Seymoui{ — The Signs of Doomsday in the Saltair na Rann. 155 



metre. Through ten of these the seven signs are distributed, with the 

 natural result that some of them are curiously misplaced. Miss Mary E. 

 Byrne, B.A., has very kindly translated these ten cantos forme. She quotes 

 Dr. Whitley Stokes's remark that in these poems the sense is so completely 

 sacrificed to metrical requirements tliat the meaning is very obscure and 

 unintelligible. This, unfortunately, seems to be only too true. So I shall 

 now only give brieily the salient points in each of these ten cantos, i.e., Cantos 

 CLiii-CLXii, for Cantos cli-clii are merely religious poems of no particular 

 interest. 



Canto CLiii (lines 8017-8052).— First day. Sunday before Doom. There 

 will be a warlike (?) din, with horrible cries. There will come a red fiery 

 cloud from the north, which will spread over the earth, out of which a bloody 

 rain will fall on the world. At tierce this shower begins, and does not cease 

 till mid-day. Then come lightnings, thunders, and hail. From mid-day to 

 nones there is a shower of thick blood. There are earthquakes. The sea 

 with all its living things crosses over its ramparts. 



Canto CLiv (11. 8053-8076).— Second day. Monday. Hosts will be 

 agitated. Heaven will tremble around the earth, 'i'he waves of the sea 

 beat against the coasts. Beasts and monsters roar. There is wailing and 

 lamentation throughout the world. Eobbers will strike off palms off hands. 

 No restful peace. 



Canto CLV (11. 8077-8100).— Third day. Tuesday. The Lord will press 

 in [check or arrest (?)] the circuit of His elements. The foundations of the 

 world will melt. Stones will tremble, and be broken up. There are red 

 fiery clouds going round the world. A stream of sulphur-fire comes from 

 the corners of the earth. The world will be a mass of flame from East to 

 "West. A slanting (?j mist of vapour will fill every constellation. 



Canto CLVi (11. 8101-8148). — Foixrth day. Wednesday. Wailing, which 

 shakes the whole earth. The sea rises up, and gives a shout. The sea- 

 monsters bellow as they are left high and dry. The sea subsequently goes 

 back again. Winds uproot the woods, and carry them up into the air. 

 Flocks of birds swoop down upon the food of the earth. There are showers 

 of hail and blood. Men declare, " Better for us is death than life." Heaven 

 will be bent, and will be crushed against tlie earth. 



Canto CLTii (11. 8149-8176).— Fifth day. Thursday. Great thunder. 

 The stars will be destroyed. Every created thing is sad. Hosts of stars 

 will fall down from their seats. The sun and moon will be quenched. There 

 is hideous weeping, intense gloom, and showers of hail. 



Canto CLViii (11. 8177-8200).— Sixth day. Friday. Every living creature 

 will die. There will be hail and lightning. The doors of Heaven will be 



