ill ever be
destitute.

There are around us here and there many spoils of famous luck:
Horrible are the huge entrails which the Morrigan[9] washes.

She came to us from the edge of a spear, 'tis she that egged us on.
Many are the spoils she washes, terrible the hateful laugh she laughs.

She has flung her mane over her back--it is a stout heart that will not
quail at her:
Though she is so near to us, do not let fear overcome thee!

In the morning I shall part from all that is human, I shall follow the
warrior-band;
Go to thy house, stay not here, the end of the night is at hand.

Some one will at all times remember this song of Fothad Canann;
My discourse with thee shall not be unrenowned, if thou remember my
bequest.

Since my grave will be frequented, let a conspicuous tomb be raised;
Thy trouble for thy love is no loss of labour.

My riddled body must now part from thee awhile, my soul to be tortured
by the black demon.
Save for the worship of Heaven's King, love of this world is folly.

I hear the dusky ousel that sends a joyous greeting to all the
faithful:
My speech, my shape are spectral--hush, woman, do not speak to me!

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 6: A kenning for a band of warriors. 'The flowers of the forest
have all wede away.']

[Footnote 7: A famous mythical hero.]

[Footnote 8: A slave-woman (rated at three cows) was the standard of value
among the ancient Irish.]

[Footnote 9: A battle-goddess.]

DEIRDRE'S FAREWELL TO SCOTLAND

A beloved land is yon land in the east,
Alba[10] with its marvels.
I would not have come hither[11] out of it,
Had I not come with Noisi.

Beloved are Dun Fidga and Dun Finn,
Beloved is the fortress above them,
Beloved is the Isle of the Thorn-bush,
And beloved is Dun Sweeny.

Caill Cuan!
Unto which Ainnle would go, alas!
Short we thought the time there,
Noisi and I in the land of Alba.

Glen Lay!
There I used to sleep under a shapely rock.
Fish and venison and badger's fat,
That was my portion in Glen Lay.

Glen Massan!
Tall is its wild garlic, white are its stalks:
We used to have a broken sleep
On the grassy river-mouth of Massan.

Glen Etive!
There I raised my first house.
Delightful its house! when we rose in the morning
A sunny cattle-fold was Glen Etive.

Glen Urchain!