Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/seandanaleoisianOOsmit SEAN DANA; L E OISIAN, ORRAN, ULANN, &c ANCIENT POEMS O F OSS IAN, ORRAN, ULLIN, 13c* COLLECTED IN THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS and ISLES; Being the ORIGINALS of the TRANSLATIONS some tim; ago PUBLISHED in the G\ZUC ANTIQUITIES. By JOHN SMITH, D.D. MINISTER OF THE COSPEL AT CAMPBELTON. u Rufticitas mihi prifca placet, fulebrofaqtt* vocum Fragmina, quse patriis in montibus audiit olim Cum prvirvis) atavus, quique hos genuere parentes.*' EDINBURGH: Printed for CHARLES ELLIOT; and For C. Elliot, T. Kay, and Co. No 332. oppofite Somerfet-Houfe, Strand, London, MjDCCjLXXXVIT, 1855 T O T HE NOBLEMEN and GENTLEMEN OF THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY Of LONDON, THIS COLLECTION OF ANCIENT GAELIC POEMS, The PUBLICATION of which they have been Pleafed to patronize and encourage, I* moft Refpe&fully Inscribed, By their much obliged and moil humble fervant, The EDITOR. ADVERTISEMENT. THE following Poems contain many examples of whatever is beautiful or fublime in compofi- tion ; but being collectedfromvariouseditions, they may in fome places appear, perhaps, inelegant and abrupt; it being fometimes neceffary to take half a ftanza, or perhaps half a line, from one edition to join to as much of another. As thefe Poems were, for the mod part, taken down from oral recitation, frequent miftakes may have been made in the proper divifion of the lines, and in the affigning of its due quantity to each: a matter to which the poets themfelves do not always feem to have been very attentive, their meafure often varying as their fubject changes. As thofe who recited ancient poems took frequent- ly the liberty of fubflituting fuch words as they were beft acquainted with in the room of fuch as were more foreign or obfolete, a few words which may perhaps be confidered as modern or provincial may occur in the courfe of thefe compofitions. To expunge thefe words, when none of the copies in the Editor's hands fupplied him with better, was a tafk which he did not confider as any part of his province. He regrets that \iq did not know, till they had gone to the Prefs, that many vi ADVERTISEMENT, many parts of them were well known in Ireland % otherwife he fhould have endeavoured to procure fome editions from that quarter, although it is probable they would not be very different from thofe found in the ifles and Scottifh coafts contiguous to it. He hopes, however, that with all their imperfect ions> thefe Poems have flill fo much merit as to give the reader fome idea of what they had once been ; that the venerable ruins are a fufficient monument of the former grandeur of the edifice. A N * This intelligence is derived from a late Irifh writer, who, having had frequent occafion to cite thefe poems in order to illuftratc his fubject, adds," I have taken thofe paffages from, Mr Smith's poems, fcscaufe his poems are known to be translations from the Irifh in many inftances." — And elfewhere, " Mr Smith has freely and ele- gantly tranflated a poem on the death of Dermid, intitled, Mar mbarbb Diarmadan Tore nimbe." Mr Walker's Hiftor. Memoirs of Iriih Bards, p. »i. & 39. Dub, 1786. An CLAR-INNSIDH. Taobh-duilkig. Ban an Beirg (a cheud chuid) I o6 Tiomna Ghuitt, 40 Dan na Bu-thuinn, 78 Diarmadj 99 Ban Clainne Mbuirne, 120 Cath-Luine, 141 Catbula, - ,. i5» Cath Mhanuis, 194 Tratbuil, 210 Dearg Mac BruVbbeil, 223 Conn Mac un Beirg, 245 Lofga Taura (no Teamhra) - 297 Catb-Lamba, 3i7 Bas Airt, 340 DAN DAN an DEIRG*, A CHEUD -Ch'UID. F EUGH Dearg fan doire na aonar, *S e 'g eifdeachd ri caoiran na coill \ A Feuch * Dan an Deirg is afcribed to the Bard Uliin, who was fomewhat prior to Offian, and feems from the following old diftich, to have been always held in high eftimation i *' Gach dan gu dan an Deirg, *S gach laoidh gu laoidh 'n Amadain mhoir." In a difTertation on the authenticity of Offian's poems, pre- fixed to the tranflation of this collection, which was publifh- ed a few years ago, the JErz. in which Oman lived, was fup- pofed to be the end of the third, or beginning of the fourth century. Hector Boethius, whofe hiftory, dedicated to James IV. was publifhed in 1526, conjectured that he lived about a century later. li Conjiciunt quidam in hasc tempora (Scilicet tempori (juibus regnavit Eugenius Filius Fergufii 2di qui obiit A. 462.) Finnanum filium Coeli, vulgo vocabulo Fyn mac Coul ; vi- rum, uti ferunt, immani flatura, (feptenum enim Cubitorurri hominem fuifie narrant) Scotici fanguinis venatoria arte in- fignejn t BAN an DE1RG. Feuch taibhfe Chrirnin' * air cheo-tragha, 'S na feidh nan tamh air Sgur-eild'f. An fealgair na ileibh cha taoghail, Tha Dearg is a ghaothair bronach ; 'S tha mife le d' fgeula fo mhulad, Tha mo dheoir a' fruthadh an conuidh. San la ud, bha Comhal \ nan buadh Le cheol, is le fhluagh air an leirg, (Ge h-iofal fo chluainein an f heidh An diugh an Laoch treun ann am feirg, fignem, omnibufque infolita corporis mole formidolofum : Circularibus fabulis, et iis quae de Arthuro Britonum rege, pafiim apud noftrates leguntur fimillimum, magis quam eru- ditorum teftimonio decantatum." Boeth. Hift. Scot. 1. 7 ad finjsm. Archbishop Usher places Cormac, and fome other of the heroes cotemporary with Offian, fomewhat later, but ia the fame century. * Cri'-min, " tender heart" j fhe was the fecond fpoufe of Dargo. The fequel of this poem gives her hiftory. f Sgur-eild', " the hill of roes:" the name of a rock or mountain. % Cao'mhal, (contracted Cu'al) " mild brow" the father of Fingal, and grandfather of Offian. DAN an DEIRG. 3 A leaba fo-chos nan clach *, Am fafga na daraig aofda,) Bha laoich ri 'n lleaghan an taic, An fuilean gl-aifte, 's an aghaidh aomta. Mor-ghaifg an Righ's Innfe-faile f, Tra fguab iad an arach le cheile, Sheinn am Bard :— ^tra chunnas barca, 'Si feola gu traigh na nial-eide. "'Si long Innfe-faile ta ann, J 'S i lann a bhuail am beum-fgeith'.ud ; A 2 Grad- * In ancient times large flag-ftones were raifed over the tombs of eminent perfons, as a monument of their fame. In Offian we read fometimes of the " three," and fometimes of the " four Gray ftones." Many of thefe rude pillars, of an immenfe fize, are ftill to be feen. f By Innis-fail, and Innfe-fail, is underftood a part of Ireland, and perhaps of the Hebrides, inhabited by the Fa- Jans. J aL 'S a chrann-tara fuas ris na fpeuraibh. . v : The crann-tara, or W beam of gathering," ufed for a fig- nal of diftrefs, or to communicate any alarm, was a piece of wood half-burnt and dipt in blood. See 01. Magnus, p. 146. A flame or fire kindled on eminencies, was often ufed for the 4 DAN an DEIRG, Grad-leumaibh, thar barra nan tonn ; Gu fonn an Righ tha na eight- 's bu gharbh an doinionn a' deas A' gleachd r'ar fiuil bhreid-gheal \ Tra thaom an oiche nar coail, Air cuan dobhidh nan tonna heucach, " Ciod am fa bhi 'g udal cuain, Is eilean fuar nan geotha crom, A' fgaoileadh a fgiath nar coinneamh^ Gu'r dion o dhoininn na h oiche ? Tha e crom mar hhogh' air ghleus, Tha e feimh mar uchd mo ghaoil, Caithemid an oiche na fgeith, lonad aoibhinn nan aifling caoin." 'S chualas a chomhachag a' creig, ? S guth hrqin ga freagairt a h uaimh \ Guth, the fame purpofe. (See Oflian's works," poem of Carrie- thura.) We find this laft fignal mentioned by Jeremiah, tq denote diftrefs. t( Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, fet up a fign of fire in Beth-haccerem j for evil appeareth out of the north, and great deftru&ion," chap. vi\ i. BAN an DEIRG. 5 piith Dheirg, arfa dial, 's e th' ann, A chaill fmn fa chuan onf hach, Tra pill linn o Lochlann * nan crann 'S gach doinionn gu teann gar leireadh, Thog tuinn an cinn ro neoil, Dh'f has Heibhte ceo air an lear, ? S a mhuir fholach, mholach, ftuaghlas A' luafgadh o noir gu n ear, " A Dheirg fin am barraibh nan crann ? Is fann an iall ris an d'earb thu ; Mor-bheinn cha'n f haic thu gu brath ; f Tha d' f halt anrach air tuinn ga luafga% s — Is mor do bheud, a dhoinionn ; Togaibh, a thaibhfe, leibh e." 1 — Ach cha chual jad ar guth, arfa Cual, Q's dubhach, a laoich, do chonuidh ! thaibhse bho Lochlann nan crann, A lean finn gu teann thar chuanta, Ma 's fibh tha ga choimhead an fas, Ge Honor, cha tai'r fibh buaidh air, Thig * Lochlann, the name which the ancient Highlanders gave to Norway, or Scandinavia in general. 1 al Dh'fholuich tonna-bajte uainn thu ? 6 DAN an DEIRG. Thig Treunmor * le dhoininn ro-ghairg, Gu'r ruaga na f heirg, mar f hoghnan mm ; Is marcaichidh Dearg air iomall a %eith, Le greadhnas gu clanna nan fion, — Cluinnear nuallan do bheoil, TJlainn, le feoid an aigh, O's aithne dhoibh uile t eigheach, Innis gu d' thig Treunmor gun dail. " Bean< * Treun-fnor, " tall and mighty," the father of Comhal, and grand-father of Fingal. Among the ancient High- landers proper names were all defcriptive. Many of thofe names are ftill retained, as Donn-cheann (or Donncha') •' brown-haired ;" Donn-Jhuil (or Donull) " brown-eyed ;" Gorm-fliuile (or Gormula) i{ blue-eyed." Even when they have other names, fuch as Peter, John, James, &c. defcrip- tive epithets are as frequently annexed as the proper fir- name. Thus, John Black, if he happen to be fair-haired, will probably be better known by the name of John White, than by his proper firname. Giraldus Cambrenfis, in de- fcribing the manners of the Irifh Highlanders, has taken notice of this cuftom. " Liberis, cum ad facrum baptif- mum accedunt, profana nomina imponunt, anneclentes AJ- bus, Niger ; vel ex morbo, fcabie, calvitio ; vel ex fcelere, ut latro, fuperbus ; ac licet contumeliarum fint impatientif- fimi, hasc tamen nomina non dedignantur." Apud Cam?-. den in Hibern, BAN ah- DEIRG, " Beannachd do t anam, is buaidh, Ma 's carraig no uaimh do chonuidh ; ! 's deacair leinn f had 's tha thu uainn, Aig taibhfe Lochlann, fa chuan dobhidh. Ma 's e cath thaibhfe nan nial, No 'n iallach cruaidh tha ga d'theanndach, * Tha Treunmor a' teachd le lainn thana, 'S le fgeith alluidh g' am fuadach'. Mar chrion-dhuilleach an daraich Air a chratha' f le franna-ghaoth f afaich, Ruaigidh e 'n taibhfe gu luath ; 1 Beannachd is buaidh leat ad trafa." " 'S gur ioghna learn fein do raite, Bhaird Chuil, *s nach b'e abhaift Laoich do thighe riabh gu f agadh lad an caraid an uair gabhaidh." Dh' aithnich Gealachas guth an Deirg, S S mar bu ghna leis air an leirg, Rinn * ah Cha'n eagal nach cum thu riu co'rag, 'S a liuthad fear mor a ruaig thu, f al. Air Mor-mheall f afaich. % ah Fois ann a t uaimh dhuxt an trafa. 8 BAN an DEIRG. Rinn e miolaran, ? s thug leum gabhaidft* Le mar aoibhnea9 ghios na tragha. Mar maighead o ghlacaibh an iughair #j Bha chafan a' fiubhal nam barra-thonn ; 'S b 1 aite leis na mac na h eilde Dearg, 's e leum ri uchd a bhraghad* *S chunnacas fodan na deife, Le folus brifteach nan reultan, Mac-famhuil coinneamh nan cairdean An tra tharlas doibh an cein-thir* % 'S nl * Every body knows the bow to have been made! of yew* Among the Highlanders of later times, that which grew in the wood of Eafi again, in Lorn, was efteemed the beft* The feathers moil in vogue for the arrows were furnifhed by the eagles of Loch-Treig; the wax for the firing by Baile- na-gailbhinn, and the arrow-heads by the fmiths of the race of Mac Pkeideardtn. This piece of inftru&ion, like all the Other knowledge of the Highlanders, was couched in verfe i Bogha dh> iughar Eafragain, Is ite* firein Locha Treig ; Ceir bhuidhe Bhaile-na-gailbhinn, ? S ceann o 'n cheard Mac Pbeidearsin- DAN an BEIRG. 9 5 S ni 'm bu chumhainn le Dearg ar loirigeas,- Aig ro-mheud aighir 's a fholais. Mur tugadh Gealachas air laimh e Chios na tragha fiar nar coail. * 'S am beo dhuit, a Dheirg, a ehailleadh An cuan falach nan garbh-thonn 5 'S ioghna do thearnadh o'n bhas A fhluig le ganraich afuas thu. f Le tulga tuinn' air mo luafga, Bha mis' an 6ich' f huar fin gu latha ; Seachd gealaich, 's gach aon mar bhliadhna, Le 'n tragha 's le 'n liona chaidh tharam. Chaith mi 'n la ri manran ciuil, Ag eifdeachd nuallan | thonn is ian ; 'S an oich' an tiamh-chora thaibhfe, 'G eala' 'm foill air eoin na tragha, 'S neo-ghrad fan aite fo ghrian, Is mall-eheumach triall na gealaich ; A Righ Chumhaill, nach b ioghna Gu b'f haide gach mios na bliadhna ! — Ach ciod fo aobhar ur broin ? B Chi * Ccmhal fpeaks. f Bar go fpeaks. % ah durdaii. io BAN an DEIRG. Chi mi ur deoir a fruthadh ; An e mo fgeul truaghs' a dhuifg iad ? Is cruaidh learn gur cuis is dubhaich ! — - Noch beo Cri-mora mo ghaoil ? — Og-bhean chaoin ! tha mife dubhach, Bho chunnas thu feola' nan nial A dh' iadh mu fholus na hoiche, Tra dh' amhairc i nuas, ro 'n f hrois, Air gnuis fhoifneach na doimhne. Chunnas * i air chaochla dreach, 'S a ciabha clearc a' file' dheur ; Dh' aithnich * The poetical licence of the ancient bards, underftood in a literal fenfe by the Highlanders of modern times, ferved much to confirm their pretentions to thtfecondjight. Add to this the piclurefque but often difmal appearance of the country ; the defert hill, the dark heath, the fall of the tor- rent, the noife of the wave, the echo of the cavern and the rock, the folitude and filence of the fequeftered vale, all brooding on a warm, and perhaps a fuperftitious imagination, and you have moll of the ingredients requifite to conftitute a Highland feer. If one of a thoufand of his reveries mould fortuitoufly refemble fome fubfequent event, no more is re- quifite to gain him the credit of a prophet. To imagine there is any thing fupernatural or prophetic in this pretended gift, DAN an DEIRG. n * Dh' aithnich mi cruth mo ghaoil, 'S an t-aobhar o'n chuan mu 'n d' eirieh. " Nach truagh leat mis' a Chri-mora, 'M fag thu am onrachd an fo mi ?" — Chuairtich digh-thaibhs' i le 'n ceolan, f Mar ghaoith bhronaich le 'n tuite' duilleach ; 'S ni 'n cluinnte gaoir eoin no tuinne, 9 N fhad 's a rinn an ceolan fuireach. B 2 " Thig gift, were highly abfurd. — That the Deity mould reveal fu- ture events to anfwer no end but the molt frivolous trifle, fuch as the palling of a funeral or marriage ; and that the perfons endowed with this prophetic talent, fhould be always the moft idle and the moil ignorant, not to fay fuperftitious; and that the gift mould be entirely confined to this language and this country — thefe are notions too ridiculous to merit any ferious refutation. See Dr Beattie's EfTay on the Second Sight. * ah Bha *n aileachd na gruaidh mar fgriodan caocliain, Tra fgaoileas e 'm feadan feuraich. -j- al. Mar chuilc ri cronan an' gleann Caothan,, Tra fgaoileas am fonn air fruthaibh f\s, 5 § a dh' fhafas gu ciuih ceum na duibhre. 12 DAN av PEIRG. 11 Thig h .::.-:" sea, gun baron, F : am bheil Siii lmh alda le Treimmor, A fealg * feidh dhoilieir nan rial ! E b . 1 1 a s a h oma leoin. 'S , fe Jlfnipii le bron na ] Sguii an peol ; — ao :^:bhie thre:r. . fhag mife bam feiii deurac/.. Amlroil tonnf air traigh 1 'S .■: n B .'. ieb ' ;" :. ' lobhrath, Bha guth m: ghaoil : g Mai feajg tr *s an eigfc ga dhiL ■ mifi e m leigh mc sjhlac J loin mai v.:.": _. h aonac in j 1 an cc - I: -t; the beliei ::*--.-..: - creed PC arc :: tainted to t departed fp : .;: ;.-:..: :_ ;_ Annoramqac :...*. ms; gaze Pafcere eqoot v:£. JEi £ V i DAN as DEIRG. |] A air :": am acnar. a db o fin cha do fguir. — C -mora? I amh an ceo ; :bh an ddigh an d'etig i. : Air a cheath i lar, _n na L. A : ~ t : r: I . . ■ X :: bkc :f Laaao ia Saa&asia, «dtkal JL _: :_ : - - - - ~- ~ '—'- - 14 DAN an DEIRG. 'S le 'n ofnaich a' feideadh an ciabh. — Le lie is gorm-f hoid na tragha, Thog finn aite-cdnui' do 'n mhnaoi, B' iomad dighe fan la fin dubhach, ? S bu tiamhaidh ga cumha' gach aon : Amhuil ceol tannais ag eiridh Air cuile na Leige mall. Air learn fein gu b' aoibhinn a cliu, B'e mo run e bhos is thalL — ~ Ach ciod fo 'n folus an' Innfe-f&il, O chrann-taraidh an f huathais ? Togaibh ur fiuil ; tairnibh ur raimh ; f Grad-ruitheadh ar bare thar chuanta.'* Sheid gaoth dhlleas ar beann, *S cha b' f hann ar buillean ga coghnadh ; Sinn a' buala' mhullach nan tonn, *S gach fonn is a fhuil ri comhrag. — Bha uileann Dheirg air flios a fgeith, *S e frutha' dheur a iios r*a taobh, *' Chi mi Dearg gu tiamhaidh tofdach, Ulainn nan teud, tog fprochd an laoich." Dan f ah Grad-ruithibh gu traigh, is buaidli leibh. DAN an DEIRG. 15 Ban Cbaoilte *„ Ri linn Threin-mhoir nan fgia, Ruaig Caoilte am fiadh mu Eite f ; Thuit leis daimh chabrach nan cnoc, 'S cho-fhreagair gach ilochd da eighe. Chunnaic Mln-bheul a gaol, 'S le curach \ faoin chaidh na dhail : Sheid * To Epifodes, fuch as this, which are frequently repeat- ed as detached pieces, I give their proper titles, and they may be read either feparately, or as parts of the poems to which they refpe&ively belong. f An arm of the fea in Argylefhire ftill retains the name of Loch- Eiie. \ The Curach was a fmall boat made of wicker, and co- vered with hides. It was fometimes, however, of a con- fiderable fize. — That in which Columba and his companions failed from Ireland, appears from its bed, ftill (hewn in Port' a-churaich in Iona, to have been 40 feet long. Pliny and Solinus make mention of thefe pinnaces, and Lucan defcribes them in the following manner : Primum cana falix madefa&a vinime parvam Texitur in puppim, csefoque ioduta juvenco, Ve&orfs 16 DAN an DEIRG. Sheid ofna choimheach gun bhaigh, 'S chuir i druim an 7 aird air a barca. Chualas le Caoilte a glaodh, " A ghaoil, a ghaoil, dean mo chognadh." Ach thuirling dalla-bhrat na hoiche, 'S dh' fhailnich a caoi'-chora. Mar f huaim fruthain an cein, ' Rainig a h eighe na choail 5 S air madainn an onfha na tragha, Fhuaras gun chail an og-bhean. Thog e 'n cois tragha a leac, Aig fruthan broin nan glaf-gheugan ; Is eol do 'n t-fealgair an t-aite, 'S mor a bhaigh ris an' teas na greine. 'S bu chian do Chaoilte ri bron Feadh an 16 an coillteach Eite ; i '8 fad Veftoris patiens, tumfdum fuper enucat aitinim : Sic Venetus ftagnante Pado, fufoqueBritannus Navigat Oceano, Pharfal.IV. 130, &c, DAN an DEIRG. 17 'S fad na hoiche chluinnteadh a leon ; Chuireadh e air eoin an uifge deilinn. Ach bhuail Treun-mor beum-fgeithe * ; Le.laochraidh bu treun Caoilte : Uigh air uigh phill a ghean, Chual e chliu, is lean e'nt feilge. Leam 's cuimhn', arfa Dearg, an laoch, Mar aifling chaoin a chaidh feach, Tra fliur e gu hog mi aig Eite, 'S a fhliuch a dheur-ihuil an leac. — Giod fa do thuiridh, a Chaoilte, Com' am bheil t aos-chiabha friitheach ? Freagra dha fud bheireadh Caoilte, " Tha mo ghaol fo'n fhoid fo na luidhe." — A Chaoilte fnaigh dhomhfa bogha. " \S ann fodha fo tha mo ghaol-fa ; O dean an t afte fo thaoghal Mar roghainn o ruith an aonaich." 'S na dh' iarras, a Chaoilte, thugas ; Do chumha bu trie ann am or an ; C Nam * The Beum-fgeithe, or " ftrikihg the ihield" was the ufual mode of giving a challenge, or alarm [to baitle, among the ancient Caledonians. i8 DAN an DEIRG, Nam biodh mo chliu-fa co mairionn, Is mi le in' leannan fa cheo ud ! Is dearbh learn gu bi fin mairionn, Arfa Cumhal bu chaoin labhairt, Ach co fud, le 'n fgiathaibli gabhaidh, Toirt a fholuis o'n cheud f haire ? Sloigh Lochlainn, ma 's maith mo bheachd, A' cuartach' Innfe-faile le 'm feachd, ? S an righ, bho ard-uinneig ftuadhaich, Ag amharc oirn' a chairde buadbach. Chi e finn roi dheoir, mar cheo, Ach thuit na deoir, is chi e'n feol ; Tha aighear a' bruchda' na fhuil. ** Tha Cumhall am fagus le fhiuil !" Feuch Lochlann anuas nar codhail, ? S Armor rompa mar dhamh croice ; Air traigh Eirinn a lamh, ge bras, Mife dh' f huafgail o theanna ghlais. • — * Caireadh gach aon air a leis A lann ghlas, gu traigh 's e leumnaich ; Cuimh- * In the ancient Galic poetry, one often meets with a variety of rhyme and meafure in the fame piece. The fame has been frequently obferved of the ancient poetry of other nations. DAN an DEIRG. 19 Cuimhnicheadh gach aon a thapadh, Is mor-ghaifge laoch na Feinne. C 2 — Sgaoil ? nations. It is not to be wondered at (fays Rabbi Azarias, fpeaking of the Hebrew poetry, ) that the fame fong mould confift of different meafures : for the cafe is the fame in the poetry of the Greeks and Romans ; they fuited their mea- fures to the nature of the fubjeft and the argument ; and the variations, which they admitted, were accommodated to the motions of the body, and the affections of the foul." R. A. in Meor Enajim. Rhyme did not feem to be eflential to the compofitions cf the Celtic bards ; many of them are entirely deftitute of it ; and when moll attention feems to have been paid to it, it is done with a latitude unknown in Englifh compofitions, A conformity of found betwixt the laft word of the preced- ing line, and fome word about the middle, and fometimes in the end of the following one, is all that the ancient bards (eem to have wifhed for in the matter of rhyme. When ifcanzas confift of four lines, the fame conformity is found of- ten between the concluding words of each couplet, or be- tween fome two of the vowels in thefe words ; for they were not fo anxious about preferring any fimilarity betwixt the found of the confonants. — This fimilarity of found, by which the end' of one line or couplet always fuggefted the line or f.pupiet following, greatly facilitated the committing of thofe piece? 20 BAN an DEIRG. — Sgaoil, a Dheirg, do fgia leathan ; Tarruing, a Chaoirill, do gheal-chlaidhe, Crath, a Chonaill, do chraofnach, Is feinn, Ulainn, f dan catha-baoifge. Choinnich pieces to memory; and for this purpofe, more than to pleafe the ear with any jingle of found, the art feems to fyave been at firix invented by the Bards or Druids. " I do not look upon rhyme (fays Mr Langhorne) to be, -as fome have fuppofed, of Monkifh extraction, I think it is of a more ancient date. It was probably firft invented for the aid of memory. The learning of the Druids was early com- municated to their difciples, and their precepts were retained memorially under thofe forms of verfe in which they were delivered. It mould feem, therefore, that theyyfr/? found out the expedient of rhyme, to make their verfes more te- nable." Efftifions effriendfhip a?td fancy, v. ii. let. 18. It was probably, for the fame reafon, that the ancient He- brew poets obferved that Parallelifm, or correfpondence of one Verfe or line with another, which is fo commonly to be met with in their writings. With them a conformity in the fenfe led the memory from one line to another, as a confor- mity of found does with us. See Lowth De Sacra Poeji Hebr. f It was part of the oince of the Bards to fing the Prof fiacha catba, or " Inftigation to Battle." Thefe fongs were c.ompofed in a rapid fort of meafure highly adapted to the pcca- DAN an DEIRG, m Choinnich linn Lochlann ' s cha b' agh dhuinn ; Sheas iad romhainn gu daingean laidir, Mar an darag air uchd Mfyeall-mhoir, Nach lub air ailghios na garbh-ghaoith. Chunnaic Innfe-fail linn gar saruch', Bhruchd iad gun dail gur coghna' ; Sgapadh an fin Lochlann o cheile ; Shearg gach geug a bha beo dheth. Choinnich Armor 's righ Innfe-faile, ■*3 ma choinnich bu ghabhaidh an iomairt % Sleagh occafion. Some idea may be formed of the nature of thofe compofitions from the account which Tacitus gives of the fame cuftom, as it prevailed among the Germans, whofe man- ners, in many refpe&s, bear the neareil refemblance to thofe of the ancient Caledonians. — " The Germans, fays he, have poems which are rehearfed in the field, and kindle the foul into a flame. The fpirit with which thefe fongs are fung, predicts the fortune of the approaching fight. In the compcfition they ftudy a roughnefs of found, and a certain broken murmur. They lift their thields to their mouths, that the voice, being rendered full and deep, may fwell by reper- cuffion." Tacit, de won. Germ., c. 3. Such as. are aquainted with the poems of Tyrtseus, which kindled a fort of warlike phrenzy in the breafts of the Lace- demonians, when engaged in war with the Meffenians, may form from them a pretty juft idea of the Profnacba catba. 2* DAN an DEIRG. Sleagh an righ chaidh 'n uchd a mhor-f hir, Cha'n fhoghnadh a fgiath da tiughad. Ghuil Lochlann is Innfe-fail, Is ghuil na bha lath'r do'n Fheinn' : Is Iheinn a bhard gu ro-thuirfeach, Tra chunn' e gun deo cheann-feadhna. * Cumhadh an Fhir mhoir; no Tuireadh Ar- mhoir. Bha t airde mar dharaig fa ghleann f . Do luas mar iolair nam beann, gun gheilt ; Do fpionna mar ofunn Lodda J na f heirg, 9 S do lann mar cheo Leige gun leigheas. O! * Under this title the following epifode is often repeated by itfelf. -j- His height was as the height of cedars. His ftrength was as the ftrength of oaks. Amos ii. 9* J The Loda, or Lodda of Offian is fuppofed to have been the fame with the Odin or Woden of the Scandinavians. Odin, according to the Danifh chronologies, was more ancient than Homer. His many warlike exploits procured him divine honours after his death. From him one of the days of th<; week Hill retains its name of Woden's day, or Wednefday* DAN an DEIRG. 23 O ! 's moch do thuras gu Phill fmn !e !r cliu 's le 'r creich ; f Com nach d' fheith thu, Ghuill nan fleagh, Nach feachna* le d' dheoin an arach ? • — Air long ea-trom nan garbh-thonn Lean an fonn finn an dara-mhaireach. Ach f Among the old Caledonians, it was no disparagement to commit depredations on other tribes, with whom they were at variance. Robbery was the mode of declaring war ; and the moll dexterous at making reprifals of this nature was confidered as the braved man. Nor was it only among our anceftors of Caledonia that this fpecies of depredation was re- putable. The Brigantes of South Britain ; the Brigantii t bordering on the Alps, and the inhabitants of Brigantiurh in. Spain, had all of them their name from Brigand, a Celtic word which fignifies a Robber. (Bullet. DiA.Celt.II.211.) The Cimbri of Germany had their name for the like reafon* if we may credit Sextus Pompeius and Plutarch. The Pi&s too had their name (Piftich) from their fuccefs in the fame honourable trade, and the character which Virgil gives to Ufens, and fome of the other chieftains who came to the aid of Turnus is exactly fimilar to thefe ; Convectare juvat prsedas, & vivere rapto. Mz.vii, 749. &ix.'6i$, TJOMNA GHUILL. $t Ach co fud air a charraig, mar cheo, *S i 'g amharc ro dheoir air Goll, A gruag dhorcha fa ghaoith air faondra, 'S a lamh chaoin, mar chobhar, m'a cuailean ? -S 6g am macan na huchd, 'S binn a cronan na chluais : Ach fheid an ofnagh am fonn ; Air Goll, Aoibhir-chaomh f tha do luadh ! Chkear leatha 'n long an caol-chruth ; Le dubh-neul iofal ga comhdach, Amhuil carraig air a heide' le ceo; " A mhic Morna, flan gum pill thu!" Le ceumaibh mall is 's le fealla cuil, Phill i gu Stru-mhon ard \ Mar thannas air linne nan ceo, 5 S gun deo aig anail an fhaile. * # * # * # Bu trie a fuil air a chuan anrach, " A mhic Morna, flan gum pill thu!" Ghlac an oiche dhobhidh dhorcha Mac Morna 's e 'm meadhon anraidh ; G 2 Tsa f Aoibhir-chamh, the fpoufe of Gaul, and daughter of Cafduconglas. See Temora, B» ui» 52 TIOMNA GHUILL, Tra flieun a gheakch i fein fo neulaidh, *S gun aiteal bho reul air f^ile. Chuir fud mu feach oirn' an laoch, 5 S e fiubhal ea-trom air chuantai' dcrchao Sa mhadain air I na freoine, Bhuail e fa cheo beum-fgeithe ; Le ioghna nach cual e coliuin nam blar; " An cadal an tras duibh, fheara naFeinne!-- 'S truagh gun mife ri d' thaobh; Cha b' i lorg an aofda mo fhleagh ; Ach dearg-dhealan fo *n tuiteadh ard-chroinn^ Tra chlifgeas bho lathair na fleibhtean : Bheinnn lan^dulan, a laoich, do d' namh, No thuitinn gn lar gun eiridh. *S cha bu chrann feargta 'n fin Oifian, Air chrith ro' oiteig an aonaich, A leagas a chraoL*ii air a huillin, Thar fruthan dorcha nan ioma-ghaothc Bu deas mi mar ghiuthas Chaothain, 'S m' ur-gheugan fa ghaoith gam chuartach* ; O! 's truagh gun Oifian bhi dlu, A laoich Stru-mhoin, an fin na Freoine-' C'ait TIOMNA GHUILL £3 C ait an robh fibh a thaibhfs Nach — A Mhorna, feall orm o'n aonaclu Bha tanam fein mar fleud-fhruth bras Fo chobhar ceann-gheall an cuinge garbhlaich ; ? S mac-famhuil fin anam do mhic. — Aoibhir-chaomha ! Og'uill I # — Ach ni 'm buin dearfanna caomh do 'n doininn. Tha anam Ghuill an colluinn a choraig. <— 'S truagh gun Oifian mac Fhinn Bhi learn, mar an linn Mhic Nuath ! f —Ach * Og-Gbolly the ion of Gaul and Evirchoma. f This probably alludes to an expedition of Gaul and Offian celebrated jta the poem of Lathmon, tranflated by Mr Macpaerfon* 5 6 TIOMNA GHUXLL, — Ach tha m'anam feirt na thannas eiti* *S e leurn na aonar fa chuan atmhor, A' taoma' mile tonn air eilean air chrith, *S a* marcachd a ris ah cobhan na gaoithe. Bhuail mac Morn' an tath-bheum fgeithe, * (Glia V ionan a heigh is an trafa,) Ghlifg an I, is dhuifg a cathan ; f Dhuldaich Goll, 's lann athar a' dealra'c Gach taobh dheth tha daoine gan fgatha* Mar ur-bhartach an doire na fafaich ; An airm liomhai* fan raon air an fgapa, *S eoin na healtuinn ri gaire* A Mhala- * The following paffage may ferve to fliow that the ccn- vb'm is do mhac gun eiridh. Bhrift fair' air mona nan fruth, Threig aifling na mna caoin.; Ghaifd i ri caithream na feilg, B' ioghna nach cual i a gaol. San 16, bho thulachaibh nan das, Dh' eifd i a caoi fein ; Is an-moch fheall i air lear, Bronach, 's gun long a' leum, Ciod fo chum thu, ghraidh, Seach each an I na freoine? Mife dubhach air aoma chreag, *S mac-thallaidh a' freagairt dom' chora, —Nach feuda tu pilleadh a nis Ge d' thigeadh ort anra cuain, Is tuigh bhi ri leanabh do ghaoil A TIOMNA GHUILL. 61 A thaomas learn ofna gu cruaidh. 'S truagh nach cluinne • tu, ghaoil, Fuaim bhrifteach tainme O bheul Oguill, gu d' ghreafad : Ach 's eagal learn fein nach pill thu. Chunnas aifling an raoir : Bha gach neach air an raon ach.Goll; Tamul as, is a thaice r'a fhleagh, Bha n' laoch na fheafamh air aona-chois. i Bha chas eile na ceo glas A charuich gach oiteag a iheideadh. Chaidh mi fein an coail mo ghaoil, Ach fheid ofag o'n aonach uam e. — Ach uam aiflinge geilt, PuTidh tu, Ri' Strumhoin ; 'S do cheann mar 6g-ghnuis na greine, 'S i 'g eiridh air Crom' lia * nan taibhfe; Far an crithich fan oich' an taineal, 'S na tannais a fgairteachd gach taobh dheth: —Ach theich iad ro aiteal na maidne, 'S ghabh efan le bhata gu gluafad. Is * Crom-Jhlia, Places of worfhip among the Druids were called cram* lia, or croirfleacbd, from the bowing of the wor- shippers, and were fuppofed to be guarded by fpirits. 62 TIOMNA GHUILL, Is amhluidh chi mi thu, ghaoil; Nach e fud aogus do bharca ? A fiuil mar chobhar nan creag No mar fhneachd' air bbarraibh na fafach. Am barca ta ann no ceo ? Do m' fliuil-fa cha leir 1c bron ; Is i barca mo ghaoil ata ann, A' leum thar f^ile na deann. Oiche, na falaich a fhiuil, Na fgaoil do fgiath air mo run ; Greafam fan fgoth fo na dhail, Ro cheo na h iargaile tla, Dh' imich i, — 's barca cha d' fhuair, Bha 'n ceo luaineach le taibhfe, A chleachd feoladh air Iear o mean, 'S a lean an abhaift a b' aoibhinn. — Tha fgoth na mna ag imeachd Gu camus iimis na Freoine ; Tha chaol-ghealach tro' neula balbha, Cul chrann, air farr-bheinn a' feoladh ; Is reulta ro fhrachda nan nial t>ubh-fgiathach air aghaidh na h oiche, 3V leum- TIOMNA GHUILL. 63 A' leumnaich o nial gu nial, 'S mar thannas, gu dian a' treigfinn. Dhearc a bhean na 'n dearfa caol Air aogus aluinn a mic, ? S i ga fhagail na coite chaoil ; * " Oig mo ghaoil bi 'n {0 gun fhios." Mar cholum an carraig na hUlacha, 'S i folar dhearca da hal beag, 'S a' pilltin gu trie, gun am blafad i fein f, Tra dh' eireas an tfeabhag na fmuainte; B' amhuil a phill tri uaire 'n Aoibhir, 'S a hanam mar thuinn air a luafga' Bho bhair gu bair, 's an doinionn a' feide', J Tra chual i guth broin o gheig na tragha. ** Tha mife, lamh threun nan cath, A' feargadh air traigh am aonar, Gun * at. Iarram tathair ri taobh na tuinn fo, •J- _ Away they fly Affe&ionatej and, undeiiring, bear The moft delicious morfel to their young. Thomson's Spring, 973, i ** Chluinn mi guth broin air uchd an aiiidh,' 1 64 TIOMNA GHUILL. Gun fhios aig Oifian no Fionn air, Mur dean foillfe nan fpeur dhoibh innfe'. Inniibh, a reulta ruiteach f Do theach nan laoch mar thuit mi fein; Is inniibh a thaibhfe nan lion Mo fgeul-fa do RL* na Feinn.' Inniibh gu bheil m' anam fo leon An I freoine, gun ibh gun ith, Ach f aile gorm re la is la ; Na faigheadh mo ghradh air fios ! An cein biodh imeachd ur fgiath, Gun f harum gun f hiamh dol feach ; Na cluinneadh mo ghaol ur guth, Mu 'n liubhail lionn-dubh air a hinntin^ An cein a ris biodh ur rathad, 5 S biodh aiiling mo mhnatha-fa aoibhinn. — Tha mhadain, a ghaoil, fad as, Gabh fois le caidre' do naoidhein. Am fuaim a chaochain, am faoin-ghleann eilde, Biodh taifling aoibhinn, Aoibhir-chaomha." i " 'S an f " Barbari hi quos dixi (fcii.Celtae) contendunt et efie deos, et noftri curam gerere, et praefignifi'care ftitura, magna e* parte, per infomnia et ftellas." iEHau. 1. 2. c. 3 1, TIOMNA GHUILL. 65 " 'S an faoil thu gur fcis domh fein ? Is Goll am pein air afcain tragha ? Mo chridhe cha chofail ri carraig, Cha robh m' athair I na Freoiiie *: — Ach c' ait am faigh mi furtachd dom' ghaol? Is cumhainn learn fgeula Chas-du-conghlais. I Sgeula * I fr coins was confidered as a very inhofpitable place. The following lines from Dan a?i fhir chlaoin give it the fame character that it has here. I fin alluidh na Freoine, Le d' thiubh-cheo buan 's le d' ua'-bheiilean ; A thir nam pian, gun mhiadh gun bhaigh, Dol ad dhail be fud mo dheifinn. Thefe are fome of the properties of the Celtic hell, as de- fcribed in the H'ifiory of the Druids. Since that was publifh ed, I have met with the following lines in an old M.S. and as they tend to iiluflrate the notions which our Celtic an- ceftors had of a place of torment, I infert them here.. 'S mairg a roghnuicheas Ifrinn fhuar, 'S gur i uaimh nan \ driobhunn geur; Isl beag orm Ifrinn fhuar f hliuch, Aite bitlv-bhuan is fearbh deoch. % perhaps droighionnr 66 TIOMNA GHUILL. Sgeula Chas-du-conghlais. Tra bha mi 6g an glacaibh rn' athar, Bha ar liubhal aon latha 's na cuantaibh^ Sheid an doinionn linn gu carraig, * (Bha Crifoluis mar ruinn fan uair lin) Tri chrainn ghlafa gun duilleach, Bha 'n lin air bharr tuinne gan luafga' ; Mu 'n cois bha fas nan dearg-dhearcag, Cha d' rinn m' athair am blafa ge d' bhuain e. f " A Chrifoluis, tha tfheum-fa mor, A maireach foghnui' dhomhfa m' aonach." Thainig madain 's am feafgar mu feach, Ach b' i charraig ar teach an conuidh. Curach * al. Chaidh ar curach a bhrifte na bhruanach. f Even fo a gentle pair By fortune funk, but form'd of generous mould, ~!p- And charm'd with cares beyond the vulgar breaft, In fome lone cot, amid the diftant woods, Suftain'd alone by providential Heav'n ; Oft, as they weeping eye their infant-train, Check their own appetite, and give them all. Thomson's Spring, 676, TIOMNA GHUILL 67 Curach do bharrach nan crann, Dheilbh m' athair, is b'fhann a chora. — " A Chridhe 'n tfoluis, caidleam fein, * Tra thig am fe biodh fibhs' a' gluafad." " Gun mo ghaol ni 'n gluaifeam fein ; Gun fhios domh an d'eug tanam? Com'nach d' ith thu fubhan an fhafaich? Gabh, a ghraidh, o na ciocha fo bainne. Rinn e mar dh' iarr i, *s phill a lugh - 9 Thuit a ghaoth 's bu dlu Idronlo. Bu trie a luadh air fgeula mo ghraidh, Tra tharamaid aig uaigh Chri-foillfe. ■* Aoibhir-chaomha, na gnuife tla, Thigeadh do mhathair gu d' chuimhne, Ma tharlas duit fein 's do d' leannan, Mac famhuil e fo do ghabhadh." Is amhuil ; is bheiream mar ioc-fhlaint, J Bainne mo chiocha do m' ghaol, I 2 Foghnai* * al. An cein tha aimnr mo dhufgaidh. f The following reply to the tender offer of Evirchoma is generally repeated here ; but as it does not correfpond with the fentiments that follow, I have omitted it in the text. " Comhairle 68 TIOMNA GIIUILL Foghnai' Hn da a nochd, 'S bidh fin focair air traigh am maireach, Imichs' a gheug aillidh, Gil d' thraigh mu'n duifg an tfoillfe ; Imich ad fgoth le d' leanabh a tuchd, Com' an tuit e mar mhaoth-bhlathan, Air a fgatha' le fleagh gun iochd, An laimh laoich gun iliochd gun chairdeas? Thuit e'sa cheann fo bhruaidlein $ Le cheiieir cruadail tha'n laoch ag imeachd. — Imich 's fag mife 'n I-freoine, 'S mi leonta mar chladach gun chaochan ; Mar luibh a' fearga ro'ghaoith gheamhraidh, Nach tog a ceann le grein a cheituin. Thugadh na Trein'ir mi gu'n talamh ; Ach thainig fmal air mo chliu-fa ! Fo'n " Comhairle mna a noir no niar, Cha ghabh is cha do ghabh mi riabh." Here likewife, or a little lower, another long pafiage oc- occurs in many editions, but which is fuppofed to refer to fome other Gaul whofe fpoufe was called Mne» It begins thus : A righbhin is binne ceol Gluais gu malda 's na gabh br6n ? &c. TIOMNA GHUILL. 69 Fo 'n chrann fo caireadh iad m' uaigh, Chi 'n ccigreach o ftuaidh an tsail' i ; Crathaidh e cheann is e 'g acain, " Faic far an d' eug Mac-Morna !" 'S eugaidh mife le m' ghaol, Caidleam ri thaobh fo'n fheur ; Bidh ar leaba fa bhas co-ionan, 'S ar taibhs' an co-imeachd nan fpeur. Chi oighean ar ceuma fan oiche, " Nach aoiblmeach (their iad) a charaid !" — A choigrich nan fleud, guil a rithis, ' Tha dithis nan cadal fan ar fo. Ach ciod fo 'n guth am chluais ? Guth Og'uill, 's e truagh gun f hurtachd ; Tha m' anam fein a' mofgla' 'S a' plofgail gun chlos am'innibh. Is com an eirich anam Ghuill *> Com' an cluinntear acain ghoirt ; An guil mar fo athair a mhac, 'S an eol da acain mathar ? Air learn gu bheil t armm a' leum ; Giulaineam fein thu thun ar mic ; 'S ea~ ;o TIOMNA GHUILL. ? S ea-trom an tuallach mo ghradh, Faigheam am laimh do lorg." Ghiulain i 'n laoch gus a fgoth, 'S fad na hoiche chothaich ri fleudaibh ; Chunnaic gach reul a treife ga fagail, Fhuair a mhadainn gun chail mar* neul i. Air an oiche fin 's mis air an raon, Thainig gu m' chadal an taos-Mhorna ; Bha thaice ri luirg air chrith, Is aghaidh fnitheach ro bhronach, Gach clais na ghnuis bha Ian, Le fruthan anrach na h aoife ; Tri uaire ilieall e thar lear, Tri uaire bha acain caointeach. " An * The ancient Galic poets are blamed for drawing fo many of their companions from clouds and milts. But this will appear extremely natural, if we confider that they lived in a mountainous country, where clouds and mills were continual- ly before their eyes ; and likewife that they looked upon thefe clouds as the manfion and vehicle of their departed friends. This laft circumftance could not fail to fix their attention upon them almoft perpetually. — There goes the chariot of my father ; there the car of my friend. TIOMNA GHUILL. 71 *' An cadal do charaid mhic Morna, San am bu choir dha dufga' ?" Thainig ofag, na cuibhlidh, fa phreas, Dhuifg i coileach an fhraoich, Le tuire' glaoidh thog e cheann ; O'm chadal chlifg mi fein, Is chunnas Morna na neul gam fhagail. Leanas thar muir a cheum, Is fhuaras an fge' na hinnfe 'n fgoth. An taice r'a taobh bha ceann mo Ghuill, Ri taobh uilne bha fgia nan cath ; Thar a bile bha creuchd mu leith, 'S i dearg-fhruthadh mu chnapa-flarra. * Thogas a chlogaid ; chunnas a chiabhan, Na 'n anra fiar am fallas. — Dh' eirich mo bhuirich fein, ^S thog efan air eigin a fhuil ; Thaini' 'n teug, mar fmal na greine; Tuille cha leir dhuit tOfcar ! Tha * The cnap-Jlarra of the ancient Caledonians was, ac- cording to Dion Caffius, " a ball of brafs fattened to the lower end of the fpear in order to terrify the enemy with the noife of it when fhaken." Dion Cafius apud Xifbil. lib.lxiii. 7 2 TIOMNA GHUILL. Tha ailleachd Aoibheir-chaomha fo final, 'S barr ileagh aig a mac gun fmuairean, B' fhann a guth ; bu tearc a raite, Thogas fein le m' laimh afuas i : . Ach leag i mo bhos air ceann a mic, 'S a hacain gu trie ag eiridh. A leinibh chaoimh, is diomhain tfhuran, Do mhathair tuille cha 'n eirich ? Biom fein duit am dhearbh-athair, Ach ni 'm mairrionn an Aoibhir-aluinn ! * — Ach ciod mu bheil m' anam co meat ? Theirge' mo dheoir nan tuirinn gach anra. Raineas talla nan cos-fhruth ; Talla dubhach Ian eiilein, Gun fhonn baird, gun chruit chiuil, Ach fuaim duillich a dhuifg an treun-ghaotfr. Luidh an iolair air barr an teach, Shonraich i clu-nead dhi fein ; i "Co * Evirallin, daughter of Branno, King of Lego in Ire- land, was the fpoufe of Oflian. Her-beauty is much celebra- ted in. the beginning, of the iv. B. of Fingal, and in other poems of Oflian, TIOMNA GHUILL. 73 (i Co dhireas a mullach, no dh' fhogras, 3VP eoin rioch nan leabaidh fheimh ?" Crubaidh fo 'n dorus am minnean, 'S e ga faicinn air binnean na carraige. Tha Cos-ulla' na luidh air an flairfnich, 'S e farum Ghuill at' ann, tha e 'm barail, 'S le aiteas tha dheoir a' treigiinn. Ach tha thuireadh a' pille' ('se luidhe') Cha 'n fhaic e ach mac na heilde. Ach co dh' innfeas airfneal na Feinne, 'S iad mall a' tearna' mar cheathach, Tra bhios fhaileas, ri am na frois, A' gluafad air faiche na luachrach. Iofal chi iad cliar nan cath, ? S an deoir a' file' mar bhainne na hailbhinn. Leig Fionn a thaice ri giuthas aofd* (A leag a ghaoth) aig ceann mhic Morna j Na dhuala' lia bha dheoir am falach, * Is ula geal an franna na sine. K Mar - — —Mollifilma corda Humano generi dare fe Natura fatetur, Qua? lachrymas dedit, hsc noftri pars optima fenfus. Tut. Sat. it. 74 tlOMNA GHUILL Mar chaoidh Fionn Mac Mo ma. 'S a laoich fear a na Feinne, 'N d' f hag thu mife learn fein am aois ? Tuille nach cluinn mi teigheach, Na farum do fgeith air an raon ? Nach foillfich tuille do chlaidhe ? Le 'm faigheamar buaidh na larach. Nach marcaich fan tsine do long ; 'S nach cluinnear learn fonn do ramhach ? Tra thuirleas m' anam an ceo, Tra dh' aomas neol air mo chiabh, Nach cluinn mi o mhacaibh nam fonn, 66 Sud air lear long Mhic Morna ? n Fonn nan oighean is guth nam bard, Gu brath cha 'n eirich ad choail ; Cha 'n fhaic na fleibhte do bhratach, Cha chluinnear tacain no toran. Cha 'n 'eil imeachd do chon air an tfliabh, Tha iad liar aig tfhardaich, bronach ; Tha damh na croic air an fhaiche ; Cha 'n fhiu leo fhaicinn, 's nach beo thu. Och TIOMNA GHUILL. 71 t)ch ! a lu-choin, dh' imich an laoch ? Cha chluinn libh fan aonach a ghuth : . An fo tha chadal, gun fealg air uigh, 'S beum-fgeith, a Ghuill, cha duifg thu. Ciod e fpionnadh an laoich ? Ge d' fgaoil e mar dhuilleach an cath j An diugh ge treun air an raon, Eheir an daol am maireach buaidh air * e Com', a dheora, ghuidh thu dhuit fein Treife Ghuill na eide ftailinn ? Tra dhealruich e mar eith an gath-greine, f S gearr ge haoibhinn a dhearia ! Mar neul ruiteach re an laoich, Chi 'n fealgair, 's an eich' a' taofga- ; " 'S aluinn a dhreach mar bhogh' na frois !" Sheall e, 's cha 'n fhaic e aogus. Luath mar fherein an adhair, 'S an ioma-ghaoth na platha fo fgiathaibh, Shiubhail an dreach aillidh, ? S na aite tha 'n ceathach ciar-dhu. K 2 Tuill* — ■— Mors fola fatetur Qvantula fint homiirum corpjifcula;, - Jut. 76 TIOMNA GHUILL, Tuille ni mairrionn do Gholl ; Ach mairridh e 'm fonn nan teud ; Ni hamhuil is ceo air an fhrois Cliu treife nan treun-laoch. Cairibh, a chlanna nan teud, Leaba Ghuill r s a dheo-greine la ris ; Far am faicear innis o chein Is geugan os aird ga fgaile'. Fo fgei na daraig is guirme bla, Is luaithe fas, 's is buaine dreach, A bhruchdas a duilleach air anail na frois, 'S an raon m'an cuairt di feargta. —A duilleach o iomall na tire, Chltear le eoin an tfaxnhraidh ; Is luidhidh gach eun mar a thig * Air barraibh f na geige urair. Cluinnidh Goll an ceilear na cheo, 'S oighean a' feinn air Aoibhir-chaomha : 'S gus When on the budding oaks of early fpring, The cuckow fings and cheers the hill and dale. Hesiod, Oper. et Dies. I. 2, ioo. t <*/• g ei *g e na Strumhoin. TIOMNA GHUILL. 77 'S gus an caochail gach ni dhiu fo, Cha fgarar ur cuimhne bho cheile. — Gus an crion gu luaithre a chlach, 'S an fearg as le h aois a gh»eug fo, Gus an fguir na fruthain a ruith, 'S an deagh mathair-uifge nan fleibhtean ; Gus an caillear an dilinn aois Gach filidh, 's dan is aobhar fgeil. Cha'n fheoruich an taineal " Co mac Morna? No Cia i conuidh * Ghuill nan lii-chon ? n * or Swaran, the fon of Starno, was a king of Lochlin, with whom Fingal had frequent war. His jpBwefs is fo much celebrated in ancient poetry, that to this day DAN na DU-THUINN. 85 An fin ghuileadh mo Righ air m' uaigh, 'S bhiodh luadh air mo chliu le Oifian. Theireadh filidh nam blianai nar deigh, " Fo fguir a chirilm bidh 'n fgeul air Conar." Ach a nis cha chluinnear mo dhan, Cha 'n aithnich an t anrach m' uaigh ; Chi e leac ghlas, is cuifeag ga cddach', Feoruichidh co d'an uaigh i. Cha'n aithne dhuinne, their clann a ghlinne, Cha d' innis an dan a chliu dhuinn. * " Ach innfidh an dan do chliu, 'S cha dearmadar thu 'n or an Chaothain, Treig tuaimh, biodh, do chraofnach fan ar,, Mar rainich an lair crionaidh Daorla. Ach fgaoilidh do chliu-fa mar ur-dharaig Ag amharc thar ceathach nan gleanntai% 5 S i crathadh a duillich le haighear Ri aghaidh na greine famhraidh." 'S caomh thu a thannais na hoiche* Ni 'n oillt le Conar do chora. Bidh day a Gara viae Stairn is a proverbial expreflion for a man of uncommon ftrength and prowefs. * Olfian fpeaks. S6 DAN na DU-THUINN. Bidh ar luadh air ionad nam flath, Gun ghuth air mo rath no mo chliu-fa, 9 S amhuil mo chliu-fa 's ceo, Air Mora nan aiteal ialach. # . # * ' * * # # Bidh mife leat gu gairrid An teach do fhaimhe j 5 S thig linn le folas Gu bruadar nan anrach*. Siubhlaidh linn le 'n anam do ? n araich, ? S thig crith nar laith'r air na treun'ir. Bidh 'niall an lin mar fhalluinn, 'S an uaimh mar thalla na Feinne ; Bidh an ofag mar chlarfaich nan cluais, Is fuaim na cuifeig mar cheileir aoibhinn.. Gu lin, biodh do chora trie learn fein, A thannais aoibhinn, air oiteig na h diche, 'S * To fupply every defect in the verification by the pro- faic tales which accompany thefe poems, would give them a motley appearance. As thefe tales, however, are for the moft part a kind of meafured profe, they are allowed to ftand when- ever they feem to form any fort of verfe, in their natural order, as here. DAN na DU-THUINN. 3; 'S thugas Conar ionnfuidh mo Righ, Cha robh 'n uigh air ni ach folas, Oir chuimhnich iad na laithe moch San do ghluais iad am fochair ghleanntai', Tra b' e 'm foghnan glas am fiadh, 'S an eilid, ciob nan ciar-bheann faoine. Dh' fhas a ris am blianai' le cheile, 'S leum eildean romp' air Gorm-mhealL Ach co, deir Fionn, a chuir Conar fo eill ? 'S e dh' fheumas bhi treun fan iorguill. " Chuala Daorla mo lamh bhi lag, 'S ghrad-bhuail e chugam 's mi m' aonar ; Bhuadhaich f heachd ; tha e fein am thalla, Minla fo fmalan, 's m' f heachd air fgaoileV Chualas guth Chonair le Fionn, 'S dh' fhas air cith agus greann, Chrath e na laimh a chrann crithich, 'S air mac an Luin Iheall e rithis. " Cha 'n am fo gu fois, 'S fear-togail ar creich co dlu ; A fhluagh cuideachd ni 'n tearc, Chunnas am feachd le'r fuiL 3 — Oifiain 8$ DAN na DU-THUINN, — Oifiain 's a Ghorm-aTuinn, gu traigh, A Dhumolaich, gu aros Chonair ; Dionaibh Minla, mata i fan teach, Le fgiathaibh dorcha mar * re na hoiche." Thainig Caoireall le chruit thla, 'S a fonn mar thaibhs' a' fnag air Laoire, Ga ? n eide* mu noin le neulaibh foilleir, Tra chluinnear air fruthaibh an caoiran. Gluais gu foil, a fhruthain na hoiche,, ? S gu cluinnte' leinn oran GhaoirilL Duan na Lara. 'S tha geug aig Lara nan fruth, Fo dubhar, eadar leaca tha 'm foghnan, A' fileadh a dheur fan amhainn, 'S da thannas an conuidh dlu dha.' f Urafl * re, an old name for the moon ; now it fignifies any fpace of time indefinitely. f In fome editions of this poem, the following flan2a is fubjoined to this line. Chitear an taibhs' an grian an noin Tra bhios faiche nam Mor-bheanr> f amhach 5 Fait aon mar cheo air a ghuaillibh^ 'S mar neula duaichni a dha (hv.il DAN na DU-THUINN: 89 Urail aofda, 's aon diu thufa, \S tfhalt o d' mhuineal mar neula foillfe* 9 S co fin mar cheo-fneachda la' ruit ? A bhan-fealgair aillidh do nighean. Bha clann Lara 'rn bothan an fhafaich, A' tar na cuilm an deigh na feilge ; Chunna' Colgar iad, 's e luath Mar bheum ileibhe nuas o 'n aonach. " Ighean Urail, imzeh leam fein, Fo cheangal na heille bidh tathair, Mu 'm buail e beum-fgeithe fan aonach, 'S gu cluinne' na laoich an cein e." Le Colgar ni 'n fiubhlam fein, Is m' athair deurach na aonar, Fhalt aofda le gaoith ga chratha, 9 S a fhuxlean gun latha gun leirfinn." Dh' imich nighean Urail air eigin, ? S a ceum gu trom 's gu tiamhaidh, Mar f hliuch-cheo an gleannan na f amhchair, '§ an dall-ghrian a' fnamh ro neula, M Dhuifg ? s> DAN na DU-THUINN. Dhuifg earba fan raon, Leum i caol aig caochan diamhair, Tha raineach uain' air uairibh ga faiach ; t* Faiceam tiughar, a Cholgair." — Tharruing i 'n tfreang, is thuit an laoch, Phill i gu Lara, 's bha 'ri taofda fubhach. B' ionan fh^afgar 's grian ag aomadh Air fleibhtean ^obbach fan earrach ; No duilleach a' tuiteam fa gheamhra, Feadh ghleanntai' fafail tofdach. J S ni 'm bu tearc laithe Mor-ailie, Mu 'n do chaidilila' ri hathair. — 'S tha geug aig Lara nan fruth, Tha dithis fo dubhar a chonuidh ; Urail, is tufa aon dm, ? S aon eil' an tiuran bg ud. * 'S chaidh Gorm-aluinn *s mi fein gu traigh, Fo fgeir fhafaU fhuaras 6g, A * The bafds always adapted their fongs to the circum- ftances of their hearers. The cafe of Conar was fimilar to that of Ural ; and hence the propriety of Caoril's fong, which £nds here. DAN na DU-THUINNV - 9*, A ghairdean air ciarfaich bhrifte, •-.. 'S lorg a fhleagh fo luirich eatroim, Sheall a ghealach mar bhloidh fgeithe Ro 'n fheur os a cheann 's e lubta ; Ga luafgadh o thaobh gu taobh, Mar ghiuthas an gaoith nan ftucaii. — Co fo ni co'nuidh fan oiche ; % S co ris do dhaimh, ars' an tAluirm? Fhreagair e, fo bhall-chrith mar dhuilleach, Tha mife do fhilibh na Du-thuinn \ Chuala Daorla m' oran 's clicigil ; 'S e 'n laoch thug na fleaghan o 'n Flieinne* * " O'n Fheirin thug e 'n fleaghan gun fhioS, Is bhuail e air Conar na aonar ; 'S treun a lamb 's gun neach na aghaidb^ Ach 's lag oidhrip ri uair bhaoghlach. I Is'neul e 'g eiridh fan fhe O charr monaidh, h gun deo fan aile ; Ach glacaidh an .ddinionn an neul fo, Sgapaidh an Fheinne ailleachd. t * # # - # * m M 2 Mm * Gormalloii fp ea fe- 92 DAN na DU-THUINK * Mata do bhaigh ri Daorla, Innis gu daor-ruaig an Fheinn e ; 9 S beanntai fraochach faoin a dh£fcha r Le fhuil ga brath nach feuch e." Bhriil uaithe buire guil, Mar eith na Leig a' bruanfgail, No mar ghaoth ro uaimh na hArdbheinn. a. * # # # # * # Na dit an tog a Ghorm-aluinn, ? S trie a dh' fhailnich anam nan treun, Ach pillidh e, mar ghrian gun final. An deigh dhi bhi fealan to neul. Tha gleanntai' ait 'na hial aoibhinn, *S aiteas air na fleibhtib'h uaine, Sguif * As the following words are repeated in the "form of profe, I fet them down in that mape; but fuppofing they might appear in the form of verfe by only dividing the lines, without changing the arrangement. " Ri' na Feinn' is beachd learn feinjjis oran aoibhinn Oifeinjj Ach 's cian oDhu-thonn an FheinnejJ's is fad an eighoLoch- Atha." This laft Kne is a well-known proverb. f The following paflage (lands in the fame predicament with the foregoing. " Oig na mi-mhimeichj|com an Icagha do chridhetiom|i's gur ann a 6h 9 atadh fir naDu-thuinrrjjmar fhiuil Fhinn ans an ann-uair V DAN 1 na DU-THUXNN. 93 Sguir gach geug a thulg' a mullaich ? 'S an lear uile 'n saimh fliuaine. 'S thugas an tog-bhard gu Caoireall, 'S am faire foilleir air fleaghan Dhaorlai 5 Balbh, tofdach, fheas a fhluagh, Tra chuiin' iad Conar le fluagh Mor-bheinn: Amhuil an fealgair air Croma-fhlia', Tra dh' iadhas tomhail na taibhfe ; Tha fuar-fhallas a' dalladh a leirfinn, ? S a lugh ga threiglinn na uighe f haondraich, Chunna' Daorla le deoir A fhloigh gu fuil-gheal meat, 'S e cratbadh ileagba na Mor-bheinn 5STa laimb fan og-molus. " Com an feas finn tofdach, Mar Chraobha mofgain nan coillte, Cha tearc linn, mar laoich na Feinne, ? S cba 'n 'eil finn as eug'ais iomraidh. Tre 'n namh, tha 'n rathad gu 'r loingeas, Ruithemid rompa le cruadal, 'S gu deanadb ar cairdean folas Tra thig iad nar coail aig Car'uth." Ebuail 94 DAN na DU-THUINN, tv- •K* TS" nv *JF -7V Bhuail Conar beum-fgeithe, 9 5 ghrad-leum a laochraidh na dhail ; Mar chacchain Chaothain a bhruchdas bras, Tra thaomas frafacbd a cheituin* Gholaich finn a cheiP agus ghleachd ; Thuit Daorla nam feachd le Conar; Chunna' Fionn e na luidhe gu h iofal, 'S labhair e gu liobhalt r'a fhearaibh. " Cha 'n ait le Fionn a namh bhi truagh, Ge d' fpion iad o thruaill an claidhe'. Rachaibh gur duthaich gu'r dail, Ach gu brath na pillibh ath-bhuailt. 'S gairid gearr beatha mo namh-fa, Mar cheo thig an dail na garbh-ghaoith ; No mar cheathach air bheanntaibh arda, Nuair bheanas dha neart an ailidh, Giulainibh Daorla gu thir, 'S gu togadh M ln-lamh a leac ; An ccdpan Ghar'uth clii i aogus? ? S e fein na chaol-thigh urach. Com' a dhuifg thu o d' fhuain co moch, Le d' chleachda fliuch air ailbheinn f huair, Com' DAN na DU-THUINN. 95 Com am mcall an cobhar do fhuil, Cha 'n iad fiuil do leannain a chi thu ? — Tha a caoidh arm an cronan Char'uth, *S Daorla an gaoir Mhic-thalla. Tha da leanabh r'a glun A' feuchainn deoir an full am mathar; Tha 'n lamh ga ghlaca' 's iad a' feoruich Fa a broin, is cdnuidh 'n athar. — Is amhluidh, theagamh, Oifiain an tras, Tha Aoibhir-aluinn, 's a fujl ri d' theachdrfo, A' ftiuradh Ofcair gu cnoc-feallta, Le fhleagh chuilce 's le fgeith luachrach. Cuimhnich orra fo, a mhic, 'S coigil an gaifgeach 6g, mar Dfraorla, A dh'fhag a leannan gu deurach, Och ! com' an d' eug thu Dhaorlai'*! I x^oibhir-aluinn mo fholais, is Ofcair! Cha feinn mife 's ur carlas am dhuimhne. ■| * Similar to this are the expostulations ftill ufed in the Coronachs in Ireland, " Com a ghaolaich an d' eug thu, 's gur tu fein nach ruigeadh a leas e?" Nor is that of EuryaW mother unlike it: — Potuifli linquere folam, Crudelis? JEn, h. 482. •j: Ofiian fpeaks. 36 DAN na BU-THUINN. 'S truagh nach eil mi nur nimeachd A' leum air fgiobul na gaoithe. C uin a bhios ar conuidh 's na neoil, A' feola' ro-ghiuthas na Caothan, C uin a thogas linn ar clearcan an' cein, Mar reulta geal foluis air aonach ? 9 S truagh gun mis' ancluain nan fpeur, Mar fhealgair nan Idinte greadhnach. — — Caidleam fein— An gleidh thu mo chuimhn* a leac? No tbufa dhain ? Ach treigidh fibh araon ; Caidlidh fan raon an leac*; Gha bheachdaich fuil a haite, '$ bidh leab' a bhaird air iontrain. 'S cait am bheil folus an dam? An feol e do'n anrach mo leac? Dhuin ceo bliadhn' air a dhearfa ? 'S tha chuimhn' air f ailneach mar Dhu-thonn. * # # # # Sheol na floigh gu tofdach, Gach filidh fo fprochd 's a dheoir airteudaibh; 4 Gach * Quandoquidem data funt ipfis quoque fata fepulchris, Juv. Sat. io. DAN na DU-THUINN. 97 Gach maraich' air feachran le trom-lighe, •S gach ramhaiche fnitheach fo eiflean. — A fgioba nan deur, air lear, Thoir an tfion fanear is an diche. *S bu tuirfeach an oiche fin Conaiy Is ofnagh a' togail a luirich, Mar thonn fo fheide na doininn, 'S a fliuil mar fholus a chaochail. Bha ghnuis mar ghrian fa gheamhra=, 'S doinionn nam beann ga codach'. Cha d' thuirt aon Ciod fa do fprochd? 'S a thalla nochd gun dearfa Min-fhuil. Chunnaic Fionn a bhron, 5 S leag e 'n feocan air aghaidh fein; " A Chaoirill, anam nan dan, Tarruing le d' chlarfaich dlu." Thainig Caoireall Ha, le luirg, A thorman ciuil na laimh chli ; Ri thaobh tha 6g-bhard na tragha, Le luirich gu lar smte, Lamh-gheal a' codach a gnuife ; A gnuis narach, ? s a lamh fior-gheal. 4 N ■ — "Xnghean 93 DIN na DU-THUINtf. — " Inghean mo ghaoil!" 's e ghlaodh Conar, ('S a lamha m'a muineal gach taobh dhi;) Phill anam an aofda mar ghrian famhrai% Tra bhios neula dall fad uaipe ; Thug e 'n oigh do 'n laoch Ghorm-aluinn, ? S le fluil *s le dam thug linn' oirn Mor-bheinn* DIARMAD. * This is among the ievsr ancient Gaelic poems whick have a happy conclufion. The ancient bard9, no doubt, em- ployed their mufe in celebrating joyful as well as mournftfl events. But as melancholy tender fcenes are moft apt to make a lifting impreflion on the memory, the latter are often re- membered, when the former are loft and forgotten, D I A R M A D*. \_j I A tiamhaidh thu nochd afGhleann Caothan ! Gun ghuth gaothair thu 's gun cheol; Tha Suinn na feilg' an fuain gun eiridh; 5 S na filidh aoibhinn gun aon diubh beo. Threig torman nan allt ; 'S mall fa chuifeig ceum na gaoithc ; N 2 Tha V * This poem is generally interlarded with fo much of the. ur~Jgeulr, or " later tales," as to render the moft common editions of it abfurd and extravagant. But the drofs of the 15th century is eaiily feparated from the more precious ore of former ages. f Chann-Caothan, fuppofed to be Glenco in Argyleftiire, was the refidence of Oman in his later days, from which he is called guth binn na Caothan. As the fcene of this poem if fuppofed to have been near Kintyre, it is probable there znay have been more than one place of the fame name. ioo DIAR.MA D; Tha 9 n glas-Aoghnan fa bhruaich na chada^ ? S a bhad air aoma' fo mile' na h oiche. • — Am fardaich fealgair an raoin Tha 'n earba na faoin-fhois, A minnean a' leumnaich dlu dhi. (Air torr "clumhar an laoich nach eirich,) ? S adharc a' fgriofa' na coinich ; An ieaba chofach an caill e c'iilean. Och ! a Chaothain a chaochail, 'S a Ghulbeinn nan raon samhach, Bo cheann air'eide' le ceathach an nbin, 'S gun ghaoir feilge ga d' choir mar b' abhaiiL Tha mife 's mo thaice ri m' luirg, A dh' eifdeachd ri cuilg do chrag, Ach tha thu tofdach an leabai' nan nial, Mur duifg am fiadh thu, 's a ghrian a' treigfinn Tha thu freagairt d'a langan gu faoin, 9 S do cheann ag aoma' gu clo-fuaine. Cha b' ionan fo 5 s latha nan ruag, Caothan a' luafga bho chnoc gu cncc, Mac o Duibhn' air Gulbeinn, 's an tore Le chraos fo choip, mar bhuinne Laoire. —A BIARMAD, j0| — -A mhic Ailpein, thoir aire do 'n fgeul> Is deo-grein' air * linne nan cian $. 'S bu chiuin air Caothan a mhadain 6g, Bha or-bheanntai' 'n cuan gun ghaoth, Bha laogh nan fleibht' aig balbh-fhruthaibh y 'S a chuibhne-cuir a' cur air ioghnai. — Sheid adharc Fhinn; ghrad-chlifg an damh; " Ciod fo chluinn mi?" — Teich do 'n fhafaich. " Ruaigemid an diugh an tore Is trie a lot ar daoin' air Gulbunn." •j- * # # * # # 'S chuir * al. linntean an elan c. f The verification here is imperfect. The following is part of a fragment called Nos feilge> fometimes repeated as a part of this poem. Gun ar n eide 's gun ar n airm, Cha rachamaid a fheilg nan cnoc; Bhiodh rui^ach oirn *s ceann-bheairt chorr, 'S da fhleagh mhor an dorn gach fir. Bhiodh fgiath uain' air a gheibhe' buaidh s y S claidhe cruaidh gu fgolta cheann, Bogha cruadhach agus iughair, *S caogad guineach ann am bolg. §m diarmab; 'S chuir finn ar coin ris an tfliabh, Do ghaoir an cliabh f hreagair Golbunn. Thain' an fhuaim gu cluais mhic Duibhne, *S mhafgail fhuil mar iua'-fhruth luimneach. *— " A chraofnach dhearg ca bheil thu ? 'S ca bheil m' iughar 's mo dhorlach ? H Ach cha b' ait an fhuaim le Graine, San uaimh f has nach b' f hios do Chonan 5 Conan crion le 'm b' annfa Graine, Thag a gradh do dhea' mhac Duibhne. " Na heifd, a Dhiarmaid na gaothair, Cha 'n 'eil ann ach faoghaid mhealltach." " 'S ionmhuin do dhreach learn fein, Mar bhla nan geug fa cheud-f has ur, Ach r s eigin domh tfhagail le d' leanabh, *S an tfeilg a leanail air Gulbunn." " 'S am fag thu mi, ghraidh nam fear, Am fag thu mi, iholuis an duibhre ? C' ait ach ad ghnuis am bheil m' aighear? Ciod ach do fgiath-chatha mo dhidein ? B' amis' thu na grian fa bheithe chubhrai', $Ja dearfa ciuin air canach fleibhe." # # # * # # " 'S moch 6 I A R M A fl. |f| " 'S moch a ghoireas a chorr Air an Ion ata 'n * flia'-gaoil, San la a ghluais finn air an raon," Sheas i, ars' Aos nan crag, Cian fada fan aon aite, Sud am fa mu 'n goir a chorr, Ri lie reota lean a sail. —A lundaire feuch a chorr, Mu 'n tig thu gu bron amhiuidlio —An fo ni 'm fanam fcin, Mun abair Fionn gu d' eug mo threis : A Righ nam beann; bidh m' anam fein Mar fhruth nach treig do luba. Fan-fa, Ghraine, na d' theach, 'S thig mife le creach nan rua'»bhoc." Mar fhiubhal faighd' air a fgiathaibh gla^ Dhkich gu grad an laoch : Trom tuirfeach a dh' f haicinn na feilg, Dhirich Graine ri leirg an raoin. Bha a braghad gu feimh a' foillfe 9 ? Mar ghealach ri oiche fhaimhe, ? Si * Slia'-gaoil is (till the proper name of a mountain near Kintyre, faid to have been the residence of thoie lovers* io4 DIARMAD. m *S i gluafachd ro na neula balbha, Mar fgia air ealachainn taibhfe. Cholaich i fan doire 'm fear aofda, *S e caointeach thar lie ghlais ; " An fo thaifg mi leannan mo ghaoil ; Fo 'n fhoid ghuirm fo tha caoin-chruth ; * B' f had ar cdmiidh le cheile, Re da linn a threig mar dhuilleach. Am maothan a bhruthadh ar cas Chunnas le aois a' crionadh as ? Sruthain a' caochladh an claifean, Is ionntag an tighibh nam mor-righ. Ar gean bu mhor, ar laithe b' ait, Cha robh geamhra fuar no diche dorcha : Bha Mm-aille mar molus gun chaochla, Ach % deo i air faondra fan uair fo. 'S am faic thu ? n tprr fin eile? Leaba Thu'ail mo mhic ionmhuinn : Chaireadh i le crith-laimh athar 7 B' athach an tore a mhill e. — Bha bhean a' greadh na cuilm, Mife 's mo fliuil ri m' mhac ; Chualas * This paflage is inferted in Lord Kaims's Hints on Edu- cation, as a beautiful picture of conjugal affe&ion. DIARMAD.' 105 Chualas a ghlaodh, 's chaidh mall na choail ; A leanabh bg ri cirb mo fgiobuill. < — Bha athair marbh : a fhleagh na bloidibh y Is eafbhui' chlaidhean air fan uair fin. - Ghlac a leanabh a lamh, " Com' an caidle' tu 'n tras' amuigh !" Och nan ochain ! is trom a fhuain ; 'S beag luadh mo laoich ri heiridh, —An diugh tha Fionn ag eigheach ruaig ? Ach ni 'n cluinnear le Tuathal a ghutli ; An cein tha madainn na huaighe : 5 S truagh gun aig m' iuran fleagh !" " 'S deacair a Chola,. bri do fgeoil, Shruthadh mo dheoir gu toileach ; Ach greafam le lleagh thun mo ghaoil ; Gleidhfa mo laogh gus am pill mi." 9 S thainig Diarmad gu Caothan # an aigh, ' Mar fholus a' fas an duibhre ; Bha iinne na lathair ait, Mar mharaich' air lafadh na hoiche ; , O Tha * af, mo ghraidh, io6 BIARMAD. Tha ceol air tuinn, is roin a' caifdeachd, Air linne iheimh nach bac an aoihhneas. Thog linn ri fliabh nan tulach boidheach ? Far am faidle ro cheo na cabair ; San fgarnaich dhuifg linn an tore, 9 S lean ar coin e gus an d' eug iad. Co chafgras, arfa Fionn, an tore A lot ar coin is ar daoine ? Gheibheadh e fgia chopach is fleagh righ, * Is luibhean a dh' iceas a chreuchdan. 'S leamfa, deir Diarmad, tiolac an righ ? Jsfeo tuiteam an ftri na beifte. Mar theine nan fpeur na dheifir dhian, Tra bhios faiche nam Fiantai' dorcha, *S laoich a' dearca' le oillt-chrith Air cath thaibhfe Lochlainn is Mhorbheinn^ Shiubhail Diarmad an folus a flailinn, O bbeinn Aile gu beinn Laoire ; Tha Lea'-drom air chrith fa chofaibh, Is Eilde ri ofnaich fa ghleadhraich. —Tha t Ah Is luibhean diomhair nan caochan fleibhteach. I) I A R M A I). X6J a^-Tha ceum an tuirc a' fas ni 's maille, 'S coip a chobhair feadh nan roidibh : A thartar mar thuinn a llachda' fgeire, No mar fgarnaich leis an doire. Feuch iad a' dlreadh Drim-ruaithe, Sleagh Dhiarmaid a' bualadh an tuirc j Cluinn am buillean troma baobhai' Mar chrainrt aofda ri maol na carriage, Feuch, le fuilibh na'n caoir-lafair, An tore a' cafadh ri Diarmad ; Mar fhalofg a' pilleadh air aonach, Tra thionndas a ghaoth o 'n f hafach $ Chagnadh e fhleaghan re'adh ru'adh, Mar chuile na Leige no mar luachair. " 'S truagh gun thu agam, a Ghraine^ Le fleagh nan arach o 'n bhalla!" •*- " Sleagh nan arach glac gu luath, 'S iarr inife fan uaimh fo 'm fagus !" 'S ge d' fhaigh e thu, bhean gun agh,; Tha do laithean gun duil ri sineadh. Le faighid an feachran na frithe, Lota' ciocha geala Ghraine ; O 2 Tha io8 B I A S. M A D. Tha fearrfaid ga falach, 's do Dhiarmad truagb, Co dh' innfeas luach na lainn ud ! —Tha r n laoch a' tarruing a bhuillc, Tha 'n tfleagh am muineal na beifte, Mar dhealan bais o cheathach na Lanna Tba 7 n lorg thar chrannaibh a leumnaich. •— Tha chlaidhe, a charaid ri gabhadh, Fathafd an laimh an laoich, Tha roinn ga fhathadh ail colainn an tuirc * 9 S e tuiteam air uchd fan aonach. B' ait gaeh aon acb Conari,- 'S e 'g radh, Tomhais an tore, a Dhianfiaid,- Tomhais * It is from this event that the clan of the Campbell's 1 (who derive their pedigree from this Dermid) have affirmed a boar's head for the creft of their arms. • Hence too they are called in the compofitions of the later bards, Sliochd Dh armaid an tuirc. That clans and families mould derive their pedigree from Oman's heroes, and their figns armorial from incidents men- tioned in his poems, is a confiderable proof of the antiquity of thefe poems, and of the regard paid to them for many centuries back. D I A R M A D, i&$ f Tomhais e le troighibh ruifgte ; *S ioghna learn fein a mheudachd. Thomhais Biarmad an tore Gu focair, 's cha d' fhuiling bend, " Tomhais e 'n aghaidh a chuilg, Is gheibhe' tu, laoich bhuirb, gach feud/ 1 Cha bu nos do Dhiarmad eagal, Fhreagair e ris guth Chonainj Ach coig an tuirc, mar fhleaghan geura^ Reub a fliail le mile lot. Tha fhuil a' ruith, gun luibh ga cafgadh, ? S an laoch gafda mar chrann ag aoma\ J Ge •(■- al. O fiioc fiar gu ruig a mail ; Is gheibhe* tu mar dhuais da chioim, Rogha nan arm rionn-gheur aigh. J The current tradition with refpect to Dermid's death is, That he was vulnerable only in the fole of the foot, and that Conan's art was to get him wounded there. There is reafon to fufpect that fame of the poem, which might have otherwife accounted for his death, is loft, and that this tra- dition was fet on foot, not very long ago, to fupply the de° feft. Since the above was written, a gentleman of my acquaint-* arice (Dr L. Campbell) told me, that he had lately the cu- riofity to call into his room an old Highlander who could repeat no DIARMA D, * Ge d' bu beirge ghruaidh na 'n caoraii Bhiodh air uilinn aonaich f he'air^ Dh'fhas e nis dui'-neulach uaine, Mar neul fuar air neart na greine* Gaol Grain? agus BMarmaicL 46 'S tha ceo air mo fhtiilibh fcliy *S mo chail a' treigfinn gun Had ; An tuil a bha 'm chridhe thraigh i, ? S tha mis' air m' f hagail mar fgar, Bidh tufa bronach, a Ghraine ; Cms mo chraidh gur eigin dealach'; 2 —Tha repeat a number of Offian's poems, and read to him the Tranflation of this poem, to fhow how it correfponded with his recital. He was perfectly fatisfied with the correfpon-* dence till the Doctor came to the pafTage relative to Der- mid's death, when the Senachie cried out, that there the Tranflator was wrong, and gave his own edition of the paf- fage, which I have not yet had an opportunity of procuring. * a I. Ge d' bu deirge ghruaidh na'n tfubh Bhiodh air uilinn cnuic fan fheur, D I A R M A D, in , Tha ceo air mo fliuilibh fein, Is eigin do Dhiarmad cadal f. Co bheir do Ghraine an fgeul? Ach feuch i dlu, is geug ga fgaile' ; Tha i cluinntin acain a gaoil, Tha hanam a' plaofgadh o fhuain; Tha a caoi air anail na hofuinn, A fuil 's a deoir mu brollach anuas, " O cairibh mife le m' ghaol Na leabai chaoil aig eigheann nan crag; Theid tharuinn an fruth le caoiran broin, Gun teachd a choir donn-chleachda Dhiarmaid, Chi 'n fealgair (le manran a fhiubhlas) Bogha Dhiarmaid air a rufga' fan t fruth. h So leaba Dhiarmaid !"— *• 'S a cheile la' rigj« Their a bhean, 's i craiteach dubhach. Tuirfeach tofdach tha 'n imeachd Le fios gu fgarar o cheil' iad. — Ach ftadaibh, a charaid chaomh, Cha fealgair faoin fo tha nur deigh ; Bu f A long dialogue concerning Cuach Fhinn, or the me- dicinal cup of Fingal, often repeated here, is rejected as the fpurious interpolation of fome later bard. 112 D I A R M A B, Bu mhor a chliu, 's bu treun a lamh, 9 S bha ailleachd gun choi-meas fo 'n ghrein* Bha bhrollach mar chanach an tlleibhe, Jsfo mar fhneachd air orra-gheugaibh ; }3u dhearg a ghruaidh, bu ghorm a fhuil, Mar chuifeig lubta bba mhala chaoin. Mar cbeol dhoire 's cbaithream chlar, Le oigbean, a ghraidh, bha do gbuth. Ach threig do gbuth, 's tha mife fo fmalan s Chan fhograr m' fharran le aon diu. Cha 'n eifd mi ri ceileir na fmeoruich, Sa mhadainn bhoidhich cheituin ; Uam grian is madainn is famhra, ? S mo ghaol na thigh geamhrai smte. i — Cha dealruich a mhadainn gu la bhrath A dh'fhogras do phramh a fhuinn !" Chairich finn an dithis fan raon, Tha bhogha 's a ihleagh ri taobh Dhiarmaid; 'S le Graine* thaifgeadh leinn an guineach A lot a muineal 's a braghad. 2 Shil * It was the cudom of old to bury dogs and arms, and other implements of the chace or war in the graves of the de* ceafed* J) I A R M A D. 113 Shil deoir mo Righ, 's e aomta, Tra thaom na filidh an ceol ; Bu bhronach ar laoich, is ar madai, Nan luidhe' air fgiathaibh du-dhonn.' Marbh-rann Dhiarmaid o J Dnibhne. Fois do tanarri, a Dhiarmaid, Is slth ann ad chria-thigh caol \ Sguir fuaim nan arm, is ruaig an tuirc ; Is thuit thu 'm fois as nach eirich. • — Cha duifg farum feilge no fgeithc Bho Ihuain an eig thu, Dhiarmaid ! 4 P Bha ceafed, either with a view of informing poflerity of their oc- cupation, or from a belief that they could avail themfelves of fuch conveniences in a future ftate. Thus, in fome editions of the poem of Darthula, the graves of the three Tons of -Ufnoth are defcribed as follows : An tri fgiatha 's an tri ileagha Anns an leabai chughainn chuireadhj *S chuireadh an tri chloidheana cruaidhe Slnt* an seimh-uaigh nan cathan ; An tri choin h an tri feabhaig leithir, Le 'n trie a bheirte gach buaidh fheilge. 114 3) I A R M A B, Bha do nearj: mar thuilteach uifge, 'i Dol alios a chlaoi' do namh; An cabhaig mar iolair nan fpeur, * No fteud.eifg a' ruith air fail\ San araich b' ionan do cheum Is eafacn a' leum thar charraige, Tra fgaoileas e cheo glas Air gaothaibh, 's e bras ro Mhora. — Tha crainn is tuilm na ghlacaibh Gus am fairtlich a mbuir mbor air. Cha gbluais e 'n iin an duilleag, Mur cuidich leis neart nan ioma-ghaoth. — Air ioma-ghaoith gabh-fa do thuras, A mhic o Duibhne, gu cuideachd nan Treun'ar, *S a thriath threun a b' ailli' leadan Na aon fhleafgach tha fan Fheinn', Gu ma samhach a robh t6r-chul, Fo ehudrom na f oide re ! f Feuch * aU 'S i leum air eilid an f hafaich. *f" KuTOCly Sec. Light lie the turf upon thy facred head, Eurymedon, and let thy tomb be green ! Theocrit. Epit. in Eurymed. D I A R M A D. n< j Feuch bare air barraibh nan fteud, A liuil a' leum o thonn gu tonn ; " Bared Dhiarmaid!" 'S i a bh'ann; Ach tha 'n laoch 's an tore an lionn nan neul. Chluinn mi caifeamachd feilg', Tha liol gun cheilg a' leum a' cofaibh, Tha 'n fealgair air an raon ga 'n ruaga' 'S aon diu buailte trafd air caochan. — Tha chafa mar chuifeig fa ghaoith, Tha e tuiteam ri taobh na bruaiche. Tha each gu faoin ga phurra' ; Cha m urr' iad a thogail no fhagail. -" Co fud ga 'n ruith ach Diarmad !" Cuis m' iarguin nach beo e 'n trafa. Chi mi feachd nan riamh ; Sruth laidir gan fguab' air ais ! Sud, ars' an taineal, Diarmad na Feinne. Och ! threig an laoch linn, ars' a chaf aid. Fo 'n chreig eighinn ud tha uaigh, 'S raineach uaine air teachd thairt ; Spion mi fein an luibh air falbh 9 Bu dalma dhi chliu a cheiltinn, Tha ii6 DIARMAD, Tha 6gan a' feadail fa mhagh, Airm ghabhaidh fa ghrein a' lafadh ; Tha a mhaife mar ghathaibh na greine, 9 S a fpionnadh a reir a mhaife. Tha na hpighean gu hard air an tulaich* 9 S an culaidh' mar bhogha nan fpeur, Am fait mar chleachda na greine 'S i treigfinn air tuinn gun bhuaire'. ? S ciatach na 'n fuilibh an laoch, *■' 'S cofail aogas, Och ! ri Diarmad !" —Tha Diarmad ag eirigh na 'n cuimhne.^ Mar fholus air duibhre Mhora, Tra bhrifleas e ro na neulaibh, *S a chi e na geuga bronach. Chitear an deoir ro ? n eiabha dualach, Mar reultan an gruaig na gealaich ; Tha 'n file' bras, mar, dheuraibh Oifein, Ri cuimhneach' air Ofcar na Leige ! Tha 'n oigridh a' crathadh an fleagh, ■" Co fo teachd ro ? n mhagh ach Diarmad?" * A' fagail an ileagh chuilce 's an fgeithe, Tha iad aoibhneach an coail Dhiarmaid. — « Cha. * al A' fagail a bhogh a dheilbh ap laocji. DIARMAD, r*y *—" Cha 'n eat' ann !" — Air leth na flighc Tha chlann a' pille' gu bronach, Fuaim an cluiche tuille cha 'n eirich, 'S iad an-aoibhinn arfon mhic Duibhne. Ann talla Fhinn tha ceol is aighear, Tha 'n coigreach ghios an tighe ga chluinntin, Tha thaice ri luirg, 's a chluas a' caifdeachd, " Sud Diarmad !" — 's e dian na choail. Air anam bhoifg platha, 's e Had An leth an treas ceuma * : " Cha bheo mac Duibhne !"— Mu fhuil tha fhalluing, 'S e mall-cheumach le acain bhrdnaich. : — Cha chluinn thu ach caithream nam bard, A chcigrich, an aros Fhinn, Ag eide' cliu mhic Duibhne Ga chur ionnfuidh biia'nai gach linn. An laoch fein ni 's mo cha'n fhaic thu, Tha leaba fo chlachaibh, le Graine, Aig * Here, and in fome other parts of this poem, the verfifi*. - cation is broken and incorrect; but it was judged better to give it even in this imperfed Hate than to fupply the defed with \h& Jgsulachd or tale. ii8 D I A R M A D. Aig fruth Ghulbunn nan rua'-bhoc, Fo charraig uaine nan eigheann boidheach-, ' Thairis tha fruthan a' leumnaich, # 'S iugharf fad-gheugach dlu dha. Chi am maraich', ag aoma r'a chrann, An tionad uaigneach o'n dui'-lear, Is innfidh e 'n fgeul da cho-fheoid, Do nach leir le deoir a charraig. Bheir iad gu tir aineil an fgeul, 'S bidh moran ag eifdeachd mu 'n tuineal, Tha oighean dubhach 's oig'ir deurach, Tha 7 n dithis ag eirigh nan fmuainte, Tra dh' aomas bruadar mar cheo nan cadal, 'S iad feadh an latha neo-aoibhinn ; O dhufga na maidne moich Gu aoma nan neul anmoch. + 'S is trie fibh am fmuainte fein, A chlanna na maife, tra the;d mi mach i'heuch * Ingentem ftruxere pyram, cui frondibus atris Intexunt latera, et ferales ante cupreflbs Conftituunt, decorantque fuper fulgentibus armis. iEneid. 1. vj. •(• ah Air feidh a* cur duibhrc. ^ Ofiian fpeaks. D I A R M A D, 119 Fheucli' an cluinn mi fan ofaig ur guth, 'S mo chruit air craoibh gheugaich. 'S tha mi fein mar gheig na haonar, 'S i mofgain maol gun duilleach, •Gun mhaothan r'a taobh no ogan, Ach ofna bhroin a' caoi' na mullach. 'S fagus an doinionn a fgaoilcas A crionach aofd' air feadh a ghlinne, Mu leabai' Dhiarmaid 's nan laoch lugh'or Aig Caothan nan luban uaine. Cia tiamhaidh thu, Ghleann Caothan, 'S do laoich air fiubhal d' an conuidh ; O 'n tha ceo air mo muilibh fein, O deanar mo leaba leo-fan ! DAN DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE** \_j I O D fo chi flbh fan fpeur* Oigridh aoibhinn nan laithe mear ? Glas-cheo nam beanntaidh arda, No fneachda tla bho chrioch an lear ? Am bheil gealach nan neul fo fmal, 'S a faileas air balbh-fhruth Chaothain ; Am bheil taibhfe nan ileibhte ri caoi f 'S guth thannas an luib na gaoithe ? " Tha 'ntaonach, a bhaird, ro-gheal ? Is faileas na re air Caothan, Taibhfean an tfleibh a' labhairt, 'S guth thannas an luib na gaoithe. Ach 's caochla cruth am bhei? ar beachd, Da dhuifneul am feachd na hoiche ; * Called in the tranflation Finan and Lorma, Ta DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE. m Ta 'n imeachd air Albha nam boc, *S an eiabha clear c air ofunn an aonaich. Le aon din' doilleir tha dha chu, 'S a bhogha iughrach dorch' air lagh> Bho flilios na hoigh tha fruthan daithte, A falluing dearg te a haghaidh bronach," Cum air tais, a ghaoth, Gus am faic linn aogas na deife, Na fguab ad fgiobul araon iad, 'S na fgap air faondra' am maife, —Thar ghleann na luachrach 's cruaidh naneilde, Ta 'n leumnaich feadh anraidh a cheo j A bhaird aofda nan linn a threig, Co iad ri am dhoibh bhi beo ? 'S phill na blia'naidh a bha ; Tha m' anamfa Ian d' an ceol, Mar chaoiran thonn a bhios an celn Ri uair Ihaimhe, ta ? n ceum do m' choir. ^— A chlanna Mhuirne, 's caomh learn ur dan^ Is cian fhuaim o chlaraibh Sheallama. Oigridh, bidh fibhfe mar mife, Gu fnitheach aori latha, 's gun leirfinn ; 4 Q^ iifdibn 122 BAN CLAINltfE MHtJIRNE* Eifdibh ri fgeula na clainne, ? S na ceilibh o 'n al nur deigh e. Co fo 'g aom' air a luirg, 'S a fhuilean am buifgean dheur ; Fholt lia air guala na gaoithe, 'S guth caointeach o chliabh ag eiridh ? A Mhuirne, ciod fa do chaoini' * 'S Fionan le laoich fa chath ; Ceuma Lorma air raon nan earba, 9 S clarfach Thormain ri luadh air flath ? " 'S mor f a mo thuirfe fein, Fhionain, cha fteud thu fa chorag y A Lorma, eha 'n eil thufa le oighean ' y Tha mo chlann fan torr a chonuidh. —Cha 'n ioghna mife bhi tuirfeach, Mar cheo f ro dhuflach »na hiargaih Glac, a Thormain, an fgia mar ghealach,, An claidhe dealain 's an tfleagh chraobhach, Mar fin 's a cheann-bheairt, culaidh Ardain, Airm aluinn athar Mhuirne* Na * AL Is fuilean Fhionain mar chaoir an cath. f aL Air tulchanaihh grianacfv BAN CLAINNE MBUIRNE, 123 Na h airm a bhuin e bho aineal, Na cheud latha cogai' le Treun' ar. L *' Bibh treun an tus na teug-bhoil, *'Se cliu gach duin' a cheud iomra." Ruith iad gu eonas na Cluaithe Mar dha iolair luath fan fpeur, A lean fan Boire (na 'n ceud ruaig) Rua-bhoc 6g nan fiorradh eu-trom. Bha laoich gan laoire' o Threun'ar, f 'S le laimh Ardain dh' eug Buthorran. Ach, Ardain, dh' fhailnich do ghineil, An da chraoibh chionail aig Albha, Tha aonaran maol diu gun duilleach,' 'S aon eile mar luibh air a fearga'. Tha mo mhae anns an torr na luidhe, Is athair thar uaigh ag aoma', 'S gearr gu 'n leag an ofag alios e, 'S an criochnaieh a ghineil aobhach ! Cairich, a Thormain, na h aitm, A dh' innfe' na mairbh bhi treun, * This line is become a proverb to recommend an early attention to character. f al, Fhuair Ardan airm-eidi' Duthorrain* % 24 BAN CLAINNE MHUXRNE. A ghineil a thig cha'n urr' iad an togail, Co, their iad, bu chofail ri Albha ? Ghiulain da fhilidh na hairm Gu 'n tafgaidh gu aimfir fad as, ^Aon fgia rnar ghealaich air ealachainn, f S aon le roinn-fleagh falaichte foipe* Duan na hEalachainn. Tuirling, Ardain, o'n alla-cheo r Tuirling o d' neoil an coinne tarma; Bi fubhach am meadhon do dheur ; Do fhliochd fein cha b' fhuigheall farmaid. Bha do fhleagh mar fholus na 'n laimh, A fganra doininn na hiofguill, Fuil nan lag cha robh riabh na fmal Air faobhar gorm an ftailinn. Do fgia mar charraig a fgriob an dealan y Bu treun ealamh gach lamh a fgaoil i ; Bha Muirne mar dhoininn fan darach, ?S mar Jafair fan doire bha Fiojian. Tuirling, BAN CLAINNE MHUIRME, 125 Tuirling, Ardain, * gu d J thalla, f S cum anam a mhioghair o d' armaibh, Cha b' arm diu' fin idir na treun'ir A dh' eideadh le airm an righ fo. — Anaim chrin, air tais Airm ghaifge cha bhuin do d' laimh-fa ; Imich gu d' fhruthan diomhair, Far nach eirich fuaim na haraich. Caith t uine le feidh nan aonach, '3 bi aofda le foghnain uaighneach. Caidil fan uaigh gun mhiadh gun chliu, Do leaba gun uigh, 's do fhliochd gun fheoruich, Aon is aon diu' tha crionadh, Mar rainich an fge na carraige, Ta fas, a' fearga' 's a' diothadh, Gun duine chi no fhineas lamh riu. — O'n fhafach thig ofunn a gheamhrai' 'S am bas le ghreann air a hagbaidh, Le mfrile dorlach 's le choilion bogha : Chi e fan fhafach an duine lundach ; Tairngidh * In the Highlands it was believed, till of very late, that every old family-feat had fome guardian fpirit or genius attending it. The ancient lares, and the modern lobbins and brownies, were names of much the fame meaning with the hoc an and gruagack of the Highlanders* 126 DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE. Tairngidh e 'n tfreang, flubhlaidh 'n tfaighead, 9 S ge d' mharbh i cha'n fhaighear a creuchdan: Cha'n eirich fonn le oigh no bard, ? S clia chairicb na feoid a leac ; Bidh anam fan fhuar-cheo (Mar iafg air reo-mrnth Lanna) Am fuar-ghaile na gaoithe ga luafga, Mar fhaighead f huathais an fgrios a chrith-reo* Cha 'n fhaicear a clieum air fleibhte, No cheo air re'lean nam flaithean arda. — Ni 'm b' amhuil, Ardain, do fhiol-fa, Mar thuinn a' dol fios do'n chath, Le fgia dhuinn na doininn A thogadh an tras' a t f hardaich, Ach treigidh fardach an laoich, Mar chraoibh a leaga' le hofuinn, Leumai' gach bras-fhruth thairte, ? S i tairling air uifge Albha. Ta 'n droighean uaine 'n fin o bhia, 'S an dreas a' fas gu hurar, An raineach ri turram fa ghaoith, ? S am fraoch fo 'n eilid a' lubadh. — Bhruchd DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE. 127 • — Bhruchd an tuil o'n aonach, 'S chladhaich i 'n f haoin-larach \ An fgia dhorcha dh' eirich ris, An fgia fin bu trie fan araich, " Ciod i 'n fgia fo doilleir Mar ghealach 's a hoir ri foillfe' ; Ta 'n fealgair ga fuafgla' le fhleagh Is anam feadh uine na di-chuimhn'* Chi e pailiun mu'n cuairt Na thulaich uaine fein ; " So pailluinn nan feoid a bh' ann, Pailluin righre na'n am fein !" — # 'S e talla nan righ' ata ann, Na buin da 'n lleagh ma 's fann do threoir 3 Sleagh Ardain ; air ite' na doininn Bi fein fan torruinn d'a coir." B' amhuil a fheinn na baird Ri togail an aird arma Mhuirne \ Bha _ ivSryS l*7tava% xhtui, Sec, Here fleeps Hipponax in his peaceful tomb, If thou art wicked dare not to come nigh ; But if thou art upright and good, Approach thou may' ft, .and on it gently lie. Theocr.it. in Hippoa, 123 DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE* Bha 'n laoch fein gu tiamhaidh trom, Is ofna mar # thonn an uaigneas. — Thugas leinn e gu tiamhaidh trom, Tha da f thulaich air lorn le 'n cinn uaine ; Na 'm mcadhon thuit Muirne na neul >S na feoid air an f heur mu 'n cuairt da» Neach cha dubhairt ris, Eizich, Dh' eifd iinn ri tuireadh a thruaighe. Tuire* na Truaighe, " Bhrift a chamh-fhair air Croma ? ? S dh' eigh le solas mo mhac, Tri choin iheanga leum m'a thuaiream^ Lan fodain ri fuaim a dhorlaich. Dh' imich iad. na *n curach ro 'n chaol ? A ruaga' nam faoin damh ciara ; Churinas iad a' pille' mu anmoch, Ro thonma garbha na mara iargalt* An uachdar fa feach is an lochdar, Tha 'ri curach a* dire' 's a' tearna% Gus nach 'eil e ni 's mo r'a fhaicinn A glaic na lear no na hoiche. Gheiltich * ah ehuifeag na huaigj£. f ah leabai^ BAN CL AINNE MHUIRNE. 1 29 Gheiltich m' anam fein. Ach ciod a dheanainn 's mi aofda ? Dh' eigh mi ris na blia'nai' a threig, Ach dh' fhag iad eifdeachd an fhaondraich. Sgartaich mo nighean; bha m' anam air chrith Mar dhuilleig fheargta ri doininn eiti. " Chailleadh mo bhrathair, mo bhrathair, Chailleadh thu ghraidh anns an doininn !" Bhuail i na deann gus an traigh, 'S a righ gu b' anrach a himeachd ; O fgeir thirim bha suil 's a glaodh ; " A bhrathair mo ghaoil, nach cluinn thu m'eighe!" — Ciod fud doilleir air bharr tuinn ? x\m bad gun fuim e; no 'n tu mo'bhrathair? • — Fhreagair efan le fann-ghuth caol. Tha h anam ait faraon agus anrach. Thainig da chu ghlas gu traigh An treas aon dh' fhag iad fan doininn \ Chual an dithis caoi-ghuth Fhionain, '5 ftiin iad a ns an uchd ri fruth ; Rol an treas tonn iad lefan gu traigh, Ghrad-fhailnich anam aon diu. R Thus 130 DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE. Thug Lorma a brathair gu fgeir, " Fois bheag is mo chail a' treigfinn." — Chairich i heide m'a uchd, 5 S rinn i adhart do 'n ultach bu tirime. u Bi tofdach a mhuir le tioma muc ? 'S bi thufa fad as, a ghaoth ; Mall is ciuin biodh imeachd nan fruth, 5 5 na buireadh am boc air an raon. Caidleadh mo bhrathair 's e fgith ; Gu ma samhach, Fhionain, do bhruadair I — Och ! 's duaichni aogus mo bhrathar, Mar ghealach a' fnamh ro neul ; Tha bhruadar air anra na tuinne, 'S tha aghaidh gu duifneulach truailli', Mar ghnuis leinibh, 's e 'n fuain gun f hois A' bruadar air madai' nan coilltean* — An nos do mhathair le hiochd A leanabh fan riochd fo dhufga, 'S a bhruadar fhogra mar ofaig ? Ach fathafd ni mofglamfa Fionan. — Tha cuilean air gnuis mo ghaoil, B* f hearr gu feudainn am fuadach'. Falachai DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE. 131 Falachai mi ghnuis le 'm ghnuis fein Gu feimh, 's cha treig a fhuain e. — Och ! mo bhrathair ! fuar gun deo ! An e nach beo thu, ghaoil ! a bhrathair ! Rainig a gaoir mi o'n fgeir, Dh' f has a mhuir gun f hios do 'n oigh > An cu a' caoidh is is' a' bafraich, A' taomadh a hofnaigh air ceo. Tha m' anams' air leagha le bron, " Nach coghn' thu, Mhuirne, do leanabh ? M " A Mhuirne," thuirt guth rium aftigh, " Tha laithe do ghaifge-s' air treigiinn." Air uchd na tuinne dh' eirich mo chlann A nail a ghios na tragha ; Bhuaileadh iad ri carraig dhorcha, 'S thorachadh r'l llios na mna'-giL Och ! dhearg a fuil an tonn ! Ta hanam air fonn le Fionan! Och ! 's truagh mi fein a chlann^ Na 'r deigh gu fann aos'ar ; Mar dharaig Iheargta mi air aonach, Ris nach pill gu brath a caoin-chruth. R2 Tha 132 DAN CLAINNE MHUIRNE. Tha 'n dulach dorch' anns a ghleann, 'S gach crann air an raon gun duilleach * 3 Ach pillidh fa cheituin am maife, Ge nach faicear mo fgeimh-fa tuille. Dh' fhailnich 11 ol Albha nam feachd, Mar fmuid a' teach fuarraidh dorcha ; Cha'n ioghna mife bhi trom a nochd, 'S tus' Fhionain fan tflochd, 's a Lorma!" f Bu dubhach anam an aofd' Is acain ga taoma 'n ccmuidh ; Sinne tofdach nar n aite Mar thaibhfe ri saimh an an-moich 3 No mar eith eadar bhruacha fneachda ? S a hula reota ri gealaich na hoiche. Ach * Ui/Aiq '■* Gu ma mairionn do chliu-fa Fhinn, Mar fholus air linntibh a thig 5 Abradh am fdidh na dhan, ? Th£ 'n tarrnunn do fhiol na FeinneV — Ach mo fhiol-fa cha 'n f haic mo chliu. Mar fholus iuil gan cuartach' ; A Chonnlaich mo ghaoil ! tha 'n oich' eiti A fpipn uam thu fein is do nihalhajr, . Ag * 'tfL h gbleannan fhaondrach. CATHULA. i6j Ag lot mo chridhe, 's i 'g eiridh le doininn Am fhealla mar chuan na hlnnfe ; Tra dh' eigheas tuinn, 's a gheifgeas croinn, ? S a bhios taibhfe nam beann a' fianail. Tha aitich Innfe-torrain fo gheilt Gu clifg an Innis fo 'n f hairge* — Ach tha m' anam fein mar fhruth tla, Tra bhios fmuainte bla afteach ; Tuir thus', a bhaird, an aithris neo-agh'or ; Aithris anraidh mo chreach. Aithris an Anraidh* An I chrom nan ioma crann Tha farum lann is fuaimneach fhleagh, Claidhean liomhaidh toirt foluis o'n re, 'S luirgne catha 'g eiridh 'n airde, Mhofgail an earb as a fuain, Chlifg le fuathas an Tur leathan. Ach earba ciod fa do gheilt ? A Sgara> cha 'n eagal do d' phailliun, Tha Sorcha treun ; ach fheid an tua'-ghaoth y ? S tha Cathuil uallaqh $ teachd air saile. Tha 166 C A T H U L A, Tha dhreach mar dhearg-thannas oiche Tra bhios an fealgair fo oillt air ftucaibh, Is briftear leis urfanna-catha Mar lion dubhain-alluidh fan dulach. # $ # # # , — - Theich Sorcha le neoil na h oiche, Mar lorg a luing' air aghaidh chuantai'n ; Afuas an fgia, 's anuas an clar, A Sgara, biodh gair air t oighean. 'S tha farnm chlar is caithream bheul; An talia Sgara na feiie faoil \ Tha 'n lann fan truaille 's an fgia na cadal * Air bhalla, mar ghealaich dhuaichni. — Tha 'n eilid ait air a carraig fein, Is oighean aoibhin nan uineig ftuadhaich, Tha ghrian aobhach, gun neul na dail, Ach 's e Cathuil grian aigh nan oighean. — "Fonn air clar, is fonn air dan, Slan gu robh thu, 'righ na carraige !" f Ach * al. >S an tfleach ris a bhalla gun ghluafad. ■|» This, of the maids of Icroma, appears to have been a chorus-? CATHULi 167 Ach co fo 'n coail an laoich, *S a ceum air braon-dhealt na maidne; Druchd gean air a caoin-fhuil, Mar dheur na h 6ich' air magh ri gaire ? Tha gnuis mhaifeach fo fgail a eiabh, 'S a ghrian a dealra' rompa, Air rughadh a gruaidhe caoin ; Mar ghath grein' air rofaibh ur, A dealradh air druchd fa mhadainn bhraonaich. Co fo ach Rofga-geala, Geug aillidh talla na crom-I : Tha Sgara ga tabhairt do 'n laoch A fgaoil doinionn na ftri. " Deich nigheana ge bu learns' a laoich, Gheibhe' tufa do ghaol do'n iomlan." Mar Iheabhaig a tuirli^g o'n aonach Air eun an f hraoich na chuartaig, Chluais chorus-fong, a fpepies of compofition very ancient, and ftill much ufed in the Highlands* The time of thefe pieces is adapted to the various exercifes of rowing, reaping, fulling, &c. The ancient Greeks ufed the fame kind of competi- tions for the like purpofes. A fpecimen of that which the women ufed to lay while grinding their corn, called hetpahm, is preferred by Plutarch (in Conviv. Sapient.), and begins, Aha f/.v\a ) a\n } &c t 168 CATHULA, Ghluais thar Cathuil fan L Tri bliadhna, 's a righ bu luath iad. 'S mithich pilleadh gu Innfe-torrain, Gu tur nan doireachan uaine, Arfa Cathuil 's e 'g amharc na dheigh f Air na bliadhnaidh a threig mar !>hruadar 8 Sgaoil e na iiuil gheala, Bha bhean ait agus bronach, — " Slan le eilean mo ghaoil, Ionad aobhach mo laithean 6ga ;— Chi mi mo dhaimhich, chi mi m' eildean, Ag amharc am dheigh o'n charraig chraobhaich, — Ach com' am biodh mo dheoir a file" 'S mi g imeachd le righ na Carraige?" Tha Connlach 6g anrach An gkcaibh graidh a mhathar^ A dha, mhala mar llialla foluis, Fo chlogaide bein an rua-bhuie. Seimh an clo-luafga nan tonn, Air beacha donn tha e bruadaf, i A * aL Mar fhealgai*; air ceutn a bhruadair* CATHUL A. 16a A cluinnrin an cronain fan aonach 1 '* 'S a fmaoin air an cire euachach. — A Chonnlaich, 's faoin do fmaointe, *S i ghaoth 's na fiuil tha thu cluinntin. Mar ros Learia fo bhogh na frois, * 'S na frafa meallain na ch6ail ? Ars' an fealgair^ 's e greafad gu fafga, " 'S caoin do bhlath, ach 's fagus do-uair." Tha uchd na rana ag ofnaich Mar chobhar thonn 's an cop ag eiridh, A fuil a iileadh air gnuis a leinibh, *S a bile gu seimh ga fhiabadh. — Tha e mofgla', 's a' faicinn na doininn* 'S ga fholacli an brollach a mhathar. Thairis tha i fgaoileadh a fgiobuil, Mar iolair Laoir' air a halach, Tra chi iad le crith an iarmailt eiti* 'S a fheideas nan dail an iorguill. * — " Na biodh eagal ort, a leinibh mo ghraidh., Is tathair le laimh gar fliuradh*'* *( 9 s * «/, BJia Connlaoch na fnuadh ailiidfc. H 170 C A T H U L A, " 'S na biodh eagal ort fein a ghaoil, Cha 'n eil linn air faondra cuain, Is trie ri doininn bu ghabhaidh A mharcaich mo bharca-fa 'n cuan. -—A ghaoil, tha 'n Innis am fagus Air cul na mara ceann-ghlais." jt je. jll. jz. jt, At. Ji» •Jp w ^F 3F "JF 'JF "tj 5 Tha ofna fheimh is eitrich cuain ,Jg£an coi-meafg air uairibh le cheile* ** Thuit an diche neulach, %* Le torran fpeur, air chuantaibh, Las gu duaichni an dealan, 9 S na taibhfe fan adhar ri nuallan* Le cirbibh an trufgain dathta, Tha iad a leum ghios na doimhne, Muca mara ri fgreadail, Is tonna gam freagairt o'n ailbheinn — Chual' a ghealach na teach neulach Gach beuc oilteil thug an cuan as, Dh' fhill i 'ceann an ceo na Lanna, 'S na reultan am falach mu 'n cuairt dL Air chrith, ro bhrifte nan neul, CMthear an eudann # air uairibh £ Mae- * ah 's an gruag-cheann, C A T H U L A. iji Mac-famhuil is fealgair a' dearcadh O bhothan am fafga nam fuar-bheann. — A fhealgair eilid an tfleibhe, 'S truagh gun bKi tearuint' dlu dhuit ! A charraige nan Innfe crom, B.U trie a chuala fonn a clar, Ciod tha fibh ag eifdeachd a nochd, Torran fpeur, * no tonnan ard ? B' airde na fo nur cluais, Fuaim Shulin-gorma ri caoidh; A highean 's a leanabh air cuan, 'S i bualadh a bas ris a ghaoith j — Cha fiuil na fumainne geala; Pill, pill f gu d' thalla bho 'n diche. *■— Dh' fhalbh i, phill i, chunn' i barca, " 'N flan duit, och aon-ghin ghaolach !" ft Ciod an guth fin o'n chreig dhuldai ? Grad-leagaibh na fiuil, a cholain." Y 2 Tha * al, fa choilltich aofda. f aU 's gun tighean ga d' chluinntk* %j% G A T H U L A, Tha 'n iolach ait is bronach fa feach ; ^ Ighean nan dr-clileachd an flan duit ?" Sud guth an tannais chaoin, A chunnas air aodan na doimhne ; Thig, a thannais, # gu m- ailling fein, ? San piche iheimh, 's do chruth am chuimhne^ ChuaF an aos-bhean a ghuth, f S phill i gu tuirfeach a ceuma : Bu trie Rofgeala. na glaodh, Cho-fhreagair an raon 4& h eigne. Tha Rofgeal air a chuan fgaoilte, ? S dearfa daraich a' taomadh o fhad 8 Tha Cathuil a faicinn a ghaoil Mar oigh-thaibhfe chaoin na ghath. Mar reul an caol-chroma na gealaich' r S i ionus falaicht' fan dorcha, Bha a mac an uchd na h og-mhnaoi, B' e 'a fealla fa broin an treun-laoich. CJiuate $ ^L air gath an rfc* e A T H U L A. 173 Chualas ofna le mhnaoi mhalda, " Ciod fa do chaoi, a ghaoil ? Ge dorch' an doinionn cha mhair i, Bidh ceuma na gealaich' air lleibhte, Caomh-chruthach ; 's na reultan aillidh A' gornvlafadh an f amh na h Innfe. An Innis cha 'n f hada uainn, Nach ann uaip' a thaomas an dearfa ?" A dhearfa m' anama fein ! An doinionn eiti' theid thairis, Is folus mo theach aoibhinn Chithear an seimh-mhuir Innfc-torrain. s — Ach ciod oiche, no doinionn, no cein-tliir, 'S f e air tanams', a gheug aillidh ? Leig ris domh mo ghaol, a fholuis, Ge d' bhoifg thu air dhochair a Sorcha, Bhrift an teithear air fgeir, Aig an laoch tha 'n deife na lamhan ? Air carraig f huair nan flata mara, lonad falaich nan rdn flapach. % " Chi 174 CATHULA, " Chi mi 'n traigh is i dlu, Ruigeam i le lugh mo lamh, A dh' iarruidh barca fan feol linn O chorruich * Shorcha ro bhrifte f aire. Fan-fa 'n fo, tha 'n doinionn a treigfinn, Tha reultan a crathadh a cheo dhiu ; Glas-ghnuis na gealaich an craobha cein, Feuchaidh an re dhuit mis' a pilltin. A fhoillfe dhealrach nan fpeur, 9 S a thaibhfean aoibrfinn iuil, Jnnfibh do m' gkaol ? s i na haonar, Gu faic fibh m' aogus-fa dlu." " Ach eiod ma ni mhuir eiridh, Nq 'n doinionn feide' le abhachd thaibhfef, 1 Ma dh' fhafas a mhuir, ma threigeas na neoil^ No ma dhuifgeas an 16 mu 'm pill thu ? *— Ach pillidh mo ghaol gu grad, Dionaibhfe Cathuil, a thaibhfe!" —Dh> * The ifland of Sora or Sorcba, againft whofe king Ca- thula fought in the aid of Sgaro. f This opinion, that ghofts and fpirits had the power of troubling the air and raifing tempefts, prevailed long among the Highlanders. G A T H U L A, 175 — Dh' imicb e gu traigh, 's gun eithear dlu 5 Bu trie a fhuil air a charraig dhorcha. j 'S brdnach bean nan rofg tla, Le fuil air traigh na hoiche, Cathuil cha leir dhi 's an fhairg' a fas, Tha Connlaoch na laimh ga ghiulan. " Ciod fo ta baca' mo ghaoil, Tonna baoth, no traigh gun bharca ? 'S truagh gun thu, 'leinibh, air tir, *S gu biodh fois aig cridh' do mhathan Cheangail i 'n leanabh air fgeith, Air barr geig fheargta dlu dhi. " An duifg mi thu, leinibh mo ghaoil ? Ach ruigeadh do ghaoir mo chridhe. Gu ma flan a fuigeas tu 'n traigh, 'S gu ma cairdeil riut righ na Sorcha ! * —No * The ifland of Sora or Sorcha is frequently mentioned in the poems of Offian. It is uncertain where it lay ; but it feems to have been noted for the cruelty of its inhabitants. This appears particularly from the prefent poem, and from the Epifode of the Maid of Graca in the 3d book of Fin- gal ; an edition of which, perhaps not the leaft correct, is fob* t 7 6 CATHULA, —No ma tharks ort tathair ; — Ach tathair, a ghaoil, cha bhco i Riums* fubjomed below. It is repeated under the title of Cdth Ri' Soreba. La do Fhionn le beagan fluaigh Aig Eas-rua' nan cighe mall, Chunnacas a' fedladh o ? n lear Curach ceo is aon bheann anfl. ? S b* e fin curach bu mhaith gleus A* ruith na fteud air aghaidh cuain, Clos cha d* rinne* leis no tamh Gus an d* rainig e'nt Eas-rua'. *S dh ? eirich as maife mnai, B' ionan dealra dhi *s do'n ghrein, Bha h uchd mar gheal-eiridh nan tonn^ £,e fliueh-ofnaiche trom a cleibh. Is fheas fmn uil* air an raon, Na flaitheari caoin is mi fein ; A bhean a thainig an cein Bha finn gu leir roimpe f eimh. *S a gheug na maife fo dhruchd broili, ? S e labhair gu foil mi fein, Ma *s urra gorm-lanna do dhion, Bidh ar cridhe naeh ell d'an, reir, e A T H U L A. 177 ■Riums' air a neoil tha e feitheamh ;— - Grad-ghreafaidh mi fein na choail." 5 S nio chomraich ort ma *s tu Fionn, ('Se labhair ruinti am riiaife mna) 'S i do ghnuis do'n anrach a ghrian* 5 S i do fgia ceann uighe na baigh. — Do Righ Eilean nan Crag Bu deo-greine gun fmal a ghruaidh fo$ *S bu trie a fhreagair Crom-mhala nan cbillt§ Do ofnai caoi Fainne-foillfe. Tdrachd a ta orms' air muir, Laoch is mor guin air mo lorg, Mac Ri* Sorcha nan fgia deargj Triath d'an ainm am Maighre borb. 'S glacam do chomraich a bhean, Ro aon fhear a th'air do thl ; *S a dh* aindeoin a Mhaighre bhuirb* Fo dhuibhre mo fgei gheibh thu dion* Tha talla nan crag aig laimh, Aite taimh elanna nan tonn, Ach 's leor fa{ga doininn nan fleagh j (Bha mo dheoir, le deoir, a* tuirling.) 'S chunnacas a' tighn* air fteud jLaoch a bha mheud thar gach fear, A* 178 GATHULI Dh' eirich air a charraig tonn Gu h ard trom, le cheann geal ; Sguat* A' caithe na fairge gu dian An taobh ciadir* a ghabh a bheatf. Bha chlaidhe trom toirteil nach gaim Teannt' air a fhliosgu re, Sgia dhrimneach dhubh air a leis, 'Se'g iomairt chieas air a cle. B r ard a chroinn, bu gheal a fhiuil, Bu mhire 'n tiul na cobhar fruth ; " Thig a mharcaiche nan fteud ftuadhachJ Gu cuilm Fhinn nam buadh an diugh." Mar ghallati uaine a bharraichj Air a chrathadh le ofunn an aonaich, Sheas an Ainnir ; ach thain* an tfaighead : u 'S maith tamas, a Laoich, ach 's baoth thu." ****** * #' Dh' eirich ©fear U dh' eirich Golf Bheireadh lofga lorn 's gach cath, 9 S dh' eirich iad uile na floigh A dh' amharc comhrag nam flatk. Thug Goll mac Morna^ 'n urchair threun, Asa dheigh do thilg e fhleagh ; B' i 'n urchair bu truime 's bu treine^ I)a fgei do rinn i da bhloidh. thZg C A T H U L A. 179 Sguab e na ghlaic a bhean aillidh. *' Gu ma flan duit, a ghaoil, a Chonnloich !" Phill Cathuil na bharca Gus an tionad an d' fhag e bhean, A charraig dhorcha cha leir dha, 'S i 'm falach fo fgei na lear. — " Chaill mife mo bhean is mo mhac ; 'S truagh nach do ghlac an aon eug linn ! Nar n uchd aoibhinn bhiodh Connioch flan ; Is ionann bas is beatha leom-ia." Bhrift a chamh-f hair air Sorcha, Tha innis dhorcha le huaimh diu ; X 2 P-arag Thilg an tOfcar le lan-fheirg A chraofnach dhearg le laimh chli, Do mharbhadh leis fteud an fhir 'S mor an cion do rinneadh 1% % % #- * # # * ? S thug finn buaidh fa chath air an ladch, Air learn fein nach b' fhaoin an gniomh, 2 S dh'adhlaic finn le Fainne-foiUs' aig an Eas,. J4aca,n mor nan cleas cli. i8q CATHULA, Darag aofcla ga falach, Le hearradh fein do choinich. Cuig linnte 'nan laithibh fein, Chunn' an cuan ag eiridh 's a' traghadh, O thinbhraich a gheug fo fafga Bo r-igh gaifge na Sorcha. Dh' f hoiaich. e bhean fan uaimh, Tra ghluais e chumail blair ; H Phill ar luchd-fanais gu luath, " A Chathuil, tha fluagh air an traigh ud!" Ni C A T tt tJ L Ai ftg ]tfi heagal fin learn fein, Arfa Cathuil, *s mo threin'ir dlu ; Ach ciod a cheil an fluagh co fada ? 'S a chum do ghath-fa, ghrian, air cul ? An robh thu 'g eifdeachd fgeula bfoin ; A' caoi' tog-mhnaoi is do mhic ? Bha, oir tha timeachd ataonar, Gun do choimeas ri d' thaobh do fhoillfe* Spion an doinionn do bJiean uait, 'S do mhac, ann an cuan na h oiche ; 'S tha thu nis mar mife gun leannan, 5 S gun ghallan 6g ri d* ghualainn. ' — Ach tha do fholus air uairibh gun bhrdn, 'S do naimhde mar cheo ag imeachd, Tha taibhfe dobhidh na h oiche Gam falach * an tuill an fhirich. Is amhuil a dh' eireas mo chliu-fa, Cha cheil brdn om Ihuil an iorguill ; Mar bhuinne-fhruth 'n amar cughann,- Atai' m' anam mar thuil a' leumnakh. Mat * ah h choill ro d* thigheaehd, 184 CATHULA, Mar mharbh Cathuil a mhac* Bhuail Cathuil betim-fgeithe ; Chaidh Conall is Fionn nan eide' ; Mar bhogh frois amis na fpeuraibh arda j Bha bratach aluinn righ nam magna. Sheas mac Ruro 's mi fein, Mar dha neul fan latha fliamhraidh^ Maifeach amach, 's am bolg ag at* Le lafair is rucail tairnieh* Mar ftoirm ghailbhich mneallain^ Na fleud-ruith thairis air cuantaibh^ A fguaba' nan tonna ftuadhach, *S gam buala' ri # uchd nam fuar-bheanii $ No mar thannas ria doininn a' feide' Nam beanntan eiti faile Le 'n cobhar eeann-ghlas a' ftairirich Meafg charraige cruaidh ri ganraich ; -*- B' amhuil fin farum ar feachd Dol an cinnfeal gleachd do 'n araich. 2 • Dhdrnhkich * dL miala duaichm* C A T H U L A. .185 Bhomhlaich Lochlan mu Mhanus Mar ealtuinn bharnach air fgeir mhara Dhorchafo 'n fgiathan, 's i 'g eiridh gruamach, Gun chrith ro f huathas na fairge. Sin nuair thuirt Fionn ris na laoieh, {A righ V aobhach linne ga eifdeachd), Tha ar nainme-na cheana fan dan, A laoeha mora nan laii chath, Biodh la na h Inns' aig an oigridh ; Theid finne gu 'n coghna ma 's eiginiu Chuir Ogan a lamh gus a lainn ; Tha fleagh mhic Ruro 's a ceann an aird ; 'S tha fuil Oifein air Fionn, Gun bhi dall no tiom mar an tras\ 4€ Chi mi trl Urfartna catha *N tus nan gathan fo nar coail, Aon a' dealra' na cheud f heachd, ! *S ni 'n lag e fa ghleachd dhobhidh. Oifein, a mhic chaoimh, Na caifg a dh' aon-bheum a fholus. ! Tha 'n deur an full a leannain, Tha athair an ceathach na haoife, A a Gun i86 G A T H U L A. Gun mhac aig', theagamh, ach efan ; Na cuir as da, Oifein, *le d' chraofnaich. Cum-fa, Ogain, cath Ris an athach fhada mhor ud ;" * — 'S mife, atfa deadh mhac Ruro> Ri Manus fleaghach ni corag. Sheas na frighrean, 's bu mhor am modh, Cliaidh J finne gu cath, mar fteuda cobhrach \ Ach ilieas feachd Mhaniiis Mar charraig-bharach an Innfe-toire \ Ge d' robh muic is tuinn ga buala', Cha ghluais iad a chreag o haite. 'S nior fheas feara Lochlan gu faoin,, Nuair dh' eirich gaoir nam bard §* Tha * al. a dli* aon-bheum. f Fingal, Connal, and Cathula, \ Oflian, Ogan, and the Son of Ruro. § i. e. the Brofnacha-catha. It was part of the office of the bards to animate the combatants during the action. The old Perfian magi did the fame. And Homer alludes to the like cuftora in the time of the Trojan war. Thro' the Grecian throng, With horror founds the loud Qrthhn fong : The C A T H U L A. 18; Tha Ogan fo cheangal nan caol, 'S mac Ruro 'g aoma' fo Mhanus. Bha 'n toig'ear fieaghach dlu dhomh fein, 'S cha robh mo dheigh air a bhualadh. " Am bheil do neart ri tair air m' oig^ (Bu reachdmhor deoir na muilibh), Am bheil do neart ri tair air m' oige, 'S gun do fhleagh mhor ga h iomairt ? Cia fhad a bhios mile mar leanabh, ? S do fgia leathann mar ailbheinn ? Air mo chliu mar fo cha d' thig luadh, 'S mo chairdean a' buain na h arach." Dh' imich e, 's dh' imich a fhloigh ; Bha mis' air an toir gu ciuin, Mar thri frutha geala bho 'n aonach, 'S iad a' leumnaich gu caol-ghleann uaine, ? Nan fteudabras, le 'n clachaibh 's le 'n crannaibh, W amhuil fin imeachd ar fean-Jaoch. Choinnich Manus is Fionn a cheile, 'S bu deifneach gleadhar an ftailinn ; A a 2 Ach The navy makes, and at the. dire alarms r £ach bofom boils, each warrior ftartsto arms. Tl, xi. jg* 188 G A T H U L A. Ach co bu choimeas ri Fionn nam fleadh ? Shniomh e 'n tfleagh a lamhan Mhanuis ; Is chuir e ceangal nan tri chaol Gu daor air an righ 's gu docair. — 'S clia bu lag Conall buadhach An ait an Ogain uaibhrich iofaik Choinnich Cathuil an gath hg f A chaidh uams' an toir air cliu ; Bhlathaich a chridhe tra, chunnaic e djireac.h> An cuir thu as, ars* anam, an leus fo ? Com' an tuite' tu, pig aobhaich, Mar chraoibh chubhrai 's tfamhra ? Pill, mu 'm bi do leannan ri brdn y Pill, pill gu tog-mhnaoi annfadh." — " Cha pliill gus am feigheam mo chliu.*' *— " Gheibh thu, air tus, do chafgairt leamfa.*' 'N fin cbaidh iad an dail a cheile 3 Mar dha bbuinne ri treun-chorag ; *S gach gaoth a' neartach' an faoithreacli,, Buillean baobhai, beucach, dobhidtu Gu cuidreach, cuidreamach, beumnach, Bha na trein mar thuinn teachd da-tiiaobh, Gaj C A T H U L A. 189 Gan ruaga' le ftoirm, toirt nuallain Air carraig chruaidh mheadhon barach. Chaidh 'n fleaghan fan fpeur nam bloidibh, Ach thaf'n cloidhean mar dhealan nan lamhan. Thug lann Chathuil fiorra' fuathais, Phill i ruadh o uchd an armuinn ; Sruth daithte dearg o iomlaic a fgeithe - p Cha'n eil treun gach uair gun faruch\ Thuit e mar chrann giumhais ard-ghorm Le gaoith fhafaich, thun a ghearraidh ; Le geilt thug a charraig fuaimneach, jChrithich agus ghluais an talamh. — Tha chas ga tuma\ fa chaochan, 5 S f huil chraobhach na luib ri borbhan. " Thuit mis' an tus na teug-bhoiL, *S cha 'n eirich mo chliu fan dan ; Ach thuit mi le laimh nam buadh, ? S bidh mi lefan an duan an air. — " 'S i lann righ Innfe-torc A lot fan araich an taineal." — Beannachd do tanam, abhaird, Cluinneam fein gu hard do ghuth ? i 9 o C AT H U L A. 'S biom ait air ittarcachd na sine, f S glas-cheo na fri' gam eideadh. — An leac ud fan lonan uaine Togaibh afuas aig mo cheann ; Gus an leagar thar fruthan faoin i, 'S an dean an taof-dan a hionndrain, Ainnir Shorcha mo ghraidh ! Ge d' thuit fan araich fo tannfachd, Shileadh do dheoir gu bras, Nam faighe' tu, ghaoil, mo chlaidheamh. A fhuil cholgach nan dearg-chath, Crochs' ad thalla mo chaomh-fgia ; Sgia mo ghraidh, (ge d' rinn i mo leon,) Orra fheol mi ro fteuda saile." Mar fhaighead bais, no dealan oiche, Tra fgriofas e choillteach urar, Thain' a bhriathra gu anam an aofda ; Thuit e air aodann aona-mhic. Chuartaich na feoid an dithis, Mar chraobha giumhais air Gormla, Tra chi iad croinn uaine mu 'n cuairt doibh, Air am buain le tannais na h oiche. Chluinnt/ C A T H U L A. *— -Chluinnt' air uairibh acain an aofd', Is iinne gach taobh dheth fnitheach. *' 'N do thuit thu, mhic mo ghraidh ! 'N do thuit thu le laimh tathar ! Mu 'n d' thugas an lann a' truaill, Is truagh uach mife bha iofal ! a — Canar riumfa tuille Cathuil nan ioma' truaighe. — Och is ochain, a mhlc dhileis ( Gu dilinn cha duifg thu tuille ! Och agus och nan och eire ! 'S truagh gur mairionn mis' ad dhiaigh V m Air faicinn do Fhionn a bhroin, Shil a dheoir re feal an uaigneas, Dh' f hofgail e 'n uaigh fa dheire do 'n laoch, Is thaom na baird le caoidh an ceolan. " Com', a Mhanuis, am miann leat blax? (Arfa Fionn, 's a lamh ga fgaoile',) Com' an gearraich thu kithean an laoich, Mar an ros fin fan raon air fearga' ? Com' an dorchaich thu laithe na h aois, Ata chean' ag aoma' fo 'n uallach ; 3 Cora s x 9 2 C A T H U L A, Com' am fag thu 'n dg-bhean deurach, 'S an oigridh as eug'ais athar ? Am bheil an ofnaigh ad chluais mar cheol t ? An ioc-fhlaint' an deoir do tanam ? An ait leat an guth-caoi tra dh'eugas Sealgair am feidh air drim an aonaich? — Nach lionmhor dofgaich fan raon Ag aomadh an coail an tfealgair, Gun uilc a thilge' na rathad, 'S a cheuman a chratha' le claidhean ? Anns na ceumaibh tearc gus an uaigh, Com' nach gluais thu gun faltairt am fuil ? Nach leor aighean dcvchoillte fein, Gun imeachd mar neul # ro 'n f huar-ghaoith ? — Feuch fuil an dig, is gul an aofd' % Is mac an Luin, le 'n aobhach fuih — Triall gu d' .mhnaoi, 's gu t aighean ciara, 'S ni 's mo na hiarr gu cuan na hlnnfe." * * Ma dh' iarras, treigear m' uchd leis an fgeith f > Air an d' eitich m' athair a bhriathran. B' * al. airfuadach'. f Manos fwears here by his fhidd, and gives us to under* ftand CATHULA, 193 B' f hearr learn nach ;* CATH MHANUIS. 205 " A chrionaich nam Fiann am b' aill leat mife Bhi gun mhia' gun mheas mar Mhanus ? Mar ghath na hoiche (gun bheum-fgeithe) Cha d' theid neach uam fein do'n araich. r — Fhearais oig gabh thufa na 'n dail, * Cha d' thug Fionn riabh blar gun chumha." Dh' imich Fear' as mo bhrathair fein, f Mar orra-ihleibhte bha chruth, Tra bhios dearfa na maidne fan druchd 'S a choill f ' a bla fan lochan fhe'ar. Ach thuirling oiteag 'n aonach, 'S mhill i caoin-ghnuis na tragha ; Threig na coillte,— threig na lleibhte Bha san lochan fheimh ri gaire. — B' amhuil fin caochla cruth Mo bhrathar teachd dubhach nar coail, O f heachd LoGhlainn bha liar uainn. f* Tha Manus ag iarrui cdraig." Gheibh e fin, arfa Conan uaibhreach, Bheir earns' a cheann bhar a ghuaille. Com * This, like many other lines of Oifian's poems, has pa£- fed into a proverb. I ah Bu chofail ri deo^grein' a chruth, zo6 CAT.H MHANUIS. Com nach mothaiche' Conan Lughad a thoirt anns an Fheinne ? Dh' imich e; ach Manus corrach Chuir Fuathas gu Conan crion. — B' ait le Fuathas bhi air dheire, 'S cha bu fhaor o eagal na dheigh fin. Air gleachd dhoibh aon oiche ri gealaich Neo-ealamh nan deigh bha Fuathas, Taobh eile caochain dh' eirich Athach, 'S a fhleagh na laimh gu fada liomhai'. Theich am Fuath, is lean an t athach, Muin air mhuin thuit iad thall ; Cha soram fein neach am mhein Ars' am Fuath 's gun aig' ach fhaileas. — An famhuil fo do gheilt Ionnfui , na greis thaini' Fuathas A Ihleagh mheirgeach ri fuaim air a fgei, Mar ghanraich eun air fteuda fuara. Dh' oilltich Conan, ach chuimhnich e Ri 3 Chaidh £ fios is lot e 'n fhearrfaid, Thuit an Lochlanach gu talamh, Shaoil e gu b' e chlaigeann a bhuaileadh, Thionndai Conan le teabhachd, •S gub' e fud tionnda a dhunach : Bhuin CATH MHANUIS. 207 Bhuin Fuathas deth na cluafan, Chualas le glinn a bhurral. " Fhinn, diol bas do laoich," Arfa Conan maol is e tuiteam. An fin chaidheas alios gu modhar, 'S Lochlan nar c6ail le 'n ftailinn, B' iomad ann claidhe, 's b' iomad fgia, B' iomad triath le luirich aigh \ B' iomadach ann clogaide cruaidh' B' iomadach ann tuath chum air. Ach feuch 6g maifeach o'n aonach A fhleagh mar chraoibh 's afgiamar ghealaich, Chuireadh e cath cuilge na Feinne; Ach bha Manus gu heiti uaibhreach, Chuimhnich e iallan Innfe-torrain, 'S ghlaodh e 'n Righ is * cothrom na Feinne. Chaidh Fionn alios le tartar uamhann 'S fuaimneach arm mar fpiorad Lodda, A' * Cothrom na Fehtne, is a proverb denoting an " equal combat," it being the practice of Fingal never to engage an enemy with fuperior numbers. 4o8 CATH MHANtllS. A' fgaoile' gioraig is cith-chatha, Feadh an rathaid gu grad chorag : No mar mhilte tonn a' beucaictt An lloirm eiti ri flios carraig ; Mar fin bha fuaim arm -s a luirich 5 9 S air a ghnuis bha diilachd catha. Bha chlaidhe liomhai a' dealra, Togt' an aird an laimh a churai ; 'S na gaoithe ftrannarr' a gluafad A chiabh, air fhnua freotha buinne. Na cnuic air gach taobh dheth chrithich* 9 S chlifg an tllighe fo a chafaibh; Las a fhuilean ; — dh' at a chridhe ; B' an-f heilidh a chith 's a choflas. Chdlaich na cathatf a cheile, ? S bu deacair Co bu treine innfe* Chaidh an fgiathan breae 'nam bloidibh* Chaidh an claidhean gorm a bhearna ; Chaidh an fleaghan fada liomhaidh A chaba' fa ghniomh bu ghabhaidh. Fhreagair na creagan do 'n f huaimneach Thug gathanna cruaidh gan ftrachda^ Thai! CATH MHANUIS. aop Thall 's a bhos-air cuirp nan treun-laoch \ Cho-f hreagair na fpeuran ard doibh. Tha ceangal nan tri chaol Air Manus gu daor 's gu deas ; " Cumaibh rium Manus nan lann, 9 S gu fgarainn a cheann o ehorp." Tharla mife fo lamhan Fhinn \S e b' annfa learn na bhi fo d' fmachd. ,y " 'S ma tharla tu fo m' lamha fein, Cha 'n imir mi beud air flath, Gheibh thu do chomas duit fein ; Ach pill; 's theid thu eug 's a chath," Tha Manus uaine, 's a fhleagh air chrith, An luib an fhoghnain tha chith ga threigfinn^ Le fleagh an Ri chaidh chliabh a dhochann, Oir chual an fgia mionnan Mhanuis. Dh' eirich uaigh 's na baird nan tofd, Oir leig Manus fhocal a' cuimhne. C'ait am bheil na mionnan mor', a Mhanuis, " Dh' fhagas far an d' fhuaras." A Mhanuis fhuilich, chorraich, fhial, \S truagh leig thu do bhriathran a chuimhne ! D d, Thaineas aio CATH MHANUIS. Thaineas gu Seallama nan tur An togan ur bha e leinn ; Bu trie a fhuil ris an raon, " Dh' fhagas mo ghaol air an leirg Theich linn ro\ Chalmar nam Borb-lhruth] Oir dh* fhailnich na bhuine' do Mhorlach.'* Mar chraoibh ag aomadh air Leana, Bha 'n tUmaidh, tra chual e ghuth, An aoibhneas aois. Dh' iarr e ighean ; Ghrad ruith i, 's tha 'n anam le cheile. Shil ar deoir (nach b' ioghna!) ge b' ait, Mar mhil na daraig, 's a ghrian air Morlia. * " Sgaoilear a chuilm dhoibh an diugh, 'S a maireach fgaoilear an fgia; Tra chi f mac an Luin faoi na aire, Is ro*ait leis fail nan cliar." Dh' * Fingal fpcaks. f How the fword of Fingal came by the title of The Son of Luno, will appear from the following fragment of a poem called an Gabba (the Smith), in which Offian cele- brates the praifes of this Scandinavian Vulcan. . CATH MHANUIS. 211 Dh' fhalbh an oiche le cuilm 's le ceol 'S cha bu bhronach do ghuths' a chlarfach, Mar mife bha do chaoimh ga d' chuartach', Fionn fein is a fhluagh gradhach. Le fealla-taoibh bu mhor an aire, 'S iad ag aomadh ad charadh o'n aite. — San aimlir a bh' ann o chein, Cha bu cheo fan fpeur ar cairdean ; Cha b' fhaoin-ghuth fan aonach thufa, *S cha bu mhaol-chrann gun duilleach mife. D d 2 TRATHUIL, O' b' aighearach finn an dara mhaireach Ann an ceardaich Luin 'ic Liomhain ; Gu 'm bu mhaith ar n ur-chlaidh'ne 'S ar deagh (hleaghan fada righne. B* e mac an Luin lann mhic Cumhail Nach d* f hag fuigheal riabh dh* fheoil daoine ; Gun bi 'n Drui'-lannach lann Ofcair, 'S gu 'm bi Chofgarrach lann Chaoillte. Gum bi Liomhanach lann Dhiarmaid, B* iomad fear fiadhaich a mharbh i : 'S agam fein bba Gearr-nan-calan Bu gharg farum *ii am nan garbh-chath. TRATHUIL. Sgeulachd air Trathuil nam buadh, *S air Colguil nan tual bheart. A Ghrian na hog-mhaidne! 'g eirigh Air fleibhte foir le d' chiabhan 6r-bhuidh \ 3 S ait ceuma do theachd air air an aonach, ? S gach caochan fa ghleann ri gaire„ Tha croinn uaine, ro dhruchd nam fras, Ag eiridh gu bras a d' choail, ? S filidh bhinn nan coillte fas A' cur f ailt ort gu moch le 'n 6ran. Ach c'ait am bheil ciar-jmeachd na h 6iche (Ro d' ghnurs) air fgiathaibh an fhirein? C'ait am bheil aig duibhre a conuidh, *£ uamh chofach nan reulta foillfe ? Tra TRATHUIL 213 Tra leanas tu 'n ceuma gu luath, Mar fhealgair gan ruaga fan fpeur ; Thus' a' dire' nan aonach ard, '$ iadfan air faoin-bheannta fas a' leum' ? 'S aoibhin do fhiubhal a fnoluis aigh, A fgaoileas le d' dhearfa gach doinionn ; 'S is maifeach do chleachdan dir K' fnamh liar 's do dhoigh ri pille*. Le feachran an dalLcheo na hoichc, Cha ghlacar thu choidh' ann ad churfa ; 'S doinionn nan cuanta gabhaidh Cha feid gu brath as d' iul thu. Le gairm na ciuin-mhaidne bidh teiridh, 'S do ghnuis fheilidh a' dufga' gean, A' fogra' na h oich' o gach ait Ach fuil a bhaird nach faic do fholus. Ach amhuil fo, aos-lia lag, Bidh tufa fathafd a d' aonar ; Do fhiubhal 's na fpeuraibh mall, 'S tii dall mar mis' air an aonach. Doilleir mar ghealach nan tra, Bidh t anra 's tu fiubhal nan fpeur ; Caifeamachd na maidne cha chluinn thu, Mar na fuinn gun luadh ri eirigh. An 2i 4 TRATHUIL An fealgair feallaidh o 'n raon Ach cha'n fhaic e taogas a' ti'ean ; Bruchdaidh a dheoir 's e pille' fo fmalan ; " A mhadai'mo ghraidh ! threig a ghrian iinn !'* — Bidh aoibhneas an fin air foluis na hoiche, Tra bhios mac na foillfe mar Thrathuil. Nach cumhainn leat * cobhan an laoich, A b' aobhach ceum air cul Ghorm'ill ? Ba fhleagh mhor a fhinnfear ria laimh ? Is fgia fo bhragad foillfe. Bha ghruaidh ruiteach fo dhui'-bheairt, ? S fhalt cleachdach a' frutha' m' an cuaift ; Smtiairean cha rabh air an 6gan, ? S e cronan dhan nan treun-laoch. Dubh-bhronach 's deur-dhearg fhuileach, Dhuifg na choail macan aofda, Srann aig fhalt an gaoith nan aonach^ 9 S ofna mar aon ga fharuch'* "Mo * Ccerulus haud aliter dimicat incola Thules, Agmina falcifero circumvenit a&a coviw* StATIU:S. TRATHUIL 215 " Mo chomraich fein ort a Ri* nan lann, Ma 's tu a tann a Thrathuil threin, 'S trie a chuala taobh na Dula, Fuaim ulla' mo fgeithe fein ; Ach a nis cha 'n iul do 'n choimheach Fuar-thigh tofdach Thual-arma. — Chunnaic Mor-ardan maife m' aon-ghin, Ach cha b' annfa le a ghnathan ; Mhuch e lafair ? thain' e 'n cein, Is ceathrar ag eirigh mu ramhan. Mi fein 's mo ghaol Slis-geal Bha nar feafamh air traigh fan am ; Tharruing e leis finn g'a churach ; Feuch fhuireach air traigh na Leana. — Tiubhraich dhomh aon do d* dha fhleagh, 'S thoir fein ma feadh dhomh do chonadh.^ Dh' eifd Trathul ri fgeul a bhroin, Le corruich 's le f olas mu feach, An tfleagh thiubhraich e gun eagal, Bha thartar mar eas fo chofaibh, — F' a chomhair dh' eirich feachd Fo 'n fgei chaidh am macan aofda ; Theab 2i6 TRATHU1L Theab Trathuil na chorruich a bhuala 5 ; " Na falaich do lann uafal na fhaoin-fhuil." Feuch caogad claidhe 's coilion 's fleagh, A dealra' mar leois nan fpeur \ Tha Colguil nam meadhon aoibhin, Mar tbeine beumach an deataich dhuaichni : Mar dhealan nan nial fan 6iche dhoilleir, Tra cbluinneas na fleibhte torran na sine. Chuir Trathuil 's e fein an ruaig Le cleafaibh cruaidh aig Doire nan eas ; Chunnaic an oighe Ri' nam buadh, 'S ni 'n gluaifeadh i fein le Colguil. Dh' imich an laoch mar thannas na ghruaim ? Nuair nacb gluais e le anail a chraobh, 'S e feitbe' na uaimh ri dian-fheide' Doininn eiti nam milte gaoth. Tha Trathuil leis fein an tras *S a neart a' fas mar uifg' an Inbhir ; Mar chuantai' atar air feide' Tha tanam ag eirigh a taonar; 'S do fhdlas mar thannas na hoiche Dearg-bholtrach air neul nan aonach. 9 •Jr * ♦3v : •«" »ff vv 3 Chaidh TRATHUIL 217 Chaidh Trathuil alios na eide' Mar fgarnaich o mhullach fleibhe ; Mar bhuinne-fhruth fuaimneach oillteil, No mar theine 'm fait nan coilltean. Bha Colguil 's e fein mar dha fhruth aonaich, Chluinnte air gach taobh am beucaich ; B'airde fuaim am faobhar geala Na toirm mkic-thallai' 's croinn gan gearra'. Bha Trathuil mar neart na gaoithe Leagas giuthas Mhorbheinn aobhach ; 'S bha Colguil mar luas nan fteud-fhruth Bhios le aodann fhliabh a' leumnaich. Tha fradharc Cholguil a' fnamh an ceo, 'S a cheann-bheairt fo leon nan ileagh \ Tha Cor ran gun fgia, mar charraig A fgriobadh le dealan na h oiche. Tha lamh Dhuchqnais air uchd A' cofga fruthain a chreuchdan, A thaice ri aos-chrann brifte : Ceann is ceann-bheairt Chrifoluis nam bl6ide» — Tha Tual-arma fan dus na chreuchdaibh Ga leire' fo chafaibh nan an-laoch. Chrath Colguil fa fhuil an ceo ? 'S a ri bu dobhidh imeachd E e (Max 2i8 TRATHUIL (Mar dhubhar na Leige) gu Trathuil, 'S ann da- fan air leam gu t' aithreach. Thionndaidh Trathuil, 's Colguil theich, 'S mo Righ gu traigh ga ruaga ; Le aon do mhilte guineach mu Thrathuil Thuit Colguil 's a lamh na churach. — Leum Trathuil na bolg, 7 S e tionnda' gu floigh nan colg ; Ach fheid ofag e 'mach, 'S e ait am meadhon a theabhaehd* Dh' fhag e 'leannan na tigh, 9 S dithis leanabh r'a glun, An cluas fo chiabhan air, A' cromadh an coail a chiuil. Tha 'n clar nan lamha fein, 5 S iad fo ioghna gu d' threig an fhuaim ; Tha am meoir a' fguaba' na cruit, *S am mathair ri huchd nan cruach. " C ait ambheil ceuma mo ghaoil, Air faondra' meafg bheannta f afa ! Faiceam taogas a' teachd, ? S do chiabha clearc mar ghath air faire." Dh' TRATHUIL 219 Dh' imich a bhean dhonn-fhuileach, Mar cheo an druchd a' direadh aonaich ; Tra dh' eireas e 'n gleannan diamhair, Air fgia na maidne, fo lufaibh braonach. Chunnaic i bare air barra thonn, Is mile form is fleagh air traigh ; " Is coimheach gach aon diu fud, 'S mo ghaol am meafg mhile namh." B' ard air carraig a fcread, 'S na glinn a' freagairt da h eigne ; Air ionndrain Thrathuil, le fuathas Dhoirt an oigridh nuas o 'n fleibbte. Gu buidheann Cholguil bhuail iad ? dian : Ach chualas o 'n lear guth Thrathuil ; Chaifg an onf ha ; dhuifg an aidhear Ri faicinn an Righ na bharca. Chruinnich iad mu Cholguil, ach fhuarai Borcha duaichni' gnuis a mhilidh* Cuid da ur-gheugan aobhach, ? S cuid fgaoilte mar dhuilleach glinne. 'S air cladhach' dhuinn leap a nan laoch Ghuireas Colguil na chaol-fhardaich ; . E e 2 Liib 220 TRATHUIL Lub ogan le barr a fhleagh ; Threig a luireach a fhneachd-bhragad. Dh' aithnich bean nan fuile donn * Gaol Cbolguil 's i trom na neul ; Dh' aithnich i n ighean Shorna nan cuach, '3 thug i lua' le deoir air a fgeuL Dan celle Cholgiiil. Ighean na maife 's cruaidh learn fein, Air traigh na Feinn 1 thu bhi d' nilneadh ; Ach 's aoibhinn tanam a d' neoil ? S tu le Colguil fa chonuidh iofail. Fofglaidh ar tannais an aros Do 'n 6g aillidh a' teachd nan coail ; Ni gaifgich aoibhneas an talla nam fleadh, ? S bidh oighean greadhnach le'n emit ri ceolaiL Bidh gean orts' a d' jieoil, Ach t Athair an Soma bidh dubhach : Ag imeachd air bile na tragha Thig ganraich nan tonn g'a chluafan ^ "An ^ al. An Cailin modhar *s i trom na neuL T R A T H U I L. 221 *' An e fo do ghuth, ighean mo ghaoil !" —Tha ula aofda ri fiontaidh arda. Pill gu talla nan corn glas ; Pill o ftoirm alluidh na tragha, ? S gun neach a' freagairt do ghlaodh Ach Mac-thalla nam faoin-fhafach. Tha do n ighean ag imeachd air neoil, Is talla nan corn cha taobh ; Le Colguil tha a ceuma luath, Thig i gu d' bhruadair * gu caoin. -—Ighean na maife 's cruaidh learn fein Air traigh na Feinn' thu bhi d' fhineadh. Ach 's aoibhinn taham ad neoil ? S tu le Colguil fa chonuidh iofail I" B ? amhuil fin cliu na hoigh, Ach co bheireadh or an do Cholguil ? Mar chrith-reo na Lanna 's an oiche, Thig am foill air bothan an tfealgair, Tra bhios a ghaoth na tamh, 's gach fuil na fuain, B' amhuil gluafad an f heachd mu'r tuaiream. — 'S trie an taibhfe ri fnag fa cheo Bhios bronach air bharra na huaighe, Ge f al. an Soma famliach. 222 TRATHUIL Ge nach faicear le fiiil na greine, An ceuma air aonach duaichni. Ach 's leir dhuit, a fholuis an la, Taibhfe Thrathuil na cheo glas, Tra dh' eir'eas e d' dhearfa tra noin, *S a bhios ceo air binnein nan fleibhte. *S taitneach le d' dhearfa leaba nan treun, *S ceo-eide nan laoch gabhaidh ; *S trie thu bla air leabuidh Threinmhoir ■ S ag eirigh air lie Thrathuill. Is cumhainn leat, a fholuis mo ghaoil, Na laoich bu mhaifeach air Morbheinn, Oir is line do fholus na aon diu, ? S an deigh dhoibh caochla' 's beo thu. Mairidh tus', ars' am filidh o fhean, Tra dh' f hafas fean gach tur is talla ; Tra fheideas an ofag ro Sheallama, 'S a bhios Taura na fhardaich fhalaimh* DEARG * ah fhaondraich, DE ARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL * HA fuaim am chluafa fein, Mar thonn an cein air muir fhaimhe ; Do ghlaodh, Shruthain-dorcha, ? s e tann, Ri torman an gleann nan geugan. 'N a d' dhoire tha ra nan clach, *S taibhfe cianail nan glas-eide, Is tiamhaidh fo ! Deir clann nam meat, 'S an uigh ri triall O fhiantaibh thaibhfe. Ach * As the name of Dargo is frequent in the poems of Of- fian, this hero is further diftinguiihed by his patronymic of Mac-Drui-Bheil, « the fon of the Druid of Bel 5" probably the Arch-druid of the Caledonian kingdom, 224 DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL, Ach dhomhfa cha torran ur guth 'N ur cruth-cheo tuaiream ur pailliun, 'S gur cuimhne learn iomairt nan fleagh An aghaidh ur Deirg 'ic Drui'bheil. Sgeula nam bliadhnai a threig Air bharraibh an fgeithe doirche* Sguir an tfeilg is choidil na feidh Fo dubhar gheug air choinich ; Thuit brat na h oich' air na fleibhte 3 ? S feifd aig feoid an Seallama, Bha dan is dan ann mar bu nds Bha fud ann is ceol nan clar, Le donnal chon am f e na greis O'n chreig fa 'n geal an traigh. — Leig dithis gu traigh nan du-thonn ? Suil-nan-roide 's Cafa-caola. A ghealach leth-dhoilleir nan ttk Duifg an aird o charraig Mhor-bheinn, Seall ro gheugan air eilde nan cadal, Is tuite' do ghathan air Caothan. Feuch do'n choimheach 's do'n chaomh an tiul, Is lluir o'n lear iad gu Seallama. Tha BEARG MAC DRUPBHEIL; 225 Tha dorus Fhinn do 'n anrach fial * Iul-oiche tar o'n fpeur do fholus, Ach lochrain nan fpeur tha nan main 'S an ceo m' an cuairt gan eide' Tha 'n raon dorcha, gun ghath air lear An iar no 'n near ag aomadh. Tha taibhfean a' feola feachy ? S a' feachnadh an ionaid le 'm barcaibh, Duifg, a ghealach o'n raon, Is taom, Iuloiche, do dhearfa, Sheall a ghlas mhadain Air bharraibh nan fleibhtean aobhach. Tha borbhan an cluais an luchd-faire Mar ehuilean maidne nan fgaothaibh, Dranndan bheachan an aonaich (Arfa Gafa-caola) nam miltean A' taomadh o 'n chuachaig choinicfr San Ion an d' imich an luaineach. Cha ehuilean maidne 's cha bheachan aonaich A ni ghaoir fo (deir Suil-nan-rdidean) Ff Mar * Taoma gach reul tro' cheo an folirs. 226 DEARG MAC DRUFBHElt, Mar ghealach an neulaibh tofdach Tha feachd a' coifeachd fa cheo ud. Le gnuis naraich phill na fir Le fios gu Fionn na # Feinne, An fleaghan gu trie air an talamh *S iad athach le ceuma neo-amhluidh. A' bualadh an uchd, 's a lliogadh an ula ? Sheas iad fo fhruthan- a' leumnaich O ftac gu ftac 's a cheo nam fait ? S an anarri an cein a fmuainteach\ Bhrift acain Suil-nan-roide, Chual am firein i 'n cos a chraig, Chrath e fgiathan ; chlifg na laoich 7 S le beum-fgeithe ghlaodh iad corag., Mar dha bheum-neibh' o'n f hireach Le cheiP a' Ike' gu gleanntai, A' fguaba chlod is chlaeh is chraobh, ? S gan taomadh thall 's a bhos air lointibh^ (Tra bheireas an leanabh, gam faicinn, Le gealtachd air daraig na bruaiche ;) B' amhuil fiubhal nam fear gu corag \ Mar fhruthaibh an cdail na fairge. — Tha Cafa-caol an iallaibh cruaidh, Is corag tual aig Suil-nan-roidean Ach DEARG MAC DRUl'BHEIL, 227 (Ach co b' urra cdrag ri Dearg Dearg deacair fin mac Drui'bheil?) Chluinntear leis an tfealgair na chadal An cois na carraig' an fhuaimneach, Amhuil fgairneach o chreagaibh arda Tra ni tairneach neamh am buala. Tha 'n earba le fiubhal samhach A' goid feachad le h alach ciar Lan ioghnai mu ? n tfealgair leifg Nach teich gu doireacha diambair. Crathaidh fi ceann is i falbh M A fhealgair is baobh do chiallfa.' 5 Dh' eirich farum nan arm An Seallama am aifling fein ; Ghlac mi am fhuain mo fhleagli, * Dhuifg mi 's an fhuaim ag eiridb. Dhuifg an Righ a b' f huaimneach fgia 'S bhuail chuige gu dian a fhldigh Mar fhruthaibh o mhullach aonaich, No mar ioma-ghaoth 'n craobba cos. Ff2 Bha * J4 U R ^u bhuail mi gu grad beum-fgeithe. 228 DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL. Bha ceud arm do mhic Innfe-faile Chab' abhar gean doibh Deargmac Drui'bheil^ Chimn' iad a bhratach dhaithte uaine ? S chual iad e 'g eigheach iorguill. Chruinnich a chuideachd mu Fhionn, Bu choigrich ciann Innfe-fail ; Sheas iad, gach fear 's a fhleagh na dhorn, 'S a iliuil fo chorfaid air Fionn-ghael. Amhuil foluis fo neula dorcha * Tra bhios coill air chrith, 's an fpeur ri borbhari, Chunnaic Fionn cath duldai An fuil gach laoich, ris fein a' cdra, ? S fhuair an Fheinne chean ! an cliu Chluinnte 7 n ducha cein an orain, Leats' an diugh biodh an cath, A Churaich nan gath ; 's biodh Oilian dlu, Bu trie a fgia mar chreig do ? n daraig Tra lubas an doinionn na coillte. Bha triath aofda nan Slia'-lhruth Is uikann air craoibh chrionaich. DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL. 329 A fpionadh anuas bho carraig Le gao'-chuairt is farran taibhfe. Tha aon lamh ga rufga gu faoin, Sleagh a fhinnfear fan aos-laimh eile, Oig' a' leumnaich mar fhruth bras Air anam, 's e borbhan' dhana. Chual e guth Fhinn r'a mhac Ghrad-bbac an fgeul ud a fmuainte ; Dhuifg gean eadar a chiabha glas 'S e tionnda gu cas a fhul air aon-mhac, 1 — Thionndaidh e fhuil gun fhradharc, 'S ceo-aois' air taoghal a ghruaige. So dhuit a mbic mo dhea' fhleagh Is trie a leag na feoid mar gheugan ; Iomair i mar do fhinnfear fan araich, Biodh iadfan gairdeach, 's mi fein gun Ieirfimv Feucham do lann a mhic nam feachd, Fo chaill Sorglan beachd a fhul, Feucham do lann an geur cruaidh i, *3 an *umha do fgia ri uair gabhaidh. — Cairich an iajl fo, a mhic pha mhife dh' earbadh 's mi og r'i, Tra * Carraig^ 2 3 o DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL, Tra bhiodh mo cheum gu iorguill nan fleagh, 'S mo chuille mar bheum an aonaich. 'S bha mis' a Churaich am dige Mar dhoininn a' dorta' do 'n araich, Seachd laoich bha fud am imeachd * 'S ioma damh an I-forla faruicht. Lionadh Ul-thorran le fraoch is feirg Air an leirg 's e fad air dheire, Loifg e ar barca liar air traigh, 9 S cliuir e fichead am fa gu'r mille\ Mhothaich ighean da bhriathra bais, 9 S da ghnuis a' fas mar cheo Lanna, B' ionmhuin lei mo cheuma fein ; Ph' fhas mo dhreach mar gheig na hanam. — " Ma leagas an doinionn thu gheug uaine, Cha bhuan mife, 's cha 'n fhas mo dhuilleach." An-moch nar n uaimh fhas Fhuaras an reul aigh Iulorno, A fait 6r-bhui' mu gnuis naraich 9 S i g innfe' 'n fha do chaitheadh oirne. " Seachnaibh a nochd an uaimh Ach na h inn'iibh gu d'f huair fibh fios ; Ta * fri laithean am fir^ach I-forla* DEARG MAC DRUPBHEtL z$t Ta anam an Ri' mar dhubhar na huaighe, 'S mo lua' fein air aineal o's n iofaL** Dh' imich i mar ghealaich fo neul, Tra dh* f heuch i fhlighe do 'n anrach, '3 e 'g imeachd air ailbheinn oillteil Mun do bhoifg an folus gu haghor. Chofgair linn am fichead fear mor Dh' iarras an oigh ;-*-ach fhuaras marbh h Lot lann a hathar a huchd, Is thuit i dlu da f hardaich. Caoin mar eal' air Lanna nan fruth Tra bhios faighead na huchd faithte, Bha 'n oigh ; — *s a brathair ga dufga, Lan ioghnai linne bhi craiteach. Claidhe' foluis thugas dha, Chaireas an oigh an leabai' chughainn* Far an dealraich a ghealach an duibhre ? S an cluinnear caoi nan oighean-taibhfe. Ta anam Iulorno fa cheo, Ri ceol tiamhaidh mu 'n tuaiream, *S a ghrian a fealtuinn ro' n bhraon Air druchd caoin na conuidh uaine. Tri s 3 s DEARG MAG DRUI'BHEIL. Tri laithe fhil ar deoir * Air a cheathramh fheol linn dachaidh, *— B' amhuil lin m' oige fein : A Churaich bi treim mar t Athair f. # Ait * Mu 'n fheolas am bare Ulthorrain. •)• The following verfes are fometimes repeated here. As they have fome poetical merit, I fet them down, although they may more probably belong to fome other poem„- Chuir finn amach a dh' f hulang dorainn,, Bratach Fhearais oig mo bhrathar, 5 S thog finn amach bratach Chaoilte *N Lia'-luideagach aobhach anrach„ Thogadh afuas mo bhratach fein, 3 S a folus mar ghrein an duibhre ; 9 S thog finn amach an Lia-luimneach, Bratach Dhiarmaid oig o Duibhne s Ard mar neulaibh ball-bhreac Am barraibh nan giufach uaine, loma-dhathach mar bhogha nan fpeur 'S frafa ceituin air eluainibh. Gach frann a chluinnte fan adhar O chratha nan frol gabhaidh, Mhofgladh an fhuil 's an tanairi Le fparradh a chum na harach. Leumatft DEARG MAG DRUI'BHEIL. 233 Ait mar iolair nan ard-bheann *S i tearna' le fgiathaibh fuaimneach Gus a chds am faic i air faondra Minnein ea-trom na faoin-chluaine, Dh' imich Curach : bha fhloigh na dheigh Mar eafaich* ag eigheach ro fgarnaich, No mar tharnaich fo choill air chrathadhj 'S gun aon tein-adhair fan fhafaich. — Mar uifge Bhalbha nan ciuin-cheum Gu domhain treun bhuail chuige Dearg ; Cith-chatha na Ihuilibh lafrach, 'S a Ihloigh gu tartrach m' a thuaiream, 'N fin chaidh linn an dail a cheile, Sloigh nan Druidh' is fuinn na Feinne, Gg • *S Leumadh an fhuil co bras, An cuiflibh nan gaifgeach m6ra"> Ri beum fleibh o'n aonach, *S gach aon ag eigheach coraig. An fin bhiodh torrunn a chatha Mar dhuilibh an adhair fan do-uair, Tra bhios gaoth is gaoir is dealan ki faruni an coill nam Mor-bkrann* 234 DEARG MAC DRUPBHElL. 5 S bu luaithe na greann-ghaoth earraich Sinn a' dol an tus na teug-bhoil : Na bu luaithe na milte do fhruthaibh A' ruith an aon flugan o ardaibh Bhiodb a' beucaich gu treun meamnach Le toirm gheamhraidh o gach fafach. Cha bheuca treun-thonn na tuinne, Nuair bhuailt e ri creagan arda, Le neart na gaoith tuath fan fhaoilteach, Cha ftuadhadh ri gaoir an ard-chath. • — Ceart choimeas corag nam fear Cha 'n f haca mi riabh ri m' latha. Thall y s a bhos gach taobh do Mhor-ihruth Sheas na feoid am fe na damhair ; Air bharraibh an fleagh mu dheire Ieum iad An cbail a cheile * fa bhoile ghabhaidh. Tharta mar dhealan 's na neulaibh Bhuail gu cheile 'n floigh le 'n llailinn. Tha caoire dearg thar fgiathan a' breabail, Euil air fgeiran> 's laoich gam bathadh. Ach co dh' innfeas onfha na haraich ? Chaill Curach a lamh 's a fgia ; An * aL fan amhaijin fheirgich, DEARG MAO DRUI'BHEIL. 235 An fealbhan a cheil' air uchd an tfrutha Tha 'n fiubhal ; 's e Dearg a ghearr iad. Leum Curach a tri air ais, Is leum a chlaidhe geal as a thruaill, " Sgaoil Oifiain do fgia : caomhainn do lann, Is fann cliu gun chothrom Feinne." " Ri Laoch leointe ni 'n gleachdam fein, Cha 'n eireadh mo chliu na bhas, Imich gus na blara chaidh feach 'S gu gleachdainn ri Oifian na habhachd." Dh' imich e 's a fhuil na lafair, Thachair air fleagh gun aon ga giulan, (Efan a dh' iomair trie i fan araich Cha-chluinn an tras gaoir a chatha.) •«— " A Chaoin-chanaich ceangail ri 'm uchd i, 'S nach faicte Curach a dhiobhail laimhe." Thuit mo Ihleagh fein air Dearg, 9 S e dire' ri calg na bruaiche, Ghlac e 'n taos-dharach na thuaineal I'eadh bhruafgail lann is chrann is chnamhan. Dh' eirich e 'n taice r 'a gheig * Ach chao'inn mi fein an laoch ciaoidhte, Gg2 ' Thuit * al. ? S a lamh gu treun na chlaidhe, 236 DEARG' MAC DRUI'BHEIL. Thuit a dhaoine bhos is thall Mar dhuille chrann an doininn dulaich. Tharta tha na fruthain ri breabail *S am fait mu chreaga ga fgaoile, Clogaid is ceann-bheairt an fo 's an fud Air udal an cobhar na haimhne. Tog arfa Dearg do chlaidhe liomhai, A mhic Ri, 's gun mife claoidhte. Togams* e, arfa Curach cathach, ? S e fgatha chrann alios is dhaoine, ? S a leagail a chlaidhe, mar dhealan Feadh daraich, air Dearg nan Druidhean* Thuit an laoch fan amhainn fhuaimnich* Lan fuathais theich a dhaoine. Ach bha Conn an iomall na Feinne Gan leire mar * dhus an cuairt-ghaoith. Ghrad-thionndai mi fein na choail Gus am facas Fear'as 6g mo bhrathair ; A chridhe laifte le boile-chatha, *S a fhuil mar phlatha na h diche. B' amhuil e *s iolair bg Tra chi 11 meann o Mhor'uth fleibhteach, Mr ** aU mar fhneachd air fuar-eith, . DEARG MAC DRUFBHEIL. 237 Air tuilteach gaoithe fgat)il i fgiathan, Ach leum an ciar-mheann fo ghengaibtu Sheas Conn na aite fein Mar thannas air Leana fan diche, Tra eideas e bhuill le dealan an adhair A ghios a chatha na bhoifge. — >B' amhuil Conn 's a fhloigh ga threigfinn, Lean e fein iad mall is gruamach, J) a uair phill e fan ag Mar fhruth Balbh' a' ftad an imcheift. Ach fuil gan d' thug e ri Athair afuas, Chunn' e ghruag dhearg fan tuil, An claidhe fathafd na leth laimh, A gheug an fas fan laimh eile. Gu grad thug e Athair gu Ihliabh, Bu tiamhaidh fuaim a chaoi 's a luirich, Phill linne gu Fionn gu caoin, ChoJaich caochan linn fan 16n 5 Ionnfui thug Curach gu leum 5 Ach thuit air a fgei mhoir. - — Tha 'n fruth a' dire' r'a bhrollach leonta *S a' cronan feadh bholg a fgeithe. 238 DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL. " 5 S mo chomraich ort, Oifiain 'ic Fhinn, Thoir an claidhe fo ionnfui mo mhic, 'S e ruaga' nam fonan "* fgiathach Aig Slia' fhruth aobhach nan dofa trie. Dlti dha taomas an teas Eadar gorm-phreafa na bruaiche ; Thig an toirm gu cluafa mo leinibh, &6 Tha m' athair (a deir e) mu m' thuaiream, - — Le ceuma neo-amhluidh am choail, Chi e bronach an fleud a mheall e. Fill a leinibh gu tfhonan faoin, *S air neulaibh caoin bidh mife aoibhinn. ■ — Innis da, Oifiain, mo threubhas fein 5 S gun eireadh anam le bhlianaibh. -—Tha oigh nan lamh mm gu deurach Ag ull'ach eidi' fa chomhair Churaich, A bos fa ceann ri turram broin ; Oigh mo ghaoil, tha mis' am fhme. — Leig dhiot do Ihaothair og^bhean Eoghnai dhomhfa ceo nan aonach. Dh' fhofgladh do'n laoch an uir-chonui, • S thogadh le cronan bhard a leac. Rainig * taibhfeach. DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL. 239 Rainig an eigh gu Athair aofda 'S e 'g aomadh an coail a mhic. Shaoil e gu bu leis buai-larach 'S tha lamh amach na choinneamh, Ach chual e ris guth caoi nan leac ; " Am bheil t Athair gun mhac, a Churaich!" Mall, dall, ag imeachd an raoin, Thuiflich air laoch fo laimh an eig " Och cia beag a nis tha do threoir Aig Triath mor nan fruthan fleibhteach !" Sheall an leont' thar bile fgei, 'S i fpairte ri creuchd na uchd " An robh thufa riabh an Iforno? Ma bha theag gur eol duit an lann fo ; Fhuair mife 's mi 6g an gath foluis Nach tog tuille Ulan-forna." Bhruchd cuimhne na bha Mar thuil air amhghar Shorglain. Chualas e, acain air acain, A' caoi brathar ghafda Iulorno, Dh' iomchair linn an dithis fear Gus an uaigh 'n do leag finn Curach, B f 2 4 o DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL, B ? ait le Saorglan an taite conuidh, , ? S cha b' ann le Ulan-forna bu mheasa, ** Cuirear mo chraofnach uinfmn Gu m' aos-mhathair, am ionad fein, Mac no og-bhean ni 'n d' f hagas Ri faicinn air traigh Iforno. Mar ghallan air fleibhte faoine Tra thaomas ofnaiche Lanna, Tha mife gun bhri gun f has Cuiribh mo llileagh le baigh gu m' thalla, Cuirear dhachaidh do fhleagh, a Laoich, Arfa Fionn gu bronach caoin. Do d* mhathair tha nis gun mhac Do flileagh cha toir moran tlachd, Tha 'n lafair, na talla, geal ; Is amhlui (deir am bard) gun final Tha cliu do mhic : ni ife gean, } S crith fholais thig gu hanam fean. " Mar ghrein do m' anam fein 9 S mar drra-fhleibhte do m' aois,, Bidh cliu mo mhic ghradhaich, Faic, their an oigridh, a mhathair," — Tha i ftad a miabadh a sul, Tha fuaim fgei fann air a cul, i Tha BEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL. ttf Tha dreach foP air a bui'-bholg Thu£ fud do 'n aofda geilt is eolg. Tha donnal glas-mhadai fan fhaiche 'N e Ulan for no ta e faicinn ? Tha 'n taos-bhard air a fhleagh ag eifdeachd 'S a fhuil an gorm-thir ard nam fpeiira, Tha neoil air gaoith thar lear Dh' aithnich e tannais nam fear; " Fofglar an talla 's na neoil doibh Is cromadh an finnfir nan coail." Ard ro ch^ch tha imeachd Ulain, Caol dhears' diche *roa mhullachj, A fgia bhrifte na ftioma dorcha Mar cheum na gaillinn air chreagaibh corracha, Chaochail an neul is phill am bard, Glas-ghnuifeach mar na fpeuran ard ; Thribuail e chlarfach le fonn, A fuaim bu tuirfeach 's bu tromu " Fhilidh na Forna taifg do chlar ? An aros Fhinn f huair finne dan," H h Fhm&i* * #/. ro it* iolalro 242 DEARG MAC DRUI'BHElk, Fhuair thu fin o gach bard A mharcaiche nan lion ard 'S o Fhionn fein, is Saorglan bronach, Aig an aite 'n robh Curach na chonui. 9 S is trie thu 'm aire fein 9 S tu teachd fa ghaillinn o chein, A dh' amharc air faiche do chliu 'S a chiann a' feoruich co thu. " Tha tannas air Mor-fhruth ag aoma? Roimhe ta 'n folus a' taoma' Fann : is aileachd a ghath Na fgei is na bhrollach o'n chath." Aithneamfa bho fgeul nan dg Triath Iforlo 's Dearg d'a choir A ghruag air a deilbh do dhealan dearg, ? S an * darag aos'ar dlu dha feargta. Cuairt * The oak was the favourite tree of the Druids. M The Druids, (fays Fiiny, 1. 16. c. 44.) have fo high an efleem for the oak, that they do not perform the leaft religious cere- mony without being adorned with garlands of its leaves." The temples of the Druids were frequently placed in the midft of the thickeft groves of oak, fuch as that defcribed by Lucan; Pharfal. iii. 393. Lucus erat 5 &c. Not DEARG MAC DRUI'BHEIL. 243 Cuairt nam flath gur ait learn fein Gu aonach nan tannas gun bheum, Far chuire' gach falachd air cul, 'S a bheil na feoid air fad a dh'aon run. Tha coail nan Cathan an fith, 'S iad air fgiatha na doininn gun ftri, Gun bheum-fgeithe gun f harum lainne *N conuidh thofdach na caomh-chloinne, Tha iliochd Lochlinn is Fhinn gu h ard, Ag eifdeachd caithream nan aona bhard, An uigh cha'n eil tuille ri ftri, 'S gun uireas' air liothainn no fri, Tha"*n fuir air na blia'naibh a threig, (Le fnotha gun ghean mar mi fein) 'S air raon nan rua-bhoc le ioghna, O'n glas-eideadh air mharcachd ftime. H h 2 —Mar Not far away for ages pafl had flood, An old unviolated facred wood ; Whofe gloomy boughs, thick interwoven, made A chilly, cheerlefs, everlafting made. Rowe's Tranflat. The prieiis of many other ancient nations, and even the Hebrew patriarchs feem to have held this tree in the like ve- neration. See Gen. xxxi. 4,8. Jom, xxiv. 26, Sec 344 DEARG MAC DRUFBHEIL, — Mar fgeula nam blia'nai chaidh feach Air iteig aonaich le 'n ciar-dhreach, Tha * aiding na beatha dhuibhs' a Fhlaithean> Mar tha dhornhfa Dearg nan cathan. — Sud fgeula nam blia'nai a threig Air bharraibh an fgeithe dorcha. CONN ^ AXX o\iyov xpovtov, &c. Few are our days, our youth is like a dream Which fleets a moment o'er the thoughtlefs mind* And is fucceeded by unlovely age Which leaves the mighty frail, forlorn, and bliijd* Unlovely age ! more to be fear'd than death. Thou mak'ft our beauty and our ftrength decay ; pur fons defpife us, and the young forget That we, like them, have once been young and gay. Mirnnermus, de Sene&c O N N*. S^GEULACHD air Conn mac an Deirg Air a liona le trom-fheirg ; Dol a dhiola' bais Athar gun f heall, Air Uaiflibh 's air Maithibh na Feinne, Tha gaoth thiamhaidh nan fpeur Ad gheugan aofar, a ghiuthais mo ghraidh^ Do cheann lubta 's tula aofda Ga fgaoile mar chuailein a Bhaird. Dh' imich air fruthaibh na fafaich An fpionnadh a b' abhaift ieinn, Tra chlifg am magh fo cheuma Chuinn ; Nach cuimhne leat fein na lakh' ud ? No * Conn, a contraflion of Gutb-thonn, " the noifc of waves.' 5 246 G O N N. No 'n do chaill thu mar mife do bheachd *S tu gleachd ri iarguin na h aoife, Gun air' air na laithean a threig, Is aoibhinn ge doilleir an cuimhne. %-^-Sgeul air na blia'naidh nach pill On leach-ran air luim na f afaich. *S bha fgia fein fo uilinn gach laoich f S cath baobhail Dheirg air fgur, Mis air uaigh Churaich am mine, *S ceo-cadail a' liona m' anama ; Fax an d' eirich fo 'n gheig uaine Tri leacan o bhruaich nan cofan. Thuhiing air m' anam ceo-chruth ? Mar ghrian mu luba na Caothan, Tra bhios beanntai doilleir fa cheo,1 'S daimh chroice fo fgail an aonaich. Dh' eirich Curach na cheo bho'n araich B' amhuil a flailinn 's leus an duibhre ; Bha fhuil, mar b' abhaift, na lafair^chatha 'S a fgia ga cratha gun ghairdean. Dh* aithnich mi fein an caomh-th annas, r S e re feal fo bhron a' gluafad, A* C O N N. 247 A' pille' gach uair gu ehruth fein Ge d' fheid an ofag na cuairt e. " Com an caoidle' tu Oifein, (Se tharum air ofaig a' taoma',) Com an cadal do 5 n Fheinne *S # gabha-bheil nan caradh ag aoma' ?" Chrath e gheug ghiuthais air bharr, 9 S chuir e mis' a dail mo bhruadair ; An fgairt a thug e 's 'g imeachd Chuir crith air na creaga mu 'n cuairt domh. Sheid mi lafair fan darach lia, Theich gu dian luchd-fiubhail an duibhre; 'S * This term has been explained formerly in the HJfl&rj ef the Druids, It is compounded of gabha, danger, and Beal, the ebjeft of Druidkal *wor/bip. It alludes to the trial by the Ordeal of fire, as pra&ifed by the Druids. He who efcaped unhurt from this- trial was faid to come out of gabha-bheil j and hence the word came to denote any great jeopardy or danger. Death itfelf feems to have appeared lefs dreadful than gabha-bheil, when the iflue of it proved unfavourable. " Creach is croich, is gabha-bheil, Is meafa na iad fud araon," &c, 2 4 8 € O N N. ? S thainig fear-faire na Feinne Le fgeul o lhluagh nan Druidhean. Gus an * innis an coidil a fhinnfear Fo dharaig nan geuga lubta, Bhios ag aomadh air uilinn nan leac, Bhiunaich iad Dearg nam feachd baobhaidh : Far an tribuail baird 's an eigh taibhfe Nan dui-neula 's an dearg-fhuil caointeach* Le Suil-oiche phill mi fein Gu feimh thar uifge Mhor-fhruth ; Chualas f mic Lodda ri tribuail fgread Ri tannais an geilt mu 'n cloich thiamhaidh. * Suppofed to be lona, which was anciently called Innis* Druinach, and which was poflefled by the .Druids, till St Columba, towards the end of the 6th century, fixed upon it for the feat of his monaftery. The inhabitants ftill point put the burial place of the Druids, and call it " Claodh nan Druinach." f 1. e. The Scandinavian priefls. Their incantation is in zC different meafure. The wildnefs of its numbers admirably correfponds to the fuDJedl of it, CONN. 249 u A cheo na Lanna ! Uamkarr alia, Air dhath fala* Taofg o'n chala gun deifinn, Taom, a Lbdda ! Fraoch do chorruich, 'S lion le ogluichd Ailling 's brollach na Feinne, 'Nam fradharc eirich Ad chruth eiti ; Torran fhleibhte 5 S lafair fpeur ga d' chddach. A cheer na Lanna, Aom nan cara' ; *S buair an codal A chruth-Lodda nan leir-chreach I O fgap do dhealan* Luaifg an talamhj Buail an anam, Is na maireadh colann bed dhiu. 19 'S nim bu tofd do na haofaibh lia Ri fonn tiamhaidh chaich. I i C&oIf 250 CONN. * Ghoir iad, 's nior ghoir gu diomhain ; An luib an fiontai chual an cairdean. Air * The following lines are a different recital. Chualas le Loda 'n f huaim, Dh* aom a chruth dorcha nuas, B' eide dha dealan fpeur, Duili* 's doinionn meafg a cheil*. B' ionan anail is tein-adhair, 'S e ga feide plath* air phlatha ; Chuireadh a fgread, a fgairt, is eigne Cith is crathadh air na fleibhte : *S mur dealra' lann an Luin an laimh Fhinn Mheathadh e cridhe gach fuinn. Ach theich e roimhe le fuathas, Tra thug an Ri* fiorra ma thuaiream. Theich e le toirm na torruinn 5 S e marcachd a mhile donionn. Of this paffage the following lines may be almoft taken as a tranflation, though not intended as fuch. ******** " See Loda's gloomy form advance, On high he lifts his fhadowy lance, Within his hand the tempefts lour, The blaft of death his noflrils pour : Like CONN. 251 Air an eide le teine na hoich' Air uairibh fhoilllich iad mu Chonn. 'S trie a theich coimhich o'n iarguill dheirg, Mar earba bho f halafg an aonaich, A grad-leumnaich gu coire nan coillte Gun fhuireach ri fealltuin uaipe. ; — B' amhuil geilt laoch ro ghabha Dheirg, Sheas Fionn air an leirg gun mheatachd. Ii2 *S Like flames his baleful eyes Appal the valiant — from the fight They turn before the blafting light ; His hollow voice like thunder (hakes the ikies, Slowly he moves along, exulting in his might, Vain are thy terrors, dreadful (hade ! Lo ! Morven's king defies aloud Thy utmoft force. — His glaring blade Winds through the murky cloud. The form falls (hapelefs into air : His direful fhrieks the billows hear, And ftop their rapid courfe with fear. The hundred rocks of Iniftore reply, As rolPd into himfelf he mounts the darken'd iky." ft ft ft ft ft ft Ope to Ossian. y D % C Q N N, 'S chunnas Conn na aonar Trom-fmaointeach air fleagh dhealruich, A ghairdean air chrith ? s a fhleagh air chrath^ Le ciachaibh fa ghealaich a' boifge. Chunnas anam ga leire' Le fmuainte cath is eiridh broin, Tannas Athar o'n gheajaieh ag aomadl} Air dus nan neul is aogas tiamhaidh j Amhuil * aonaran lia nan creag Le aire leagt' air faoghail dhorcha. Bha ula dearg an fruth na gaoithe, ? S ofnaigh mar ghaoir na Leige, Tra fhnagas tannais na dhall-cheo, Gun bhard le cheol gu'n deanadh aoibhjn, Bhuail Fionn am bolg Cho-f hreagair gach tolm is creag ; Chlifg eilde bho 'n callaid chofaich Sgartaich eoin nan coillte fafa. Chual' an talla-mhada 'n fhuaim 'S e tearna nuas gu mort na haraich, Phill * The aged Druids lived frequently in retired caves and rocks after their power had been broken. CON N. 253 Phill e gu uaimh le nuallan feargach 9 S le fuile dearga, bas nan rua-bhqc. Sheall Suil-oiche 'n N do fhearg a Rofcan'a do gheugan ; Tra ghluais mi fein gu blaraibh Fhinn, Fios chuireas nach do phill; Bha mo cheud ftmil gach modi air lear 'S gach an-moch thug mi 'n cuan fainear^ San oiche bi m' adhart a chreag, Ach ni 'm facas mo ghaol a' teachd. * *~A thriath I-uaine— ach c'ha bheo thu, *S glas do ghnuis ann oxradh oiehe ; Oh! if thou hover J ft round my walk* While under every well-known tree I to thy fancy'd fhadow talk, And every tear is full of thee ? Should then the heavy eye of grief, Befide fome fympathetic ftream y In {lumber find a fhort relief, Oh! vifit thou my foothing 1 dreamt * Ah am dhufga. Tha; CONN. 257 Tha do fliuil mar them' a chaochail, Ach eiridh t uaigh, a chaoimh mo ghaoil-fa. Mar thuiteam daraig am feafgar feail Tra f hreagras gach coill' is creag do'n eigheach, Chualas a ris fgia Ri na Feinne 'S i co-ghairm a chuideachd le cheile. Leumas air ar iieaghan gu luath Seach an t ait an robh Curach na uaigh, — Ach co fin air f hoid uaine, Madain no beum-fgei cha ghluais e? Sud Cofa-geal \ blia Thriath air chall 'Sbhabhior-chluas ard ri gaoth gac ball, A' tionnda bho ofaig gu h ofaig Chluinnte leis * fgia na huifeig. Bh' iarr e Curach fa bhlar, I San dearg-chobhrach fhuair a lamh ? Gu bronach thog e na bheul i, 'S rainig e uaigh Churaich gu deurach ; K k 4 Shin * aU faoin-fhuaim na duilleig, f al. air bile Mhor'-uth, 258 CONN. Shin e e-fein 's an lamh fa mhuineal, Mar thuit thar Ofcar mo * chaomh-chuilean- . — Tamul * al. chuilean tarr-gheal. Ofiian gives the following defcriptioh of his favourite dog Bran, in another of his poems. Cafa buidhe bhiodh aig Bran, Da thaobh dhubha ri tarr geal ; Drim uaine fu 'n fuidh an fealg, Cluafa corracha croc-dhearg. The following lines in the fame poem which mention his regret for having once ftruck him, are highly exprefiive of his regard for him. Dh > amhairc ormfa Bran buadhach, B* ioghna leis mi ga bhuala', 'N lamh fin le 'n do bhuaileadh Bran 'S truagh o'n ghualainn nach do fgath. In the paffage in the text* the poet probably alludes to the following very tender paffage in the ift Book of Te- mora, where Oflian laments the death of his fon Ofcar. Chruinnich iad uime na fluaigh, ? S gach aon neach ri buirich thruagh ; Gha chaoineadh Athair a mhac fein, 9 S cha ghuileadh a bhrathair e : Cha chaoineadh piuthar a brathair, J S cha chaoineadh mathair a mac ; Ach C ON N. 259 — Tamul do m' fhleagh fo m' cheann, Dh' at mo chridhe le ofnai theann ; Phill mi ri madadh a bliroin Ach cha leanar leis mi d'a dheoin. Le tri fgalan dh' imich anam ; Gun deo, mar chre, tha Cofa-geala. — Com a bheil m' anam co meat ? Ach tha faaim an Ri le fhloigh gam dhufga. Mar ioma-ghath greine fan fhrois A' boifge' ro dhoininn gun fhois, Mu thimchioll Fhinn air gach laimh Las lainn Innfe-fail is Mhor-bheinn. K k 2 Tha Ach iad ulle anns a phlofgail A' geur-chaoine' mo chaomh Ofcair. ^ ^ % % % % Donnalalch nan con ri m' thaobh, Agus buirich nan fean laoch, Gul a phannail fo co fnitheach, Sud is mo a chraidh mo chridhe. Cha d' fhidir duine roimhe riabh Gur cridhe feola bh' ann am chHabh j Ach cridhe do chuibhne cuir Air a chddacha le ilailinn. z6o C O N N, Tha Curach iofal ; Tha mile fuii air Fionn, Tofdach, an duil ri ceann-fea'nais. Air ais Iheas Fear'as nan cath Eag-famhluiclh : a fhuil air dhath Reul ro' bliraon, * 's gun ghaoth a' gluafad j Anam ag at, uchd a' bualadh, Fhuil air ghoil j a fhleagh ga paradh, 'S e g amharc thai chach air Ri na Feinne, f C'ait am bheil a$ og-iolair fhuaimneacb Bu tartrach fgia am feachd a chruadail? Cha b' fhonan le 'n do fgaoil thu 'm blar 'S eha bu lorg leinibh do ihleagh a d' lainm. Chi mi orra colg a chatha ; 'S teats' a mhic an diugh an latha. Lub an tuaibhreach, ? s na buail ajn fann, ? S am fuil a mhiodhair na truaill do lann. Mur tuit na trein cha 'n eirich do chliu, 'S taibhfe nan fpeur gu d' cheum cha tig dlu. Caomhainn an lag, ach an aghaidh an laidir Biodh mar dhoire ri theine do ghairdean. Mar * al. fan oiche chluanaii% ■\ Fingal fpeaks. CONN, 261 Mar ghaoith gu feide' na caoire Bidh mo ghuths' air an raon lb lamh riut. Mar thonna dorcha doininn A' togail na mara ceann-ghlais, *S ga tilge' mar fhleibhte fneachda Thar ailbheinn chreigc na tragha, Thuirling Conn anuas le fheachd, A Ri bu fgreataidh an namh e. Chualas an fhuaim leis an aos-fhealgair s ? S e T g eiridh * o chluainein na hearba; " Sud (is e caifdeachd) torman an torrain, Ach cha'n f haic mi na lorg an dealan. — Theaga gu bheil doinionn air chuantai 9 Chi mi o'n charraig a ftuaidhean." O'n ghlas-fgeir bha 'n fhairge ciuin ? S o fhleibhte foir a ghrian a' dufga, ?S ag amharc ro 'n bhraon air aos-ula 'N t fealgair, 's e g eifdeachd ri ffuaim na tuinne. Air faicinn da feachd Chuinn, f< Ruitheam fios a choghnadh Fhinn." A f al. fna cofanaibh falchaidh, tj- taic a lainne. i6-2 CONN. * A Laoich nan cath dobhidh, Fuirich air carraig do chdnuidh ; Tha floigh na Feirme lionmhor 'S iolach f bhais an am dol lios ac\ Tha Fear'as rompa, treun na fhraoch, Mar thannas fo'n lubar an raon, Tra ghlacas e doireachan uaine, | 'S a thilgeas'e bonn afuas iad ; Na cheann tha torrain ; na fhuil tein-adhair ? S f halt os cionn chrith-dhaoin' air chratha. — B* amhuil Fear'as an cinnfeal Ghuinn, 'S an leirg air chrith o thuinn gu tuinn. Le fgreadail an lanna garbha, 'S le caoiribh teine bho'n cruaidh arma, Chuir iad iafg nan cuanta ftuadhach Ann an caoilte caola fuara. Chuir iad feidh nam beanntai arda Gus na gleanntai fuara f afail, 'S eunlaith bhinn-fhoclach nan coillteach Anns na fpeuraibh le crith-oillte. Ghabh oighean lamh-gheal geilt ro 'n fgartachd, 9 S iad ag itealaich dol tharta ; Chodaich * The poet fpeaks. f ghair, $ al. mar luibh le ogan guanach. CONN. 263 Chddaich iad an cinn nan fuain-chrith 'S fir na Feinn' a' ruith nan fmuainte. — Oighean lamh-gheal nam m6r-fhruth ? 'S ioma treun a nis nach beo dhiu, 'S ioma caochan dearg fan aonach, 'S ioma craobh le geugan fgaoilte ; Laoich mar chroinn a leag an dealan 'S an cinn uaine tinn fan doininn. Mar dha iolair a' ruith o charraige, Gu coinne* 's gu cogadh air neula dorcha ; Bho thaobh gu taobh le gaoith gan luafga, 'S an ealtuinn uil' air chrith le 'm fuaimneach* Cholaich Fear'as is Conn a cheile, 'S b' fhada 's cian gun bhuaidh am beuma % Thog Lodach fa dheir' a fhleagh, " A mbic Ri, do 'n tfeabhaig dean fieadh." Bi thus ann a d chuilm do 'n flailinn Arfa Fear'as na mor-abhachd. Thuit a cheann-bheairt gu talamh 's an ceann «, 9 S a cholann crochta fan tfleagh gu teann. Chunnaic Fionn a mhac an teinn, '3 tharruing e chlaidhe air a bheinn ; " Com 264 CON N. " Com am bi mathair mo mhic brdnach ? Cha bhi 's e buadhach, a leannain m' oige!" Air marcachd na sin' tha tannas o mean, Ag amharc le ioghnadh air corag nam fear j " Is amhuil fo 's mo cho-laoich fein" A deir e'se tuirling na neul. Sheas e eadar a mhac is Fionn, 7 S ni 'm faicte Fear'as ro an lionn. Le geur-iomguin 's uamhann floirmeil Dh' aom Fionn, mar nimh-thorc Ghorm'ill Tra chi e ('s e forra' na leacainn) Ceum an tfealgair an caradh a bhrocluinn : Tha creagan a' freagra da eigheach, 'S a' crathadh an cinn le'n coillte geugach, B' amhuil Mor'uth air chrith ro Fhionn, 'S a bhard mar dhearg bheum-ileibh na dheann, — Ghrad-las a ris mor-fheachd na Feinne, Mar f halafg air Laoire 's gach gaoth ga fheide ? O bheinn gu beinn, le toirm an-f heili ; 'S le fmuidrich ghlas an aird 's na fpeuraibh. Tha taibhs' a' cluiche na dha-lafair, ? S an earba na ftill air altar, Gu CONN. 265 Gu cluain a minn 's an deur na siiil ; Cha 'n fhaic i e beo, tha i 'n duiL Thuit no theich oigridh Chuinn 'S an Fheinne gan mag' air an druim Thar Mor'uth nan fteud ; is Conn gointe 3 Mar charraig le fairge caithte, Do 'n doininn aird a' toirt dulain, Tra bhios geilt air a mharaich teachd dlu dhi, Bhrofgluich e ri faicinn an Ri, Ach chunnaic Fionn a fpionna d'a din, 'S leig e dha imeachd gun fdradh, An deigh a chathan thar Mor'uth. A' dire' na bruaiche thall, Air an treas ionnfui thuit e nail, Thug an amhainn lubach eigh aifd ? Mar gu tuite' fgarnach * gheugach Tra fhiubhlas an torran 's na neulaibh, 'S a bhios na glinn air chrith le 'n treudaibh, — Leum gach fleagh an dail an Laoich, B' amhuil aogas as oiche gun lochran. 4 LI A # al. fhleibhtcach. 266 CON N, A mhilidh bu treine 'n diugh Thuit thu (do ra Fionn) fan araich ! Cialua-lhiubhlach laidhean an laoich ! Sguabaidh e 'ii raon fa rnhadain, Ach mu 'n tuirling oiche nan neul Cha 'n 'eil ach fuar-chre dheth r'a fhaotainn* Tlia mhathair 's a leannan gaoil Mu thurlach aobhach na feifde ; Tlia 'it cluas amach, tha fuaim ag eirigh, An folus na re tha bhuidheann dlu dhoihh ; Tha 'n ruith le aoibhneas na choail, An * caifil-chra tha 'n laoch ga ghiulan. — Dorcha * Caijlichro is an obfolete expreffioia, which feems to have been the name for a coffin or bier made of wicker, and ufed in ancient times by the Highlanders. The word occurs in this fenfe in a poem of great antiquity (though later than Offian's) called Labi 9 Fbraoicb, beginning witfo thefe lines, Och mo dhunaigh Cuan ud Fhraoich ! Corp an Laoich an eaiftl-chro : Truaighe bho 'n tuirfeach gach fear, *S o'n guileadh gach mor-bhean 6g. It is remarkable that the vehicle in which the ancient Romans carried their dead was exactly of the fame texture. •* Feretrum CON N. 267 — Dorcha, gearr, gun dears' air raon, Tha beath' an Laoich, mar latha dulaich. Fhearais, thoir Conn da chaoimh air aineal, Is farraid a nochd iad gu fleadh na Feinne. Chuala Conn an Ri', Is mm e lamh, 's e crith-bhriathrach, Gabhfa Fhear'ais mo fgia, 'S aig Fionn nam fiann biodh an tilat * : Tha m' anams' air f rioluinn a' triall, Gu ionada rial nam fiath ; Cairibh mo cholann lent' fhinnfear An' caol-thijrh taimh na h Innfe-uaine. L t>- L 1 2 Dun 61 Feretrum conftar cratis fuit, e ligno et vemine contextum." Car. Ruaeus in JEn. vi. 218. * The Druids wore a white rod, called Slat an Druidheaehd or " magic wand," with which they pretended to perform a great many wonders. f That fouls on their departure from the body take their flight to the other world in fuch vehicles, is an opinion which ft ill prevails in fome meafure among the vulgar Highlanders, who generally believe that certain meteors, to which they give the name of Dr'ettg, portend the death of eminent per? fons. S>68 CONN. Ban Liughair*. Chunnas ag imeachd an raoin Roi chraobha ceuman an tfealgair ; Liornh e tri uairean a fhleagh, Is bha ofna gach uair dhiu craiteach. Le laimb air chrith 's le ciabha geal, Shiab e ghucag a dhall e. Ach phill, ri mor-ghabha na Feinne, A laithe treun, is aois air di-chuirnhn, Bhuail e nar dail : — ach fguir an iorguill^ 'S le borbhan do'n f hafach phill e. Aig diobradh f halluinge, bha fgia i'araon is ula lia ga chodach, Mar fin is bian tuirc air a thaobh cuil \ Ghuir e air ar fuile deilinn. " Thugar * To the mod common editions of Dan Liughair is pre T axed the following ftanza, which probably introduced fome epifode refpe&ing Lugar in another poem : La gan deachai Fionn do thigh Leir Bu lion'ar ann ceir agus fion ; Ge d' tha e 'n diugh na aibhiil fhuair Bha e uair § b' aros righ. CONN. 269 t* Thugar an fhalluin fo do 'n fheumach Ars' an Ri, 's do 'n fheifd a chuid." " Gabham falluinn an Ri fheil, Ach ni feitheam r'a fheifd an diugh." 'S e Liughar at'ann le chu glas, 1 Arfa Fionn, '$ e grad-dhol na dhail, Ach cha do leig leis neach do chach, A chum ? s nach cuirte nair' an: JLiur. * A Thriath Mhoi-aluin 's ait learn fein * A charaid threin, gu bheil thu beo. Thug thu dhomh nuair bha mi 6g, Cuig fichead bo le 'n cuid laogh, Is baoghan an cois gach b6, Air an raon ofcionn Drim-caol. Thug thu dhomh fichead each Do m' iomchar as gach cas-claoi ; Thug, is cuig barcai fo m beairt Do m' thoirt gu traigh as gach tuinn, Thug thu fin dhomhfa gun bhreug, Gun eura, gu feilidh coir, Is gheibh thu nis diola ga chionn phir is ceilli cainnt is gloir, Cha O chionn cein. 270 CON N. Cha mhife fein a nis Liughar Ars an fean'ar bu mhor iochd, B' fhearr learn bas f haotainn gun teach, Na gu gablita mi na riochd. Gu deimhin is tu Liughar fein, 'S thig feachduin gu feifd Fhinn ; Theid feachd laoich an fin leat dhachaidh, * Gun fharran an imeachd do cheum. 'S bha Fionn is Liughar laimh air laimh Is each a leantuinn nan deigh, Nuair thachair oirn clach air an raon 5 S a thuirt Liughar aofda na cheiil : " Com' am biodh luchd na co-fheifde Ri ftri le cheile ni 's mo, No iorguill aig fiol nan treun, Ait, aon-fgeulach, rnarbh is beo. A chlach fo, gin na carraige, Togaibh an aird air leacainn Mhor'uth, Ni chlann do 'n aofda a thig, Seadh na lice fo fheoruich. ' Stiuraibh * A dhion tf limit o dhoinion nan fleibhte CON N. 4 Stiuraibh mife, their efan, Air laimh, gu leacainn na Mor'uth.' Le ceuma ro-ghairrid ra thaobh, Tha chlann leis an aofd' a' triall, A thaice r'a *Ihleagh, 's a chuilean dall, Am feafgar mall 's na heoin a' feinn. Tha ceum nan aighean fan raon, Ach an Laoch no chuilean cha chluinn, An iar-ghrian is gann is leir dha, Aoibhneach na lia-chuailean, Amhuil fo, air gach taobh da mhuineal, A' trufa mu bharr a luirge. Rainig is laimhiich e 'n leac, ' Si fo, a chlann, leac na Mor'uth (A deir e'se fgith r'a taic) So an leac a thog ar linnfear ; Cuimhnichibh a chlann an sith, Gach uair a chi fibh f leac na Mor'uth V n Innk * luirg. •J* The cuftom of fettmg up fuch pillars as monuments of the ratification of folemn agreements, was very common in ancient times. See note in the tranflation, p. 308* *J2 CON 1ST; Innis a leac do na blia'nai mall Tha thall air chul'aobh na greine * 'S nach cluinn guth na maidne gu dan, Leis fo gu d' iarradh sith na Feinne. A leac na slth aig fruthaibh mora, Cuire' taibhs' is coineach dion ort, Na deana' namh, no doinionn, no frutb, Amfeadhamhaireas Mor-ftiruth,do dhiobhailf.' Chaitbeadh an diche ri cuilm is ceol Is dh' imich air madain floigh J nan Druidh; Sheinn gach filidh caithream broin 'S cha robh cloir nam Morbheann famhach. Bu * 'S do 'n tfiol nach eirich gu cian. f At the end of Dan Liughair is generally repeated the following ftanza, fuppofed to have been the approbation gi- ven it by fome Ctddee or " Son of the rock,'* to whom it was firft addrened. Mile beannachd dhuit gach re 3 Oifein f heilidh is binne gloir ; Arfon aon fgeoil co maith blagh 'S a dh' airis thu riabh ri d' bheo, ± ah Chuinn, CONN. 273 Bu treun a Chuinn do lamh^ ? S bu laidir a Laoich t anam, Bu trie timeachd fa chuan-cheoj Gu dobhidh ofcionn na haraich, Ach a nis cha 'n 'eil aganifa leirfinn Ge do chluinn mi teigheach fa ghiuthas ; Ge do chluinn mi fan fheafcar fhaimh thil Mar an tras aig toirm an tfruthain. — 'S binn a Ihruthain do bhorbhan 9 S binn do thorman feadh do luban. Ach teichidh am bard o'n diche Bho chaoiran coilich an aonaich, A' luidhe' na chuartaig choinich 'S e glaodhach o'n raon r'a cheile. —A cheile mo ghaoil-fa, Aoibhir-aluimx, Is amhuil a b' abhaift leamfa 5 Ach a nis cha toir feairt air mo ghlaodh Ach mac-thalla nam faoin-bhruachan. — Tha Fionn na neoil, 's cha bheo Ofcar., Aoibhir-aluin na tofd is Mala^-mhine, C uin a bhios Oifian le fhinnfear % a dhiobras *a bheatha bhall-bhreac ? M m Dhlthich * ah a laithe fad-oicheach, 274 CON N. Dhithich mo chairde, mar lic-lighe, Tha 'n conuidh r'a lire' '$ an cuimhne. # Ach cha 'n 'eil anra aig Oifian na aonar ; A Liughair aofda bu leatfa cuid deth, Chunnas a d' thalladh an fheifd, Do choinlean ceir agus tfhion, Ge d' tha e 'n diugh na aibhill f huair Bha e uair a b v aros Righ ! Chunnas mar fin teach Leir, Ach mar ioma-char deas na bliadhna, Chunnas Liughar gun tigh gun teach E fein is a chaomh-bhean f hial. A' fiubhal gleannan na Moi'aluinn |, Fhuaras na f hafach tigh Liughair, Minnean * This and the following paragraph are generally repeat- ed with the former part of Dan Liughair, when it is taken as a feparate poem. f In a note to the Tranflation of this pafTage, it was ob- ferved how eafily the Gaelic language could accommodate itfelf to the nature of whatever fubject it had occafion to treat of, fo as to make the found generally convey an idea of C *0 N N. 275 Minnean na hearb' air a dhrim uaine, 'S a fuaine smte fan fhardaich aoibhinn. M m 2 Na <*f the fenfe. Some inilances were likewife given of lines harm or foft, rough or fmooth, according to the nature of the fubje& defcribed. It was particularly obferved, that in this paifage, which relates to a tender and mournful fubjeft, the moft prevailing founds (ai, oi, uai, &c.) are fuch as may immediately inform either the eye or ear, of even a flranger to the language, what the poet treats of. The Gaelic being an original language, is in a great mea- fure an imitation of nature. All its founds, therefore, mull be more an " echo to the fenfe" than thofe of any borrowed or artificial tongue. It is, however, more peculiar- ly adapted to defcriptions of the foft, tender, plaintive, and elegiac kind ; a circumftance to which may be owing, in fome meafure, the prefervation of thofe ancient poems which fall under this character. But when we fay that this lan- guage is particularly adapted to the foft and tender, per- haps more fo than any language in the world, ft rangers to its ftructure and genius may fufpe£t us of prejudice or par- tiality. They fee its aukward appearance in a garb which is not its own, and fuppofe, very naturally, that the letters which they look at have the fame found and power as in other languages with which they are acquainted. Hence they immediately form conclufions unfavourable to the har- mony of the language, as will eafily appear from a fingle obfervatiori ??6 CON N. Na uinneig bha ian na hoiche, » 'S eigheann a' cur duibhr' air aghaidh, An obfervation or two, which will ferve at the fame time to confirm what has been a little ago afferted. The Gaelic alphabet confifts of eighteen ( originally Jix- teen) letters. Of thefe Jive are vowels ; befides the letter h, which has fomewhat of the power of a vowel, as well as of afpiration. Such a proportion of vowels mull be attended with a harmony and foftnefs not to be found in other Ian* guages, in which the proportion of the vowels to the con- fonants is much lefs. It mufl likewife be obferved, that of the twelve confonants of this language eight or nine, in moil of the inflections, are altogether mute ; the efFe£t of the afpirate, fo often annexed, being either to deprive them of their power, or to render that power more vocal, foft, and mellow. This peculiar circumftance contributes fo much tq the euphonia or harmony of the language that if it were written as it is founded, when properly and gracefully pro- nounced, the number of its vowels would be found pro- bably equal to that of the confonants which retain their power. And to guard againft any inconvenience that might arife from 10 great a proportion of vowels, this language has made admirable rkovifion, by a general law which feldom or never allows two vowels to be pronounced (unlefs in a diph* thong) without interpofing a confonant. There is either an elifion of one of the vowels, or of two or three auxiliary or fervil^ V CONN. 277 An gaothan ga chuariach, !s na ciar aighean Beul a thighe fan tfruth, fo fmuairein. A fervile letters provided for the purpofe, one or other naturally fteps in and fills the hiatus. But of the admirable and peculiar ftruclure of this language we can give but a very inadequate idea in the bounds of a note. Few languages bear more evident marks of having been cultivated by Grammarians and Philofophers, although we know not at what period. In this view alone an acquaintance with it would amply re? ward the labour of the ftudent. Connected as it is too with the learned and ancient languages, as well as the fource of a confiderable part of the modern tongues of Eu- rope, the Philologifl would find the knowledge of it a very important acquifition. This would lead him to the origin and meaning of hundreds of words in living languages, of which no tolerable etymon or account can otherwife be gi- given. It would likewife lead to the pronunciation and meaning of innumerable vocables in the ancient languages 1 Hebrew, as well as Greek and Latin. — The following paf- fage, which contains a juft, as well as an elegant and con- cife account of this language, will form a proper conclufion to the preceeding remarks. " Lingua Hibernica adeo copiofa eft, ut gravitate Hif- panicam, comitate Italicam, amoris conciliatione Gallicam ? terroris mcuffione Germar.icam, fi non sequet, modico fane intervallo 278 CON N. A fhliochd nan fleibhte, 'm faca iibh Liughar ? Ach 's cubhaidh gur ait leibh nach beo e. Ach failnichi' iibhfe mar efan, 'S bidh ur daimhich aon latha ga'r feoruich. Crathaidh ur clann an cinn le fmalan, Cha 'n aithne dhoibh gleann ur conuidh i Is amhuil caochla ng, beatha *s na bliadhna \ Bha mife gun iarguin an famhra m' oige, Mar ghiuthas na Mor'uth uaine, Gun fmuairein ro' dhoininn a gheamhrai. Shaoil mi gu maire' mo dhuilleach 9 S nach cuireadh an aois air mo gheugan, Ach a nis tha mi lorn mar thu fein Is m' aos-chiabhan air fgei' na gaoithe ; Dh' f halbh laithean ar gean le cheile, Air fgei' na doininn do 'n aonach, LOSGA intervallo fequatur. Sacer orator, Hibernicse linguae fill* mine fceleratos a flagitio faspifTime deterret, ejufdem quoque linguae lenicinio, a flagitio ad virtutem attrahit. Linguam Hibernicam multa concinnitate prsedi&am effe quis neget ? cum earn Stanihurftus ipfe fateatur, acutam, fententiis abundantem, ad acria apophthemata et jucundas allufiones accommodatam efTe," Camhren. everj. p* 1 6. . LOSGA TAURA* \_A O fo taomadh a bhroin, Mar dheo air anail na hoiche ? A ghuth anrach an cluafaibh Oifein, A' tora' cliu, le ofnaiche caoirain. Taom, a thaibhfe, do ghuth, Niomfa gu fubhach eifdeachd ; Mo chluas na ciabha lia, Ag iarruidh tainme 's do fgeula. Tha * Ml. Teamhra. Sometimes called Laoi Ghara >s nam **n. The latter part of the poem is generally repeated as a feparate piece, under the title of Oifian a> caoi nam Fiann, " The lamentation of Oflian & r his friends." 23o LOSGA TAURA. Tha 'n f huaim air an iarmailt a' f as, Mar fteall aonaich fo dha bheul eas, Tra dhuifgeas e bho amar na cheo, 'S a dh' aomas e ? n coail an tfealgair. " A Laoire, (their efan o bhuth) Is binn learn ro d' luba tf huaim, Is binn learn do cheum 's a ghleann, Na dheann ro dhoininn nam fuar-bhean*** Is binn guth Laoire fan anmoch, A Shealgair nan eilde ruadha, Ach 's binne na lin an fhuaim Ta 'm chluafa fein fan uair fo. Mar cheol nam bard air an gaoith, An cuilidh chaoil nan fruthan uaigneach *. 4 No * Aerial mufic in the warbling winds. At diftance riling oft by fmall degrees 5 Nearer and nearer came, till o'er the trees It hungj SI *d breathed foul-diffolving airs. Thomson. LOSGA TAURA. iU No max f hoan * a ghaoil tra dh'aomas Ofcar *S a bhios clos aig an f honan fh£ail. Nn 'S * Mar fhonn a ghaoil tra dh'aomas Ofcar, " like the mufic of his love to the ghoft of Ofcar." In the Celtic mythology it was believed, that fongs in praife of the de- parted contributed to their ready admittance to Ftatb-inms Or " ifle of the happy j" and proved afterwards a grateful incenfe to their ghofts, when they hovered around. As the following verfes give a true idea of thofe fongs, to which our text refers, it will not be foreign to cur fubjecl; to infert them, though already well known, by the title o£ Ofcar' j Gbcf. O fee! that form that faintly gleams! 'Tis Ofcar come to cheer my dreams j On wings of wind he flies away, O flay my love! my Ofcar, ftayi Rife Offian! laft of Fingal's line, And mix your fighs and tears with mine j O ! tune the harp to doleful lays, And foothe my foul in Ofcar's praife, The (hell is ceas'd in Offian's hall, Since gloomy Cairbar wrought thy fall; The roe on Morven lightly bounds, Nor fears the cry of Ofcar's hounds. Ceafe, 282 LOSGA TAURA. 'S i gaol mo chaomh-Ofcair a t' ann, Faoin-uifeag nan gleann falamh, Is amhuil i 's gealach air fleibhte, Mall-cheumach, 's a gnuis fo fmalan. Ta i caoidh * gach peathar a threig,- Cha 'n f haicear an ceuma ni's mo, Mar reulta fan fpeur air caochla', No mar ghealaich 's a h f aogas dorcha, Ighean Thofcair, J 's falamh an take, Buifg-fa le d' dhanaibh m' anam. Duifg Ceafe, Tofcar's daughter! ceafe to mourn, Your hero never will return* But long fhall Ofcar's name be known, And far be fpread the Chief's renown. Ne'er fell his fword on vanquifh'd foes, Though great his foul when danger rofe; And when by friendship's words betray'd, The field with death your Ofcar fpread. Ye Sons of fong ! your voices raife, And ling the mighty warrior's praife ; That heroes yet unborn may cry — May I, like Ofcar, fight and die!" * at. na cuideachd a dh'eug. f al. eudach X at* far dhomh mo chlarfach. LOSGA TAURA. 2#g Duifg e bho chlo-chadal na haoife, An-aobhach, gun folus do chiuil-fa. Mar chlar taibhs' air ceathach an noin, An gleannan modhar nan caochan lubach, Tba gutb na faoin-uifeig am chluais, Taom f huaim air * cblar is duifg mi, — Dall air m' anam fein Tha na bliadhnaidh a tbreig a' pilltiri. Thaineas o Arda le buaidh, Gu huallach air fleuda nan f coigreach, J S ar gean mar ghathaibh na greine 'S i luidhe' liar air fleibhte Thaura. Chlteadh am fe na fairge I Coillte le 'n carraigibh eighinn, 'S clann ag amharc le ioghnadh, Air fmuidean Thaura fuidhe. Mar bho' na frois air fleibht * Bha oighean aoibhinn nar coail, A' feinn caithream nan ceud clar, Le manran binn an drain. N n 2 Failte * al an 6ioh\ f al gall. % a!, fleibhte. «U LOSGA TAURA. Failte- na Feinne *« Co fo liomhaidh na eide' Le f mharc uaibhreach ard-cheumach, Glas-mhuinneach, le fmuidre ceathaich O fbroin (mar dbeathacb Thaura) ? —Co fo air an each fteudach Las-fhuileach, cbobbar-bbeulaeh, Amhach mar bhogha-catha JLubta grinn fan ard-adbar ? —Co ; ' r i. e. " Hail to the Heroes." It was cuflomary that the women came out to falute the men with fongs, as here, on their return from war, — We find the like cuftom among the Jews in the days of David and Saul. And the women came out of all the cities of Ifrael, finging — " Saul hath flain his thoufands, and David his ten thoufands." i Sam. xviii. 6, 7. On this fubject., fee Mr Walker's memoirs of Irifh Bards, page 22. ■f Marc, " a horfe," is now obfolete, except in its com- pounds and derivatives, in which it ftill keeps its place — As cattle formed the nt'dium of commerce in the early ftate of fociety, before the invention of coin, the image and name of certain animals, of a cow, a fheep, or a horfe, were gi- ven to the firft coins to denote the value at which they were to pafs. Hence the name of the old coin mark, from foe above word iignifying a horfe. LOSGA TAURA. 285 —Co ach Fionn nam fiantai' feachd Mharcaicheas am bras-each frianach? Tha do chliu, a Righ na Feinne, Mu'n cuairt duit, mar ghathaibh greine, Na fholus tha miltean aoibhneach, ? S an gnuis mar an lear is fe air ; An gean mar Chaothan fa cheituin, Tra bhios iafg ri cuilean ag eiridh. Ach na laoich, co ciuin an s v ith, Tha mar dhoininn ri am na ftri. — Theich fibh, a choigrich o chein, 'S a righrean an domhain gu leir; Theich libh gun eide' gun each, Dh' f hag fibh nur deigh iad fan fheachd ! — " C'ait' a bheil ur nairm 's ur neide'? ,v — " Feoruichibh do fliiol nan fieibhte." Theich ur daoine fein gu narach, Cha bhi 'n ainm am feafd 's na danaibh. Oigh cha tig le clar nan coail Nan teach uaigneach tha iad bronach. — Bronach bithibhs' oighean aineil, 'S balla-chrith biodh air righre 'n domhain ; Le clar is ceol bidh finne aoibhinri, A' cur failt air Hoigh na Feinne, a86 LOSGA TAURA, B' amhuil a fheinn ar n oighean 'S an gnuis mar orra-fhleibhte, Tra bhios duilleach na daraig uaine Gun ghluafad thar uifge Lubair. 'S ni 'm b' fhois do chlaraibh nam bard An Taura ard fan uair fin, Le 'n crith-ghuth ait fan talla aoibhinn, Chluinnt' ann an cein am fuaimneach, ~Tha 'n darag dhearg na lafair, A folus gu fairling a' fgaoile' Gu ciar-imeachd an Aineil Air fliabh na falluinge doirche. — 'S ait le lliuil-fan an talla, " So far an caith linn an oiche ; Teach Fhinn ! tha chonuidh fgaoilte, 'S e ainm aobhach * Tigh na feile |." Dh 1 * al. Teach an Aineil. f The doors that know no (hrill alarming bell, No curfed knocker plied by villain's hand, Self-opened into halls. Cajlle of Indolence* LOSGA TAURA. • 287 Dh' amhairc an Righ gus an raon, Am faiceadh e aogas coigrich, ? San dorus cholaich e Bard aos-lia 'S e 'g aomadh air fuigheall luirge. Le aoibhneas thug Fionn e fteach, Air a leachd bha imeachd a dheoir, Fhalt tana toinnt' air gach taobh, 'S uladh aofd air uchd ga cholach\ — Air a chulaobh, a' giulan a chlarfaich, Bha ogan anrach athach : Shuidh iad gu'r cuilm le cheile, 'S gach aon ag eiridh gu muirneach. Dh' iarras orra bhi mbhach, Is am mulad mar cheo nach gluaife' Glas-neulach air bonn nan fleibhte, Ge * d' eirich a ghrian mu'n cuairt da. — Fa dheire ghlac an taofd' a chruit, A fonn gu tiamhaidh nar cluafa thuit. Dan * aU loinnear'. 283 LOSGA TAURA. Ban an aos-fhilidh. u 'S bha Sithaimhe na Thriath an cein ; A thalla dh' eirich air gorm nan lub, An afgailt bheann is choilltean aofda, San amhainn aobhaich tha dreach an tuir. — Deich is da f hiehead am fa ghleann, Ofcionn Sithaimhe fhearg an darag, " Faicibh ar laithean a' failneach, Bo radh e gach uair ris gach caraid. —Mar dhuilleag dharaich, mar f heur aonaich 9 Tha gach aon mu''n feach a' fearga' ; ? S ionan aimfir na beatha 's na biiadhnai, Mar dhian-ruith cloiche ro' gharbhlach. Tha cuid a' fearga' mar ros, Cuid mar dhuilleach bg fan tfamhra, Cuid mar mo ghaol fan fhoghar fhailneachj, 'S cuid mar Sithaimhe fa gheamhra*. 3 O * « Behold, fond man I See here thy pi&ur'd life > pafs fome few years, Thy flow'ring fpring, thy fummer's ardent ftrength, Thy fober autumn fading into age s And, LOSGA TAURA. 28o_ O 'n tha ar n iiine mata co gearr ; Faigheamaid na thrath ar cliu ; Biodh ar ceuma mar molus air aonach, Mu 'n caochail ar laithean anrach f." Cha d' iarr Sithaimhe riabh Ach fiothann a fhliabha fein, Is deoch cha d' iarr e 61 A' fruthaibh mor' an cein. Tra dh' iarradh an lag a choghna, Bha a lann an conuidh deas, Air chul a fgeithe dileis » An tanfhann fo dhidein flieas. Dh' eirich falachd eadar chairdean, Dh' iarr Du-arma bas a bhrathar ; Ge d' thug Sithaimhe do 'n lag e chonadh, Cha do thor e buaidh na larach. Thuit Talma is Sithaimhe ! Oo Gu And, pale, concluding winter comes at Iafl, And (huts the fcene. Thomfon's Winter, 1028, f Sithama, who moralizes here on the brevity of human life, feems to have been one of the Druids, whofe inftru&ions _ were frequently delivered in this fententious manner* j$k tOSGA TAURA. Gu Gorm-luba thar JDn-arma* Tha mac Sithaimhe 6g, * Cha'n eol da iomairt arma. — Chi e coigreach na dhail ('S an 6ich air barr nan geuga) Lua'-cheumach, amhuil athair, Ghluais e na charadh gu h aoibhinn \ Mar chrann fo dhruchd a cheituin, B' ait leis ceuma gach aineil. # # ' # # # # b «-— Chunnaic e Du-arma fo ghruaim, f* Tha chuirm fan uair fo fgaoilte,, (Thuirt e, 's e sineadh a laimhe,) Com nach biodh tu baigheil aobhach ? n Freagra cha d' thug Du-arma, Ach a fhleagh gu garg a thogail ; An togan theich le oidhrip fhaoin, Tha fhuil a' fgaoileadh air ftairfnich Athar, Chunnaic a phiuthar fearg a naimh 9 S a ciabha donn air clar a huinneig 3 66 Aos-bhaird an urr' thu mo dhion ? Ach chriqn do lamh, och cha'n urrainn," Tha LOSGA TAURA. 19 1 Tha uinneag eil' air traigh na tuinne, O'n trie a chunnaic i gnuis, O fin thug i leum fan t Truth ; Bu dubhach am bard aofda. * Critheach, deurach, ghios an doruisp Bu chofail e ri Laoch ag iomchar Mic a mhic gu 'leabuidK thofdaich, Thuit e fan ftarfnaich air Crigeal. t <0 Sem bard, ars' an togan a t?£li£ti*' Bha ghuth fann 's an teug a' ftri lis Thainig cu a' caoi ' mu'n cuairt, 'S an t'ileagh fhuair na thaobh cli. Bh' imich am bard fo bhron, A dh' iarruidh na hoighe fan tfruth ; Fhuair e i |crochta ri geig, § A mln i fein thar flugan dubh. O o 2 Ghaidh * al. Air chrith le chlarfaich, &c. f The chara&er and perfon of a bard were always held Tacred, even by the moll unfparing cruelty, j al. le folus na re. § aL 'S le lafair eiti* an tuin 292 LOSGA TAURA; Chaidh Crigeal a chara' na leabai fein, 'S chaidh 'n oigh na eide' leis a bhard; A Righ na Feinne, thoir dhoibh do choghnaj Do'n tfean 's an tog an fo a d' lath'r." Sguir am Bard le buire broin, 'S dh' fhalbh le ? r n oighean Ciabha-donn, (Amhuil fliuch-reul a Ihoillich tamul ;) Bha 'n f halluing mu ceann reubta. — Thainig tiomadh air fuilean Fhinn 'S ni 'm bu chuimhne le laoch am fleagh ° $ Faiceam, arfa Freafdal, mo lann ; Ghlan Fionn a dheoir le chiabha, " Deichnear gu talla Dhu'arma Theid air falbh o bheinn ar feilge, 'S ge be 's annfa leis an dighe Fanadh e na coir na dheigh fin." Leum finn mar thannais na h oiche, Tra thig foillfe na f aire, modhair # ; Is dh' f hagas Gara fan talla, Gu faire nan caomh-oighean* Ciod # aU do 'n aonach \ LOSGA TAURA. 293 Clod fath do throm-ofnaich, Ighean Thofcair, 's iad fathafd aoibhinii ? Tiormaich do dheoir gus an cluinn linn An cuibhrionn eile d'an fgeula. Tha dan a bhroin mar chaochan Am bheil anam nan laoch a' leaghadh : Tha 'n imeachd na fhiubhal dorcha, J S a thorman gu tiamhaidh aoibhinn. Nach cuimhne leat fein an ailleag* A Mhala-mhine, tra thainig an tfoillfe ? Bha t imeachd fan la lin gu Ard-bheinn Air falaire la' ri mo dhea'-righ. * Innfeam pairt do dhreach na reul \ Bu gheal a deud gu hur dlu. 'S # The above defcription of " a fine woman" is fre- quently repeated by itfelf under the title of " Aifling air dhreach mna." — The reader will not be difpleafed to fee it accompanied with another beautiful defcription of the fame ' kind : Chuala Fionn 's nior chian uaidh, Gul air bruaich locha flieimh ; Se fud a bh'ann maife mna A h* fhearr call d'am faca fe. Bhs 294 LOSGA TAURA. ? S mar chanach an tfleibhe, Bha a cneas fa helde ur. Bda Bha a gruaidh mar an ros, Bilidh a beoil air dhath nan caor ; Bha a cneas mar am blath, *3a leacabhan mar an taol. Air dhath an oir bha a fait Mar reult adhair a rofg ml a ; A Phadruic nam faice* tu a dreach, Bheire' tu fein feirc do'n mhnaoi ! Dhruideas Fionn a dh' iarruidh fgeil, Air mhnaoi fheimh nan cuach oir ; Is thubhairt, A rioghainn nan gruaidh geal^ Am faca tu mo choin fan toir ? Air do fheilg ni bheil mo fpeis $ Ni faca mi fein do choin ; A Ri na Feinne gan tar, Is meafa learn fa mo ghoil. An e do cheile fhuair bas, A bhean bhla, no do mhac ? No cia 'n neach fa ? m bheil do chaoi ? Ainnir mhm is aillidh dreach. No cad as fa bheil do bhron, Ainnir 6g nam bos mm, Ko LOSGA TAURA. 295 Bha a braighe cearclach ban, Mar fhneachda tla fan fhireach, Bha da chich air a huchd ciatach, B' e 'n dreach fud miann gach fir. Bu fhoitheamh binn a gloir, ? S bu deirge na 'n ros a beul ; Mar chobhar alios r'a taobh Sinte gu caol bha * gach meur, Bha a da chao! mhalai mhlne, Du-dhonn air liomh an loin, A da ghruaidh air dhreach nan caorran, 9 S i gu hiomlan faor o chron. Bha a gnuis mar bharra-gheuga Anns a cheud-fhas ur. A fait buidhe mar orra-lhleibhte, *S mar dhearfa greine bha fuil f . Raineas No am feudar tf hurtachd le Fiona ? Is dubhach learn thu bhi mar chiom. See more of this poem in Mr Walker's Hiitorical Me* moirs of the Irifti Bards, * al. a lamh. f The following lines of fome later poet are generally repeated here. i 9 6 LOSGA TAURA. Raineas talla Dhu'-arma Ach dh' f halbh e le geilt ro'r cliu, Bha Athair is uileann air lie, A' caoi' a mhic a chaill e ; A cheann lia air a bhos ag aomadh, Is Vila aofda lios gu lar. ? S trom acain air aflaich na gaoithe, 9 S is dall dearg-chaoinnteach a fhuil. Chluinn e mu leabaidh Thalma ar ceum, *' Is aoibhinn learn, a mhic, do thaibhfe!'* -^-Bu ghoirt leinn ofnaigh an aofda, \3 bhuin linn gu caoin 's gu coir ris. Raineas 'S tmagh nach mife am fear* Ainnir nan rofg mall, D' an tiubhra' tufa gradh, Js bheirinn a dha da chionn. Bheirinn gaol thar ghaol, Bheirinn gr?dh thar ghradh; Bheirinn run thar run, Is mem thar mein a ghna j ? S nam biodh do chridhe neo-fhuar Gun' ghluafad a choidh*, Bheirinnfa dhuit gradh Nach crionadh a la no dh* 6ich« LOSGA TAITRA. ap* Raineas coniiidh Sithaimhe> 3 fhuaras gu tiamhaidh dorch' i, An fionnach o'n laraich chlifg ? S an teun oiche bho 'n eighinn ituadhaich, Dh' iarras gu faoin an uinneag O'n do fhiubhail an oigh le fuathas, Ach chunnas an fruth a' cleafachd Mu na clachan^an leabai na haimhne* Chunnas fuil Chrigil fan dorus, San tfloc a rinn cafa nan aoidhean, Bu tuirfeach an oighe chiabh-dhonn, Ach dh' iarras air Freafdal a faoradrn Bha Fionn air Ard-bheinn gar feithe' ? S ghabh linn fleadh leis fan oiche, Bu tuirfeach dreach thaibhfe nar cadal, Bha fonn # an clarfach tiamhaidh. Amhuil ofnagh aonaich an cein y Seal rnu 'n eirich an doinionn ghabhaidh. f P p Bha * ah am barda* f Along the woods, along the moorifh fens, Sighs the fad genius of the coming ilorm ; Ann *9& LOSGA TAURA. Bha 'n cruth 's an ath-chruth fa ghaoith,- 'S iad ag ofnaich air aomadh aile, Dh' imich cadal an Ri' Rinn taibhfe fa thri a dhufga' ; Dhirich BAS AIRT. 343 B' amhuil ceum an laoich tha iofal, Mun d* thain' an tfaighead fan tsin dobhidru'* Is ait, a mhic Armainn, do fgeul, Amhuil reul an duibhre na hoiche ; Bha Art mar a fhinnfir fa chath, 'S bidh ainm mo leinibh 's na danaibh, — Tra thuiteas na trein fa chath, Mar ghath nan deigh bidh an dan ; Ach tuitidh an lag gun chliu ; 'S cha bhi fuil nan treun air nan daimhich. Bidh 'n fuibhal uaigneach fa ghlean nan aonarv Cha feas a h aon diu' le flaithibh arda. — Ach ciod fa tofnai 's tfhaondrai, Brathair no bean-ghaoil air ionndrain ? " Brathair cha bhuin domh fein, 'S do cheile' cha bhuin mife. *S i buinneag Charnmhoir fa mo dhocair, Smuainte mo la, is ofna m' oiche. —Ach thug an digh a hanam do Art, Chunn' i thartar alios do 'n araich, Sheas i air cnoc le iomguin, Le depir dhiomhair, 's ofnaigh chraiteach. — " Air 344 B A S A I R T. — u Air a chnoc fo bidh mi fein Gus am pill Art aoibhinn gaolach." Thainig mis' an coail mo ghaoil, Ach cha 'n fhaic mi haogas dlu ; Is doilleir an gleann gun Chaol-mhai, Is doilleir mife gun ghaol mo fhuh — Cha *n fhaic mi mo ghaol fan aonach, Na h aogas air ilios mar dheo-greine ; Bu ghile bian na canach fleibhe, No ur-fhneachd air bharraibh gheuga. — Ach co fo na fgaoim o Mheall-mor ? Co ach m' annfachd — uil' air caochla j A gnuis gun folus, a fuil gun focair, Cluinn a hofhaigb a' caoi' a gaolakh. Caol-mhah Ciod fo chum mo ghaol ? B' aobhach tfhaicinn, Airt ; Tha m' anam an iomguin gheir ; Ad dheigh cha bhi mi mairionn. Spion an eitheann o craoibh, Spion an iolair o ciar-chreich, Sploii B A S AIRT, 345 Spion an leanabh o mhathair ghaoil, Ach na fpion o m' ghaol mife. — Ach co fo chi mi dlu ? An e mo run a' teachd o'n chath ? Och ! is e mac Armainn at' ann Ni's mo na dean, Fharaa, mo leanail. — C'ait an d' fhag thu mo ghaol ? Nach faic mi tuill' a chaoin-chruth ? 'N do thuit e fa chath dhobhidh ? — Chi mi fa cheo ud eide\ « — Feith ruim, Airt, air do neoil, Cha 'n ait aonach ni 's mo leamfa ; Cha toir fruth no eilid dhomh aoibhneas* Na fag learn fein mi, Airt nan gaoL Farna. Och dh' fhailnich-dh'eug an oigh \ Cha bheo gorm-gheug na maife ; B' ionmhuinn le m' anam fein thu ? Ge d' thug thu do fpeis do Art. — Threig thu, 's mo iholas-fa leat, Beannachd le cleachda na h oige, Beannachd le m' bheatha, 's le m' aighear 5 Le m' aonach 's le m' aighean ciara : X x Beannachd 34<> BAS AIRT, Beannachd le Carn-mor is Ardlia nan tur ; Le m' luth-choin is le m' fhleibhte *. — Dh* * In the following pafTage of an old poem, called MiaTin a Bhaird, this farewell to the mountains feems beautifully imitated. O ! ceum an t fealgair ri mq chluais^ Le ftranna ghath is chon feadh fleibh; 'N fin dearfaidh an oig air mo ghruaidh, Nuair dh'eireas toirm air fealg an fheidh. Duifgidh nn fmior am chna'ibh nuair chluinn Mi tailmrich dhos is chon is fhreang; Nuair ghlaodhar " Thuit an damh" ata mo'bhuinn Ag leum gu beo ri aird* nam beann. ? N fin chi mi air leam an gaothar A leanadh mi anmoch is moch, 'S na fleibh bu mhiann leam bhi taghal, ? S na creagan a' freagra do ?n dos. Chi mi an uamh a ghabh gu fial ? S gu trie ar ceuman o'n diche, Dhuifgeadh ar font ri bias a crann, ? S na folas chuach bu mhor aoibhneas. Bhiodh ceo ar fleadh bharr an f heidh^ Ar deoch a* Treig, *s an tonn ar ceol; Ge d> fhianadh taifg, 's ge d' ranadh fleibh, Sinte fan uaimh bu fheimh ar neoil. Chi mi Scur-eild' air brualch a ghlinn* Anns an goir gu binn a chuach an t6s, ft £ A S A I R T. 347 — Dh'eug Caol-mhal 's dh'eug gach folas, larram dp'jn dheojn an teug, 3 O Is Gorm-mhcall ait nam mile giuthas, Nan luibhean, nan earba 's nan Ion. Chi mi loch eilein nan craobh, 'S an caorran air lubadh thar luinn Chi mi Beinn-ard is aillidh fniamh, Ceann-fea'na nam milte beann, Bidh aifling nan damh na ciabh a ? S i leaba nan nial a ceapn. S N do threig thu mi, aifling nam buadh ? Pill fathafds aon fealan hea.g pill; Cha chluinn thu mi, ochain 's mi truagh, O ! a bheannaibh mo ghraidh, llan leibh, Slan le comunn caomh nan hoige; Is Oigheana boigheach, llan leibh s Cha leir dhomh fibh; dhuibhfe bidh folas An t famhraidh ; 's e mo gheamhra s' e choidh'. O cairibh mi ri grein tra noin, Fo 'n bharrach aig fmbhal an loin; '3 air an t feamraig 's anns an neonan, f S an tig aifling na h oige 'm choir. Biodh cruit is flige la* ri m' thaobh, ?S an fgia dhion mo Shinnfir fa chath; Fofglaibh an talla 'm bheil Oifian is Daol, Thig am feafgar 's cha bhi 'm Bard air bhrath. 34$ B A S A I R T. O Iaimh gun fpionna gun treoir, *S bidh mo chonuidh a ris le Caol-mhaL Ardar. Beanriachd le 'r nanam, a chlann^ f S luath chaidh ur ceann fo 'n uir ; Ach 's aoibhinn imeachd nan 6g, j Mu'n caill iad an treoir is an luth Mu'n dorchaich air acSnach a ghrian, 'S mu'n fnag am blianai' roi cheo. 'S mall fruth bhlianai learn fein, 5 S mo cheum air Ardlia am aonar ; Aithriche Ardair ftiuraibh ur mac, Gu clann mo thlachd agus m' aoibhneis, —An e fin ur guth arms a ghaoith ? Bidh mife gu haobhach leibh An luib cuairt-ghaoith nam flath, Gus an talla bheil Art agus Calmar. — Sguiridh an fin mo bhron *S cha bhi mi am onrachd tuille. A C H R I O C H. / Date Due % f) 185593 BOSTON COLLEGE 3 9031 01165282 3 Author Smith, John come. Title .^ean.Laiia le Oisian, QrxaiL Ullann, &c. Ancient., poems, of BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. Books may be kept for two weeks and may be renewed for the same period, unless reserved. Two cents a day is charged for each book kept overtime. If you cannot find what you want, ask the Librarian who will be glad to help you. The borrower is responsible for books drawn on his card and for all fines accruing on the same.