Mac Neill — Three Poems in Middle-Irish. 539 



30. The Luagni (13) without rule by me, not going on expedition 



with me, 

 Their reward will be a heavy stone, which reaches sole and 

 head.^ 



31. Two thirties of smooth steeds without thirst on each side, 



I have arranged the two ranks ; without concealment it will 

 not be pleasant. 



32. I go on a path of battles,^ great will be the end to my life ; 

 On every day that I am in the body, may I not shun God's 



will. 



33. More numerous (14) than the grass of the wood will be the 



men who have sought my stronghold — 

 God's army from heaven of clouds with wings of white birds. 



34. [It is] life that will make me foolish ; welcome therefore 



death ! 

 I in my day in [full] career, though it be life, it is falsehood.^ 



35. It is not anything in splendid Ireland that I rely on, (15) 

 But Pather, Son, and Holy Ghost. 



36. There will be rending me through, — uch, uch ! it is woful — 

 The false judgments (16) that go not into their slumber. 



37. My remains being lamented will be pleasing to God ; 

 grave twice dear, soon may the King come ! 



38. Thou hast been, cell, my stronghold. Ireland's country 



has been mine. 

 The lands of Tara of the tribes 



39. Bone shall change form ; a relic is nobler than all treasure ; 



At the end of the lasting world, it shall be the victory of a 

 pleasant shower.* 



40. The tomb of Conn's son ye see, with a wave along its side, 

 On the bank of the full lake ; it is not a tale of pleasant form. 



Pleasant for. 



* Or, ' a surpassingly beautiful shower,' referring perhaps to the battle. Cp. 

 such expressions as fras faebar, and see Glossary, s. v. frais. Also cf . buaid 

 crotha, ' surpassing beauty,' buaid laech 7 clerech, principes et sacerdotes digni, 

 Todd Lect. v. p. 24, 3. A comparison may be intended between or betha buain, 

 39, and bru locha lain, 40. 



