65

BARDIC POETRY--

A DIRGE FOR KING NIALL OF THE NINE HOSTAGES 69

THE SONG OF CARROLL'S SWORD 72

EOCHAID'S LAMENT 75

LAMENT ON KING MALACHY II. 77

MISCELLANEOUS--

THE MONK AND HIS PET CAT 81

COLUM CILLE'S GREETING TO IRELAND 83

ON ANGUS THE CULDEE 86

COLUM CILLE THE SCRIBE 87

THE LAMENT OF THE OLD WOMAN OF BEARE 88

THE DESERTED HOME 92

CORMAC MAC CULENNAIN SANG THIS 94

ALEXANDER THE GREAT 95

QUATRAINS--

THE SCRIBE 99

ON A DEAD SCHOLAR 99

THE CRUCIFIXION 99

THE PILGRIM AT ROME 100

HOSPITALITY 100

THE BLACKBIRD 100

MOLING SANG THIS 100

THE CHURCH BELL IN THE NIGHT 101

THE VIKING TERROR 101

FROM THE TRIADS OF IRELAND 102

FROM THE INSTRUCTIONS OF KING CORMAC 105

NOTES 111

MYTH AND SAGA

THE ISLES OF THE HAPPY

Once when Bran, son of Feval, was with his warriors in his
royal fort, they suddenly saw a woman in strange raiment
upon the floor of the house. No one knew whence she had come
or how she had entered, for the ramparts were closed. Then
she sang these quatrains to Bran while all the host were
listening.

I bring a branch of Evin's[3] apple-tree,
In shape alike to those you know:
Twigs of white silver are upon it,
Buds of crystal with blossoms.

There is a distant isle,
Around which sea-horses glisten:
A fair course against the white-swelling surge--
Four pedestals uphold it.

A delight of the eyes, a glorious range