98 



THE BATTLE OF VENTRY 



if read according to my theory. Again, on pp. 222-3, Windisch takes exception to such 

 verses as ba coirthe a ridadart, where according to him a hiatus cannot be permitted. 

 The truth is, as explained above, that the metrical ictus on the -e in coirthe does allow 

 the hiatus. It is the same in the line : dofeiss aidche hi linmb, and a n-do/tgenai in ri. 



On p. 223 Windisch notices some heptasyllabic metres that begin with a line of three 

 syllables, thus ^ a 7 b 7 b 7 b. Such and similar metres are of the same nature as 

 the poem at the end of the Cath Finntraga, and the hymn of M^el Isu noticed above. 

 It is, however, noteworthy that in the poems quoted by Windisch the trisyllabic line 

 does not form an essential part of the metre, as it only occurs in some stanzas, generally 

 the first, whilst in others it is replaced by a 7 a line. The instances of this last 

 nature may easily be multiplied. The following all occur in the Notes to the Felire, 



p. XXXV : Isucan 



alar lium im disirtan ; 

 cia beth clerech co lin set, 

 is brec uile acht Isucan. 



p. lii. Oengus cecinit ; 



p. Ixxiii : 



p. ixxxviu : 



p. cxlii 



Fintan fial 



ni ro thomail ra re riam 

 acht aran eorna fedda 

 ocus usce creda criad. 



A Derbfraich, 

 a mathair Tigernaig noeim, 

 toet do chobair ndr bo mall 

 dluig in crand hi fail in t-saeir. 



A muilind, 



cia ro meilt mor de thutrind, 

 ni ba comeilt for serbaind, 

 ro meilt for uib Cerbaill. 



Is marb lon 



do Chill Garad mor in don ! 

 D'Erind co n-ilar attreab 

 is ctith legind 7 scol. 



Atbath lon 



i Cill Garad tnor in don ! 

 Is dith legind 7 scol 

 indsi Erenn dar a hor. 



