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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:--
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