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LEABHAR NAN GLEANN:
THE BOOK
OF THE . .
GLENS . . .
ZIMMER ON PICTISH MATRIARCHY
BY
GEORGE HENDERSON, Ph.D.
EDINBURGH :
NORMAS MACLEOD, The Mound.
INVERNESS :
'Tub Highland News" Printing Woeks.
ihfiRARY ACCESSION
PREFATORY NOTE.
rnSE following pages are reprinted from
^l^ "The Highland Home Journal," the
-L weekly supplement of "The Highland
News," where they appeared for the first
time.
The sweet voices associated in my memory
with so many of them, I know, I shall hear
no more, and yet they abide with me in
spirit. If for a little time they may enable
any one else to share in a portion of the
joy given me, my aim will have been amply
fulfilled. My original intention was to
restrict myself entirely — as I have to a good
extent done— to unpublished sources, and to
have included some Gaelic romances. When
I had proceeded but a part of the way I had
mapped out, inner considerations led me to
offer some transliterations from the Fernàig
MS., actuated in part also by a suggestion
given by the editors in their preface. To
give the whole, space fails me; but what
is here given includes an interesting portion,
and, perhaps, what is in all respects of most
permanent significance. It was not my aim
to obliterate dialectal traits unnecessarily.
The shroud of the traditional orthography
would here have often marred the living
form; but I liave no quarrel with the rigid
traditional scrjpt in its place. May I ven-
ture to hope therefore that, as it is, my
reading of Macrae's often puzzling, incon-
Bistent phonetic spelling, does no great in-
justice to a noble voice, which is to me
daily deepening a long-cherished fondness
for Kintail. Macrae's work lets us have a
glimpse of more than one side of Highland
ir.
cbaracter from the Eeformation to the
Revolution. It is a side not generally
known. There were then other Highlandera
also whose literary interest was not confined
within their own narrow eurroundings. But
they were not so fortunate in transmitting
the evidence, and it is not likely that there
were many such whose character in interest
and attractiveness could, as a whole,
vie with hia. He had a profoundly interior
mind, and had absorbed the greatest heri-
tage of mankind — an absorption to which he
often gave utterance in a form of great
beauty.
In a MS. which passed through my hands
at Oxfoi'd more than once, I noticed on the
final folio two lines of Gaelic poetry, in part
obscured, with a signature underneath as
clear as if it were written yesterday. MS.
Bodleian Selden, B. 24, was written in Scot-
land, as shown by an entry — "Nativitas
principis nri Jacobi qnarti anno dni Mmo
iiii. Ixxii. xvii. die mensis martii viz
in festo sancti Patricij confessoris. In mon-
asterio ste crucis prope Edinburgh." It
must have been written in the Monastery at
Edinburgh soon after 1472. It contains
some of Chaucer's minor poems and poems
attributed to Chaucer; also the unique copy
of the Kingis Quair (i.e.. Book), by King
James I. of Scotland, edited for the Scot-
tish Text Society by Skeat, who takes this
manuscript to be a somewhat faulty tran-
script from a fairly good original. The
scribe is somewhat reckless in his way of
attributing pieces to Chaucer. The poem by
our King of happy memory was copied haJf-
a-centuiy after its composition, and is not
all in one hand. This unique MS. must
have afterwards passed into the possession
of a well-known Highland worthy, who haa
hÌB finely-written signature attached to two
lines of Gaelic poetry, in the Gaelic literary
hand — "Mise Domlinull Gorni." This hand-
writing:, of course, is entirely different from
the handwriting: of the MS. itself, and is
in every way a finer hand. Curiously
enough, Skeat makes mo reference to it
either in his edition of the Kingis Quair or
in his "Minor Poems of Chaucer." Perhaps
the forthcoming' volumes of "The Clan
Donald" may contain, minutiae to justify a
further inference. Anyhow, DomhnuU
Gorm's name is a link in the history of the
MS., aoid his name is also referred to in
the Fernaig-: —
"Ni air mhaireann fir Innse-Gall
Mor an call dom r'a m' aois
Ceannard an t-sloigh Domhnull Gorm
Is Ruaraidh nan com 's nam pios."
I am beholden to Heinrich Zimmer, the
illustrious Professor of Sanskrit and Com-
parative Philology, University of Greifs-
wald, Prussia, whose many-sided learning
and insight throws a glory upon the German
name, for gracious permission to render his
paper on the Pictish Matriarchate, which ia
included in the present volume. Some
of the notes to that paper I have found it
best to incorporate in the text, and the
classical quotations are done into English.
No greater master of critical Gaelic learn-
ing has arisen, and it is good to look at
this tantalizing problem with his eyes.
The airs to the words on pages 113, 117,
122, 144, 166, and 173 of this book are to
be found on pages 16, 29, 13, 24, 27, and
26 respectively of the supplement now-
appearing to the "Gesto Collection of High-
land Music," by Dr K. N. Macdonald. It
is with great pleasure I turn over its pages,
as thus far in this matter I find my own
judgment quite unexpectedly and inde-
pendently confirmed. Naturally, oral ver-
sions are different in different districts. I
have been careful to keep the dialectal words.
IV.
e.g., "Thig^ a samliradh le ruthadli" is the
title in the Gresto Supplement, p. 29, where
I have "Thig an sambradh s am futhar."
"Futhar with me means the "dog days,"
equivalent to the time of the year termed
"an luchar." One speaks also of "futhar an
earraich" and of "futhar an fhoghair," i.e.,
"the fall" of autumn. It ought perhaps to
be written "fixghar."
The unusual word "oistig" was confirmed
to me by Mrs Macdonell of Keppoch; it is
founded on the Scotch "oist" — a sacrifice —
from L. "hostia." This piece and several
others I owe to the goodness of my dear
friend, the Eev. Allan Macdonald, a worthy
scion of the House of Keppoch.
To the various friends — happily, still with
ns — ^who have stimulated, whether by
thought or word or deed, I am profoundly
grateful, and I hereby ask each of them to
accept my heart-felt thanks —
"Quosqne ego fraterno dilexi more sodales,
O mihi Thesea pectora juncta fide !
Dum licet, amplectar."
AN CLAR.
Page-
Matriarchy among the Picts i
The Pabbay Poet 43
Caismeachd na h-Airde 106
Tuireadh 109
Oran SCigraidh m
Mo chruinneag dhonn 113
Fior thoisich an t-samhraidh 115
Thig an sarahradh s am futhar 117
Gur mise ta na m' èiginn 119
FèiU Leor nam-Manach 121
Comhiuadar Siigraidh 122
Oran an iasgair 124
Cumha 125
Mise tha trom ainneulach 127
Alastair Torraidh 129
Do sgoth 131
Do dh'fhear Chille-Bride 132
Oran Sheumais Mhoir 133
Cumha do Dhomhnull Foirbeis - - - -134
Marbhrann do Mhr Aonghas Lochabair - - 138
Ràbhadh Mhic Shimi - *- - • - - 140
Labhair Acham faichdeil rium 141
Laoidh na ban-fhighich 142
Nighean donn a Còrnaig 144
An t-Urramach Ailein Macilleathain - - - 146
An t-Urramach Aonghas Donullach - - - 151
Hatha nan tri righrean 161
Marbhrann le sagart bha'nn am Mòrar - - - 163
Oran an amadain bhoidhich 165
Cumha 169
Eolas an Dèididh 171
Nach b'fheàrr leat mi bhi agad 171
Se dhuisg gu grad a'm' shuain mi - - - - '73
Mi air ionndrainn a ghaisgich 175
Mi learn fhin air an tulaich 177
Ealaidh le Huistean Donn Siosal - - - - 179
Iain Ghlinne Cuaich iSo
Taisbean Adhamhnain, o Leabhar na h-Uidhri - 183
Fear na Pàirce 198
An t-Easbuig Carsewell 211
Sir Iain Stiubhart na h-Apuinn 218
Crosanachd Ille Bhrid 223
Alastair Monro, Strathnabhair 226
Donnachadh nam Pios 229
Appendix I.— On Farquhar Macrae - - - 294
Appendix II. — On Duncan Macrae - - • 300
Appendix III. — On Gaelic Testimony as to Matri-
archy and the Couvade - - 301
READ
Sovereignty, pp. 17, 1. 15, and 18, Is. 15 and 21 ; Jupiter,
23, y ; infirmities, 25, 11 ; Scarista, 43, 2 ; dh'iasgach, chur
sa bbradan, 74, x., a and b; tùrsach, Tg, in. ; gliin, 86,
vin. ; faicear for faisear, 88, vi. ; Donn, p. 144 ; da, not do,
p. 144, 1. II ; Crosanachd, p. 198 ; oistig, not oifig, 139, 21 ;
diulnach, 92, z ; bhuail, 95, 2, not bhuil ; giiilan, 95, i ;
gun, 96, V, not gum ; droch, 90, vii., not drochd ; aca, p. 91,
xin., s, belongs to line 4 ; tighinn a nuas s piob chiùil
rompa, in 93, iv., is 1. 6 of vii., p. 94 ; easbhuidh, 102, iv. ,
cad or iad, not ear, p. 97; Bruiach, 108, not Bruaich;
ioghnadh, 155, 12 Abstol, 183, 31 ; daormhuinn, 207, vil.
MATRIARCHY AMONG
THE PICTS.
FROM THE GERMAN* OF
H E I N R I C H Z I M ^I E R.
CHAPTER I.
H [THEE TO ill a discussion of the
question as to whether among the
peoples of the Aryan family with
their social oiuer based upon Pat-
riarchy (the right of succession on the
father's side), another social order has
preceded, in which Matriarchy (hence, with
attention solely directed to birth) was
dominant, and whether among some peoples
of the Aiyan family certain actual forms of
law are to be regarded as rudimentary
organs in the body politic of these peoples
— in discussii]^ these questions it is sur-
prising one has not considered the juridical
situation which existed centuries long in
historic timea among the independent non-
Aryan primitive populations of Britain,
stUl less the verdict of the surrounding
Aryan Celts of the British Isles upon the
same. From the importance of the ques-
tions mentioned for the science of Aryan
antiquity, further discussion, it seems to
me, is well in place. I prefix a bird'a-eye
view of the historical situation.
Csesar, during his stay among the coast
tribes of South East Britain, heard there
* ZeiUchrift der Sa\ igny-Stiftuni,' fiir R^c-htSKtsehichte
XV Rom. Abth ^'el•laJJ: von Hermann Bohlau in Weimar.
were in Central Britain peoples who re-
garded themselves as the primitive inhabi-
tants of the land in contrast to the Celts of
the coasts, who were of kin to the Gauls.
(Bellum Gallicum v. 12). After Caesar's
departure it was close upon a century (97
years) ere Roman legions set foot agaia
upon the soil of Britain (43 a.d.). Within,
forty years they opened up the island —
lengthwise, from the Sussex shores to th»
Firths of Forth and Clyde, bread^thwise,
from the coasts of Norfolk to the isle of
Anglesey (Mona). Numerous peoples
came within their ken and were subjected.
If one excepts the Silures who dwelt north
of the Bristol Channel in the South Wales
of the present day (Glamorgan, Breck-
nock), it did not occur to the Eomans that
any of the numerous peoples they con-
quered— as far north as the Firth of Forth
and Clyde — were anywise of a different stock
from the south-eastern tribes of (the then)
Sussex, Ejent, and Essex. Even if here
and tiiere — perhaps still at Ceesar's time-
there had been primitive non-Celtic abori-
giuald — in the middle of the first century-
after Christ all was Celticized. In the isle
of Anglesey, so far removed from the south
ooast of Britain lay the central seat of the
religious and national resistance of the
British Celts. "Novae gentes*" (Tacitus
* Tacitus (Germ. 20), with reference to the Germans,
speaks of the " mighty Ìiml)s and frames that we see with
so much admiration," and (c. i) says they " all possess the
same physical cliaracteristics— fierce, blue eyes, red hair,
and large frames, which are good only for a spurt ; they
certainly have not a corresponding power of endurance
for hard work." The following is what Tacitus (died about
lis A.D.) says on the races of Britain :—" Whether the
earliest inhabitants of Britain were an indigenous or an
invading race is, as might be e.xpected to be the case with
barbarians, an open question. Some evidences, however,
may be drawn from the difference of physique that prevail.
The red hair and the lar^e limbs of the Caledonian people,
testify to a German origin. The swarthy complexion of
the Silures [in South Wales] and the frequency of curling
hair among them, with the fact that Spain lies opposite
their district, lead us to believe that the ancient Iberians
AgTÌcola 22), however, appeared — and indeed
"novao" (new) in another sense than th&
Ordo\-ices, Brigantes, and others had been
— when Agricola pushed beyond the line of
the Firths of Forth and Clyde and prepared
to threaten the remaining northern portion
of the island; these are the inhabitants of
Caledonia, "popixli Caledoniam incolentes.
Eutilae comae, magni artus Germanicam
otiginem adseverant," says Agricola's son-
in-law in the passage where he classifies
the remaining inhabitants of Britain according-
to language, manners, and other character-
istics among the Gauls (Tacitus Agricola
c 11).
The difference from the Celtic Britons-
must have been strongly marked, even if
the reference to Germanic origin is worth-
less. Already in the first half of the second
century Ptolemy gives a list of names of
these independent Caledonian peoples dis-
tinct from the British Celts. In the days
of Constantine, for the first time, in 310 the
name "Pioti" turns up in the Gaulish
panegyrist Eumenius as inclusive denotation
[probably the ancestors of the Basque] crossed the sea and
settled in those parts. The tribes that dwell nearest to
the Gauls are likewise similar to them. It may be because
they were originally descended from them, and still show-
it ; or because, though the countries extend in opposite
directions, the climate has produced similarity of physique.
On the whole, however, it seems most likely to have been
the case that the Gauls established themselves on an
island so close to them. You find their religious rites
[Druidism] in Britain as also their ingrained superstition ;
there is not much difference between the languages.'
Both races are equally bold in defWng any danger before-
hand, and equally timorous in running away from it
when it arrives. The Britons, however, display more
spirit, for they have never yet been long enough at peace
to grow tame. History tells us that the Gauls were
great warriors once. Since that day a life of ease has
bred in them an unwarlike temper, and with their liberty
they have lost their \alour. A similar change has come
over those of the Britons who were conquered sometime
ago, the rest are what the Gauls once were." (Townshend's
Trans.) — The red hair and large limbs assigned by Tacitus
to the Caledonians does not by any manner of meana
allow of kinship with the Iberians who had that swarthy
complexion which does not go along with red hair.— G. H
fox- the whole, a name that thence sticks to
thein among the Latin writers. According
to Anunianus Marcellinus, in 368 .a.d., the
"Picti" were di\aded into two chief groups .
"Dicalidonas" and "Vecturionesi" (lib.
xxvii., c 8) ; this will be the same twofold
division which, according to the excerpts of
Xiphilin (s Mouunienta histor. Brita-nnica
I., s Iv.) is already known to Dio Cassius in
the days of Severus, where ho mentions that
the independent peoples north of the Firtha
of Forth and Clyde are composed of two
gene: "Kaledonioi kai M^aiatai (s Ix. of
above). This two- fold division in the third
and fourth century is all the more interest-
ing because the Picts in the days of
€oluniba (second half of the sixth century),
nay, even in Eede's time (died 735), when
they still formed an independent state, were
so classified : the classification "australea
Picti" (Bede's History iii. 4) and "septen-
trionales Picti, transmontani Picti" (v. 9)
corresponds exactly to the Maiatai and
Ealedonioi in the excerpts of Xiphilin.
To the Eoman supremacy in Britain, by
this time restricting itself to a defensive
policy in consequence of the other conditions
of the Empire, and to the Britons, the
Celtic subjects of the same, the Picts, since
the days of Severus, were become a stand-
ing menace. This same, from the middle
of the fourth century onwards waxed greater
in that the Picts found allies for their incur-
sions in the inhabitants of neighbouring
Ireland. From two points of North-West
Britain, from Gallowav and Cantyro, in clear
weather one sees the coast of North-East
Ireland (Down and Antrim) distinctly. As
on his fifth campaign, Agi-icola sojourned
in these regions, an Irish chieftain put in
Lis appearaaice and sought to persuade
Agricola to effect a landing in Ireland
(Tacitus Agricola 4). The bond of alliance
•wliicli for their plundering incursions tho
Picts foimd among the Scotti is accordingly
easily nndcrstood. When in tho first deca.tlo
of the fifth cemtury tho Eoman troopa were
finally withdrawn from Britain, the "Picti"'
and the "Scotti" then pitched themselves
in against tlie nnarmod and defencelesd
"Brittones," as the Briton Gildas one hun-
dred years later portrays in the introduction
to his Epistola, in Jeremiad tones. In the
second half of the fifth century two events
led to a bringing ahout of a consolidatdon;
of affairs in North Britain, north of a line
drawn from Morecambe Bay in the West
to the estuary of the Tees in the East. On
the East Coast, south and north of Hadrian's
Wall, Germanic Angles settle<l themselves
fast, and founded the two English states,
Deira and Bernicia, which in the course of
things became incoi-porated in the powerful
state of Northumbria. On the West Coast,
in the present county of Argyle, Irish from
the counties of Antrim and Down made an
abiding settlement, and founded on the west
coast of Britain an Irish state, which more
and more strove to subdue the original
inhabitants of Britain north of the Firths
of Forth and Clyde (the Picts), just as the
Angles sought to do with their British
neighbours south of the same. The political
edifice of North Britain in the 7th century
was as follows: — North of the Firths of
Forth and Clyde existed two kingdoms^
separated through tho so-called mountainous-
chain, "Dorsum AlbaJiiae" (Druim Alban) ;
that on the west coast, at first the smaller,
was the kingdom of the Scots CIrish), that
on the east coast, the larger, stretching as
far as the Orkneys, the kingdom of the-
Picts. South of the boundary named there
were likewise two kingdoms; on the west
coast as continuation of the Scottish state
to the south, a state of the British Celts, the
kingdom of the Nortli Cymri (Cumbria),
embracing the Scottish counties of Dum-
fries, Ayr, Lanark, and the English Cumber-
land, Westmoreland; parallel thereto on the
cast coast as continuation of the Pictish
state to the south, was the kingdom of the
Angles, Northumberland. In the confusion
which the Yikings, from the end of the 8th
century onwards, brought upon Great
Britain, the Scottish King, Kenneth Mac-
Alpin, managed, about 844, to get possession
■of the Pictish throne, and thus to found a
united Scoto-Pictish kingdom (Alba), north
■of the line of the Firths of Forth and
Clyde.
Exactly 100 years lat.er the English ruler
Eadmund, who possessed Northumberland,
and Malcolm, ruler of the Irish-Pictish
state, Scotland, made an end of the then
still existing British state on the west coast,
south of the boundary so repeatedly referred
to, and divided it between them such that
the IrLsh-Pictish state, Scotland, extended
^so south of this border line. Through
fully 500 years, until the downfall of the
Pictish kingdcjm, the Irish (Scotti) were
most closely bound up with the Picts; first
they are confederates of the Picts, then
burdensome friends, who no more return
liome; finally, after they have Christianized
them, and hngually assimilated them — the
northern Picts, at least — they take away from
them their independence. That we must,
first and foremost, question these good friends
of the Picts if we are to learn more about the
Pictish stock is clear. And we learn many
things. The Irish name for the Picts is
"Cruthentuath (Cruithentuath) i.e., Cruthen-
folk (tuath"); the individual Pict is called
Cruithne, or Cruthnech (Cruithnech), two
formations from "Cruthen," in "Cruthen-
tuath," like Latin "patrius" and "patricus,"
from "pater." In Irish Saga, semi-historical
■works, annals, &c., the three words are so
■common that to give contexts were to carry
■coals to Newcastle. Etymologically these
■words are very interesting. From the earUest
time down to the present day "cruth" is one
-of the words most used in Irish and Scottish
Gaelic. It means fisrure, form; it glosses tho
Latin "forma." The denominative verb
"cruthai<rim" occurs in countless glosses of the
St Gall Priscian, with the meaning "form."
Hence it is evident that tiie Irish designation
•of the Picts as Cruthen-tolk betokens the same
as the Latin "Picti," which Mommsen (Hist,
■of Eome, 5.173) translates "Tattooed."
"Crutheutuath" is "the folk ot the tattoo," of
those provided with "cruths," with figures,
■with forms. If one puts alongside of this
that the Britannic Celts (the Cymri) originally
■designated the Picts in like fashion, in that
■they — as we shall see in the course of the
■discussion — used the same word as the Irish,
■only with a change in consonance with their
own Celtic dialect, the supposition lies close
at hand that the Latin designation "Picti,"
which turns up about the year 300 a.d., is but
a Latin translation of the word which the
Romans in North Britain heard from the
Celticized iintoiis*
The primitive inhabit^ants of that portion of
l^orth Ireland, which nowadays forms the
counties of Down and Antrim, although they
are completely GaeKcized, are in an old Saga
text, further in Adamnan, Columba's biogra-
pher (died, "04;, in Muirchu's Notes upon
Patrick, -wiitten about 690 a.d., finally in
Tigemach's Annals, and in the Ulster Annals,
* Picti can scarcely- be separated froiii the Gaulish
Pietavi, now Poitere, says Mr Ma<;l)ain, who, while
disallowing' a Latin derivation, iiuotes H. Ir. ciclit, and is
inclined to leave the idea of tattooin<; intact. But
-Zimmer's reasoninj,' could apjily to some parts of Gaul.
There are no reasons to suppose tlia'. the Gauls were an
unmixed race, they had their non-Aryan element. It is
with the Pictish customs that we are, however, here
erectly concerned.
frequently called CruitUne "Picts." In the
old North Irish Saga text — the Cattle- Spoil
of Cooley (Tain Bo Cnahige), it is related ia
the Book of the Dnn recension that the Queen
of Connaught had devastated the territory of
the Ulster men and of the Picts as far as
Duusewerick on the north coast of Antrim.
"For sligi Midluachra diuo dochoidsi doindriud
Ulad ocus Cruthne condice Dunsobairche,"
L.U., 70a, 33). In two other places of the
same text in the Book of Leinster recension,
this pillaging incursion in North Ireland Ì3
described as the "devastation of the Ulstermen
and the Picts" ("indriud Ulad ocus Cruthni,"
LL. 92a, 48-95b, 47V The present day
Dunsewerick is accordingly the most northerly
point of the Picts of Ireland. According to
the notices written about 690 a.d. upon
Patrick, "mons Mis" Hes in the territory of
the "Cruidneorum" (Book of Armagh, fol. 3a
1 in Stokes's Tripartite Life of Patrick II.,
p. 276). "Mons Mis" is in pure Irish "sliab
Mis" — that is the present day Slemish itì
County Antrim. Eeeves, in his edition of
Adamnan's Vita Columbae (Dublin, 1857, p.
94, note H), has collected the passages from
Adamnan and from the annals showing that
the completely GaeUcized inhabitants of
Down and Antr'm were still designated Picts
(Cruithiie). I g»«5'5ct but the one given by
Adamnau, who wrote about 697 a.d. to tha
effect that the famous Irish Abbot of Bangor,
in Ulster, named Comgall, instructor of St
Gallus as well as of Columban, the renowned
founder of Bobbio, that Comgall, whom we
know with certainty to have been bom in
County Down (circa. 517 a.d.), was of Pictish
descent (Vita Columbae I., 49). In the Nortii
of Ireland in the seventh century one was stiU
aware tuat the Gaehc-speaking population
of the then Down and Antrim was of Pictish
lineage, of the same blood as the inhabitants
of Caledonia, then the complete Gaelicizatioa
of tliis now Celtic mass in the two counties
cannoi have been of really verv long standing.
From this district of Ireland, however, princi-
pally came, in accordance with geographical
position, the "Scotti" (Trish), who from the
middle of the fouiih century assist the "Picta
of Britain; thence came certainly the Irish,
who at the end of the fifth century and in the
present day Argyll founded an Irish state
upon British soil : these Irish are really only in
part Aryan Celts, in greater part Gaelicized
Picts from Ireland, and this explains much
of the great civilising influence which the
small Irish state on the west coast of North
Britain wielded over the much more extensive
Pictish state of North Briiam.
The Picts accordingly formed the pre-Aryan
(pre-Celtic) primitive population of Britain
and of Ireland. On British soil they had been
subdued and Celticized in tlie last cjuarter of
the first century of our era, with the exception
of the independent tribes of Caledonia. In
Ireland it was still remembered that the basic-
stock of the nopulation of the north-east
belonged to the same race as the Picts of
Caledonia. In reference to tlie Picts, Beda
relates, in his "Life of Cuthbert," c. 11, that
the same had come "ad terram Pictorum qui
Niduarii vocantur." Niduarii are the dwellers
of the Nith (Nidd, in Bede. Hist. Ecel., 5, 19),
the eastern border river in Galloway, on the
Solway Firth. It is quite well possible that in
this corner of the Irish Sea a Pictisli renuiant
had for a longer time preserved itself amid
Celtic surroundings, so that one was well aware
in Bede's time that the inhabitants of that
district were of Pictish descent, just as at the
same time they knew in Ireland that the basic-
stock of the Irish population of Antrim and
Down was of Pictish descent. Testimonies
from Irish literature that preserve the remem-
brance that in other parts of Ireland than in
those named, to wit, Connaught and Meath,
1«
10
Picts liad once settled is adduced by Herbert
in liis "Additional Notes to Todd's Leabhar
Breatlinaeli" (Dublin, 1848). One proof I will
add from the language of the Celtic Britons
that the Picts once inhabited the whole island
of Britain. The two races of the island Celts,
the Celtic Britons and the Celtic Irish, are
split lingually from tne beginning of docu-
mentary evidence on the phonological side, like
the Latiu-Falisciau and the Umbrian-Sabellic
jDeoplos of Italy. Just as here we luive
on the one side "coquina," "quadrii-,"
'"quod," "quis," "quae," on the other side
"popina," "petur-," "pod," "pis," "pai," so, in
like manner among- the island-Celts, save that
in Ireland the old "qu" had already got to be
pronounced like pure "k," as in the French
"quatre," "quand," "quinze," &c., thus
parallel to the Scoto-(Irish)-Celtic "mac,"
"cenn," "ech, ' "cruim," "each," we have the
"Brito-Celtic fCymric) "map," "penn," "cp,"
"pryf," "paup" ("pop"). Quite similarly
and sound for sound to the Irish "cruth"
(figure, form), on which the Irish name for the
Picts is based ("Cruthentuath," "Cruthne,"
"Crutliuech"), correspond Old Cymric "prit,"
Middle Cymric "pryd," with the same mean-
ing. Phonologically, to the Irish "Cruitnne"
(from the proto-Celtic "Crutenios"), mediaeval
Welsh "Prydein," from "Prutemos," must
correspond exactly, and thus throughout the
Middle Ages until the present day Britain is
called in Welsh "Tnys Prydein" (Isle of the
Picts). The present day Welsh unconsciously
testify still that Britain, ere the Celts' arrival,
was the "Pictish Isle." Where we are to look
for the kinsmen of this pre-Celtic population
of the British Isles cannot, to my thinking, to
say it shortly, be made out. The attempts to
show that they are allied to the primitive
Finnish-Esthonian population of North-East
Europe scarcely deserve consideration. Khy's
recent attempt, too ("Proceedings of the
11
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1892, pp-
263-351), acute as it is, to connect them,
tbrousfh help of present-day Basque, with
the Iberian population of South-West Exirope,
I cannot approve. Under the influence of
their lingually Gaelicized kinsmen, the "trans-
montani" fseptentrionales") "Picti" became
Gaelic-speaking at an early period. When
Colnmba, in the second half of the sixth cen-
tury, brought them Christianity from lona,
only in intercourse with the common people
did ho v<^riuire the aid of an interpreter, but no
longer in int«rcourse with the King and the
Court. The introduction of Christianity
through the Irish hastened the lingual Gaelic-
izatiiiu ot these Picts. At the end of the
fourth century missionary Celtic Britons had
already introduced Christianity among the
Southern Picts. The higher culture acquired
tmder Eoman dominion by the North British
Celts, with whom, after the withdrawal of
the Eomans, the Southern Picts were in close
contact, hastened the lingual Celticization
(Welshifying in this case) of the Southern
Picts. Many of the Pictish names handed ;
down from the sixth century are accordingly '■
either Iro-Celtic (Gaelic), or Brito-Celtic
(Cymric), just as in each case they come
from the Northern, or the Southern Picts,
and where the names are certainly non-Celtic
they bear the impress, each according to
origin, of Irish or of Brythonic phonology.
The linguistic material suffices to let tis see
that the language of the pre-Celtic inhabi-
tants of the British Isles was not Aryan
(Indo-Germanic), but more it does not reveal.
In the case of the linguistic remains of the
Etruscans in Italy, of the Lykians in Asia
Minor, which are infinitely more extensive
than is the case in Pictish, the result of
investigation is — so many heads, so many
opinions. That should, in the case of Pictish,
■nithliold us from a useless learned waste of
12
time. Any further moment of truth than the
absolutely insufficient ling-uistic one in support
of the Iberian origin of the Picts has not
been brought forward. So long as in this
state of things the scarcely-ever-to-be-attained
proof has not hitherto been found, to the
effect that the entire pre- Celtic population of
.West Europe, above all the primitive pre-
Aryan population which preceded the Celts
and Germans in France and Germany, was
of Iberian stork, tliore is thus far no meaning
in reckoning the- pre-Celtic population of the
British Isles among the Iberians.
Skene would regard the Picts as Celts, to
wit, the Northern, later Gaelicized, Picts as
members of the Irish branch, the Southern
Brythonized ones as Cymric. By reason of
his deficient linguistic training, the correct
principle never attains the ma.stei-y with him
— that in Pictish names from Christian timea
it is not that which can be Irish or Welsh in
them that is decisive, but that which can
neither be Irish nor Welsh nor Celtic. Es-
pecially, he takes no regard of the inscrip-
tions got in the Pictish area — some of them
certainly found subsequently — on which
Khys, in his paper already mentioned,
rightly lays stress. In them the non-Celtic
(non-Aryan) substratum, under a light Irish
veneer, comes clear to view. Further, Skene
takes no account of the fact that the order
of social life among the Picts and their an-
cestors in tae British Isles was fundamen-
tally different from the Aryan-Celtic social
order, as we shall see.
CHAPTER II.
Among' the remnant of tl:e pre-Aryan
<pre-Celtic) primitive peoples of Britain
Matriarchy (mother-right) was still in full
swing; it still regulated the order of suc-
cession for centuries after the Picts had
long- been Christianized and lingually as-
similated, until the downfall of the Pictish
State in the ninth century. Women did not
take a particularly high place; on the con-
trary, so far as we see, a woman never rules;
riHE MOTHER, HOWEVER, AND BY CONSE-
QUENCE, THE BIRTH, DECIDES TRIBAL MEM-
BERSHIP, THE EIGHT OF INHERITANCE. To
a Pictish ruler and his brothers the son of
the eldest does not succeed, the son of the
sister succeeds. After him and his eventual
brothers on the mother's side, a sister's son
succeeds, and so on.* We have quite a
series of testimonies mutually supporting
one another. An indirect witness, the
Pictish Chronicle, may be cited at the out-
set.
The Pictish Chronicle ("Chronica de
origine antiquorum Pictorum") is a literary
monument written in Latin in the lifetime
of the Scotic King Cinaed, son of Malcolm
* cf. The Uist custom, where the household cows are
£Ìven the mother's names from generation to generation.
In the glens of Antrim, if I mistake not, a young woman is
locally known by her mother's name, not solely by her
own. " A woman may take her husband's name when
she marries, or she may not. If she keeps her own, she
ma.v keep either her father's name or her mother's
maiden name. Suppose that a girl at the age of ten is
called Mary Macneill ; she may grow up and marry a
husband of the name of Slaclarty, and subsequently
another husband of the name of Slacelheran, and after
all she may die as Mary Docharty, because that was her
mother's maiden name." — Blackwood's Magazine, Sept.,
1S93, p. 370.
14
(971-995), but is partly, as tlie Irish words
left in it betray, worked up from an older
Irish source. It is printed by Skene,
Chronicles of the Picts and of the
Scots and other early memorials of
Scottish History, Edinburg-h, 1867. The
little work falls into three divisions: (1) a
proto-histoi-y (i.e. a pre-historic account) of
the Picts chiming in with the "Origines" of
Isidor; (2) a list of the Pictish Kings from
Cruithne, the "Heros Eponymus" of the
race, down to Bred, the last ruler of Pictish
stock; (3) a somewhat more detailed chron-
icle of the Irish-Celtic rulers of the North
British Scottish-Pictish Kingdom united in
844 under Kenneth MacAlpin down to the
reign of the so-called Kenneth, son of Mal-
colm (971-995). Only the second part
interests us here, the first is quite worth-
less: e.g., thirty kings, all bearing the
name of Brudc*, are given one after another,
as rulers over Britain and Ireland. On fully
reliable historical ground we stand when
we come to the entry : "Bridei filius Mail-
con XXX. annis regnavit; in octavo anno
regni eius baptizatus est a sancto Columba."
From the time of this first Christian ruler
of the Northern Picts (died 583) onwards
we have reliable contemporary sources at
hand; the Angle Beda, writinsr in North-
umberland in 731, naturally takes a good
deal of account, in his "Historia ecclesiastica
gentis Anglorum," of things Pictish, and in
Ireland we have two annalistic works (the
Annals of Tigernach and tlie Ulster Annals)
which in a prominent manner occupy them-
selves with the affairs of their countrymen
in North Britain. We can accordingly from
the years 583-840 control the names and
periods of reign of the Pictish rulers of the
Chronicle from independent sources. If we
♦ Most likely a Pictish title.— G. H.
15
glance over tbe series of names of the nilers
of Pictisk race certain peculiarities in-
voluntarily strike us: (1) a limited number
of kino^'s names occur (Brede, Talore,*
Brest, NechtanS; (2) the further method
of naming' is as among the British and
Irish, hence the addition of the father's
name with "filius" (son) prefixed e.g.
"Breidei filius TVid"; (3) These fathees
OF Kings xever themselves appear as
Kings; they succeed each other, "Garnard
£lius Wid iv. annis regnavit, Bridei filiua
Wid V. annis regnavit, Talore frater eorura
xii . annis regnavit" ; after these three
brothers, sons of Wid, cornea "Tallorcen
filius Enfret v. annis regnavit," after him
"Gratnait filius Donnel vi. annis regnavit
et dimidium" and "Drest frater ejus vii.
annis regnavit"; then after these two
brothers cornea "Bredei filius Bili" — all of
them names occurring in the Irish Annals;
(4) The fathers of the Pictish Kings,
to judge from the names, abb for the
jiost part not Picts, but belong to the
neighbouring Irish or Welsh or
Angles. Thus, the father of "Tallorcen
filius Enfret, who reigns, according to the
Ulster Annals, from 653-657 is according to
iis name (Aiufret, in the Irish Annals En-
fret), certainly an Angle (Eeanfrith, En-
frith). The father of Tallorcen's successors,
'•Gratnait filiua Donnel" reigning from
657-663, and his brother " Drest" (666-673)
is according to his name ("Donnell, Don-
nail") certainly Irish. The father of the
successor of both these brothers, viz., of
"Bredei Bili" (died 693) is according to his
name a Welshman. In the case first ad-
duced we can make the deduction drawn
from the name almost positively certain
* A form remaining in a parish named after a Pictiah
saint,— Kiltarlity (CiUtaraalan, for Talargan) ($) in Mac
Xaughton.— G. H.
16
from reliable sources. From Bede's His-
tory i., 34; ii., 12; iii., 1, and from the Anglo-
Saxon Chronicle for the years 593, 607, 617,
633, 634, we learn the following: — From
593-617 King "Aedilfrid" ruled over Ber-
nicia, the most northerly Angle State
bordering on the British Kingdom; con-
temporary with him, over the neighbouring
Angle State Deira there ruled "Aeduine."
Now when Aedilfrid fell in G17 "Aeduine"
of Deira forcibly snatched the control and
drove away the sons of Aedilfrid, seven in
number ; they are enumerated in the Saxon
Chronicle under the year 617, and the eldest
of them is named Eanfrid (Enfrith). After
Aeduin's death in 633 the Princes of the
ruling house of Bernicia come back, and
Eanfrid becomes king, but falls in 634 fight-
ing against the British King Ceadualla.
Where did the Angle Princes, the eldest of
whom was named Eanfrid (Aenfrid, En-
frid), sojourn between 617-633? Bede tells
us distinctly: "tempore toto quo regnavit
Aeduini (617-633) filii prafati regis Aedil-
fridi (617) qui ante ilium regnaverat, cum
magna nobilium juventute apud Scottos
sive Pictoa exulabant." Henoe Eanfrid
with his brothers and fellow-exiles so-
journed from 617-633 with the Irish (Scots)
and Picts. Is it in any wise bold to identify
the Angle Prince Eanfrid, who between 617
and 633 sojourned at the Pictish Court, with.
Enfrit (Anfrit), the father of the Pictish
king Tallorcen, who reigned from 653-657?
Ii like manner we can show that Bili, father
of the Pictish king Bredei, who died in 693,
was a Cymric prince, who, very likely, like
Eanford, had been a guest at the Pictish
Ccurt.
If we contemplate the result arrived at
from a consideration of the Pictish
Chronicle, and hold pointa three and four
paiticularly before our mind's eye, remem-
17
bcring that the examples chosen are not the
exception but a hard and fast rnle, it seems
clear to me that on the hypothesis tluit the
Pictisli tribal membership and right of in-
heiitance were grounded, as among the Ger-
mans and the Celts, npon Procreation, with
succession in the male line, it seems to me ou
thii assiuii2ition, that the situation in the
Pictish Royal IIoTise remains unexplained.
Everything becomes plain if tribal member-
ship and right of succession was with the
Picts determined through birth, therefore by
the Mother's Right (succession in the female
line). The sister's son always succeeds in
the sovereignity, accordingly fathe"r and sou
never turn up among the Picts as kings,
Ihis conchision, inferred from a consideration
of facts, will now be confirmed through a
series of direct testimonies. At the outset
I take the oldest traditional evidence. Bede,
in 731 — hence at the time of the existence of
the Pictish state — writes in his history that
the right of inlieritance among the Picts
•was such that "ut ubi res perveniret in
dubium, magis de feminea, regum prosopia
qiiam de masculina regem sibi eligerent :
quod usque hodie apud Pictos constat esse
servatum.'' According-ly the "a, priori" pos-
sible interpretation of the words "ubi res
perveniret in dubium," that only in cases
where one had doubt as to the fathership
of a Pictish king with reference to the sou
born to him by his spouse, that in such case
the sister's son succeeded, this interpreta-
tion is already excluded, because, as a mat-
ter of fact, among the Picts the son never
succeeded the father upon the throne. One
must hold in one's mind's eye tliat it is not
a Pict who has writt-en the above words, but
an Anglo-Saxon, regarding an institutiou
foreign to his ideas of legal right, and, be-
sides, following an Irish source. The Irish
cculd not see anything essentially different in
18
tliar, amongf the Pieta, given a case of several
Tsrothers, the same followed one another on
the throne in order of birth, until the last died
out. Then, however, the right of inheritance
among the Picts and Irish was decided on a
different priaiciple, which is expressed by the
above words, "res pervenit in dubium" ; witli
the Picts, right of succession in the female
line, with the Irish, ri^ht of succession in the
male line came in. Add to this that in numer-
ous Irish sources which take up with the Picts
3.nd their affairs, it is stated cut and dry, and
without limitation, that the Picts "iar mathru
gabait flaith ocus gach comarbus olchena,"
"after the mothers they take sovei'eignity and
«very other inheritance besides (v. Skene,
"Chronicle of the Picts and Scots," p. 319;
Todd, "Leabhar Brethnach," Dublin, 1848,
Additional Notes, p. Ixxi., where it is trans-
lated— it is in right of mothers they succeed
to sovereignity and all other successions). In
slightly altered words several Irish sources
announce the same: v. Skene, p. 40, 1. 4; 328,
1. 10; 329, 1. 14; Todd, "Leabhar Breath-
nach," p. 126, 11; 140, 13; Additional Notes,
p. Ixx., 13; Ixxiv., 22. Succession in the
female line, as above set forth, regulated not
only the Pictish succession to the throne, but
in a time, too, which the Irish well remem-
bered— the whole Pictish social order was
based on it. We have an interesting proof
as to how firmly succession in the female line
was still in the ninth century regarded as the
form for the ruyal succession among the Picts.
When the ruler of the Irish (Scottish) King-
dom on the West Coast, Kenneth MacAlpin
had made himself at the same time ruler of
the Pictish State, he transferred his residence
to Scone (Perth), the residence of the inde-
pendent Pictish Kings. In the Ulster Annals
accordingly he is directly named on his death
"rex Pictorum." His brother, "DomnuU Mac-
Alpin succeeded him as King down to 862. To
19
liim STiccoeded, m accordance with tlio strict
Irish rule of Hereditary Succession, the eon
of Kenneth, down to 876 (Anjials of Ulster).
"When, however, his brother "Aed Mac-
Cinaeda," ^ot himself ready to succeed him as
Kingf of the Picts, he was murdered by a cer-
tain Ciric (Girg) — "a sociis suis" the Ulster
Annals sav under the year 878 — who placed
the son of the sister of Kenneth upon the
throne, "Eochaid fihus Eun," and held it for
eleven years. Botli were driven out in 889,
and then, in accordance with the Irish Doc-
trine of Succassion in the male line "Domnal
mac Constantin mic Cinaeda" ascended the
Pictish throne (Pictish Chronicle, ed. Skene,
p. 9), hence the son of a former king (Constan-
tin, 862-876Ì. who, again, was the son of a
king (Kenneth, 844-858). From then on-
wards until the extinction of this Irish
dynasty with Alexander III. in 1286, the suc-
cession to the throne in the male line was not
violated. This Domnali mac Constantin is
the first in the Armals of Ulster to be styled
"ri Alba" (King of Alba), uaider him, accord-
ingly the personal union of the Irish State
with the Pictish State was done away with,
and one sole Kingdom of Alba was set up. It
is clear, as Skene, too, assumes (Celtic Scot-
laud, I., 329), that in the murder of Aed, the
son of Kenneth, and in the succession to the
tlu'one of a son of the daughter of this Ken-
neth (Eochain filius Eun), we have to see the
attempt of a Pictish party to carry through
the old Pictish doctrine of succession in the
case of the new reigning family of Irish race.
The outcome was the entire abolition of
Pictish indeiiendence (anno 889), which,
through tue pei-sonal union with the Scotic
State, was partially retained.
In course of the fifth century the Southern
Picta were Christianized by the British Celts
(Cymri), their Northern racial brethren in the
second half of the sixth century, through.
Columba of Hi (lona), descended from the
house of O'Neill (lat. nepotes Nelli) — the
noblest among the Hiberno-Celts. The re-
jjorts of the Anglo-Saxon Bede and of the
Irish with regards to the peculiar social insti-
tiition of the as yet pohtically independent
Picts, date traditionally, at least, from the
beginning of the eighth centuiy (Bede wa3
born in 674, wrote in 731 his Historia Ecclesi-
astica Gentis Anglorum), otherwise from the
ninth century and later times. We must
accordingly note well, even if succession in
the fejnale line still existed, that among the
"Christian" Picts from the seventh to the
ninth century the social relations expressed
by the doctrine of succession above adduced
no longer existed in its purity (sit venia
verbo). There was only succession-in-the-
female-liue as modified by Christianity,
by Christian views of tiie world, and by the
Chiistianized Aryan-Celtic culture of the Irish
and of the Cymri. It would have been other-
wise among the non-Aryan aboriginals of
Britain in the times of transition towards
assimilation in reUgiou and in language to
the Aryan Celts, otherwise, too, in the days of
Paganism, and of the as yet unbroken
folkdom of the primitive non-Aryan inhabi-
tants of the British Isles. But, as a matter
of fact, since the days of the Caesars we have
a series of interesting notices which permit
us to take an instructive glance at the social
relations of the primitive non-xVryan inhabi-
tants of the British Isles before their assimi-
lation with tne Aryan Celts and before their
reception of Christianity. In face of these
notices one has heretofore been mostly some-
what perplexed: thev could not be got to
harmonize with what we otherwise from olden
time know about the social polity of the Celta,
one could not perceive how, upon the social
basis gleaming forth through these notices,
the social order which the Irish and Cymri La
21
tlie fifth and sixtli century liave to show as
one in deed and truth handed down from oldeu
time — one could not perceive how tliis could
have grown up in a ui"ht. One did not, to
wit, pay sufficient reg-ard to the Picts and to
the doctrine of succession in the female line
in important respects still in vogue •with them
in the* ninth century. One accepted every-
thing related about "the inhabitants" of
33ritain without proof as a report upon the
"Aryan" Celts of Britain. In the light of the
I^recediug, the notices which I further adduce
receive for the first time a con-ect light thrown
•u23on them, and reflect from their side fresh
light.
Csesar (Galhc Wai-, V., 14), in speaking of
the condition of Britain, says: — "Uxores
habent deni duodenique inter se communes,
et maxime fratres cum fratribus parcntesque
cum hberis; sed qui sunt ex iis nati, eorum
habentur hberi, quo primum virgo quaeque
deducta est." Rhys thinks (Celtic Britain,
p. 55) if Caesar had not here in his mind's eye
"a passage from some Greek book of imagin-
ary travels among imaginary barbarians," one
would have to think of a misunderstanding on
Caesar's part in his conception of the island
Celts, where ten and more men, with their
wives and children, lived as in an enlarged
family partnership xmder the patria potestas
of the family head. As a possibihty further
removed Rhys regards it that Caesar, through
the Celts of the coasts, had got reports re-
garding the otherwise differently-moulded
social order of the non-Aryan aboriginals, and
given these in his own manner in the above
words*
* "The most (;i\-ilised of all these nations are they who
inhabit Kent, which is entirelj' a maritime district, nor do
they differ much from the Gallic customs. Most of the
inland inhabitants do not sow corn, but live on milk and
flesh, and are clad with skins. All the Britons, indeed,
dye themselves [i.e. , Pomponius Mela and Plinj] with woad,
which occasions a bluish colour, and therefore have a more
terrible appearance in fight. They wear their hair long.
On a further consideration of the chapter,
this view seems the one required. Chapter
fourteen contains four propositions: — (1st)
Caesar speaks of the inhabitants of the coast
as whose representatives he names the in-
habitants of Kent; (2nd) he speaks of the
Britons of the interior; ''3rd) he reports some-
thing which all the Britons (omnes Britanni),
therefore the inhabitants of the interior (in-
teriores) and those of the coast have in com-
mon; then (4th) comes the sentence empha-
sized above. Now, that Caesar here does not
speak of "omnes Britanni" (all the Britons),
but, reprardingf the foregoing clause as paren-
thetical, reports something further regarding
the interiorea, one point seems to me to prove
this. In the first Caesar sums up his judg-
ment on the coast inhabitants, "neque multum
a Gallica diffemnt consuetudine" (i.e., nor do
they diifer much from the Gaulish custom).
But he could not have given out the remarka
laid stress on above as the report on the coast
inhabitants^ who in their customs scarcely
differed from the Gauls. The possibiUty of
being misunderstood Caesar probably did not
feel, because, simply from his knowledge of
the facts, he was precluded from conceiving-
that these reports had reference to the inhabi-
tants of the coasts. On Caesar's own estimate
(V., 12) interior Britain was inhabited by
such as regarded themselves as aboriginal in-
habitants in contrast to the Aryan-Celtic in-
habitants of the coasts. In the above empha-
sized words, therefore, I see the impression
which the entirely different social order of
the primitive non-Aryan inhabitants of
Britain made upon the Aryan Celts of
Britain.
and have every part of their body shaved except their
head and upper lip. Ten and twelve have wives common
to them, and particularly brothers among brothers and
parents among their children ; but if there be any issue
by these wives, they are reputed to be the children of
those by whom respectively each was espoused when a
virgin.— <CsBaar'3 Gallic War, V., 14— Bohu's tr.).
23
Some seventy years later Strabo, in his
Geonraphv (lY., 4, C, 201 ; Meineke, p. 275),
gives the following report of Ireland: — "Con-
cerning lerna (Ireland) we have nothing cer-
tain to relate further than that ita inhabitants
are more savage than the Britons, feeding on
human flesh, and enormous eaters, and deem-
ing it commendable to devour their deceased
fathers, as well as openly to have commerce
not only with other women, but also with their
own mothers and sistei-s. But this we relate
pei-hapa without veiy competent authority."*
CHAPTER in.
We have seen already that Irish Literature
in the seventh century after Christ is aware-
that in the most different parts of Ireland
there had been primitive non-Celtic settlers.
On the words in italics, accordingly, one has
to set weight, because Irish Saga, as we shall
see, is very familiar with such a state of
matters in days byegone.
Two hundred years after Strabo, Dio
Cassius comes to speak of the wars of Severua-
(200-211) with the independent Caledonians.
He says regarding the two sections of those,
viz., of the Maiatai (Southern Picts) and
Caledonioi (Northern Picts) : — "The two most
considerable bodies of the people of that
island (Britain), and to which alm.ost all the
rest relate, are the Caledonians and the
Meatae. The last dwell on this side the great
wall that separates the island in two parts.
* Homer makes the six sons of Eolus marry their six
sisters, and Juno addresses herself to Jupiter as " et soror
et conjux."— Note by Translator in Bohn.
The others live beyond it. Both of them
inhabit upon baiTen, uncultivated mountains,
or in desert, marshy plains, where they have
neither walls nor towns uor manured lands, but
feed upon the milk of their flocks, what they
get by hunting, and some wild fruits. They
never eat fish, though they have plenty of
them. They have no other houses than tents,
where they live stark naked and barefooted.
The women are common between them, and
they take an equal care of all the children
they bring forth. Their government is
popular, and they dearly love freebooting.
They fight upon chariots. Their horses are
low, but swift. They have great agiUty of
body, and tread very securely at the same time.
The arms they make use of are a buckler, a
poinard, a short lance, at the lower end of
which is a piece of tin in the form of an apple,
with which their custom is to make a noise,
with a design to frighten their enemies. They
are accustomed to fatigue, to bear hunger,
cold, and all maruier of hardships. They run
into the morasses up to the neck, and live
several days there witliout eating. When
they are in the woods they feed upon roots
and leaves. They make a certain food tkat
so admirably su^jports the spirits that when
they have taken the quantity of a bean they
feel no more hunger or thirst. This ìb the
manner of living among the inhabitants of
Britain. , . Severus having undertaken to
reduce the whole island imder his subjection,
entered into "Caledonia," where he had end-
less fatigues to sustain, forests to cut down,
mountains to level, morasses to dry up, and
bridges to build. He had no battles to fight,
and saw no enemies in a body. Instead of
appearing, they exposed their flocks of sheep
and oxen, with a design to surprise our soldiers
that should stray from the army for the sake
of plunder. The warriors, too, extremely
incommoded our troops, insomuch that some
of the soldiers, bein^ able to march no further,
begged of their companions to kill them that
they might not fall alive into their enemies'
hands. In a word, Severus lost fifty thousand
men there, and yet quitted not his enterprise.
He went to the extremity of the island, where
he observed very exactly the course of the suu
in those parts, and the length of days and
nights in winter and summer. He was carried
over the island in a close chair by reason of
his infirmaties, and made a treaty with the
inhabitants by which he obUged them to re-
linquish part of their country to him." Here
we have to do with the direct ancestors of
the Picts, among whom, 600 years later, strict
descent in the female line was the rule of
succession to the throne. This same Dio re-
ports (lib. Ixxvi., 16) that Julia, the spouse
of Severus, reproached the wife of a Caledonian
on account of the, from Julia's point of view,
lax manners of the Caledonian women, and
puts this cutting reply into the mouth of the
Caledonian lady: — "This corruption of the
Eoman manners occasioned once an agreeable
repartee from a Caledonian woman, whose
name was Argentocoxa, to the Empress Julia.
As they were in conversation together after
the conclusion of the treaty made between
the two nations, and Julia was rallying the
other about the liberties the Caledonian women
took publicly with men, she answered her in
these words: — 'We satisfy the necessities of
nature in a more commendable manner than
you Eomans, for whereas you seek secrecy to
prostitute \ ourselves to the vilest of men, wo
appear in the face of the world enjoying the
society of the best.' " — Lib. Ixx., vi., 12,
Xiphilin. In like manner, in tue seventh
century. Christian princesses gave themselves
up openly to such of the nobles of the Angles,
Irish, and Cymri as pleased them among the
refugees at the Pictish Court.
26
Two liundred years later, regarding the
Scotti and Atecotti, who at that time, through
pillaging incursions in alliance with the Picts,
disturbed the peace of North Britain, who
became also Roman mercenaries, and found
occupation on the Continent, Hieronymus in
several places reports that the same "uxores
proprias non habent; nulla apud eos coniux
propria est, sed ut cuicj^ue libitum fuerit
pecudum more lasciviunt;" and in another
place that these same "promiscuas iixnres co;ii-
munes liberos habeant" (Monum. Britaunica
I., xcix.). I have shown above that about the
year 700 the Irish were still well aware that
the basic-stock of the population of the two
counties lying within sight of Scotland, viz.,
Down and Antrim, were not of Celtic origin,
but belonged to the Pictish race. I have also
indicated that it is in accordance with the
course of thing.? that the Scotti, who from the
middle of the fourth century appear as alUes
of the Picts, come, the majority of them, from
those parts of Ireland named. These Scotti
and Atecotti are, therefore, the majority of
them, bvit the primitive non-Aryan inhabi-
tants of Ireland, to wit, Picts subjugated by
the Irish Celts, under the leadership, doubtless,
of the Celtic nobility, but themselves not as
yet assimilated to the Irish Celts. The dis-
tinct statements of Hieronymus can from this
be very well explained.
Two hundred years later the interpolator of
Solin relates about a king of the Hebrides —
"Nulla illi femina datur propria, sed per
uicissitudines, in quamcumaque commotus sit,
usuarium sumit, unde ei nee uotum nec spes
CONCEDITUE LIBEEOETJBN*" and of the iu-
* " Next come tlie Isles, called Heljrkles, five in
number, whose inhabitants know not what corn means,
but live only b.v fish and milk. They are all under the
government of one king The king hath
nothing of his ov.'n, but taketh of every man's. He is
bound to equitie by certain laws, and, lest he may start
from right Vjy covetousness, he learneth justice b}' poverty
habitants of Mainland, the chief of the Shet-
land srroup, he says — "Utuntnr feminis vulgo,
certum inatrimoniiim nnUi" (Mommsen, Solin,
p. 234, 26, to 235, 26). That we have to regard
the priinitive ijiliabitant= of the Hebrides and
of the Shetland Isles as members of the same
race to which the primitive pre- Aryan inhabi-
tants of Britain and Ireland belonged is a
latent inference. Mommsen perceived (Solin,
p. xlvii., Ixiv.) that this interpolation was
made by an Irishman at Lake Constance,
likely by Columban, who sojourned there from
the years 609-610 to 612-613, or else by an
associate of his. In the "Proceedings of the
Prussian Eoyal Academy of Sciences for
1891," p. 2S2, &c., I have sought to show that
in these additions to Solin we have the gist of
the reiiort-s which the Irish anclinrites collec-
ted from their own observation on their voyag-
ings in the Atlantic Ocean in the sixth century.
All these reports, from that of Caesar in
55 B.C. down to' the Interpolator of Solin ('circa.
610 A.n.), reflect but the impressions of people
who knew no other than the Aryan social
order, based upon marriage and succession in
the male line — impressions received on their
coming into passing contact ivith the pre-
Aryan population of the British Isles, with,
their social order based upon quite another
principle. These observers could not leave
their own skins, if I may so say ; they Judged
what they saw in accordance with their own
views — observed what on the surface deviated
from these. Hence it is not uninteresting
that, with reference to the inhabitants of the
Hebrides, it particularly struck the Iriah
vouchers of the Interpolator of Solin that the
as one who may ha\e nothing proper or peculiar to him-
self, but is found at the charges of the realm. He is not
suffered to have any woman to himself, but whomsoever
he hath mind unto he borroweth her for a time, and so
others by turns. Whereby it cometh to pass that he
hath neither desire nor hope of issue . . . . (in
Thule), they use their women in common, and no man
hath any wife."— Julius Solinus Polyhistor, c. 34.
28
King had no children : it was thus the doctrine
of succession in the female line (Mother-
Eight), in virtue of which the son of the King
was excluded from the succession, except he
were at the same time the son of the King's
sister, presented itself to his mind. I will
resist the temptation to portray, in accordance
with these testimonies, a detailed picture of
the) social order among the primitive non-
Aryan population of the British Isles. In
place thereof I shall adduce a fact which
becomes for the first time intelHgible in the
light of the preceding discussions. In Irish
we possess a specially rich archaic saga-litera-
ture; the historic back-ground of the old
heroic Saga (the Cuchullin Saga) is the first
century after Christ, the time preceding the
introduction of Christianity and the plunder-
ing expeditions to North Britain; the social
order rests upon monogamic marriage and
upon descent in the male line. In this society
of Irish Heroic Saga and in legend, too, the
female figures, almost without exception, bear
an unspeakably common character, in contrast
to the principle of the social order. All the
women, matrons and maidens, queens and
chieftainesses, have the vulgivaga deportment
of the priestesses of Venus in our modern
centres of culture. They throw themselves
round the neck to-day of this one, to-morrow
of that one that pleases them, as Dio's Cale-
donian lady commends. The brother sleeps
with the sister, and begets a son by her, step-
sons likewise with their stepmother, three
brothers in common impregnate their sister,
the son begets a son by his mother, the father
by his daughter, so that the mother of the off-
spring is sister to {he same. Hence all this,
by means of many instances from old Saga,
proves what Strabo mentions concerning the
inhabitants of Ireland at the time of Christ,
and would prefer not to believe. In the
"Zeitschrift fiir Deutsches Altertum," vol. 33,
29
5>p. 2S1-2S5, I have adduced material, stifling
iu its copiousuess, from tne oldest Irish litera-
ture, and the same could be heaped up still
further. Without exaggeration, i believe I
am able to inaintaiu that the literatures of all
the Aiyan peoples of olden time taken
"tegcther" do not by a long way exhibit all
the filth which Irish Sa?a by itself has to
show. Fioni the standpoint that the Irish,
according to their language, are an Aryan
people, and that with them tne social order
rests upon monogamy and descent in the male
line, this is certainly very surprising but con-
ceivable in the light of the preceding discus-
sions. The stream of Aryan blood which with
the Celti puured irum tue i^urupeau Continent
to the British Isles became, in proportion to
its distance from the centre of origin, e^en
weaker, iu North Britain and in Ireland
weaker than iu Soiith-East and Interior
Britain. With reference to Ireland, it is not
without import that the material brought to-
gether at the end is "essentially" handed
down through the Heroic Saga of "Ulster and
Connaught." Precisely for North and North-
East Ireland we have evidence that the primi-
tive pre-C'eltic population settled here down
to semi-historic times. The stream of Celtic
Aryans who emigrated from Gaul to the south-
east coast of Britain (Sussex, Kent, Essex)
will naturally have rolled on in Britain towards
the North and West. From the west coast of
Wales the hills of South Ireland (Leinster)
were visible — "Ab hinc" (St Davids in Pem-
brokeshire, South-West Wales) "sereno tem-
pore montes Hiberniae prospici possunt, mari
Hibernico tantum uno contractiore trans-
navigabili die interjacente. Unde et
Gulielmus, Guilelmi regis bastardi Alius, et
2sordmannorum in Anglia rex secundus, qui et
rex Rufus est agnominatus, Kambriam suo in
tempore animose penetrans et circumdans,
cum a rupibus istis Hiberniam forte pros-
30
piceret, dixisse memoratur: Ad terram istam
expugnandam, ex navibus regni mei hue
convocatis, pontem adhuc faciam" (Giraldus-
Cambrensis : Itinerarmm Kambrise II., 1, ed.
Dimock; Giraldi Cambr, Opera VI., p. 111).
Just as the Anglo-Normans in the twelfth
century began the conquest of Sovith-East
Ireland from this point, so the Aiyan Celts in
the fifth century before <^hi-ist would have-
crossed over from this point to Ireland, and by
degrees have penetrated into North- West and
North Ireland, their Aryan blood getting more
and more thin. Of course, these Aryan Celts
who crossed the Irish Sea had still the power
to subdue the primiiiTe non-Aryan inhabi-
tants throughout unto the furthest corners of
tl:e North-We-it and North Irelnu'l. They
made the ancient Aryan social order, which
they brought with them from their distant
home, the basis of the social order in Ireland,
to which the subjugated population must out-
wardly adapt themselves. But these Celts,
according to number, were in North Ireland
certainly in the minority, as were, e.g., the
Franks in Gaul, the Goths in Spain, accord-
ingly the customs of the vanquished primitive
inhabitants were not changed at once, as the
reports of the ancients and the reminiscences
of the Irish Heroic Saga prove. The most
powerful lever for bringing about a change in
the customs founded on the former social order
of the non-Aryan population in Ireland was
Chiistianity, which, since the commencement
of the fourth century, pushinp- forward from
the South, gradually found entrance, and in
the beginning of the fourth century was intro-
duced likewise into the North. In the ninth
and tenth centuries a powerful stream of
Aryan blood came into the veins of the Irish,
as the Norwegians and Danish Vikings gradu-
ally became Gaelicized, Christianized, and
commingled with the Irish.
SI
When in the seventh-eighth century the
Picta of North Britain nad been Christianizel
for 200 years and Gaelicized for a period of
almost equal length, there existed on the side
of morality no difference in principle between
Pictland and Ireland. The concept of
marriage and of matrimonial fideUty would,
with the Picts, have been more lax and more
elastic ; from the side of the Church the
"tolerari posse" would have been as widely
extended as possible in face of Pictish national
custom.
If one did not feel herein any chief differ-
ence, a marked difl'erence between the social
order of the Christian Picts and of the
Christian Irish would have struck with all the
more surprise tne keenly observant, in literary
respects, highly-cultured Irish of the seventh-
eighth century, viz., the totally divergent
Pictish Eight of Succession — this "rocher de
bronce" of Mother-Eight. As something
quite unintelligible for them, it must hav>'
aroused their astonishment and wonder. Tliey
sought to explain this riddle in the way one
commonly solved similar problems in those
times — they invented an explanatory history.
The Irish are the authors, but I shall give the
story here according to Bede as he reports
(Historia, Eccl. I., 1) it from Irish sources.
After he has related the occupation of Britain
by Celtic Britons, on the pre-supposition that
they found no primitive inhabitants before
them, and were thus really the first possessors,
he goes on — "The nation of the Picts, from
Scythia, as is reported, putting to sea in a few
long ships, were driven by the winds from the
shores of Britain, and arrived on the northern
coasts of Ireland, where, finding the nation of
the Scots, they begged to be allowed to settle
among them, but could not succeed in obtain-
ing their request. Ireland is tne greatest
island next to Britain, and lies to the west of
it; but, as it is shorter than Britain to the
82
nortli, so, on the other hand, it runs out far
beyond it to the south, opposite to the northern
parts of Spain, thouo^h a spacious sea lies
between them. The Picts, as has been said,
arriving^ in tliis island by sea, desired to have
a place granted them in which they might
settle. The Scots answered that the
island could not contain them both;
but 'we can give you good advice,' said
they, 'what to do; we know there is another
island, not far from ours, to the eastward,
■which we often see at a distance when the
days are clear. If you will go thither, you
will obtain settlements, or if they should
oppose you, you shall have our assistance.'
The Picts, accordingly, sailing over into
Britain, began to inhabit the northern parts
thereof, for the Britons were possessed of the
southern. Now, the Picts had no wives, and
asked them of the Scots who would not con-
sent to grant them upon any other terms
than that when any difficulty should arise,
THEY SHOULD CHOOSE A KING FROM THE
PEMALE ROYAL RACE RATHER THAN FROM
THE MALE, WHICH CUSTOM, AS IS WELL
KNOWN, HAS BEEN OBSERVED AMONG THE
PiCTS TO THIS DAY. In process of time,
Britain, besides the Britons and the Picts,
received a third nation, the Scots, who, mi-
grating from Ireland under their leader,
Eeuda, either by fair means or by force of
arms, secured to themselves those settlements
among the Picts which they still possess.
From the name of their commander they are
to this day called Dalreudins, for, in their
language, daal signifies a part." The whole,
of course, in the sense in which Bed© gives it,
and believes it has no more value than e.g.
*Fritz Reuter's "Ursreschicht von Mecklen-
borg." Such stories are of learned origin;
*A modern German poet who wrote in Low German
(•Platt-Deutsch).— G. H.
33
"then they frequently become lialf and half
folk-tales, whose worth consists in that they
simply confirm the presence of certain strik-
ing' social or ethnological phenomena which
they seemingly explain. It is pali^able that
this story has been invented to explain the
actually existent Pictish Mother-right which
astounded the Irish. We know from other
sources that in the 6-7 century the Irish held
thejnselves to be the rightful lords of Ireland
just as the Britons, their kindred in blood and
language, 'held themselves to be of Britain.
As we saw, the remembrance of unassimilated
Picts liaving been settlers in Ireland, was
at that time still fresh among them; in
North Britain there still were Picts in the
enjoyment of political independence. The
Irish of the 6-7 century, read up in classic
literature, could have the information that
Scots in the 4th century fought as allies of
the Picts in Britain. In short, all the ele-
ments were before them out of which the
Irish in the 6th or 7th century wrought the
story related by Bede as an explanation of
the Pictish descent in the female line. With
more or less of alteration in single points,
which are immaterial to the kernel, the story
is to be found in Irish literature in all the
passages above cited from, the works of
Skene and of Todd. With regard to the
question touched on above as to whether in
the pre-Aryan inhabitants of the north-
western isles of Europe we have to seek for
kinsfolk of the Finnish-Esthonian, or of the
Iberian, or of a third race, which, perhaps,
had settlers of kin to them dwelling in pre-
Aryan Gaul and Germany — in this refer-
enc? I can ([uite well, after the foregoing
discussions, point out but one thing. More
important than the vague comparison of Pic-
tish words, for the most part come down to
us in Aryan-Celtic dress (Irish or Welsh),
v'ith quite modern Basque or Finnish words.
2a
34
arid such linguistic phenomena, for the solu-
tion of tlie said question a greater contribu-
tion will be made by inquiring whether for
the Finnish-Esthonian or for the primitive-
Iberian race we have to pre-suppose the same
social order which was certainly in vogue
among tlie primitive pre-Aryan race of the
British Isles, and among their descendants,
still continued in principle far down into
historic times. If this cannot be proved for
the Finnish-Esthonian, or for the primitive
Iberians, then the primitive pre-Aryan popu-
lation of the British Isles belongs of a cer-
tainty to a race different from those named.
CHAPTER IV,
Let us return again to the starting point
of our discussion. What do we learn from
the conditions brought to light as having
juridically existed among the primitive non-
Aryan population of Great Britain? What
do we learn for answering the question as to
whether among the peoples of Aryan stock a
social order preceded that based upon the
foundation of father-right— an order in which
mother-right was in vogue? Further, whether
certain forms of right among individual
peoples of Aryan s'tock are to be regarded as
remnants of an older social order? We learn
several things, I think.
When the Celts crossed over to the British
Isles we know not. It is a view widely diffused
that the Celtic extension towards North-West
Europe falls in close connection with that
great Celtic movement beginning in the sixth-
fifth century before Christ. It is supposed
that the Germans at that time still dwelling
35
•east of the Elbe pressed iipon the Celts settled
north of the Main and east of the Ehine as
far as beyond the Weser and opposite the
Elbe, and had caused that stransfe commotion
amonof the Celts which about 5Q0 b.c. caused
Celtic hoards to come to the Iberian peninsula,
led others at the be^innins: of the fourth
century B.C. before the j^ates of Rome, pushed
forward troops of Celts in Alexander's time
towards Macedonia, and led them in the fol-
lowing' centui-v towards Greece and Asia Minor
(Galatia). This same impulse which led to
the Celtic movement towards the South-West,
South, and South-East is said, in the sixth-
fifth century b.c, to have brought about the
conquest of the British Isles through Celts
from North Gaul. The circumstance that
about the middle of the first centiiry b.c.
Caesar, on the south-cast coast of Britain,
met in with Celts near of kin to the Gauls,
but heard, however, that in Central Britain
there was settled a primitive non-Celtic popu-
lation; the further circumstance that 130
years later (about 80 a.d) an unassimUated
non-Aryan population still occupied Caledonia,
while in Ireland at the same time, or soon
thereafter, the last non-Arvan primitive popu-
lation was Celticized — all these circumstances
well fit in with the supposition that the occu-
pation of Britain, and then of Ireland, through
Celts in the sixth-fifth centuiy before our era
took place in connection with that Celtic
movement which brought the Celts into North
Spain. Hordes such as those which fought
the Romans on the AUia, or those which in
the tliird century penetrated Asia Minor,
could bring about the conquest and gradual
Celticization of Great Britain and Ireland.
But this one will have to concede, that the
facts just alleged with reference to Britain
and Ireland since the days of Caesar scarcely
permit that one should put the landing of the
Celts on the British Isles later than the fifth
36
century before our era: already in the fourtb
century Pytheas of Massilia met Celts on the
ooast of Albion, which he for the first time
calls "Brettanike." If one keeps the social
circumstances of the primitive non-Aryan
poijulation of Bricain, as described, before
one's eye alongside of the verdict of the Celts
in historic times upon them, then one must
conclude that the Celts, at the latest,
IN THE sixth-fifth CENTUEX B.C. POSSES-
SED, IN POINT OF LEGAL EIGHT, NO INSTITU-
TION \VHICH offered any CONNECTINa
LINK WITH THE FUNDAMENTALLY DIF-
FERENT SOCIAL ORDER OF THE PRIMITIVE
NON-ArTAN POPULATION OF BRITAIN AND
OF Ireland.
More, however, for judgment of the above
repeated queries, one can learn if one will
only keep in mind certain pre-suppositions
founded upon fact. Such are the following: —
(1) Among all peoples who by means of their
language can bo accounted of the Aryan stock,
be it Indians or Celts, Iranians or Itahans,
fathcr-righi ("procreation) forms the clear
basis of the existent social order. Also it
cannot be doubted that this must already
have been the case among the jDroto-Aryaus
(v. O. Schrader's Sprachvergleichung und
Urgeschichte 2. Aufl. S. 553-586: B. Del-
briick. Die Indo germaniscnen Yerwandt-
schaftvS namen, ein Beitrag zur vergleichendeu
Alterthumskunde in den Abhandlungen dcr
phil : historischen classe der Konigl. Sachs.
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften, 1890, Band
XI., 381-606). (2) How far back into anti-
quity have we to place this primitive com-
munity? For this we get a sort of small
scale-of-proportion in the fact that, according
to recent investigations, the Indian Aryans
already in 3500 B.C. were settled as conquerors
in the Punjab, and lived in the faith that a
wife was a friend, that to have a daughter
was a sorrow, a son, however, a joy in the
37
hijjliest heaven (v. Bal Gaiiq^adhar Tilak, The-
Orion or Kesearchcs in the Antiquity of the'
A^edas, Bombay, 1S93 ; Jacobi, Ueber das
Festschrift an Rud. von Roth, Tiibinfjen,
1893, 6S-73). 5000 B.C. is the furthest limit
to which one can put back the Arvan primeval j
community, iu which father-rip-ht was already- ;
the basis of the social order. (3) Like as the
Aryans, on their havino; wandered into North-
west India, did not find before them a land
without inhabitants, but one rather with au
already double layer of earlier settlers, just as
little have the members of the Aryan stock
who in the beginninsy of the historical period
have their abode in European lands which
tu-day we call Greece, Italy, Germany,
France — thiis Greeks, Italians, Germans,
Celts — just as httle have these found a land
formerly free of men in the countries inhabi-
ted by them at the commencement of the
historic period. The Celts of Gaul, the-
Teutons of Germany, when they emero^e in the
lio-ht of historic tradition, are certainly not in
blood any lono-er of one stock. The more
recent Science of Aryan Lang-uasfes and Anti-
quity, startinsr from the observation that the
widely diversfinsf paths taken by Low Latin
in its development to the Romance Languages
of the present day are based to an important
degree upoir the variety of peoples who
adopted the Roman sounds — starting from
this observation one seeks iu the greater or
lesser mixture of non-Aryan elements in pre-
historic times to explain the gi'eater or lesser
degree of rerj.oval of a lingual stock from the
Aryan proto-speech. The knowledge that
among Germans and Celts already at the be-
ginning of their historical period one can no
longer speak about a unity of Aryan descent
in accordance with blood, this knowledge must
be made use of in all provinces of Aryan
archaeology.
Once granted that amonar tliis or that
Aryan people — let ua say Germans, Greeks,
or Italians — there are to be found stray cases
of juridical right which at bottom are only
intelligible in the light of descent in the
female line, should not in such cases att«ntion
to the three points auduced, combined with
consideration of the facts which we have
learned to know within the British area, pre-
vent us from blindly supposing that we had
here before us rudimentaiy organs of a social
organisation which in principle among the
Aryans must have already more than 5000
years before have been overcome, if it had at
all formerly existed among them? Should
not then the supposition lie more near at hand
— always presupposed that without descent in
the female line one cannot get on — to suppose
that here we have traces of a non-Aryan
l^rimitive population, assimilated in somewhat
strong proportions — a population in which,
as among the primitive peoples of Britain and
Ireland, descent in the female line held the
field?
One point I would still emphasize'. As a
matter of fact, here and there actually existent
cases of mother-right have been pointed out;
further, a social order with descent in the male
line, along with traces of mother-right, has
been pointed out; but a proof that the social
order based upon mother-right has anywhere,
"without extraneous influence," developed
itself to patriarchy — such a proof one has not
earnestly attempted, still less anywhere given.
One simply takes mother-right (matriarchy)
as self-evidently the antecedent step to a social
order based upon patriarchy. With the same,
and perhaps with greater right, one may re-
gard matriarchy and patriarchv as the oppo-
site poles of developmen't starting from a
like basis. With like right one can regard a
perfected matriarchy as an order of society
which of itself does not develop itself into
39
patriarchy. Let tis suppose that the politics-
of Imperial Eome had uot led to a conquest
of Britain; that Britain, lyin^ over against
Gaul, had been left untrodden by Eoman
legions, as was actually the case with Ireland,
lying over against the Romans of Britain —
what would have happened then? Britain and
Ireland, probably like the Germanic North
(Denmark, Scandinavia), would have emerged
from the seventh-eighth century onwards for
the first time more and more into the light of
history; on its southern coast, on the east
coast far northwards as well as far inland,
Germanic tribes — Angles, Jut«s, Saxons —
would have settled, just as in Caesar's time
Celts possessed those parts. Behind these
Germanic peoples, alone the west coast, there
would have been settled a people speaking a
Celtic idiom (Cymric), and in Ireland, as well
as in the Caledonian Highlands, a closely-
related Celtic idiom would have been spoken
by the inhabitants. To judee according to
language, one would accordingly have found
before one in the British Isles Germanic and
Celtic Aryans, just as in the first century b.c.
Celtic and Germanic Aryans settled in France
and Germany. Inasmuch as without the
Roman superiority in Britain Christianity
would have taken firm root on British and
Irish soil 200-300 years later, a powerful
helping factor in the more speedy assimilation
of the social order of tue subjugated non-
Aryan papulation to the quite differently
organized society of the conquering Aryan
Celts would have fallen away. In the social
polity, in the juridical conditions among tho
supposed Celtic-Aryan poijulation in West
and North Britain, as well as in Ireland, it
were not only merely possible, but very pro-
bable, that many more evident remnants of
a former matiiarchal system would have beea
found than one — falsely, as I believe — credits
the Germans with. One would, perhapS;,.
Tiave still fouud in North Britain amonor the
Celtic-speaking (thus Aryan) population the
rule of succession in the female line. The
totally false conclusions which one would draw
nowadays, in spite of points one and two above
emphasized, are evident; likewise, too, the
application to the questions proposed above.
The solutions of these questions in the sense
hinted at could be further made more exhaus-
tive by a thoroug-h-ffoing investigation as to
whether and to what extent in the fixed legal
right of the island Celts forms of law are to
be found wliich with more or less certainty
must come from the matriarchal system of
the subjugated and assimilated primitive
population. This would yield instructive
parallels to ^Germanic forms explained by
some from a pretended pre-Deluvial Aryan
Matriarchate. For the legal system of the
island Celts, Cymri, and Irish, we have exten-
sive codifications written in the native lang-
uage. The "Cyvreithiau Hywel Dda" con-
tain as basis the Cymric law valid in different
parts of Wales in the middle of the tenth cen-
tury; the edition of the same — Ancient Laws
and Institutes of Wales, London, 1841 — is
tolerably good, the accompanying English
translation tolerably trustworthy; and F.
Walter, in his woi-k "Das Alte Wales, Bonn
1859," has done good preparatory work. With
regard to Ireland, the case is quite altered.
Several collections and tractates on single
topics are preserved and edited. In the first
rank, what goes by the' name of the "Senchas
Mor" falls to be considered. The native tra-
dition ascribes this codification of Irish law to
a commission held imder Patrick's presidency.
In reality, the redaction that has come down
to us dates from the end of the tenth century
(Zeitschrift fur Deutsches Alterthum B.
■35.85). The written tradition of this and of
other documents written in Irish is, however,
much later and more corrupt than the Cymric
41
collection; tlie edition — Ancient Laws of Ire-
land, Vol. I., Dublin, 1865; II., Dublin,
1869; III., Dublin, 1873; IV., Dublin, 1879—
is, as reo^ards the text, more than imperfect,
and the Eno-Ush renderino' in all cafscs of
■difficulty is absolutely worthless. Monsieur
D' Arbois' Resume d' un cours de droit
Irlandais: Paris, 1888-1892 (4 broschures)
does not help us mucn further. Thi-ough a
•bold Ilussar-ride tliis province can not be con-
quered; heavy artilleiy, rather, is necessary,
and tliis the believei-s in pre-Deluvial and
post-Deluvial Aryan Matriarchy do not seem
to have at their disposal.
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE.
Principal Rhys gives the following as "the
inscriptions which appear to be for certain
more or less Pictish in point of language" : —
I. ehtarrmuonn — (at) Scoouie.
3. Drosten-ii^e Uoret et Forcus — St
Vigeans.
5. Maqqo Talluorrn-ehht Vrobbaccennevv
— Aboyne.
7. (1) Iddaiqnnn Vorreoin ipua losir —
Newton. (2) Edde ecnum Vaur, «fec. — New-
ton.
8. (1) Eddarnonn — tumo — Brodie.
9. Allhhallorr edd Maqq Nuuvva rreimg
— Golspie.
II. — alluorraun luirract pew Cerroccs —
Burrian.
12. xTtocuhetts: ahehhttmnnn : hccwevv;
Nehhtonn — Lunasting.
14. (2) Ehtecon Mor — Coningsburgh.
15. besmeqqnanammov^-ef — Ninian's Isle.
16. (1) Crroscc: Nahhtvvddadds: dattrr:
ann — Bressay. (2) Berrisef: Meqqddrroann
42
The learned writer then sums up — "Here
■we have a certain number of inscriptions which
appear to be more or less Pictish, so let the
advocates of the Celtic theories come forward
and explain these inscriptions as Celtic. Let
those who cherish the Welsh or Brythonic
theory — for they seem to be just now fore-
most— take the carefully written and punctu-
ated Og:am from Lunasting : — x Ttocuhetts :
ahehhttmnnn : hccvvevv : Nehhtonn, and let
them explain it as Welsh, and I shall have to
confess that I have never rightly understood
a sina-le word of my mother tongue. If they
cannot explain it so, let them explain it a3
any kind of Aryan. Till then I shall treat it
as unintelligible to me as a Celt, and as being,
ao far as I can judge, not Aryan." — (Rhys iu
Proceedings of the Saciety of Antiquaries of
Scotland, May 9th, 1892).
NEIL MORISON,
THE PABBAY POET.
T5) EIL MORISON was born at le-na-
I / Sitli, near Scanista, Harris, in 1816..
For forty-one years lie was a sliep-
herd without goin^ out of his native
ncÌGfhbourhood save once or twice by
steamer to Portree, and possibly once ta
Greenock for a few days. The periods of
his life map themselves out as follows: — (1>
At Cleit-na-ducha, with Mr Macrae, son of
Mai^hstir Fionnladh, a former minister of
North Uist; (2) at Scarista with Mr Mac-
donald; (3) in the Isle of Pabbay, with
Stewart of Ensay. It is the new house of
Ensay that he celebrates in "Oran na Lùch-
airte," and it is of a member of the same
family that he sings in "Marblirann do
Mr Uilleam Stiubhart/' who died on board'
ship on the homeward voyage from Africa,
whither he had essayed to bring tidings of
g-lad things — of the things which have proved
themselves to be best. In was in Pabbay
that he lived most of his life, so that Neil
Morison may fittingly be called the Pabbay
Bard. But Pabbay, i.e., the Pope's Isle, so
named from the produce of its fertile soil,
having in pre-Norweo-ian times been at the
disposal of the missionaries of the day, was
for the poet unspeakingly lonely. Ho com-
plains of its being more of a prison than the
Indies. He scans the tillage operations in
44
St Kilda — tlia Hiort clia clHith dhomh s gu'n
cunnt nd'n t-aiteacli — and is hemmed in by
the bounding main. It is a lonely isle, and
little wonder in "Oran a Chiaualais" — a song
of solitude, in which he alludes to his in-
ability to write — that he easts longing eyes
•on Blival, under whose shadow he was reared.
But he liad the society of his wife and young
children — of Fergus, to whom later the satire
"'Oran Eithir Fhearaguis" was dedicated;
and of Donald Maclean. All of these had
the opjjortumty of learning Neil's songa of
the period. To the intelligent Donald Mac-
lean the Bible, Connell's Astronomy in Gae-
lic, and Neil Morison's songs were a suffici-
ent library, and it is to this companion of
the poet and the poet's daughter at Cleit-
na-ducha that the honour falla of having
most correctly preserved in memory the
songs of the Pabbay days. It is from these
two and from Miss Catherine Macleod of
Borve that I have written down the poet's
compositions, which are exceedingly relished
by Harrismen, many of whom can give
snatches of them.
The poet was a man of blithe and merry
nature — "duine air leth sunndach toilichto
air nach fhacas gruaim riamh" — and he de-
lighted in singing his songs to his children.
The continual loneliness, however, was apt,
especially in winter, to nurture a feeling of
the eerie, and to foster a dread of the spirit?
oi the night, who are so dangerous to human
kind. In "Oran an Eagail" he recalls an
experience famiUar to us all. The air of the
last song is one invented by Mairi nighean
Alasdair Euaidh, and the lines " chuireadh
xoimh ban-Leodacli," &c., refer to th»
Pabbay banishment of the Queen of Modern
Gaelic poetry. I never knew formerly of her
having been sent there, but her cauatie
■wit was a thorn in the sides of so many,
and so frequently to her own disadvantage.
45
that she may at one time or another have
been sent to Pabbay, as well as on another
occasion elsewhere.
He latterly, in the service of Mr Mac-
kenzie of Luskintyre, lived at Cleit-na-
ducha, a place in Harris, which would in
pure Gaelic be Craif^dhubh, i.e., black cra^.
Clait (in Danish "klint") is from the Norse
"klettE," a rock cliff; in the plural, a
rang^e of crags; kletta-skora — a scaur. Final
R was silent in Norse by the time this word
was taken over by the Gaels. Cleit carries
with it nowadays the notion of rocks by the
seaside. Here he lived for fourteen years :
hei-e ke died in the spring of 1882 in his
sixty-sixth year, survived by a son and two
daughters and grandchildren. His wife's
nami? was Raonuid Nic-ill-Sheathain, from
Skye, by whom he had in all seven children.
He was carried to his fathers in Scarista,
where Lord Macaulay's ancestor, a former
minister of Harris, lies buried.
The poet was tall, dark-eyed, glas sau
aghaidh, land one of Nature's gentlemen.
■\Then he was eighteen he composed his first
song, very likely one to Kirsty Bruce, his
first sweetheart, on whom he composed a
number, of which the love song with which
I begin is the best. "Oran an Eich Odhar"
is one of his early songs. "Oran Càinidh
an Rodain" is possibly the last, with the
exception of a hymn he composed before
dying, and which has in all likehhood gone
with him to Heaven.
He ccmposed many songs which are now
irrecoverably lost. He was somewhat shy
in his latter days of dictating his own poems
to such even as might have wished to pre-
serve them. It was a result of modesty,
perhaps of native shyness, with the sens,:,
tco, that his poems dealt with secular themes,
which, though popular with the young, were
still Grain Dhiomhain. With a former gifted
Tninistpr of Harris, the late Eev. Chaxles
IMaclean, be was on very intimate terms.
They wera cronies for a long time, and the
minister, according to credible report, made
a transcription of his earlier songs, which
seems to have gone lost. This clergyman's
widow, writing from Ullapool, reports a
fearch among her htisband's papers to have
been in vain. The lat© Donald Mimro Mori-
son — Iain Gobha's son — who was to the poet
a good friend, wrote down the love song
which opens this collection, and as it is in
the handwriting of his Leacli teaching days,
that must have been over thirty years ago.
As his version contains two stanzas which
are not in mine, I have given it in prefer-
ence. A version of this song has been popu-
lar on tlie mainland — Mr Sinclair's "Oran-
aiche" gives it. That, along with three
stanzas of "Moladh na Liichairte," ia all
that has come to me in writing. The re«t,
but for this present effort, would have also
perished.
The poet lived an exemplary life, and did
what he could to make others happy. T»ars
before he was invited by Iain Gobha to re-
cite his poems to him at Leacli. The ageing
saint was ever interested in the efforts of r,h®
generations younger than himself, and he
madtì no exception in the case of Neil. They
were not blood relatives, and were of a differ-
ent sept of Morisons. Iain Gobha, who was
a most consummate poetic critic, heard him
repeat all the "Grain Dhiomhain," and told
him he had once a day composed many such
himself, but had given them up. He dis-
suaded his junior in years from indulging
too freely in satire, adding that, though a
beneficial weapon, it was to be discreetly
used. He counselled him to adopt worthy
themes, and concluded the interview with
47
the remark — "Bitliidk tliusa iia do dliuine
math fhathast" — "You will be a good man
yet."
After Iain Goblia's deatli it fell to the lot
of his poetic survivor, who was twenty-six
years his junior, to compose an elegy, which
exhibits want of maturity in this branch cf
his art, and is neither firmly knit together,
nor without pal^^able demerits. This first
elegy cannot have given general satisfac-
tion, and one detects a reference to this fact
in the opening l:nes of the second elegy —
"Cliù Iain Gliobha" — composed in the poet's
thirty-sixth year or so —
"Bho'n is 'fear-fòghluim' mi air a cheàird sa
Luch-brithimh Gàilig 'na tugaibh beum
Air camnt mhi-iiilmhor neo-dhireach, lubte
Nach gabh dhomh dlùthadh na cur na
oheil.' "
It was to remedy these defects, of which the
poet himself was conscious, that, after some
interval, he composed a second elegy, which
at onf9 gave pleasure to all who loved Iain
Goblia, an elegy wJiich is a worthy tribute
to one to whom tribute was due. Though
there are some weak touches, it is one of the
most exalted efforts of the modern Gaelic
Muse — one that would alone secure him a
place of honour among the select bards cf
the Gael. In its workmanship it is vastly
superior to the frst, so that one cannot well
institute any comparison between them. It
shows hew the memory of the saint was cher-
ished by him, and how much he imbibed, cr
was beginning to imbibe, of what was best
in his teaching. The gloaming of an
autumn evening was falling upon land and
sea as Iain Gobha's son and I were, in har-
vest, 1892, wending our way by Borve, when
Catherine Macleod, with a lapful of sand-
eels, glistening in the t^vilight, was return-
ing from the sea-besich, and sung it to the
48
air of "Coire Cheatliaicli," the melancholy
cadences of which were ever and anon dee]i-
ened', as in natural counter-point, the wail'
of mournful joy being carried on the even-
ing breeze to the sound of the sea billows —
by the low-throated waves of the Atlantic
as they broke and boomed upon the rocks.
Ceit Nic Leoid's voice rang clear. Her ver-
sion was as the poet left it forty years
before, as was confirmed by its correspond-
ence with that of Mrs Macleod of Tarbert
(Harris), an intelligent lady, who after-
wards gave an additional stanza. Eoghan
Morison had never heard this elegy on his
father sung before. A few stars began to
glimmer over Harris. I was deeply moved,
and God was above us all.
Oxford, May, 1896.
OEAN GAOIL.
LUINNEAG.
Ho ro gu'm bi mi
Ga d' chaoidh ri m' bheò.
Ma threig thu mise
Cha lughaid orm thu;
Nan tigeadh tu'n rathad
Bii tu m' aighear s mo rim
S nam faighinu do litir
Gu'm *briosgainn a null.
I.
Air do m'inntinn bhi strith riut
S a sir dol mu'n cuairt
Air an ribhiun oig chùl-duirm,
G amlu-ac dliith air a snuadh;
Ghabh mi tlachd na do bhainnteachJ
Ann an cainnt nach gabh luaidh
S mi bha togarrach falbh leat
Air feadh gharbh— chriochan tuath.
Ho ro, &c.
49
II.
Tha mo cliridlic co luaineach
Ei diiilleach na craoibh
Nuair bliios e air ^hhiasad
Le fuaclid us le o^aoitli;
Bho nach d'labhair mi 'facal riiit
A bha fodli mo shuim —
Dli' fhhs seo ua gliath-erearraidli
Fodh m' asnaicheaii taoibb.
Ho ro, &c.
III.
Do cbeiim air an driùchd
Madiiinn ciùiii ris a gflireiu
Sioda ri dearrsadh
Biio àirde do chleibli
A dli'ionnsuidli do shàilean
Gu 'm b ailleachd leam fein
Mi biii teannadli na d' cliòir,
Clàistinn còmkraidh do bhèil.
Ho ro, ifcc.
IT.
Gu'n teid mi san ùir aJr
Mo dhùnadli sna clair,
Ailleachd do ghnùis bidli
Na m' shùilean gu brach,
Dk'fhag tliu neofsliunntacli
Mi 'direadh nan àrd
Muigli aig fuarain nam beann
Anns gacli am s gun mi slàu.
Ho ro, &c.
V.
Ged tha mi na m' chiobair
A direadh nam beann
A cruinneachadh chaorach
Feadh raoutan us glileann,
S aun a theid mise mach far
An cluinn mi do chainnt,
Gu'm bu leasachadh slàint leam
Do lamh chur na m' laimh.
Ho ro, &c.
50
<jur a biun' thii ri d' clilàistinn
Na ealtaiun nan sjicur
No'm pianno ri ceòl
S cluiche seolta ri teud
No a chuthagf air Ion
Latha ceòthach air gbleus
No &meorach nam badan
Air meangan fodb gbeug.
Ho ro, &c.
VII.
Do Shleiblite nam bradan
Far an deacbaidh tu tbkmb,
Nacb mise bha mar riut
Oun leabaidh acb earn;
Cba b'fhaireacbadh gòracb
Leam t' eòlas s do gbnàtbs,
Bu bbinne le m' cbhiais thu
Na fuaim a cbiùil àird.
Ho ro, ifcc.
VIII.
Diluain air an ratbad
S mi falbb leis an spreidh
Chuala mi naigbeacbd,
Tbug mo cbridbe-s as leum,
Gii'n d'tbainig uat litir
S gu'n do cblisg mi gu leir
Mo smaointcannan marbba
Obabb iad tearbadb o cbeil.
Ho ro, &c.
Am meadhon na mara
■Ged bbitbinn na m' sbuain
Do gbradb bhitheadh laiste
Oa m' bbeotbachadb suas;
Cba teid mi ar aicbeadb
Gu bracb dba'n an t-sluagb
Nacb tu'n aon te a b'fhearr leam
A db' fbas oirre gruag.
Ho ro, &c.
51
X.
Tha fear eil' ann sa bliaile
Tha ga d'iarraidh gu teann,
A dhianadh do sfbabliail
Ged bhitlieadh tu cam.
Gun cbaoirich giin otliaisg
Gun ghobbair gun mbeann,
S nan dianadb e t' fbaicinn
Bli tu taghadh na bbiodb ann.
Ho ro, &c.
Tha mo sbiiilean air sileadh
Mar fbrasan o'n aird
Mo rasgan air losgadb
Aig teotbad do ghràidb
Fodb eagal fodli iraradidb
Fodb imcheist gacb la
Gu'n toir mac a Ghoill uam tbu
S nacb buanaicb mi d' lamb.
Ho ro, Sec.
XII.
Ri feamainn a cbladaicb
Cba bbi sinii a stritb
Le corran ga 'buain s ga
Cur suas air ar dr(u)im
S ann tbeid tbusa 'Sbleibbte
Far an eibhinn beat bbi
S tbeid mise na d' dbeigb
Dh'aindeoin Cleir no cruaidb-bbinn.
Ho ro, <fcc.
52
OEAN A CHIANALAIS.
FONN
Och cliòn mar thà mi us mi 'n am aonar
Is ciaiiail dJi'fhàg' iad mi 'n seo 'n am onar
Och mo dhiobhail nach mi bla' air tir ann
Am miillacli Bhlitli-bhal far am b' òg robli
mi.
I.
Gur mi tlia cianail 'san eileaii fhiadhaicli
Gur fliada 'n iar e cha'n fliiacli an t-ait' 9
'S olc am priosan e seach na h-Innseaun
Do dh' fliear a dliitead airson na m.eàirle.
II.
Nur ni mi lùbadh a muig-h mu'n chùl aig'
Tha h-Iort clio dlùth dliorah s gu'n cunut
mi'ii t-aiteach
A til' aio^ ail t-sluagli ami, gur culaidli tliruais
mi
Bhi glaiste suas ann le cuauntaii gàiricli.
III.
Mo bbean cbo neònacb. s mo clilann clio
gòracli
S nach diau ead comhradh domh na ceòl-
gàire
Ta mi gnu solas 'ii am àite còmhnuidh
Ach Dombnull gòrach le seacaid bhàn air.
IT.
'N uair thig an geamhradh bithidh mi fo
charapar
Gur dlii do'n Teaminill mi 'u am na dàis-
neachd
Mi na m' dhroch shaighdear air feadh na
h-oidhche
Gu'n duiue dh'fhoighniceas ciamar tha mi.
V.
Mar tha Fearagus cha diau e seanachas
Is duine balbh e 'tha marbh 'u a nadur
Tha crith 'u a ghluiuean le fuachd na Dùd-
lachd
53
S mar dh'fha^ an Ixitbs cad giin 'dhiùlt ead
tamh dha.
VI.
Nan diauaiun sgriòbbadh giir fliad o dh'-
inusinn
Do nabuidh dileas na tliill mo nadur.
Mar cbothrom luaidhe ri m' chridhe fuaighte
Ga m' dhianamh gruaimeacli a Luain 's a
Shàbaid.
Ei tide ghailbbeacli bithidli toirm na fairge
Ei creagan garblia a' stairiricb laidir
Mar tboruun geambraidb bbiodb eadar
bbeanntau
S mar stalla teann oir an ceann 'g a spairnich
TIU.
Bitbidb Druim-na-beisde 'n uair ni i eirigh
Gu'n cluinn tbu 'beucal le seideadb graineil
'N a steallaibb gle-gbeal 'dol dba na speur-
aibb
Toir' dbiom na greine s Beinn Sbleibbe
Bbearnarai.
IX.
Ge geal le neònain na raoiutean còmbnard
Gu'm b' fbearr 'bbi 'm mòinteacb nam mòr
bbeann arda
Nan gilean lùgbuibor, nan geugan cùbbraidh
A bbeireadb ùracbadb dba mo sblàinte'.
X.
Coire Bblitb-bbal' is trie air m' inntinn
Le fhuarain fbior-ghlain bu chubbraidb fail-
eadb
Biolair uaine a' fas m' a bruaicbibb
Gur mor an suairabneas do sbluagb an àite.
XI.
Gacb lus is boidbcb air an tulaicb cbombnard
A macb o'n t-sròin 'dbiananib Ion lis àracii
Do dbaoine breòite 'am bailtibb mora
'S e ebur n'n sroin 'bbeireadb beò o'n bbàs
iad.
XII.
Mu bhruacli do cbaocliain guv pailt na
caoirich
N' an craiciouii maotli gheal 's an fhraoch
gu sàmhacli
S na li-uain 's a Ckeitein air luim a rlieidhlein
A ruith 's a leumraick gun eis o'm màthair.
XIII.
Cha teirigeadli Gàilig ga cur 's an dan seo
A dk' inuseadk ckàsan do nàbuidk eòlack
Ack bko uack f keàirrde mi 'bkeag an tratk-3'
Gu fan mi samkack 's cka ckan mi'n còrr
dketk.
OEAN AN EAGAIL.
LUINNEAG.
H-itkill nlkill agiis o-kò
H-ìtkill o-ko kòireannan;
H-ìtkill utkill agus o-kò
H-ìtkill o-ko kòireaunan,
H-ìtkill utkill agus o-kò
H-ìtkill o-ko kòireaunan;
H-ìtbiU u k-ullill ò
Gkeòbkradk bko ko k-itk-il-an.
I.
Gur k-e mis' 'tka fodk mkulad
Tka leaun-dubk air mo skàrackadk
Ann an Eilean Dubk Pkabbai
■'S beag a tk'agam-s' a dk' àbkackd dketk;
'N uair a bkios mi gun lukòine
A' tional òtraick nam bàgkannan
Gur k-i feamainn na ceilpe
'Bkitkeas a' goil a bkuntàta dkomk.
II.
Geamkradk fad' air bkeag cuideackd
'S e tkug buileack drock sknuadk orm,
M àite còmknuidk s mo tkuineack
Dlùtk air tulack nan uagkannan;
'N nair a cliiaras am fcasi^ar
Bidh an t-eagal ga m' clmairteachadh,
Cha'n fhalbli mis' giin mo bhata
'S car na m' òmhaicli mu'm buailear mi.
III.
Mii ni 'n cuilean dubh draiindan
Their a' chlann rium an cuala tu
Their a bheau le guth fanu rium
Las an ^amp 'o 's e fuath a th'ann;
Bheir mis' an sin grad lcuni
As a' chathair gii bruailleauach,
M'fheòil air chrith air mo chnàmhan,
Leigeil "'Pharaoh" 'g a fhuadach bhuaina
IV.
'S theid an doius a chrannadh
Le barantas dùnaidh air,
Clach eòrna hr Liugaidh
Chur gu h-iosal ri lùdagan;
Sparrar iarunn us maidean
Ghabhadh seachnadh ri chulaobh-san
'S gus an teid i 'n a bordaibh
Cha tig bòcain ar n-ionnsuidh-ne.
Gu bheil TeamimiU an t-sagairt
Air an starsnaich 's cùis uamhais e
Le chrois Phàpanaich fhèin
Chuireadh geimh air na fuamhairean
Air a' bhmueag 'n a seasamh
O nach leig sibh gu lualh dhuinn i!
'S nach i bh' aig Seonaid Nic Phàice
Gu dianamh f àisneJlPllll han*' gruagaicHean.
'S ann timchioll ormsa tha'n gàrradh
Cha tig beairn air 's gu'n leumainn i
Cha tuit clach gu là bhràth dheth
'S daingean làidir an stèidheadh e,
'S gad bhiodh cabhlach na Bànrighinn
'S iad gu h-ard— cheaunach brèid-ghealach
'S fheudar stad air a chìilaobh
Tilhdh smìiid Drùim-na-Bèisd iad.
56
Eilean lomarra fuaraidh
iEilean gruamacli g-un tioraileaclid
Eilean letli-oireacli truao^h e
'N uair 'thig' fuachd us drocli shiantan ann
Chi tliu 'n fliairge 'n a gleaiintan
Tigliinn mar blieanntanuan iargalta
'S bidli mi 'suathadh mo cliluasan
Ma' m buail e air fiar chugam.
VIII.
'S mi nacli iarradh an scalladh.
A bhi 'g amhrac nan ciosanaich
Stigli bho Hàisgeir nan ron
A mach blio sbròn Rhìi Ghrìminnis
'G èisdeachd fuaim Garrai Grànnda
'Nail 'o Bhalai clia bhinn leam e
'S gob Rhii Rhòsagaidh 'm Pabbai
Far nach stadadh an drilleachan.
IX.
Clniireadh roimlie Ban-Leodacli
Air fògradli dha'n àite seo,
Rinn i luinncag us crònan
Chuir air dòigh ann am bardaclid dhuinn;
Bhiodh i 'g gearann a cluasan
lomadh uair s cha bu uair dhi e
'G eisdeachd gàirich a chuain
Bha CÌIO cruaidh ris na tàirneanaicli.
X.
Tha e soilleir ri dhearbbadb
Gu'n do mliarbhadli na ciadan ann
Le gaotli tliioram a Mhàirt
Bheireadh an àird blio an t-siabunn ead;
Us cha'n iarrainn mar cheaird
'Bhi 'g an aireamh air lionmhoireachd
Gu'm bu chianail am fàgail
Tighinn am bàrr gun an tiodhlaiceadh.
XI.
Thoir an t-soraidh nam thairis
Gu talamh nam fniheanuan
Far an cinneadh a inliaigbeach
S ua daimh chabrach 'n am milteannan
57
Eilid cliaol nan cas fada
Ann an Tleannan na sith-blirntliain
Far am faodadh an sealgair
Spòrs an anamoich bhi ciuuteach dha.
XII.
'S am bradan seang far an fhior nisg
Bhios a' direacli gu Inatli-clileasach.
Ann an linneachaibli lùbach
Ghlinne chùbhraidli nam fuarauuan
W fhearas chuideachd do dh' inntinn
A bhi stri aig- na bruachannan
Slat us streang aig a' fnlang
Gus an tugadh e' n uaclidar air.
OEAN A BHUNTATA.
EINNEADH S A BALIADHNA N DO LOBH
'X DO GHROD IAD, 1846.
S boolid a gliaoir anns gnch duthaich
Aig claim daciue ga d' iouudrain
O thainig plàigk ann san ùir
A rinn t' fhògradh.
II.
Dh' fhag do' n t-sluaigk air dhroch bias tiiu
Mar an gual ann an dreach thu
S tu cho cruaidh ris na clachau.
Fodli d' choiuhdach.
III.
Thar gach seorsa bhiodh aca
Bu tu 'm pòr s an robh 'n taice
Do gach aon nacn robh pailt
Ann an storas.
IV.
O mhiosg na talmhainn a b' ihearr
Thainig sgriob ort ro gheàrr
Ach na mhair dhiot feadh bhàgli
Ann am mointich.
S ioma dì-mios us tàir
Bha thu 'giùlan 's g-ach cearn
Gad do thog'air tliii 'in fàgail
Clia b' neouach.
VI.
Bhi 'g ad clirocbadli air stàilinn
Ann am priosaniian pràisich
S Tiisge goillteach an aird
Chum am beoUean.
TII.
Gu'n deadliadh cuibhrige daraicli
A's do clieaun 'g a tlieann sparradh
Gus am fàgadk do neart
Anu sa clieò tliu.
VIII.
S nur a blieirist' a bliàn tliu
Gus do tliaomadli s a chlar
Gu'm. bitlieadli letli-dusan làmli
Agad còmlila.
IX.
S learn clia'n iogliriadh thu theicheadli
S a liuthad aon a bha breilh ort
A thug toll air do sheiche
Le'n òrdag.
X.
Us cuid eile ga d' riabadh
A cur "forka" na d" chliabhaich
O nach b' fhiii leo t' fhiachainn
Le' m meòirean.
S nam faiciste sgall ort
A dhianamh grian le teas samhraidh
Eeadh do thilgeil air cheann
Na chuil-mhòine.
XII.
No t' fhàsgadh gu teann
S do chur sios chum na gamhn'
Gus an adhairc a phlanndaiceadh
Bòidheach.
Cha robh clèireacli na tàilleara
Niall Mac Eogfhain us Ian Bàna
Domh'll Og Fear C'linoc Ard
Nacji b'e 'u doii^h.-san
XIV.
A bill crumncacliadli bliiastan
A leir-sgrios tliu ga 'm biadbadli
Spreidh a mbiosadh bho chian
A bhi neò-gblau.
XV.
Fear nacb b'fhiach leo gu 'm b'fhiù e
Ee'ag a tbilgeil 's a chùl-tigh
Gus an tigeadb mios dùdlachd
Na reòtachd.
Ni e biadli dJia na mucan
A chur saill agus suit orr'
Ach a nis cha'n eil gutb.
Air an dòigb sin.
XVII.
S bba mor-sbluagb dba'iu bn cbeaird
Bbi ga d' itheadb s ga d' cbàineadb
Tbu'irt gur bcatha bba failigeacb
Breòit' tliu.
XVIII.
Tbilg ort gun bbi fallain
Leis nacb b'fbiacb tbu mar arain
Tarruing cola air an stamaig
S tu neò-gblan.
XIX.
Acb an diugb bu mliatb ac' tbu
Gad do bbitbeadb tbu bruicb seacbdain
S tu cbo fuar ris an t-sneacbd'
Air Stratb-Leòsaid.
XX.
S matb an còcair an t-acras
S e nacb dianamb ort tarcuis
Ged a bbeireadb tu'n aileag
Dba'n sgòrnan.
XXI.
Blia cuid eiie s^a d' mhalairt
Ann an eirig an arlais
Leis nach b' fhiach tliu thùbli tartraich
Dli'am bòrdaibli.
XXII.
S tu mar tliairneanaicli caismeachd
Do na pàisdean bliiodli acracli
Ann an eirigh s a mhadiiinu
Le solas.
XXI1».
A teannadli dlù rint giis t' fliiacainn
S iad ga d' fliksgadh ri "n cliabhaich
Gus an sàsuich tliu ciocras
Am beòil-san.
XXIV.
S bliiodh cuid eile do cliaileacha
Bliiodh ga d' reic airson airgiod
Tional stuthan neo-thar(bli)acli leat
Gn còisir.
XXV.
Acli '3 iomadli leisgeadar greannach.
Leis nach b' fhiacli thu mar arain
A ni ath-cliuinge fhad airson
Tròcair.
XXVI.
Tliu bhi ac' ann am falacli
Ann sa cliùl taigli fo'n talamh.
5 ri teannaclid na gaillinn
Gil fòir orr.
XXVII.
Kuaraidli H-iortacb s Ian Màrtainn
6 Aonghiis boclid Clicann-ua-tràgliad
S iad uacli treigeadli le grain tliu
Mar blieò-slilaint.
XXVIII.
Eeiceadli (i)àd an cuid aodaicli
Ann an geall airson t' fhaotuinn
S clia 'n fhaigk iad ri 'n saoghal
An leòir dhetli.
61
XXIX.
S b' iad na làthaicliean ceaita
Nuair blia cinneachadh pailt ort
Us nacli cluinnteadli "collection"
S an diithaich.
XXX.
G a tliional aig daoinc
A h-uile Di-h-aoine
S 'g a tliarruing s 'pf a shlaodadk
G' au ionnsiiidli.
XXXI.
Tha 'n Eiuaidhean air seacadli
S an aodiiinn air cairteadh
Le goinne s le acras
Ga d' ionndrainn.
XXXII.
Aig maorach a chladaicli
Air am fagail olio laga
Us nach. eirich iad ceart
Air an glùinean.
XXXIII.
Tlia na raointean a clileaclid
'N cuid rod a bhi g at leat
Air tionndadli gu gaiseadh
Mi-ghnathaicht.
XXXIV.
Air crionadli s air seacadh
Mar lusan ri gaillionn
Gun fhius ciod e'n talamli
Is feàrr dliut.
XXXV.
Tlieid cuid leis na spealan
A sgath dhiot a bliarra
Cho lou>. ris an talamh
'S e's aill leo.
XXXVI.
'S cuid eile 'ga d' spiouadh
A nuas as do flu-iamlian
S ga d' fliagail-sa siiios
Fodli na failean.
XXXVII.
Ann san luchar b'e 'a solas
Bhi ga <i' fliaicinn fo d' chòmlidacli
Fodk do dhitheaiman boidheacli.
Us driùchd orr.
XXXVIII.
Ann an ciaradli an fheasgair
lad a liùgadk s a preasadli
S a glirian a tighinn deasarr
Na curs orr.
XXXIX.
Nuair a bliiodh tu Ian abuicli
Bliiodli ua li-ùbhlan na'n gadan
A tuiteam sua claisean
Gach tùbli dbiot.
XL.
Ma clireidear mo bhriathran
Bidh. cuimbn' air a bliliadhna
S na dh'fhalbh thu le liabhrus
Na h-nireach.
OEAN AN TI.
Cuidhticbidh mi'n diugb a cbeaird
S e 'n diugb Di-màirt, a Dbo'ill,
Cba'n e buileacb cràdb mo cbnamb.
Acb nair airson nan otbaisg
A tbeicb bb'uauL mocb-tbratb la na Sabaid
S mis' 'riaraobadb mo cbàileacb
Leis 'n stuth a cbreach mi mar a tba mi
A dianainh. dail ga h-òl-sa.
Bba 'cbearc-ruadk le goin us striip oirr
Us driùcbd a' tigbinn m'a bord.
A tilgeadb a cinn os a ciouu
S mo sbùil-s' oirre ma doirt i
63
S bha Eaomiid cus a b' fhearr gu stiùireadh
Ag eigheacli cum a "hatch" dùinte
S cuiuihnich ma chailleas i a sùgh
Nach diii i cur "-u bord dhuinn.
Cha mho a b'fheàirrde mur bu mhisd' ;
An t-uisgearlach s dath ruadha
Gun air fiù agus bias milis
S olc a ghibht dha'n t-sluagh e
Gad do ghabh iad nice ciccras
Gun dad feum innt ach casg miamia
Tha i ri marbha' nan ciadan
Le droch bhiadh s gun bhuaidh oirr.
IV.
Ach s aithne dhomh eu leòir s an dùthaicb
A ghiùlaineas n'am pòcaid
ITibhean nan cearc a falbh na sprùiUeach
Gu biithaintean mar stòras
Dh'iarras : tomhais dhomh dhi ùnnsa
S tomhais leis cairteal siiicair
Ach fiach nach mill thu air mo chliii
Nach seall tnu 'n guin na shròichdean.
Curraicdhean an cinn (i)ad srachdtc'
Gu brcac geal le otraich
S gun fill nam brogan air an casan.
Air sgagadh ta (i;ad le mointich;
Their iad rium gu'm b' fhearr i aca
Xa'n gun is fhearr a thig a Glaschu,
S CO math leo i bhuath us aca
Mar a cairt i'n sgornan.
Ga be rud a th 'ann an tùbh-sa
S bruideil bhi toirt groat air
An t-siathamh earann diag de'n phimnd
B'e'n spuilleadh e air storas
Nur a gheobh thu e gu teann
An dcighidh a cheangal 'uad laimh
riur tachair a luach a bhi ann
Gu'n teid am peaun gu sgroban.
Siud am fear nacli diiilt a bliri
S lamli gv. rian ga stiuireadh
TLig na ceitliir dliut »u sia
A riadh am beao-an ùine.
Gad a tlauirt mi 'n uiread ribh
Gu'n. robh mi fhin an toir oirr
Gad s i a b' aobhar dlia mo sgitlis
A siubhal fritli us m,ointicli.
Gun kite ann san cluimiinn miaghal
Ga b' mlailtean nam nacli fliiachainn
S mi ri fritheacli 'n dùil jjur h-iad
Bhiodli fodh sgiatli nam bruachan.
Nur dh' fliàs mi fhein s an cù clio fann
Gur s^ann a dhianainu eubha
Ga cliur s ga cbasg am feadh nam beann
S an tide a bh'ann cho creubhaidb
M' fhallus a leiglieadh mar a bkum
'Toirt an i^adharc om' dha shuil
M' ioscaidsan a call an lutliais
A lubadh air a cheile.
S truagli nacb robh thu fhein sa do bliràtliair
Far nach traigbeadh 'n dile
A liugbad teagblach bochd a dk' fh.ag sibh
S a cbearn seo dba'n rigbeacbd
E-san ga losgadh gu ceo
S tusa sa bburn tbeth 'tòcadb.
Db' fhag sibk ua miltean dk' easbkuidh
treoir
S am pocaid gun da i innte.
65
MOLADH NA LUCHAIKTE.
no
OEAN TIGH EASAIDH.
■(Air Fonn Na, "Flowers o' Ediuburgli.")
'S aun latha 'n NoUaig iiire
A cliunnaic mi le in' sliiiilcan
An aitreabh 'tlia mi "n dull a
Glieobh oUù 's on tubli-tuatli;
'Nuair 'cliaidh mi 'steach do'n Kichairt,
'S ?. s.'ieall nil air yacli tiibli dhiom,
Cha mhor nacli d' thug mo shiiilean
Mo thùr uile bhuam;
Aig 'mbeud 's a ghabh mi dh'ioghnadh.
Mu'n chlacbaireachd 's mu'n t-saor-
sneaclid :
Cia mar b' urrainn daoine
Gach aon diubii 'chur sua.s :
'Toirt xdsg' 'o 'n cliarraig ailblxirui
Le pioban iimha 's airgeid,
Le glasan 'tha neo-chearbaclij
A dhearbiias 'bbi buan.
II.
Ach fhir a chosg na ciadan
E.Ì talla nan clacli' sgiamhacli
Cha'n 'eil a leithid lionmbor
An iar air na caoil;
Follaiseach ri fairge.
Us gun e fad 'o 'n gbarbhlacb,
Gur pailt am bradan tarragheal
'G a mharbhadh ri 'tbaobh.
Ge b'fhear mi a bhi eòlacli
Bho Eudli'-na-circe 'n Leodhas
Gu'n ruiginn Eudli-'-na-h-òrdaig,
Cha b'còl domh dhiubh aon;
Troimh uinneagan do sheòmair
Gu'm marbhaistinn an run as
Gun charachadh bho'n bhòrd, no
Bho'n chòisir 'bhiodh daor.
Ach fliir nacli fhaca riamb e
Cha clireicleadli tii mo bhriathrau"
'Sanu 'shaoileas tu giir briag tlia
Na m' sgial' aii* a chùis;
Acli bliidh e fbatliast feumail
Do fbear a bbios 'ii a eigiiin
Nur dborcbaicheas na speuran
S a threigeas e 'chùrs'
A steach os cionn Dhim Aruinn
'G a fhaicinn aim saii dearrsaidh ;
Us eagal air roimli Sbàghaidh.
'S au Eàrr air a cùl '
Eomb dhorchadas na h-oidbcbe ;
'S na seòlaidean cbo aimbleathami' ':
'S an ratbad buileach aimbreidb
Feadb staingean us lùib.
IV.
'Nuair lasar do cbuid choinnlean
Ceaun shios us sbuas na stoidJire
Ni seòltaircan na b-oidbche i
Eis aoibbneas le sunnd,
'Se t'uinneag a rinn soillse
Ni's fhearr na solus Hoidbsgeir,
Gur ioniadb fear 'ni fboigbneacbd ;
Co rinn an reul-iùil i
Gu teasairginn nan ànracb ;
A bbios 'an cunnart bàtbiaidb ;■
'G an toirt gu cala sàbbailt', I
Le dearrsadb do rum ; *
Us ead a' ruitb fo'n cbòrsa |
A steacb gu caolas Sbròmaidb,
Gu Bun-an-t-srutb far 'n coir dbaibh.
An ròp 'cbur sa gbrunnd.
V.
'Nuair tbeid an tigb an òrdugb
'S an uidbeam mar is coir dba
'Cba'n fbear gun mbodb gun eòlaa
Is coir 'tbigb'nn dba dliitb;
Acb Fbearcbair rua.idh na stròine.
Ma tbig tbu 'cbaoidb fodh sbeòl ana
Gu'm feum tbu do dba bbròig 'bbi
Fodb 'n cbleòc' air do cbùl:
Cha'ii fliaioh tlm cead 'bhi 'starachd
Anu sios us suas inar b' àbliaist,
Le brogau mor Cliinntail ort
S fodh 'u sàileau spuir-cliùil,
Le'n spìcean 's le'n ciiid thairlean.
Air clior 's ma iii ead làracli
Nacli g-lanar o-u lath' bliràth e
Le sal no le bum.
TJs bho'ii tlia'u tigli clio luaclimlior
A thogadh leis an Uachdarau
Cba'n fhaigk dliiot-sa suas acli
A' cliluas 's au leth-shùil;
Mur faigb. tbu dol do'u trannsa
Air uaireauuan a dh' amhrac,
Gun fliios gu'm bi tliu ann; 'g a
Do chrampadli au cùl.
TII.
'S b'e aid au t-eileau fiachmlior
Is paillt a chiuneadli fiar aun
An doinionn gheur an Fhaoillich)
'Cur saill air mairt 's air caoirich
Cha cliluinn tliu gutli air caoiF
Air a h-aon diubh tighinn dlùtli
'S ged 's fogliluimt air a cheàird mi
Eis an can ead bàrdachd,
Gur fhearr dbomh fuireacli saniliach.
Na each a radh rium
Gu'm bheil e mo 's daua
Dhomh raun a sheinn do'u arcs
Nach dean mi dad is feàrr ua
Chuir ceàrr bun os cionn.
68
MAEBHRANN DO MHR STIUBHAIET
NACH MAIRIONN.
A BHA DO THEAGHLACH EASAIDH.
I.
Tha e mar fliàgail aig slioclid Aclhainih.
Gu'n toil- am bas foi chis iad
S cba diaii an àilleachd iii dii sta dliaibli
S cha'u eil ciiil a dli' iiialeachd
Air faotuinii bhuaith oir bha e buaidheach
A dot mu'ii ruairt s gach righeachd,
Tha'ii cruaidh-lann geur fo bkun a sgeith.
Einu lot le eugail mhilltich.
II.
S miir mios do cliairdean dhomli dana
Dh'innsiiiii pàirt dhei d' ghiùlan
Ga faon mo sgobadh ann sa clias
Mu theist an àrmuinn chLiùiticli;
Cha'n fhemmainn fiannis mu do ghnioinli
Oir co'n neach riamh thug sùl ort
Na chuir ort eòlas leis nacli bròn
/Nacli d' mhair thu beò car iiine.
III.
Phiùrain fliior-gblain 's cruaidli ri iniis-
eadli
An ni chur criocli air t-uaisle,
Plàigh nan Imise a bhi stri riut
Fad o thir do dhualchais,
Fiabhrus làidir s puiunsean bàis ann
Ghreas ri làr clio luatli thu
S gun leigh bhi làmh riut dhianamii sta
dhut
Gus do tharsuinn bhuaithe.
IV.
Ach's lionmhor Gaedheil fo uchd eididli
Dh'eireadh ua do thòireachd
Nam b'e gu'n saoileadh iad gur foill
A ghabh na Goill air bòrd ort;
Cha d' rug' an Sasunnach sin riamJi
A dhianamh gnianih 's gach dùigh riut.
Air long nan crarmag s i ruith dian
Gur i chuir crìock oho òg ort.
Is e fiamli an àniuùnu s piau a bliàis air
A tha tighinn lamh ri m" iuntinn,
Ar learn gii'ni mi le mo shiiilean
jNur dli'fhag- do liiths s do clili tlm,
Mar chuir ead suas thii auu sau fhuar-
bhrat
S til gam glilnasad sinte
Gun pblosg a' d' chie fo smaclid do'n eug
S b'o sid um beud san righoachd.
Sxiil mar sbeobliag s pearsa dbealbhacli
Aigiieadli liieanamacli aoti'um,
Pailt an gliocas s àrd am misneach'
S moran mios aig daoin' ort;
Gil seoladh ciiau co ni r'nit eiias
Cha d'fhuair' s cha d' rinneadh fbaotuirm
S bu ghrinn do lamli air stiùireadh bare
An agbaidh bàirlinu Faoillinu.
Nam b' ni bliiodh òrdnichte do bhordaibh
A bhi ri còmhradh brxiidhne
Cha robli ball-acaiu blia na d' bhàrc
N"acli toireadh* gair' le mi-gliean
G iarraidh f fhàgail air a clar
Gu 'u tàireadli i gn tir leat
Am feagal do chiir ann sa chnan
Fo bhiun an uamh-bheist millteach.
S bu tu an sealgair direadli garbhlaicli
Is trie a dhearbb do lamhach.
A bhi cinnteach s tu nach diobradh
Bhi toirt CIS dlie'n làn-damh;
Sa bhadan luaohradh ann sa chruadhlach
A tighinn mu'n cuairt gu shmhach
Fo tharruiug fiiird gu"m biocUi an
t-ùdlach
A dol gun lùths gu làr leat.
» -tobhradh, tabhradh.
A CHIAD ORAN DO MHORAIR
DUNMORE.
FONN^
Air failliriu illirin ùillirin ò
Air fàiiixrin illirin ùillirin ò
Air fàillirin illirin ùillirin ò
Gur n bòidheach do' clicm-unn
Glan soilleir gain sgleò.
I.
Nur chnnncas do longa
'Gr àireamli tlionn 'tigbinn o'n Dùn
Si marcach na fairge
Gun cliearb air a cìirs
Tighinii direacb gn Bhàllai
S i cìeàn'sadli fo siùil
S a bratach ag innsfcadk
Go bb'imite fo rùm.
II.
Bha na canain 'toirt caismeachd
S tu a teannadli ri tìr
S mac-talla nau gleanna
Os an cionn riu a strì
Na creigean a sgealbadh.
Le stararaicli nam pìob
S tein' adhar nam beanna
S' e mar lainntir au Rìgb.
Se do sbluagli a Wia aoibhneacli
Nam cluinntinn do sgenl
Gu'n robh tbu tighinn dbacbaigli
S i agad fo d' sgeitb
A' cbòmbnuidb 'n ad dbùthaich.
N robli bìiirean an fhèidb
TJs pladaraicb a bhradain
Le caismeachd a leum.
Dba na gbleann an robb 'cboill
Far an clmmitear na b-eòin
Le'n ceileiribb binn
S ead 'n ani mìltean gun bhròn
An doire nan gcu^
Muig^h air reidhlcacli nan cnò
Ann an Ròdul chraobhacli
S na raontaiclioau fcòir.
Na li-cileanaicli aotnnn
Readbadli aontacli 's an niaig
Ri aghaidh na caonnaig
Le faobbar glan cruaidh
Na faicist air raon thu
S do tliaobh g a thoir bhuat
Mur sguireadh am blar
Gu'm biodh bas aun no buaidli,
VI.
Tha Gaidheal Dlinntiiibn
Air a chuirm s cha b' ao-còir
Cha b'ann o Rliù-Huiuis
33ha 'dhiitlichas no 'choir
An coire nam fuar-bheann
Far an d' fhuaradh tii òg
Aig sail Beinn-na-Leacaiim
S an t-Arclaidli 'm bi'n ceo.
TII.
Thig eileadh criiiun cuacliach
Mun cuairt air do blaac
TJs osannan balla-bhreac
Mu chalpa gun smal
S e t'eideadh s do shiigradh
Blii 's na stiic-blieanna cas
'Dul ri ùdlaicli an flieidli
S fhiiil 'n ad leiui air stad.
VIII.
Tha Domhnullach Scarastai
S cha dearmad mi 'aiiun
Làmh dhearg aii* a ghualainn
Le suaicheantas teann
Fòghluimte fìrinneach
Dìreach gnn mhcang
Lo 'ghliocas s le 'ròlais
Toirt seòlaidh dha'n champ.
72
Cha robli mi 'n ur fianms
N am riag-hlaidli na bh'ann
CliuiR gàir Dlnuim-nam-biast mi
Gad 'dli'iarrainn. 'blii anii
Ach dh' innseadli dhomh sgiala
Gun fhiaradli gun cham
S mu phosadh an larla
Gu'n criochnaich mi'n rann.
AN DARA OR AN MOLAIDH
do
MHOBAIE DUNMOEE UACHDAEAN NA
H-EAEADH.
I.
CTia mliios siobli mi ro dliàna
Gad tliarladh. s nacli iirra mi
Cliii an larla Eiosfliail
Le f iriun a chumadh. dhuibh ;
Gad 'bliitliinn na mo bhard
,S iomadh canain domli furasda
Cha tiig-ainn cliii 'n duin' nasail
No'n dùthclias bho'n d' rus;adh e.
Gun agam ach a Ghaidhi.sf
S pàirt dlii nach eil uil' agam
Ach s i bha ghnath air feadh na ceairi
Ann san ait an d' rugadh mi;
Cha chnir mi idir i fo thàir
S ann innt tha bhardachd urramach.
S e sin a theireadh Donnachadli Ban.
A seinn nan dan a thubhairt e.
III.
'fS tu nachdaran fir Langai
S nam beann is glan sealladli dhiubh
Far bi na feidh 'n am miltean
A direadh s a langanaich ;
73
Na coireacLan s na gleanntan
S pailt meann us laosrh-ballach. ami
Damh donn 'is lioumhoir miaran
Air muUach gxianacli Clieanna-Val.
IV.
S nur clnteadli tu ghreidli uallacli
Air fuaran a bhiolaire
S tu coimliead as na neoile
De an dòigh am frigist orra,
Gill'-ealaich air do cliùlaobli
Do mliialchu-s' a' clisgeartaicli
Do cheil agad 'g a giiilan
Mu'n ruig iiisg' no fliclieadli oirre.
N am tachairt dhnt aig Sron-na/-Scuixt
Bhiodh agad spuirt s bu toilicht thu
Feidh us bradan s ead cho pailt ann
Ga b'e ac a tliogradh tu;
Daimh us eildean feadh a clieile
A ruith air sgeith nam bealaichean
Tarmachain us fraoch-chearc dlionn
O thorn gu torn sa phlabarsaicli.
S math thig dliut an t-eideadb.
Naeh fbeum a bhi ga tbeannachadh.
Ach dealg san darna taoibh dheth.
'Sa fhraoch gu bhi baganta;
Thig cuilbhearr to do sgeith dhut
ThoUas biana fad astar uat
Nuair bhitheas luchd na Beurla
Sior eubhachd tha'n t'acras orr'.
Gu'n lùbadh tu do ghlun ris
An ùdlaiche bu cheanalta
S nur gann a lasadh t'fhùdair
Bhiodh smùid ris a teanna^hadh;
Air slios nam beannaibh stùcach
Bu shunndach ag astar thu
Damh donn s e air a thaobh ann
San fhraoch roimh do dhealanaich.
74
An Gàidlieal rìgheil air hheag sgìths
A dìreadh ris na coireaclian
Na èicleadh sealgair gTi neo-cliearbacli
Feadh nan g-arbli bheann tosgarlacli ;
Cha b'fhear gun hìths a dlneanamh tùirn
riut
Bi dìreadh stìican Uisabliail
Na Goill us iad a' ràinich
Eoimh thairneinicli a gbunn' agad.
S fainichear air an t-srhid
Measg chhicli ann an Lunnainn ort
'Jur nior tha dheth 'n fhuil riorahacli
A direauLi na d' cùuisieauuau
Gur aun san àird an iar bha
Do mlnann-sa bhi tuineaclid ann
Air sratli nam bradan tàrraefcal
S lu seanachas JÙr Uamh-UilI-cadal.
Nuair a readliadh tu mach a dh'rasgachj
Readbarl'i strian a chum sa theadan leat
Cha b'ibasan e ga d' fhàgail
Mur 's ?nàths dlia na Sa;5Tinnaich
Nur bhiodli) do dhubhan giar ann
Do dhriamlach 'g a tboannachadh
Bu ghrinu do làmh a strith rÌF
Go tìr ga' thoirt go tanalach.
XI.
Na èideadh geal a ruith gu bras
A Rigb! cha bfhad a leanadh e,
A tighinn bho'n bhùrn bha os a chionn
Bu shunndach thu ri carach ris.
Slat a diasgail, driamlach sniasail
B'e do mhiann mar ealainn e
Gur mòr a b'fhearr leat sid mar cheaird
Na manran luchd nan casagan.
XII.
Bho'n thainpadh tii dha'n dutliaich seo
S tu dh'ùraicli na fasaiinaii
Bha'n toiseacli aig ar sinnscar
Bu dileas 'g an leantuinn thu;
Na Gaidheil blieò ghleusda
Bhi leum s a catb cloiche riut
A riiith iiau each sa reis s guv
Tu fliein bha toirt mosglaidh dhaibh.
XIII.
Cba'n ioghnadh uaill bbi air an t-shiagh
Ri'n canar tuatb a Mhorair seo
A stochxi na b-uaisle cha do bbuaineadb.
An gluasadan tba collach riut;
Tba smear na b-naisle si gun truailleachd
Na do bhuadhaibh corparra
An t-Earach fir-ghlau rigbeil suairce,
Na d' ghnùis tha snuadb na b-onaireachd.
XIV.
Niiair chruinnich tbii do dhaoin air
An raon blia iad eireacbdail
Nuair cbaidh iad ann an ordiigb
Bu bboidheach na fleasgaich iad
Le'n flieilidb pleatach cuacbach
Bu cbuannt iad fo'n deiseacban
S an Dombnullacb Fear Scarastai
Toirt dearbbaidli dbaibb mar sbeasadh. ead.
XV.
Nur cbaidh a pbiob a gbleusadb
Air reidblean na faicbe dbuibb
Ei cluicb nam porta siubblacb
Bu sbunndach an aignidhean;
Cbaidh C'abar Feidh a dhannsa
Gun mlieang le 'ebuid lasgairean
S an t-Earach glan s Ian Stiubhart
Gu faicist driiichd le fallus tromb.
XVI.
Bha sitbionn fbiadh aca mar bhiadh
Gu pailt air miasan oiseanach
Mar bba aig Fionn dba cbuid-sa sluaigh
Is trie tbug buaidb sna cogannan;
Deocli gun truailleadh tighinn a nuas
Aun sna cuachan gocanta
Slainteachan g an 61 gun dith
L© sonn neo-clili g a ctosg orra.
S nur shin an dannsa stigli sa clia»mp
Gu'n d'iarr thu dram chur doiseil orr'
S an glan Ghàidlilig thog thu'n aird
Deoch slainte Ban-rigliinn Bhreatainn
doibh ;
Gun g-haodli an sluagli o dheas gu tuatli
An fhuaim a blia co-fhireagarrach
S gu'n thog na h-uaislean air an guaillibh.
Leo bhuainne fa dheireadh thu.
Bha "Mhaighdionn h-Earach Eioghail'
Fo sioda s fo brataicluean
A feitheamh gu na thill thu
Air tir o na ceathairnich ;
Nur fhuair i air a bord thu
Gu'n sheòl i gu h-aithghcarr leat
S bu luath i air an fhairge
Na 'n earb air a ghlas fheiirach.
A CÙ1 ri deas s a stiùir gu tuath
Fa chainbe nan dual fulangach
A cumail aodaich gu math reidh
Eomh anail speur mu'n tuiteadh ead,
Sgioba aotrum beothail gleusda
A chumadh strain air fula^an
Troimh Chaolas H-iort 'na bheannaibh
uain'
Ag eirigh s bruaichean struthaibh air.
77
CAISTEAL ALLT AN T-SIUCAIR.
Se Caisteil Allt An t-Siucair
Tha sònruiclite ;
Rinneaxih gun. bhuill' ùird
S ann tba'ii noòuaclias,
Dìreach snaidhte dlùth
S © gun char gun liiig
S mor an t-aobhar iiaill
S an Roiun Eorpa e;
Nur thig mi gu dlùth
Dh' amharc adr le m' sliùil
Chionn e bhi n am dliùthaich
Tha pròis orm;
S ged bhitliinn a'm' bhard
B'olc mi ann sa' cheàird
Airson a chuid àilleachd
A steòrnadh dhuibh;
Na h-oisiunean s na h-ninneagan
Tha leinne 'n an cuis-ioghnaidh
Bho thogadh ann an ealamhachd
Nach tuit gu crioch na lathaichean
Mo bheannachd aig na clachairean
A chaith air an cuid saothrach.
Gur mor an t-aobhar thoileachaidh
Dha'n t-sluagh thig gus an Nollaig ann
Bhi danns' air iirlar lobhtaichean
Le farum 'dol s an ruidhle,
Luchd frithealaidh cho aigionnach
Cho ealamh ri na dealanaich
Gun srann ach Beurla Shasiumach
'G a labhairt ann cho ciimteach.
Fear shios tis shuas toirt sporaidh dhaibh
Fear thall s a bhos "g am brosnachadh
Toirt siola stop us botul leo
S Nic Coisealaim 'g a sgriobhadh.
Bha 'm plan air a tharruing
Cho faisg air a bhiirn ann
S nach luigear a leas
Dhol fada 'g a ghiiilan;
Bha fuaran fo'n leabaidh
S e 'g eirigh bho'n aigeal
Us feadannan cama
Dol a steach anns gach rum dheth,
A mhuinntir nach: fhac e
S beag ioghna a clileaclid ead
Mur saothraicli iad fada
Gu 'choimhead le'n sùilean,
Cha chualas s cha'n fhacas
Bho linn Banrighinn Anna
logkaadb eil' air an talamh
A tlieid OS a chionu-sau,
Ann an ceitean an earrich
Thig a Pharlamaid dhachaigli
S ma chreideas sibh m' fhacal
Bidli aca-san cùirt ann
S gnr mor a chùis-mhaslaidh
Am bothan tha faisg air
Mur cuir sibk e as
Theid a bhlastadh le fùdair,
S a bhaintighearna' caineil!
Nach dian e do cliearcaibh.
A cliionu s gur e ceapan
Is ball' air a chùlaobb.
S tbeir sibh gnr e rannacbd dbanih.
Bhi labliairt air a bbriaghad,
S nach eil guth no facal ann
San ealainn-s ach a bhriag;
Tha bhuil oirbh nach fhaca sibh
Na h-iiile seòrsa dath bh' air
S na dealbhaidhean bu mhaisiche
'N deigh 'm marcadli air a chliathaichj
Bha Fionn us Caoilt us Oisean arm.
Le saighde geura corranacb
'G an clapadh oir bha colas err
Bill togairt dhol a dh' fhiadhach;
Bha lòmhainn air a teamiachadh
Air eagal ball s gun caraicheadh ead
Tromb ghlinn us ead a tabhuunaich
A sgalaich ann an iaruun.
79
ORAN AN EICH ODHAR.
A bhean nach sgfuir thu shniamh.
Labbair briatliran air cboireigin
Fiach an tog thu fiaiinis
Mu ghniamb aii eicb uidhir learn
Am fac' thu beathach riamh
Bba cho dian gu bhi 'g obair ris
'S a nise mus e'u t-aog e
Bith do chaol-drom'-sa dona dheth.
Gu'm facas umad bruadair
S bu luatb leam a bhreithneachadh
Thu bhi'n toiseach t' òige
Us spògan mar shearrach ort
Do chruth-sa corra cruinn
'Bhi 'n a thuill s gu'n a dh' aithnich mi
Nach faighist thu gu brath
S gur e'm bàs a chuir spearrach ort.
Gur mise bha gu L^rsach
Mo thruaighe mi mur faighear thu
Ged bha thu air leth-shùil
Gu'm bu tbùmail a's 't-earrach thu
Bu ghramail fo do chliabh thu
Gu haradh nam bearranan
'S a steach bho Rhu-an-Teampuill
A stranntraich le smearalachd.
IV.
TJs mise air mo phianadh
Ga d' iarraidh feadh mhonaidhean
Mar faighear thu gu siorruidh
S mor iarguin. Nic Thoruill ort
Gad bha thu cam bu mhath ann
Airson feum air choireigfin
Le sopag chrion do dh'fhiar fo d' bhial
Am biadh am biodh tu toilicht' air.
TTs mar e'm bàs 'thighinn ort cho tràtli
A muigh air sgàtli nam bearranan
Gu'm b'e do mliiaim 'blii 'san t-sròu ard
Mur àite taimL. a fantuinn ann
Thu fhein 's na feidh a riiith 's a' leum
Gu'n tigheadh feam na gaillinn ort
'S cha'n iaiTadh tu mar stàbuU
Acli àiridh. a Chamaire.
Bii tu mil stend blia dlùthmhor rèidh
Bu ghrijiii do cheiim gu trotadh. learn
Le sparraig airgid fo do chai'bard
Us tu gu meanamacli togarracb
Strian math dliùbailt 'g a do stiùireadh
H-uile tùbh bu toileach learn
S e lionmhioireaclid do lùtb-chleasan
Dli' fkag m'ionndrain cbo dombain ort.
Cba b'fhear fann bkiodh air drocb ceann
A gblacadb tu 'n uair thigeadh ort
Na dhianamh breacbd air calp an t-srap
Ub tu gu sivibhlacb beadarrack
A ruitk na ruaig le neart do luatkas
Cur ckuige cruaidh gu greasad ort
Mar fkiadk a' ruitk tromk gkleann a'
teick
O skranndraick nam peilearan.
Cha deackaidk biot air, siol' no fian
S cka deackaidk strian no biorack air
A ruitkeadk riut us tu fo d' dkiollaid
'S t' fkalbk mar fkiadk nam firickean
Gur tu nack fkeumadk slackdan ckabk-
aick
A bki cur pian le giorraig ort
Ack spuir mu skàil na bòtan-a
B'e sin an dòigk gu ruitk tkoir ort.
IX.
S aiff La Fheill Mhicheil* cha bu chli thu
Nur bhiodh stri mu'n choiseach ann
Slcamliuinn sliobach air do cbireadh.
S eich na sgire 'n cop^adb riut
Bu tu'n t-àilleagan fo'n phlàta
N uair a chairt an t-srathar ort
Cha do ghiùlan lìxir riamh
Each u b'fbeiirr na m' ghearran-sa.
X.
Nan robh thu'n ceart iiair ann am bad
S an dian'mh mo chasan grunnachadh
Gad tha mi sean 's air fas cho lag
Gil tugainn as gu curant thu;
Ma chuala tu mo chombradh-sa
Giir neònacbias buileach learn
Nach goireadh tu le sianlas
Bhi 'g iarraidli as do cbuideachadh.
ORAN MOLAIDH THOMAIS IC COIN-
NICH BH'ANN AN LUSKINTIR.
I.
A Rigb ! gur mis tha fo mhulad
S mi na m' shineadh fo uilinii nan stùchd
Sear s a siar tha mi 'sealltuinn
Dh'fhiaicinn reir 's mar a cbleacbd mi o
thiis
Uain us caoirich a' tearnadh
Gu macbairean Chracow 'nan grunn
A Rigb! gur mis tha gu cianail
Tha mo tbuigse s mo riaghailt air chall.
II.
Aois us tinneas us doirbheas
'Toir iomadach tolg na mo cheann
Mi mar neach ann an teasaicb
Gun chus dba mo lethbhreacan ann
* St Michael, patron saint of horses ; the reference is to
janies in which horses played a prominent part on that
lay.
82
Mi'n seo 'n Cledt-na-dubliclia
Air mo ghlasadh fo mhuiseigf nan Gall
O'n a dh'fhalbh an duin' nasal
S an robh mais ag^us snairceas us tlacM.
S iomadh neacb tha ag ionndrain
An saoi a riaghladh gu pailt
O'n chiall e'n iiicliair a thionndnadh
S a làmh a dh'flinasgladh a glilas
Bho na stòr a blia fialaid^
Dha gach neach bbiodh gun bhiadh s iad
nan aire
S nur a readbadh iad 'g a iarraidb
S tu nack labbradk gu fiadhaich 'gan casg.
S tu nacb fuilingeadb an t-acras
Tigbinn sbealg air a bbaile 'n robh thù
Cha robh chridh aig a nochd'
Fhud s a dh'fhoghnadh miu-chorc agus fliir
Cha b'e peic a mhin-eòrna
N deigh a thomhais gu dòlum o ghrunnd
Chiteadli 'n laimh Mhaighstir Tomas
Ach sale chur air òrdugh s na cùirn.
S trie a chiteadh t-each dioll-ta
S e cho liiath ris an fhiadh air an traigh
S iomadh muir-lan s e ri brùchdadh
Gu brais dian as na lùban an àird
S tu g a mharcach' gu sunndach
Gus am faigheadh tu null air an t-sàl
S cha b'ann gu danarra grugach
Bhiodh tu teann'dh air dhionnsuidh an làr.
VI.
Cha robh cron ort ri leughadh
Ach nach robh thu cho geur-shuileach
teann
Air do bhuachaillean chaorach
Bhi g an slad feadh nan caochan s nan allt;
83
Cha robh riamh 'n càni-a-Chaoruinn
Le chuid shionnach s a saobhuidhean ann
A tholl jracli liuthadach sgòrnan
S ctnn tliu thuijrsinn clio mor sa bha'n call.
Leam is math nach e'n eiginn
Thug' ort gu na gheill tliu cho luath
Ach thu faicinn na slei-n^eau
Bhi cho fosgailte reidh ris aii tuath
S nach robli toil agad eiri-'h
Air an cuid bhi ga chreibhcadh cho cruaidh
S o' nach robh rinn thu fhàgail
S gu'm b'c guidh gach la dhut deagh
bhuaidh
Loam is math nach do thuit thu
Gad a -auair thu droch thuisleadh ea
ghleann
Gun do sheas thu fhathast do c^asan
Gad bha'n rathad cho clachach s cho cam
Gad a dh'fhàg thu na niilteau
Feadh gach slochd agus dig a bha ann
Tha thu fhathast 'sua brogan
Ann sam bi thu ri d' bheò s ncx)-ar-thaing.
Saoilidh fear nach eil eolach
Nur a chi e cho boidheach s tha dreach
Eadar cladach us mòinteach
Gun taom na stòras gu pailt
Ach 'an doinionn an Fhaoillidh
S^ ioma uair ann san caochail e beachd
Nuair a chi e chuid spreidh
S ead nan sineadh gun eirigh nan aire.
Gad is gorm iad a's t-samhradh
S ceart cho dubh ann sa gheamhradh a
reir
Aite lomarra fuairidh
loghnaidh fiiuch 'am bidh fuachd air na
feidh
84
Cha. robli cua dhut g-a bhuannacbd
S o nach robk na biodh gruaim ort na
diieigh
S o'n a fhuar thu as fuasgladh
Biodh e nis aig an uachdaran fbein.
<jra' do lea,naiiins air òran
Gus an treigeadh mo chomkradh gu leir
Tbaobh t-inbb' us do cbòire
Cha robh 'n comas mo bheòil chur an
geill
Ach b'e mo dhùrachd gach lò dhut
Bhi cluinntinn aig each ort mar sgeul
Thu bhi mealtuinn do shlàinte
Agus pailteas ua d' lamhan gun eis.
Ach nan cuireadh tu feura air
S iomadh fear dhianamh eirigh na d'chiiis
Dh' fhalbhadh mar riut sru deònach
Dhiauarah sin s an cuid chòtaicheau
dliiubh ;
Nam b'e foiliidh no fòirneart
Bheireadh bhuat t' àite-còmhnuidh s do
ghrunnd
Bhiodh e agad seachd bliadhna
'S t'eils bharrachd nam miannaicheadh tu.
Ach gheobliainn iomadoch fianuis
Eadar Ròdel riomhacb nan craobh
Agus timchioU na duthcha
A dh' aontaicheadh learn nach dubhairt mi
An treas trian s nu bu choir dhomh
Mu chhii Mhaighstir Tòmas mar b'fhiach
S 6 thu .-h'fhalbh as an diithaich
Dh'fhag ioniadach dùil ann an dith.
OK AN EITHIK FUEARAGUIS.
Thoir mo shoraidlii uam a Pliabbai
Dli'ionnsuidli Ann' bean An Onsa
S innis dhi gu bheil mi'n dràsda
An deifrii mo charamh ann san toll-sa.
Mo dliruini-sa reidli ri atliar
Aig' luchd sgeig- s luchd cain s luchd
cuartan
•Cuid ga m' mholadh s cuid gam' cbàineadh
S mor gu'm b'fliearr mo thobhairt uatha.
Dbaoine! seallaibli air a bhata
Nach ann aic tlia'n t-sàil s an t-sliasaid
Nach i db' fhaodas a dbiil dàna
Air caolas Scarai 's Driiim-na-juiasda;
Nur 'sbuidheas Fearagus 'g a stiùireadh
S a cbumas e a curs' an iar oirr"
Siùil ard' an ion us sgaineadb
Le cruaidk spairneadb nan touu fiadhaich.
S fhir a cbnir i ann an cumadb
Bheir mi'n urram dhut gii saoirsneachd!
Tormaid Saor agiis Mac Ckutbais
B'e na luidrean ri du tbaobb ead;
Dh' fhàg thu'n iiibbrach gu glan cuimir
S i nach eil an cunnart sgaoileadb
S maille ri do pheadbadli cumant
Cuiridk mi'n diiigb ort an daoracb'.
Fiilagan ns dubbain iarriiinn
Ri crann ruighinn miadh na ròsaid
Nnair a dbeadhadb i gu b-astar
Tigbinn a macb gii fulang seòlaidb
Fearagus s a dba bbonu an taclulsa
S e 'g cumail as mar b' cbòir dlia
S tbeid i 'snaoisean gu poll Phabbai
Far nacb cum a cblacb le ròp i.
S iomadh eitliir matha dianta
'N taobli an iar a Bheinn a Chaoilais
Eadar sin s am port am Bearnarai
S gu'n tugf thu'm bàrra air gach aon diubh
Nnr chitear air a cliuan i
Cha'n ann ruadh a bliios a li-aodach
Geal mar churrachd air bean-bainnse
Brataicliean ri crann s iad sg-aoilte.
S Aongliuis agris Iain Oige
Na tig-ibh le ur bòsd ni's faide
Le ur n-eithrichean gu scoladh
S an cuid slieol an deigli am paitseadli
Braoileagan nacli cimiadli suas ead
Nur a thigeadh cruas nam frasan
Ch/eart cho grod ri ins sliacain
Bhiodh aig Uine an ceann a chlachain.
S ged bhiodli tu agam an ceart uair
Cha deighinn a Haisgeir gu cleir leat
Le buidheaun chrubagan us dliallag
O's siad anabus gach creutair
S ann a theid mi leat a Scalpai
Dh' iasfracli s sgadan le clieile
Mi fhin us buachaille Pliabbai
Duine taioaidk s bu mhatli fheum ann.
S Fhearaguis ghlais na fiasaig fada
Kan cas cama s nan glùi luatha
Cha Fig thu leas a bhi ri fanoid
Cha deigliirm a bharraclid mu thuath leat
S mor gu'm b' anusa bhi sau aonach
Feadli nam fraochan s ami sa chruadhlach
G altrum uan s a,' tional cbaorach
S greis air mo thaobh a' diananih dhuanag.
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ORAN DO'N BHRACSI.
Marblipliaisg ort a Elixacsi
Gur h-o 'n galar a tlia millteacli thu
B'e 'ii sionnacli ain luiosg threudan thu
S b'e 'ni boud nack d' fliuaireadli ditli chiiir
air
S ann aige blia'u drocb ceaird
'Blii cur nimh. air bliarr nau ditlieiuean
S mur sgur thu dha d' dhroch ghuiam-
harau
Gu fiach mi treis dhe'n phriòsan dhut.
S CO chualas riamh thug fabhachd dhut
Le baighealachd no truacautachd
Bha sgathadh bhuainn an fhailich
Ghumadh blàth bho sgal an fhuachd sinn.
Thoir seachad dhomh-s ua h-urrachau
S cha'n urrainn mi cho cruaidh cur riut
S mar to'ir gheobh thu sumanag
Mar ruiginn ann. Port Uaine Icat.
Tha moran na do dhiithaich
Bhiodh ag ùrnuigh mi thighinn teann on-a
S leis am b' fhad an ùine fjus
An tigheadh dii'lachd geamhi-aidh orr'
Mi nochdadh anns sua na ciiiltean
Agus claidheamh ruisgt a' m' laimh agam
G a leigeadh mar a dh'iarradh iàd
Ga riarachadh an ganntar dhaibh.
Gur h-e clann Choiun' Ic lomhair
Thug le'm briathi-achas dha'n ionnsuidh mi
Ag innse a chunntais chiadan
Bha fo 'riaghladhi s riun sinn cumhnanta
Nan tighinn ann 'n am fhabhar
Annsa cheardaich nach biodh cùram
S gu'n lorgadh iadsan carna dhomh
Annsa cMiff cho blcàth ri ciilaisde.
Arsa Fearagns Mac Iain Bhàin
Tha gnàthaicht an ceann Dùlavaig
E fein s an gaodhar ban aige
Gur trie bha blàth mo sliùigh-s' orra
S na bi tighinn na's faidc leis
Na labliairt ma do chuiltcireachd
Gm- trie bha coin us ciòbairean
Gil cinnteach an deagh dhùrachd dhomli.
VI.
CliTiala mi le eachdtraidh
Gu'm bacaiste le òran thu
S nacli tigheadh tu na b' fhaide na
Blii 'g aithris air do rògaircachd
S blieir mis' ort ma ni Gàidhlig e
Gu'n eluinntear pàirt dlie d' sbeultaicliean
S nach faisear thu gu bràcha "
Tighinn air àiridhean m' àite còmhnuidhsa
AN DAEA ORAN DO'N BHRACSI.
A chiòbair ghlais a th'anu am Pabbai
Bheir mi fathast eubhach ort
Gad nach fhiacb thu'n diugh mo bhlas
Ach ainneamh nuair is eiginn dut
Gur trie a ehunncas mi mu t' amhaich
A tighinn a bteach Loch Eideal leam
'Och mo dhruim gur e tlia goirt
Gan toirt thromh ghnb Ehii Rheiminis'
S trie a thug mi dhut do leòir
Nam fòghnadh feòil us cnàmhan
Cha dianamh sin a chùis gun chlòimh
A cumadh eòmhdach blàth umad
Gur liònmhor aite 'bheil do ehòmhnuidh
Feadh na fròig s na fàsaichean
S bu trom thu'n Isibost mu thuath
S bidh Seumas Ruadh ag aireamli sin.
III.
Cha'n eil meirleach fodli na glirein
'Mioscf spreidh a tha cho siùbhlach riiit
Cha'n eil àite 'u toobli-s' do'n chaol
Bheil otliaisg' mliaol nacli strùilicli tliii
Nur tliaineadh tu a Pliabbai fein
Na'ni dheig-h giir bea^ blia dliùil again
Gn faidnn sealladh dliiot gu bràch
Blio chain mi thu gu d' chùlagan.
S lionmhor neach a tha dhe'n t-sluagh
Their giir buannachd dha mo sheorsas thu
Gii'm bi sùil lis ceann us cluas
Us claigionn crnaidh an ordugh ann
Ceithir luirgnean fada lorn
Cha'n fhiacha ead bonn grota dhut
S mar tha'm mionach s beag a luach
Mur tilg mi bhuam dha'n òtraich e.
S an t-eilean eile tha 'n am nàbachd
Thug a mheirleach spiiill orra
'G am muxt gun fhios dhaibh ann an Sgarai
S Donnachadh Ban gloidh dhium'ach dhiot
Ach nur a thuig iad mar a bhà
Chaidh Spainneach Ian do dh'fhùdair innt
A chur gun fhios dhut fo na ghàradh
S thàir thu snàmh g am ionnsuidh-sa.
VI.
Ach s neònach learn mar fhuair thu nail
S a gheamhradh troimh ^n chuan ùdlaidh seo
S gur gann a thigeadh eoin nan speur
Tro'mh 'n bheisd 'nuair bhitheas i 'bùiread-
aich
Ach 's e'm Baillidh a thug duals
Do dh' Aonghus Euadh us ionnsach' dhut
Far an tigeadh tu air tir
S an cunnta sios san Uig grais riut.
90
Ach. seana Blilàireag' us Macridsean
Ditliis tha gle chòirrdte rium
Ian EuacUi us Murchadla Balitidh
'S trice db'ith iad spòlta dliiom
S iad nacb cluinnistinu ri cùl-cliain
Air mo chill s clia b' choir dhaibh siud
Cha'u ionnan sin s am fear tha'ii diumbadli
Le drochd mi-run ri òrau dhomJi.
"An Drug" s a h-inghean ann am Borbh
A cumail lorg do ghnàtli orm
Ma gheobh iad te dhiubh ris a ghrein
Gur h-eiginn breith gnn dàil oirre
Bheir iad a chreidsinii air Mac Rath
Gu'n tug am Bracsi taire dhitb
S e thug oirnne toirt a steach
Sinn 'bhi airson a sàbhaladh.
Ach labhraidh. Ian leis a gL.ob
Mo mhollachd agaibh nair'ch sibh mi
Cha'n e'm Braosi th' oirre so
Se mult' a bha s a phàirc th' aun
Ach their an t-seann te eisd a choin,
Nach seall thu corp an aird' oirre
Nach) greas thu ort thoir dhomli a chore
S gu'n stob mi san tiibh chearr aic i!
S cha luaithe chur thu cas air tràigh
Na thug thu'n aird feadh Lingai ort
A dròbhaireachd a chuid a b' fheàrr
S gu'n tàireadh tusa cis thoirt diubh.
Nur a chaidh mi'm mach a maireach
Thuig mi, "mhearirlich, t-innleachdan
Nur fhuair mi iad 'nan sineadh marbh
Le creuchdan garbh bho d' ingnean-sa.
91
Acli s ionirantacli mar bba do glmiomli
S am miann a bli'air an t-seòrs's agad
S iiach faca mis thii la riamh
'Cur uiread s bial air feòil gin dhiubh
Ach 'g am fhgail air an t-sliabli
Aig biataich dianamh ròic orra
S 'g an seideadh cho dubh fo'n bliian
Ei pios du riasg ua mòinticb ud.
Mo mhollachd ort bi falbli gu luatb.
Thoir an toobh tuath na Beàrnara ort
Cha'n fhada gus an toir thu nam
Na h-uile cluas a thainig thu
Cha dian murran s clia dian fraocli
An saoradh as do lamhan-sa
S ged a chuirinn iad dha'n fhaing
Tlieid thu troimh thuill a ghàraidh thuc.
S ioma fear a dheth do sheòr-sa
A bhitheas le spòrs 'g am chàineadh-sa
Ni cuirm mhilis dhiom aig bord
S bidh mi na m' chlòimh s na m' shnàth
Nur thig iad am fianuis dhaoine aca
Caochlaidh iad an raidh sin
S cho luath s a thionndaidhs iad an cùlaobh.
Bidh iadsan rium-s' a' gaireachdaich.
S ioma ciobair fada glas
Le chuaille bat us cù aige
Mas fhiach an creidsinn leis an sgreami.
A labhrar airson diumbaidh rium
Nam fanainn bhoiatha bmleach glan
Gun tighinn 'n am faisg' a dh'ionndran-
eadh mi
Cus na's mo na 'n tombaca
S gun e pailt 'n an spUùcanan.
Acli gad nacli tiginnsa gu bràch
S mi dh' fhaigliinn a bliàis s mo tliiodlilacadh
Tha bracsi eil ami s cha'n e's flieàrr
Na sgedrean grannda giar agaibh
TJs mur a faigh sibli leò fàtli
Tlieid CÙ us dà-cliur fhiacal ann
A rigeadli riutha feadli nan earn
A bristeadli clinànLh. ns shliasaidean.
BANAIS IAIN MHAETAINN.
riadhachadh farsuinn gn banais Iain
Mkàrtainn
Chualas s gach ait an t-iomradh aic
Gu na sbaoil leam an toiseach gu'm b'ann
ann am Mànuis
Bhiodh i air sgàtli nighean Dhughaill aca
Bha mise 'cr am bbiodadh nach d'tkòir-
teadh mi ann
Ckiir criocli air na bb'ann a cbiirsacha.i
Na gookaickean H-iortack bka còrr agus
bliadku'
An crockadk san riasg bka siigkanta.
II.
Tka seann duine teisteil a fuireack s an
t-obb'
Diiin onarack coir us biitk aige
D'an d'tkug mi mo gkealladk gu'n dian-
ainn an rann
S bka fianuisean ann mu'n ckiimknanta
Gu'n innsinn an fkirinn gun fkacal dke'n
bkreig
Mu dkeidkinn na feasd bka fiiigkantack
Bka Dòmk'ull Munro 'na ekuidk aig a
bkòrd
S a bkotul 'na dkòrn s b'e 'u diiil nack e.
93
III.
S a Dliòmh'iU Munro clia ghabh tliu rium
fearg
Ged a bhidhteadh t'ainm air iomradh aim
An cuimhne leat idir nur chaidli tu mach
bliuaiun
S a dh' flialbli tliu le ruaig a' chuilteir-
eaclid
Dh' fhalbli tliu mar leisgeul a lasadi. na
l^ioba
S tharruing tliu'n tide dùbailtc.
S air m' fhocal gu'in fhasa dJiomh 'n t-ubh.
tlioirt o'n cliòrr
Na faighinn na d' choir s . . .
S nnr chaidh mi stigh rinn mi beannachadh
bàird
Nur chunna mi'n t-àros lùchairteach
Bha caochladh gach dibh' am batul leis
fhein
Us lasraichean geur a strùthadh asd'
Bha sithion 'na gadan a laigh' air no
miosan
Us shuidh sinn aig biadh na fiù?hantachd
Tighinn a nuas s piob chiiiil rompa
Ach 's truagh nach robh 'm Bailli us
Galium Ic Rhuaraidh
Air a cheann shuas s fear Hùisinuis.
S bha fasannan eil' ann nach fhaca mi
riamh
Gu'n rahothaich mi riaghhailt iir a bh'ann
Gach iosal us uasal bhi maille ri cheil
Gun dad ach thoir fein g' ad ionnsuidh e
Nam fair'cheadh tu fathadh bha portair ua
beòir ann
Mar gu'm biodh òl a bhiiirn ac' air
Air m' fliacal nach d'fhairich mi mionaid
san oidhche
An comunn gun fhoill nan liith-chloasan.
Ach bogf-tbeanga maoacli a' seanchais an
Euaraidh
Ghoid i clio luath an ùine bhuainn
Br'idhinn mu chreagan niu uibhean s mu
eòin
S an doigli air am frict' air an t-sùlaire
Bhitheadh lomhaiun a ruithe air cliipean
gu li-ard
TJs fear air a bàrr s na sttic-clireagan
Bbitbeadh. ionghannan a cbas agus meoir-
ean a lanili
Us fhiaclan an sàs 'nan triùir aige.
VII.
Acb seallaibb a macli ach am faic sibh an
còmhlan
Bainnis Iain Oig tlia diiil agara rithe
Eiric mu nighean le boiueid s le sròl
S bu toileacliadh dhomhs' an t-siiil a bli' aic
Nacli seall sibh a mach ach am faic sibh
na h-uaislean
Tha'n tigh seo ro chumhang 's onn ormsa
tha'ii naire
'Thormaid a ghraidh dian rùmail e.
VIII.
S nur chriiinn'cheadh a chnideachd s nur
chaidh iad a siòs
Bha'n t-Hiortacb gu briathrach s struis
aisde
E,i oghaidh an teallaich a ròsdadh nan ian
S lamhan cho mia ri buidsear aic
,S an còrr uair a chuireadh i 'corrag s a
ghravy
Dh'fhiacbadh i fhein robh siigh innte sin
Gu leigeadh i'n eigh ri Nighean Ac Eaill
Sin thugam an spaiu s gu'u drùill mi seo.
95
ORAN A BHIAST DUIBH.
OEAN AN DOBHEAIN.
Air fonn Cuacli MWc lUe Andrais.
Smis' a srliabh an t-eagal
S cha bu blieag na gliabh mi 'chùrani
Niir chaidh mi air an fheasgair ud
A chleasaclid do'u tisrh-smiuiridh
Bha niiasa air bhiintàt' a?am
Mar b'abhaist dhomh ^a 'gùilan
Gus an damli bh'aig ISiall a blii
'G a bbiadliadh leis na riif^an.
Gun sheas an damh san bhnil; thog
A chluasan s rinn e srnùsad
S gun thoisicliear ri sfèmlich s e
Na bheisd a tigliinn g am ionnsuidli
Gun fhios a'm de bu ssfiala da
Leis an sgian a blia 'na shùilean
S gu'n cluinneadli tu e 'raiiiich ann
Am Bearnarai s;us n' thiich air.
S nur sheall mi air mo orhualainn
An tiibh shuas dhiom fo'n stòl-smiuiridli
Bha fiadh-bheothach ag gluasad
Ann sa chùaich us e ri tionndadh
A shùilean an deigh lasadh us
Droch ghart air a tighinn dlù dhomh
S nur thug mi leum "u teicheadh as
Bhuail mo leth-cheann air an ùrlar.
Nur dh' eirich sinn 's a mhaduiun chaidh
An te a b'fhaide fiasaig
A shealltuinn dha an amharus
Ma'n d'aithris mi na briagan
S rnir dhi'fhosgail i an dorus fhuair
I sealladh a bha cianail
Am beathach grannda lacliduna
S e clio fada ri slat iasgaich.
V.
N sin thuirt am fear bu chalma
Mas beathach talmJiaidh Crioaduil e
Eis an teid mise dh' argnmaid
Gum arm acli mil dheicli miairean
Ma glieobb mi greim a'm' lamban air
Clia gheàrr e leum gu siorruidk
S ma chluinnear ann san l^srutli e
Gheobh mi'n t-urram tha mi 'g iarraidh.
OKAN AN EODAIN.
I.
Innsidh. mi sgial na rodain
A thainig a botbag Ruari
Fhuair ead aileadh na miue
S ann b' mliò chruinnich iad mu'n cuairt
di
Cha robb cuip a bbi'air an culaobh.
Nacli dianadh a chuis gu buailteaji
S uiread mo dbiiirn orra 'shodan
S mo mliollachd aig an cluasan.
S dh'aitlinicbinn rodan Bho-na-Cilleig
S iad bu gbile na cuid Chracow
Nur a bliiodh iad gu trie gan nigh.
S iad a frigheachd air na bairnich
Nur a churm.' mi iad a' tighian
S colas millidh air na biasdan
Thug mi oidhirp air an cunntais
Gu'n deach iad a null air ciadan.
97
Tliainig uisge ma mo eliùilean
S thionndain mi mo chùl s mi 'g griosad
S gun dad agam grus mo thearnadli
Ach an seana-clui ban gun fhiaclan
Dh' flialbln mi'n iiair sin as a' liiigail
Air mo ghlùinean s aii" mo cliliathaicli
S nur a cbithinn an core a hibadli
Bii trie mo shùil air a fiaradli.
Mi toir oidhirio air dhul dhacliaigli
S gun dad unnam ach am blialnm
S mi air cliTÌth cho hiatli ri diiilleig
Leum mo cliuisleau mar fhcar fiabhruis
Gu'm bii diombacb mi du Euaraidh
O'n la chnir e'n suas an stor dlmibli
'Dhol a dh'fhàgail min us siùcair
An àite gun fiti na còmhladh.
Tharruing sid ear air astar
O'n àite bu claleaclid leo còmlinuidb
Timcbioll iothlainn Tigli-a-Cliladaicla
Far 'm bu phailte bliiodh an t-eòrna
Ach. nan deanainn-sa sgriobhadh
S mi gu'u iunseadh auns gach aite
Far 'na thug thu'n aitreabh riomhach
IMeadhon dig agus lathach.
S gad a xinn thu'm balla dianach
Tha do chliathaich 'ua ciiis nàire
Fiodh air grodadb le na siantan
Nur a thuit an sgliat gu lar dhi
Seo an t-àite nach robh feiunarack
Air an spreidh ad a thighinn pailt ann
Bha gu leòir ann as an aonuis ,
Dh' fhair'lich air daoine cur as doibh.
VII.
Mur biodh 'cata glas 'g an sealg dliuinn
Moch us anamoclii s meadhon la
Bheireadh iad asaibh na sùilean
Nan tuiteadh orr' dùsail cadail
S clia dian mis' guidlie glieur no sgaiteach
Dha'n fhear a tharruing sibli dlù dhomh
Acli am fear is mo am fiaclan
Blii leireadb do bhian s tu ruisgte.
VIII.
S greim a bhidh aig aim an ait' ort
Eadar thu ns la 'roimh d' clitilthaobli
Gur mis' a dhiaiiamh an gaire
Nam bitliiim slàn ris an iumradli.
S lean cnid eile dlia na Baigh tlin
Gu'n d'raineadh tu bat an Uamliais
S nur a rannsaicb iad s gacli ait i
S nach d'fhuair iad call gliabli 'd tuaileasg
S cbum iad sios ris a cbladaich
Cho na stad ead sa chaol gliruamach
S chaidh an oeann tlioirt feadh' na li-airde
Gu na cbur e fàilt air Ruaraidh.
MARBHRANN DO DH' IAIN GOBHA.
Rinn an teachdaire tigbinn
Fbuair tliu Hos gur be 'bli'ann,
Bba do lòcbran laiste
Gun del as as a 'glileann,
Ga do tbreòireachadli dhacbaigh
Troimli na slocbdaai a bb'ann
S nur a ràineadb tu'n dorus
Fbuair tbu fosgladb air ball.
II.
Bbana-chleasaiche bbriagacb
Atbog a sgial ort nach b'fbiù
Leis am b' àill thusa cbàradh
Miosg nan traillean sa cbùil;
99
Gun tiìj breith oirr' o'u Ard-Righ
A bheir bàrr air a cliù
S a chuid dhetli Ihatliast iiach d'tlu'iini
Clii each e le'ii siiil.
Chi thu'n Goblia a'd' fhianuis
Mar tha'n ghrian anu sna neoil
Leis an deiso cho sgiamhach
S tba e diaiat' ann an glòir;
Cbluinn thu'n t-Athair ag iarraidli
Laogh biadht thnir na 'choir
Gus a mharbhadh gu biadh dha
Thoir bainne s hon dha ri òl.
O ! 'sin a fhreagras ise
Le guth briste na 'beul ;
Am faigh mi mathanas idir
Ga do dh' innis mi 'bhreug.
S a liùthad tè mar bha mise
Naoh do ruitheadh cho dian
A fhuair matlianas peacaidh
S i toirt ridmheil ua '"■niomh.
Ach eirigh Britheamh a cheartais —
Agus las E 'na ghnuis —
"Chaidh an t-ani sin ort seachad,
Na bi labhairt na's mù;
Fhuair na maoir bhuam an t-òrdugh>
Airson an còrachan dlìi;
Togaibh libh Raon Ac Leòid
A dh' ionnsiiidh bròn bho mo shùil."
Mur ti-- la ort nach d'thàinig
Dol a' làthair Mhic Dhe
Crithidh t' fheòil s bidh do chiuimhan
An innis sgainidh o chèil
Nur a chluinn's tu e' g radhtinn —
"An tusa phlàigh ! a cheart te
Thug do m' dhearbh leanabh grasmhor
Greis do thamailt s do bhreig? "
100
S tbeid an t-sloclid ort a dliuiiaclli
S clia dùil ri tighiiin as
Ach air do tliilgeadli gn siorriiidli
Miosg dbiabWan am feasd,
Meadhon lasraichean siorruidli
S mallachd Dhia air do mliuin
Sam bi tliu cag;nadli do dhiolam
Ag gul s ag giosgan gim sgiir.
Dill' fhalbli mais an tigli-leughaidli
Bbo'n chaidh do chre-sa fo'n ùir;
Nuair a dli'fhosgladli tn 'ni Biobull
S tu nacli dibreadh luclid-tnù;
Bha uchd-eididh na Fhinn'
Mar sgiath-dhidein nad sbiùil
Ga do dhian bbo do naimbdean
S iad nan camp air do tbùbb.
Tbog tbu'n steigb gu daingean
Air a cbarraig nacb gluais
Gad tba bàrcadb nan tuiltean
G iatbadb nmad mu'n cuairt;
Bba do cbreidimb sa ladair
An agbaidb gabbaidbean cruaidb
Tbaobb b'e Criosda 'cblacb-oisinn
Air na tbog tbu cbo luatb.
S bba tbu 'd' ligbicbe fenmail
Air feadb do re ns do cbuairt
Do cbuirp s do anaman cbreutair
A rinneadb rn reubadb s iad truagb;
Bba tbu iriosal baigbeil
Coineil cairdeil ri skiagb
S mor bba gblòir an Fbir Sbaoraidh
Ann an aogaisg do sbnuagb.
ini
CLIU IAIN GHOBHA.
Bho 'n is fear-fogliluim mi air a cheaird-sa
Luchd brithimh Gaidhlig na tugaibh beum
Air cainnt mhi-fhiughmhor neo-dhireach
lùbte
Nach gabh dliomh dliithadh no cur na
cheil :
Cha b' e cion diira^lid a thigeadli rium-sa
N am seinn a chliù-san nam biodh air eis
Ach inntinn nadmhorrach us easbhuidh
grais oirr
Gu 'n teid i cearr ann an cliiith nan teud.
II.
S mo bliilean graineil ueo-thimchioll ghe-
àirrto
Gu faic sibh dana dhomh blii ri cainnt
Air cliii na fianuis a dh' fhalbh o 'n fhion-
lios
Bu chliùiteach gniomliacli am miosg nan
crann;
Bha eagal diadhaidb as deigh a lionadh
Gu 'm biodh a clirionachd n' ar miosgp
neo-ghann
Bu trie e 'g ùrnuigli 'del ann an cumh,-
nant
Airsou ar cùiiiiinadli* aig- catbair grais.
An ceistear cliniteach bu mlior luclid ionn-
drainn
A tha mi 'g iomradli air na mo dhàn
Bu lionmhor suil bha gu silteach srùlach
An am do dhunadh 's a' chiste chlar;
Bu lochran iiiil thu da dhuill gun suilean
Bhiodh gun tiir air a ghniomh a b' fhearr
A' ruith gu direach fo 'n t-slighe mhilltich
A' dion nam miltean o dhiol a bhais.
IV.
S o thog tliu 'n aidmheil bu lochran laist
thu
Nach ciiireadh fras as la doinionn glieur;
Cho fad s a dh' fhan thu clia 'n fhacas
smal ort
Aeh djoiina 1 laist ar,n an riiitli ua reis :
A' dol troimh 'n fhasach gun eagal nam-
liuid
Ach spionnadh gràis ga do chumail treun,
S tu ruith gu buaidheach gun easbhudli
luathais ort
Gu 'n d' iluiair thu 'u duais a th' aig
pobull Dhe.
V.
Bu dileas durachdacli dha do ghairm thu
Cha b' ionnan s foirmealaich nan ceann ard
Nach b' urrainii cainnt ach gu niabach
manntach
Le raige teanga s an ceaun cho Ian:
G iarraidh cus storais dha 'u inntina
fheòlmhor
S i ciocrach, neo-ghlan s an taic a ghnàth
Air steidheadh aotrum bhios dhaibh na
'fhaoineis
Aie la an caochlaidh nur this: am bàs.
Is ann ort a b' fhiiathach luchd fein na
h-uaille
Bha 'g iarraidh suas gun dhol dha na
chrò.
Am miosg nan caorach le 'n eàrradh
sgaoilte
S gu fainicht an gaoid air gach taobh dhe
'n cìileòc;
Bu trie thu dearbhadh orr' ga bu shearbh
leo e
Gu 'm biodh tearbadh ann la a mhòid;
Cuid gu oighreachd sain bithcadh an
t-aoibhneas
Cuid eir dha 'n ghoiuutir sam bitheadh
am bròn.
VII.
Bha tliu ainmeil s ^ach ceàrn an Alba
Mar ghaisgeach calma le d' chlaidheamli
geuT
Air taobh na còracli a' sgrios luchd dò-
blicairt
Bu trie tlui comhrag ri luchd mi-bheus :
Bhiodh fcachd na h-euceairt a' ci-ith fo d'
eisneachd,
An coguis fliein s i ga 'm bioradh cruaidh
Bhiodh fallus driiidhteach a' sileadh dluth
dhiot
Le spairu 'to'airt cunntais dhoibh air an
Uan.
VIII.
Bha tlachd us ciatachd le aoidh na diadh-
aclid
A' dearrsadh sgiamhach na d' aghaidli
chiiiin
S bhiodh pcacaich gharbha bu ghairge
seanachas
Le urahlachd leanabail a' tighinn dhut
dlùth;
Gur tu bha eudmhor air-son an treuda,
Bhiodh faire gheur agad air an cùl,
Bu trie thu 'g eigheacli an cluas luchd
eisdeachd
A chungaidh fheumail a dheanadh ciiis.
B' e beatha d' hraich a li-iiile Sàbaid
Ehi 'g innseadh chàch gu 'n robh 'n
t-slighe reidh
Gu geat an ivrois am faight' an t-slainte
O 'n chraoibh 'tha fas ann le nicas nach
treig :
Fo dhuilleach aghmhor gu 'm faighte
samhchar
O dhoinionn craiteach s o amhghar gheur,
O ruaig an namhaid bh' air-son an tàr-
suinn
Le innleachd basmhor mar clircach dha
fein.
lOJ
Do 'u osna 'dliùsgadh o 'n cliridlie blirùi-
deil
Air blieag-an curaim bu bheasf do speis,
O cliaidli ol-ungaidh 'chur air do shùilean
S nacli to^ta cliii leat air luchd mi-bheiis;
O 'n bha thii eolach mil 'n t-siounach
liibach
A cliuir a chiil riut fo d' armachd gheur
Bha 'n garaidli uaigneach ri d' linn 'san
dutliaicli,
S o 'n dli' flialbh tlui dluiisg e ri siiiiill da
fein.
Bha t'eagal diadhaidh to'airt air na mil-
tea n
Air feadh nan sgire gu 'n robh iad balbh.
Mar an iDheiicag an gath na greine
Le itean eugsamhuil nan iomadh dealbh;
Oir bha thii ungte s do fhradharc dùbailt
Ag gabhail dlii-bheachd air sligh an ceum
S ged thigeadh ludas le 'phòig a d' ionn-
siiidh
Gum b' shuarach thu air droch run a
mhèinn.
Bu lionmhor bacach bha 'deigh a bhacail
Le ainneart peacaidh do chum gu 'n
trsigt',
A bha thu seoladh gu Loch Shiloaim
A chum an comhlachadh aig an Leigh;
Leis an fhirinn bu trie thu dearbhadh
dhaibh
Mar grad fhalbh iad gu 'n teid iad cug,
Fo phlàigh na loibhre an la na feirge
S nach beireadh *tiouchds' orr' a dhian-
r.nih i'euni.
105
XIII.
An am dhut eirigh 's a choiiniimli urn-
Uiffh,
An sUia<rli a' dùmhlachadh ort mu 'n
cuairt,
Bu chridhe cruaidh agiis inntinn blirùidoil
Nach dianamli lùbadh le d' ghiitli san
uair:
Bu ghaisgeach treun thu gn innseadk
sgeiil dhoibh
Mu chliù na h-eifcachd bha 'm fuil an
Uain
S air damanadh siorxuidli 'jian gobhair
fhiadhaich
Air sgeiribh giara dol sios do 'n chuan.
XIV.
Thainig dorcliadas air a cboàrn seo
Le mùcbadh bàsmhor o 'n rinn tbu triall
Do tliir Emanueil am miosg do bbraith-
rean
S tu 'dianamh gairdeachas ann an Dia;
Chum ar tearnadh o chumhachd namhuid
S o philan na h-amhuinn tha loisgeach
dian,
Bheir air na h-iiamhari-aicb gu loisgear
suas iad
Mar an asbhuaine nur thisr a chrioch.
Aig la do cbriochnacbaidh fhuair tliu
t-iarratus
Mar bu nihiann leat taobh thall a bhais,
Gach gealladh fhuair thu 'n tùbh bhos
dha 'n uaighe
Chaidh dhianamh suas dhut gu daingean
slan;
Gath a bhàia chaidh a dhianamh ciiiiu
dhut
S an uaigh cha chum i thu ann an sàs;
Gu 'n dian thu diisgadh le glaodh na
trompaid
Eoimh 'n crith gach diiil a chaidh aunsan
làr.
5a
Thainiff Gabriel o iia h-àrdaibli
Us àitline laidir aic air do thòir,
Thubhairt riut gu 'ni b' fheàrr dliut tliu
rioghaclid àghmlior,
Nacli goid na mearlaich a steacb na d'
choir;
Fbuair thu 'n dileab s a cliiilaidh rioo-bail
S ainm an Eigh oirr' gun smal gun sgleò,
Cho buan ri siorruidhea^lid a tha neo-
chriochnach.
Us t'aoibhneas siomiidli uach criocb a
gblòir.
The following piece has been current in
the Lovat country from the beginning of the
century. It may have been composed dur-
ing the last quarter of last century. From
the traditional evidence it must have been
known prior to Waterloo. The author seems
to have been reared in the upper reaches of
the Beauly Valley. Strathfarrar, Struy,
Aigas, Dounie (i.e., Beaufort), and Bruiach
were favourite haunts of his childhood, the
abode of his friends. It is lofty, dignified,
and full of chaste restraint, with a certain
feeUng familiar enough in the days of Iain
Lo<m, but not so readily met with in its
purity in the period succeeding the '45.
The air is bold a.nd martial, each stanza being
sung twice, the second time a little higher
than the first. The words are not likely to
have been changed; I got them from Mr
Donald Maclean, a native of the valley and
a neighbour. Like the Piobaire Dall and
the Clarsair Dall, he has had the trying mis-
fortune of being bereft of Ms eye-sight from
early days owing to small-pox. From this
107
reason, rendered doubly fitting owing to
great inherent natural talent, he was trained
in music, so that even now, in old age, ho
can play the violin, the bagpipes, and sing
Gaelic sono's — a combination of qualities very
rarely united in anv one man. He had the
words from his mother, who in tura had them
from her mother. I have not seen Mr Mac-
lean for some years. He must be now about
the three score and ten; he lives alone.
Owing to his loss of eye-sight, his sense of
touch is preternaturally heightened, as well
as hÌ3 sense of hearing. In spite of occa-
sional pranks that may be played upon him,
he never plays after a certain hour on a Satur-
day eveaiing; he spends a portion of every
day in prayer. My wish is that he may live
as long as his uncle, who died a few years
ago, ha^ang reached the age of five score and
three.'"' Guidheam dhut gu bràch thai bhiodh
na d' ioma shlaint 's na dheigh sin soiias
Mhic De a'd' lorg !"
Mr Maclean's voice was of great range and
power, and fitted to cope with the most diffi-
cult operatic airs — his repertoire being both
rich and varied. I give in consecutive order
some of the songs I have learned from him,
with notes where such may be necessary.
They are generally anonymous, like so many
of our Scottish ballads; no famous name is
at their head, but they have the genuine
breath of the mountains, and are as healthy
as the old red pine of Strathglass. Love,
Note.— The reference in the last three stanzas fits only
General Simon Fraser XlX.of Lovat, who died at Downing
-Street, London, Sth February, 1782, aged .56 Jle was
imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle, 1747 ; pardoned in 17S0 ;
callfd to the Scottish bar, 1757 ; served in Canada,
17u7-17G2 ; MP. for Inverness-shire, 1761-1782; estates
restored, 1774. This Gaelic song was composed between
1750 and 1774 I infer from the style that it was composed
by DomhuU Gobha Siosal of strathglass, <vho also com-
posed a lament on the Siosalach Ban, who died circa 1793.
Both are similar in manner. The Iain of the poem may
be John of Knockfin. The poet was not aware of Alex.
Fraser (elder brother of Simon of '4.')) or any heirs of his
being alive then.
passion, and bsanty are the shades of their
immortality : —
CAISMEACHD NA H-AIRDE.
Trom mo cbeum s mi air m' aineol
Ann san tir-sa dol thairis
Dhianainn faoilte ri beannan ua h-Airde.
'N am bhi direadh Strath Fhairig
S mor b'annsd, Strath Farrar
Far uach cunntadh ead bainne na(m)bà
ruinn.
Gheobhainn iasg agus sithionn
Im càis agus gi-uitheam
S bhiodh mo chairdeau ga m' ghaiidheadk
gu fardoich.
A Righ! pfu'm b' ùirueach mo leabaidh
Ann am biadh s ann an caidrimh
Eadar Striiidh Mhor nam bradan us Aigais,
Eadar Douni na coille
Agus Brnaich an eilich
S air mo lamh-sa uach ceileadh ead gràdh
orm.
Mo chiou ort Iain bha stiairce
Chaoidh cha tabhair mi fuath dhut
Aig fheobhas s a fhnair mi thar chàch thu.
Beir an t-soiridh null thairis
A dh'ionns' na diithcliia ta thall ud
Far an d'fhuair mi re tamull de m'àireach.
Gu muinntir mo chridhe
Far nach cluinutear am bruidhiun
Nuair a dhianadh ead suidhe san teagh
tharluim.
S e bu bheus dhaibh mar chleachidamh
Ag Ò1 fion dearg ann am pailteas
Greis air phioban tombaca s air manran.
109
S ead gun bliruaidlean gxin trioblaid
<Jun luaidh air a bhiodag
Ach a pàidlieadh na thigeadh mar bliraitli-
reau.
Ach nam b' àiU le Mac SMmi
Thighinn a thàmh mar ri chinneadh
Air mo làmli-sa nach pillcar an drhsd e.
Thigliinn gu fhonn us gu fhearaun.
Us gu oighreaclid a sheanair
Mi-loinn air t>n fliear kis nacb b'aill e.
Phir thug Israel tliairis
A chruthaich grian agus gealach
Cuir an duthaich le ceannas na h-Airde.
TUIREADH.
Moch sa mliaduinn Diluan
Dol a rathad seo sliuas
Fhuair mi naigheaclid a gliluais dhom
bròn.
Fhuair mi sgeul nach robh binn
<xu robh m' aighear s mo mhiann
S e na laighe fodh dhian nam bòrd.
Ann an leine chaol fhuar
Podh dhubhar nan stuadh
Dh'fhàg siud mise ri fhuasgladh dheòir.
Ann an ciste chinn chaoil
An deigh a snaidheadh bho'n t-saor
S air a sparradh le faobhar òrd.
S iionar gruagach bha tinn
A' spionadh cuailein a cinn
N am do tho^all dho cill do sheòid.
Agus òigear fodh ghruaim
N am rùsgadh dhut uaigh
Fhir nach seachnadh an ruaig nan tòir.
110
riiir a sliiiibblas mo cuairt
Beir an t-soiridh seo bhuam
Dhionns' an talla 'm bi fiiaim a clieòil.
Agus innis gun bbreng
Gu'm beil mise gun fheum
Blio cliaidh m'aighear s mo clieill fodb'n
fliòd.
Bu tu sealgair a glieoidh
S a clioilicli air gheig
Marbhach eala a^us feidh agus ròn.
Làimh tliolladh na bein
Mo dhul fodha na grein
Cha b'e'n ainnis bu re na d' dhoigh.
Ach uisge beatha na(m) pios
E,uma laidir us fion
Se ga chaitheamli gu fial mu d' bliòrd.
Bho nacb urra mi fein
Gun bbi cur smal air do bheus
S ann a ghablias mo bbeul gu foil.
Tbig Sir DomhnuU bho SMeibht
Le chuid oigfhearu treun
Thig Mac Cailein na dlieigh s Macleòid.
S thig MacCoinnicli a nail
Bho ua h-eileannan thall
Chluinnteadh farum na lann s na stròl.
S thig Mac Shimi bho'n Aird
Na t'ionad gun dàil
An leomhann fireachail laidir borb.
S bho nach urra mi fein
Dhul na's fhaid' as do dheigh
Guidheam caidreanih Mhic Dhe 'do lorg.
Ill
OEAN SUGRAIDH.
Cha d'fhuair iiii'n raoir cadal
Air leabaidli s mi m'ònar
Chridho! rlia hhithinn fodh mliulad
Far an cluinninn do chomliradh
Do bbeul binn gasda grinn
Labhraa gu. fior sheolta
S gu'n dianainn riut suairceas
Clio uaisle sab' eòl dhomh.
Beau samhla dha m' leannan
Gur h-ainneamli air feur i
Gur gile s gur glain' i
Na canach an t-sleiblie
Corp min geal cridh gun smal
S ainneamh bean t-eugaisg
Tlia tbu bbuam s tu mu luaidh
Craaidh orm s mi m' eigin.
Na m' eiginn a ta mi
Bho na thàir mi'n ciad iiil ort
Bhean nam bas bàna
Dh'fhàs gu nadurracli cliùiteacli
Gu la luan m'aigne buan
Bidli mo bhuan diiil riut
S bidli m'aigne gun deigL. ort
Mur faoid mi do phùsadh.
Ged a dliianamh sinn piisadk
Bu chliiiiteach ar beusan
Clia'n fhaichteadh fodh bhròn sinn
Fbud s bu bhcò sinn le clieile
Ged bhiodh. sàradh gun dail
Aig a bhàs fhein oirnn
Bu gbann da mu leonadh
S do pbòg gun bbi reidb dhomh.
Do phòg a bhi reidh dhomh
A gheug bho'n ait mànran
Dha'm beil a chaol mhala
S am broilleach geal braghaid
Gorm do shùil, g^lan do glinùis
Lùb a chùl àr-bhiiidh
S tu beul iiach ^luais feargf na gruaim
B elbbinn bliiiat manraii.
B'èibliinii bliuat mànran
B'e m'àilghÌGS s mo clieòl e
Dliut thug mi 'n cion falaicli
Nach dealaich ri m' bheò rium
N gaol buan thug mi bhuam
Se-sa ghluais bròn dhomh
S cha d'fhuair mu'n raoir cadal
Air leabaidh s mi m'ònar.
Cha d'fhuair mi'n raoir cadal
Air leabaidh s mi m'ònar
Chridhe! cha bhithinn fodh mhulad
Far an cluinninn do chomhradh
Mhairi ùr nan ciabh dliith
Labhras ciùin bainndidh
S ged a shiùbhladh leam na duthcham
S neo-lionar dhut samhla.
O ghruagaich an leadain
Tha feagal ro mhòr orm
Ma theid thu do'n chaisteal
Gu strac ead s a choir thu
Theid fios gu luath chur ort suas
Ghruagach nan t-seomair
S ma thig thu fhein as gun bheud.
Tha mi gle dheonach.
Chaidh fios gus an t-seisean
S gu eildeir an teampuill
Gu'n d'robh mise s a nighean
A bruidhinn gle ghreannor
Cha'n eil fios 'nan ar dithis
Co'n cridhe dh'thas feallsa
Ghabh ise fear eile
S tha mise na m' bhauutraich.
]i;
An sin freagraidh an nij^hean agus scinn-
idhi: —
Tha sac air mo cluidhe
S cha ligb. ni chàircadh
Cha leighis an leubh e
N tig an t-cug blio'n treun Ard-Righ
Gu la Inan ni'aigne bnan
Cha dual dhomh bhi slàn dhetb.
Oig shuairc a chùil dhuanaich
Gur truagh gun bhi lamb riut.
Oig-fhear nam miog-shviil
Tha sgrioban do phoig orm
S nam faighinn i fos n-iosal
Righ b'eibhinn leara beò thu
Gu'm b'annsa do bhriodal
Na ceòl theudan us organ
S gu'm b'annsa do sluigradh
Na'm pùsadh tha'n lorg orm.
MO CHEUINNEAG DHONN.
Och mar tha mi s mo chridhe trom
'S mi aim sau aite nach tog mi fonn
Tha m'inntinn craiteach ag caoidh nan
cairdean
Ach s bochd a dh'fhag mi mo chruinncag
dhonn.
Ni mi gàir agus ni mi gean
Saoilidh each gu bi mi mear
Ach nuair a thionndanas mi mo chiilaobh
Bidh mo shùilean a siora ghal.
Mar chanach sleibh thu nach dual bhi
dubh
Mar chobhar gle-gheal am bial an t-sruth.
Mar shueachd air gheugan thig bho na
speuran
Tha broilleach m'eudail cho geal s an
gruth.
Gu clè an t-àite no dè an taobli
A chuireadh t' aogasg dhomh air chùl
Tha mais a'd' ghruaidhean a rinn mo
bhuaireadh
S gacli ball mu'n cuairt dut 'toirt buaidh
fa leth
S deimJi an t-àit' 'ni biodh mo gliradh
an cleitk
Nach gleidhinn fàth air a dhul a steagh
Shiùbblainn fàsaich', stuchd nan àrd-
bbeann
Chionns' gu'm fàilticlieadk tù mo tlieagk
Bba m'ulaidh s m'eudail air t'aoduinn
ghlas
S ann air do phògan a gbeobbainn bias
S mor gu b'annsa bhi riut a' sùgradh
Na bhi piisd aig an larla Ross.
Ach nam bithinnsa na mo shaor
Dkianàinn long leis a falbhadh gaotb
Chuirinn siiiil rithe ged b'ann de m' ghùn
ead
Bratacli iir dheth mo leine caol.
Tha triùir ghàirnealan ann san lios
S tha ead an dòchas gu faigh ead mis
S ged tha ead gòrach air beagan stòras
Le briodal beòil gu na mheall ead mis'
S ioma te chuir mo leine 'm burn
Us bana-ghriidair a rinu dom' leann
Agus griasaich a rinn dom' brògan
Bho'n thuair mi'n cota seo n toiseach
riamh,
S ioma biith ann sa beil mo sgian
Agus bòrd air a beil mo nihias
Agus bòsd o na ghabh mi snaoisean
S lionar aoduinn a labliair rium.
115
R eol dom fhin rint nacli eol do 'm arm
S eol dom coilltean us craga« garbh
S eol dom Sgùrruan tha 'm bun nan sru-
than
S am badan dlùtb ann sa Choille Gharbh*.
OEAN
Le Mr Siosal coir chaocbail auu am Beala-
drum, air do'ii tritlu-a:nli niae ttiia falbh do
na cogaidhean a dh'eirich ri linn Bonipart.
Ilugadb ann sa Cbreidh e, os cionn Eisciadeil,
Leòr-na-Manach.
Fior thoisich an t-Samhraidb
Bhuail meall mi bba geur
Db'fbàg nnil.uhiph mi'.U mi
San am am biodb m'fbeum
Cha b'e deireadb an Earraicb
Gad a cbailinn a spreidk
Dk'fhag mise fodh smalan
Ach. carraid an Kiogb.
Ocb ocban s mi m' aonar
S mi faoin gun mo cblann
Lucbd a dbianamb mo sbaotbair
S a sbaoradb mo cbrann
Cba bu gbearan leam dithis
Gad a bbiodb ead tball
Acb se rainig mii cbridbe
Cbaidb an' tritbcamb fear ann.
TJg na db' fbalbb bbuaiun an toisich
Is e bb'ac' an toil fbeiu
Cba d'fbàg ead na"u deigb
Na cboisneadb dhaibb beum
Acb "s e db'lalbb libuainu an gobbainn
Fear fogbainteacb treim
S ged bu cbosnacb gasd e
Cbuir crois e bbo fbeum.
* In Glen Affiic.
116
B'fhear gasd thii gu saotliair
Nath do smaoinich mi riamli
Cha rachadh tu'n taobli ad
Nam maireadh do chiall
Gu'n a mlieall thu mi m'blialair
S guv oil learn gur fhior
Chuir siud mise gu carraid
Nack lamh mi chur dhiom.
Bha cuid air a bhalair
Gu'm b'fharasd domli dliiaut
Nan p-abliadli e comhairl
Bba'n gnothuicli ad diant
Gu faigbinn-sa diiine
Agiis luillidh cbiir sios
Es 'db'fbuireacb aig a bhaile
'Toirt an aire air a ghniomh.
Ach bbòidich e dhuinne
Nach fban'dh e san tir
Nach biodh e fodh sgaunal
S nach fhuilingeadh e beum
Gu'n gabbadh e chuunart
Dhcth na qhiinna £ c'bei:b 'glileus
S gu'n coisneadh e'n t-aran
Cko fad s a mbaircadh dha fbein.
Och ocb mar tha mise
S beag tha dh'fhios sin aig each
Tha mo chridh air a dbocbunn
S mi ag osnaich gach la
Ghar an diù learn bhi 'g iuuse
Mu mil mhi-ghean do chàch
Gu'm bcil mulad air m' iuutinn
Ka dh' fbag' gu tinn duine slan.
Tha mo chiabhag air glasag
S mi lag leis an aois
Bho na dh'fhalbh mo chul-taice
S mi ga m' fhaicinn ro fbaoin
Ach nan tigeadh na gilleau
Mar sbiriun bho'n Eiogh
Gun mhasladh do m' chinneadli
Bhiodh gean orm a chaoidh.
117
Ach dh'fhaodadli siud tachairt
Na inairiiins' ri thn
6u faicinns' sibli fhathast
Na 'n iir laiglie ann san tir
Nuair a's aird oirnn an aisith
S ann is fliaisg oirnn an t-sitli
S bidh mo dliiiil-sa ri 'r faiciun
Mur taisgear mi fliin.
OEAN
a rinueadh, a reir mar tlia e air aitkris, le
botular a bha aig Mac-an-Tòisich. Bba cion-
falaich aig an t-seirbliiseach seo agus aig
nigliean a mhaighstir air a cheile agus, ma's
fior, rinneadh an t-amhran seo leis a bhotu-
lar mas deacliaidh a pheanasacliadh an
lornis.
Thig an samliradli s a futhar
Thig a cbuthag a Eirinn
Thig gach ian a bharraicli
S ead an tacbda ri cheile
'Dhianadh ciùil dhiiinn air chrannu
Us air bharru nan geugan
Ach 's ann tha mise s mo leannan
Sior teannadh bho cheile,
S mairg nach imrich an copan
Sùmhail socrach s e dearr-lan
Sid a riut nach d' riim mise
S ann a bhris mi fein beam as
Aig ro-mhiad na h-uairgnis
Rinn deth 'n ionracan mearlach
Chuir sid mise gu saothair
S tha e daor dha mo chairdean.
O ! ghruagaich an leadain
S mi gu frcagradh t' ordugh
Ann an glaice nan creagan
S ann am preasu beag bòidheach
118
Aig ro mliiad s thug mi g-liaol dut
Gun do dhaoine bhi deoiiacli
S mi gu laioheadh ri d'thaobba
An gleannan caomh nan lax)gli oga.
Fhir a gbabhas a rathad
Ghabbas a rathad gu siobhailt
Le faoilt agus furan
Cum do bhunaid fos n-iosal
Aig ro mhiad do churam
Dian iimhlachd dha'n ribhinn
S gu'm bi mise 'n trom ghrhdh s tu
C'e b'e ait' ann sam bidh thu.
Cha tcid mi do'n chaisteal
Cha bhagair na b' abhaist
Bidh piob ann bidh fiodhull
Bidh trompaid bidh clàrsaich
Ciod an ceol tha fodh 'n adhaj-
Nach bidh feitheamh mo ghradh-sa
S truagh a Righ I s gun bhi mar riut
Gheug nam meal-shuilean tlixtha.
Tha mo mhaiglistir priseil
Fodh mhi-ghean s fodh ghruaim rium
Cha teid mi na choinneamh
A chur rutha na ghruaidhean
Cha teid mi na choinneamh
Cha chuir rutha na ghruaidhean
S ann a dh'iarr e le graide
Mo ghrad spadadh le luaithe.
S mairg nach sealladh riamh
Air na mnathan <?a bòidheach
Mas gabhadli e shrachdadh
Cur seachad air posadh
Chor tha bhuaidh ad air fad orr'
Bhi gu sochaireach gòrach
S e gheobh mise mar thochradh
A chroich ar deagh m'fhogradh.
S truagh a Righ! nach b'e 'm bas e
Air na trathu gun fhuireach
Mas fhacar bean t'eugaisg
Nach fhaodar a phosadh
119
Troidh cbruiiin am brosf chumhang'
Dham bo cbiibha bhi spòrsail
Fodh do cbalpannan min-ghcal
Troidh nach illsich am feòirnein.
Uilleam Og Aberardcr
Cha tu bàillidh na cùrach
Nuair a dhiarr thu mu spealtadh
Fodh gheaird Ic-an-Tòisich
S a dhiil timchioU a chabhsati
Giio mu chairdean bhi m' chomhdhail
S mòr gti'm b'annsa na fagail
Na bhi la air a mhòd sin.
ORAX SUGEATDH.
A love soug of the days of one of the
Georges. The musical accent shows the
air to be old. In similar cases Burns, to
suit Celtic airs, had to use ati end-0 for met-
rical and musical consonauce.
S gur mise ta na m' eiginn
Gad 's fheudar dhom' dhcth fhulaohdainn
Nach urrainn mi dhelh Icitbhadh
Mo chreuchdan s mo dhuilli-hinn
Cha ni cha'n or s cha'n airgiod
Chuir san dearmad biiilca'h mi
Ach caileag laghach bhòidheach
A dh'fhàg fodh bhrou s fodh mhulad mi.
Tha cùl do);n diialach
Na chuachagan gle cliannach ort
Do dha shùil ghorma bhoidheach
Da ghruaidh mar ròs ri balla-geai
Tha beulan tana siobhalt
Labhras min gle channach rium
Gu'm b'annsa bhi ga d' phògadh
Na bualadh bhò-le-cailibho.
120
S pfur mòr a tliugf mi speis dliut
Clia tlireiginn airson earras e
Clia'n fliaca mi bean t'eiig'aiag
Air feille na air ballachan.
Dì-dòmlinuich dul do'n t-searmaid
S ainmic te bheir barrachd ort
An gilead us am bòichead
S clia ghòruich bhios air t'aire-sa.
Gur matli a thig an sioda
Air ciochan mine bhoirionnaich
Clia mhiosa tliig an cotan
N òrdug-li gliar an go-foin dha.
Tliig gùintean stuth dlia'n ribliina
Clio math s thig siod dii dliiomadli ^
S cha'n fhaca mi bean t'eugaisg
S an t-saoghal fhiid 3 a dh'imicli mi.
S na faighinn bho'n stòl pliòsd thu
Gu cuirinn seòl air aran dut
Fhead s leanadh mo dha dhòrn rium
Gu'n gleidhinn Ion gun ghainne dhut.
Didùmhnuich dul do'n t-searmoid
Cho stoirmeil ri bean baili U !
Aig am bidh'n crodh air ailean
S na làraichean breith shearrach dhaibb
S a nis mu chuir thu d' chvil rium
Gun dùil agam ri d' bhuineachduinji
Tliig frasan air mo shùilean
Thig tùchan us trom mhulad orm.
Mas fheàrr leat fear le airgiod
Gu'n chain mi m'earbsa buileach dhioi
Ciad soraidh slan a'd' dheigh-sa
Tha'n fheill cho reidh dha'n chuile fear.
S gad tha mi gann dii stòras
Bhoan lion an stop le drama dhuinn
Tha airgiod aig Eiogh Seòras
S e deònach chur mii rathad-sa
Aithrisidh mi'n t'òran
Glè dheònach dha na caileagan
S an te nach gabh me 'm bliadhna.
Gu dearbh cha'n iarr mi'n ath-bhliadhn' 1.
I
121
FEILL LEOE-NA-MANACH.
Bha mi feasgar anaraoch
S a Mhanachainn air feill
Chunna mi'n t-Art meanamach
S e seanaclias ri te
Bha mise air an cùlaobh
To'airt aire mhath dha'n t-aùgradk
Bha fabhur as a bhùth anu
A lùbte fodh speth
S lionar flcasgach bòidheach
Us òigh air an fheill
Gadheadh cha'n 'eil <jn leòir ann
Chum solas dom fhein
Dur raineadh mi'n tai^h òsda
Bha farum mòr air ceijl ann
Gu'n d'aithnich mi Iain Sheorais
A sgròbadh nan tend
Bu chridheach aig an danns ead
Na bh'ann deth gach seòrs
Bu chridheach ead le sùgr&dh
Tionndainn mu'n bhòrd
Bu dealasach us faobhurr'
S fallus air an aoduinn
Gun or a bhi ach faoin daibh
N am chaoincadh nam bròg.
Gu'n tug sid osann ciùrrt orm
Dur dh'ionndrainn mi bhuam
Nach fhaca mi mii ghaol
Am miosg na bh'ann a shluagh
Nach fhaca mi mo ghaol
Am miosg na bh'ann a dhaoine
Beul seanraich an fhuilt chraobhaick
Mar chaoruinn do ghruaidh.
S dur rainig ceann an la ead
S dur thòisich a phiob
Gu daoine chur an òrdugh
Gu seòl chur air sith
Bha Gilbeart an Diùc ann
Na chaiptean air an tiibh-sa
TTa Archie air an tùbh ad
Lan muirn agus beuB.
S dur rainig ceann an la ead
122
S a sp:aoil ead gii leir
Thainig fear le faobliur
S mi 'g aoileas loam fein
Dh'fharraid e nam b'aill learn
Dhul tliairis g-u'n robh 'n tràtli ann
S thubhairt mise ris gu'ra b'aill
Mu bha bàta dhora reidh
"Clia'n 'eil mi math air òran
S cha'n òig-headar mi
Bho nach d'fhuair mi coir
Air an òigear dhoni fhin
S ann bheir mi tliairis m'òran
D'an fhear a ni na brosjan
S ann dh'fhàsr mi san taigh òsd ead
Ag 61 a ann air fion.
S coltacli ri rasg caiman
Palblian do shùil
S i gu corracli colgant
Cho gorm ris an driuchd
Do blieul tha màthair sìobhalt
S do bheachd mar mheachair mhin-gkeal
S do tlieangaidh clia to'air mi-chliu
S i binn gu na chiiiil.
COMHLUADAR SUGRAIDH.
Bhean an teagb na biodb spreig ort
Their am botnl a nuas
Dh' nisge beatha math fearail
Air a tharruing da uair
Deoch slàinte mo chaileag
Si bu mhath leam bhi luaidh
Gu'n òlaiun i thairis
Gu barrach na cuaich.
Bheiti dhonn bhòidheach!
'Fait an ordugh an cir,
Dul ua chlachau Di-dòmhnaicli
Go's bòidhche ua i?
Ì-2A
Nuair shuidhinns' mti' coinneamh
N am chromadh a cinn
Cha bhi cuimlin' air a jDlicarsain
Fodh do rasg-sliuilean iiiiu.
Mis' air mo bhuaireadh
Sgeula chuala mi'n de
Gu'n d'rinu fear eile do bhuaireadh
Airson buaile do spreldh
Gur h-e s fhearr le do chairdean
S nacli e's taire leat flieiu
S gar a b'fhearr e na'u ròcus
Gheobh fear storasach speis.
"Ach a gbaoil na toir cluais
Do dh' aon tuaileasg fodh 'n ghrein
Chaoidh cha tobhair mi fuath dhut
Airson buaile do spreidh
Threiginn m' athair s mo mhàthair
S mo chairdean gu leir
S chuirinn ciil ri fear airgid
S leanainn sealgair an fheidh."
Mas e luigean a's fhearr leibh
A chàramh oirr' bhreid
Dur bhios e-s' air a chluasag
Gun ghluasad gun fheum
Dur bhios e-s' air a chluasag
Oun ghluasad gun fheum
Gu'm bi mise gu h-uallach
S mi ruagadh an theidh.
A bhradag gun nàire
Ars' a mathair s i leum
Chuireadh cùl ri fear fàrdoich
Dhianamh stà dhut us feum
Aig bheil crodh agus caoirich
Air gach taobh dha ua bheinn
S a dh'fhalbhag air fuadan
Le fear ruagag an fheidh
S truagh nach robh mi s mii ghruagach
N aite fuadain leinn feiu
Gun fhios da dii chairdean
Mas tigeadh càs ort na beud
124
Ann an gOTva. gfhleannan fàsaich
Far na ràinig na feidh
S ged a thigeadh am fuachd ort
Chumainn bhuat e le bein.
ORAN AN lASGAIE.
A fisherman's song, the air and sentiment
alike being' characterised by Highland viv-
acity and spirit.
An cliiinn thu mi mo chailin donn
Eisd us thoir an aire dhomh
Tha moran dheth na bhalair sin
Gur òg an leannan dòmhs thu.
S gil' tlm na na faoileagan
S binn' thu na na clkrsaichean
Mar lilidh ann sa ghhradh thu
S gur ailleagan gill' òg thu.
S an uair char sinn a dh'iasgach
Cho fad s an t-eilean Sgitheanach
S truagh nach robh na lin againn
Gu'n sgriobadh sinn na h-òban.
Tighinn a stigh à Scàniport
Gu'n d'fhalbh na siuil a b'airde dhinn
S cha robh air bòrd ach taillearan
Gu'n tairneadh ead na ròpan.
Car son a bhiodh sinn cianail
Us sgadan ann sna lin againn
An sgiob s am bat gu sabhailte
Siud! chailinn, lion an stop dhuina.
Cha phòitear mi s cha dhrungar mi
Ach ga'aidh mi dram an companaa
Cha toil leam fhin na spongairean
Kach toireadh bona à'm pòcaid.
125
CUMHA.
Le RaouU Domhniillacli, Uist a Cbiuiie
Deas eadhon, RaouU mac Dho'uill Ic
Aonghais Bhain, Smeclait, macli o theaghlach
Glileauualadail. Thainigf a sheanair a dh'
Uidhist fodh thearmud an deis dha biast-dubh
(otter) a mliarbhadh bli'aior Mac-Ic-Alastair.
Do cliaraid chaidh a bhiithadh an Grianaig.
Fhuair mi naiglieaclid o dh' fhalbh mi
Nacli bu mhatli leam a dhearbliadli co luath
Air an Ù2"anacli thlaclid mhor
Nach eil diiil leam ri fhaicinn air chuairt
Cha do leag iad thu dhachaigb
Riuu iad tuilleadli s do ueart a tlioirt bhuat
S ann air deireadli na si^glie
A dheirich a mhiothlamli thruasrh.
S olc leam osnaicli do jilihisdean
N am tigliinn dhachaigli bho'n blial s iad
ri bròn
Fear nach fhàgadh an cùil iad
Bhi ua laighe guu diiil ri tighinn òirnn
Gun robli beannachd MhicDe leat
Gach latlia s e feumail gu leòir
Ge da dh' fhalbh tliu na d' phàisd òirnn
S ioma peacadh san latharach thig òirnn.
Tha do pheathraichean truagh dheth
S iad a Emaointinn cruaicm e gu leòir
Bho'n a chaill iad a tacsa
An robh cùram ri 'm faicinn air dòigh
Fear a ghabhadh an leisgeul
S nach robh guè dheth 'n lethtrom fodh d'
chòt
S tu na d' shineadh sna bàighean
Leam is duilich bhi ga d' stiùireadh feadh
òib.
12G
Chain do bhràthair a mhisneach
Ged a tliachair dlia 'n trioblaia an oil
Cuimhnicli, seall air sfach taobh dhiot
Bhith na d' fhaire nacii fhaod e bhith 'd*
cliomliair
Fear a bliualadh leat buille
S e an àite nach iiirainn e dòrn
S fheudar suidhe 'n am caonnaig
Bidh tu tuillidh aig- daoiue fodh spòig.
Gu 'm bell cridhe do lahathar
S gur ann iimaJ a dh' fhixs e na gkual
Dk' fhao- thii faobhar ea tholladli
Air gach. taobli dhetli tlia pronnadh g\\ leòir
S e do thurns do Glirianaig
Rinn saod air a lionadh. s i òg
Gus an càirear san làr i
Clia tog a li-inntinn-sa car rÌ3 a cheòl.
Gu 'm beil t' atliair gu dcurach
Cha 'n eil ioglinadli learn fhein siu an dràsd
Dli' fhalbli gacli ni a bh air aire
Clia 'n eil iomradh air teannadli ri statli
Leig iad h-ugad an graide
Gur ann sgaoil iad fodh d' chasan am bat*
S rinn an Sassunach t' eucoir.
S cha d'amais thu fhein air an t-snàmh.
Tha iad deurach ga d' chumhadh
Ann sna duthchannan annad gu lion
Anns gach aite robh t'eòlas
Bha teisteanas coir air do ghniomh
Bha thu iriosal càirdeal
Eis gach duiue bu taileant thu riamh
Chionn gu'n robh thu cho baigheal
Thainig cuireadh co luath ort bho Chriost.
S luchd thogail na còrach
Cha'n eil h-aou 'u diugh mu'n chrò dhiubh
ri thrath
Na DomhnuUaich uile
Nuair thairrnt' iad bhiodh full aca blàth
127
S trie a leig tliu dhaibh bruadal
Nam suidhe san uaille measg chàich
Gus an dcachaidh an sgaoileadli
Chuirteadli Sassunn an caonnaig mu
d'bhàs.
Nam biodh ceartas an Albainn
Bhiodh mu t'àmliaich cainb air a bhord
Bhiodh an tuagh mu d' sgornan
Chain tbu buileach do tliròcair s do chiall
Ann am miadhon a cbaolais
Leig e'n triùir ud mu bharraibh nau tonn
S mor bha dhiombadh Mhic De ort
Ged a bhuinnig e fhein na cbaidb. sioB.
CEATHRANNA.
[A rinu am baud ceudua s e boclid.]
FojTN — Dh' fhàij thu ml muladach.
ilise tha trom airtneulacb
Sa mhaduinn an am eirigh.
A' smaointeachadh nam fearaibh.
Feadh. a bbaile ri 'n cuid feuma.
A' smaointeachadh nam fearaibh
Feadh a bhaile ri 'n cuid feuma
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
A tarruiun ugam dhrogaicliean
S nach dian dotair feum dhomh
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
Mo leigheas aig mo Shlanuighear
Bheir dùil do gach feumrach
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
12S
Cha d' fhuair sibh am Pears-Eaglais
domh
S mòr m' eagal s mi gun eisdeaclid
Mise seo iia m' shineadh
S nach till iad blio 'u eug mi.
Mi cunntas mo chuid peacannan
A mack air streath a cheile
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
Gu bheil na rinn mi fhin dhiubh
Aig Micheil mhin era 'n leughadh
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
S mise seo gun chairdean
Ach pàisdeachan na 'n leinidh
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
Mi smaointeachadh mo bhrathar
An drasd a bhiodh e feumail
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
Cha bhidh thu, ghràidh, mu'n cuairt
domh
Nam uaigh a chur ri cheile
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'u eug mi.
Gur fada bhuam a ta thu
Ni càcha an toil fhein rium
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
S gu 'm beil mi nis gun stòras
Cha 'n fheòraich iad fhein mi
Mise seo na m' shineadh
S nach till iad bho 'n eug mi.
1-29
Cha tig- iad sfa mo sheallfcuinu
Na bheil aim diiibh s beaj^ an speis dhiom.
Mise seo iia m' shineadli
S iiach till iad blio 'u eug mi.
ALASTAR TORRAIDH— [TORRIE].
fLeis a BHARD cheudiia.]
x'liuair tliii òrdaii au Uidlxist —
Blia Clann Domhiiill auu a fuireacli —
Cuid iiau Niallacli a ritliist
Bhi air a shuidheachadh dha :
is fjriune ni s<rriobhadh
S a labhairt na ilriuiie
O theid mi dii' inuseadh
Gach ni mar a biia.
Tha do nàdur cho nasal, 's leat beanuaclid
nan tuatlia
Cha 'n fhaicear ort tuasaid s bu shiiaracli
ort a*
Chunna mise dol sios thu air each ban nan
ceum fiadliaich
An cunnart a Chriosdiiidli na d' diiiollaid gu
h-hrd.
S e clieuni nach bu curaidhf 'n am falbli leis
air tliuras
Air a slirein cha bhiodh cumail ach na spuir
ga tlioirt dha.
Tha mòran a smaointinn foinear do na daoine
Bho chuir sibh fodh s^aoileadli luchd saoth-
rach bhac' anu.
Cha 'n iarrainnsa tuilleadh nam fàgadh sibh
Iain
Bho dhianainn a ruighinn nur a bhiodh rud
gann.
* à is Uist pronunciation of e — it, he.
t Exhausted ; wearj'.
6a
130
Bha thu coingeis air Gàidhlig', gu 'm fagadh
tu càsan
N am bruidline ri Baillidh 's tu b' fhearr
leam bha beò.
Bu mhath air ar ciilaobh gu reiteach gach
cùis thu
Gur mise tha tiirsach s fear iir aig a bhòrd.
S o 'n thainig am Baillidh nach tuig bhuainn
a Gliaidhlig
Cha 'n 'eil duine san kite, dha 'n fhaigh
càirdeas dad bhuaith
Is e'n t-airgiod an tarruinn, bheir i els bharr
na Gallaibh
Gur mise tha galach o dhealaich sibh bhuainn.
Och us ochan mar tha mi o chaill mi mo
chàirdean
Cha 'n urrainn domh àicheadh mar a tha mi
fodh bhròn.
Mi ri smaointeach nam fearaibh thug 1©
faobhar a mac^ i
Ged thug Mac ic Ailein, òirnn seachad a choir,
Bha sibh ainmeil gu feum ann an Alba s aa
Eiriomi
Gu 'n d' thug sibh Blàr-Lèine, a bha^reubadh
air feòil.
S a rithisd air Mor-thir dh' fhag sibh Siosal-
aich leòinte
Gu 'n do phut Clann an Tòisich gu leòir
dhuibh nar coir.
Bha thu fiughantach daicheil bu choimh-dhea«
air enamh thu
Air a ghunn' bha thu araid, bu tu namhaid
an ròin.
Nuair a theid e ri d' shuil-se aig aoduinn an
t-siùbhladh
Nur a lasas ris t' fhudar cha tionndaidh e beò.
131
Tlia tlui ciunteacli a' d' shealsfair, 's e do
crhunna ui marbliadh
S e b' fhiach a bhi falbh leat seach arm gun
doigh.
Tha e coimli-dheas
Is trie a Jeio; thu iia gadan dheth ua lachan sna
li-òib. '
Do choiii feadh na friotha a falbli agiis sgriob
asda
lad gu 'n gearradh an t-siuteag ag iarraidh
gliaoithe le stròn.
Ead a faighinn an fhàiliùli air na feidh mar
a b' abhuist
Nur a chluinnear do làmha'cli bliiodh pàirt
dhiubh rrun deò.
DO SGOTH.
[Smodail leis a bhaed cheudna.]
Dh' flialbh gach airtneul a bh' òirnne nuair
a dhòl sinn na tri
S e'n deireadh. bliuain a bh' aig Uiiieam chuir
gu m' fhulang mi fhin.
Mi ri tomhas a rathaid mi tighinn dachaigh
le m' uuruim
Ghabh mi null feadh na pairc s mi sior chrag-
nadh a pliuill.
Thog na daoiu air du thòrachd s iàd fo bhròn
ann san am
Ead ag radh nach mairionii h-aon a dh' fhan
s a bha ann.
Ead ri cuuntas gach deifir s gach cuis freas-
dail a bh' ann
Nach dian urnuigh pears-eaglais dad a sheaa-
amh dhaibh thall.
182
Oraii do dh' fhear Cille-Bride, Uilleam Mac
Ille Mliaoil, a mhuinntir an Eilein S^iath-
anaich blia caoimhneil dha 'n t-sluagh an am
teirce nihoir (anno 1847 ?) leis a bhard
cheudna.
Tapadh leat Uilleam ic Eoghain
Tha tliu mòr air fas a' d' nadur
Cridlie na feile gra, dhùsgadh
Bheir mi 'n ionnsuidh seo gun dail ort.
B 'e do mliiann a bhi ri f earann
Cha bhi gainne far am bi thu
Einn thn mulainn agns cruaclian
Chur suas an cille-Bhride.
Tha mi fhin a' sgur mar tha mi
Air mo sharachadh ga innse
Trie mi smaointinn ort Uilleam
Bu tu 'n ctiraidli nnr a n-hluaist thu.
Is math thig claidheamh caol chmn astar
Oir a f?hlaic* s tu dol gu cruadal
Is minic a thachradh ri d' chuid faobhuir
Nam dha d' ghairdean bhi ga bhualadh.
Bha thu Chamaranach gu cinnteach
Bha e sgniobht ort a 's gach lathair
A'd' iiinich as na blaraibh.
Ga b' e dh' iarradh e na dhùisgeadh
Air an tubh ad eile tha thvi
Tha thu dùbaiit as na Leodaich
S thug bith a choir o d' mhathair.
Thainig teircinn ann san t-samhradh
Sinn gun cheannard ann san tir seo
Cha robh feum dhuinn bhi ga ghearain
Feadh an fhearainn na bha dhith oirnn.
Nar a chual e gaoir na pàisdean
Mar a bha ead feadh na tire
Thug 6 'mhin a bùth nan Gallaibh
Ceann na beannachd thug a tinnf sinn.
* Uist way of saying, Air do ghlaic.
t Teinn.
133
Sivid an t-òigear a blia uasal
Tha do o-hruaidliean dcar<if us lionta
Cas a shiubhal an t-sleibhe
S ann ri fenni a bhiodh tu cinnteach.
Tha do chaoirich a's na beannan
Tha orach frleannan apfad lionta
Bha thu trie air feill an Sasunn
Creic s a' ceannach na bha dhith ort.
OEAN SIIEUMAIS MHOIR.
[leis a bhaed cheudna.]
S trie mo smaointean air Seumas
Duine fooliaintcach treubliach a bh'ann
Bha ainmeil sna fearainn
Bidh iad daonnan ga fharraid sa Fhraing-
Cha'n eil long tliig gun philot
S nach dian cuibhleas a th-aoisadh gu crann
Nuair a theid thu ga h-ionnsuidh
Bheir an sgiobair an stiiiir ann ad laimh.
Ge do thigeadh am f liùcadli
Agus seideadh us sileadh gu h-ard
Caitheadh mara gu h-iseil
S i air a ceongal s gach irean an sàs
Mar tha esan co eòlach
la e a leanadh an t-seòlaid a b'fheàrr
Cha teid acair bho guaillionn
Gus an eigheadh c — fhuasglaibh sa bhagh,
Làmh dhianamh nan gasgan
S a chuibhle s [am] fasgan nam ball
Bheir thu gramachadh cruaidh
Air gach riof as naeh fuasgail ann ceann
S leat an urram ga rireabh
Air gach fear an am direadh do'n chrajm
Airson eagal no faoineas.
Cha bu rud learn le d' dhaoino bhi ann.
Nuair theid thu do Lunnainn
Gu cinnteach bidh furan ort ann
Gu'm bi ounar gach luinge
Gabhail sgeula — se'm buinnig bhitheas ann
134
€lia'n eil aon bhitlieas an eiginn
Nach toir Seumas à staiug
Gus am faofadh tu'ii cal' iad
Ou cinnteach le baraiitas teaiin.
Bii ill fiòitear na diblie
San tigli-ÒEda 'n am saidh aig- an dram
S til gu"m b'urrainn ga 'riag-hladh
€ha robb 'n daolaireachd rianih air do
lairali
Gn'n robli diiMirbas do chinneadh
Tif^binn an àird ort — cba b'iogbantach a.
Am beai^an a db'fbà^j^ iad
Tbr.it iad uile san lalbaracb a bb'ann.
Bii tu iasgair an sgadain
■S iomadb b-aon leis 'm bu mbatb leat bbi
ann
Eadar Albainn us Eirinn
S iad ga d' fheitbeamb-s — fear-feuma
mcaso- bball
N am blii tarruing do lionabb
S ioma fear bbiodb ga iarruidb "Siud e"
S mur a bba tbu -jo fialaidb
Db'fbà!>adli beannacbd gacb Criosduidh
iad Lin.
•CUMHA DO DIIOMHNULL FOIRBEIS.
Sagart a cbaocbail ann am Bun Ruaidh.
Sbearmonaicb e tri ficbead bliadbna agus a
■dhii eadar Braigbe Locbaber s gacb ait eile.
[Le Alastaib Mor, Am Bard Abracb.]
Is e'n t-ocbd ceud tliar a mbile
A db'fbàg sinn uile fodb mbi-gbeau
S na b-ocbd doug s na tri iicbead
A tbug bliuainn ar misncacb
S a cbiiir gu bruaidlean gacb sean agus òg.
S a cbuir gu bruaidlean gacb sean agus òg
•Cl'.aill sinn nil 3 ar misneacb
An am dimadb na ciste
'S iomadb sùil a bba silteacb
135
Bha gaoir bliròin measg nan dligheach
Bho 's ann bhuaps' bba'n ioundraichinn
mhòr
Bho 's ann bhuaps' bba'n ionndraichinn
nihòr.
Is iomadli neach a bha trnagh dheth
Dar chaidh a thogail air guaillibh
Au km treacliladh na h-uaighe
Bha sinn uile an ornaidh-chits
Bhi call an saoi bu mhor feum aims gach
seòl
Bhi call an saoi bu nihur feum anns gach
'S ann an Cill'-Chaoirill sa Bhraigh
Th-A. an saoi niòr air a chàradh
Ann an reilig a chivirdean
Na chairtealan geamhraidh
An ciste chumhainn s i druidta fo'n fhòd
An ciste chumhainn s i druidta fo'n fhòd.
Bha sinn uile trom deurach
Thainig sgrios le beum-sleibh oirnn
Cl-aill sinn iteag chùl-sgèithe
Ba shàr-bhuachail threud e
S e nacli cailleadli a spreidh ann sa cheò.
S e nach cailleadh a spreidh ann sa cheò.
Mar fhear-teagasg bha cliù aig
Is òg a dhcarbh e sa chùis ad
Cha b'ann le brais na le mùiseig
A bhiodli csan 'g ar stiùircadh
Ach gu foighidneach caoimhneil gun bhòsd
Ach gu foighidneach caoimhneil gunbhòsd.
Bha sinn uile 'n trom luaidli air
Cha d'thiig aoii neach idir riainh fuath dha
S mor an t-ionndraichinn bhuainn e
Dor a tiiigeadh an cruaidh-chiis
Bho'n b'c ar cairt-iùil s ar fear-sgeòid.
Mo nigkean donn, &c.
136
S mòr' bheairn as au dùthaich
Tear 'fliogluim s a ghiùlain
A bhi bhiiainn gii'm b'e dixibliail
An am socrachadh cùis e
Bho'n b'e fliein ar sgiatli-cliùil anns gacli
seòl
Bbo'n b'e fheiu ar sgiatli-cliùil anus gacli
seòl.
Bha a cliomliairle feumail
S dliearbli e moran domli fhein dbitk
Dor blia mise an eiginn
■Gun mhacnus guu eiblmeas
Gun aon neach fo'u glireiu tighinu na m'
choir
Gun aon neach fo'n ghrein tighinn na m'
choir.
Fhad s a dh'imich e'n saoghal
Bha e taitneach us aoidheil
Bha e seasrach us daonntach
Gun ghaise gun chlaonadh
Ach gu fìùghantach suairce gun bho&d.
Ach gu fiùghantach suairce gun bhòsd.
Aa am tighinn gu aitreabh
Bha e caoimhneil us taitneach
Cha bhiodh bruaidlein na aigne
Acli an uaisle mar chleachd e
•Bho'n b'e dhiithchas bhi caoimhneil us
coir.
Bho'n b'e dhiithchas bhi caoimhneil us
Eha e measail aig uaislean
Bha e iochdar ri truaghain
AI^^ a bhair agus bhuaithe
Gu ceanalta suairce
8 e sin an leasan a fhuair e'n tùs oig'.
S e sin an leasan a fhuair e'n tiis oig'.
137
Bha e caoimhncil lis bàiglicil
Bha e ioclidor us pfrasor
Bha e ciiineadail càirdeil
Eo rioaliail na 'nàdur
Bha cad aiiineanili thug barr air s gach
SCÒ1
Blia oad ainneanili tliug barr air s gach
seùl.
Bha sinn uile trom deiuach
Mar is dual do gach creutair
Cha dian mulad bonii fcum dhuinn
'S ann bu choir a bhi eibhiiin
Chionn s gu'm faic siiiu a cheil ann an
glòir.
Chionn s gu'm faic sinn a cheil ann an
glòir.
Tha'm bas mar chis oirnn uile
Air gach neach tha sa chruinne
Cha seachaiu e duine
Nach flieuui falbli air thurus
Nacli till gu brack gus a seas e sa aihòd
Nach till gu bràch gus a seas e sa mhòd.
Tha bas mar chis air gach creutair
Dor a dh'fhuilig Mac De e
Dor a cliaidh e a cheusadh
A thoirt saorsa gu leir dhuinn
Chionn s gu'm bithimid leis fhein ann an
g-lòir.
Chionn s gu'm bithimid leis fhein ann an
glòir.
Is coir dhuinn cliii thoirt do Chriosda
A dh'fhuasgail ar piantan
Dor a pliaigli e na fiachaii
A chaidh oirniie le'r diorrus
A chuir clann-daoine gu leir an trom-cheò.
A chuir claun-daoiue gu leir an trom-cheò.
13S
Bithidli mi nis a' cur crich air
Elio'n tlia mi la^ aim an iimtinn
Air blieag flioo;hluim gii sgriobliadh
S a chur sios mar bu mliiann learn
Us ofuidheam solas o'u siorruidh dha aros.
Us guidheam solas gu siorruidh dha aros.
Is coir dhuinn uile blii taingeil
Gu'n d'th;iitiig ua àite
Pear fiùghantach gràsmhor
Ro rioghail na 'nadur
S tha riaghladh gach cxiis mar is coir,
S tha riaghladh gach cviis mar is coir.
M A R B H R A N N.
Do Mhr Aonghas Mac-Ghill'-Iosa blia
icmadh bliadhua na Shagai-t 'am IJràigh-
Lochaber.
[Le NiAL Stuibhaed.]
Fhuair !iii naigheachd air Diluain a dh'fhàg^
an sliiagh na'n cas
Ceann na h-Eaglais bhi air deile as a leine
bhain
Ar n-Athair-eisteachd o ua dh'eug e, cha dian
leigh dhiiinn stàth
O chòin a hiaidli! tha ionndraiu bhuainn,
nach tig e'n uair a bliais.
S ann an diugh tha sinn gun leirsinu, tha ar
speuclar bhuainn
Dh'fhag siud mollaich air na speuran s air
na beanntaibh gruaim
'S beag an t-ioghnadh siud a riru 's ann tha'n
dith air sluaigh
O'n la dh'fhalbii a sagart priseil, beul na
firinn bhuainn.
VM
Beannachd lag loat agUR laidir, fliir bii
bjilaithe gniii.s
'S til tliaisheaiiadh do cliailcaclid gu neo-
sgàtliach dluiinu
Air do lionadh leis an Trianaid, 'a e Mac
Dhe do stiùir
O na chaidli thu as ar fiamiis is cianail sinn
ga chionn.
Tha ar cridhcachan air lionadh, tursacli,
cianail, fann
Sinn mar eòin bhig air sliabli 'deis na
sgiatban cliall
O nacli faic sinn gniiis na feile air altair
Dhe gu brhch
Mile beannachd nan diol-deirce 'dhianamh
reidh do chas.
C ait an criiinnich sinn Di-domhnuich mar
bu choir do 'n t-shiagh
Ceann ar comhairl ns ar seòlaidh a chom-
hnuich anu san uaigh :
Ig lionar oifig agus ùrnaigh chuir thu
duinne siias
Nise o na chaidh thn null bhuainn gheobh
thu dubailt diiais.
Tha do chorp an Tom-nan- Aingeal air a
thasgaidh bhuainn
Agus t' anam aig do Shlànuighear ann am
Parais bhuan
Dh' fhag siud sinne dheth fo phramh air
linne ghlidcheas fuar
'S 8 do bhàs rib sinn gu lar, is e a ruisg sinn
truagh.
Is iomadh gal us achdan feumnach tha 'g
eirigli 'n diugh sa ghleann
Tho na boclidan a sior eigheach ri Mac Dhe
mo'n call
Bidh sinn uile troisgeach deirceach, gheibh
sin leigh a nail
A leighiseas ar n-anma fein seach neach d'an
trend a chall.
140
RABHADH MHIC-SHIMI.*
Mhic Shimi! mosgail a d' sliuain
Eiricli suas us cuimhnich d'olc
Ma rinn thu dò-bheairt na's leòir
Tha deireadh do sgeòil 'teannadh ort.
An aois a 'cur smal air do cheill
Is alluidh an diein a cbi mi ort
Pear muinmitir fliir-mliuinntir Dlie
Blii an talamh breun le mi-thoirt.
Na bi cur sàradh air Dia
Is fear gun chiall a blieanadli dho
S nacli fhaodar dol tliar a cheart
Our mairionn a neart gacli lò.
Tha cleireach an t-Sagairt an laimh
Is neo-tliaingeil siud do"n Phap
Am fear thug roimhe thusa a guais
Is dona 'n duals a thug thu dhà.
Is iomadh donas us diombuaidh
A chunnaic do shluagh riamh ri d' linn
B'e siud an donas gun àgh
€huir sonas gu brach a' d' dhith.
Nis, 0 chaidh do chiall air chall
S gu 'n d'thug thu ball o'n fhear nach
coir
Paic an leir an leth le d' rosg
Miad an rosaid tha na lorg.
Ge uaibhreach thu 'n eirigh do neart
Ge buadhail do neart a shealbh
Tha burn tighinn fothad gun fhios.
Is misd' thu gu'n bhristear air t' arm.
la misd' thu MacCailein bhi bhuat
Is misd' thu 'n taobh-tuath gun bhi leat
Is misd' thu gu'n mheall thu do righ
Seal mu'n cuimhnich thu do leas.
* Lord Lovat's warniDg, after Joliii Han Keppoch's
M.S. Probably by Father Farquharsou (of Strathglass),
whose name occurs in the Ossianic controversy, according
to the tradition of the Sliochd-An-Taighe family.
141
Ge mùirneach maiseach thu fhèin
Ge sùrdach abartach treun
Gj teomach sionnach nan cleaa
Tha tuilleadh s a leas na dheiefh.
Tha natbraiclie neimlie san fhraoch
Nach cnir thu le draoidheachd gu cloa
Tha tuirc neimhe ri d' thaobh
Feitheamh ri jjaoth fhaotuinn ort.
Tha faidheachd a' tighinn gu teachd
Gu'n dianar creach ort na tòir
Gu'm faicear do bhuidheann guncheann
Gu"m bidh do chlann nuadh gun treòir.
Beaa^ ìoghnadh learn cridhe goirt
Bhi gun fhios aip- fear do bheua
Liuthad mollachd duine bochd
Chuir thu fo d' chois gu d' eug.
Is mairg a dheasaicheadh dhut caisg
Na chuireadh ola-bhais ri d' chre
Na dheisdeadh d' fhaosaid gun stàth.
i^ur dian thu faoilt ri grasan De.
Mhic Shimi ! mosgail a d' shuain
Ge fad' an duain ruigear a ceann
Tha ni' fhàisneachdsa tighinn gu dlùth
Cha chuir thu air cliùl i le cainnt.
Chit«ar do choluinn gun cheann*.
With the above compare the following
metrical account of the life of our Lord,
which must have been long, as two verses are
taken to narrate our Lord's miracles from
Marion Smith, daughter of Patrick Smith,
the famed "sgialaiche;" also from Donald
Campbell, father of Bard John: —
Labhair Acham fàichdeil rium
Gad a bha mi ànachdach
Air ball bidh slàint air aisig dhut
(Mu chlàisneachd us mo threòir).
* The piece is here (when Lovat comes to be repre-
sented as beheaded) either defective, or it was intention-
alii' left in that condition. >Vhat followed was impossible
14-2
Thusa ghairin gu li-imeacbdacli
Air crann Esekiel
Chuir cuamh ri cnàimh ri cheile
Eadar fheitheau agus flieòil.
!Niuair cliualas ann 'n lerusalem
Gu'n d'rueadh Eieh nan ludhach
Cliaidli chatliair mhor gfu ùbraid
S bha righ a cbriiin fodh bbròn.
Air banais Ghana Ghalilee
Einn tliu 'n gniomli ro annasach.
De bhùrn gblan na b-abbuinne
Einn tbu'ni fiou bu datb-te cròic.
Cba tainie: cruaidb ua spairn ort
An uair a dbuis-' tbxi Lasarus
Ged tbuirt a pbiiitbar Màrta riut
Tba 'bbrein' air fas na fbeòil.
LAOIDH NA BAN-FHIGHICH.
The weaveress's bymn was siinsr by Mrs
Si itb. South Boisdale. A woman who had
been working at sea-weed came into the
house cold and wet. She congratulated the
weaveress on her nice and comfortable oc-
cupation. "I've goit my own troubles al-
ways working with other people's goods, and
the responsibility is great," said she, and
she sang: —
Gur bochd an saibhir sanntach
Nach leir leis fhein a ranntan
Nuair theid an ceangal teann air
An am a chur san lie.
Nuair theid a chur sa chàrnaich
Gur beag an lùths na àbhachd
Cho mor s gu'n dion e dh' fhàgail
De dh* earneis no de chuid.
^■i•^
Nuair thèid a sliìiil a dhùnadh
Sa chiste chaol nach diùlt ris
Nach b' fheàrr nach beirt bho thus e
Nuair theid a chunntais ris.
Cunntais mhor a phiaiiaidh
'S e siud a dh' fhagas shios sin
Na iithichean r-u siorruidh
B'e sin an niamhair dhubh.
B'e sin an nianihar whrannda
Gun eireachdas p;iin inlleachd
S a Dhia s a Riofh nan o^ràsan
Dian iochd us fabhar ris.
Tha ifrionn searbh le fuarachd
Tha i na h-aite duathail
S an Ti a rinn ar fuasg:ladh
G'ar cumail bhuaithe sin.
Cairdeas agus coibhneas
Do'n anam nach do thoill e
S a Dhia s a Rig^h na soillse
Gu'n fhoighnichdinn e riut.
S bha luchd nan saiafhdean cealg'acli
Ga d' iarraidh le'n cuid armaibh.
S do mhathair fhein a' falbh leat
Ag iarraidh tearmad dhut.
Gu'n ghabh ead ciadan a!r9:id
Airson thu fhein a niharbhadh
Tha'n t-aithreachas cho dcarbhta
S tha'n t-anfhainu aun sa mhur.
Gu'n d' rùiscr oir a shleisdean*
Do chom ga 'thoirt o cheile
Le giùlan a chroinn cheusaidh
8 do g-huala fhein ga chur.
Bha t' fhuil a' falbh na h-allta
Us tairrnean anns trach laimh dhiot
Nach truagh an tuigse bh'ann-san
San am bhi ga'n cur.
* — air do shèisdean.
144
Nach do sheòl e t'aodunn
S tu athair slua^h an t-sao»hail
Na dh'fhalbh s na thi^ de dhaoin©
Bha'm fiamh an aoguis riut.
An t-ian a bha sa g^hainntir
Dh' eiricli e gun taing dhaibh
Gu'n ghairm e air an t-slabhruidh
Le saiglidean Righ nam feart.
TUIREAM.
Nighean Don à Còrnaìg.
(Tha do char air an fhonn).
Fonn — Mo nighean donn a Còrnaig
Gu'n robh thu buidhe bòidheach.
Mo nighean donn a Còruaig.
S olc sgeula chuala mi
An luan an deigh an uòmhnaich.
Mo nighean donn, &c.
Nar chaidh each dha'n t-searmun
Chaidh na sealgairean dha'n mhòintich.
Mo nighean donn, &c.
Nan robh claidheamh rùisgt agam
Gum fiachainn liiths nan dòrn daibh.
Mo nighean donn, &c.
S mo nighean bhuidhe bhadaneich
Na cadal air a mhointich.
Mo nighean donn, &c.
Gu'n robh do chuaillean slaodadh riut
Do leine chaol na stròicean.
Mo nighean donn, <fec.
Gur truagh nach mi bha'n taca riut
San lag an robh an dòbheairt.
Mo nighean donn, &c.
14.)
S olc an obair flieasc^air Icam
IJhitli doasachadh do thòraidli.
Mo nigliean donn, &c.
S olc an obair mliaiduc loam
Bhitli "cur nam fear an ordugli.
Mo niglican donn, &c.
S an deoch a bha <tu d' bhaiuuis 'sanu
Gu t' fhalairidh. a dh' òladh,
Mo nighean douu, ifcc.
Clia tno'ainu dha na srbobha thii
Ge b' mliiaghalach le òrd e.
Mo niglieau donn, etc.
Cha tugainn fein dha'n fhidhleir thu
Ge binue e le 'mheòirean,
Mo nigliean donn, &c.
Cha tugainn a gliin idir thu
S mi fliin a a'haoil an tòir ort.
Mo nighean douu, &c.
Shiiibhlainn fada fada leat
Do'n eileau robh mi eòlach.
Mo niglieau douu, &c.
Eachainu do Cliinntire leat
IS a thir a bharraich bhòidhich.
Mo nighean douu, &c.
Shiùbhlainn fada fada leat
Gu eileau Locha Lochaidh,
Mo nigliean donn, &c,
Shiiibhlainn gu ruig Uidhist leat
Am buidhichcadh au t-eorna.
Mo nighean douu, &c.
Is olc au sgeula chtiala mi
An Luan an deigh an Dòmhnuich,
Mo nighean donn, &c.
Father Allan Maclean, a nephew of Mr
Maclean of Glen Uig, Moidart, was a most
capable Gaelic poet; he excelled as a hunts-
man, and was a fine hand at fishing. This
priest was educated in Spain, and learned to
speak Spanish like a native. He went to Cape
Breton, where he died as priest in 1872. He
was a univeraal favourite, could play the pipes,
and was fond of dancing. He composed a
number of hunting songs, and songs of every
species. Some of these may still be held in
memoi-y in Cape Breton. Everybody who
knew him praised his talents and his warm
generous character; he was unanimously es-
teemed and allowed the benefit of his quali-
ties. His song in praise of Miss Mary Mac-
rae of Ardintoul proves him to have been a
poet of fine genius.
OEAN MOLAIDH.
LEIS AN TJEEAIIACH AILEIN MACILLEATHAIN.
FONN
Ho an clo dubh
He an clo dubh
Ho an clo dubu
S fhearr am breacan.
Uidhist ghlas uan cradh-gheach*
Tha'n traigh sin fada bho Ailean
Gad is iomadh lamhach
A dli'fhag o an cois na mara
Is aithne dhomh gach aite
Bhios grannda ri ci>r an t-sneachda
Is trie a gliabh mi tàmh ann
Fodh sgailean du dh'fhilleadh breacain.
* Shell-drakes : cradh-gheadh— stoand-goose or strand-
drake ; ian breac geal s th'n coileach dheth'n t-seorea
breac mu'ii inhaich.
147
Ghcobli mi gunna sonruichte
Air dòigk iiur theid mi a Ghlaschu
Is fearr na Nic an Toisich
Gad 's mor a bòsd aig Domliull Sagart.
Nur ohuirinn ri m' sliiiil o
Gu fùdar a cliur na dlieannaibh
Bhiodh Eon Glas a stairirich
Stoirm air s e dol gu astar.
Mharbh mi'n coileach riabhach
An t-ian is bria"-ha ann saii ealtuinn
S Main ghxinn ga ppionadli
Gu biadh 'dhianamh dha na sagairt.
Mur a biodii am f ùdair
Air chill nam peilearan glasa
Cha robh h-aon a's* duthaich
Chuii-eadh smuid ri coileach. lacliunn.
O E A N.
LEIS AN L'EEAMACH AILEIN MACILLEATHAIN,
Do Mhiss Caimbeul, piutliar do Mhr Caim-
beul, Sagart stuama suairce a dheug ann an
Dalibrog, Uidhist a Chinne-Doas, November,
1893.
FONN
Nighean donu a cliotan duibli
Nam faotuinn shuidhinn cuide riut
Nighean donn a chotan duibh
Nam faotuinn shuidliinn lamh riut.
Nam bu bhàrd a thaireadh iùl mi
Sheinninn dan s gu'm b'ard mo cliliii ort
Na nighean Barain na Diùca
Tha suidh an cùirt na Banrighinn.
* — ann sa duthaich.
148
Chuireamaid seachad sracli grnamaii
S dh' innseamaid le s&orsa duanag
Eibliinn bg bha'm Bòrnisli fhuaracli
S mor luaidh s gfach aite.
Cha'n eil fear ai^ a blieil oioflireachd
Eadar Manaiim s Baile-Staoile
Nach bi farraid dhiom le caoimhneas
Maiglidinn na siil blatlia.
Do cliuailean craobliacli daonnan maiseach
N'an ciabh òr-bliiiidh an ordiigli beaclidt
Mala chaol fo'n caog au rasga
S gruaidh mar dliearcagf fàsacli.
Ta do gliruaidhean mar ua ròsan
Huiteach dearg air dealbli an neoinein
Ta do dlieud gu reidh-gheal comhnard
S boidheach leam an càradli.
Cioclian ban-glieal Ian dii bhnadlian
Sioda blàth cur sgail mu'n cuairt daibh
Slios mar eala blian nan stuadha
Air bliarr nan ciiantan carr-gheal.
Calpa lionta min-gheal sunnta
Le ceol fidhle piob no siùnnsar
Troidh is finealta ni tionndadh
Grrad air urlar claraidli.
Flinair thu bnaidh bu dual blio Dliiarmud
Leanaidh pairt mi brach ri d' iargin*
Cridhe blath fodh àilleacM ciiiocli
A rinn gach ciail a thaladh.
* — posterity, fr prep iar and gin to beget.
140
ORAN MOLAIDH A RINNEADH MAR
DHUAIS,
LEIS AN UEKAIIACH AILEIN MACILLEATHAIK,
Do mhaighdinn òg, Mairi Macrath, Ardin-
toul, mil clioinneamli Lochaiblis, a thug dha
lein'-aifrinu.
Tha seudau hiaclimhor an grunnd nau
ciiautan
Nach deacli a bhuaiinachd le luasgadh thonn
S tha geug nam buadhan le fear nach cnalas
An diugh na m' thnarmsa mas buaidh dlia m'
fhonn.
A Mhairi aoidheil nach tig thii'n taobh-sa
Le d' chuaileau craobhach ua 'm maoth thlà
donn
A leug nan caoin-bhasan, do gliruaidh mar
chaorunn
S do shlios mar fhaoilinn air aoduinn thonn.
S tu shiol nau àrmnnn thog biiaidh sna
blaraibh
O Chrò Chinntàil, inid thàmh nan sonu
Bu chlis sa bhàta s a bhristeadh charr-gheal.
Is trie a shàraich iad Ian damh donn.
Tu shiol nan sealgaire a b'fhearr bha'n
Albainn
A chleachd mar armachd an earr-chul donn
S a bhristeadh targaid air slinnean mean-
amach,
Fir-iasgaicli shaile, fir-fhalbh nan tonn.
Gad sheinn gach Salmadair breac le tailmrich
Air chorra-mhenrau s an earr-ghlas lorn
'S tu choisinn cliii le d' chiiid luinneag
siiibhlach
S a chuir glas-chiiiil air an siùnnsar crom.
Is fallain nadur na stuic o'n d'fhas thu
Ta buaidh na slainte fodh bhlath ad chom
Mar lili bhàn air an lochan chàrra
Us fiamh a ghair oirr' air barr nan tonn.
1.50
Do clieuni is fliinealta theid san ridhle
Le ceol iia fidhle is misle pong
Gacli aon a chi thii am barail cliinnteach
Our imeaclid sitlie cluitli ghrinu do blionn.
Cha luaidh mi ainme do phearsa dhealbliaich
Mu'n diiisg mi farmad us fearg ro throm
Ged chuir do cheutadh Diana euchdach
Ag altrum end riiit fodh sireitli nan tonn.
Do bhuadlian nadur' clia'n fhaodar aireamh
Le caogad bardaibh an dàu le fonn
Cha tiiig tliu t'àilleaclid gu ruig tku'n sgà-
than
S mo shoraidli slau le d' cliul fainneach domi.
OEAN NA GRIUTHRAICH.
liEIS AN URBAMACH AILEAN MACILLEATHAIN.
Fonn — Ocli ns och us mo dhoriiinn
Tuigidli moran mo ghalar
Trom us tùrsacli na d' dheigli mi
Ghniiis na feile s na glaine.
Nur a bha mi ann san loclidar
Dh'fliàs mi boclid le coltas fiabhruis
Dh'fhairich mi saighead a'm chliathaicli
Mar gu'm bi iarunu ga' 3hàtliadh.
Oir mo laimbse Mhic do sheanair
Gad a fliuair thu mi sa leabaidh
Glieobh sin sgadan a Loch Carron
Dh'fhàgas siun gu fallain làidir.
Nur a bheir mi dliiom an fhiasag
Bunnan mora fada riabhacli
-Cho fad ri inean cait fhiadliaich
JBheireadli ead am biadh d bairnicli.
l.-.l
Nam biodh ag-am n^unua diibailt
Paidhir fblask s adharc fliiidair
Dhianainn ialadh air mo glilùinean
S chiiirinn smiiid mii chul a cbràdh-
gbeadb.
Leagamn urcbair ri bhi smearail
Dheanadb tarneineacb us torrunn
Dbuisgfeadb ci^agan agus clacbau
Us critb air fearann Cblann-Ea'ill.
Db'eiricb mi gu mocb Diciadaoin
Cba mi macb a dbianamb ialadb
Tluiit mi air mo tbaobb sa lionaidb
Air mo bbialii s air mo cbraigean.*
Oad tba mise seo na m' gblagair
Is e mo cbasan cbuid a's airde.
O E A N.
Le Aongbus Doiuillacb, Sagairt am Barr-
aidb, imair a bba liounadb (i.e., leannacbadb)
air s a cbaidb a leigbecis leis au Dotar
Leòdacb.
Dà mbios dhiag agus ratbaicb
Bho'u tbhrmuicb an cnap
A fbuair mise fo m' mbeòirean
Ann an cos air an asnaidb
Ged a bba e gun cbradb
Gu'n robb e fa.s mar an raiiiicb
S cba'n eil fbios ciod de'n t-aobbar
C'buir mo tbaobbs air an alt sin.
* Crògan.
[Father An^s llacdonald died in Rome in 1833 as Rector
of the Scotch CoUe^'e. He was of the Mac-ic-Ailein (Clan-
ranald) family, and was born in Eigff. "I.aoidh A
Phurgadair" is said to be by him. I need not give it here
as it has been printed in Father Allan Macdoiiald'a
Ccmihchruiniieachadk lU Lanidhe.an Spioradail (Oban :
Hugh Macdonald, " Oban Times" Buildinjjs, Esplanade,
1893), pages 27-31].
15-2
Ged a blia mi san tigh-òsda
Cba d'fhuair mi dorua na bat' ann
S clia robli mi air an dòirick
Cliuireadli taoim anu am pliearsainn
Cha do thuit mi air garbhlach
Ann an anmoch na moclitlirath
Cha mliua thacliair mi'n tuasaid
Dliianamli tuaireap na lochd dbomb.
Nuair a dk'fbairicb mo nadur
Gur fliodh a db'fbàsadh an cais e
Ge do bba e gun chradbadb
S e'n ti gii'n sàruiclite m' aisuean :
Gu'n robb cunnart no dbà
A bbi ga àrach na b'fbaide
Ge do dhiante mo riasladh
la e sgriob an iarruinn as fhasa.
S gur e'n cnap tba mi 'g raitinn
Thog a lance, ghabb beacbd air;
Thug e sgriob air gach taobh dbeth
S a mheoirean sfraoilte ga 'fbaicinn
Chuir e null e mu'n fraighe
Thug sùid an airde le gradadh
Leig e'n combair a chùil e
S thug faobhur ùr e bbo'n asnaidh.
Gun d' fbosgail feadannan siiibblach
Nuair a dbliithaicli an sgian ris
Chraosgaoil sionnsar fo'n asnaicb
S a cheami air atad ann sa chliatliaicb
Dh'fhalbh sput as bba sàmhach
Chaidh an airde le fiaradh
Us thainig buaidh a bha cradh-dhearg
E ruith gur lar s gun e fiaradh.
Gun d'fhuair an lighich air sealladh
Mus d'rainig boinne dbeth 'n t-ùrlar
Bha dual aige na 'laimb
Ann san àite cbaidb spiit as
Thug fear-freasdail da snaithle
A chaidh chàradh gu dluth ris
Sgaoil am bogha ann am briosgadh.
Us chaidh bhristeadh an iipraid.
Chaidli an lot ud a dhiinadli
S an craicioun dliith a cliur fairis
Chaidli na plaint ir- an or dan
Lcis an ordae^ bha daingcan
Fo'n clirios a bha null air
Gabliail Kibadh iis tarrninn
S o falbh seachad gu boidheach
Anns gach dòigli am biodh baiinadh.
Gu'n robli nicall air an deili
Us bu deistinn an sealladli
Gu'n robh nieoirean air fhiaradh
Chnaipean fiaraidh air bhealaich
Gur ioma h-aon ann de'n t-scorsa
Le cion foghluini ns aitlme
An aite cobhar g'an slainte
Bidh gu cràiteach ga ghearain
Thainig 'sin lighich a tuath dhuinn
Bha sgileil snairce gu beachdail
Bha measail aig uaislean
Thaobh a ghhiasad s a bheachda
Gur ioma h-aon tha san tir seo
Bha diugh 'crionadh fo leacan
Tha gu eireachdail laidir
Gniomh do làimh agus t'fhacal.
S gu'm dhiubh sin a bha'n Leòdach
Gu'n d'fhuair e fòghlum us aithne
Gu'n robh laimh air a dhearbhadh
Us ainm anns s^ach fearann
Gu'n d'rinn e'u t-saothair ud cinnteach
Gur fad a bhios mi na' anfhiach
Mur dian mi ga d' phaigheadh
Guidheam grasan dha t'auam.
7a
ORAN DO MHAC NEILL BHARRAIDH
RI LINN COGADH NAPOLEAIN.
LE MR AONGHUS CEUDNA.
S thàin naig-lieaclicl gu'v n-ionnsuidh
Dh'fhag sinn uile fodh ckuram san am
Mu thigearna na dùthcha
Bhi 'n Catli Waterloo s bu mhor call
Far robh suiim ua Roinn-Eòrpa
N deigh tarruinn an òrdan gu stri
Is lionar curaidh a leònadh
Agus mili gun deò a dli"fhan sliios.
Cliaidli tu a riogliaclid na Spainte
Far robh neart aig an nanilinid gii leùir
A h-uile latha bha blàr ann
Fhuair tiUi'n urram gcd blia thn ro òg
Dhearbli thn spionnadh a Ghàidlieil
Claidheamk mor de chruaidli stàilinn na d'
dhòrn
S thug thu mach a bbuaidh-làrach
Is lionar corp bba san àrfhaich oun deò
Nam beanadh dhut luaidhe
S tu thuiteam an cruadal a bhlair
Is lionar neach bhiodh ga d'ionndrainn
S a shileadh an suilean gu làr
Is ioiiiadh baintighearna riomhach
Bhiodh duilich gu dilinn a' d' dheigh
Leis am b' fheairrd' thu ri d' phùsadh
No ged bheirte an Roinn Eòrpa dhaibh fhein.
Thainig litir a Sasunn
Gcu'n robh Poni air ais ann san Fhraing
Gu'n robh Ludhais na 'eiginn
Gu'n robh 'chuideachadh feumail san am
Chaidh do chur arm san trùpa
Gu bhi mar ris an Diiica bha thall
S fhuaii- an Corsican glaodhadh
S theich a ghraisg mar a dh't'haod iadbho"u
chall.
loo
Bii t.u mhaig-lidinn ri t' fhaiciim
Is tu laocli sa chatli nach robh crion
Bu til mliisiieacli an cniadal
Nach critheadh "n am gluasad san t-stritli
Mar bha 'chrea^' bha san fhairge
Seasamh daingean romli gharor bkristeadh
thonn
Seasnidh tnsa romh d' namhuid
Doirtidh fuil air do dhearnaibh s do lann.
Miir a reacliadh tu na d' eideadh
S a cliiteadli na dheioli thu am blàr
Cba bhiodh sfiil ach a dh'aon taobh
Gabbail beachd ort le iognadh gun tàmli
Bhiodb na h-uinneagan lionta
S iad a sealltuinn sios ort air straid
Bheil do leithid fodh Sbeòras
Ann am pearsaidb am boicKead na'm blaih?
CUMHA DO CHOIENEIL MACNEILL
LE Mli AONGHUS CIANDA.
An raoir a cbuala mi'n naigbeachd
A dh'fhag gun aighear gun sunnd mi
Gu'n robli Ruaraidk na laigba
S e gun umliail dha 'dliùtbaich
A's a cbrann air a chhradh
An deigb na tairnenn ga dhlùthadh
Is e thu dh' fhalbh a SJiasunn
A dh'fhag fodh airtcal do nihùmntir.
Mile marbhaisg' an t-saoghal
Is e tha caocidaideach carrach
Gur a lionaire chùrsa
Na'm maduinn-driuchd air an talamh
An neach bha'n de ann an solas
An diugh gu brònach ga ghearain
Gun leag a chuibhle gu lar e
An de bbin aird ann an scalladh.
156
Gur e mo tlmxaiglise am bannal
An diugh gad sgaradh bho d' dhuthaich
Sior cliur sios air do bheusan
Glmùis na feile ga d' ioundrainn
lis clia b'ioghnadli dliaibh-p fhein sin
Bu tn 'n tr<>is air an ciilaobh
S tu jjnch fhaic'dh ead an eiginn
Fann no feumnach le diùbhail.
Nuair a tliigeadli an ganntar
Na daoine fann le cion speird
S nach b'ionnan s an sanntacli
Nacli dian sealltuinu do'n trend sin
Is ann a tlieirte ri d' bliaillidb :
Na biodh fàilinn no eis orr'
Na biodh caomhaineadh a'm' jjlioca
S air a leòir dha'n dian feum dheth.
Is liònar banntrach tlia d'fhearann
Tlia'n diugh ag gearain gu deurach
Nach fhaic lad thu'm Barraidh
A High! bu nihathasach d'fheum daibh
Nam biodh dilleachdan falamh
Is tu gu'n sealladh gu leir orr'
S bu bheag an ciiram dha'n gheamhradh
S Mac-Neill na cheann air an treud sin.
Is lionar neach th'ann na d' dhùthaich
Tha'n diugh fodh chùram ga chall sin
Is ann dhivibh Domhniill ri ghradhtinn
Tha 'Vatersai thali dhuinn
Chain e unnad a bhrathair
Chain e chairdeas us aunsachd
Bu tu uair agus fhortan
Bu tu olc agus annradh.
Is beag an t-ioghnadh do phiuthar
Bhi gu dubhach trom deurach
Mar ris' teaghlach. ac uile
Bhi'n cumhadh mu d' dheighinn
Gu'ni onair le Diiic i
Cho dlùtli dhut ri h-iarraidh
Le d'fhoghlum s le d' ghliocas
S leis an tuigse thug Dia dhut.
157
An am bhi cunntais a mhail tlhut
B'e blii baigheil du chleachdadh.
'S til nacb niaoidbcadh a bharlinn
Air fear-anraidh na dreapadh
Ged nacb diauta dbut pcaghadh
B'ann leis càirdeas us fasgadh
Mar ri còmbuuidb dba phaisdean
-Gun bbi 'rainicb le acras.
.Fhuair thu dearbbadh s gach àite
As na tbarruinn ead iiil orb
Eadar Albainn us Sasiuin
S na b'fbaide ua cbunntais
Ann an riagbladb an airgid
Bha tbu ainmeil sa cbiiis ad
Mar an seobhag san ealtuiun
Bba tbu dearct' anns gach diithaich,
Fbuair tbu dearbbadb s gacb aite
Tbu bbi cairdeil us deirceil
Tbu bbi iriosal bàigbeal
S gu b-hraid ri feumnacb
Nam biodb diblidb fodb annradb
TJs t' fbàrdracb ri cbeile
Tha mo dbùil as an Ard-rigb
Gu'n du pbaigb e ga reir tbu.
A del an coinneamb do namhuid
Cha bu sgàtbacb oir 'eacb tbu
S tu toirt seacbad an ordain
Mar bu cbòir do cbeann-feacbda
Nur a cbitbeadh tbii'n t'am ann
B'e bhi ann do chleachdadh
S b'e mo thiuaigh do'n phairt sin
Sbeasadb dana romb d'pbearsain.
Is mor mo chruadal mu'n mhaidsear
Thu'n drasd air a leònadb
Leis an t-saigbead a cbràidb tbu
Bho'n a dh'fbàg e fodh'n fbòd thu
Cba b'iogbnadh dha fliein sin
Is tu nacb treigeadb ri bheo e
Bba sibb càirdeacb dba cbeile
Mar ri speis agus eolas.
158
Mar a blia ort-s wach ceiitadh
Bha tliu treunmhor us neartor
Blia tliu deas dealbhach
S tu R'un chearba ri t'fliaicinn
Bha thii blasd ann ad sheancluis
Bha thii ainnieil an eachdraidh
Bha do lilihirt f?a reir sin
S lu iico-bhonnail a' d' fliacal.
A "Ruaraidh òg dliut mo dhurachd-s
Glac an stiiiir us dian feum dhut
Mar cheann-cinnidh dian cliù dhi
Mar a bu dùthchas do'n treibh sin;
Seacliam obairt na h-oige
Na bi strògfhail am mi-sta
Fhuair thii'u t'arnn ^-nn bliearna
Cum e sflan s na dian diochuimhn.
ORAN DO MHAC NEILL.
LE MR AOXGHUS CIANDA.
Tha mi fodh mhi-trhean
Aof iarraidh fearaiun domh fhin air an
tuath
Is ann a dhòrdiiicheadh ^ììh dhomh
Gus mo chreideas s mi fhin chumail suas
S mur a b'urrainn mi phaipfheadh
Bidh mi ao- gfuidhe air mo Shlanuighear gu
cruaidh
Do mhac a bhi 'd" àite
Ann am Barrai an aiofh mar bu dual.
Is ann a fhuair thu bho d' nadur
Cridhe foinneadail blàthsor ro mhor;
Gabh bho t'athair an samhladh
Thuo' e seachad s gach am air a choir
* Mh pronounced like w in Englisli " cow ;" oir 'each —
air t'each ; ioghnadh pronounced iounadh ; libhirt —
heritage ; neo-bhonnail— neo-bhorrail, i.e., not swaggering.
159
Bi iia d tliacsa gr'an bhaiitraicli
Diana' 'n dilleaclulan fann a chur siias
Taisbcin iochd-sau do'n diblidli,
Gheobli thu 'mios riim do sbinnsearaclid
buau.
Is fada muinntir fo cbùram
Tha liunn-diibh orra drùgbadb ^ach là
Ach bheir misiieachd us dùthchas
Dhut bhi daonnan air thus auu sa bhlar :
Ma tha'u t-sith sin cho truat^h dheth
S guu tobhair ead bhuaiun thu gun dàil
Bidh sinn uile fodh mhi-ghean
Ma tba'n naigbeachd ad cinnteach a thàin'.
Thainig naigbeachd bbo Shasunn
Thug dbuinn furtacbd bho'n t-sacsa an de
Gu bheil sgeul air tighinn dachaigb
Gu'm bcil Euari gun dad air gun bheud
Las ar cridhean le solas
Fhuair fallain o'u doruinu a bha'nn
Thu thighinn thugainue sabhailt
Gu d' chuideacbd s gu d' cbàirdean a nail.
Tha leam dul air a chunntais
Is ceann fin' thu le cliii thar Cloiun Nill
Is lad n'an treubh ann san duthaicb
S nach eil fios co'n taobh as an tir
Treubh tha fialaidh mu'n chùiuueadh
Treubh bha macauta mùirnte s gac-h ni
Treubh iriseal cliiiiteach
A sheasadh gun tionndadh an Eigh.
TUEUS NEILL A MHIONNLAIDH.
Air tighinn bharr Galldachd
Do Niall san am sin
Bhios daoine trang s iad
Buan an eorna.
S a bhean s a chlann aig
Air thuar bhi caillte
Gun bhiadh gun annlann
Gun deoch gun mhòine:
160
Ocli, ocli, mar tha mi
Us mi na m" aoiiar
Dol romli na caoil far
A' robh mi eolach.
Ged 's moch a dli'fhalbh mi
Gun bliiadh gun iirnuigli
'Se thug- mo thùr aaam
Sugh an eòrna.
A null mu Shanndraigh
S a' ghaoth clio gann domb
Ghrad leum an crann mach
A' troinn na geolaidh.
S mar bi Sgeir Linia
Bha mise millte
S ged fhuair mi innte
Bha m' inntinn bròna^h.
An uair a dhir mi
Os cionn na stuadhach
'S ann theap mo cbluasan
Bhi air am bodhradh.
S na sgairbh ag eigheach
Gur ann a dh'eug mi
S nach fhad gu'm feumainit
Bhi air mo ròsladh.
Nam faighinn innse
Dha'n t-sagart "-baolach
Gur e an daorach
Thug orm seoladh.
Bhiodh m'inntinn aotrun
S bhiodh m' anam saor us
Chaoidh cha taoghaiuu
Na taigheau òsda.
Bha Eoghain Stiubhard
Fodh mhoran ciirara
S e ann an dùil gur
E bh' annam bòcan.
16)
Blia inise tùraacli
Mi air mo orhluinean
A' gabhail m' urnuigli
('S anil donih bii chòitv sin.)
Blia Iain Knadli
Fodli iirrad gruaimeiii
Gu'n sheas a gliniaij air
A clicann mar cliònusg.
Us Mac-an-t-Shaoir s e
Gun stad ag glaodliaicli
'Ne duine saoglialta
No an e an ròn thu ?
Tlia Dòmliull Eoghainn
Na dhuiiie tùrail
R e fhcin a stiiiireadh
Ged tha o leointe.
Us bithidli e 'diirdal
S a' loin* ga cliiùrradh
Ach dearbh co dkin(bli)
'S math "rinn en t-òran.
LATHA XAN TEI-RIGHREAN.
Fhuaras an diian seo am measg paipearean
Mhr Alastair Gillie^J, Sagart a bh'ann an
Eilean Eig^e.
Air dhuinn bhi la 'sa bheinn-sheilg
An oidhche a' teachd 'oirnn le smal
Chunnacas reul a b'aillidh snuadh
A' teachd a nuas o'n airde 'n ear
Thog Coibhi nan ciabh liath a cheann
A' lùbadh a ghliiin sios gu grad —
"Ei;*dibh ri sgial tha ro bhinn
S ar Slanuighear nise ar teachd."
162
Labhair au t-seann draoidli g\i h-ard —
"O moladli do dh'ard rigb ua flath
A tha 'taisbean dhuinn mo Dhia na' gras
Mar thubbairt na fàidbean bbo sbean;
Iniich a Righ na' geiir lann
Tho(bb)airt aoraidh do righ na' flatli
Imich s tkoir leat-sa righ Eirinn
S rigk Shasimn nack geill sa ckatk."
"' 'S ro-aoibhneack leam-sa do chainnt"
Tkubkairt Treunmor a b'àillidk snuadk
Mar fkuaim srutk uaibkreack nam beann
Okluais e romk'n gkleann fodk ckruaidk
Skiubkail na rigkrean gun dàil
Tkar sàile le'n lougaibk luatk
8 an rionnag daonnan 'g an stiuireadk
Bko ckùrsa na k-airde tuatka:
Mar tkorc ciar air ckruaick nam beann
Ckuala Herod mu tkeackd nan rigkrean,
<h\ griiamack, dorclaa gun fkialackd
Bka'n t-Iudkack ag iarraidk tiiasaid.
Mar gkluaiseas srutk uaibkreack nam
beann
Gkluais Treunmor air tkiis nam fear
Mar dkarack ard uan gleann
Skeas' Rigk na k-Alba ri 'sklcagk;
Mar bkeum-sleagk 'teackd bko'n gkleann
A spionadk leis gack craobk us creag
Mar sin a bka gluasad nan rigkrean
A' dol sios tkuu a ckatk.
■"Fosadk," tliubkairt Herod le oillt,
"Air comkrag nan lann s nan sleagk
Ma tkaiuig sibkse mar ckàirdean
Tkigibk gun dàil tkun na cuirme."
Gkluais na rigkrean na'n oraick
Okluais Treunmor gun sgatk gnn fkiamh
Sgiatk bkallack an crockadk ri tkaobb
A cklogaid air taobk a ckinn.
163
Ràiuig iad aitrcabh an rigli
Oun ghuth air strì no air conihrag
An t-slige dol trice mu'n cuairt
Dh'aom oidhclie gii luath le solas.
'Sa mhaduinn nuair dh'ìmich na righrean*
S a dli'fhàg iad tigh mor a choisridh
Chunnaic iad le fior thoilinntinn
An rionnag a' teachd na'n comhdhail.
Fliuair iad òigh. bu mhothar snuadh
An tigh i'uar giin sgatli gun dian
Righ nam feartan air a glùn
A' ghnùis a' dealradh mar ghrian.
Thuit na deoir bho righ nan laini
'Toirt aoraidli do Rigli nan Tiii^lircan
An òigh toirt dhaibli mile tain^:
Le aoibhneas s le nior tlioilinntinn.
M A R B H R A N N.
A rinneadh le sagart ann am Mòrar Ic
Shimi air d'a dhà bliratliair flièin agus an
diiine aig a pliiutliar biiitli air am bàtliadh.
Is duilicli leam a nocLtd Iain Ghraundaicli
Gu'u cbaiU thu 'clilann a b'fheàrr beus
Theirinn fbèin gii'm biomaid taiugeil
lur a biodli 'ad ann le cheil;
Seo a bliliadhna liath romh 'n àm tliu
Dh'fhàg i mail us trom na d' chcum thu
Claa'n eil ioghnadh thu bliitli ann
Gur mor tha 'cliall a measg nau ceud ort.
Acli ma dh'fhalbli sibh air an tujus
Oun tilloadh tuiUeadh gu ur càirdcan
Dianaibh siblise galar fulainn
ÀLaoa li-urra i-.àbli o'r nàdur
* Cf Relicto aiilae strepitu iterum vidunt stellara.
164
Marbb-pliaisg- air an t-saoghal uile
Clia'n eil duiue ri bliith tàmh ann
Ach mar thilgeadh craobli a duilleack
Mise 'n diugh us tusa 'maireach.
Ach Alasdair Bbain a charaid
'S fhada learn a tha thu'n iochdar
'S òs; a bba thu na mo thaice
Is carthannach a bba mi riamb ort
lilia tliu siobbalta ri t'fbaiciun
O "se "chleacbd tbii'n àite miothlacbd
Clja bu mhac tiui mar an t-athair
Nam bisdu atbarracbadb fiamb ort.
Oigear a chloinn Ic-Leoid tlm
Ged nacb b' agani-s' aitbne dhlùtli ort
Ged nach robb mi umad eolach
■'Se na b-eoiaicb bheir an cliù ort;
Mac an atbar nacb robb comb^acb
I'huair e 'leoir s bu mhòr an dhibbail
Cliuir e am fear eil' fo'n fbòid dbiubb
S cba rubh sid ciio niòr ri ionndrainn.
Nam b'e stoirni a dbian'dh iir mealladh
Cba bbiodb a gbearain cbo mòr dhibb
Na ain-neart am miadbon mara
Ach 's ann a chailleadh na fir eolacb
S 'ad a' tighinn ri cois a' chladaicb
lad tighinn dachaigh bharr a vòge (voyage)
Gur e "Seillear" dubh a chala
S i na h-astar oidlicbe Dhònuich.
"Us tha Ann' gu tùrsach galach
Cha'n eil ioghnadh mar a tha i
S i bhi cumbadh fear an taighe
A deagh chaidreamh s a deagh bhrathair
Nuair a db'eireas i sfj, nibaduinn
Bithidh a' leabaidh lom fas
Mar gu'n rachadh sgian na 'cridhe
Bidh i mar sin fad' a làithean.
165
Tlia Anna gu tùrsach tniagli dlictli
A gruaidhean gu silteach siublilacli
I i-i cumhadh na blieil buaithe
Measg an t-sluaigh bu mhor a li-ionndrainn
An Dia a thucf dluit 'sc tlniof blinat 'ad
Ni e fuasgladli anns gacli cùis dhut
Ach. 's duilich leam am bàs a fhuair 'ad
Sgrios a chuain s an naigh ga' dùnadh.
Bho Mhairi nighean Thormoid ic lUe-
IVIliaoil, Tirrh an l>sagairt, Eiisgai, 10 Dec-
embor, ]S9:;
OKAN AN A^ilADAIN BHOTDniCK.
Tba e air aithris gur e ma<; ministear a
Iili'ann, a mhuinntir Ghearrloch s gu'n do
ghabh. e gaol air banarach 'athar. Cha
robli am ministear ro thoileacli air seo.
t'oma CO dliiiibli cliiiir e a mliac do'ii Oil-
tbigk s chaidh na litricbeau a bba e 'cur
clinice a cheaiDadh. La dbe na lathaichibh
cbaidh innseadh dhi gu'n d'fhuair e'm bas
aun an tigh-eiridinn. Ghabh 1 gus anleab-
aidh s clia d'eirich i tuilhdh. Air dhàsaii
Ijhi air tilleadh dhachaidh co choinnich e
inu"n phhirc, treis bho'n tigh, ach searbh-
ant agiis dh'fharraid e dhi ciamar bha
bhanarach. "Oh," ors ise "uach cuala tii
ilicin mar thar" Na dheighidh seo chaidii
e s laigh e air an uaigh aicc ; bha e a caoidh
s ri bròn ro mhor s a reir mar a chuaia mise
chaidh e cho mor bho 'aire fhein s gu'n
robh e ag itheadh an fhiair a bha fas os
<.'ionn na h-ùracli. Thainig 'athair an sin
s ghabh e dha leis an t-strein. Se buil a
bli'aun gu'n do threig a chiall e s bhiodh
e air uairean na shlaod an sid s an seo mar
neach gun mlioineid. Ged bha e air dul bho
'reusan blia e siubhal na dutlicha — gu math
trice giin aodach. Fhuaras e iia laigh air
là fuar sneacb daidli air taobh sbìos na
Manacbainn, mas math mo cliuimhne, s gun
air de choinlulach ach caob de sheol hiinje
agus sin flièin air reothadh air. Cbaidh
adhlaioeadh an cladh Cbille Chriosd faisg
air Blàr an I'ird. Is e'n t-amadan bòìdli-
each bh'aiqf an t-slnagb air s tbeireadh cuid
ris an t-aniadan riiisgt. Tha mi 'dianamn
dheth gu'n do cliaocbail e bbo cbionn còrr
agiis leth-chiad bli,adbna.
FoNN — -Cba cbadal, cha chadal
Clia chadal s cba tàmb
.S mi bin smaointinn mo leannain
Eibbinn tbairis cbiùin tlilàtb.
Sco a bbliadbna 'cbuir às domh
S tbug a fait 'bbàrr mo cbinn
A cbuid nacli eil detb air glasadb
A' i'albh na shad leis a ghaoith.
Tha mo shuilean a' sileadh
Cheart cho mire ri allt
Tha mo bheul ar fàs tioram
S tba mo cbridlie air fàs fann.
Tha osach throm air mo chridhe
Nacb tog fiodhull na pìob
Bbo'n là dbealaich mo leanuan
Fiium air cladach Port Rìgh.
Note. — According to information j,'ot by the Rev. A.
Maclean-Sinclair from Malcolm Maclean, a native of
Snizort, the authorship was as follows :— " Malcolm Mac-
lean, son of Anfjus Maclean, mason, a native of the parish
of Snizort, came to this country in 1858 He is quite an
intelligent man, and knows a good deal about Gaelic
songs. He called at the Manse recently and got ques-
tioned about Oran an Amadain Bhoidhich. I got the
following information from him : Angus Matheson, son
of William Matheson, of the parish of Portree, Skye, was
the author of the song which is ascribed in The ' Highland
News ' to the Aniadan Boidheach. He composed it about
the year 1828 for a young girl named Nicholson, who
emigrated to America at the time. He died in decline
167
Is clioin(b)ach mis' air mo chairdean
S air mo phhrantan fein
Nach do leisr ead dhombs' phòsadli
An ribhinn òg a b'fheàrr beus.
Tlia ganli aon diubh ajr radhtinn
Fhir gun nàire gun cheill
Is ann a tlioill thu do shràcadb
Ann san laraicli le streiii.
Innsidh mise mu m' Icannan —
Gruaidh tbana dbearg' mar 'n ròs
Suil ghorm fodb chaol mbala
Slios mar eal' air an Ion.
Beul is biune na teudan
Fait na cbleitein de'n or
Calpa ci-ninn a cbeum eutroni
A thooradli m' eislein s mo bhròn.
Is truagh nach robh mi s mo leannan
Urrad fad' ann sa bbeinn
Ann an lagan beag soilleir
Far 'm biodb an coileacb a' seinn.
Gun duine bbi faisg oirnn
Far a faiceadh ead sinn
Ach mise s an òigh s o!
Eigh bu sliòlasacb sinn.
Dbianainn treohbadb a stearrach
S cbuirinn gearran an crann
Ghleidbinn seòl dbut air aran
Ged tha'm beartas air cball.
the following year. The first verse is, ' So a bhliadhna
chuir as domh,' &c. Th- second is as follows : —
" Cha dean lighich' boiin feuin' dhomh
" Dad fo 'n ghrein ach aon ni,
" Bho nach fhaicini. mo cheud ghaol,
" 'S rai call mo cheille dha dith.
" The third verse is, ' Tha mo shuilean airsileadh.'&c,
and the fourth, ' Chaidh m' astar am maillead,' &c. The
fifth verse is as follows : —
" Tha mo shuilean gun leirsinn,
" 'S gach ball do reir sin gun chli,
" Bho 'n la 'dhealaich mo leannan
" Rium air cladach Port Bigh.
168
Blieiiiun fiaclb dhut a fhsach
Thog-ainn amhran le fonii
S gfu stiuirirm am bata
Air mor àirdead nan tonn.
Ged bliiodh agam do stòras
Na bheii a dh'òr aig an Righ
B'fheàrr bhi comhla ri m' Sheònaid
Ann an seomar leinn fhin.
Dh'fhuaigliiuu bait dhut ri brògan
Bileacli boidheach s cho teann
Gheobbainn core dhut us eòrna
Cha bhiodu do stòras-sa gann.
Och nan och! mo chùis-mhulaid
Mu 111 nach urrainn mi inns'
Laigii sachd air mo chridh
Nach tog liodhuU na jDiob.
Us an cadal an cadal
Cha'n eil an cadal an dan
O nach fhaic mi mo leaunan
An ribhinn thairis chiuin thlath.
Cha dian lighich bonn fevim dhomh
No siigh fodh 'n ghrein ach 't-aon ni
Mi bhi 'faicinn mo cheud-ghradh
S mi 'call mo cheill air a ti.
A da ghruaidh mar an caornnn
A slios mar fhaoilinn air chàrn
Is e bhi sealltuinn na t'aoduinn
A bheireadJi, 'ghaoil, dhomh mo shlaiut
" In the sixteenth verse, which should be the eleventh
for ' Laigh sac air mo chridhe ' read ' Tha sac trom air mo
chridhe.'"
Certainly several ^ ariants exist— all of them sufficient
to show that a real basis of fact lay behiud. The pure
fact it may not be possible now to recover. In the Lovat
country it was attributed to the Amadan Ruisgt, who
■was found dead near Beauly from 3U-50 years ago.
Possibly his song had a few stanzas of his own added to
Matheson's original ; possibly vice versa. The notes of
grief in the first four aud in the last eight stanzas are at
any rate very touching. Romance has touched the rest.
Sinclair's Oranaiche, p. 191, gives another version.
169
Tlia mo shiìileau air siloadh
Clieart cbo mire ri allt
Tba mo bheul air fas tioram
S tha mo bhil air fas mall.
Cbaidh m'astar am mailled
S cbaidb mo mbisneachd air chall
Is tniagli nacb d'cbuir sibh mi n
tasgaidb
Ann sa cblacban ud tliall.
Mo sliiiileau uis sileadb
Mo chridli air fas fann
Chain mo cbasan an coiseachd
S tba mo cbeuman air cball.
Ocb! an cadal cba cbadal
Cba cbadal s clia thmb
Mi bbi smaointinn mo leannain
An rlbbinu tbairis cbiùin tblàtb.
C U M H A.
DO NIGHEAN ALASDAIE NIGHEAN AONGHUIS
IC IAIN LEIS A BHAED CHIANDA.
Gur a mis' tha fodh mhulad
Mi ri ioundrainn mo chruiuneig gun tàmii
Einn tbu falbb uainn an uiridb
Air a bbàt ann an cuideachadb chàicb
Cba robb sinne gad' ionndi-ainn
S tu ri tighinn g'ar n-ionnsuidb gun dàil
Is truagb aEigh! mar a tbachair
Binn an nà(mb)ud tbu 'gblacadb 'am baa.
'Se tbu db'fhalbb s gun tbu tbilleadb
Cbuir an t-saighead na ni' chridhe cbo luatli
Db'fhag e m' inntinn gu tùrsacb
Db'fbàg snigb mo sbiil air mo gbruaidb
Bbo'n a cbaidbo do chairea(mh)
Ann an ciste cbaol chlàraicb san uaigb
Far nacb cluinn tbu mo chombradb
Gad tba mis umad brònacb gacb uair.
8
170
'Se bhi gmaoiutinn clio trie ort
Dk'fhàg mo cliridlie fodh mliulad s foclh
bhron
Dh'fhàg e m' aignidli-sa dùdlacli
Is trie a' sileadh o m' slinilean na deoir
Ann am cliadal a am dliùsgadh
Bidh mi smaointinn gu dlù oir a dhoio^li*
Is truagli nach mise blaa làmh riut
Far an deachaidh do cliàireamli fodh'u fhòd.
S fliuair sinn sg-eul far an aisij
Nacli robli èibiiinn na taitneach san àm
Thusa fhèin g-a d' chàradh
S tu Gfun Bheurla na Gìiidhlig na d' cheann —
Comas ireaGfairt na amaisidh
Na do litir a sgriobhadh le peann —
Sin an naigheachd a Icon mi
Sgeul do bhlvis a tlioirt dhombsa romb'n am.
S gad a thug am bàs uainn tliu
Cha'n e sin tha ga m' ghiialadh gu trang
Tha e daonnan mxi'n cnairt oirnn
Cha'n eil saod air tighinn bhuaith aig an
am
'Se dh'fhhg m'inntinnc txirsach
Agns snigh' air mo shi"ùlean mar allt
A bhi smaointinn gu dlii air
Ihu bhi 'd' shineadh an diithaich nan Gall.
Ach 'se bhi taingeil ar cnid-ne
S gu bheil an t-àm-s a' tighinn uile oii'iin
dlu
Sinn gun aithne gun leirsinn
Mar an leananiaid fhein ar ceann-iùil
Eheir dhuinn fradharc us fòghlum
Air na ni'chean tha coir a thoirt dhuinn
Cha diau airgiod no oir
Xura cuir sinn san Tròcair ar dùil.
air do dhòi''h.
171
EOLAS AN DEIDIDH.
Cliunuaic mi Tàbhart (sic!)
'Siiibhal air beanntaicbcan Nabot
A clinei(mli) na 'dheud
Guu tui^'se na 'blieul
Dhianag leigheas dba 'dheud
Acii tha mise ga d' leigheas
An amm Mhic Dhe
[An t-aiuiii.]
Is e seo an t-eòlas bha aig Iain Macillin-
eain ('"An Liib") nach niaireann airson an
deididb. Dh'ionnsuich e an t-eòlas seo blio
chionn còrr agus ceitiiir fichead bliadhua sa
deich blio fhior sheana bhoirionnach aig
taobb. Loch Monar, mar a bha e air a chle-
achdadh, na 'baraUse, bho làithean an t-
Soisgeil. A reir a beachd-sa bha e ri chreid-
sinn gu'n do leighis an Slànuighear a
chnai(mh). Eha'n diiine seo ainmeil airson
casgadh an deididh s bhiodh e 'toir biorain
seachad a rachadh a chur san fhiacail.
Niiair bha e sireadh a bhiorain bha e ga(bh)-
ail an Duain. "Mas e a bhiast tha sa
chnai(mh)''" os es "ni mi do leigheas." Sgriobh
mi na focail bho Padruig Stiubhart.
Nach b'fhearr leat mi bhi agad
Na mac breabadair beo?
Ghar an dianainn dhut fighe
Bhiog sithionn mu d'bhòrd.
Gu'm biog fuil an daimh chabraich
Euith ri altan do mheòir.
Is e do nighean-sa 'Dhonnchaidh
C'huir an truime-cheist mhor òirnn.
Air an d'fhàs an cùl dualach
Blio 'g-ualainn gii 'bròg.
Air an d'fhàs an cùl bachlach
S a dhreach mar an t-òr.
Cha b'e direadli na bruthaich
Cliiiir mo shiubhal gu leòin.
Na teas an la ghreine
Gad a dh'eirich i òirun.
Ach ciir us catliadh fodh m'fheusaig-
S nach leir dhom mo bliròg.
Dè clia leir dhom nis faisg dhom
Fiù bhata na'm dhòrn.
Ged a cheannaich mi'n buideal
Cha'n fhaigh mi cuideachd ni òl.
Mur ti? buaichaill an t-seasgaich[?].
Mach 'n am fheasgair mu'n t-Sròin,
Se mo bhuideal gach lodan
Se rao chopan mo bhròg.
Se mo thu(bh)ailt mo bhreacan
Se na leacau mo bhòrd.
Se mo theagh mor na beanna
Se gach cragan s gach scòrr.
Treis air mhucagan fàsaich
Treis air fasgadh nan dorn.
Greis air smeòraich dhubh dhriscan
S trei3 air bhristeadh nan cnò.
S truagh nach robh mi s tu "ghaolach
Ann san aonach 'm bi'n ceo.
Ann am biithag bhig bharraich
Gnn bhi mar-rium ach t'fheòil.
173
!Mur hiog niagaircaii bcag leinidh
A clieileadli sid òirnn.
Nam faighinn cead na frithu
Bho'n Riogb. s bho'ii larl Og.
Gu'm biog* fuil an daimh cliabraich
'Sileadh fala feadh feòir.
O R A N.
Se dbùisgeadh grad a'm' shuain mi
Am bruadar an raoir
Clia cliadal domh acli smuaintean
Bho'n dh'fhuaraicli do chraoidhe
Mo ribhinn og nan dualach
Toir fuatli dhom(h) gun ao(bh)ur
Grad iraich us gabh truas dhiom
Bho'n fhuair thu mo ghaol.
Nach mairg mi thug rao ghaol dhut
Ged thaobhaich thu mi
Nac-h mairg mi thug mo ghaol dhut
S gu faotainn cead dhi
Clia'n eil agam stòras
Oha leòir leat-sa mi
Ach 's theudar dliomh bhi beo
Gar am posadh tu mi.
Gad gheobhainns' na bheil aig Eigh Seòras
Làn stòras us nì
Gad gheobhainn e bho Sheoras
Làn choir air dhomh fhin
Gad b'oighre air an Diùc mi
Mar chriin air an Righ
S tu dhianainn a phùsadh
-.lar diùltadh tu mi.
* biodh.
174
Tha m' aigiie(o^) trom fo eislein
Mo chreucbdan ro mhor
Mo chridhe cba dian eirigb.
Gad dk' eistinii ri ceòl
Ma cbuir thu rium do chùlaobh
S gn'n dbiùlt tbu dbom do pbò^
Cba toir mi ri mo sbaogbal
Mo gbaol do bbean òg.
Tba mi trom fo ghruaimein
S fo gbruaimein iiile tiim
Gaol thoir dba ua gbruagacb
S fuatb tboir dha cbiiin
Ma bheir foar eile bbuam. tbu
Nacb txuagb leat-sa mi
Nacli b' fbeàrr a bbi san uaigbe
Gil la Luan na bbi dbitb.
Mar lilidh tbu gun mborcbuis
Gur boidhch' tbu na càcb
Le d' cbùl bacblacb bòidbcach
Sian òir air gu 'bbhrr
Mo gbaol- s' an ribbinn òg
A db'fbas combraideacb tlàth
S nan gealladh tu mo pbosadh
Thiginn beò bbo na bbas.
Tse: —
"A fbleasgaicb òg gabb trtias rium
S mi'n cruaidb chas ro mhor
Grad imicb air do smuaintean
jSTu'm buainear dbom fod
Oil* 's leir a bblàth air m' aoduinn
Bbi daoundan ri bròn
Gus an cuir na saoir mi
An caol cbiste bhòrd.
Cba tug mi gaol do db' airgiod
S cba tug mi gaol do dli' or
Cba tug mi gaol do sliioda
S cha mbu thug mi 'skròl
175
Cha tug mi g-aol do dli' fhion-doaTj;'
Go lionadh gach stop
S ann thuo' mi sjaol dha'n ribliinn
Tha daoiiJaii n'lii' choir.
Is coniliairl' bhciriun air oigoar
S cha ghòraichide i
Gun 'shiiil a chur san òg--mhnaoi
Air bhòichead dam bi
Ged labhradh i o-ii ciiiiu riut
Cum dùinte do chndhe
Gu 'm b' fhearr nach d' chuir thu d' £
innt
[Niar lùbar Icat i.
[Le MAcCrEACHDAL (MacQuorkadale) a
mhuinutir Cinntail].
Mi air ionndrainn a ghaisgich
'Dh' I'halbh shràid Bhaile Chaisteil an tuim
Dh' fhàg sid luasgan air m' aigne(g)
L's iomrall air cadal na h-oidhch';
I\la chailleadh tu, Aonghais
Eheir siu trois air bhi "g ioraradh do ioinn
Gur h-e dh' fhag muladach m' inntinn
r-hi gad shireadh feadh fhritheanuu choill.
Is mòr an t-ionndrainn san dùthaich
Gu'n chailleag am fiiirau deaa òg
Sàr ceannard na fine
Clann ic Mhaolain gad shireadh s tu beò
Iha MacCurrachdal duilich
Eha'n dh' fhalbh thu 'm balloon nan sgiath
Air an astair nach pill thu
Ghabh thu seachad as cionu Loch nan Ian.
Gha(bh) thii 'ratliad a b' àird
Gus a faiceadh tu c'ait a robli 'ghrian
Gur h-e tilleadh a b' fheàrr leat
Niiair dli' fliairich thu gailich nan nial
Cas shiubhal an fhiricli
Is sealgair a g-heòidli air an t-snàmh
Maille ri ianlu us lachdii
B'e do mliiann bhi gf'an caitheamli le d' làmh.
Fiodh do chist bhi ga sliàtliag
S daioin uaisle bhi fasgaij nan dorn
S dii leannan gi\n eiridh
Gus an d' fhuaras ort sgeula bho'n chrò
Bha t' athair ag eigheach
Ri ianlan nan spcur do thoir beò
Is truagh a ghaoil nach robh mise
An ciste chaol nan tri slisu fo 'n fhoid.
Sin labhair an duin' bha gu h-hrd ris : —
Co as a thainig an sonn
Tha'u urrainn mise do jDhaidheag
Bho'n tlia mis' agus m' àrdaich car lorn
Bha mi roimhe ga gearrag
S tha mi nise ga faireadh gu trom
Mii leabaidh air rò-bheag dion oirr'
Fcdh shileag nam miar aig a bonn.
Labhair Aonghus gu svighar
Ma chreiceas lu 'chraobh bitheas tu pàidht
Bha nii fada ga d' shireadh
S chuir thu eis air mo pliiseach gubràch
S mas ait e 'm bheil aoibhneas
Lei gear mis' seal oidhche na t' ait.
^cnghuis ladurn gun nhire
Gu de thug thu 'm' fhàrdaiche riamh
Nur bhiog thu a balair
A chraobh le cuid barrach a bhuain
A chraobh mhaireas gu siorruidh
A's a gheaiach chum fianuis do'n t-sluagh.
177
Ach labhair Aon^lius an gaLg^each : —
Cha'n fhhg- niaoidbeag mi gcaltecb an dràòd
Cha i^habh ni' iuutinn-s' bonn lapan
I bead sa mbaireas mo hatrhng a'm' IhinJi
Tbusa "bbodaich tb' air liathaof
Us mise na'm' dbiombanacb treun
Theid do cbrocbadb ri miar dhi
S hi 'cbraobk cbo \io?) mo riaghladb-6a
reist.
8in dli' cLi-icb ua siiinu na'n seasajiih
Gu dbul sail eadraig fa leth
Gus na tbòisich an t-sabaid
( lia rolib scauu daiiie 'g aj^airt na reit
Ach nuair thEuruinii e 'gbàirdean
Is aim db' imich. Mac Mbaoilian sna speur
Sid niar sguir tba mi 'm beachd
C^aniia-finid na b-eacbtraidh gu leir.
C U M H A
LK IAIN MAC DHOKILL IC lAIIi BHAIN BO
NIGHEAX AONGHAIS IC EAONILL AN
JEI4ISGA SA BHLIADHNA 1877.
S mi leam fbin air an tulaich
Tha mo smaointean air iomadacli dòijjh
Gad a leiginn ri each e
Cha ttid aon ac' am fabhar mo sgeòil
O'u a thainig am bas
O fear gun liomadh gun fhàbhar ua's mo
'S mis' fbaodadh a ghradbtinn
Gu'n do cbaill mi do mhanran gle òg.
Thug thu Fblòraidh do chùl rium
Dh'fhag sin mise gu tùrsach fodh bhròn
Chasdh mo cheum ann an truiraeid
S mi fo eislein air caochkidh sheòl
Dh'fbalbb mo sbunnd s mo dhibhersain
Mi gu'n sCigradb gun aighear gun cheòl
Eho'n a dh'fhal'cbadh an iiir thu
S chaidh smal air an t-siiil nach eil beò.
178
S gu bheil m'inntinne tùrsach
Is trie a' sileadli o m' shiiilean na deoir
Tlia mi sgith ga, cliur seachad
Tha iad daonnan a tachairt am choir
S nacli eil aon air an talamli
"Rig am faod mi mo g-hearain na's mo
O'n tha'n aon te nach mairionn
Air a sineadh sa chlachan fo'n fhòd.
Nach b'e grutlirach na dunach
Nuair thainig i thugainn dha'u tir
Thug i beam as ar cuideachd
'S m.')T an àireamh a bhuinnig i 'u chill
Fear nach d'flialbh le a mhathair
Gu bheil a phiuthar na bhrathair ga dhitb
'Ad na'n sineadh san Tàlann*
Far an lionar ri'n aireamh na suiun.
Bi(dh) mi smaointinn gach la
Air na dh' fhagadh gun tachdsa ri 'linn
Gad nach aithn' dho(;mh)s' uil' ead
Tlia 'ad lionar a' fulang sa' caoidh
Nuair a chluinn'as mi 'm màireach
Maighister Ailean ag- aireamh a' ruinn
Bidh mo chridhe ga fhàsgadh
Gad a thiarainn an t-Ard Riogh mi fhin.
Thainig- galar an taobh-sa
Dh'fhàgas cridheachan brviite gu brach
Ri3 an can sinu a ghruthrach
'S ann a thainig i dhuinne mar phlaigh
Ach gad a tha sinn ag ionndrain
N'eiif a dhith air ar cunntais an drà&J
A Fear thug bhuainn ead ga ionnsuidh
'Se bheir leasachadh dhiiinne n'ar càs.
* -after Father Ilallinan, an Irish Mi;
t — na bheil.
179
E A L A I D H.
LE HUISTEAN DONN SIOSAL.
Is ann an TJisdcin tha mùiru nan gruagach
Mo chreach smo dhiùbliail ma blieir ead
bhuam tbu
An taigh an t-sùgraidb. bi's ead ga t'
ionndrain
S gur math do cliliii far am bi na li-naislcan.
Is matb tliig fàbhar fos cionn do ghruaige
Osau sghrlaid mu d' chalpa cuimseach
Do phaidheir gliarstan s an sioda pailt ann
S do bhrògan dathte s cha bhitheag a chuaig
orr'.
III.
De! cha'n ioghnadli ged bhitheag thud'
ghealtair
S tu shliochd nam mor shluagh dha'm bith-
eag am pailteas
Taigh Chùldaochail nan daoine gasda,
Spuir 'snam bòtan, stròl 's nam bratach.
IV.
A mach a dh'Eirionn nuair dh'eircadh buair-
eadh
Bi's tu-sa fhein ann gu treubhach buadhach
Le d' chlaidhean geur-lanuach air do
chrnachaiun
Is lionar ceud-fhear us ccud a bhuail thu.
V.
Dur thig am Fraugach n nail us frachd
(feachd) aig
Gu'u teid High Seòras ga thillcadl; dhach-
aigh
Bi's tusa 'n trath sin air cheann brcatallion
S gur mor do chail a bhi stigh sa bhaiteal.
180
VI.
Ma oha tliu bluiainne air chuan a Shasniiin
Gu ma fallain sunndach a s^heobh tliu'n
t-aiseas:
Dheagli blieul na rfuiaclid dli' fliàjj m'ln;!-
tinn tùrsach
Gur mor an diùbhail mar pill thu dhacliaidli
VII.
Is iomadh te a thug- speis do shuaircean
Le aghaidji bheusach, siiil-eud nan gruagac'i
Bidh or na li-Eipbit air guaillu m' eudail
S a bhreacan feilidh. mar eideadh guaill air.
IAIN GHLINNE CUAICH.
Ach Iain Ghlinne Cuaicli
Fear do choltais cha dual da fas
Do chill bachlach nam buadh
Air a plileatadli mn'n cuairt gu bbarr;
Beir an t-soiridh seo bhuam
Dli'ionns' an fbleasgaich is uaisle dreacb
Air na bhuilich mi m' gliaol
S a cbuir saigbead an aoig fo m'chneas.
Ghaoil, nach cuimlin' leat an la
A bha sinn san àtli leinn fein
Is tu nach dianadh, ghaoil, m' aicheadh
Nam bithinn-s' san am ga d' reir
Ach c'uim bhithinn-s' fo ghruaim.
God tha 3ni san uair gun cheill
A cliaora bhi slàu
S am madadh bhi Ian d'a reir
Cha tug mise mo speis
Do dli' fhear eil' tha fo'n ghrein ach thi^
S cha toir as do dlieigh
Gus an cairear mi' n ceis tha diiint;
Ach Iain s a g!.aoil
Ce mar chuir thu mi faoin air chùl
Gun chuimhn' air a ghaol
Thug sinne mar aon an tùs.
ISl
Clia b'c doire s:ini cliii
As na bhiiaincar a fiùran àrd
Slat na choille thiugli dhlùth
Air a liibatlli le mios srii lar
Is e do phearsa dhcas whrinn
Dha'n tu;j mise mo ofhaol thar cliàc!^
Cha 'u cil cron ort ri inns
O mbullach do chinn gn d' shùil.
Slat dhe'n cbrao'bh a b' aillt
As a gluiradh am bioclh na Ii-eòiu.
S cba be inuaidh nan Gall
Dha'n do chrom mi mo cbeaun co mòr
Far am biodh 'n t-a(bb)ull fo bblàth
Sa gliaradb am biodh na seoid
S cha b'e crionacb nan crann
Dha'n iu^ mise mo ghaol s mi ò^.
Is iomad maisfbdinn gfhlan bg
Thig' le furan a'd' choir air straid
Gcd tha m'fhorstau-s' cho cruaidh
S gu'n d' thus; mi dbut hiaidh thar cbacL
Ach an trian chitid de d' chliù
Cha chuir mise an ceill an tràths.
Gun eòlas as ùr
Gus r.ni fiosraich mi thn ni's fhearr.
B'c miann mo dha shiil
Bhi 'coimhead ^u lù a' d' dheii^li
S ^i' m b' airidh mo rùin-s'
Air bean-oiffhre a chrùin fo sgeith.
Bha mi iiair s cha do sliaoil
Gu'ni bithinn cho faoin mi fein
S gu'n tuq-ainn mo ghaol
Do dh'fhear a choimhdeadh cho faoin a'm'
dheigh.
Ach 'se bens do gach aon
De mhnathan an t-saoghail gii leir
Bhi ga 'm mealladh araon
Lc sgeulachdan faoin a beul.
182
Cha d'thug' mise mo ghaol
Air dliòigh s g'u'm faod mi clileth
C'ha b'e'n giullan boclid truaf^li
Ris na tharruinn mi suas mar fliear;
Acli an t-òigear deas ùr
Cas a dhireadh nan stùc-bheaun bras,
rihianadh fuil air an driùchd
Leis a ghunua nacli diiilt an t-srad.
Ach Iain a ghaoil
Nack truagk leat mi mar a tha
Liuthad la agus uair
Chuir thu'n ceill gu'm bu bliiian do g-liràdb
Ma rinn mi ni suarack
No ma ckoisinn mi t'fkuatk no t'fkearg
Mo bkeannackd ad dkeigk
Fiack an gleidk tku dkut feiu ni's fkeàrr.
Nis imiek tkiisa mar 's àill
Dk'ionns an te dha'm bell griidk agad
ikein
Ack mas e mise ta'n dan
Cka'n fhaigk teile gu brack mo bkreid
S ce mar bkitkiun fo bkròn
S a liutkad fear òg as mo dkeigk
Nack cunntadk au t-or
"Ckur a ckeaunack mo bkròg gu feill.
Ma dk'fkaoidte nack buin an ceatkramh
a leanas do'n amkran seo do bkrigk s nacb
ann air au aou dòigk a tka aig caoclilaidk
cranaicke. Cka'n eii e soirbk r'a fkaiciun
de'n cearb ckomkckeongal tka aig aa
sreatkau a leanas ris a ckuid a cka roinik —
C'ha b'e diitkckas mo luaidk-s'
Bki sa uikonadk ri cuallack bkò
Ack bki'n ceardaick a "-kuail
Ag eisneackd ri fuaim nan òrd;
Bu tu'n Tomasanack glan
Bka ainmeil mear ann san rod
S ce b'e ckuireadk ort fearg
Bkiodk do ckopan dkaibk searbk ri òl.
TAISBEAN ADHAMHNAIN.
Air atbarracbadli o'n t-Roann Ghàidhlio'
a reir "LeabKar na h-Uidhrc" a chaidh rt
sgriobhadh mu tiiimcbioll 1100 de aois ar
Tigliearna. iVcli tba mi 'meas "Ti'n deacb-
aidh "FÌB Adamnàin" (faic Windisck:
Iriscbe Texte, Leipzig, 1880, taobb duillei?
167) mar a db'aiumicbear an taisbean sco o
shean, a cbur air a ballaibh còrr agus 200
bliadbna roimb 'n am sin.
Is uasal agns is òirdbearc Coimbdbe nau
Dul agxis is nior acfus is miorbhuilecb a neait
agus a cliumliacbda. Is seimh agua is tlath
is trocaireacb agus truacanta e. Cuiridb e
cbuig-e fein do cbum neimh lucbd na deirce
agus na tròcaire, lucbd an tlaitbs agus lucnJ.
na baigh.; ach ni e coimbtbional eucràbbach
eularbbacb na(m) mac mollacbd a tbabbairt
agus a tbilgeil a cbum ifCrinn. Ebeir e dioi-
tbuarasdail dbionibair agus eugsamblaneijuii
dboibh-san a ta beaunuicbte agus bbeir e
iomadach pian eugsambuil do mbacaibu
bàis.
Nise de naombaibb agus d'fbireanaibb
Dbia nan Dul agus d'apstolaibb agus dos-
ciplibb losa Criosd, is liutbadacb neacb do'u
d'fboillsicbeadb riiinte agns diombantsa
riogbacbd neimb fo'n ebuma sin .'<gus
duaisean ro-òirdbearc nam firean agiis fòs
d'an d'fboillsicbeadb piantan eusrsambla
ifrinn maille riusan a ta unnta. Db'
fhoillsicbeadh do riribb do Pbeadair Absloil
an soitbeacb ceitbir-oisinncacb a leigeadli a
nios o ]ièamb agiis ceitbir chuird ris, bu
mbilse na bbi ag eisneacbd gacb scorsa ciùil.
Gblacadb suas an t-abstol Pol cuideacbd gr.s
an treas neamb gus an cual e briatbran dc^
labbairt nan aingeal agus iom-agallaimh
oirdbearc muiuntir neimb. Tbugadb fòs ua
h-abstoil uile an la 'tbeasd Muire (eadbon
la a deas-gbabbail) gus am fac iad piantan
agus ]>eanasan truagba nan daoine mi-
1S4
slmaimlnicch iiuair a dli'agfair an Coimhdhj
air ainglibh au fhninid (e. àirde luighe na
greine) au talamli fliosgladh roimh iia
li-apstoil cliuni s jfu'm faiccadli iad s gii'y.\
meo(mh)raiclieadh iad air ifrinn le 'ioniadli
pliiantaibli, amlmil mar g^^heall e feiu doibh au
ni sin re cian roinili 'u deachaidh a clxeusadh.
Dli' flioillsiclieadh ma ta fo dlièoidh a dli'
A(dh)a(mh)nau O' Thinuc, a dh' ard fh.^av-
eagnaidli an domhaiu sbiar, an ui a chuiroai-
SÌ08 an so, au uair a dh'flialbh 'anam as a
chorp air la feill Eoin Baist, an trath rugaiih
leis e fhum Pliarais Ic a li-ainjjlibh 's a dli'
Ift'rina ie a j^fraisg-shluagli. An tràlh sca^-
a;i t-auam ria a chorp, leig a h-aiugeal
cloimliideachd, an cein bha i sa choluinu c
fein ris di air tall s tliug e leis i air thus
a dh' fhaicinn riglieaclid nèimh.
Is e a cliiad tir gus an d'rainig iad, lir
nan naomh. Tir mlieasach sliolusda mata a^i
tir sin. Còisirean eugsamhla iongantach
inte le còmhdaicliibli de lin goal umpa. le
curraclidaibh gle orheal os an cinn. Naoimli
an domhain-slioir na'n còisir air leth au taobli
an ear tbir' nan naomh. Naoimh an
comhaiu-shiar an taobh au iar na tire ccudna.
Kaoimh taoibh tuath agus taoibh dcas S'li
domhaiu na'n da chòisir deara-mòr, deas
agus tuath. Gach aon, cuidcachd, a ta au
tir uan uaomh, is comh-fhogus da eisteachd
a chiùil agus beachd-smuaiueachadh air au
t-soitheach aun sa bheil uaoi gràda nèimli
do rèir an cor agus an iubh.
Mu dheighinn nan naomh, aon uair tha iad
a' seiuu ceol ard-uasal a' nioladh Dhe, uar
eile tha iad fo shochd ag eisteachd ri ceol
nniiuutir neimh oir cha ruig na naoima a
leas ni eile ach eisteachd ris a chcòl a la
iad a' cluiuntiuu agus mco(mh)areachduini;
air au t-soillse a ta iad a' faicinu agus iad
fein a slihsachadh dhe'n deagh bholtrachas
a ta san tir. A ta flath ro òirdheai-c guuis
ri gnùis dhaibh soir-dheas bhuatha agus
185
sgfàil glainidh eatorru ajriis for-dlionis òrdh.i,
gu dcds dha. Is aiin trìd-sa cliithcar dealbn
asjus eadar-dhcalachadh muinntir nciml!.
Clia'n cil sr>àil no doillearachadli sam bitu
«adar nmiiiiitir iièimli aqfus iia naoimh acli ata
iad ara foUais apjus ara fochair dhaibh :ui
leth riu do glinàth. Cearcull teinnteach
mu'n tìr &in mu'ii cuairt agns gach neacli a
dol ann is as gun urchoid air bith.
An dà apstal dliiajif a?iis Muire òo^-ingeu
na còisir os leth mu'n Choimhdhe chunih-
acLdach. Na priomh-athraichean ag.is
fàidhean agus descipiiil losa ara fagus do na
apstalaibh. Tlia òighcan naomh' eile c;ir
deas laimh Mlioire agus rè nach. cian eatorru.
Naoidhcanuan. agus leanabannan mu'n cuaiit
daibb. air gach àird ag-us ceòl ianlaitli
mbuinntir nèimh ga'n airfeideadb. Buidhne
àna de ainglibb-coimbid uan anmannan ag
umblacbd agns a' frithealadb eadar na còis-
irean sin ara fianuis an rigb do gbnatb. Cha
cbomasach neach sara bitb ta làthair tuair-
isgeul no innseadb mu na còisirean sin a ta
an tìr nan naomb, ambuil mar a tbubbaul
sinn, ta iad bitb-mbairionacb sa mbor-gbloir
sin gu mòr-dliiàil la bbràtba gii'n cuir am
britbeamh fireannacb n'an òrdugb iad air 1;\
a bbreatbanais sna h-inbbibb agus ann sna
li-ionadaibb am bi iad a' faicsinn gnùis Dhè
gun bbrat gun sgail eatorru tre linn nan litin.
Ce mor ma ta agus ce adbbbal an taitimieas
agus an t-soillse a ta an tir nan naomb,
ambuil mar a tbubbairt sinn, is mo fo mhil
uair an loinnearacbas a ta am magb muinntire
noimb mu rigb-sbuidbe a Choimbdbe fein.
Is amblaidb a ta an rigb-sbuidlie sin na
chatbair cbòmbdaichte le ceitbir colbbaibb
de leugaibb luachmboir foi. Ce nach biodli
Dia ta a db' oirfeid aig neacb acb comU-
cbeòlmboireacbd co-cbuimte na(n) ceithir
cbolbb sin, bu leoir do gblòir agus d'aoibn-
neas da è. Tri coin eireacbdail ann sa
18G
cbathair ami) fianuis an risfli an^iis a' memno.
air an crnithear g-u bitheanta; is e sin an
dim. Ta iud a' coimhead nan cchd tràtli n'
inoladh agus aij àidacliadh a' Clioimlidhe j>
co-sheirm nan ard-aingeal a' teaclid fòdbii.
O na li-enail)'a a:;n3 o na li-àrd-ain,o;lilii)li
tionnsgain a cuiùil atfus muinntir ninmh
iiile eadar naoimh agus ban-naoimh iar sin
ga'm fraagradh.
Stiiag-ii deàra-mlior os cinn an Uile-
chumliachdaich na chathair riglieil cleas
clogaid groidliichte no mionn rigli. Kam
faiceadh roisc dliaonna e leaghadh iad aa sa
clieart uair. Tri criosan niu thimchioll air
eatar na li-ainglibli agus an sluagli agus
clia'n fhios le tuairisgenl ciod a ta annta.
Sia mile de mliiltibh le dealbhaibli each
agus ian air lasadh mu'n chatliair theinn-
teacli gun cheann gun chrich.
Cha tig e do neach sam bitli bhi 'faisneis
niu'n Choirahdlie chumhaclidach a ta sau
rigli-cliathair sin mur dian e fein innseadh
no mur labhair e ri gràdaibh (inbliibh)
nèimh. Oir cha'n iiuiis neach a 'bhruth no
a bhrigh, a dheirge no a rò-shoillearachd a
òirdhcarcas agus a aoibhneas, a sheirce
agus a sheasmliachd, 'iomadh aingeal agus
ard-aingeal a' cantuinn cliiùil dhò — co ro
liuthad de theachdairean chuige agus
bhuaith le freagairibxi ro ghearr do gach
buidheann fa leth — a mhine agus a ro-
chiùinealachd ri feadhainn, a ain-mhine
agus a ghairge li luchd eile diubh.
Nam biodh neach ga shior-fhaicinn, a
dearcadh mu'n cuairt air, an ear agus an
iar, a deas agus a tuath, gheobhadh e air
gach taobh de aghaidh eireachdail, seachd
uair na's soilleire na ' ghrian ; gu deimhin
cha'n fhaiceadh e dealbh duine air, 'cheann
no' chas, ach na 'neul thcinnteach a' lasadh
tre'n chruinne, gach neach air chrith agus
air uanihunn roimhe. Is loma-lan de 'shoillse
187
neamh agiis talauili agu3 rutliadh cleas
solus rigli timcliioU da air fad. Tri mile
fonn blio gacli coisircliiiiil a ta a' co-sheirm
uime agiis gacli aon clieòl dhiubli air leth
na's binne iia iiile cheùl au domliaiu.
Agus fùs a cliathair ann sa bheil an righ-
shuidke sin, is amhluidh a ta agiis seachd
mùir glainidlie le dathaibh eugsamhlaibh
na 'tiomcliioll. Is airde gacli aona mhùir
na'n flieai- eile. Bràigli agus fior bhonn
iochdarach na cathrach de ghlaine ghil air
li na greine le breacadh de ghonn agus uaiu
agus corcur s gacli dath eile.
Muinntir bhlath mbin cbiùin gun eas-
bhuidh maitheas sam bith orra, 's ann aca tiia
aitreabh sa cliathair sin. Oir clia ruig agus
clia tliog aitreabh do glmàth innte ach lan-
naoimh agus eilthirich durachdach do Dliia.
Agus fòs an eagar agus an òrdugh is duilich
tìos fliaotainn cionnus a thachair iad oir
clia'n eil druim ncach dhiubli no a shlios
ri neach eile. Oir is amhlaidh a chairich.
cumhachd do-labhairt a choimdhe iad agus
rinn an coimhead, gnùis ri gniiis na'n sretli-
aibh agus na'n coronaibh co-àrda timchioll
an righ-shuidhe inu'n cuairt le òirdhearcas
agus le aoibhneas agus an aghaidh nile ri
Dia. Crann-caingil (chancel-rail) de ghlaine
eadar gach da shreath de'n luchd-ciùil le
còmhdach deàrsgnaidh dearg-òir agus airgid
air le srethaibh ro aluinn de leugaibh luach-
mhor agus le breacadh de usgraichibh
eugsamhail agus le cathairibh agus le
coronaibh carrmocail (carbuncle) air na
cruinn-caiugil sin. Tri leugan luachmhoir
le foghair binn agus le binuid chiùil eadar
gach da phriomh-chòisir agus an leth-an-
uachdar aca cleas lòchrannan air lassadh.
Seachd mile aingeal an dealbhaibh phriomh-
chainuel a' soillseachadh agus a' sorchach-
adh na cathrach mu'n cuairt, seachd mile
eile na' ceart mhiadhon a' sior lassadh mu'n
chathair rioghail. Ged bhiodh fir an
domhain, ge lionmlioir iad, an aon aite
dli'fhòorhnadli dliaibh mar bbiadli boltraclias
o cbeann aon-cliaiunl' de na cainnlibli sin.
Do neach, mata, de dhaoinibh an domhain
nack ruig a chathair sin as am beatba agus
<la'm bheil e'n dan a b-aitreabh iar breith-
€amhnas la bliràtlia, is annta so a ta iad air
t'uadan, gun fhois agiis air udmliall — an
daingneacliaibh atjiis an cnocaibh, an seas-
•gannaibli agus am boglaicliibh rotach an
aitreabhan— gus — an lig cbuca bratli.
Is amhlaidh ta ata na slòigli sin agus na
còisirean, agus aiugeal coimliideachd gach
aon anma tha uimta ag umhlachd agus a
fritliealadh di. Fial teine agus fial d' eigh.
am prionib-dhorus na cathracli na'm fiadh-
nuise agus siad a' comli-tliuargain cinn ar
rhinn gu sior. Fogbar agus fviaim na fial
sin a' bualadk an agbaidh a cheile, cluinnear
iad air feadh a chruinne. Nan chiinneadh
sioi Adhaimh am foghar sin, ghabhadh iad
uile crith agus uamhunn do-fhuiliugte
roimke. Is tùrsack mata agus is buairte
na peacaich aig an fkogkar sin. Gidkeadh,
Mas ann air an taobli a ta ri muinntir
nèimk a ta e, cha ckluinner a reisd de'n
gkarbk tkorrunn sin ack a làn-bbeag a
muàin agus is binne e na gack ceol a
chualas.
Is adlibkal a reisd, agus is iogknadk ri
'innseadk, stxidkeackadk na catkrack sin,
oir is beag de mkor an ni a dk' innis sinn
de 'k-òrdaibk evigsamklaibk agus de a
k-iongantasaibk.
Is ainneamk mata leis an anam, iar
fommuna agus comk-ckuidea- hd na coln.i.
iiiaille ri a suan agus ri a sclas agus ri a
saou'se agtis ri a soiglineas dul a dk'
ioiinsuidk rigk-skuidke a Chruitkear, mur tig
i ann tre iùl aingeal, oir is duilick, dreim
na seackd neamk, oir cka'n fkassa aon dmbh
na ckeile. Oir a ta sia dorais gkleidkidk air
cinn a ckinnn-daonna gu ruige an riogkackd.
189
^'limdhi.'ìioadli cuideachd dorsair agfiis loar-
laire o iiiluiiuiitir nèiiiili a choimliead Gfack
dorus diubli. An dorus matà is fhais.-T^a co
uoamli is air a shiiidliiclicadh Minii uù ard-
aiuG^cal a?U3 dithis bhan-naoimli na
fbarradli lc lìcasg'aibh iaruinn na'n uchdaibli
a shrogl-all agus a shluaistreadh nam
I'.eacajih air cLor s guv li-anii an sin a ta
n.i peacaich a 'coinneachadh i-i ciad ghliobh-
aig agus ri (-iad cheusadli an send (sliglie)
agus an siubhail.
Agus 1ÒS air dorus an dara nèimh is c
Ariel àrd-aingeal is fear-coimhead dhò agus
Jà òigli na 'fbairadh le sroghallaibh ieinn-
tcach na'n làiiiliaibli; is leo sin a ta iad a'
srogladli nam peacach tar an gniiisibb ag^is
tar an roscaibh. Do sbuidhicbcadh niatà
sru'.li tcinnteacb, le m6r-la.«sair air, am
fianuis an doruia siu. Abersetus ainra a'ngil
glileidliidh an t-srutha sin a dhearblias agus
a nigheas anniannan nan naonih de'n cbud-
trora chionta a ta 'leantuinn riutha gu'n oinn
iad cho glan agus cho soiileir ri reul loinn-
oarach Sbuidhiclieadli rcisd an sin tobair
taitiuneach le blàth agus boltrachas a
glila,nadh agus a dh'fhairigeadh annian nam
fireau. Greadaidh agus loisgidli e anmannan
nam peacach s cha toir e ni sam bitb dhiùbb
ach is tuilleadli peine agus peanas a thig g'an
ionnr.uilbc ann. Eiridb a reisd as a sin i-a
peacaick le bròn agus le dubhacbas deiira-
mor, na fireannan gidheadii le subhachas
agus m.ir-f !iaoilt gu dorus an treas nèimli,
Sòrn teinnteach matà a' lassadh do ghnàth
an sin. D\ mliile dbiag làrah-choillp, fhead
sa ruig.'as a lassair an àirds. Am prioba:lh
man sul thig anmannan nam firean tre'n
t-sòin £in. Eararaidh agus loisgidh e anm-
annan nam peacach gu ceaun da bhliadhna
dbiag. Bbei) an aingeal choimhoadachdia^i
iarsin gus an ceatbramh dorus. Is
amhlaidh a ta ard-dliorus a cbeathramh
ueimb agus sruth teinnteach timchioU air
190
•cleas an stm'n icimh-radhte. Ta inùr air
lassadh timchioll da, liad a tlieine air a
thombas, suas ri da mhile dliiag làmli clioille.
Theid anmannan nam firean tliairis mir
nach biodli e anu idir agus fasdaidhidh e
anmannan nym peacacli suas ri da brliadhna
dhiag' an truaighe agus am peanas gus an
toir an aingeal choimbideachd iad gu dorus
a choigeamh nèimh.
Snitli teinnteacli fòs an sin cuideacbd ach
is eucosmhiiil e ris an t-srutb eile oir a ta
saobh-choire àraid am miadlion an t-sruttit
f^in agus cairigidb e mu'n cuairt anmannan
nam peacach agus fasdaidh e iad gu ceann
sia bliadhna diag. Gidheadh theid na fire-
annan thairis air a dli'aon sgriob gun fuir-
each sam bith. An uair is mithich, matà,
anmannan nam peacacli fhuasgladb as, ni an
t-aingeal beantuinn ris an t-sruth le fleasg
cruaidii co-ionnan ri cloich gus an dian e na
h-anmannan a thogail suas air ccann an
fhleasg. Blieir Micliel iarsin na li-anman — ■
nan gu dorus an t-siatbaimh neimh. Gidh-
eadh cha'n eil e air aithris gu'm bheil pian
no peanas air an cur air na h-aiimannan
san dorus sin ach soilleirichear iad o shoillse
agus o thoillsgc leug luachmhor. Theid
Afichel na dheigh sin gu aingeal na Trianaide
»gus taisbianaidk iad na'ii ditbis an t-anani
am fiinuis Dhe.
Is adhbhal, raata, agus is do-luaidbte
laoilte muir-ntire neimh agus a Choinihdhe
foil! ris an ana -n an uair sin mas anam --leo-
chiontach fireanta i. Ach mas an-fhri-
oanta agus mas an-fhoirfidh an t-anam,
gheobh i anamainnt agus anshocair o'li
ClioiTidhe cbnmbachdach. Agus abraidh e
ri aingliu neimh. Tarruingibh libh, a
aingliu neimh, an t-anam eucrabuach-sa agus
■tboirib'i a laimh Lucifer i da a bathadh agus
da miichadh am fo-dhomhain iffrinn i p^u
fiuthainii sicr.
191
Is anil an sin a sprairear an t-anam truagh
sin <rn h-ea»allach as^us gu searbh asriis gu
li-uamhunnach o fhochair Hatha neimhe a^fus
sinuis' Dhe. Is nnn an sin a leigcas i aisde
an osann is truinie na gach osna a' teat-hd
aui focliair an diabliail an deigliidh aoibliu-
easan righeachd nèinih fhaicsinn. Is ann a
sgauear i o ehomraig nan ard-aingeal ieis
;in d' thainig i do cbura ncimh. Is ann ifu
sin a slilugas na da dbitigoin-tbeine dhia?
gaili auai'i an d'eis a cheile gus an cuir an
aiàgon is iochdaraicbe i am bial an diablio.l.
Is ann an sin a gheobli i lanachd gacha
h-uilc am fochair an diabhoil tre linntinibh
na bitii-bhuanutachd.
Xise an uair a dh'fhoillsich an aingcal
cboimhideachd do anam Adhambnain na
taisbeanaidhean-sa fhlaitbeas nèimh agus
f iad-imeachda gacha b-anma iar tcachd as a
chorp. rug e Ieis i iarsin dh'ionnsuidh iffrinu
irchdaraich le iomad a piau agus a riasladh
agus a era lad.
A chiad tir gus an d'rhinig e, tir dbubh
òhòtbte, i falamh faloisgte gun pliLan idir.
Gle^nii Ian de theine an taobh-sa dhi.
Lassar deàra-rahòir ann a' tighinn thar na
h-c'irean aige air gach leth. A lochdar dubh,
a nibiadhon agus a uachdar dearg. Ochd
biastan ann, an sùilean mar bhreò theinii-
teacli.
Drochaid deàra-nihor tarsuinn an gloann;
a' ruighinn on aon oir gus an oir eile, àrd
na' miadhon, iosal san da cheann. Tri
feachd. ag oidliearpachadh air teachd thairis
agus cha ruig iad uile. Feachd dhiubh, is
Icathanu doibk an drochaid o thus gu deir-
eaùh, air chor s gun tig gu h-òg-elàn gun
uainhunn gun oagal thairis air a ghleann
teinnteach. Feachd cile a' tighinu ga
h-iontisuidh, caol daibh air thus i ach
leathan fo dheoidh, gu'n ruig iad mar sin
tarsuinn an gleann iar nior-ghiibhadh. Am
feachd deiriomiach is leathann doibh aii-
192
thus an drocliaid, caol agus ciimliang fo
dheòidh, gus an tuit iad de a miadhon sa
ghleann ghàbliaidh clieudna am bràghadaibli
nan ochd bliiast blireò-theinnteach ud aig
am blieil an aitreabh ann sa ghleann.
Is iad so liichd d'am bu shoirbh an send
(e. slighe) sin, muinntir gheamnuidh,
muinntir Ian aithreach, dearg-mhartuirean
diirachdacli do Dhia. A bhnidheann J'am
bu ohnmhang air thiis agus d'am bu leath-
ann an t-slighe fo dTieòidh, is iad sin dream
a ta air an co-eigneachadh chum toil Dhe
a dhianamh s na I^rg sin a ta 'tionndainn
an eiginn gu toiUnntinneas ann a bhi tabhairi;
fòghnadh do Dhia. Ach dhaibh-san d'am
bu lovitban air thus an drochaid agus d'arn
bu .ihnmhang i fo dheòidh, is iad na jDcac-
aicli a dh'eisdeas ri searmonachadh briathar
Dhe agus nach coimhlion e an deigh a
chlàistinn.
Ata slòigh ro-mhora cuideachd arm an di-
chumhachd air tràigh na pene suthaine air an
taobh bhos de thir-eadar-dha-sholus. Aon
uair tràighidh am pian dhiubh, air uair eile
thig e thairis orra. ladsan mata d'am bheil
e mar sin is iad luchd d'an comhthrom am
maith agus an ole. Agus an la a bhratha
breith'iichear eatarru agus bàthaidh am
maith an olc ann san la sin agus beirear
iad do phort a bheatha am fochair Dhe gu
i«iach.
Ata dream mhor eile cuideachd ann, am.
fagus do'n luchd sin agus is adhbhal a pian.
Is amhlaidh mata a tha iad, fo chùmhrach
ri colbh teinnteach, muir tlicine umpa gu
ruige an smige, slabhraidhcan teinnteach
m'am miadhon air dhealbh nathrach. Ta'n
gniiiseau a' lassadh os cionn a phein. Is
iad mata a ta sa phian sin, peacaich agus
fionnghalaich agus luchd milleadh eaglaise
Dhe agus rianadairean eutròcaii'each a ta an
làthair tàisealan nan naomh os cionn thiodii
lacan agus dheachamh na h-eaglais agus a
193
111 dc iia h-ionnihasaibh scilbh sonniiclite
dbaibh fhein seach dha aoighibh af^us ainn-
iacacliaibh a Choimhdho.
Seadh, a ta slòio-h mor aim iia'n scasa-nh
do o-hnath an Uithachaibh ciar-dhubh sfu
riiige a ciiosa. Cochuill ghearra cigh iimpi.
Clia'n fliois agus clia tàmh dhaibh. gn brich
acli na criosan g'ati losgadh eadar fuachc»
agviG teas. Fcachdrai dlioamliau timchioll
dhaibh agus pluic t.luùuntcach na'ii làmhaibh
g am bualadh air an cinu, agus siad a' sioi-
thagradh riu. Uil' aghaidhean nan truaghan.
gn tuath agu3 gaoth gharbh ghoirt an clài
an aodtiinn mar aon ri gach olc. Frasa
dearga toiunteach ag fcarthuinn orra gach
oidhche agus gach la agus cha'n urrainn
daibh an seachnadh ach a' fulang gu siorr-
uidh ag caoi agus an dòruiun. Feadhainn
dliitibh agus sruthau teine an tollaibh an
gnùise; cuid eile agus cloidheannau teine
tre'u teanghaibh, cuid dhiubh tre'n cmn o'u
taobh a muigh. Is lad mata a ta sa phian sin,
eadhon gaduichean agus luchd-mionnan-
eithich, luchd-brath agus luchd-toibheum,
liichd-slad agus luchd-creach, bnthimli go —
blireathach agus rauinntir chonnspoideach,
mnathan nan ubagan agus eisgean, luchd-
dioghaltais agus luchd-leughaidh a shear-
monaicheas eiriccachd. Ata drong mhor
eile ann an innsibh ain miadhou mara tene.
Mùr airgideach umpa de'n aodaicbibh agus
de'n deireibh. Is iad sin foireann a ni tròc-
air gun deaimad agus gidlieadh a bhios le
striau-thuainic annta a'm peacaidhibh ccll-
aidh gu crich am bùis agus ni na rinn iad
air almsadh cobiiair orra am miadhon na
niara theine gu brack agus cuirear iad o
phort na beatha iar la 'bhràtha.
Tha buidhcannan mor eile ann agus
cleòcachan dearga t«inuteaeh gu liir umpa.
Chiinnear an crith agus an gair air feadh au
iarmailt. Drong di-sgrùidte de dheamhn-
aibh 'toir giug-thachdaidh dhaibh agus com
194
Ibreiina letli-amli leotlia na'n lamliaibh •
iad a' toil- furail air na peacaioh an ith agus
an caitheamh. Eotlia dearfja teinntea ■'!: a'
sior-lassadh m'am bràghadaibh. Beirear
suas iad gnis an iarmailt gach caochladh
tiair, tilg^ear sios iad am fior-dhoimhneachd
iuthairn uair eile. Is? iad mata a ta sa pliian
flin. vloiricli a hhrist air an cùmhlaiaean agus
fuatb-chrhibhtich aj^ns briaofadairean a
dh'innseas briao^ agus 'mheallas na slòig'h
agua a !yliabhas orra fhein fearta agns
miorbhuilean nach urrainn iad a dhiananh
daibh. Na naoidheannan a ta 'teumadh nan
cleireaoh, is iad sin an luchd a chaidh earbadh
riu a leasachadh a:^us cba do leasaich siad
iad niu'm pfacaidhibh.
Ata dream dcara-mhor eile ann soir is fciar
dhaibh gnn stad daibh thar na leacaibh
tcinutaacli a,^ cathachadh ri feachdaibh nan
deambnan. Is Uonmbor ri àireamh frassa
nan saiphead a' dearg-lassadh dhoibh o na
deamlmaibb. Tba iad a' teacbd na'n ruith
gun fbantumn ^n fhois g^ns an rnig iad
dubh-locba agus dubb-aibhne a bbàtliadh
nan f-aighead sin annta. Is trioblaidea-:;li
agua is trua,gb a gbair agus 'gbal-ghàir a
ni na peacaicb ann sna uisgibb sin oir is
truimidod pene a ta annta dboibb. Seadh,
is iad a ta sa pbian sin, luchd-eeàird agus
figbeadairean agus ceannaichean easionraic,
britbimb "-ò-breitheacb nan Iiidba«h agua
gacb cimieacb eile agus rigbrean eucràibh-
teaob, riauadairean claon a ta collaidb.
mnatban adbaltracb agus teacbdairean a
jnhillaaa iad na'm mi-ghniombraibh. Ta
mùr teine cuideacbd air an taobb tball do
tbir nam pian; is seacbd uair is uambas-
aiebe ague is seirbbe e na tir nam pian tein.
Acb cba'n eil anmannan ag còmbnuidb aun
gus a' bbreitbeanas oir la le deambnaibh na'n
aonar a riagbladb gu la bbrlxtba.
Is mairg mata a ta sna pianaibb sin an
comh-aitreabh muinntir' an diabbuil. Is
195
mairo^ nacli eil na'm faichill romh "n
mlminntir sin. Is mairof d'am '• idh jia
lliÌE^heariia dcamhan dìobliarj^ach musach.
Is maii-tr a bhios ag- èisteachd ri osnadh a.e:tis
ri o^al-gfhàire nan anmanann an truai^he at^
jjearain ris a choimlidhe mu theaclid chuca
lixtha bhràtha ^n luatli, inas e s ma dh'-
ihaoidte ?u"m faigli iad fionnaracbadL sani.
bith sa bhreathanas oir cha'n fhaigh iad foie
•i^ii là bhratha ach. trì uairean gacli
dòmhnacli. Is mairsf d'am bn dhìiclias dileas
am feaiann sin gu brhcb ! oir is amblaidh a
ta: Sleibbtean tolltacb dealgnach ann agns
fòa niaghau loma 8 iad loisgteach agus lochan
breuna biastaidhc. Talamh g-arbh
gaininbcch s e anabarracb mì-chòmhnard làu
t-igh. Leacan leatbann teinteach air a l;;r.
Mara mora le onfbadhaibb uaniharraidh sani
bidb aite-còmhnuidh agus aitreabh nan
diabhul do g-bnàth. Ceithir sruthan deara-
niòr thar a làr; sruth teine, sruth sneachda,
srutli neimbe, sruth uisge dnbha dorchaidh.
Is annta ain a dh'fbairigeas feacbd dìobh-
argach nan deamhan iad fèin an deighidh an
còmh-dbail agus an cleasaclid a' pianadh
nan anmannan.
An sin niiair thogas slòigh naomha
niuinntir' nèimh' ceòl comh-chubhaidli nan
ochd tràth gu subhach agus gu furmailteach
a' moladh a' Choimbdhe, is ann an ''in bheir
na h-anmannan nualla truagha tùirseach air
dhaibh bUi air an tuairgneadh gun tàruh
le dr>:)ngaibh nan deambau. Is iad sin mata
na piantan agus na peanasan a dh'fboillsicli
an aingeal cboimhideachd do db'anam Adh-
amlinain iar tadhall riogbacbd neimh.
Tbugadb an sin an t-aiiam am priobadh
sbtil tre'n ard-dborua òrdha agus tre'n roinn
sgixil gblainidhe gu tir nan naomh ; is innto
tbugadb i a cbeud uair iar di dealacbadh ri8
a cborp. Nuair gbabh i miann mata aJr
fantuiun agus air fairis san tir sin cbuala i
na' deigbidb tre'n roinn-sgàil guth an aingil
196
a' cur mar cliorrachd oirre i 'tliigbinn air a
li-ais a rithist gus a chorp chianda as an
d'flialbh i, a chum gn'n innseadh i an dailibh
a.gns an coimhthionalaibh neo-chleireacb. is
cbleir duaisean nèimhe agus piantan iffrini
mar dli'flioillsich an aiugeal clioimliideachd
di.
Is (» sin matà am foircheadal a b'abliaist
do dh' xidliarahnain a bhi gnathachadh do
na slòigh o sin a mach, fhead s a ^ha e na
bheatba. Seadh is e sin an ni a sliearmon-
uich e am mor dhàil fir Erenn an uair a
chaidh reachd Adhamhnain a chur air na
Ghidheil agus an uair a cliaidh na mnatlian
a shaoradli [o blii 'dul do cliogadh] le Adh-
amlinau agus le Finnachta Flpadliach rign
Erenn, agus le mathaibii Erenn cuideachd.
Sftadh is e a chiad-sgial a ghnàthaicli Pat-
raic mac Calpuirn am bidheantas, sochairean
nèimhe agus piantan iftrinn innseadh do'n
fheadhainn a chreideadh sa Choimhdhe trid
'fhoircheadal agus a shealbhaich an anam-
chairdeaa troimh-sa aig- eirigh an t-soisgeil.
Is e iòs foircheadal bu mhinige thug Peadar
agus Pol agus na h-abstail eile seachad,
eadhon, piantan agus sochairean a chur an
geill, oir dh'fhoillsicheadh dhoibh eat fo'n
chuma chianda. Is e sin a rinn Silvester
aba 'n Uoirah do Chonstaiitin mac Elena,
ard-righ an domhain aJin san mhor-dhhil an
uair a dh'iobair e an Ròimh do Phòl Agus
do Pheadar. Is e seo cuideachd rinn Fabian
comharba Pheadair do dh' Phihp ma« Gor-
dian rlgh Eòmanach an uair a chreid e an
Coimhdhe agus nuair a chreid ioma mile eile
san itm sin. Is esan a chiad righ de na
Rùmanaich a chreid ann san t-Slanuighfhear
losa Cr^osd.
Is e seo an sgial is gnathach le Eli inns-
eadh do anmannaibli nam firean agus se fo
chrann na beatha am Parana. An uair a <lh'
fhosgaileas Eli an leabhar a dh' fhoircheadal
nan anmannan, thig anmaunan nam fiieau
197
an s.in au rioclidaibh ian gfle-glieal chin^e
o gacU àird. An sin innsidh e dbaibli air
thiis soL-bairean nam firean, aoibhneas a^us
àluiniitoachd rìo;heachd nèimh s tha iad ro
fliaoillteach re sin. larsin innsidh e dbaibh
piantan as:us pcanasau iiJrinn agiis earalan
la bhratha acjus is folbviseach gn mor ^nè a
a bhròin air fein agiis air Enoch 'chor s ;^ur
iad seo da bhròn rif^heachd nèimh. larsin
dùinidh Eli an Icabhar ajus bheir na h-eòin
nuall-gfhàir an iiair sin agns deasaichidh iad
au 't^asfan gn tcann r'an ciiirp gii'n lig
srutha fala asda air omhann phiantan iffrinn
agus la bhratha.
Nis o 'siad anmannan nan naonih, d'an dan
sior-aitreabh righeachd nèimh, a tha 'togail
an nuall-ehàir sin bn mhithiche do dliaoinibh
an domhain, ged a b iad deòir fliola a sliileadh
iad iar doibh aire bhi aca air la bhratha agus
joiantan iffrinn. Is aun an sin a dh' iocas an
Coimhdhe a thuarasdal fein do gach duine
san domhain, eadhon sochairean do na firean-
aibh agus piantan do na peacaich. An 6Ìn
cuiridh e na peacaich ann an ro-dhoimhneachd
jjene shuthain air an iadh glas briathar Dhe
fo fhuath britheamh a bhratha tre linn nan
Unn. Bheirear cuideachd na naoimh s na
fireannau, luclid na deirce a<?u8 na tròcaire
air deas laimh Dhe a bhith-aitreabh righeachd
nèimh, eadhon, ait sam bidh ead sa mhòr-
ghlòir sin gun aois gun chrionadh gun cheann
gun chrich tre linn nan linn.
Is amhluidh mata a ta 'chathair sin,
flaitheas gun uaill, gun uabhar, gun ghò, gun
thoibheum, gun cliealg, gun chuilbheart, gun
ruic, gun ruarais, gun mkiabalachd, gun
mhealltaireachd, gun tnùtli, gun mhòr-chuis,
gun theinu, gun ghalar, gun bliochdain, gun
nochdainn, gun dhith, gun dhiobhail, gun
chlach-mheallain, gun sneachda, grui ghaoth,
gun fhliuchadh, --un thoirm, gun thorrunn,
gun dhorchad, gun fhuachd, Haitheas uasal
ion-cliliùiteach chiatach, fodh thoradh, fodh
slioillse, fodh bholadli tìre lain aim sa bheil
deasfli sliòlas gacli maitheas.
FEAE NA PAIECE.
Macculloch of Park, near Dingwall,
fiourislied before 1600. He was maternal
groat-grandfather of Duncan Macrae, who
wrote the Fernaig MS., from which I here
transliterate. The whole of this MS. was
transcribed and annotated by Professor Mac-
kinnon, who in April, ]8o5, wrote a full des-
cription of it — (see "Transactions of Gaelic
Society of Inverness," vol. xi., 311-339, where
this admirable nionoo-raph on the chief of the
Macraes is given). Afterwards it was
transcribed, though not entirely, by the late
Eev. Alex. Cameron, LL.D. — (Rel. Celt., vol.
ii., 1-137). The remainder was completed
by Mr Macbain,
CEOSDHANACHD.
[iV rinneadh le Fear na Paiece.]
I.
Beannuich, Dlie, mo leabhar
Ann sa(n) mhaduinn
Mo sheadh ga chur air mheamhair
An ceum lag.
II.
Cha cheum lag dhuinn bhi leanmhuinn
Air a(n) t-sligb'
Ta againn 'dhion ar n-anman
Bho Eigh nimh'.
III.
Bho Eigh nimh' ta na briathran
Air an deachdadh
Chuireas an ceill dninn a riaghailt
Sinn da cleachdadh.
199
!▼.
Cleachdar leinn leughadh leabhair
Much is aniiioch
Cur urnuiorli Mhic Dbc airaird
Dhiou ar n-anman.
'Dliion ar n-aiiman ata solar
Do aliiol Adhaimh
'Leiis:liadli s an eisneachd an t-Soisgeil
Cur ri cràbliadh'.
'Cur ri crabliadh. biodh gach duine
Air gfach slig'be
Gheibh e gacli uile math shireas
Bho Riffh nimhe.
Bho Righ uimh' ta gach uile
Math ri chcstnadh
Thug'maid g^ach urraim is onoir
Dhò-s air thoisich.
Air tiis rinn Dia 'saos'hal uile
Reir a thoil
Chuir 6 'sbaothair fo smachd dhuinne,
'Coir a mboladh.
IX.
Coir bhi moladh Dhe gach aon la
Sa bhi ga leanmhuiun
Do riun e'n duine le mhioraild
Do dhust talmhainn.
Do dhust talmhainn rinn Dia 'duine,
E na ònar ;
Thug aisinn as a thaobh 'a e na chodal
Rinn dhi Eòbh.
200
Do rinn e Eubli dha mar chiiideacbadli
Sa(n) t-saoglial ;
Bha iad faraon naohh gun tiiiteam
Air an coimhcheangal.
XII.
Coimlicheangal rinn Dia 't-Atlaair —
Pàrras bnnaidli —
Dainwneachadh ('n) dithis ua chathair
Mar àithne duinne.
Mar sin clmir Dia Eò is Adbamh
Na gliàradh aoiblineach
Thug aithne dliaibh mar a b'aill leis
Ead blii cnimhineach.
XIV.
Cliuimhnich an t-ablicrsoir cealgach
Ead bhi sa gbaradli
T(h)ainior m'an comliair gu meallta
Mar so tharlig.
XV.
Labhair riu as a chraoibli
(An) riochtu nathrach : —
"Ithidli do'n mliios
Co cumhaclidacb ri Dia na cathrach
Bidli siblis'."
XVI.
Tliug Eubli lamh an sau cliraoibh
Do bbuin di u(bli)all
Clia(idh) Adliamh leatba air a comhairl
Dhoibh bu phndliar.
Dlioibh bu phndliar bristeadh àithn
Dhè gun eas(bh)uidh
Le caitbeanih 'n ubliaill gii dan
Nacb robb cneasda.
201
'Thoiseach riiin Dia 't-Atliair
Air a(n t-saoglial
Bhrosnuich i^ach iioacli shiol Adbaimh
Ta baoofhal.
Ta sinn a(m) baoo;lial fodh pheac'
N-ar ciad at liar
iJhrist air fain Dlie a(ni) flaitheas
E na 'chatliair.
XX.
Cathair ainglc(aii) Dhe a(m) Paras
Nan nil' aoiblineas
Cha'n fheudar le neacli àireamh
Mar tha choiblineas.
Ta 'choibimeas 'ghnà air uile
'Dòirteadh saoibliris
Oirnn shiol Eò agas Adhaimh
Is sinn daoibhir.
Ta sinn daoibhir dhetk creideamh
Na ar cridhe
Gnn ar meamhair bhi freagair
Da ar dli^he.
Dligh g-ach neach an san t-saoghal
De shiol Adhaimh.
Bhi 'giiidhe Mhic Dhe da saoradh
Bho crach gàbhadh.
High na pais si an as gach càs
D' ar dion bho ar moalladh,
('N) ti chruthaich sinn sa cheannaich
Ainm bi' beannuicht.
Beanuuich Dh«, »&c.
AON FATHAST DO RINNEADH LE
FEAE NA PAIRCE.
'G eirisrli dliomlisa 's a* lai?lie
Biom gach trath sior gbuidh a(n) Rigli
Clia''idhi le thoil air chrann da ar ceannacli
Dul na chion cba mheallar mi.
Le Ian earlaid biom a' triall
(A) fhlathanas mo mliiann g-acli uair
Saofhal breugach chur air chùl
Mo ruin, dnl sa(n) t-slighe bhuan.
III.
Sligb na firinn ar neart
Soiseenl direach, reachd Mhic Dbe
Ga b'e mbinicheadh o ceart
(Gu) fireantach, bhiodli sliocbd na dheigh
IV.
Deighidh 'mhìneacbaidb-s' thoirt leinn
Bidh losa mar r(u)inn sa(n) am
Lioumliora bbiomar bbo iochd
Mar gbeall Dia 'sbliochd Abraham.
Beannnicbt do bhidheas gach ti
Chreideas losa sa chi ©
Mallaicht gach neach s a reim
Chuireas a cbùl ri Mac Dhe.
VI.
Diol gach neach nach gabh a roghainn
Faire ri h-eug air bhreith' dhò;
Dul fhlathas Dhe nan àrd-aingeal
Sa chathair eibhinn bithidh na slòigh.
VII.
Cha'n ionann cor da'n t-sluagh threigt'
Sa taio^h eitidh leigear eau
Dh' iffrinn fhnar ['m] bi teintean lasrach
Da' pian' a' feasd gnn dul eug.
203
VIII.
Eibhinn cor na(n) daoine taghta [?1
Dul air au aghart gach n-uair
Mar ri losa an comunn ainglean
Bidli ead aighearacli bith-bliuau.
IX.
Eigli na paise! foucli do gbràsan
Orm-san is nii'n civs crack tim
Bbo na nainibdean ta ga'm leanmbnimi
Bbo taim aufbann, sibb' mo dbion.
Righ na soillse! thoir neart domhsa
Bbrigb t'annsacbd s mi air cbeilidb
Gu bbi cnimbueacb air do gbuidb
N am laigbi dhom s ag eirigb.
Gr eiriofb dbomb-sa, &c.
SGEEAD AN ANMA DO EINNEADH.
Le Fear na Paiece.
I.
Ta cogadli oidbebe agus la
Orm a gbnàtb, cruaidb an chs
Cba sgiiir e dbioni gii la m' eig
Truime learn fa cbend na'm bas.
II.
Cogadb ata air mo tbi
Aobbar eagail gacb ti e;
Coir dliuiun aicbcadli gu mor
Caitbriseacb ni's leoir an gnè.
III.
Triùir ta cogadb gacb lò —
Aobbar bròin dbora a mbèud —
Saogbal, an t-aibbearsoir s an fbeòil
Air tbi mo leòn do bbidbeas ead.
IV.
Aon de'n triùir a deirim ribh
Saoehal, do mheall na slòigh
Ga'n dalladh bho thim gu tim
Mealladh gacb ti bheir r'a dhòigh.
Ta'n saoglial dalladh an t-slòigh
Tlaaobhas e gu mor gun cheart;
Gun e againn acli mar clieò
Cha choir dhuinn leòn le neart.
Cha'n fhoghainn le duine 'leòir,
Cha'n fhoghainn ni's mo 'ga mhèud,
Miann leo cruinneachadh san am,
Sior ckur na cheajin do bhidheas ead.
VII.
Ach fhir a chruthaick uil' na slòigh
Ckoirichj dhom na's leòir do ni
Dion bho'n t-saoghal mi s mi dall
Gach saobhadh bidh feall do chi.
Darna namh se gun bhreug
'Cholluinn an teid an sannt
Ni'a miann le mo cholluinn chre
M' aimhleas gu leir do bhidheas aim.
Cholluinn a bhedl mo steidh
Orm a bhidheas i, cruaidh an càa
'Cothachadh gach tim s i 'bhith
Da mo ruith le peacadli bài8.
Aobhar dùbhachais dhom fein
Gach subhiachas theid a'm' chorp
Le h'-àilgheas bho thim gu tim
Cairear mi fo dhion sa(n) shloohd.
XI.
Riar na colna maircr do ni
Bho is ullaiiili i dol le brcug
Nuair is mo s is fearr a cor
Gu iiabliar le toil gfu toid.
losa alilàiiear a(n) t-slòigh
Guidheam e biii dhomlis da m' dhion
Mo cliollainn [a] chur fo smachd
Gun dolaidli theachd orm na dhiol.
XIII.
Treas nàmli làn do dk' fheirg
'T-Abhersoir le ckeilg a glinàth,
Mar leomhunn air a(m) bi glut
Dli'iounsuidh ar slxigadh gach trath.
XIT.
Mar sin biom an càs teann
Fliir ckaoi air ckeann an t-slòigk
Bko na naimkdibk ta ga mo ruitk
Teaaruig is no matk* mi dkoibh.
XV.
Tòireackd orm do bhidlieas ead
Air tki mo mkea,lladk gack la
Gu fuirear ia coir dhoni bhitk
Le caitkris is urnuigk a o-knàth.
XVI.
Urnuigk is aitkri an t-slòigk
Ckaisgeas domk-s au cogadk mor
Le guidk losa gack ii-uair
Ciosaickear gu luatk an tòir.
XVII.
Their mathanas dkom s mi dall
Go do ckatkair tkall 's miann learn del,.
La do spiorad dian dom iùl,
Cuireann riutka evil air gack coir.
Permit, allow.
206
XVIII.
S mì t-anam a ta fo g-hlaa
Aiiacal mi nis, o Ei^h!
Bho na naimhdibh ta ga m' riuth
S mi air crith freao'air mi.
Eagla mo iiaimlide(aii) gu leir
Ta orm-sa fein a ghuàtb.
Athair na siimaineam 's tu chi
Bho 's fiosracli sibli mar a ta.
Ta cogadh, &c.
AON EILE DO EINNEADH,
Le Fear na Paiece.
I.
Tagliam (au) rigli firinneach Dia
Dilis do mo tliriall g-ii bi,
Le umhlachd mo chuirp da gliuidh
Liibadli le mo chridli' ui.
Tri gnè dhaoin' th' air a(n) t-saoghal
Do'n a(n) dligher miosg a(ii) t-sloigh.
Air an ceougal buain ra dùir©
Cha'n fliaigliear umhlachd mar roigh.
'Ciad fhear de'n triiiir mar chual'
Gun. eòlas air a mhath do clii
Cha ghabh e teagasg bho^ aon neach
Gun eagla aimhleas do ni.
Dania fear dhiubh gu tuigseach
Da blieil ciall is gliocas mor
Bidh thuigs' dul do air dliearmad
Cha'n fheàirrde neach e bhios fa choir.
207
Treas fear de'n triùir nach cniosd
Fiosrach air a choir san am
Dh' oibricheas le neart eii-còir
Gun' cheart na 'Mbac Dhe [a] cbàil.
VI.
Ach sill aafaihli triiiir tha don'
Air an t-saowhal cliorrach tli' ann
Mairg na' loro' air a' leanmlinin
S an ord dheamhna ta na ('n) ceann
Mairg- do ni uabhair sa(n) t-saoghal
S afn) t-eusf era 'mhaoidheadb gach. lò
Dluetli gach scan s gach òg ni doarmh'uinii
E bhi cuimhneach Icotha.
VIII.
Cuimhnich an t-caig ort mar eallach
Cuimhnich an ti cheannuich thu daor
Nuair a sgaras riut an t-anara
Sa(n) talamh cha.teid leat maoin.
Dhuin"! na dean Dia de'n t-saoghxl
Bi-sa cuimhneach air do cheil
Mar ata Dia eudor na ghealladh.
Mairg neach a mheallas e fein.
Bbaim-s' òg, ni.s taim sean
Cha'n fhacas sid ri mo re
Fear ceart dul a dhlth no 'shliochd
Gun iochd fhaotuinn bho ^Ihac Dhe.
XI.
Ach gun bhi againn ach cuairt ghearr
Air a(n) 1>3aoghal dearbh mar chi
Bhi 'guidhe Mhic Dhe mo rui(gh)*
Na m' uidh tagham an Righ.
* Variant of ri (a liinsr) yironounced rui and written
usuallj' noyh ; in stanza II. it rhymes with slòigh.
AON DO RINNEADH.
Le Fear na Paihce.
Saoghal air a bheil mi !
Ghoir mi ri Mac Dhe gun dul
Bho ta seacliaran a'm' fheoil
M'aigne ann do ròid clia* d' chuir.
II.
Sligh 'an 1>Soisgeil dheachd Criosd
D'a Ostail gu f ior a thug
Dhion an auman do gach ti
Clireideaa an righ 'dòigh nach tuig.
III.
Tuigeadli gach aon neacli Ba(n) t-saoghal
Baoghal do dh'fhuilinn Mac De
Le 'leth eibhinn ri crann' thàrnaig'
Fodh b&inc Philoit cheusadh e.
IT.
Se dh'fhuilinn gach pian
Dhòirt 'fhuil gu fior dhiofl an t-»luaigh.
Da' ghuidh leinne Criosd a bhi
Le ar cridh feasd da luaidh.
Gun bhi' g ùrnaigh le creideajnli
'N eagla Dhe ta mar bliaoghal,
Bidh na naimhdean da ar Leon
'T-AbhersoLr, an Fheoil s an Saoghal.
* MS. has mj chvrr for ni churr : a similar substitution
of m for 11 is seen in Rel. Celt. II. p. 20, line 9. Other-
wise, we should read, perhaps : ni'èiginn ann do ròid mi
chuir.
DO GIINE OEATN A KINNEADH.
Le Fear na Pairce.
losa molaim, an crann toraidh
Ta ga fhuran fein gacli lò
Air gach duin' blieir dha onair
Bbios erii soilleir cinnteach dhò.
Chorp le aunsacM tnug mar shauns'
Is a dhion au anina leis
Dh'iffrinn chuaidh, chruinnicli na slòigh
Blia uile fodh leoin, millt treis.
Chreach au t-seis a b'ion a threigs'
Do sliiol Eubh is Adliamb air tkiis
Fodh "beinc" Philoit dh'flinilinn pianadh
Da ar diou blio Ifrinn a nuas [ ?.]
Treas la dk'eiricli, phaidh ar n-eirig
Biodh gach trend gu smnainteack ( ?) trom
Aobhar brosnaidli dliaibli ra cbosnadh
Bhi 'choimh.-aoisuibh cuimlineacli ra
'sliloiun.
Air laimli dheis athar suas na 'chathair
Skuidh gu flathail firinnea«h
Thig gu neartmhor nuas tliobhairt ceartaia
Air gach neach gu miorailteach.
Le fuaim trumpaid tliig gach aon ueach
Cha bhi aon neach bhuath san uair
Blieir Dia ceart orr' gun eaiibhuidh
Ead a teachd sro 'n oigrhreachd bhuan.
VII.
Threud taght' uile air a laimli dheis cuiridb-
'Rigli dh' fhurain air a shluagh
Na h-ard-ainglibli bidh da le-aiimLiim
Gu cliathair aoibliueach cliaoidb bhi-
bliuan.
VIII.
'Sluagh ci-osta air a laimli thoisgeil
Gun fhear leageil bidh gu truagli
Leigear sioa ead deig-h' trèigsi(n)
Do taigh eitidh 'chaoi bhi-bhuan.
Mar bha glutan deighidh tuiteam
'G iarraidh furtach(d) an ain-tim
Bidh na aluaghridh 'g iarraidh fuaraidh
Nuair nacli truagh le Dia an diol.
X.
'La nach d'eisneadh leo na fàidh'
Lagh no 'àithnt' da chnr an ceill
Cha bhi diona ac' na furtach(d)
Deigh tuiteam bho Mhac Dhe.
Namh feallsa tairg' ar mealladh
Da ar tarruing thaigh gun dhion
Feitheamh òirnn mar leomhain ghluf
Gach uair thuiteas sinn na'(n) lion.
Caithris, urnaigh agns aithri
Ar barrand 'bhi a(n) Dia
Slighe dhireach ga ar diona
Go righ dilis biodh ar triall.
XIII.
Eibhinn, aighireach ar gleidheadh,
Suas na 'chathair la theid sinn,
[Na] 'fhlathas bunaidh ta dhuinn uile
S a crann toraidh foe ar cinn.
211
XIV.
Moille dlminn le bren^ dh' eirich
Fad (?) bho'n fliirinn eisdear leinu
Moladh losa. High iia Paise
Mend a ghràs' tuigidh (?) sinu.
Mend ar peacaidh srhnàth da'n cleachdadh
Mor an easbhuidh dliuinn gun sgiths
S mo na gràsan no mar ta sinu
Bhi gach trath sior ghuidh los'.
IAIN CAESWELL.
John Carswell, Bishop of tlie Isles,
flourished between 1520-1572. He is remem-
bered as the translator into Gaehc of Knox's
"Liturgy." This work appeared in 1567, and
is the first work printed in Gaelic. The
only perfect copy now known to exist is in
the library of the Duke of Argyll. Two
other imperfect copies exist — one of these in
the Edinburgh University Library; the
other, now in the British Museum, was found
in a farmer's house in Stratherrick. Dr
Maclachlan edited a handsome new edition
of the book in 1873. It is often more of a
paraphrase than of a close translation. He
heaps on epithets where none exist in the
original. He seems to have been conscious
of his lack of a full mastery of the Gaelic
language. His was not the pen of Keating.
He was under the influence of the traditional
native schools, and was not forced, like the
Dean of Lismore or like Duncan Macrae of
Kintail, to manufacture an inconsistent
phonetic style of spelling. He had a fair
mastery of the language. His hymn to the
Note. — XIV, 1, dhaoin? XIV., 4, corrupt? II.
1, sanns' from Handsel, a variant of sainnseal. VIII.,
1, erosta— forbidden, prohibited.
212
book (p. 24) is happily done. The diction is
clear and easy. Dr Maclachlan blundered
three consecutive lines in stanza four, which
runs —
"Gach seancha gan seanchus saobh
Gach fear dano nar aomh breg
Cumand ©adrad agas iad
A leabhrain bhig biadli go heg."
Maclachlan renders it —
"Every teacher v/ithout wise teaching.
Every poet who hates not a lie,
A distance between thee and these.
Little book, let tiere be unto death."
It literally means —
"Every teacher without false teaching.
Every poet, moreover, who inclines not to a
lie.
Communion between tbee and thean.
Little booklet, let there be until death."
Dano (moreover) is the only obsolete word
in the whole 20 lines, but the title, "Adhmad
Beag," which Maclachlan renders "A Little
Hymn," is curious. I take it to be genuine,
and possibly from the root in "meadhrach,"
with the suffix "ath-." This root occurs in
dermad, farmad. The Old Irish "taithmet"
(memoria) is met with m the old hymns,
where it is glossed "foraithmet." We have
thus a proto-Coltic *afi-mento, where mento
is cognate with Latin com-mentiim, and with
English mention. The Milan Codex has the
phrase — "Cen nech dinim aes dim cblaind
frim foraithmet" — which is in modern Gae-
lic— "Gun neach de ^n'aois (p, linn), de m'
chloinn ri m' chuimhneachadh." I take
adhmad, accordingly, to imply memorial,
lemembrance, technicallv apjolied in this
case to verses commemorative of friendship.
No evidence occurs to me to prove that the
213
meanino- "hymn" is orisfhial to the word.
The (rood doctor made a random guess. The
word is now extinct, and I substitute,
"aidheara," a joyous carol; the adjective
"aidheamach" (joyous) beingf still in use.
Pre\'ising' so much, the Bishop's hymn to
the Gaelic translation of 1567 would run as
follows nowadays —
Aidheam Bheag^ an seo a rinn M. Seon
Carsuel do chum an leabhair bhig-sa fein.
Gluais romhad a leabhrain bhi"-
Gu O'Duibhne* rig a'd reini
Cho luath sa dh'fhàgas tu an clò
Na' aros do soirbhich seun.
Na dheidhidh sin siubhail gach tir
Ar fhad Alban go min mall
Ach ort o nach 'eil am feum
Na tabhair ccum an gort Ghall.
An d eis sin taisdcal gach tonn
Go crich Eircann na ionn fial
Ge beag air na brathairibh thu
Gluaig air amharc an sùl siar.
Gach eeanachaidh gun seanchus saobh
Gach fear maraon nach aom breug
Comunn eatar riut agus iad
A leabhrain bhig biodh go h-eug.
Gach neach do ghràdhuich a choir
Do shiol Adhaimh roirah cha ghuais,
Aca sin dean do nead
Eonihad, a leabhrain bhig gluais!
* The name Campbell is but the nick-name " wry-
mouth." O'Duibhn' is the old name -evil-going, evil
one! (Devil-worship?) See Mr Macbain's admirable
paper on Personal Names (Gael. Soc, Inverness. Trans,
vol., .\.\. 303).
214
AON DO EINNEADH.
Le Mr Eoin Carswell, Easbuig, Eara-
ghaidlieal.
I.
Cliolluinn! thu^ad a(m) bàs
Tuig fein gu bheil tlni 'nuadh chas
Dàile, 'cosmhuil, is càsa dhuit
Tlia bas aun sau ursaiim agad.
Creid nacli fada bhuat au t-oug
Bi-sa, clioUuin, air do choimliead [—guard]
Cha mhair a(u) saoghals ach seal
Thaobliadh dhuit-san cha dlighear.
Imeachd do chois, liis do làmh —
Creid na ceud-fath' ra'n caoclil.i'th —
Smaoinich air dhoille na(n) dearc
Moiir air t' imnidh is air t' eisneachd.
IV.
Bho is eigin dut diil a fad
Peoicli 'do dbeigh is feucli romhad
Feuch futbad is fos do cbinn
Feucb gacb taobh ma d' thimcbioll.
Feuch a toradh tliig a mach
Assad-s', clioHuinn, chiontach.
Do chòrra diomhain re treis
Air feadh a(n) domhain ['u] dì-mees.
VI.
Feuch ua fiaclaibh, feuch do [?] roeg
Cha ghlic nach gabh teagasg,
Bho ta e air flieuchainu duit an dan
Creid a(n) sgenl bho sgathan.
* In stanza V., 3, còrr-càrr, red flesh of the pig
(Eriskay) ; translate " lazy carcase ;" it is the same as
carna i. feoil-O'CIery. In VII., 1, tim means last or final
end of life. I render it : alas and alas ' the final end
v., Windisch sub tinime (2).
215
Teurli rithiat, ro-mhair? tim
Pian an anma an uamh. Iffrinn
Nach eil furtachd bho'n olc ann,
Ort-s' an chontrachd, a chollain,
Cholluin, thiigad, &c.
N.B. — In the second and fourth lines of
this metre the dysyllabic cndin.^ has a eec-
oudaiy acceoit. Another hymn on the same
topic was published by D. Kennedy, Kilmel-
fort, in 1786, but it is quite different from
this one; it ìb credited to Carewell.
AON EILE DO RINNEADH.
Le Mr Eoin Caeswell.
I.
Tha seachd saighdean air mo thi
Gach saio^head dhiubh da mo lot
Oohoin fàth ghearain gach la
Gun gliabh lad tamh ann mo 'liorp.
A h-aon dhiubh an t-saitrhead shiar
Bith da 'n co-ainm a' chraos
MinifT do mheall mi a phòit
Gos na thainig fois de m'aois.
Darla saip^head ?ur h-e sannt
^lairg dha 'n do riiin ijuin
Cha 'n fhaodani sgaradh ris reidh
Ach 'n teid ere air mo mhuiu.
Treas saighead a crhlac cliur
Diomas tha 'cur rium gu h-olc
Maille ri m'anam a chiàdh
Cha slan a dh' fhàg sin mo chorp.
216
Ceathramh. saig-liead a ta
An altaibh nio chiiamh a stigh
Cha leig an leisg mi d'a deòin
Air aon slighe choir sa bith.
Coio-eamh saii^head an t-siiil
Farmad is tnù ris na chi
Na seuid sin da 'n tugas cion
Unnt' sin cha 'n fhaigheam brigh.
Seisamh saighead gu garg
An fhearg thig eatar mi is each,
Criosd a chasg nan urchair dhiom
Is Dia da mo dhion a ghnath.
Seachdamh saighead am fear mòr
Mairg air am beir tòir nan arm
Cha [d'] thilg ead neach nach do bhuaiì
Cha mho bhuail neach nach do mharbh.
Gabham paidir do Mhae De
Is creud nan Ostal gu beachd,
Criosd eatar mi i? guin nan arm
Le coig salm, sia no seachd.
Tha seachd saighdean, &c.
N.B. — Macrae writes, "Creid nj Nasple"
(crend nan Abstol) ; CarswcU "easpalaibh."
One cannot infer that Macrae had Carswell's
book btrfore him, though old Mr Farquhar
had no doubt a copy of the work in Kintail.
The Doan of Lismore ascribes this, piece to
Donnchadh Og, and certain references in the
Dean's text, such as "Muire 'chasg nan
urchair," &c., show that Macrae's version is-
an expunged one. Carswell may have caused
this to be done, and then the hymn, wrongly,
was ascribed to him just as, e.g.. Bishop Chie-
holm was thought, even by many priests, to
have done the hue Gaelic translation of the
Latin hymn, "Ven.i Sancte Spiritus," the fact
being that it was clone by Father EanMne,
formerly of Moidart, who died in Melbourne.
Macrae's version gives only six of the deadly
sins, and in a different order from the Dean.
Macrae missf« driiis out altogether. The
Dean's enumeration is "craos, driiis, leisg,
sannt, diomas, fearg, farmad." Keating has
"sannt, diomas, fearg, craos, leisg, drùis,
mailis." The Leabhar Breac — a manuscript
500 years old — gives the number as eight,
viz., "diumas, etrad, sant, uabar, inocbaii,
craes, fcrg, toirsi, snimche;" for "leisg," and
"farmad" it has "toirse" and "snimche," i.e.,
melancholy and dejection. The Leabhar
Breac writer states that the capital sins -are
put to flight by the seven petitions of the
Lord's Prayer, "because lowly entreaty of
the High Father puts down jiride; the sajic-
tifying of God's name in us through chastity
puts away lust; the continuous supi^lication
for the coming of the Kingdom of God re-
moves avarice; the desire of performing
God's will lowers boastfulness ; the asldjog
for daily bread restrains gluttony; the for-
gi\-ing of sins without maintenance of iwe,-
tility subdues anger; serenity and constancy
in the endurance of persecution and tempta-
tion puts away from us the vice of earthly
sadness; and freedom obtained from the
Lord removes melancholy." All which is
60. Maclachlan was not always lucky in hia
transliteration of the Dean's version — e.g., in
place of "Am bith d' an co-ainni a' chraos"
he wrongly has "Dha an gath ann mo chrios,"
thus missing the point and the metre; near
("an fhear") he transliterates "an t-uabh-
arr!" The Dean's 11th line — "In cogew sayd
din zlag chur demis a chur rwra gi hoik" he
renders — "An cuigeamh saighoad an glamair,
dimeas a ohuir rium gu h-olc," which has no
10
218
sense. He evidently did not know tlie word
"diomas" — pride, inordinate puffed-up-ness,
vanity. Mr Macbain deriives "diomus" from
dim, excefis, and "meas;" but this is not
strictly correct, as it fails to account for the
vocalism. I have "*di-od-niess" marked in
ray dictionary, veliich is Zimnier's quite sat-
isfactory derivation 'Kelt. Stud., ii. 10 n.)
The first line< of stanza iv. I take in the
sense of difficult or painful -m-estling', the
special reference bein^ to Epheaians vi., 12,
of. 1 Pet., v., 5; Matt, iv., 7, where spiritual
pride is shown to be a things to be resisted.
The contest is fitly designated a hard wrestle.
— Thus far of Carswell of Carnassery.
N.B. — In the dialect of Muuster "Cre nan
Aspal" — the Apostles' Creed; it here agrees
with Macrae and Carswell, save that in
parts, at all events, of Munster the d is
fllrojoped.
SIR JOHN STEWART OF APPIN
(who flourished towards end of sixteenth
century.)
Laoidh do rinneadli le Sir Iain Stiubhart na
h-Apuinn.
Dallaidhi sannt sluagh an domliain
'N aghaidh Dhe sgu[r] diocuir' dlioibh;
Cailleadar an ciall nui na blireug mhilis.
Na['n] creidmaid dul eug fa dheireadh
Smuaineamaid sid mo biomaid dall
Chuireamaid cuid mhoir de ar n-ulaidh
Sa taigh fa dbeoidh is buuaidh 1 thall
219
"Mor am mearan 2 do na daoine
Breuof fcalls' da'n cur fo cheò
S nach creid luchd nan send lo'n solar
Dul eug gun an counach 3 leò.
Oa . . . teanal taigli
Seirbhid e blii cnr na cbeann,
Si 'n uaigh dbearbbas an. fhiriim
TiiÌEf nach seilbh dhileas ta ann.
Droing eile, dhearbbadh ge connacb
Daonnachd is ailmsidlieacbd 4 is òmMaS
Gbeobh iad seo chionn am feile
Nèamh bho rig'L. orkrein na glòir.
VI.
6a db'iomadh neach ann san taigb sin
Gbeobh gacb fear dhiubb inbhe righ
Mealaidb iad 'n oighreachd gun chonaa,
Saibhreas is eonas is sitb.
Eiginn duibh dul air sligh Sbioin
Peighinn loin cha leig(f)ear libb
]Mairg aig an d'fbàs am bùireadh brèig
Dbi'fbàgas (?) gu truagh trèig(f)idb sibh.
Da theagnihaLs 6 tha fa 'r comhair
Seallidb bhuaibh co dhiubb is miann
Taigb r'ar pianadh gu daor do-bbròini
Taigh. cliaraidb 7 'n oird oUabbair 8
cbaoimb
Tai'/ii am bi teas gun diou tuilkadh
la na gathan neimh da['n] de<)l
Taigh eil' bho is ead is ullaimb
Da bidh na ceud cuilbb ceòil.
Faide dàil na(n) dithis bho ckeile
Sail is seirbh' is fion eo-bMas,
Mairg fliiiair aim air a tagliadh,
Ga['n] tug'adh dàil a ruith as.
Mar 9 tlireobhair' thearbas bho 'chaoraibh
Mac-tire 10 is e fad am feall
Nuair a blieirear ceart na n-anmun
Glacaidh na deamknai na daill.
XII.
Acli athchtiing-e 'rinneas — aona Mhic Muir*
Nack do dhiiilt dion fo do rosg mall
Nuair a sgaras sinn bko'n cholluinn
Gun ar n-anam 'dhul dall.
1 habitation ; 2 madness ; 3 wealth, gear, affluence ; 4
alms-giving ; 5 humility ; 6 chances, contingencies ; 7
melody, music ; 8 host, multitude ; 9 treobhair, a
husbandman, same as treabhaire, householder, farmer
— O'Don. Suppl. 10— wolf. Diocuir' in I. 2, is short for
diocnireadh repulsion, expulsion, driving off. Last lin.
of first stanzs Triall naoh teid go'n innis-fhlaithe'
If this be correct, it still needs the o vowel ; IV. 1, might
perhaps be corrected to ga cruaidh 'saothair teanal taigh'.
In stanza VII f. of the future survived ; 3 and 4 of this
stanza are to me unclear.
AON EILE DO EINNEADH LEIS.
I.
Creud fa tarlamar 'tùirsf'
S na th'ann fo akuilla' blàth hrèig
Gun an saoghal ack na sgàil mkeallaidk
Mar neulai(bh) dkallaidk na grèin'.
Mar an dealt ri la ciiiin
No 'aneacbd is dliiitk© bbios geal
Toradh nan duill' air a ckrand
Cha mliair a dli'aon seun ack seaL
221
III.
Ròs ÌB cùbhraidh no lili
Plumbis no siri dearg
Gur g«ari- a bhios cad fo bhxiajdh
Siud meamliair aai t-sluaigli gu dearbh.
IV.
Samliradh g& mòr a theas
Fogrhar theid as gu liiatli
Crìonaidh gacìi his a mliàigh gliiùrm ghlaìs
Mar sin theid solas an t-sluaJsrh.
Ach 'a eibhinn leis gach neacb an dàil
Fhaighinn gu àilghios an cuirp,
Leir dhuinn mar a dall
Nach eil duill' air crann nach tuit.
VI.
Cba d' fhàs air talamh suaa
De dhaoin' no chrann uo bliuar
De dh' aon ni nacb crion fa dheòidh.
Mo sgeul bròin a blu ga 'hiaidh.
VII.
Aobhair tùirs is aobbair bròin
Gun tuigs' a bbi do ghlòir Dhè
Gun smuaintean bbi air ar cridh
O RÌ nan Ri cobbair mi.
VIII.
Do bbi triuir da m' niitb gu teann
Saoghal s an sanxit s an fbeòil
Dbè dìon-ea mis' bho 'n triuir
Sa Ri nan Diil na leig leò.
IX.
Dbè dìon-sa mis' bbo'n triuir
Do bbi air miiaim feall is breig
Agus cobbair mi do ghnhtb
Neartaich mo ghràdb is mo cbreud.
Creud fa tarlamar, &c.
222
XA DEICH FAITHNTEAN.
AXN AM MEDEACHD DAIN.
I.
Creid direach an Dia nan Dùl
Cnir air chùl ùmhla do dhealbh
Na toir ainm Ri nan Hi
Ma gheobhar thu sa g-hniomli an geall.
Dònihnach Ri neimli nan neul
Na do chridh coimliead saor
Do mhathair is t' atliair orach n-uair
Thobhair honoir daibh blmat faraon.
Marbhadh no meairle ua taobh
Adhaltras no smaointean car
Na t(r)og' fianuis ach sfu fior
Sin an rathad gu cricli gblain.
Na dian sannt air mhor no air bheag
Friamh an uilc a'd choir na leag
Sin deich fàithntean Dhè dhuit
Tuig gur fior iad agiis creid.
N.B. — "Neoil" is dialectal for "neul" — "nial"
in genitive plural — and may have beeai used
in original of II. Transcript has "noil;"
"trog" in III. is for "tog," and exemplifies
the well-known phenomenon of an intro-
duced r.
223
CROSANACHD 'ILLE BHEID'.
I.
Truasfli cor chlaiim Adhaimh
Aimlighlic càird' a ...
Diombiian doi(bli) a(n) tòir air [?]
Glòir dliiomliain Doiiain [?.]
An aoiblinea? se fàth a(n) tiiirso
Toic bhochd iia beatha-s';
Theid an seal siu(n?) seach(ad)
Mar ghaoithibh ra cur cheatha.
III.
Cba'n eil annt ach lasair
Na leitir air ghlaic èirig-h
No brùchd shoinionn 'Fhaoillidh
Air tùirleum bho thèarnadh.
IV.
Truaofh truagli da'(n) tì mbeallaa
Miol-bhrèig Ì3 beag toraidh;
Blàth dionibuan an domhain
'Grèidbeadli dMombuaidb na dheogkaidh
Mairg do gheobli a(n) glòir-s
Grearr a mhaireaa a mheamliair;
Bidh iad cian fa cliomhair
Pian na deigh dhlighear [ghleidhear].
VI.
,Cè nÌ3 neart Shamsoin
No saotbair lorcla laiade
Neart Choncbiillin chleitgliil
Cè Ector no Achill.
VII.
Cè àille Absoloin
Innleachd Aristotl©
Teangadh threun "TuU' Cicer' "
Fodli bheil freumh gach focla.
224
Co cumhachd Chesair
No seun Alecsander
Ce an carn-clilacli caoidhe
Bath nan Arm na'n Ard Ghuill.
Ce fòs bheil Solamh
Saoi dan eagnaidli iomlan
Na 'righ, 'mhac, saoi, shoghradliaich
"Jonat" a b'fhearr iomradh.
Cholluinn! a cholluinn
Chi cealg an t-saoghail
Biodh ort mar omhunn
Do chrioch bhochd bhaoghal.
XI.
Bhiadh bhiast chiarraidh
Cbrainn-luaidh air luath s^beil
Bhlàth 'gheug- air crionadli
Creud is fàth da t' uabhur.
Gearr gu bi biast chiorcrach
Criom do chnamb' p-u ro luam,
Brùgh cbnuimbean is chiarag
Bheath' chnaimb do cholluinn.
XIII.
Gearr gii bi beul corcur
Na chreadhaidh iiidhir d'eis dubhadh
Meoir thimchioll na troidhe
Faraon air aon chumadh.
XIV.
Bho['n] imich (?) go aithchearr
'N ait na(n) rosg re-gklan
Do shliasaide sitheil
Na'n leabaidh aig daol-gheur.
225
XV.
Ach so crìoch do chomuinii
Eis' chruinne clieal<jacb
Bho ta e air ti do chnodadh
Ga do chlaoidh chaoi le chair de.
Ach mar fhaighear bhuathsan ùmhlacud
Agus aigne siochaidh
Gràdh coitchioun g^un chaochladh
lar foir-cheaun gur fior-truagh.
This piece does not seem to be by 'vlacrae,
else he would have super-added 'l?is an
Sgriobhair." The reference to the gi-.':it
worthies of the past was no doubt a forcible
way of illustrating the transitoriness of the
present. It was a method always m vogu?,
and will continue to be so. The leariu;! and
eloquent Keating, in meditating on the un-
prohtableness of the vain glory of the world,
says — "Biodh a fhiadhnaise sin ar na
daoinibh is oirdhearca do chuaidh romheiinn;
oir nior chaomhainu a cheannas feadhna
Caesar; na a neart Samson; na a eagna
Solamh; na a aiteas (triumph) Alexandeir;
na a aille Absalon na a intleacht (intellect)
Aristotles; naid a bhriathra blailhe briocht-
Bhnoighte (beautifully cut) Cicero; na aon
eile acfuinn d'a mbi ann, ar ghuaisibh an
bhais." In vi. lorcla is the Greek Hercules,
A chill is Achilles; the epithet in vi. 3 refers
to one of the numerous feats of the Gaelic
hero, Cuchullin; omhunn in x. is the older
form of uamhunn fear; foir-cheann in xvi.
means final end; luam in xii. means swift,
and ia a form that occurs in the St Gall
glosses as the equivalent of Latin celox. In
xii. 3 kuigg of the transcript I transliterate
"ciarag" as the vowel assonance requires it;
it would seem to be justified by the reference
to daol (beetle) further on. In vii. 4 bho
228
would suit as a rendering' of vo, but fodh alsa
makes equally g-ood sense, and I have pre-
ferred it, as I have met with speakers who
say bho dhion for fodh dhion. I am not sxire
of "oimbi^' in. xiv. 1, which might stand for
iomadh, which does not lit the context. Mac-
rae, perhaps, got this piece from oral tradi-
tion, or possibly copied it from some other
person's writing. In i. 2 chowlain ought to
yield cliomhlainn.
ALASTAIE MONRO, STRATHNAVER.
"He died before 22nd December, 1653."
(Eel. Cel. ii. 3.) Laoidh do rinneadh le Alas-
tair Monro, fear-teagaisg bha ann an Strath-
Nabhar (Stratknaver, Sutherland.)
O Dhe nèimh da leir freumh
Gach treaghaid shannt is dheamhna
Bronn dom gràs a clium bha 'gi-àdh' dliaoin*
Chum 8 gur fasmar diadhaidh.
O Ei! aidbheam ta mo pheacaidh'
Sgriobh[t'] air fad na t'fhianuis:
Do t' tbaobh is fuath mo chaomh dhuala',
Claoidh iad fothad na t'dliiorras.
III.
Claon toil ni'fheòil, mo bhaoith' is m'òig
Saoghal fòs s na deamhnai
Stri gu calma 'sìor chlaoidh m'anama
Chaoidh gu damanadh siorruidh.
O Dhe ghràdhuich bheir trid do ghràsan
Le treun làimli do chaoraibh
Bho bheul laidir bhreugach Shàtain
Sa bheir dhoibh pàirt de d' righeachd.
227
Noali san arc dhion do chairdeas
Ach na thraog-li fearg na dile
Ajtus Josejih ciallacii tliobhairt bho iarnai'
Gu sluaofh bhiadliadh an daorsa.
Maois mac Amram a caol a(i)bbue
Le mnaoi allamharr' sliaor sibli;
Niiaa bho'ii Eiphit gliluais le gliocaa
(An) sluasrh glieibh air sliaorsainn.
Tlui2f sibh 'fàidh 'ceann tri làithe(an)
As' mhial a^liabhiiidh saor bhuaith'
Fòs Eì Dàidh bho Gholàias
Tar èis coir' àilarbis dhio2rhailt.
Sadrach, Mesach, Abednego
Do dhealbhai(bh) brèig' nach isleadh,
Dhion san àmhuinn bha gu gràineil
Triùir-s' 'u àireamh t' fhìrean.
IX.
Thuw Susanna le claidheamh rò-mliath
Bho thnù fhear a mì-rùiu;
Daniel crodhaidh a crò leomJiainn
Ard-ri mhoir nan cleaver.
Thug Manasseh a lainih Assir'
Gu tamh an taimhibh Israel;
Do luchd àraidh bho bhruid Bhàbeil
Thug tliuà' a lainih Chyruis.
Dion mar seo mi, O Ri ghloir-mhoir
Bhrigh do throcaire aomadh
S nach buail traghadh air abhuinn gràis
Ach 's eòl dà-s' lìonadh.
228
XII.
O Dhè mi t&a,gasg le fior chreidimli
Brigh teanwa chinnticheadh
Fàcl-sa, Ira, trid do Mliic gliràidli
Strad de d'orliras na m'inntinu.
O EÌ diou iJii bho gliniomh breig
S gu tagham treubh na firinii
Ni thus' losa! le t'thoil clieund
Na cuii'TJ cliaomh a shaoradh.
Dian le spionnadh treun do spioraid
Dhe ! mo philleadh is m'thiolpadh
Ath-nuadhaich is ùraich mo chridhe dhùll-
ai(crh)
S gu faighinn siiil saor dhiadhaidh.
Ga taim loghta, O Ri shòghraidh'
Le brigh t' Fhocla dion nu;
Le treòir losa bheir mo gliniomlis'
Glòir da triùir is aon Dia.
Dhe ueimh, &c.
Note. — The author was well up in the
Bible. Whatever version he used it con-
tained the Ajoocryphal History of Susanna.
He pronounced ao like long i; ea in deamhun
(devil) a.s a diphthong having assonance with
Ì0 in siorruidh in stanza iii. Bro»» vb., dis-
tribute, bestow; treaghaid, sb., a dart; iarn-
aidh' — iamaidheachd — the sense being, out of
irons, out of imprisonment; allamhorra, adj.,
foreign, strange; lit., over-sea, beyond the
sea; 1st Chronicles vi. 3 is reference in vi.
The genitive of the word for river is written
"awne," as if amhna, a pronunciation which
varies with aibhne; dullaigh, adj., for dùd-
lach, wintry, gloomy. Transcript in stanza
229
V. haa mairk, which oii<i^ht to bo nairk; again,
in XV. it has truis, which should be truirs, as
iu viii. ; stanza x. refers t-o 2nd Chronicles
XXX. 2; vhjh in iii. is bhaoith for bheath, is
writt/en with ea iu Crosanachd Illcbhrid,
Jiue 6.
DONNACHADH NAM PIOS.
DUNCAN MACRAE OF INVEEINATE, CHIEF OF
THE MACRAES.
"His father was Alex. Macrae of Inver-
inate, a man of whom little is known ; but his
grandfather, the Rev. Farquhar Macrae, min-
ister of Gairloch, and afterwards of Kintail,
was a man of mark. Mr Fai-quhar was a
student of Edinburgh, and so distinguished
himself in Classics and Philosophy that it
was proposed in 1603 to make him Eegent of
the College, in succession to James Reid.
But Lord Seaforth interposed. . . The
writer of the Fernaig Manuscript was not
only a man of high intelligence, but was also
a deeply religious man. His own composi-
tions, as well as the general character of the
collection, prove this. He was an ardent
Episcopalian; a vehement Jacobite. He was
also evidently a man of assured social posi-
tion in the district. Duncan Macrae un-
doubtedly was all this. He was the head of
his name, chief of a subordinate, but an old
and warlike, clan. Many of his family were
Episcopalian clergymen in the district. . .
He was undoubtedly a remarkable man., and
a character pleasant to contemplate. I have
no reason to doubt that there were many
like-minded Highland gentlemen living in
those days — cultured, liberal, and pious men;
but undoubtedly Duncan Macrae, the en-
gineer and mechanic, the ardent ecclesiastic.
230
the keen, tliough liberal-minded politician,
the religious poet, and collector of the litera-
ture of Jiis countrymen, is as different from
the popular conception of a Highland Chief
of the Revolution as can well be con-
ceived. . . His end was tragic. His wife
was heiress of Raa-say ; but she, more zealous
for the dignity of her own clan than for that
of her husband, secretly conveyed the title-
deeds of Raasay to a relative of her own, and
deprived the Macraes of the lauds. Duncan
Macrae jirospered notwithstanding. He
bought the lands of Affaric from The Chis-
holm, and went to the east country to com-
plete the titles. . . When returning. . .
Macrae and his attendant attempted to cross
the River Connag at Dorisduan. The river
was in flood. . . The Chief was drowned.
. . . A pibroch called Cumha Dhonnach-
aidh nam Pios" was composed upon the occa-
sion, of which the minister of Glcnshiel has
only i-ecovered the first two Hues: —
S grianach an la, ho!
Thainig lighe ann san abhuinn, hi!
Captain Matheson has been able to trace the
following stanzas of an elegy composed to
Macrae's memory, it is said, by his wife,
Janet Macleod of Raasay: —
Na'n iomradh sibh, 'illean,
Sheinneadh mise dhuibli iorram
Air mo laimh cha b'e biuneas
Bu bheus dhi;
Tighinn a nuas Caolas Scalpai,
S ann a chnala mi naigheachd,
B'e mo dhiubhail mar thachair
S b'e 'm beud e;
231
<ju robh Donìiacliadh mo cbridhe
Ga srhiiilan le lisjhe,
Fear mor meamnach tigheariiail
Beusach."
(v. Pi-ofessor Mackiniion in vol. xi.
Gael. 8oc. Inv. Traus.)
Tlie Rev. A. Maclean Sinclair, in his Gae-
lic Bards (1715-1765) says Macrae was born
about 1G35, and was drowned some time after
1693, and tbat lie was educated at the Uni-
versity of Ediuburfrh. The Rev. Mr Mac-
lean Sinclair gives the first three stanzas of
"Laoidh a riniioadh an am mulaid," which
agrees with the Fernai" MS. version save
that in stanza iii. he has "thmgadh" in place
of "bhreith" of Femaig MS. Macrae got the
epithet, "nam Pios" from the magnificenec
of his table scr\'ice. "Pios," a cup, Stokes
takes from Latin 'pvxis," a box, and Mr
Macbain seems to agree. Macrae's brother
perished in Gleann Lie about 1680; Mr Mac-
lean Sinclair thinks the date given in the
Inverness Gaelic Society Transactions, xii.,
-viz., 1620, clearly wrong (v. Gaelic Bards,
1715-17G5, p. 269.) If the lines—
(An) TÌ bu mhiaun leiun 'diu againn
Siud sa mhaduiun air bhreith bhuainn
refer to his brother's death, it would be com-
posed about 1680. An elegy on this bro-
ther's death was composed by a Kintail poet,
am Bard ^Mac Mhurchaidh Mhic Iain Ruaidh,
who lived at Mamag, in Gleneilchaig, Kin-
tail. It is given in "Gaelic Bards" (1411-
1715, pp. 24-26), and I take the liberty of
copying it here, with its introduction, to give
an indication of the sad event. In transcrib-
ing it I mark the quantity of the long vowels,
which is a vital point in GaeUc and ought
.not to be neglected. As regards the phrase
232
in the 5th stanza — cha "chuir" càirdean "an
ire" dhuinn e — I use it in the sense of "re-
proach," "cast up," which is the Kintail use
of it also, but in parts of the Outer Isles
the phrase means "to make to believe,"
e.g., "tha'd ga chur an ire dha," they are
makin" him believe. "Represent to one" is
the general idoa.
For what is known of the fortunes of the
Fernaig- M.S., see "Eeliquise Celticae," vol. 2.
where it is fully transcribed (pp. 4-90) by the
late Rev. Dr Cameron, pp. 91-137, by the
editor, Mr Macbain. The orthography of the
MS. is often very puzzling. But "next to
the Dean of Lismore's book, it is our most
important document for older Gaelic, a good
part of its value, as of its weakness, consist-
ing in its phonetic spelling. Its poetry, which
is mostly religious and political, is of an un-
usually high order; and it is hoped that a
modernised and transliterated version of it,
wholly or in part, will be undertaken by some
patriotic Gael."— (Pref. to Eel. Celt., ii.)
"Murdoch Macrae, Murchadh Mac Alastair,
was the seventh son of Alexander Ma^crae of
Inverinate, Chief of the Macraes. In the
beginning of the winter 1680 ( ?) he went on
a hunting excursion to the upper parts of
Glen Lie. As he did not return when ex-
pected, his friends became alarmed about
him. After a search of fifteen days they
found his lifeless b»dy at the foot of a large
rock. He niay have been killed by falling
over the rock; but the common belief was
that he had been tltrown over it by a wicked
wretch that he had found stealing his goats.
The poet was a herdsman with Murdoch Mac-
rae's brother" — (Gaelic Bards, 1411-1715, p.
24):-
J
233
CUMHA DO MHURCHADH MACRATH
A Cliailleadli an Gleann-Lic 'sa
bhliadhna, 1680 (?).
(Leis a' Bhàrd Mac Mliurchaidk Mliic laia
Ruaidh.)
I.
Ocb nan oclian s mi sgith
'Falbh nan cncx; seo ri sion;
Gur noo-shocracli an sgriob tlia san
Duthaicb.
II.
Cha b'e t'fbàsach gun ni
No t'fbearann àiticb 'chion sil,
Ach sgeul ro cbràiteacb a mbill ar
Sùgradb..
III.
Thu bbi 'Mburcbaidb, air cball
Gun aon cbuiinse cia 'm ball;
Siud an urcbair bba caillteacli
Dbuinne.
IV.
'S beairt nacb guidbinn de m'dheòin
Ach 'b ni 'lugbaig Dia òirnn.
Do cbùl buidbe bbi cbòir na
H-ùracb.
'S cruaidb an càs 'sa bbeil sinn
la goirt cràiteacb g^b cridh'
S cba cbiiir càirdean an ire
Dhùinn e.
Och mo cblisgeadb. s mo cbàs
Gun tbu'n ciste cbaoil cblàr
Le dearbb fbios aig do cbàird»an
Ciurrt' air.
234
VII.
Bu chall cèill agns bàigb
S ^'m bu mhisde mo cliàil
Mar a tuigt' air mo dhàn gu'm
B'fhiù thu.
VIII.
Nuair a eliuidlieadh tu 'sheòid
Mar ri buidhinn ag òl
Mar bu chubhiaidh bliiodh ceòl mu'n
Tùrlach.
Slàn le treubhantaa seòid
Slàn le gleusdachd duiu' bg
Nuair nack d'flieaid thu bhi beò gna
Cliiiram.
Slàn le gliocas s le ceill
S a bhi measail ort fhein
S nach eil fios ciod e'n t-eug a
Cliiiirr thu.
XI.
Slan le binneas nam bard
Slan le griniieas nan. lamJi
Co 'ni mire ri d'mhnaoi no
Sùgradh?
XII.
Slan le grianeas nam meur
Slan le binneas luchd theud
'Nuair a sheinneadh tu'm beul gTUi
Tùchan.
Slan la uaisle na's leòir
S tu bhi suairoe gun bhròn
Bho nach d'fhoiaras thu sheòid gu
H-ùrail.
Slan le fiadhacb nam beann
Slàn le iass^ach nan allt;
Co chuir iarunn an crann ch*
Cliùiteach?
Do luclid-fair' tlia gun fliiainh*
Bho'n bha fair' orra rianih;
'N nochd clia gliearain am fiadL. a
Cliiiram.
XVI.
S ait le binnicli nan allt
Chor s gu'n cinnich an clann
Gu'n do miilleadh. na blia'nn de
Dh'fliùdair.
XVII.
Faodaidh 'n earbag 'n nochd
Eatar mhaoislcacli is bhoc
Cadal samliacb air cnoc gun
Cbùram.
XVIII.
Faodaidh ise bhi slan
'Siubhal iosal is àird
Bho na chailleadh an t-armunn.
Cliùiteach.
In XV. 1 the reference is to the red deer;
"binnich nan allt," the roe deer; "tùrhich,''
a large fire.
I now proceed in order with the pieces whioh
are by Duncan Macrae himself; his collec-
tion he calls "Dorlach Laoidhean do sgfriobh-
adh le Donnchadh Mac Rath" (1688).
236
LAOIDH DO RINNEADH
LEI3 A SGRIOBHAIU AN AM MULAID.
Shaowliail! is dionibuan do mhùirn
Mairg' a ni tùirn nach. fiach
Gad bhiomar [an] diu ri oeòl
Geàrr 'bhiodh bròin da chur sioe.
Chunnas cha'n fhad bho'n uair
Cuirni is ceòl is suairceaa glan;
Taobh a staig-h dh'fheasgair aai ciLairt
Chumias sin sluagh ri gal.
III.
Mairg do ni bun sa(n) -fc-saoghal
Bho'(n) is baoghalach e gach. n-uair;
Ti bu mhiaiui leinn 'diu againn
Siud sa mhaduinn air bhxeitk bhuaiim.
IV.
Ach unnad-ga Mhic mo Dhe
Mo mhiuinighin gu leir gu(n) cuir.
Do gach anam gur tu is leubh
Chreideas unnad fein is t'fhuil.
Fòir orm-sa, Mhic mo Dhe
Na cuirear leat mi air dhail
Bho ta saoghal-sa na 'leum
Teasairg mis' Dhe, bho chas.
Teasraig-3 mis' bho chas
(N) t-saoghail-sa ta Ian do chuir,
Mai- theasraig' thu clann Isiral
Bho Pharoah 'bhathadh sa tohuir.
'Cuala sibh na rug air Dàidh
Nuair thuit e an gabhadh peacaidh,
Absolom, a mhac a b'àillde
'Breith 'àite bhuaitb, beachdail?
VIII.
Ach amhraic a chùis fa dheireadh
'N eiric dha-san bhi foill
Ga bu mhor leis àilt a ghniaig'
Cliroch i e ri uair sa chaill.
IX.
Nach fair sibh seo cor an t-saoofhail
'Mac 'g-abbail baoo-bail air 'athair
Ga do dhiant a cliùis le saobliadh
Tuig nacb saoiread e la bhratha.
X.
Dhaoin! bitbidh na 'ur n-aire.
Fear air fear 'g iarraidb baogliiail
Ach niairg neach ni-aigbear ris
Bho s raor a(ii) carraiche, 'n saogbal.
Sbaoghail is diombuan, &c.
Note. — This poem may have been com-
posed about the time Macrae's brother was
killed in Glen Lie. Cameron transliterated
this piece in full, but did not keep care^
fully to the original — e.g., in ii. 1 trans-
cript has "vo," which he transliterates as
"o," thus laying aside a characteristic
touch; ii. 4, "chiinnis shjn" he makea
"chunnadh sinn," quite an unnecessary de-
parture from the original; "ri gal" I keep
in common with Cameron, but Macrae seems
to have spoken it aa "ri ghal;" iv. 1 and 3
has "undids," which is best given aa
"unnad-s," not "annads'"; vii 2, "gavig"
of transcript is "gabhadh," not "gabhaidh,'*
as in Cameron; viii. 2, "nehiig" Cameron
gives as "nearachd," which is neither good
poetically nor correct, for final "chd" ia in
Macrae written as "ghk;" it clearly meaiLS
" 'n eiric," which in North Inverness-shire
is as a rule pronounced without the strong-
on-breath "glide" before the final c; viii. 3,
"àild' a ghruag," Cameron; but as "gruag"
is feminine, it must have "i" in genitive; ia
238
ix. 4 Cameron's "bhreitli" will never do, aa
ic cannot rhyme with "athair;" x. 1, "Zhoooi
bihi no ir naihx" Cameron renders "Dhuinn
bidh na ar n-ath'r," but this does not Emit
the contaxt, and is not in touch with the
poetical flow; "zhoon" ie Macrae's u£ual
way of writing "dhaoin', " and three linee
previously "athair" is written "ahir," so that
"aihr," it is reaeonable to think, means
" air(e) ; " Cameron reads "saoraidht' "
in ix. 4. In the Bixperscription
"i naimb" could bear translitera-
tion as "an aim," thus preserving' the
dative case of "am," time; "an aim dhaibh
dhul dachaidh," as they were about g'oing
Lome, I have heard used. In x. 1 "bithidh"
in my transliteration is imperative, 2nd
plural. Imperatives, 2nd plural in "-ibh"
I have never heard used in Gaelic as
actually spoken. They are pure comtp-
tions. If a vote were taken at the pres'n.t
day this idol, which exists mostly in the
grammarians' heads, would soon go the way
■Ol all flesh. And it is contrary to the old
language. "Leubh" in iv. 3 represents
north Inverness-shire pronunciation of
"leigh," physician, commonly, "lighiche."
AOX FATHAST DO EINNEADH LEIS.
I.
'Hi na cruinne! ta gun chricb
Dian mi cuimhneach ort gach trath
Na leig air sheacharan mi
Air sligh' ta baobhaidh bath.
Seòl mis' sa(n) t-slighe cheirt
'Eigh na(m) feart! ta fos ar cionn
A leith aoin losa, do Mhic
jMath gach peacadh rianeadh Uom.
239
III.
Math dhom ^ach peacadh gii leir
Do rinneadh lioni fein a ghnàth
Actus saorsa mi blio loclid
Bho is fiosrach thu nochd mar taim.
IV.
Taim-s' nochd gu truagh
Taim-s' truaillidii a' m' chorp
Ta mo chridhe-sa fo leòn
Ta peacadh bàis iar mo lot.
Ach 'fhir dh'fhuilinn bàs ri crann
Le piantai(bh) teauu is cam bhreitb
Diou-sa mis a mhic mo Dhe
Cuir-sa gTi treun as mo leith.
VI.
Cruthaich unnam-s cridhe nuadh
Fhir chaidh san uaigh grin lochd
Bho is fiosrach thii mar a ta
Cridhe-cnàmha na mo chorp.
VII.
Deòniiich dhom aithri gu tràth
Na leig-sa lathair mo dhith
Bho is tu-s' tobair gach gràis,
Fuainig as gach càs mi, 'Ri!
'Ri na cruinne, &c.
Note. — "Bath" — 'Tjaoth;" in ii. 2, "fos,""
not "os," as in Cameron; with Cameron I
keep the dative form of "leth," though I do
not think it necessary-; v. 1, Cameron has
"dh'fhiiiling/' thus taking liberties with
"zullin" of the MS.; in vii. 4, "fuanig" —
'tuainig," and is Macrae's form; in same
line I take "mj" as "mi," not "mo." I take-
it to be what Macrae meant; Cameron's
'mo righ" sounds to me stilted. The
"ghom" of the MS. Cameron puts down as
"dhomh" throughout. But this is not what
240
"the people say, at least in the whole of
North Inverness-shire from the Aird,
through Strath t^lass to Kintail, "dhom" is
used as frequently as "dhomhi." The graxn-
marians never point this out. M. Loth, I
think, made an attempt to account for this
variation; he noticed the Irish ^ammarians
give both forms, and observed it was un-
known in Scotland, which is false. When
writing down the songs I kept it as I heard
it, and as I use it. Only afterwards did I
see Loth in the "Reveu Celtique" draw-
ing attention to it.
AON EILE RINNEADH LEIS A(N)
SGEIOBHAIR.
I.
Glòir is moladh dhuit 'Dhe
Eibhinn duinn gur tu is Hi
Air nimh air talamh a bhos,
Gur stòl chos dhuit gach tir.
II.
Soilleir dhiiinn cumhachd Dhe
Air siubhal na grein' niu 'cuairt,
Nuair a thoilicheas mo Righ
lompaichidh oirnn teas is fuachd.
III.
'Muir, ge farsuinn a crioch
Agus ge lion' i gu brais
S aithne di cumhachda mo Righ
'Pilleadh gu crich fein air ais.
IV.
Lionmhor idsge dul na 'ceann
As gach gleann tha ma cuairt
Gidheadb cha mho a' muir an diu
Na 'n ceud la chaidh etruth sa chuan.
241
V.
lomadh glinè iasg- tha sa mhuir
C'hruthaich ciunhachd mo righ;
Gnè is lioiimhoir ta dhiubh ^
Gnè dheth mo tha dul a dhitli.
VI.
'Leth a niitheas air talamh 'blioa
Beathaich coithir chosach air tir
Is lioiimhoir' na char a bhàn
Ga dh'iomadh lamh th'air a(n) ti.
VII.
Nach faic sibh seo gràsa Dhè
E 'freasdal 'n d'eis gack ni
Cha mho is leilhid gràs pèin' [?]
Air a mbeud da 'n teid a dhith.
VIII.
Ach thugmaid biiidlieacbas do (u) righ
Chiòirich dbuinne ni na's leòir
Bho ta 'chuiuhachd-sa a sgriobh
Soilleir aim an criochaibh 'domhain,
IX.
Is dianmaid aitbri gi\ teann
Agus gablimaid an t-àm na 'leum,
Nach fiosaichear leinn, sinn dall,
Nacb ann air ball thig an t-eng.
X.
Guidlieamaid es' gach aou tràtb
Le a spiorad gràidh da ar seòl
Far a seinn sinn da gu leir :
Moladh dhuit-sa, Dbe, is glòir.
Glòir is moladh, &c.
Note. — "Muir" (sea) seems used by Mao
rae as both m. and f. The gender of this
v/ord varies in other places; in the old lia-
guage it was neuter; "char" in vi. 3 is dia-
lectal for "chaidh," "chuaidh." Macrae's
"neoph" in i. 3 I transliterate as "nimh;"
tliis is the dative form as in Keating, who
11
242
often, however, uses the form "neamh," and
this variant also occurs in the Highlands,
where the phrase, "air ncov" (in heaven) is
used; Keatinor's crenitive is "nime," in
keeping with the older language. Now,
in Fear na Pàirce's Crosanachd, neoph.
is in the genitive ca<se, and in the two in-
stances there it is bound to have assonance
with "sligh' " (way). This is historically
a better form than the usual present-day
Scotcb Gaelic genitive in "nèimli." The
sound used by Macculloch must have been
"niv."
AON EILE DO EINNEADH LEIS FO
MHULAD A PHEACAIDH.
Ochadoin! a High iia(n) gràs
Amhraic orm-s' s mi'n càs cruaidh
Mo pheacaidh ta air mo chradh
Mar shac a bhais orm cho'n xiaigh
Miad an t-saic a tharlig orm
Dh'ihag siad mi gun cholg gun bhrigl
Ach bho is tusa Righ na(m) Feart
Aotromuich mo shac a risd.
III.
Aotromuich mo shac gu luath
Na leig mi an ruathar diiil
Oir is trie iad siud da ni' leòn,
'T-Abhersoir, an Fheòil 's a(n) Sannt.
Na peacaidh do rinneas leò
Aobhar bròin dom iad gun chrich
Ach guidhim air Righ na Glòir' :
Furtaich is fòir a leith los'.
243
'Smaclidaich al'n) t-Ablicrsoir treun
•Cais^ dhiom fcin an toil-s' a'm' fheò'l
Sannt breiigach iomain gach taobh
•Cuireenn riu cùl ri mo bheò.
Mo choinhfliurtacli((l) giiii dol eug
Ann san phein d'fhàg iad mì;
3J' eàrlaid 'bbi gach n-uair
■Sa ghealladh bhuan siii tliiin; los'.
"'Gealladb sin do tbug mo Rìgb
Dhòirt fhiiil gii fìor air a cbrann
"Cba chnirear e leis a dbìtb
Air gach tì chreideas ann.
■Creidim-s' ann a(m) mac mo Dbè
Slànuio-bear na(u) leigbi s ua fann
Na ta db'eas{bb)uidb air mo cbrèud
"Meudaicb fèin is cnir na cbeann.
Meudaicb mo cbreid6(amb) a ghnàth.
Meudaich gràsaai ann mo clirìdb'
Meudaicb ra' aitbri gacb aon là
Meud' mo gbràdh fos cionn gacb nì.
Meiidaicb a Dbè mo gbràdh
"•Rigb na f àidb' ! gràdbaicb mì
Teasriiigs' mi às gach càs
Bbrìgb bbàis do db'TbuiHnn los'.
losa, bbo is tii-s' Mac mo Dbè,
Cuidicb mi, na leig mi dbìtb
Do cbnideacbadb orm mar 'fbeum
Obeann na(n) treubb na trèig-s' mi.
244
Dòirt orm-s bho neomb a nuas
Le uile luathas-a tuillidli gràia
Dh.'fh.àgaa m' aithri gu buan
Go mo fhuasgladh as gacli càs.
XIII.
Le do Spiorad dian dom iiil
Gu cathair chùbhraidh na ceòil
Gu cuireaiiu 'sin air chùl
M' aobhar tùirs' is m' ochadòin.
Ocbadòin! Eigh, &c.
Note. — In viii. 2 "leipt" of transcript
may stand for "lèigb," physician, pro-
nounced "lenbb;" scarcely for "leamh;"
compare "Quri-ijn" in v. 4; "quirrjn," xiii.
3 with "Kuirrijn," 19.16 Eel. Cel., II.
AON EIL' FATHAST DO RINNEADH
LEIS.
I.
Corrach do clior a shaoghail
Làn do charaibh baoghail,
Raoghal nach buan bla[du]
Thaobhadh dhuinn cha dlighoar.
II.
Oearr a chuairt ga saoibhir leinn
Fean- a(n) t-aobhair fliianuis th' againn
Glòir is buaidh da ('n) tì thug.
III.
Mairg do ghraidh' a(n) ?aoghal seal,
Bladh fo bhaoghail eu-tail (eutoil)
Mo chjion choUuinn m' aimhleas
Maille da m' anajn saoibhreas.
J
245
IT.
Bu sliaoibhrpas bho Dhe nan Dul
Ciall agns roa^iui
Oil oiad-fathuoh bu ckòir dhiiimi
Bhi 'sior ghuidli' Dhe, a(n) t-Athar.
Ach cha'u amliLtidli mar a ta
'N ajnsir a<n diu a(n) comhradJi
Nuair a leugluvr sgroad g^ach fir
Ni biii four glic mar a(n) aaibMr.
BidLim gun chaiaid, gim treubh
Bidhim ac' a(m) fh&aj* coigxeach
Cha bliimi' mo ghlòir-s' na ciiead
Bho bhli(bh), air m' òir e air m'airgiod.
VII.
■T'.ha'n oil seo nach fuilinn leon
Na derimadii duin' dò-bkròn
Nì na ciidnno agus a buar
TreigidU .inn uile 'n aon uair.
VIII.
Dearnmar aithri dhuit a Dhe
Boir do thoiJ a te 't' Fhoola
Oir is ceum baoghal a(n) t-àgh
Trdigndd a(n) saoghal-s', e oori'ach.
Tl'.is piece roquire^ to be read with, ai^fcention
to the aerondairy accent: of the readijig' La
in IT. 4 I ain dooibtful; in VI. 1 we should
perha^ read càraid, apouae.
246
AOX DO RIXNEADH LEIS A SGEIOBH-
AlK AIR TUITEAM ADHAIMH
A EDEN.
I.
Foam lo moladli dhiiits, a Dhe
Eigh! do olunitliaicli tliu gach ui,
Dbealbliadh leat an duin' bho tlios
Do luathi-eadli an taJmhiuinn mliin.
Tar eia Jiiit ciiith tbobliairt do
Na t' iomiaigh fòs fa leitli
Lasadli leat-san anail blieo
"Cuiimletm a aliròin a stai<jh.
Gu 'n d'fhuairoadk leis smacTid bu leòir
Air gach. croutair bha fodli 'fblath
Gach ain.m tlioilich o tlioLrt doibh
Chiinncas da do shloir-s' c math.
lar aniJiraic dliuit air gach. ere
Do rinnoadh leat fein gu cniosd
Coiiipanacb. diongmhalt do
C.lia'n fliac^s leat fotliast ua 'm iniosj
'Sin do labbair mo Rigk: —
Clia diogmhalt dkuinn a fear
Bhi na ònaar a miosg- cliàich
Dianmar companacli dha-san chean',
VI.
Do f.'lmireadh leia codla trom
Air Adhamh s a ckom ri lar
lìlmin6.adli leis asna as a thaobh,
Di rinn compach diongmhalt da.
347
Laliluvir Adliamh miair a f^liluais
E as aa t-suaiii cliiudli cliur ;
Cnàmli (Uie m' chiuiniliaibli ta sin
Pàirt do m' t'hcòil is fuil do m' ibiiil.
VIII.
Doiiim-s' rint-s a blican
Blio 'a anil as au flieer a ta
Tieioidli 'teaa.- athair s a mliatliair
Leauaidh se ri 'mlmaoi a glmàth.
IX.
Càraidcar an siu faracu
Adlwmli a.gu3 a blieaji
Ao.n au staid nco-loclidta naomh
Gn saor an oar den Eden.
I,e conLas thobkaiit daibh-p fbcin
Air mios ga>oii craoibli' mu Ka tliuit
Acn KhiaJiiaidh o dhaibh fa dlicòidii
(.'laobh eòlais 'nihatli a»us uilc.
Ma ckaithcvar libli de na chraoibh
Ta maj- pliem am fhitkn' oirbh
Doarbh dliiiibli ^\\ 'n tic^ an t-eugf
Oirbh-s' le clieil air a lors?.
Faighear iad an sin fai-aon
Gun eudach air bhitli m'an corp
Gun eòlas 'blii air mliiaiin
De dh' aon g-nè cliaoclilaidh na dli'olc.
Gu bith-bhuan an ain an cor
Ka (m) maircadh iad 'sco 'ouan;
Ach ghabh ainGflc(an) sholuis aird [?]
FariiUid ri Adliamh "u truaijli.
XIV.
Sxi 'n d' imirh am feai- gnu iochd
'Eioohdu na (n)atliracli ueimli'
Agii? atreapadar gni h-àrd
<Gu seasga.ir ajn bàrr ua craoith'
XV.
"Labbrar as a sin ri Eubh
Tar bbith dhi fein a dul seacb: —
Nach o-abb tliiis' 'nibios na craoibh'
Eonihath 'feum s ia feàrr (?) dreach.
XVI.
Do fbreagair is' : cba'u fbeudar
Ig Dia nuiith fein air ar casg'
•Jii 'ii s;-bcall e dhiiiiin sfu 'm b' eng
Uain b'e s gu feucbmar a bblas.
I,abbair es' mar bu bhcns : —
"Cba'n eug dhuibb-p lliein e gu ceart
Acb ^beibb sibb tuisfs' is tuille leirs'
31 as 0 3 gu fencb fnbh a bblas."
XVIII.
'Sin dar a chimnaio Eubh
"Mirs na cia-Hbb' do hhi àlninn
Cu 'ni bii mbatb dbaibhs' ebon beatb' e
do tuigs ig leirsinn a thàrsninn.
XIX.
Tbiiof is' lamb ann san cbraoibb
Do cboisinn eug agiis bàs
Chailicb is' dheth cuid fein
Gu 'n tuof i e reisd a db' Adbarah.
Fbuaradh leotb-'s an sin leirs,
Lea.sacbadh ceill luich b'fheaird'
Tbuig' iad aa bhi gTin eidoadh
Ghabh. iad-'s 'reisd as sin nàir.
XXI
Toisichear an sin l-o choi'
Ri teumadh agn.s ri faim
Diulleaj^an na ciaoibh' fhigis
■<.':hon Nicker agus chon apron.
Siubliladar an sin qii fiainhacli
Pli ionn^snidh diomhaireachd nan àiloan
Da'm falach romli cliruth s romh eudann
Dlie tliusr dliivibhsf" an t-ait.
Cluinueadai- sctJ na dlieigh soo
■Gnth Dlie aef 'eigha^lid sa gliardait
Esan ri gahhail ogèìl
Co dhoth 't-àit bheil tliu, Adbaimli.
Do fbr?ap:air es' ^u dihlidh:
Ghabh mi lomkad fiamb is nàir
'Tià thuig mi bbi gim eidoadb
Cb«il mis' mi fliiu t^'.i h-ca(r)lamh.
Co dh' imii3 duit-san an .egenl
■<lu 'u robh. thu chion eididh nochdt'
l^o na chaitb tbu 'mbios na rraoibii'
Mu tugas fein an àilhn' ort-s'.
XXVI.
Hhean sin thug tbu diiomb-s
Dòigh liom-s' gu 'u bliuin i fhein da
Chuir iso pàirt dbe a'ni' dhòm-s'
Cbàihcb mi gii m' Icon na deigh e.
XXVII.
Do labliair e sin ri Eubh
Gu de 'boud-s' do rinn thus'?
Bo fhreagair is' gu seimh:
3Iheall an natbair neimh mis'.
XXVIII.
Do labliair e ris an nathair: —
Curft thii fathast am miosor clu-eiitair
Air do thàrr ni tii gleidheadh
Luaitlu-idli mar bhiadli chon teug'mLail.
XXIX.
Acli suidhichidli mise gamhlas
Eadar slioclid ua mna s do shliochd-s'
Bruthar leatha-s do cheann-s*
Cba tianiinii 'sliiiil bho t' theachd-s'.
Do labhair se ritbist ri Eubbr
Mumid s gii 'n gheill tbu dla' fheai- na foil!
'N do-bl'ròii, an cràdb s an imnidb
Bilhidb do mbiann is breitb do chloinn.
XXXT.
Bitiiidb tn s' bbiiaitb sco pianail
Is do miiiaim gii fear do tbaigh
Eia^bailticbidb e fos do chionn-s'
Ml end 's gii 'n d' icbeadb tbii na mbeas.
XXXII.
Do labbair e an sin ri Adbamb
'Ghutb do mbnatb' la bba tu umbailt
Gu 'u bbristeadb leat-san air m'àitbn'
S ju 'n chaitbeadJi leat pairt de 'n ubhall^
XXXIII.
Mallaicbidli mi air do sgàth-s'
'N talamli, bithidb as duit leitheacb;
'N do-bhròn càilicbear gacb tràth leat
T'aran fad laitbe do bbcatba.
XXXIV.
Drisean mar an ciand is cluaran
De db'fbhsas sniis duit faraon
Agns cailicbear gu triiasfb leat
De luibbibb snaracb ua raon.
251
XXXV.
Mar sin am fallus do gliruaidh
Do hliiiaidbichear Icat do bhcatlia
Ach gu pill thu dli'irtnnsiiidh 'talmhainn
Bho 'n dhealbhadh tu 'n tiis do latha.
XXXVI.
Fuadicliear iad a Eden
*N d'fhuaireadh leo eiblincas is ait-eas
Ach g-baVih se trnas riu lo cheil
Do riuu daibli eiidacli do cliracnibh.
XXXVII.
Caireadar an sin cherub
Eadar iad fein is an atliair
Ma biodh iad-s' mar e fein deth
Le feuchainn air cbraoibh na beatha.
XXXVIII
Ach sin nn agcnl mar limit Adlia.mli
Le laigs' Eubh is innleachd (n)athracli
La blia iad duinn na 'n sinnsir
Tha 'm peacadh-s' ['n] ar n-inntinnibh. am
falach.
XXXIX.
Ach 's oibhiiin diiinn fh'n [?] an gamhlae
C'heangladh eadajr an da shliochd-s'
Criosd bhi againn mar choannard
Gu 'n ceaniisiiicheadh e fear gu 'n iochd
dhuinn.
Gloir is moladh do Dhia 't-Athair
Chum ruinn fathast gacli ni 'gheall
Cho fad Ì3 beò mi sa bhcatha-s'
Seinnim dhuit le aighear fonn.
Fonn le moladh, &c.
252
AON A EINNEADH LEIS AN SGEI-
OBHAIE AIE LATHA A'
BHEEITHANAIS.
Smaoineamar aa la fa dheoidh
(Is) coir dhuinn a dhol eug;
Smaoineamar peacaidh na b-òig';
Smaoineamar fòs na thig na dheigh.
Smaoineamar na thig na dheigh
Gur e la na mòr bhreith;
Gach ni rinneadh leinn san fheòil
Cha'n fhaodar na's mo a chleith.
in.
Cha'n fhaodar na's mo a chleith
Math no sathi a rinneadh leinn;
'N uair chi sinn Britheamh nan slogli
Teachd òirun sna neoil, tromp' ga seirm.
'N uair a sheirmear an trompaid mhòr
Cruiimicheadar na slòigh ma seach;
Gacb neacli a thàrlas diubh beò
Caochlaidh iad (an) dòigh 's am beachd.
Caochlaidh muir agiis tir
Caochlaidh gach ni as nuadh
Liobhraidh an talamh suas,
Oacli neach chaidh ann san ùir.
Gach neach a chaidh ann san ùir
Eiridb iadsan 'n an nuadh chorp;
Is gabhaidh gach anam seilbh
S a choluinn cheilg an robh chlos(d).
VII.
Nior chlos(d) au sin do na cliuan
Ghiaisoadar e fa leth;
Na blLàthadh bho thoiscach tira,
Liobhraidh se air cliionn na breith.
VIII.
Breith bheir buaidh air gach breith,
Cha Bhreitbeamh leth-bhreitheach
High.
Shuidheas air cathair na breith
S a bheir ceart bhreith air gach ti.
Gach ti a bha cur ri olc
Tearbar an nochd air an lairah chli;
Càirear air a laimh dheis
Gach ti bhios deas air a chionn.
Gach ti (bh)ios deas air a chioim
Labhraidh ('m) Breitheanili riu gu ceart:
Bho'n is biiidheann bheannuicht sibh,
Maitheam-sa dlmibhs' 'n 'ur peac'.
XI.
Maitheam-sa dhnibhs' 'n 'nr peac'
Gabhaidh-p' seilbh cheart 's an rio'chd
Chomharraich m' Athair bho thòs
Dhuibh-san ann an glòir gun chrich.
Oir iar bhi dhomh-sa fo thart
Fo fhuachd, fo acras chum bais
('M) priosan gun treòir gun neart
Dh'fhuasgail sibh ceart air mo chas.
XIII.
Iar bhi dhomh a'm choigreach cein
S a'm "thraveller" anns gach bail'
Fhreasdail sibli dhomhsa 'n am fheum
Cha robh' ar deagh-bheus ^ ?) dhom gann.
254
XIV.
Ach freagraidh iadsan am Breitheamh.
■Cuin' cliuiuiaiceamar sibh. fo tbai't
Fo fliuachd, fo acras, chum bàis
S a db'fhuasgail sinn do chas ceaxt?
XV.
Blieirim-sa dearbhadli dhuibh
Dh'fhxiasgail 's guv ann duibh nacli olc
Mheud s g-ii'n d' riiineadh leibbee dhiol
Ei piautaibh mo bhràithre bocbd-s'.
XVI.
Sin labliraidh ('m) breitlieamli os n-aird
Eiu fhuair ait' air a laimbi chli
Imichidli uamsan gn bràth
Dh'ionnsuidli càs is cradh gun chrich.
XVII.
Far am bi('n) t-Abliarsair am pein
Aingle sa chleir air fad
Mheud 's nach d'rinneadh leibhse dhiol
Ki piautaibh mo bhraithre lag-s'.
XVIII.
Imichidh iad so gu truagh
Dh' Ifrinn fhuair am bi fuachd is teas,
Dhoibh-san ge duilioh au Ccàs
Nior faigh iad bàs auu am feasd.
XIX.
Ach imicliidh buidheanu a ghràidh
A fhuar ait air a laimh dheis
(Do) fhlaitheanasi nam flath feile
O ! eibhinn doibh-san an treis.
XX.
O! eibhinn doibh-san an treis
Eibhinn doibh-san gach ni chi
Eibhinn bhi'n cathair nan gras,
Eibhinn bhi lathair a Bhreithimh.
255
XXI.
Tàbliinn bhi lathair a Bhreithiiiih,
Eibhiun a sbiocliai' s a bliuaiuh;
■Cha'n fhaodar a chur au ceill
Meud eibhneis an àite bliuain.
Eibhueas e iiach faca sùil
Eibhneas e nach cuala cluas
Eibhneas e nat-h teid air cliul
Dlioibli-san d'au toirear mar dluiais.
Duais is mo na gach duais
Ta sliuas air nèamh aig mo Rigli
Eibhiun do gach neacb a ghhiais
Air chor 's gu'm biiaidliichear ì.
XXIV.
Air clior s givni biiaidliichear ì
Sniaoinmmar air crìch an sgeòil;
Smaoineamar ar peacaidh bàtli
Smaoineamar an là fa dbeoidh.
Smaoineamar an là, &c.
X.B. — Tliis piece has been admirably
transliterated by Professor Mackinnonl It
has been of the greatest help to me in attempt-
ing: the other parts of the MS. In North
Inverness-shire c/iionn (verses ix. and x.) is
often sounded as chinn, heaice the rhymes
here. In verse xv. MS. has rijws — ruibhs'.
256
GNE CHUMHA DO EINNEADH LEIS
AN SGRIOBHAIR AN AM DO A
MHNAOI BHI'N EIGINN.
I.
RÌ nan Abstol dian seasamh.
Gu làidir leinn
Dion siuu am i'easd le do fbreasdal
Gun chall gun dhith
Bho is tu 'cleasaiche bkeir greasad
Slaint a tinn
Beir le do dlieas laimk gun fheasd
As a cliàs sinn.
II.
E,i na cruiune s gach uile
A ta iodk na giirein
Da leir gach duime s gacli luulad
Dli'tlias orra lem
Bho 's ann uuuad-s' tha ar uiuinighia
Gu bràch nar n-earb(s)
Dion ainu gun urraidk bho chumnard
An daria h-eug.
Athair na soillse do chruthaich'
Maighdmn' is mnài
Gur ]eat>sa mar oighreachd gach neach.
Is to t'eineachd gu brack;
Ack 'bhrigh s gu blieil cuibluneas
Alar riuo-s' gu saoibhir a ghnàtk
Matk dhomh-s' 's mi ieumack
Mo choimh-leapaiche oidhch' agus la.
IV.
Ack bko taim cka lobkta
S gu'n tkoill mi an-skocair gack tràtk
Tkaobk gkniomkn(ra) corporra
Is dearbk ckoisinn a bas
Ga taim-sa goint'
Is is' loit' air a cràdk
Na mu k-è mo tkoil-s
Ack do thoil-s' bkios diant ann sa okas.
257
Mhexid s gar iu-sa fear-lighicli
Thug Lazarus rithist bbo'n bhas
Agus uiglieau. laria
Tar eis di blii re air a lar
Tha do glirasau cho brighor
S a bha e da' taobh-s 'sin fatbast
"S anu de do thaobh-san, a Thighearn
Tha ino dhiul-s ri slighe na slaint.
Cheaun slighe gach slaint
Se do ghiasan a thraghas gacb muir
Gur tu theasraig na bràitlire(an)
As an anihuinu bha gràiueil ri 'cur
Bho siad ar iieacamian laidir
Tha 'tarruioin gach càs air ar muin
Bidh mo mhuinighin is m'eàrlaid
Ann mo Shlànaighear bàigh, Mac Muir',
Mhic Muir' s a Thrianaild
Do dh'ihuilinn pian agus creuchd
A leith gach aoin Chriosduidli
Ghabhas aithri na 'dhiomhnaibh-p fhein
Mheud s gur tu-s rimi dioladh
Le t'thoil mhath 'uar gniomliaraibh breig
Math dhuiuu gu siorruidh
Ar peacannau diorahair gu leix.
Gur h-iad mo pheacanna mòr'
Fàth mo bhròin gach là
Cha'n iomairt luchd-foill [foil?]
Rinn mo leòn no mo chradh,
Ach misg is striopaclid is pòit
Rinn mi' m' ògalachd bhàth
Mar ri bristeadh an Domhnuich
Is raionnan mora do ghnàth.
lla
258
IX.
Guàth. leiun bhi ri mionnan
Nach iomraich ar creud
Ei sannt agus gioiiach
Ann an ainid da chèil
Gun nàir' gun athadli
Ri blii labhairt na brèig'
Ach. dian trocair òimn fatliast
Bho (is) tu-s ar n-atbair, ar n-eud.
Acli end agus atliair
Tha'n an catliair na ceòil
Amhraio òirnn bho do fhlathaa
Thobhair mathanas duinn
Ann ar sannt anu ar gabliail
Ann 'n athais ar beòil
Ann ar brèig ann ar n-ainbli-fhiach [?]
Ann 'n aighear ar n-òig'.
Truagli trnagh cor na li-òig'
Caothacli mòr i is dìtli-cèill,
Gabhar leisgeul sin domhs'
Na mo dhòbheairtibh-p fhein,
Liuthad bàirligeadh so-ghlic
Chnir do gblòir-s' dhom 'n cèill
Le freasdalaibh dhe'n t-seors'
Do dh'òrduich Mac Dliè.
Mhic Dliè bho 's ann unnads
Tha ar muinigliin gu teann
Mheud s g-ur tu-sa rinn fulang
Dhòirt t'fhuil air ar ceann;
Chì thu f èin a Mhic Muir'
Fàth ar mulaid san am
Dion sinn bho chunnart
Gach uile dhaoin' fann.
259
Mar thugadk leat lonas
4 iasg- mor a mhuir bhàtht'
Mar sliaoradh leat loeeph
Gun leòn as g-ach càs
Bbo imirt mnutha seòlt',
Miann a feol' air a crhdh,
Dion sinu bho ar dò-bheairt
l3 bho dhòruinn a' bliàis.
Clia'n o bas cliuirp pbeacaich.
Tha mi faicinu bho m' chrìdh'.
No iomairt mo chhirdean
Gad sharuich iad mi;
Ach fhir nach beir tragliadi
Air do ghrasan a chaoidh
Mheud s gur tu rinn ar ceannach
Na leig-s' ar n-anam a cMaoidh.
Ach nuair sgaras au t-anam
Bho na cholluinn gam bhrigh
Na tagair thus òirnn
Gach dolaidh rinn sinn;
Ach fosgail-sa dorus
Thre' cathrach do 'shith
Dbuinn am fochair nan aingeal
S gu ma beaunuicht thu, Ri!
Ei nau Abstol, &c.
Macrae's Ej nj nesple, i.e., Ei nan AspaJ,
agrees with Munster, in Ireland, where rhej
say, e.g., Cre nan| Aspal, i.e., Creud max
Abstol.
260
AON DO RINNEADH LEIS A
SGRIOBHAIR,
I.
Och ochòin a Dlie
Ttuagh mo sgeiil an noclid
Fath. aithri dlioni choii m'eug
Mhend 's a riun mi loclid.
Aig mheud 's a rinn mi loclid
Cha leir dom an t-ochdamh pàirt
'T-Athair da mo dhion
Bho m' pheacaidh diomliair bais.
III.
Mo pheacaidh diomhair bais
Orm mar cliàs maraou;
O Athair nan gràs
Aithreacli gach ni rinn.
IV.
Aithreach leithid 's a rinn,
Dheth do reir-s o righ
Miann mo cholluinn chriadh
Gu b'e riamh mo ghniomh.
Gu b'e riamh mo ghniomh
Re linn dom bhi òg
Connas agus stri
Striopachas is pòit.
Strìopachas is pòit
Mionnan mor gun sta
Bristeadh na la naodmh
B'e mo ghaol-sa ghnàth.
261
B'e mo ghaol-sa ghnhth
Mo thoil feiu STOO dliòigli
'G imeachd a(m) bàthai(bh)
Ann a(ii) là(thaibb) m' òig-.
VIII.
Ach sin mar cliaitlieas m' òig
Ocb oclioiu, a Dbe
Nuair tbàineas clio'n aois
Cba cV chaocbla' mi beus.
IX.
Cba d' cbaocbail cuid dbe bbeus
Ki mo tbreig mi t'olc,
Oir ann am miadbon m'aois
Cba lon-chraos mo cborp.
Cba lon-cbraos mo cborp
Aig giouacb 's aig sannt
Farmad ri ciiid cbaicb,
'T-airgead gur e b' anns'.
'T-airgead a b' anns'
Liom-s' no gacb seud.
Gad tbairlinn e gun cbòir
Mo dbòigb cba bu leir.
XII.
Clia bu leir dbomb 'choir
Ach mo dbòigbeas fein
Mo sbeòl rinn mo leòn
Ocb, ocbòin, a Dbe.
Ocb, ocbòin, a Dbe
Truagb mo sgeul o Rigb
Cba do tbreig mi 't-olc
Acb na tbreig a(n) t-olc mi.
262
XIV.
Oha d'thrèig a(ii) t-olc mi
Ach na threig mo neart
Air olc a chur a(n) gniomli
'S moid a(m) miadh a(m) peac'.
XV.
'S moid a(m) miadh a(m) peac'
Nach d' chaitheann mo lon-cbraos
Tuigs' bhi agam dhò
LÒ mhiadhon m' aois.
XVI.
LÒ mhiadhon m' aois
Ni mi m'fhaosaid ceart
Eiut-s' o righ na glòir
Bho 's tu mo threòir s mo neart.
XVII.
Bho 's tu mo threòir s mo neart
Teasrig mi bho'n bhàs
Glileusas gach neach
Bhios i^acach fos cionn chaich.
XVIII.
Thaim peacach fos cionn chaich
Cha'n ."vicheadh mi mO' ghiamh
Thobhair, athair na(n) gras
Baigh dhom a(s) leithe Chriosd.
Bàigh dhom a(s) leithe Chriosd
Thaim 'griosad ort
Mheud 's gu'n d'rinn e diol
A leith gliiamh is lochd.
XX.
A leith ghiamh is lochd
Gach peacach aithreach thinn
Se dh'fhnilinn a bas
Shiol Adhaimh bu bhinn.
Shìol Adhaimh bu bhinn
Bàs dh'fhuilinn thu
Mhic òigh iia(n) pfràs
Cuir Ei' aisaidlicaclid air chùl.
Cuir m' àrsaidheaohd air cliùl
Dian-sa m' iùl gii beacbd
Air sliofhe nan gràs
Fàg mo chràbbadh ceart.
Fàg mo chràbb;idh ceart
Meoid' o Dhè, mo pfhràidh,
Gach easbhuidli lli'air mo chreui
Leasaich fèin gach là.
Leasaich. fèin gavh là
Mi arm do ghiàsan, los'!
Math dhom na rinn tni òg
Treòraicli mi 'iia m' aois.
Treòraich. mi 'na m' aoi3,
Cafchail-sa nio bbeus,
Tboir aithri dliora na's leòir
Seal inu'n teid mi eiig.
Seal mu'n teid ini eng
Dian mo rèit, o rìgh
S gu fiosTaicbinn fadheòidh
Gu'n deÒBuich thu dhom sìth.
264
XXVII.
•Tru dfònuicli thu dhom sìth
S gu minich thu gu reidh
Na peaid'-.l.'i nun mo leòn
Och, ockoin, a Dhe.
Och. ockòiu, &c.
àrsaìdheachd— inveteracj-, as e.g., in sin : arsaidheachd
bhur peacaidhean.
In XIV. i raijwe, undoubtedly— miadh ; the adj-
niiadhail is pronounced " miavail " in Iv'orth Invemesa.
shire, and in many districts.
CEOSANACHD DE GHNE CHOMHLU-
ADAIE EADAR A CHOLANN SAN
T-ANAM, DO RINNEADH LEIS AN
SGEIOBHAIR.
I.
a' CHOLANN.
Cliualas guth air uilaaduiun
S mi m' cliadal a'm' òuar.
AN T-ANAM
Cha'n i 'choir a th' agad
Bhi laiohi" fad Di-Domhnuich.
CHOIi —
Dh'eirich mi gu h-agach
Na m' aigne ma b'fhiòr dhomhs
Co seo ni tagair orm
Leis an teagasg nòs.
Thuirt guth s e freagair —
T-ANAM —
Mis' an t-asam uasal
Na gabh fiamh na eagla
Romh mo theagasg nos [nuas].
IV.
CHOL
Se làn do bheatha-s, aiiam
lonmhiiinn loam do chaidreabb
Thoir dhviiiin pairt dhe d' sheanchus
Gu'n Icanmluiinn air do clireideamh.
T-ANAM —
Shaoilinn-s gn'm b'fhiòr sin
Ach fiamliacli mi romh d'chaidreabh
Dhleasad an d'u do Chriosduidh
Caochladh gniomhs blii agad.
VI.
CHOL
Gu de'n guiomh a f agam
S mi'm chadla gu comhuard
Gn beil mi sgith Ian airt(u)eil
Bho sheachduin jros an Domhmacb-s.
Tliu fein is fatb da t' airteal
Bho sheachduin gos aji lò sin,
Choluinn bhreugaich pheacaich
Triiagh an t-àite tasgaidh dhomh-s thu.
Ach is fheudar dhom bhi umhailt
Do na chumhachd is àird.
Gad tha mo leabaidli cumhang
Ach an guidk am bàs thu.
IX.
Cha'n e sin fath m' acain
Ach mar chleachdar leat an Domhnacb
Gu càirich thu mi'n lutharn
Far a bi cumli' is doruimi.
12
266
Sin do fhreagair mis'
S mi clisg^eadh) gu h-earluath :
'S aim is cosmhuil tliiisa nis
Hi fear misg is caarain.
T-ANAM
Cholluinn a cholluinn
Shaoil leat g'u'm b' tliu fein mi
Cha 'n eil misg no canraii orm
<jrur nàir' dhut bbi breugacli.
XII.
Ach is minig a bha thu-a
■Gu globhtach gu sar-mhath,
Mise staigh an tuigs
Gr iniise dhut bhi gràineil.
Oad bhiodh tu 'n eireaclidaa
Dhe bu dearail domhs e
■^'ha b'fhearr leat uair eile dhi
Ach deireadh la Di-Domhnuich.
XIV.
CHOL —
-Do fhreagair mi fos ii-iosal e —
€ha'n fhiach leara thin do chomhradh
Our truagh an deireadh coramuin duit
JBhi soillearachd mo dhòbheairt.
Ach mas ann mn bhristeadh Domhuuich
Tha 'chontrachd a t'aire-sa
Cha deantar 'ghniomh nam foghnadh
Mo dheoin aun sau bhaile-sa.
287
XVI.
T-ANAM
Tha 'chontrachd onn gTin amharus
Mar chaithear leat-s an Domhnach
A eh air a mlueud da labhair thu
"Clia'n aobhair airidli dhomh-a e.
XVII.
S gTi'n ludhaig' Dia eia latha dhut
Chaitheamh ri do shaothair;
DW òrduich © gun amharus
La diubh chumail naomha.
XVIII.
CHOIi —
"NaCn) seoladk tu dhomlis
Mar is coir domh cMeachdadh
Clia bhristiim e le m' dhòbheairt
Da mo dheòin am feasda.
XIX.
T-ANAM
Sheolainn sin duits
Na('n) tuig-eadh tu bhuam e
Dhiiisgeadh tu sa mhaduinn
Bhiodh t'aigfn© saor bho fhuathas.
XX.
Ann an am dhut eirigh
B' fheumail dh.ut do chaisrig'
Ann an ainm na Trianailt
'Na chriòchnuicheadh do bhaist(n)eadh.
XXI.
Nuair chuireadh tu ort t'eudach
Mar b' aoidheil do dh'fhear aitim
Rachadb tu air do ghliiinibh
Dhianamh tiiirs a leith do pheacaidh.
XXII.
Ghuidheadh tu Dia 'n t-Athair
A leith Mhic losa
E dheònachadh' mathanais
Ann a'd shath is t'uile ghniomhar(aibh).
268
Shiubliladh tu gun seacbaran
Ma sheachnadh e am dit'
Dh' eisneachd tuille teagaisgf
Ann an eaglais do chill sgire.
XXIV.
Ann aan ghabhail ratliaid duit
Na labhair acli an fhirinn
Bidli dearbh gu'm faigh tliu ann
Do fliradharc luach do sliaotli'r.
XXV.
Acli na bi-sa dichuimhneacli
Ma chitear leat na boclida
Air ni thobhairt an iasad daibli
Mar dli' òrduich Criosd is Ostla.
Nuair tliieid thu steach a'n eaglais
Air fear t'theagnisg bi cnimlineach
Na biodh t'inntinn niearanach
Tlioir aire air gach ni chhiiun tbu.
XXVII.
Dar thig thu macli an deighidb so.
Mar a rogha leat bbi t' ònar,
Tagli-s' an comunn lagliail
Na tagli luclid na pòit'.
XXVIII.
Bi furanach oairdeach
Eia na bratliaraibli ceart
Na gabli' fiamh no nàir'
Gad dhian' tliu càcli a sheachnadh.
XXIX.
Siiibhail rithist gun seacharan
Dhachaigh dh'ionnsuidb t' theaghlacb
Gach ni chualas leat-aa
Aithris daibh is meamhraich
269
xxz.
CHOL —
DùPsfadh ann mo leabaidh dom
S aJi cadia air mo bhualadh
Sin an sgeul mar thachair
Dh'aithris mi mar chuala.
EUINN DO EIXNEADH LEIS AN
SGRIOBHAIR AN AM AN D' FHOG-
EADH RIGH SEUMAS VIImh A
SASUNN, ANNO 1688.
I.
Giir feallt carail an saoglial
Gu meall e barail nan saoidhean
Saoilim-s' gur fior an sgeul
Blio na dh.'dlièirich. do Righ Bhreatumi.
II.
Ga b' mhor a shaiblireas sa mhùirn
"Style" fòs s a diià chrìiin
'Shliiaghraidh uile sa tkreis
Dh'fhògradli leo e gu mi-dheds.
III.
Ga b' mhor a thobhairt s a dhnais
Da chomhairle agns da shluagh
Do dh'ioc iad fbeile le tais
Eitigh an sgeul ra aithris.
IV.
IVIac a pbeatliar fath. an euchd
'N co-cheangal ris air dha ghleus
A chliamliuinn, 'fheoil agus fhuil,
Dh'imich da dheòin gn 'chrùn a ghuin.
V.
Gad thaim-s" 'cur an ceill
Do dhiomb' dhuinn, fior sgeul
Ni blieil fios air bitli cia dheth)
Aobhar Dhe no fath a dhiombaidh.
270
Ach ghreasadh ('n) Eì air mheud a threis-
Bbuainn bhrigh cothruim coingeia
Gun 'ruin' leigeil fa sgaoil
No 'dhaoin. 'mhealladh le daoi-ghlòir.
VII.
'Shlviaghraidh uile chumail oeart
Dò-chreid[imh] fo Ian smachd
Reir s mar theagasg Criosd gu beaclid
Agus tar eis theist Ostla.
VIII.
Sia ciad bliadhma tar eis eug
Bha bhriathra dhuinn uile reidh
Leanmar na ceumanna ciand
S na eignicheamar am focla.
As sin tuigfir mar a dall
Gur aon slighe 'chosnas thall;
Cha d' fhoghlum iad riamh. an sgoil
Tboil thoirt do gach. aon fhear.
Ach. gach [bu] fhear-brithimh mi sa ohùis
Th'eadar Ri Breatunn s a' Prìonna',
Dearbh tlia ar peacaidh cko curt,
Sgiùrsar sinn a leith na cairbh.'.
XI.
Ni ioghmadh sin 'theachd oirnn
Uamliarr' [?] Mnn gach scan, dhall gach
nuadh.
Do bhreugnaich sinn uile 'n teist
Bheir sinn gun cheist na h-eith'-mhi-
onnan.
XII.
Caochlaidhi sinn mar chaochlas struth,
Seumas an de ('m) Prìonnsa 'diu;
Dearbh leam, bho sgeul duthair
B' airidh' 'ti bu dual no ('n ti) thainig.
271
XIII.
Ach ofuidheamaid as an leith gu teann
lad bhi faraon air aon rami
Go glòir Dhè is losa 'n ceaom
Chor s gu'n diant an toil.
XIV.
Dianmar bròin agois traieg
Mu leaJiar leinn [?] na mor reacM
Le ùmhladh do Dhia s gach càs
Air ar glùinibh, 'ghnàth gTi soilleir.
XV.
Treigmid farmad is uabhar cuirp
Treigmid mi-run is mor ghluit
Treigmid fuar clireidimh gun bhlàth
Treigmid gu bràch bhi foilleil.
XVI.
larrmaid siochamli, iarrmaid iochd
larrmaid fuidh Dlie ['n] tiis bhi glic,
Iarrmaid creideamh, treigmaid sannt
Blio is feallt carail an saoghal.
Gur feallt caraiJ, &c.
GNE GRAIN DO EINNEADH LEIS A
SGRIOBHAIR 'SAN AM CHIAND
ANNO 1688.
Ta saogbal-sa carail
Tlia e daondan da'r mealladh gu geur;
Liuthad caochladh th'air talamh.
Is daoiu' air an dalladh le bhreig;
Chreic pairt diubh-s' an anam
S do chaochlaidh. iad barail chionn seud
Fhir chaidh ann sa chrannaig
Dhòirt t'fhuil da ar ceannacb
O ! aoin Ei?h Mhoire beannuich nar creud.
O' Athair nan gràs
Na failing sinne 'nar cruas
Ach amhraic òirnn tràth
Le tlàths o d'fhlathas a nuas
Mar thug thii le d' mhìcraild
Clann Israel gun dhìoljhair sa chiian
Dion t'eaglais da rireadh
(Ga ghuidh le luclid a mì-ruin)
Bho 'sgTÌob-s ta teachd mu' cuairt.
III.
'S còir dliì-s' a bin umha^lt
Gad tba i fo dhubh aim san am;
Gur ii-iad ar peacaniian dubhar"
Tharruing oirnn pudhar is call;
Ach deanmar trasg agus cumha
Eis an fhear dli'fhàg an t-iubliair sa chrann,
Chon s' gu'n ceannsuich e 'bhnidheann
Chleachd an. eu-coir as duibhe
Mar tha breugan is luigliean is feall.
IV.
Dhe churanta làidir
Dh'àlaich inuir agus tir
Tha thu faicsinn an drasda
Mar db'fhàiling am prabar-s' an Righ
Ach reir s mar thachair do Dhàidh
Nuair ghabh Absolon fkth air go dhith
Beir dhacliaigh 'na dhall leat
Dh'aindeoin am pàirtidh
Nar Righ chon àite l& sith.
V.
Fear eil' 's math is eòl dom
Tha'n gest uair air fògaireadh 'na phairt
Sliliochd nan cuireannan seòlta
Da thogradh s nach òbadh an spàirn;
Ga tamull leinn bhuainn thu
Cha toireamar fuath dhut gu brach;
S ann da 'r seòrs bu dual sin
Eatar mhith' agus uaislean
EM air do dheas-laimh an cruadal s an càs.
273
VI.
Triiagh nach fhaicinn thu teachd
Mar b'ait le mo chridh san am
Far ri Seuiiias Ic buidhcanii
Nach f^cill a dh'iubhair nan Gall;
Tba'n drasda ro bliuidlieacb
ilheud s gu'n t-huidhich iad feall
Le'n seòladh s le'n uidheam.
Ann sna mòdaibh as duibhe
Cbiiir fa dheòidli sibh air siubbail do'n
Fhrainsr.
Acb thamar an dùiofh
Gu'n caochail an ciirsa seo fothast,
Gu'm faic mi le m' sbùilibb
Bbi sgiùrsadh gacb tnu bba sna moid;
S gach Baron beag cùbacb
'Mhealladb le caraibb s le lùban Prionns*
Or;
Gbeibb Mac Cailein air thus diubb
Db' aindeoin a chùirte
'Galair bu dùthchasacb dbò.
VIII.
B'e 'dbùthcbas bho sheanair
.?}ii daondan r'a mealladb gach ti
Clia b'ihearr e 'thaobli athar
Ga b' mhor a mhathas bho 'Righ;
^la 'se seo an treas gabliail
Thug eug ohuaith 'bhathar gu pris;
Le niaighdinn sgoraidheach sgathail
Cha d 'cheannsuicheadh aisith;
Ged thuit thu cha'n athais duit i.
lomadh Tighearn is "post"
Nach eol domh-s' a nis 'chur an dan
Tha'n drasd gu moiteil
~Le phrabar gu Iwsdail a' d' phairt;
274
'S ann diubh ein Cullodar
Granntaich is Rosaich a chàil
Nuair thionndas an rotha
Chon annsachd bho tlioiseach
Gur teaimta dhaibh 'chroicb 'miosg chàich..
X.
Ach fhearaibh na h-Alba
Ga deal(bli)acb. libb 'dràsd 'n ur cùirt
Gad leught' sibh bho'r leanabachd
S liiio là 'glièil sibli a dli' Fhergus air thus
Tlnuit gach fine le toirmeasg
Do threig s nacli robh earbsach do'n chrùin.
Acli seo t-eallach a dhearbhas
Cur h-airidh an seanchas —
Gu 3 eirich mi-sliealbhar da'n cliù.
Cha clia'n mi na'e lèir dhom
Ei 'ur maithibh, ri'r Clèir, ri'r pòr
D'èi3 'ur mionnan a Sliearlas
Gu seiseamh. sibh-p fhèin 'n aghaidh deòia
S an t-oighre dliglieach na dh.' èia
Tliuit nis go Rigli Seumas r'a bheò
icli dh'aindeoin 'ur lèirs'
ja mòr 'ur cuid leugh'
Ar 'iom-s gu'n 'reub sibh a chòir.
. . . air còir dMricli
Le masladh. na dhìobair do phàirt
Bba uair a staid ìosal
S tha air dìreadh le uchd matk an dràsd;
Seann fhacla s gur fior e
Bha rìamh. eatar Chrìostuidhean gràidh
Gur miosa na ana-spiorad
Duine mi-thaingeil
Ghabb. na's leòir dhiubb-s an aim air m
cbàs.
275
Càs eile nach fas'
Dli' èirich mar fhaean sa ruaig-s'
Chlauu fèin blii iia'n iaic
Do gacli nea<;b tha 'cur as da niu cuaii-t;
Do thrèig iad s cha'n ait daibh
'N cuigeainh fàithu' bha 'cliasgadh an t-
sluaigli ;
'N aghaidh nàdur a bbeart seo
Do neach 'gkabli baisteadh
Ann an ainm nan trì pearsa(n) ta shuas.
XIV,
Acli fhir 'dh'oibrich gach mìoraild
Eha miosg Chlainn Israel blio thus
Nach soilleir an giamh. seo
Dh'aon ueacli gliabh 'Chriosdaclid mar
glixunnd ;
Bbo laigh geilt agua fiamb. mor
Air gacb Marcus, gacli larl s gach Diùc
Caag fèin an iorghalt-s
Mas toil leat-s a Dhia e
Mu tiiit sinn fo fhiabhrus do ghniiis.
XV.
Is mor dh'èireas dhut, a Bhreatninn
S nach d'fbaodadli do tbeagasg na am,
Cha lèir dhut fàth t'eagla
Gu'n thamiing ana-creidimb ort call;
Bho'n là mhurtadli libh Searlas
Tha fhuil-sau ag eigheachd gu teann
Gabh aitbri a t'eucoir
Tboir dbachaigb Righ Senmas
Neo thig sgiùrsa bho Dhè ort a nail.
'Ghaidliealu gasda
Na laighidh fo mha^ladb. sa chùis
Ach faighear sibli tapaidli
S Eigh Seumas na thaic air 'ur cùl
276
Ga ta Uilleam an Sasunn
Na geillibh (sic) a feasd da chrùin
Liom is cinnteach mar thachras
Thaobli innleacLd a bheairtean
Gu pilltear e dhacliaigh gam chliù.
Na ma h-ioghnadli libli-p fhein seo
S gun ghlac es' an encoir air clieaun
Bha "manifesto" ro eitigh
Nacli faic sibh gur breugack a chainnt
S gach gealladh do rinn se
Do Shasunn do threig se gu teann
Tha iad nis 'n aghaidh) cheile
Nuair thuig siad an reusan
Acli na tha Pliresbiteriatnich ann.
Na ma lugliaid' 'ur misneachd
Gu robh iad seo bristneach na ciirs
Fo sgàile "religion"
B'e 'n abliaist s an gliocas blio tliiis
Co dliiubh. alach a nise
Nach . . . le mi-ruin
Ach tha'n àite le fios dliuinn
Ged dh' fhàiling righean trie iad
Aig gach àrmunn bha tiorcadh) a chrùin.
XIX.
Gu ma h-amhluidh seo dh'eireas
'Mhaithibh Alba s na h-Eire san am
Til a 'coitheamh le Seumas
S nach d'amhraic iad fein air an call;
Ach b'fheall am bathais s an eudann
Fo gach neach bha ri eiginn s ri feall
Ghabh a "test" bha eitigh
Eatar mhaithibh is Chleire
'Thoir an anman dha'n eucoireacb mheallt.
Ach tba mi dall na mo bharail
Mar ceannsnich Dia 'cliarachd-sa trath
S mar mheaKar leis barail
'Clileamhnais fliuair alloil s^un bhlàth;
Is mairg a tlioisich mar ealaidh
Athar-ceile 'chiir ealamh bho bhhir
Ach ^eo òrdupfh nam balach.
Far ri dòchus nan cailleach
Sau t-saoghal chruaidh charail-s' a tà.
Ta 'saoghal-sa carail, &c.
Note. — Y. 2 — "Gest iiair," a widely-
spi-ead form of "an coart uair;" iii. 8 — -
"Luighean," pi. of "lugh," oath, also
"liighadh," eg., "thug e highadh mor as;"
XX. 7 and vi. 3 bave "far," a Kintail variant
of "mar:" Macleod & Dewar's Dictionary
also notes this form ; i. 8 and iv. 8 have "nir."
i.e., "nar," our: the form "nar" exists in
Ireland, e.g., "seo na fir a ghoid nar gcuid
ha (Zeitschrift f iir Celtische Philologie) ;
ii. 157 — O. Irish — -"nathar," e.g., "cechtar
nathar," each of us : it is cognate with L.
"nostrum."
f
278
'^ORAIDH CHAIDH A CHUR AM
MEADRACHD DAIN DH'IONNS-
UIGH NAN UAISLE GAIDH-
EALACH BHA ANN AN LA RAOIN
RUAIRIDH.
(July 27tb, 1689).
^^i
Ciad soraidh do na h-uailsibh
Leis na bhualadh an cruinn-ord,
Ann an la Raoin Ruaraidh
Romli fuathas mor-dhuiuionii;
Gur fad la chualas
Cha blii buaidh nilior gun clninnard
Bha 'bhuil ann san uair sin
€hoisinn cruadal duibh unoir.
II.
■Chuaidh sgeula do dk' Eire
Mar dli' eirich an la ud
Choisinn cliù agns ceutamb
Do cheudaibh do Ghaidheil;
Cha bu leth. 'cliuid bròinein
San Olaind ra aireamh
Mar tharladh d'an mhòr-sliluagb
S mar dh'fhògradh "Mackay" ann.
III.
Blia maithibli CMainn DòmliuuiU
Le 'n cònlainn san am seo
Mac-Il-Sheatliain is òig-fhear
Sir Eoghann s Clann Chaanroin
Dul an coinneamh an fhuathais
"Claver" suairc© mar clieaunard
Gun e dithis ma triiiir ann
€ha d' dhiiilt e "advance."
IV.
Air "Mackay" s e gu seòlt
Ann an òrdugh "bhatallion"
Le mliiltibh de shlòghraidh
S a shròilte ri crannaibh
279
<5a b'e cliitheadh am fuathas
B'e sid uair dha pr» fhaighinn,
Fras pheilearaibh luaidhe
Le mòr fhtiiaim nan "cannon."
lomadli òganach suairce
Thuit 8an nair nd gu talamli
Do dh'iiailsibh Chlainn Domhnuill
Chlainn Chamroin s shiol Alain;
Ach iia theaniiun bbo luaidh
Thug' iad niathar le lamnaibh
Tlioirt a mach an i-atreut
Le ceart eio-iun s le h-ain-deoin.
Cha do shnosadh leò eudann
Thoirt do reubaldaibh grathail
Ach toirt fo cheile
Le beum-sgeith aeus claidlieamh
Ach gim f^habli iad ratreut
Le reis chon ua h-abhna
S gu d'fhàgadh leo ceudan
San t-sreip ud na'n laighe.
Bu lionmhor sam uair ud
Corp a' gluasad s e leòint;
Ciun, aid (hats) agns gruaigean
Fear gun chluasan gun chòr'
Cha chluinnt' ann a dh'eighe
Ach "alas!" agus "woe is me!"
"Quarters for Jesus!"
Bu Bheurla dhaibh 'n còmhnuidh.
Mu thimchioU na h-abhna
Bu ghàbhail an leirse
'Robh na miltibh (sic!) na'n laighe
Tha ann^fathast gun eirigh.
280
Bha cuid diubh o-un lamhan —
Beòil ri flathas ag eigheachd
S I'.ara rnaireadh an la
Na dh'fhàg ar claidheamh gu'm Veuc
dhaibh.
IX.
Gu raa slan do na curaidhean
Leis na chuireadh an t-orghain
Nach cualas a cu nioas
Bho'n la 'sguir lubhir-Lòchaiclli;
Is math a fhuaras lir Mhuile
S o-ach duine Chi i inn Dònihnuill
S gu dearnadh slad tuLIleadh
Nam fuireadh an "rògaire."
Clia b'ami le ar dùrachd
Tliàir e uatlia mar "hajck"
Ach le dubliai-a'achd oidhche
Agu3 miorbhuilleaclid eachaibli;
Truagh nacli robh e san reiahlein
'Deubhadb a gha sgich
Ach nach beireadh e "Chlaver"
Gun Uilleam "Herie" na thaca.
XI.
S mur biodh bàs "Chlaver"
Bu treubhach mav !:hacha:r;
Chuir sid moill' agiis eis mhi')r
Air Righ Seumas .heachd dliachaig
Rud beag eile ta 'g eirigh
S ag eigheachd ar masladh —
A chàirdean cha leir dhuibh
Seach an treubli tha cur as da.
Gur h^iomadh liunh threxibhach
Eatar Eir' agus Breatunn
Chatliadh le Seumas
S a dh'eireadh an gest uair,
Mur bhith eagla an treuda
'N ceilean s an capuill;
Gu teirigt' libh-p fhein iad
Nan treigt' leo' dacbaigh.
281
l^a mhealadh' mise buil^-seididli
Is strian mhath de m' acfhuinn
Mur cathainn-sa fein leis
Cbo fad sa dli'fhaodadli mo phearsa;
Ach bho's heart seo nach reidh dhom
Thaobh gach eucoir thaim faicsinn
Bidh mi s^uidh le Seumaa
Ach sru treisf sibli i fason-s.
XIV.
S a cbeaiinu nan treubhan
Da 'm beusan am mailia
Ma srliealladh cùis rèidli libh
Caisa^dli 'n eu-coir-s' g\i h-ealamh;
Is trom osna nam bantrach
S na clannanu falamli
S ^u t(r)og iad seo ceann duibh
Mur ceannsuicli sibli 'ur maille.
XV.
!Nach eòl duibh an seorsa
Ghlac òrdugli bho Uilleam
Chuir Eigh Seumas air fògi-adh
Bho chòirean a sheanair;
'N cualas riamh uo-bheart
Bu sheòlt air a h-imirt
Xa mar tharrning iad òirnne
Pòlaindeach Fionnfhuar.
Cha mho chualas breugan
Bu treuna na bh'ac
Mar chuir iad an ceill duinn
Na'n ceud "manifesto"
Mhurt a bhrathair Eigh Searlas
S an Tearlach sin "Essex"
Mac Gobha na Ceardaich
Bhi 'u hite oighre Bhreatuinu.
282
Gur iora' ni bliarr seo
Chuir iad àird nihor 'n ceill da
Ach gun mhealladh leo armaild
S gu'n thearb iad a chleir bhuaith :
Leig e iillamh (?) gu dearbbadli
Ann am Parlamaid reusain
Ach bho nach faiglit leo creidich
Is ann a db'fhògradh leo Seumas,
Bba leisgeul sin àraid
Sa Pharlamaid eucoireach
S gu d' èigh' iad as ait' e
Is gun thearn e blio'n teugmhail
Ghlac Uil learn is Mairi
T-àite le reusoii
Tha fios aig Dia gradhacli sin
'Nàdur s am beusan.
XIX.
Gur fada la chualas
Gu b' fhuarail an cleambnas —
Na dbearbh iad sa nnair-sa
Le fuath nihor is gamh'as;
Mac a pheathar da Ihiuvdiich
Se fuaighte ri seannrach
Miosg Thurcaicliibli Iniaillidh
Cha d' fhuaradh riamh "shambladli.
Gad tha creideamh mar sgàil ac'
Is tur dh' iiic-headli iad 'm Biobul,
Fhuair Ahitophel ait'
Ann am Mairi 'cheart liroadh,
Dar a thrèigeadh leo càirdeas
Agus "caritas" direach
S a bhrist iad gu gràineil
Air an àithn' thug Criosd daibh.
283
Dhc clioniliai-raich bàigh dhxiinn'
Umhia, gràdh agus firinu
Cha 'n eil e mar chàs air
A chàraid-s a pliillthm
Acli reir s mar thachair a Dhaidh
S a mhac àluinn da shior-ruith
Thig- Rig-h Scumas gii kite
Dli' aiiidcoin crabliadh Phrcsbitrie.
S gad dh' eireadh ur feachd-s
Dha-san thaobh iasaid
Thig mac a Ghobliainn a db' fliàgsibli
Gu cheardacli le caonriaig;
Blieir c garadh tetli gàbhaiclb
Do gach. àrmunn a dh.' iobair e
Ni e tairgne cha'n fhearr duinu
Air mhachrii nan stiopla.
XXIII.
Achi 's mor m' imnidh s 3ni smaointiim
Thaobh gach cùis a ta 'g eirigh
Gu bi Breatunn dhe ciùrrt
Fuil bhrùtht' ann an Eire
Gu bi bristeadh a chnamha
Eatar Mairi is Seumas
S gu bi smior aig an Fhrangach
Ma ceaunsuich sibh cheile.
Dhe! dh' òrduich na righeau
'Chumail sith ris gach duine
Bho is tu-san is brighmhoir'
ISTo gach ti dhiubh siud iiile
Casg fein le d' mhioraild
An t-srilli-s' gu h-ullamh
Ceartaich robairean Sheuraais
Bath reubaldan XJi'.leam.
Ach fhir a shiùbhlas air chuairt bhuainm
Dh' ionnsuidh uaislean na h-onoir
Bha ann la Raoin Ruaraidh —
Gach uair (?) fhuaireadh leo cothrom —
Gur ait liom mar bhuail iad-s
An ruathar ud orra
Na ceil thu-s' mar chuala
Is beir bhuam-sa ciad soiridh.
Note. — "Cònlainn," hosts; "tairgne,"
plundering, devastation; "orghain," plunder,
piUage, slaughter; last word of x., 2, ought
to be "theachdair," and possibly the final
letters got dropped or faded.
ORAN DO RINNEADH.
I jfl^ (August 21, 169-.)
"^^' Bho tim sin an uraidh chaidh m' inntinu an
truLmid
Sgeul cinntoach so chuireas fos n-ard
Ga bu shunntach mo thurua dul dh'ionn
suidh Phrionns' Uilleam
Chaidh mo ebùgradh gu mulad Di-màirt;
'La sgaoilmear an naigheachd dh'fhàg sinne
fo mhasladh
Le saothair air leapamian clàr
Cha b'fheairrde mo shonas na ghabh pairt
le Sir Tomae
Siud 'a mheudaich mo dhorran s mo
chràdh.
Bha'n cealgair ud brionnach cho seolta ri
Bionnach —
Na fogbmadh leat miooinan is mnai —
Nuair thàireadh leis iomairt sa dh'fhailing
ar cinneadh
Gu'u d'fhàg iad 'ceann-fin' ann a b'àird;
285
S mairg' da'm bti chompaa thu uuair bha no.
campair iieo-chumhail
S a ruagair iad urrainn na càird',
S a chumadh hlm'n cliroich e le fhuasgladb.
san droch uair,
S math, a dliiiaisich e tuagha dlia^
III.
Tkug e ionnsuidli air Sasunn, far an d'ionns-
iiich e 'fasan-s'
Tkionndaidli iad-s' blmaith dhachaidh go'rt
ait
Gad bha es' gn foilleil cha'n aain air-s' tha
mo choire
Ach air na dh'fhàiling 'Chlaun Choinnich sa
chas;
Daj* a thTeigeadh leo 'n onoir gun eiginn gun
chunnard,
S mairg d'an d'eirich. no chunnaio an la
('N) can gach aon fhear le brosgla nach
fac-sa mi-fhortain
Mar cheanusuich iad Fort-Sea gu nàir?
Fir eile bha'n cruadal, 'thàinig thar chu-
antaibh
Gu'n aithris iad fhuaim sec gu h-ard
Leis am b'ioghnadh seo thacbairt s nach do
smaoinich a bheairt-sa
Muna ghluaig iad go machair bho thraigh;
Sa liuthad laoch gasd bha iad faicsinn fo
bhrataich
Nach. faight' ri gealtachd gun spaim
B'ann diubh Mr Cailean agus Alaatair
fearail
Le iomadh ceann baile na gheàird.
Oig Ghearloch bho thuath leis la àrmunit
gun ghruamain
Nach tarlum a bhi san tais.
Fear eile nach b'fhuath leani, ga b'"
Shimi [ ?] gle chruaidh e
Nuair chunnaic e uailse na cha;
286
Ag'us Iain [?] cha cheilinn, oighre Dliomi-
achidh Mhaic Coinnich
•Clia'n fhaight' e air deixeadh. sluagh bair
Seo na bheag dhe a chinneadli 'chathadh leis
gun gliiorraig
Oad do bhiodht' ga iomairt chon bàis.
Ach fhleaegaichibli uails' gun erras gun
uallach
Mar fhaict' ac' buailte(an) air blàr
Ni chuirt' leo suarach ma buaint gu criiaidh.
ris
Gad bha cuid air a buaireadh. le each;
Na biomar da'n eloinneadh an drasd gu
follais
S nacli math tha mo chomas an dan,
Ach chunna(ca)s pairt diubh dar dh'fhàg
an ceann iiiil iad
rrasach a shileadh an sùilean gu làr.
VII.
Cha b'iouann s a dim diubh bha san am ud
gu cùbach
Cha b'fheairrd iad am buirdeisich fann
Sa dh'aiudeoin an cùirt bithidh 'charachd-sa
ciirt'
Da 'n ti sin a lùb iad gu meallt;
Guji bhi 'g iarraidh bhodach ach cur romh
bhi gealtach
Sa chomhairle nihaslaidh-s thoirt da
Sa threig an ceann cinnidJi air son maoidh-
eadh luchd millidh
•Gad dh'eireadh dha iomairt bhi bath.
Euith 'chuibhl' air a fortan, mo chreach!
tha mi-choslacb
Nach do . . iad do thoiseach na pàirc (?)
■Cha bhi mi ri brosgul ma can mi ni's olc
leo
Ach Dia thionndaidh an roth na ait.
287
Tboirt coniliairle throiin daibli iad chaith-
eamh le cheile
Ann an iomairt, an eiginn sa ppàirn
S giir fada la chualas cha bhi ain-iochd gvm:
fliuathas
Na fine nilior suas gun bhi'n crhdh.
IX.
Ach thig mi san iiair-s air na labliradh. gu
suairc TÌ3
Cha bhi mi ri buaidhreachd caiunt
S cha cheil mi mar chuala thuirt ciiid a
dhaoin' uails'
Nach reiceadh an dualchas air sannt
Mo . . bhi suas . . an am cruadail
Le d' chlaidheamh s le d' luaidli air do
làimh
S na crath dhiot do chairdetn air son mi-
ghean do naimhdean
Ach gTi'n naisgear leat snaim orra 'm bann.
Pill fathast gu d' dhùthchas là thig Buchan
a nunu bhuainn
S leig sgaoileadh do d' mhuinntir a«h pàirt
Ach gu fosglar duit donis dhianamh t'
shiochai(n) le onoir
Chionn s nach faicear leat cothrom is fea^r;
Seo 'chomhairle fhuair e bho thriatlrraibh
nach luaidh mi
S gu cuala mo chluasan a radii
Gu cumt' leo suas e dlr'aindeo'iu am bru-
aidlein
Air m' fhalmnn! bha dhualchas sin daibh.
S gu cathadh iad fein leis na iomairt s na
eiginn
Gad do threigt leo feudail is tpreidh
Truagh nach ann mar seo dh'einch gad a
bhithiiiu-s an eis do
Mu'n deach e fo ('m) mèinn-san (an) laimh
288
Ach a Ghaidhealu gaad na geillidh mi-
thapaidh
Gad do dh'fheuch iad dhuirm masladh no
dhà
Mar bha la siu 'mhealtuiim dar ohaidh
Livingston feall òirnn
Tlia nis ann a tholla ri chradh.
XII.
Thig fathast thar clauantaibh ma gbeobh iad
deagb fhuaradb
Na chuireas an sluagb ud bbo bbair
S gad tha'm feacbdannan lionmbor s dòigh
gn'm faic eibb droch dhiòl orr'
Ann an toradb an guiomba mbi-nàir';
S na mbealladb mi m'eudach mar a b'ait leam
bbi 'g eisneachd
Gacba ti dbiiibb 'g eigbeacbd 'nur bàigb:
Dbè earalticb na greine fòir an neacb-sa
cbaidb 'n eiginn
Is gi-eas dbackaidb Ri Seumae gu ait.
Na faighim; mo lùn daibh cba bbiodb iad
ciiirrt
Ni mo dbea'.imar ùmbla do cbàcb
S gu tuiteadb a' sgiiirsa-s' air gacb aon neacb
gu dùbailt
Eba caitbeamb nan Hibain gu fealls';
Acb leigiiii-sa 'cbiiis gu stòl (?) na ti
cbrùn e
Neacb is nrrainn da fbuaegladb a cas
S bbo cbaidb m' inntinn an truimid mu 'ni
sin a cliunnaa
'Sgeul ciniiteacb eeo cbuir mi fos n-ai'd.
Note.— 'Tort-Sea," i.e., Seafortb. Tbe
word "campair" is used by Iain Lorn, e.g.,
"Cba b'e 'n campair air cbùl na sgeitbe e
(La Eaon Enari.") The poet seems to bave
taken an oatb of allegiance. One sucb oath
had to be taken before December 31, 1691,
but Macrae does not refer here to tbe Mass-
280
acre of Gleiicoe, February 13, 1692. The Sir
Tomas is no doubt Sir Thomas Livingston,
goTemor of Inverness, who served under
General Mackay, and eiiccoeded him as Com-
mander-in-Chief in NoTBniber, 1690, and wae
employed in Kin^ William's Continental
wars. In 1696 he was created Viscount
Teviot, and died in 1711 without male issue.
This Livingston was a different individual
from Lieutenant-Colonel Livingston, who
was detected in a traitorous conspiracy aga-
inst Sir Thomas. This Sir Thomas was the
official through whom the orders for the mass-
acre of Glencoe were conveyed. Writing on
23rd January, 1692, to Hamilton, command-
ing officer at Fort-William, he says: — I
understand that the laird of Glencoe, com-
ing in after the prefixed time, was not ad-
mitted to take the oath, which is very good
news to lis, seeing that at Court it is wished
that he had not taken it, so that the very
nest might be rooted out. So here is a fair
occasion to show you that your garrison
serves for some use. I desire you will begin
with Glencoe, and spare nothing of what
belongs to them, but do not trouble the Gov-
ernment with prisoners." — "Culloden
Papers," quoted in "Life of General Hugh
Mackay," ed. 1842, p. 20 n. To Iain Lom.
William was but a "righ iasaid," a loan king.
Note. — At beginning of note, line 2, read
"Lom" (not "Lorn.") In stanza vi. 1. 3, of
preceding piece read "buint" (not "buaint.")
13
290
AON EILE DO RINNEADH LEIS 'N
AM CRADHADH BHI NA 'CHEANN.
(Rel. Cel., II., 69.)
I.
Tùrsach mise, mhic mo Dhe!
Tha tuinns' mo cbre do m' lot
Aidbheam do dh'athiair nan gràs
Gu'n cbaitheas mo la g-u li-olc.
Sgiot bhuam-s' madainn, mo theirm
Mar chliobaig gun strein, gun fhios
Mar clirann ciu'iaidh gun stà
Gun duill© gun bhlàth, gun mliios.
III.
Chaitheas fòs mo mhiadhon lò
Gun mhathas ach 61 is craos
Gach gràdh dh'fhàdaim-sa d'an fheòil
D'a m'aign© is bròn r'a m'aois.
Thaiuig m'fheasgair, mo uuar!
Da m' ghreasadh gu luath cho'n uidh
(aoi ?)
Beannuicht an Ti thug an tail
Gun an t-anam a ghnath ri caoidh.
Aithreach gach. ni' rinueas riamh
Dhe do riar-s', a cholluin bhras.
Gun bhd againn da 'chi(o)nn
Ach claigionn tinn is ciabh ghlas.
Dian le do Spiorad mo bhròin
Thoir ionad dom an glòir a nis
Ail- chor s gu'n claoidheamaid an fheòil
S gu biomaid fa dheòidh r'a tuirs'.
Tùrsach' mis, &c.
291
"Cliobatj -aigr," f. filly, seems connected
■with "clioba," manger (a word in daily use);
""curraidh," exhausted, weak; "tail," wages,
pay; "ttiinnse," bruising', beating, thump-
ing; but Macrae seems to have pronounced
it "tuills" (MS. "tuilsh.") There is some-
thng wrong in last line. If "tuirs' " be a
right reading, "gu" ought to be "nach."
PAIKT DO CHOMHAIRLE MHIC
EACHUINN MHIC FHEARCHAIR
DO MHAC-AN-TOISICH A DHALT.
(Eel. Celt., II., 27).
Fhir da'm b'àiU comhairle bhuam
Thobhair leat 'fuaim gu mion
Feuch nach tig seach air do bheul
Olòir a dhearnadh dhuit fein cion.
Biodh toisnea<;h ri raite ruit
Ma tharlas duit bhi taigh an oil
Gur minig 'thainig bho dhibh (dhdgh)
Glòir a bh'fheàrr a staigh gu mòr.
III.
'N am comhairle bi gu min.
Na tobhair i ach gu mall;
Far am bi thu bi sfu beachd
Na bi aca bhos is thiall.
IV.
Na bi mar "thrais" do mheinn
Na lean t'àilgheas fein air aon
Na cuir air an anmhuinn neart
Chionn tairbh le ceart chlaon.
Bi foidhideach tre an aixc
Na cath cealg air dhuine bochd
Fear conais na biodh do [d'] rèir
Na dean teum da'm faighear lochd.
Bi gu mor, bi gn math.
Mu g;habhail(t) rath na bi gun reim
Thoir do chomhairle ma seach.
Air gack neach a bliios na fheum.
VIT.
Air an t-saoghal na clean sannt
Tuig nach bi thu ami ach uair
S nach oil de t'aimsir a bhos
Ach tionndadh na bois mu cuairt.
VIII.
Mhio(dha)rachd leig ma seach.
Tuigf nach buinig i neach àgh;
Ge dh'uireasbhuidh air do mhaoin
Bi furachar mu reir chaich.
IX.
Gacli cunnart da'n tarl thm fa choir
Fo uile dhoigh bi ma seach
Na bi gu h-iomlaideach a dhaoin'
Chionn 's gu'm biodh tu reir gach neach.
X.
Ma tharlas dhuit bhi'n cuirt ghlio
Ge leigear dhuit bhi mar roigh
Bi-s' furachar ma reir
Anns gacli aon ni is miann leo.
Trodan cheann teallaich na dean
Na amaladh daibli ge b'e ni
Na tobhair an ascaoin ma seach
As an treis gu'n tig do shith..
XII.
Air do charaid na gabh am (aim)
Na lean e gu teann na leum
Aon ni dhi-molas tu 'chàch
A theanal siud gu brach na dean.
XIII.
Na bi ro mhor s na bi beag
Ri fatk-dhaoin' na catk do chuid
'Laoich mheanmich na dean trod
Na ob mas eiginn duit.
Note. — Verses similar are given in Nicol-
son's "Gaelic PAverbs" (p. 395). Cameron
made a transliteration of the whole, the first
verse e.xcei^t^d. In iv. 1 the word seems Eng.
"trash," which is often used Ln Gaelic. I
do not see how Cameron could get "thrasd"
ont of Macrae's "hrais." In ix. 3 he was
wrong in rendering it by "gxi h-iimhailt-
each." In x. 2 "roth" out of "roih" is im-
possible," and gives no sense. In xi. 2
"amble" of MS. could never give "amhail,"
which, moreover, does not suit the context.
In xi. 4 he took an unallowable liberty in
rendering "oinnoile" by "ionann," for that
leads the unwary reader to think Macrae is
wi-ong. Not so. "A theaual sin cha'n fhacas
riamh," i.e., "The like of that I never saw,"
is excellent Gaelic. Mac Mhaighstir Alasd-
air" (p. 14.) 1. ii. (8th ed.), has — "Cha'n fhaca
mi riamh tionnail Moraig so," i.e., "I never
saw the like of this Morag." Again, on
p. 10—
Cha'n fhaighear a tiunuail
Air mhaise no bhunailt
No'm beusan neo-chumant
Am Muile no'n Leodhas.
i.e., "The like of her is not to be found," &c.
This word is also, I recollect, given in the
glossary to Stewart's Collection, but I have
not got it by me to refer to the context;
also, in Macbain's "Gaelic Etymological Dic-
tionary," "tionnail," "the likeness of any
person or thing," without aiiy derivation.
Macleod and Dewar gives "sunnailt," f. "like-
ness, comparison." The "1" seems to be put
for "n" in order to dissimilation, and the
root must be the same as in "ionann," for
which see AJacbain s.v. ; "trodan cheann teall-
aich," i.e., "fireside, bickering," xi. 1. In
this case both Cameron's transcript and the
editorial correction are wrong.
Appendices.
FARQUHAR MACRAE, GRAND-
FATHER OF "DONNACHADH NAM
PIOS.
"Mr Farqiiliar, secoud son of Christopher
MacConnachie ('Dhonnachaidh,') was born
at Islaaidonan, anno 1580, being a seven
months' child. Howbeit, he became after-
wards to be a man of very strong body; and
his father perceiving his good genius for
learning, sent him to the school of St Johns-
town, where he stayed four or five years, and
became a great master of the Latin language,
as appears by some discourses of his still ex-
tent. From Perth his father sent him to the
College of Edinburgh, where he became a
pregnant philosopher beyond his co-disciples,
and commenced M.A. under the discipline of
Mr Thomas Reid, his regent, who afterwards
became principal of the college, all the mem-
fcera of which pitched on Mr Farquliar as the
most accomplished and capable to take Reid's
place as regeait; but Kenneth Lord Kintail
being then at Edinburgh, opposed the de-
signs, and prevailed with th© members of the
College to pass from Mr Farquhar, who
himself preferred to be a preacher of the
Gospel to any other calling whatsoever and
for that end he had for some months preced-
ing heard the lessons and lectures of Mr
Robert Rollack, professor of Divinity, so that,
omitting that opportunity of improving his
great abilities, he was brought by Lord Ken-
neth home to Clianonry of Ross, where he
was overseer of the Grammar School which
then flourished there, and stayed for the
space of fifteen months; and having passed
his trials, he became a sound, learned, elo-
quent, and gi-ave preacher, and was. pitched
295
upon by the Bishop and clergy of Ross as the
properest man to be minister of Gairloch,
that thereby he miorht serve the colony of
English which Sir George Hay of Airdry,
afterwards Chancellor of Scotland, kept at
Letterewe making iron and casting camion.
Mr Farquhar having entered thien did not
O'uly please the country people, bnt the
strangei-s, es2>ecially Sir George Hay. In
the year 1610 Kenneth Lord Kintail brought
Mr Farquhar with liim to the Lews, where
he preached the Gospel to the inhabitants,
who were great strangers to it for many years
before, as is evident from his having to bap-
tise all under forty years of age, which he
did, and married a vast number who lived
there together as man and wife, thereby to
legitimate their children and to abolish the
barbarous custom that prevailed of putting
away their wives on the least discord. This
was so agreeable to the well-meaning part of
the people that my Lord Kintail, promising
to place such a man among them, made them
the more readily submit to him, so that all
the inhabitants at this time took tacks from
him except some of the sons of Macleod of
Lewis, who fled rather than submit to him.
Mr Lord, falling sick, returned home in
haste to Chanonry of Ross, where he died,
and was the first of the family that was
buried there, leaving the management of his
affairs to Rory Mackenzie, his brother, com-
monly called the 'Tutor of Kintail,' of whom
all come the family of Cromerty. Mr Far-
quhar married Christina Macculloch, eldest
lawful daughter of Macculloch of Park, the
first day of December, 1611, and dwelt at
Ardlair, where several of his children were
bcrn. But when Sir George Hay went from
Letterewe to Fife, he seriously invited Mr
Farquhar to go with him, promising he would
get liim an Act of Transplantation and his
choice of several parishes of which he was
296
patron; and would, besides, give him a yearly
pension from himself, and endeavour to get
for him ecclesiastical promotion. Mr Farqu-
hiai- could not, in f^ratitude, refuse such an
offer, and was content to go with him was
it not that Colin Lord Kintail prevailed with
Sir Geor -6 to dispense with him, Lord Colin
himself proposing' to transplant him to Kin-
tail, which was then vacant by the death of
Mr Murdow Murchison, uncle by the mother
to Mr Farquhar, who accordingly succeeded
hiis uncle botli as priest of Kintail aind con-
stable of Islandonan, anno 1618, as will ap-
pear by a contract betwixt Lord Colin and
him, dated at Cbanofiiry that year. Mr Far-
quhar lived here in an opulent and flourish-
ing condition for many years, much given
toi hospitality and charity. After Earl Colin's
death his brother, George, Earl of Seaforth,
not only confirmed Ids right during his own
life of the lands of Dornie, Inig, Arighxiagan,
Drimbui, &c., but also, for a certain sum of
money, added some years in favour of Mr
John Macra, minister of Dingwall, to be
enjoyed by him after his father (Mr Far-
quhar's) death. Earl George committed to
his care Kenneth Lord Kintail, his son and
heir, to be educated at Islandonam, where
other gentlemen's children were brought to
keep him company, till it was thought pro-
per to send him to a more public school. The
young lord was at no disadvantage by being
so long with Mr Farquhar, as it was by his
care, and the wholesome, rather than deli-
cate, diet he prescribed him that he grew so
strong and healthy that he could afterwards
endure great hardships and undergo vast
fatigue without any bad consequences. Be-
sides that, his being in Kintail so long made
him known tO' the! way and manner of the
Highlands so well that he made an excel-
lent chief and leader. Mr Farquhar being
rich when he came from Gairloch, provided
297
liis children considerably well, havinsf six
sons and two daughters that were settled in
his own life-time, viz., Alexander, Mr John,
Mr Donald, Milmoir or Miles, Murdoch, and
John. He got a wadsett of the lands of lu-
verinate, Dorisduau, and Letterauigmuir for
Lis eldest son, Alexander, from Earl George
for the sum of six thousand merks Scots.
To Mr John and Mr Donald he gave liberal
education and some provision. His eldest
daughter, Isebel, was tirst married to Mal-
colm Macra, son to John Oig MacUnlay
Dhiu — a pretty young gentleman, bred at
school and college, and was killed at the
Battle of Auldearn. After his much-
lamented death, she married William Mac-
kenzie, son to Mr John Mackenzie, some time
minister of Lochalsh, of the family of
Dauchmaluack. Helen, his second daughter,
was married to John Bain, second sou to
John Bain, of Knockbaiu, whom his father
provided with some laoids in Dingwall. As
Mr Farquhar was prosperous and well-to-
live, he was envied by severals, some of whom
suggested to Patrick Lindsay, then Bishop
of Ross, that he became too secular a man,
and neglected his charge as minister, where-
upon the Bishop informs him to come and
preach before him and the Synod next Pro-
vincial Assembly, where the Bishop, having
to preach the first day, had the same text of
Scripture, viz., "Ye are the salt of the earth,"
upon which Mr Farquhar had prepared to
preach. Mr Farquhar having told this to
some of th© brethren, an air of it came to
the Bisliop's ears, who called him and told
him he would by no means allow him to
preach on any other. Mr Farquhar on this
occasion performed his part so well that it
was then a common question among his
hearers whether the Highland or the Low-
land salt savoured beat, and it so recom-
mended him to the Bishop ever after that
298
his accusers were justly believed to have re-
ported falsely of him. He thereafter
preached once or twice before Bishop Max-
well, who, ha\àng- asked the opinion of the
brethren, they all commended the perform-
ance, and asked his lordship's own judgment
in the matter, to which he answered — 'A man
of great gifts, but, unfortunately, lost in
the Highlands, and pity it . . .' In the
year 1651 Mr Farquhar, being then old and
heavy, removed from Islandonan by reason
of the coldness of the air to a place near it,
called Inchchuiter, where he lived very plen-
tifully for eleven yeai"s, some of his grand-
children, after his wife's death, alternately
ruling his house, to which there was a great
resort of all sorts of people, he being very
generous, charitable, and free-hearted. In
the year 1634, when General George Monk
passed through Kintail with his army, they
on their return carried away 360, but not
the whole of Mr Farquhar's cows, for which,
after the restoration of King Charles II., he
was advised to put in a claim; but his love
for the cliaaige of affairs made him decline it,
and at his death he had as many cows as
then, and might have many more were it
not that they were constantly slaughtered
for the use of the family which he had of
his grandchildren and their bairns about him.
Being at last full of days, and having seen
all his children that came of age settled,
after he had lived fifty-four years in the
ministry, ten of which at Gairloch, he de-
parted tliis life in, the year 1662, and the
82nd year of his age. He was buried with
his predecessors at Kildwick, in Kintail. His
son above-named is the next to be treated
of; referring Alexander, according to the
plans laid down, to be the last spoken of.
Mr John, second son of Mr Farquhar, was
born at Ardlair, in Letterewe, March 13th,
1614. After he had learned his grammar at
299
Chaiirey, his father, knowin<i: he would prove
a scliolar, so^nt him to the College of St And-
rews, under the care and discipline of Mr
Muugo Murray, where he became a pregnant
philosopher, few in the University paralleling
him. He had for his antagonist the Earl,
afterwards Duke of LauderdaJe. When he
had commenced Master of Arts his father,
finding him of a scholastic genius, sent him
to study Di\dnity at Aberdeen, under Dr
Robert Barrow, with whom he remained
three years, in which time he became a great
divine and profound schoolman. He made
several attempts to go off the nation in time
of the violent pressing of the Scots Covenant,
which his father knowing, crossed his design,
keeping him with himself in Kintail, and
though he had offers of a kirk he would not
embrace any, because he must needs take the
oatlis and subscribe the National Covenant.
But in the year 1640 the violent pressing of
the Covenant became somewhat more remiss,
and George Earl of Seaforth, jjatron of the
Church of Dingwall, which was then vacant
by the deprivation, of Mr Murdoch Macken-
zie for not submitting to the acts of the
General Assembly at Glasgow, wherein the
Bishops were deposed, anno 1638, gave him
a presentation thereunto, wherein he entered
without subscribing the Covenant, in which
capacity also he was more fit for the chair
than the pulpit, giving such evidence of his
learning as the place he was in and the
society he was among would allow, and of
his piety and vigilance such as they could
desire or expect from any."
300
DONNACHADH NAM PIOS.
Duiicaai, the lineal heir and grandson, as
said immediately above, of Mr Farquhar,
was married to Janet, co-heiress of Eaasay,
and had by her Farqnhar, Kenneth, and
John, and two daughters. Farquhar, his
eldest son, was married to a daughter of
Mr Simon Mackenzie of Torridon, by whom
he had Duncan, Christopher, and John,
Janet, Maiy, and Ann. He died in 1711,
Duncan, the eldest son of Farquhar, was
married to Florence, daughter of Charles
Mackenzie of Cullen, of the family of Kil-
coy, and died in 1726, and had by her a son
called Farquhar, who married Mary Mac-
kenzie, daughter of Alexander Mackenzie of
Dauchraaluack, by whom he had eight sons
and four daughters. He died in December,
1789.
Duncan, the son of Alexander, the son of
Mr Farqubai', was drowned in fording a burn
near his own house in Dorisduan, on his
return from the low country, hj which acci-
dent the family lost much property by tie
destruction of bonds and other papers which
he had upon him.
Note. — The above is from a transcript in
my possession, which I owe to Alexander
Carmichael, of the Macrae genealogy, and
which agrees with the MS. in possession of
Horatio R. Macrae, Esq. of Clunes, to whose
kindness I am indebted for a former perusal.
The title is — "A Genealogical Account of
the Macra's, as written originally by Mr
John M'Ra, some time minister of Ding-
wall, in Ross-shire, who died in the year of
,our Lord, 1704. Transcribed by Farquhar
M'Rae, of Inveainate, in 1786. Copied by
Captain John M'Ra, of the Royal Scots,
from this transcript in the possession of his
son, Dr John M'Ra, of Chittagony, in the
year 1816."
301
ON GAELIC TESTIMONY AS TO
MATRIARCHY AND THE COUYADE.
In addition to the historical testimony to
th« Pictish Matriarchate, as set forth by
Zimmer, it may be useful to summarise any
further references to the subject. Briefly —
(1.) The Testimony of Gaelic Proverb :
"Cha'n abair mi mo bhrathair ach ris a
mhac a rusf mo mhathair," i.e. (I will not
say brother but to my mother's son.) This
is a common proverb, and is given in Sheriff
Nicolson's "Gaelic Proverbs," p. 105 of 2ud
ed. 1882. The Sheriff remarks it looks like
3 relic of a time when birth-rights and bloo J-
ties were calculated from the maternal rathor
than the paternal side, of which Mr Skene
has found traces in the early history of our
country — "Celtic Scotland," I., 252; Mac-
lennan's "Primitive Marriage," 2nd ed., p
129.
Another common saying is: "Se càirdeas
na mathar is dilse" — It is mother kinship
that is nearest. In many parts of the High-
lands it is to my own knowledge still held
that the sisters' children are more closely
akin than brothers' children. '[he people
whom I have questioned cann->t give me a
reason for this, but persist that it is so.
(2.) Many of the great heroes in Ga^ìij
literature have their descent reckoned on tiieir
mother's side, e.g., Cuchulinn, who is, ac-
cording to Tigemach "fortissimus heros Scot-
orum," known as Cuchulainn mac Dechtere;
so, too, Fergus MacEòg, Diarmad o Duinn
(Duibhne).
(3.) Traces still survive m Gaeldom r.f a
folk-belief in the Couvade. The Couvade
was observed by the Iberians and by the
ancient Corsicans v. Strabo, III., 165;
Diodorus, v. 14. It seems to have originatei
in a kind of dodge or social fiction, whereby
7^/
tile trausition from matriarchy to patriarchy
was facilitated. To the father was attri-
buted a soi't of birth-debility, in virtue of
which he could make good his claim to
jiersonal possession in his offspring. This is
a world-wide belief or custom. I have long
known a case in the Highlands — that of a
man believed to suffer in this manner, and
two other cases have been authenticated to
me on trustworthy authority — one from Uist,
the other from Lochaber. It is the folk-
belief that needs explanation in this case;
wliat the tact was is another thing.
4. References to the Couvade in "Fled
Bricrend" as observed among the Ultonians.
We cannot deduce from these references that
it was never observed among the Gaels, still
less that the Picts were not Celts. All we
can. infer is that among the Gaels at the
time of these references the Matriarchal
stage had been quite overcome. That it
never existed we cannot infer on these
grounds. Professor Carl Pearson, in hia
•'Chances of Death amd other Studies in
Evolution," gives a chapter on "Evidences
of Mother-Right in the Customs of Mediaeval
Witchcraft and on Kindred Group Marriage."
According to him, early Ayran culture was
Matriarchal. The' Professor's evidence is
mainly from the Teuton side — the last
branch of the Ayrans who took part in the
great migration, which, with the Joreaking-
up of old social customs, would tend to the
substituting of Patriarchy for Matriarchy.
It would not be safe to fix upon the exact
date at which such substitution took place
among the Gaels; but some of the oldest
portioms of GaeHc literature show a deep
difference was perceived by the Celts of the
Gaelic territory of Meath between them-
selves and the Ultonians. This is evidenced
by the contemptuous reference on the part
of Emer in gen Forgaill Manach beu Concul-
303
aind. Emer, Ctichulinn's wife, was from
Meath, and when in "Fled Bricreud" — a
Gaelic tale, the poetical parts of the redac-
ticn of which may safely be dated circa.
700 A.D. — Cuchiilinn's wife jibes at the
Ultoiiians, she knows no more distasteful
comparison than : "Is i richt mna siuil sedda
Ulad uli corrici mo chele-se Coiiiculaind,"
i.e.. The braves of the Ultonians all are like
■unto women in child-bed eomjoared with my
spouse Cuchulinaa. She evidently refers to
the Ultonian practice of not fighting during
the particular week of the Couvade — the sea-
son when the men feigned birth-sickness.
(5.) Tlie evidence of the old story,
"Noinden Ulad." There are at least four
versions of this story. Two of them have
been edited by Windisch ("Berichte iiber die
Verhandlungen der k. Sachsichen Gesell-
schaft der Wissenschaften." Phil. Hist.
Classe, No. 36, year 1883-84..) The oldest
i.s from the "Book of Leinster," 125 b., a MS.
compiled about 1150i. "Noinden Ulad" is
one of the introductory tales to the Tain Bo
Cuailnge. AVhen Queen Meave of Cruachan,
with her powerful following, had made a
hostile descent upon Ulster, Cuchulainn alone
■vvas in a position to oppose her forces. Con-
ohobar. King of Ulster, and the other
Ultonian braves were in the condition of
debility known as "cess noinden Ulad,"
L.L., 56a 1. 9. O'Curry rendered this as
Child-birth Debility of the Ultonians. The
word "noinden" seems indeclinable: "ata
C'onchobar na chess noinden." What the
origin of the word is is not beyond question.
It has been proposed to derive it from "noi
n-," i.e., nine ; and "den," O. Ir. "denus,"
a period of time; Skr. "dina," day. This
derivation would harmonise with what the
stoi-y relates as to its lasting for five days
and four nights. O'Davoren glosses it by
304
"tinol," assembly; and if that were tlie pri-
mary meaning-, it might be a loan from L.
"miudinae."
TRANSLATION.
"Noinden Ulad," whence is it? Not diffi-
cult. Crumiiuc, son of Agnoman, was a rich
farmer. He lived ia solitude and on the
mountains, and many sons were by him.
His wife, however, died. One day, as he was
in his house alone, he saw a woman coming
towards him into his house. The appearance
oi the woman seemed to him magnificent.
She began at once as soon as she had sat
down, to make preparations for eating, as
if she ever had been wont to be in the house.
When night came on she gave directions to
the household without asking any questions.
She slept with Crun;uiuc at night. There-
upon she was a long time with him, and,
thanks to her, they had no scarcity of amy
product, whether of food or drink or good
things. Not long thereafter a fair was to
be holden by the Ultonians, and they were
wont to go to the fair with man, wife son
(and) daughter. Crunniuc also betook him-
self with the others to the fair; he was well
got-up and well-looking. "It behoves thee,"
said his wife to him," not to be [so] un-
guarded" (pufied-up) [as] "to say an. im-
prudent thing." "Impossible," said he. The
fair comes off, and at the day's end the
King's chariot comes [first] to the terminus.
His chariot and horses scored a victory. The
people said, 'There is nothing to match
these horses for swiftness." "My wife is
swifter," said Crunniuc. He was forthwith
seized by the King. This was told to
Crunniuc's wife. "It is a real affliction for
me that I should have to go to set him free,"
805
said site, "and me heavy." "What af&ic-
tiou!" exclaimed the messenger; "he will be
killed if thou coniest not. Thereupon she
went to the race-course (fair), and tlie pains
of child-birth gat hold of her. "Help me,"
said she to the people; "for of a mother has
each of you been born. Wait for me till
I am delivei-ed." She could nut obtain that
[request] of them. "Good, then," she
answered; "thence will come the greatest of
ills, and long will it endure for all the
Ultonians." "What is tliy name?" said the
king. "My name," she made answer, and
the name of my progeny will for ever be
associated with the fair (race-course). Macha,
daughter of Saim-eth, sou of Imbath, is my
name." Thereupon off she went with the
chariot; and as the chariot arrived at the
terminus, her delivery forestalled its arrival,
for she gave bii-th to twins — a boy and a
girl. From that comes Emuin Macha (lit.,
twins of Macha). At her delivery she gave
such a cry that it set every one who heard
it into a condition of debility for five days
and four nights. All the men of the
Ultonians who had been there, they all fell
into the same condition unto the ninth gen-
eratiooi (fri saegul noubair ocan fhiur ro bai
ann). Five days and four nights, or five
nights and four days, that was the [duration
of (?)] Noinden Ulad. The strength of a
woman in travail, that was the strength each
man of the Ultonians had in the Xoindeu
until the ninth generation. Thi-ee classes
there were on which the Noinden Ulad did
not lie, viz., the youths and the women of
the Ultonians and Cuchulainn (Treide for
na bid noendeu di Ultaib i maic 7 mnaa
Ulad? Cuchnlaind). The period during
which it weighed on the Ultonians was from
the time of Cruincon, eon of Agnomau, eon
of Curirulad, sou of Fiatach, sou of Umii,
until the time of Forco, .son of Dalian maic
Mainich, maic Lngdach, &c. Curir Ulad,
13a
306
it is from him the Ultoniaiis are named.
Thence then comes Noinden Ulad and
Emuin Macha.
There are versions of the above in the
Yellow Book of Lecan, also in the Book of
Fermoy, and in the Harleian MS., 5280, fol.
53 b (British Mnsenm, fifteenth century).
The latter, thoug-h verbally differing from
the Book of Leinster, tells the story much
to the same effect, but gives the man's name
as Cruind, and says Macha was the name
of that woman, as the learned say (Macha
daua ainm na mna sin, ut periti dicunt).
Mention is likewise made of the taboo laid
on the man. "You are not to go to the race-
course," said the woman, "that you may
not fall into the danger of speaking con-
cerning us, for our continuing together lasts
only so long as thou dost not speak of me
in the assembly (race-course, fair.") The son
and daughter are given the names of Fir
and Pial. "Then, from dire necessity and
sickness, she broke out into a cry. God forth-
with granted her relief, and she bare at one
Tiirth a son and a daughter. Fir and
Fial. When all the folks heard the cry of
the woman, it so overcame them that they
all had but the same degree of strength as
the woman in her state of debility had.
'From this hour henceforth the affront you
huv© given me will turn out to your dis-
honour. For in your greatest straits each
one of you in this province will have but
the strength of a woman on her delivpry,
and for the space of time that a woman is
in child-bed, for the same time will (this
aebility) last, viz., five days and four nights,
and it will weigh uix>n you unto the ninth
man, i.e., until the time of nine men (ninth
generation.") That also was true; for it
clave to thpm from the time of Cruiicon until
the time of Fergus, son of Donald. But
307
this debility lay not on tho women, nor on
the youths, nor on Cuchulainn, for he was
not of Ultonian lineage, nor on any one who
was then outside of Ultouiau territory.
Heicc comes it that the debility lay on the
Ultonians.
"La sodhain atracht a scret n-ese ar tiachra
an s^alair Ro o^le Dia di fo cetuair 7 beiridmac?
ingin a n-oentairbirt i. Fir octis Fial. Amail
ro colutar an shiag uili a scrit inna banscalai
fos-ceird foo co m-boi hinann nert doib uili
7 an banscal boi isan galur. Bidh aithis tra
daib ond uair si ind ainccraca forunnid-
sie onn-sa. An tan bus aiisam duib ni cor
bia aclit neurt mna senla lib do neuch tairc-
clla a coicet sa7 an eret bLs ben a seolai issi
eret nom-biaid si i. co cend coic laa 7 cetheora
aidchi 7 biaid forib dana co nomadh nao i. co
haimsir nonbair. Ba fir son dana.
Fordarulil o aimsir Cruncon co haimsir
Fer<Tusa meic Doraraill. Ni btid tra an ces
sa for mnaib 7 macnaib 7 for Coinculaind ar
nar bo do Ulltfib do nach for each oen no
biidh frisan crich anechtair. Is do sein tra
ro boi au ces for Ulltaib et reliqiia."
Thus far of a Gaelic story invented to ex-
plain the Couvade practice.
/ij^^C^ a.'i^ ^y^.
i^ cp ^ /4^ i^
vU. o-A
5'5
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