orm;
Thusa a thug eile annam, ni h-eucoir dhomhsa dhol réidh,
Noch cha lamh ionraic no uasal, thiodhlaic dion dhomhsa ach Dia.
Ni duine air thalmhainn do ’m theagasg, a Thighearna ach thusa féin,
Ni fear a ni rann ach Rìgh neimh, do ni h-amhail ’s a chré cheill.
Ma ’s e slighe fhior air a bheileam, gabhaidh e meud moid inn,
Ma ’s air a bhreug a taim a Thrianaid, leig air lathair an fhior
roid fhinn.
Nior chuireas cré na talamh tharam, ach tonn bhraigh, beag an
fhearg,
Nior chuireas ni eile do ’m fholach, a Rìgh ach teine gàireach
dearg;
Do dhealbhassa an taobh so, a Thrianaid, do thalamh ’us de
theine bhi,
Duine de theine ’us thalmhainn, fuine gheibhear amhlaidh e.

* * * * *

Ge beag a chul chronanach, ni ’n teid aon ghath gréine,
Gun fhios do ’n rìgh mhoralach ’n a ré fo bhil a sgéith.
Ni tha sin do Mhac Cumhail, rìgh maith bhi sin na Fianna,
Rachadas fir an domhain ’n a thigh uile gun iarraidh.
Is truagh leam a sheanair ’us thu an deireadh d’ aoise,
Cha chothromach a bhreith sin bheir thu air mo righse.
B’ fhearr an cath laidir bheireadh Fionn na Feinn,
No do Thighearn cràbhaidh ’us tu fhéin le chéile.
Bochd sin a sheanair a ni an còmhradh boile,
Is fearr Dia re h-aon la no Feinn Eirinn uile.
Ge teirce mo laithese ’us mi an deireadh m’ aoise,
Phadruig na toir aitheas air maithibh Cloinne Baoisgne.
Ni h-urrainn dhuit aithris Ossiain Mhic an Rioghain,
Ach nach ionann ar maithese ’us flaitheas mo Thighearna.
Da marrainn agam Conan fear mi-bhlasd na Feinn,
Ni leigeadh le d’ mhuineal do chomas a chleirich.
Na h-abair sin a Ossiain ’us ainmeine do bhriathran,
Bi feasd gu foistinneach ’us gabh thugad mo riaghailt.
Da facadh na catha ’us na brataichean greasda,
Ni bhi aon rud ann d’ aire ach meoghair na Feinn.
Oisiain, mhic na flath misd d’ anamain a bicheanta,
Na cuimhne na cath cha-n eil aig aisling ’s an t-saoghail.
Da cluinnteadh na gadhair us meoghair na seilge,
B’ fhearr leat bhi ’n a ghoire na bhi ’s a chaithir naoimhe.
Truagh sin a sheanair is meoghair na seilge,
Fa chionn gach onoir dha bheil ’s a chaithir naoimh.
Na h-abair sin a Phadruig, is falamh do bhriathra,
An deugaidh ’s an deimhin, b’ fhearr Fionn ’s na Fianna.
Air a laimh Mhic Baoisgne, ni falamh mo bhriathra,
Is fearr aingeal de na h-ainglibh na Fionn ’us na Fianna.
Da bithinn mar a bhitheas an cath Ghabhra nam beuman,
Do dhiolainn an dimeas bheir tu air Feinn Eirinn.
Do imich do mhòrdhail air càch de d’ shaoghal,
Ni marrainn de d’ chomhlamhaich ach thu nis a’d aonar.
Da maireadh mo dhaoinese ni éisdinn do ghòlan,
’Us gheibheadh tu do iompaidh an éiric do chòmhradh.
Da mhairdeas sinn uile ’s sinn coinneachadh r’ a chéile,
Ni bhi mo h-uile luaidh, ri seachd cathan na Feinn.
Seachd fichead uiread uiread am bheil tusa di chleirichibh
Do thuiteadas sin uile le Osgar ’n a aonar.
Tha thu an deireadh do shaoghail a sheanair gun cheill,
Sguir a nis de’d bhriathraibh ’us bi feasd do ’m réir.
Da fhacadh an luchd cochaill a Mhic Fhinn an Almhuinn,
Ni rachadh do chomoradh muinntir na cathrach naoimhe,
Agus nior lugha ar tionoil ’n uair thigeamaid gu Tabhra.
Is anuasail na briathran fa ’n mhòr rìgh a rinneas,
Maitheam dhuit a chléirich, do sgeul ’n a h-innis.
Innis duinn.

[Sidenote: ANCIENT.]

Eone makphadrik vec voylchollum v’eoin doif vec eone v’gregor v’eone v’weillchollum vec conquhy veg v’conquly a strwlee v’illelane v’ey urquhaych v’kennane vec alpen agis in kennan sen bee ardree albin gi daywin ansi norsin agis in teone soo an in tean dwn deyk von kennan so id dowirt me--agis duncha deyroclych m’dowle v’oyne reywych di skreyve so a lowrow shenchyth nyn reig, agis roo zenyth anno d^{ni} millesimo quin^{mo} duodecimo.

[Sidenote: MODERN.]

Eoin Mac Phadruig, mhic Mhaoilcholuim, mhic Eoin duibh, mhic Eoin, mhic Grigoir, mhic Eoin, mhic Mhaolcholuim, mhic Dhunchaidh bhig, mhic Dhunchaidh a Sruileadh, mhic Ghillfhaolain, mhic Aoidh Urchaidh, mhic Coinnich, mhic Alpain; agus an Coirmeach sin b’e ardrìgh Albain gu deimhin ’s an uair sin; agus an t-Eoin so an t-aon duine deug o’n Choinneach so a dubhairt mi.--Agus Dunchadh daoroglach Mac Dhughaill, mhic Eoin Riabhaich, do sgriobh so á leabhraibh seanachaidh nan rìgh; agus ro dheanadh Anno Domini Millesimo Quingentesimo duodecimo.

NOTE BY TRANSLATOR.

The Dean’s MS. was put into the hands of the present translator a few years ago by Mr. Cosmo Innes, with a view to a correct account being given of its contents. After a considerable time spent on deciphering the difficult handwriting, and resolving the strange and irregular orthography, he gave a fuller account of it than had been given before, in a paper read before the Society of Scottish Antiquaries. He was aware that a transcript of the MS. had been made by a Gaelic scholar of the highest reputation, the late Mr. M‘Lachlan of Aberdeen; but that transcript was altogether unknown save by one or two individuals, and was at the time thought to be lost. In December 1860, the publishers proposed to the writer that he should undertake transcribing and translating the MS. with notes, Mr. Skene undertaking to write a historical introduction, with additional notes. There was good reason for reluctance in undertaking such a work. There was immense difficulty in the task itself, consisting very much in an exercise of ingenuity, the results to be tested by comparison, in guessing the meaning of words phonetically spelled; there was the labour of writing the same thing in three different forms; and there was in all this large demands upon time otherwise engrossed by the duties of a profession, whose calls the keeping of a good conscience, and duty to a Divine Master, would not admit of being neglected or postponed. The work itself, however, was very congenial, as contributing somewhat to the literature of the Celtic countrymen of the writer, the literature of a period, too, of which few other literary remains of theirs exist. He therefore undertook to devote his spare hours for a season to the work, which is now laid before the public.

The difficulties did not become less than was anticipated when they came to be practically dealt with. There was first the transcription of the original. A facsimile specimen of the writing is given in this volume, from which some idea may be formed of its character. The handwriting is the current English hand of the fifteenth century, with a few additional peculiarities borrowed from the Gaelic writing of the same period, as practised both in Scotland and Ireland. As is common in the writing of the period, the same sign is used both for _c_ and _t_. There is often no distinction between _o_ and _e_, _u_ and _n_, or _ƒ_ and _s_; and in the hurry of writing the Dean often wrote _m_ for _n_, and _vice versâ_; and the letter _z_ stands for all the sounds resembling the consonant _y_. Besides, there are numerous contractions, the same sign being often used for _in_, _im_, and _ir_, and the Irish dot (·) is often used as a substitute for _h_. The MS. is in many places much decayed, and the writing in consequence much obscured, while the orthography is by no means quite regular. The transcript has, however, been carefully made from the original, and compared again in proof, and the reader, with the allowance necessary in the circumstances already described, may feel assured that in the original, as printed, he has a correct copy of the Dean’s work.

The work, however, was not beyond the threshold when the transcription was complete. It was in interpreting the Dean’s phonetic Gaelic, so as to form the modern Gaelic edition, that the chief difficulty arose; and here the translator was left altogether without guide to lead the way, except in the case of a few of the Ossianic poems. There were three peculiar difficulties to be encountered here,--first, the frequent occurrence of obsolete words,--words not to be found in any dictionary of the Scottish Gaelic,--and the meaning of which could only be learned from some acquaintance with the ancient MS. writings of Scottish and Irish scribes; secondly, there was the introduction into the Dean’s grammar of the Irish eclipsis, turning in his orthography _f_ into _w_, _c_ into _g_, _b_ into _m_, and _d_ into _n_, without any hyphen; and there was, last of all, the accentuation, which, in a number of the pieces, lays the emphasis on the latter syllable of dissyllabic words, and thus alters to a Scotch reader the whole rhythm of the lines. Many of these pieces will not read as poetry at all, unless read in accordance with the Irish method of accentuation. It was known to all acquainted with early Gaelic literature, how much there was that was common to the literature of Scotland and Ireland. This miscellany fully establishes the fact, while it also shows that, in the fifteenth century, Scottish Gaelic, as exemplified in some of these compositions, especially those of Finlay M’Nab, had its own distinctive features. There is nothing more interesting than the weight given in the allusions in these poems to the existence and influence of the Bardic schools at the period, and the large prizes usually conferred by the wealthy on successful poets.

The translation into English was, upon the whole, a less arduous process than the previous one. It might have been otherwise had the attempt been made to translate into English poetry. This, however, has been carefully avoided. The rendering has been made so literal as that the meaning of every sentence in Gaelic is conveyed in English, so far as the editor has been able to do it; and the translation is merely somewhat lightened, and the reading made more agreeable, by having the baldness of mere literality removed, and the lines made somewhat smooth and flowing.

In some cases the spelling and handwriting together have so obscured the words, that the editor has been quite unable to give anything like a satisfactory rendering; hence there will be found, in a very few instances, what are apparently different words in the original and modern version. Some instances will also be found of words written in the modern version according to the analogy of the Dean’s orthography, while the precise word intended has not been identified. The editor has only to say regarding these and any other cases of doubtful rendering, which in such a work must be numerous, that he will be happy to receive through the publishers any suggestions from Gaelic scholars which may help to secure greater accuracy.

It is only necessary to say farther, that in extending the modern Gaelic version of these poems, it was perfectly impossible to exclude all the older forms of the language. In many places to do so would have been to destroy the whole poetical structure of the composition. It was essential to retain the “da,” _if_, the “fa,” _on_, or _under_, and the “co” or “go,” _with_, besides numerous forms of the verb, which it is the practice now to call Irish, but which were common at an early period to the literature of both countries. It was perfectly impossible, with anything like justice to these compositions, to bring them into exact conformity with the rules of modern Scottish Gaelic.

The present volume contains every line of Ossianic or Fenian poetry in the Dean’s MS. It also contains every composition having reference to Scotland, with the exception of five; two of these being so much defaced, and so many of the words obscured by time and exposure, that it is impossible to give anything like an accurate version of them. The other three are eulogies on the clan Gregor chiefs, so much of a piece with those already given, that they would not contribute to the literary value of the work. The purely Irish poems of the O’Huggins, the O’Dalys, etc., are not given in this work, whose object is to illustrate the language and literature of the Scottish Highlands at an early period. A few specimens, such as the laments of Gormlay, wife of Nial Glundubh, and daughter of Flann Sionna, Queen of Ireland, have been transcribed as specimens, which may be not uninteresting either to the Scottish or Irish reader. The Irish compositions are, with few exceptions, of a religious character. T. M‘L.

EDINBURGH, _December 1861_.

* * * * *

In a note at p. 43, it is said that an edition of the poem by Allan M’Rory, there translated, would be given at the close of the work, as taken down from the recitation of an old woman, Christina Sutherland, in Caithness, in the year 1854. It is now given, but without a translation, which is not thought necessary.

DUAN CATHA GHABHRA.