MacNeill — Three Poems in Middle-Irish. 549 



13. My blessing on Eogan, be Eogan's his crown ;^ a blessing on 

 his dead, a blessing on his living. 



14. That blessing also,- in the best way that has been told, I give 

 after him on thy head from above. (26) 



15. That thou mayest be mighty in this world ; thou shalt be a 

 drop before a shower, (27) that thou mayest be a king, it is certain, 

 after Cormac Cas. 



16. That thou mayest be beloved of the host, that thou mayest be 

 choice of kings, that thou mayest be goodly wheat, that tliou 

 mayest be a branch yielding wine. 



17. In the brightness of thy fame thou wilt be prodigal of bounty; 

 many will obey thee ; thou shalt be the " Prince Fiachu." 



18. Sovereignty to thy seed, pleasure, peace, and ease, com, milk, 

 victorious bands, thy peoples loving thee. 



19. Dear little lad, thou knowest not hardship ; thy reason has not 

 come ; thou wilt fall into slumber. 



20. I shall not fall into slumber, I have cause for grief, (28) the 

 slaying of my seven sons on ALucrama of swine. 



21. My son was slain and my six sons ; dearer to me my son than 

 my seven sons.^ 



22. Mug Corb and Dubmercon, Dichorb, tall Eocho, they were 

 brave and hardy, Lugaid and Tadg. 



23. Dearer to me Eogan than they, though they were many ; he 

 was the marrow of my hones, he was the heart's vein. 



24. He was the head of my host, he was my gentle hazel, he was 

 the food of my lips, he was my harp of music. 



25. I am sorrowful after him, I am incapable of joy ('?), I am 

 senseless after him, my aspect is miserable. 



26. Woe has made me blind, I am silent in my grief ; it has 

 relaxed my two arms, it has tortured my two eyes. 



^ Or bes, ' certainly,' Atk. 



3 Including Cormac Cas who survived. 



