ter, the oldest manuscript containing the
_Tecosca Cormaic_ (pp. 343_a_-345_b_), the _Senbriathra Fithail_ (pp.
345_b_-346_a_), and the _Briathra Moraind_ (pp. 346_a_-_b_), does not
include them.

It is but a small portion of the large number of triads scattered
throughout early Irish literature that has been brought together in our
collection under the title of _Trecheng breth Fene_, i.e., literally 'a
triadic arrangement of the sayings of Irishmen.' I first drew attention
to the existence of Irish triads in a note on Irish proverbs in my
addition of the _Battle of Ventry_, p. 85, where a few will be found
quoted. A complete collection of them would fill a small volume,
especially if it were to include those still current among the people of
Ireland, both among Gaelic and English speakers. I must content myself
here with giving a few specimens taken at random from my own
collections:--

Three kinds of martyrdom that are counted as a cross to man,
_i.e._ white martyrdom, green martyrdom, and red
martyrdom.--The Cambray Homily (_Thesaurus Palaeohibernicus_,
II., p. 246).

Three enemies of the soul: the world, the devil, and an
impious teacher.--Colman maccu Beognae's Alphabet of Piety
(_Zeitschrift fuer celtische Philologie_, III., p. 452).

Three things whereby the devil shows himself in man: by his
face, by his gait, by his speech.--_Ib._, p. 453.

Three profitable labours in the day: praying, working,
reading.--Regula Choluimb Cille (_Zeitschr._, III., p. 29).

Three laymen of Ireland who became monks: Beccan son of
Cula, Mochu son of Lonan, and Enda of Arann.--Notes on the
Felire of Oengus (Henry Bradshaw Society, vol. xxix., p.
112).

Three chief artisans of Ireland: Tassach with Patrick,
Conlaed with Brigit, and Daig with Ciaran.--_Ib._, p. 186.

Three poets of the world: Homer of the Greeks, Vergil of the
Latins, Ruman of the Gaels.--Book of Leinster, p. 354_b_.

The three worst counsels that have been acted on in Ireland
through the advice of saints: the cutting short of Ciaran's
life, the banishment of Colum Cille, the expulsion of
Mochuta from Rathen.--Notes on the Felire of Oengus, p. 204,
and Tripartite Life, p. 557.[3]

[3] Where for 'wrong stories' read 'wrong counsels' (_sanasa saeba_).

This triad is thus versified in the Brussels MS. 5100:--