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Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 



For my speech and word is translated into a tongue not my own, as 

 can easily be proved from the savour of my writing, in what fashion I 

 have been taught and am learned in language ; for, saith the Wise Man, 

 £y the tongue ivill he discovered understanding and knowledge and the 

 teaching of truth. 



10. But what avails an excuse, no matter how true, especially 

 when accompanied by presumption ? since now I myself, in mine 

 old age, covet that which in youth I did not acquire, because my sins 

 prevented me from mastering what I had read through before. Eut 

 who gives me credence although I should repeat the statement that I 

 made at the outset ? 



When a youth, nay almost a boy in speech [or, a beardless boy], I 

 was taken captive before I knew what I should seek, or what I should 

 desire, or what I ought to avoid. And so to-day I blush and am 

 exceeding afraid to lay bare my skillessness. Because, not being 

 learned, I am unable to make my meaning plain in few words ; for as 

 the Spirit longs, the affection displays the souls of men, and their 

 understandings. 



11. But if I had had the same privileges as others, nevertheless I 

 would not keep silence on account of the reward. And if perchance it 

 seems to many that I am thrusting myself forward in this matter with 

 my want of knowledge and slow tongue^ yet it is written : The tongue 

 of the stammerers shall quicMy learn to speak peace. How much 

 rather should we covet so to do, who are, he saith, the epistle of Christ, 

 for salvation tmto the ends of the earth, although not a learned one, yet a 

 most powerful decree, written in your hearts, not with ink but with 

 the Spirit of the living God. And again the Spirit witnesseth. And 

 rusticity was ordained hy the Most High. 



12. Whence I who was at first a rustic, an exile, unlearned as 

 everybody knows, who know not how to provide for the future — but 

 this I do know of a certainty that verily before I was afflicted I was 

 like a stone lying in the deep mire, and Se that is mighty came, and 

 in His mercy lifted me up, and indeed raised me aloft and placed me 

 on the top of the wall. And therefore I ought to cry aloud that I 

 may also render someivhat to the Lord for His benefits which are so 

 great both here and in eternity, the value of which the mind of men 

 cannot estimate. 



13. Wherefore then be ye astonied, ye that fear God, loth small 

 and great, and ye lordly rhetoricians, hear and search out. Who was 



