-- - >--fc
OR
THE RELIGIOUS SONGS OF CONNACHT
IflJSH MADE 1'AfRH].
By the same Author.
A LITERARY HISTORY OF IRELAND.
With Photogravure Frontispiece.
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THE STORY OF EARLY GAELIC
LITERATURE.
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POEMS.
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T3iAt)A cuije
RELIGIors SONGS OF CONNACHT
A Collection q/ Poems, Stories, Prayers, Satires,
Ranns, Charms, etc.
CU1T) II.
(BEING CHAPTER vn. OF THE SONGS OF CONNACHT)
Now for the first time Collected, Edited, and Translated
BY
DOUGLAS HYDE
(An
LONDON
T. FISHER UNWIN
DUBLIN
M. H. GILL AND SON, LTD
MCMVI
ctAn
DA t>AncA A bpuit fteitttn (*) ttompA "o cuijieA-6 fiof 50
oifteAC 6 beAl tiA nt>Aome IAT>, A^tif if -0615 TIAC fiAib fiA-o
Aft pAipeAji 50 T>CI Atiotp, ACC AtTiAin ceAnn 116 66 ACA.
*An Cl11U]l t)j1Atdf1
*5o bpoipit) DIA
*'S me An CjteAcuift IAJ ... ... ... . ... 4
*bftonnAini m'AtiAm ... ... ... ... ... 4
*OJICA riluipe
*A lofA .............. ... 6
*A Uis nA 1i-Aoine ... ... ... ... ... 6
*Aiplir)5 tfltnjie ... ... ... ... ... 8
*An ti. cx)n. (coip eile)
rhuipe (coip eile 6 CopcAij) ... ... 10
ttluijte (coip eile 6 .dtroinACA) ... ... 12
*Coil "Oe ... ... ... ... ... ... 12
*A t>e ............ ...... 14
*CAt>Ai|i A'P CAiffoe ... ... ... .. ... 16
*Ain5iL T)e ... ... ... ... ... ... 16
*gnuir "Oe ... ... ... ... ... .. 18
*OficA tiluijie (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 20
*pAix>itiin CUOAJICA ... ... ... ... ... 22
*A Uij nA gCAjiAt) ... ... ... ... ... 24
*A nij nA sCtieAcc ... ... ... ... ... 24
*lAi-6im te T)iA ... ... ... ... ... 26
*j;o tAi-oeAt) le TMA ... ... ... ... ... 28
*xMrACAt leAbiA ... ... .. ... ... 30
*Si'mm-fe Aft An tCAbAit) j'eo ... ... ... ... 32
*Simm fiop ... ... ... ... ... ... 32
*1 n-Atnm An AcAjt ... ... ... ... ... 34
*A ttlAiJTjeAn tteAniiAi^ce ... . ... ... 36
*Lui5im teAc A lopA ... ... ... ... ... 33
te T)iA ... .. ... ... 40
CONTENTS.
The pieces marked with an asterisk (*) were taken down exactly
as they came from the inoutha of the people, and I believe that, with
cue or two exceptions, they have never been written down until now.
Page
* The Three Friars ... ... ... ... ... 3
* The Foolish Sinner ... ... ... ... ... 3
Weakly I go 5
* I bestow thee my soul ... ... ... ... 5
Mary's "Ortha" ... ... ... ... ... 7
* The Sacrament's Grace ... . ... ... ... 7
* King of the Friday ... ... ... ... 7
* Mary's Vision ... ... ... ... ... 9
*The!Same. Another Version ... ... ... ... 9
* The Same. A Cork Version ... ... ... .* 11
* The Same. An Armagh Version ... ... ... 13
* The Will of God 13
*OGod ... ... ... ... ... ... 15
* Help and Friends ... ... ... ... ... 17
* God's Angels ... ... ... ... ... 17
*May we behold ... ... ... ... ... 19
* Mary's " Ortha." Another Version ... ... ... 21
*A fragrant prayer ... ... ... ... ... 23
* King of the Friends ... ... ... .. ... 25
* King of the Wounds ... ... .. .. 25
* I lie down with God ... ... ... ... 27
* May I lie with God ... ... ... ... ... 29
* The Bed blessing ... ... ... ... ... 31
* I stretch myself ... ... ... ... ... 33
* I stretch me down ... ... ... ... ... 33
* In the Name of the Father ... ... ... ... 35
* O blessed Virgin ... ... ... ... ... 37
* I lie down with Thee Jesus ... ... ... 39
* I lie down with God ... ... ... ... 41
2066164
Le AC An 46
*Li3i!D Aft mo CAOtb -ocAf ... ... ... ... 40
*luijim pop ... ... .. ... ... 40
tiriACC eAt)DAttit> ... ... ... ... ... 42
*ttlAii luijim ... ... .. .. ... 42
*A tflAigtieAn beAnnuijce ... ... ... ... 44
*Coinsli5im AH ceine peo ... ... ... .. 40
*Coi5lij;im An ceine feo .. ... ... ... 48
*An .ft. con. (coip eiLe) ... ... ... ... 48
*Coi5tim An ceine feo ... ... ... ... 50
SniAlAi-6 mipe An ceine ... ... .. ... 50
*SCACC bpAfO|ieACA ... . ... ... ... 50
*An .$. ct>n. (coip eite) ... .. . .. ... 52
*pAit>m |toim AipccAji .. ... ... ... 54
*OJCA AnAJAit) "Otioc-puiLe ... ... ... ... 54
*5Juix)im Ain^eAt T>eAf 'Oe ... ... ... .. 56
*OpcA AnAJAi-o HA Si'oeos ... ... ... ... 56
*OpcA AnAJAi-6 An T)oi5-Fi4C.\t ... ... ... 58
*An fi. cvn. ... ... ... ... ... ... 58
An -p. ct>n ... ... ... ... ... ... 58
*OHCA 1T1A5A1-6 ... ... ... ... ... 6C
OpcA ATI CjtiucA ... ... ... ... ... 62
OficA An 6]ieACA ... ... ... ... .. 62
OftcA T)eit> .. ... .. ... ... 62
OJICA rhuijie (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 64
*pAi-oifi i nx>iAix> An CobAic ... ... ... ... 66
"sgeAl An An cob AC ... ... .~ ... 68
OptA ette ... ... ... ... ... ... 70
OfitA t>o ttlnAOi ... ... ... ... 72
*beAnnuJA-6 An ttro ... ... ... ... ... 72
*beAnnu5ATi) CAJI eip bnb ... ... .. ... 72
*A t)Ainnio5Ain nA bptAiieAp ... ... ... ... 74
*A rhuifie "Oitir ... .. ... ... ... 74
*Se -oo beACA A rhut)ie . ... ... ... ... 76
*A tflACAifi beAnnuijce ... ... ... ... 76
*A lopA ... ... ... ... ... ... 76
'Olije T>e ... ... ... ... ... ... 76
*5|iAfCA An SpiOftAit) riAoitii ... ... ... ... 78
*T)An PCA-OAIH Seoige no "Ait;nj;e An cSe6ij; " ... 78
*c6rhn<v it)in bemc seAn-riinAOj ... ... 98
Page
* I lay me down on my right side ... ... ... 41
* I lie down ... ... ... 41
Edward's Testament ... .. 43
* As I lie ... ... ... 43
* Blessed Virgin ...... 45
* I save this fire to-night ... 47
* With the staff of the Sons of Patrick ... 49
* I save this fire. Another Version . . 49
* The Same. A Cork Version ... ... 51
* The Same. A Highland Version .. ... ... 51
* Seven Prayers ... ... . . ... 51
* The Same. Another Version... ... ... ... 53
* A prayer before a journey ... .. ... ... 55
'Charm against an Evil Eye ... ... ... ... 55
* I pray God's Right-hand Angel ... ... ... 57
* Charm against Fairies ... ... ... ... 57
* Tooth-ache charm ... ... ... ... ... 59
* The Same. Another Version ... ... ... ... 59
* The Same. Another Version ... ... .. ... 59
The Same. A Mock Charm ... ... ... 61
A whooping cough charm ... ... ... ... 63
A charm agiinst Trembling or ague .. .. ... 63
A Tooth charm ... ... ... ... ... 63
Mary's " ortha " (another version) ... ... ... 65
* Prayer after tobacco ... ... . . ... 67
* A STORY OF THE TOBACCO PRAYER 69
Another charm ... ... ... . . ... 71
A charm for a worn MI ... ... ... ... 73
* A grace before meat ... . ... ... 73
* A grace after meat ... ... ... ... ... 73
* thou Queen of the Heavens ... ... ... 75
* Thou, Mary ... ... .. ... ... 75
* All hail to Thee Mary ... ... ... ... 77
* Blessed Mother ... ... ... ... 77
* Jesus ... ... ... ... . ... 77
* The Law of God ... 77
* The graces of the Holy Ghoat . ... ... 79
* The Joyce's Repentenoe ... ... ... ... 87
Story: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN ... 99
B
te AC An AC
: An inmiscem 45115 An s^sun ... ... no
*CAomeAX> AN AH gCAtA-o CACAC
*Ciioit>e-bfiu5A-6 ... ... ... ... 120
*tli CuAtAit* CluAf
*sseAt: An niAC I6i$inn T>'A5 An ColAisce ... 122
*sseAt: triAC An ttitmscem... ... ... ... 134
*T>An tflic ATI tflinipceit 1^')
Ujimnje Coicctonn ... ... ... ... ... 1-4-4
*beAntiAcc T)e ... 150
*A-6tACA-6 TopA. ("Din An 6oilt) ... ... ... 152
*T)'eifii5 An -DA tfluifie ... ... ... ... 158
*A rhuijie nA n5|iAp ... ... .., ... ... 160
An SAJAJIC CAx>5 O UUAIJIC .. ... ... ... 162
*An CAipit>eAC t)An, no An bpAic^iin t>uAiT)eA^cA ... 170
*S5eAi: An SASARC T)O CuAit) An mme ... ... 178
*Ailce A rtiACAift ... .. .. ... ... 188
" neAtnhnuAitt " Af An Mop SpiOfiAT>At,CA ... ... 194
*beAnnAcc An SgAbAil ... ... ... ... 200
*T)An HA LeAptA ... ... ... ... ... 202
*pAi-oi|t nA h-Oix>ce ... ... ... ... .. 204
*5loiti A ACAIJI ... ... ... ... ... 204
An teAbAtt) peo ... .. ... ... 203
Ap t)uic-pe ... ... ... ... 208
An ft. ctm. (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 208
*pAroift An rSeipeit ... ... ... ... 210
*An |t. c-on. (coip o COJICAIJ;) ... ... ... 210
*AS pA5bv\il SeipeiL .. ... .. ... ... 212
*An ^. c-on. (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 212
S CA -oo Suite ... ... ... ... ... 214
*An fi. c-on. (coip eite) ... ... -... ... 214
*6itti5im puAp .. .. ..? ... ... 216
*Ceitfie coiimettt ... .. ... ... ... 216
*An p. c-on. (coip eite) . ... ... ... ... 216
T)iA h-Aome ... ... ... ... ... 218
*tYlotAT> J^toiji Ajup Onoiji ... ... ... ... 220
T>An Onace not>tA5 ... ... ... ... 224
*<5 t)un nA C;ioice ... ... ... ... ... 226
*T)o nAoth pAt>HAi^ ... ... ... ... ... 228
p'jitnne nA peinne ... ... ..; ... ... 223
[ vii ]
* Story: THE MINISTER AND THE GOSSOON ... Ill
* The keene of the Caladh Catach ... ... .. 117
Contrition ... ... .. ... ... 121
* Ear never heard ... ... ... ... .. 121
Story: THE STUDENT WHO LEFT COLLEGE ... 123
* Story : THE MINISTER'S SON 135
* The Dan of tho Minister's Son ... . ... 141
A General Prayer ... ... ... ... ... 145
* God's blessing ... ... ... ... ... 151
* The Burial of Jesus ; or the Poem of the Cock ... ... 153
* Uprose tho Two Mirya ... ... ... ... 159
* Mary of Graces ... ... ... ... ... 161
The Priest Teig O Ruairc ... ... ... .. 163
* The Fair-haired Cissidy or The Troubled Friar ... 171
* Story : THE MAD PRIEST 179
* Welcome Mother ... ... .. ... 189
" Neamhnuaill " out of the " Spiritual Rose " ... . . 195
* The Blessing of the Scapular ... .. 201
* The Bed Dan ... ... ... 203
* A Night Prayer ... ... ... ... 205
* Glory to Father and to Son ... ... .. 205
* I make this bed ... ... ... ... 207
* A version of the Sah'e Regina ... ... ... 207
The Same. Another Version ... ... .. ... 20
* The ehapel Prayer ... ... ... ... ... 211
* The Same. A Cork Version ... ... .. .. 211
* Prayer on leaving chapel .. ... ... .. 213
* The Same. Another Version ... ... ... 213
* When your eyes shall be shutting ... .. . 215
* The Same. Auother Version ... ... ... . . 215
* I rise up ... ... .. ... ... ... 217
* Four Corners ... ... .. ... ... 217
* Four Posts ... ... ... ... ... 217
On Friday ... ... ... ... ... ... 219
* Glory and Honour ... ... ... ... ... 221
A Christmas Hymn ... ... ... ... ... 225
* From the foot of the Cross ... ... ... ... 227
* To Saint Patrick ... ... ... ... ... 229
The Truth of the Fenians 229
te AC An AC
cloch nA pi 111 n ne, no ceAnmnoe IVA
... ... ... ... ... 230
... ... ... ... ... '242
*O}ICA AnAJAi-o nA n'OAome lYlAice ... ... .. 254
*CeAccAiiie 6 "6iA ... ... ... ... .. 254
*O A tijeAjtnA -oo piAnAX) ... ... ... ... 2.33
SlAtnce ... ... ... ... ... ... 2-56
*11A h-AtTiAjtc ... ... ... 256
*S56Al: SOAnCuS At! SOlAinll ... ... ... 258
*mAltAcc An TUtU, ... ... ... ... ... 268
*tr)AllAcc UAipcetii ... ... ... -. 270
t>|iuAX>Aft, Smioc A'f gtmn mAllAcc ... 274
*Sseilin : AH 11A T)AOinit) tTIAlte .. ... ... 288
*An tDAf ... ... ... - ... ... 288
OpcA oo-cum TIA ttlAij'oine mui^e . . ... ... 292
An SIOCA 'f A lilACAin ... ... ... ... 296
sseAl: cuio6 -o^iseAnnAC An -ouine AS A nibi
T>U06-teACA ... ... ... ... ... 318
*SeACC Subiilcioe nA tVlAijnine ... ... ... 348
*Ut\nuije 1 ntJiAix) An pAit)i]iin p.Mjicii;
*pAoifit>in nA 1/eApcAn (coip eil,e) ... ... ... 352
*UmUii5mfo ... ... ... ... ... .... 352
'SlAince ... .. ... ... ... ... 356
*UAt T9 A5Uf t)AlL pAt)jAA15 ... ... ... ... 356
*A rhACAifi tJeAnnuigce ... ... ... ... 358
*CeAt> pAil/ce RomAT) ... ... ... ... 358
*sseAt: niAu -QO cnutuigeAt) An CSATD CAC ... 300
*A iopA ... ... ... ... ... ... 366
*A ColAnti ... ... ... ... ... ... 386
*An Cliufi if Sine ... ... ... ... ... 366
... ... ... ... ... 358
"OiA ... ... ... ... ... 368
*Ap Son nA lTlA|tft ... ... ... ... ... 372
*tA An 15peiceAmnAir ... ... ... ... ... 374
*Sinim-pe ... ... ... ... ... ... 378
*AipiT> An t>tiAoini'n ^80
*Coip eile ... 380
*O|itA CorjtA polA ... 3SO
*Coip eile ... ... ... * 382
L ix J
Page
* Story: THE STONE OF TRUTH or THE MER-
CHANT OF THE SEVEN BAGS 231
An Irish Litany ... ... ... ... ... 2-43
* A charm against the good people ... ... ... 255
* A messenger from God ... ... ... ... 255
* Lord who didst suffer ... ... ... ... 257
* The Health 257
* Look not with Pride ... ... ... ... 257
* Story : A TALE OF SOLOMON ... ... ... 259
* The blind man's curse ... ... ... ... 269
* Raftery's curse ... ... ... ... ... 271
Bruadar Smith and Glinn. A curse ... ... .. 275
* Short Story : THE GOOD PEOPLE 289
* The Death ... ... ... ... ... 289
* A Prayer to tho Virgin Mary ... ... ... 2i)3
The Lout and his mother ... ... ... ... 297
Story : THE LAST END OF THE MAJSf WHO LEADS
A BAD LIFE 319
* The Seven Comforts of the Virgin ... ... ... 349
* Prayer after the Paidirin Pairteach .. ... .. 353
The Bed Confession (another version) ... ... 353
* We do obeisance ... ... .. ... ... 355
* A Health let us drink ... ... ... ... 357
* The luck of God and prosperity of Patrick ... ... 357
* Blessed Mary ... ... ... ... ... 357
* A hundred welcomes ... ... ... ... 359
* Story : HOW THE FIRST CAT WAS CREATED ... 801
* To Jesus and Mary ... ... ... ... ... 3G7
* Body remember ... ... ... ... ... 367
* May the three who are oldest ... ... ... 3G7
* I lay me down ... ... ... ... ... 369
* God help the foolish sinner ... ... ... .. 369
* For the Dead ... ... ... ... ... 373
* The Judgment Day ... ... ... ... 375
* I stretch ... ... ... ... ... ... 379
* The little drop char, n ... ... ... ... 381
* The same. Another version ... ... ... 381
* A charm for stopping blood ... ... ... ... 38i
* The bamo. Another version ... ... .. 38;>
*Op.rA i n.AJAi-6 Cinnip nA bpACAt ... .. ... 382
*pAix>iji te fiAt) AS t)teAJAn t)6 ... .. ... 382
*bfiioti5l6fo poit ... ... .. .. ... 384
*pAit>i)i te UAT) AS "OeAtiAth -AfiAin ... ... .. 384
*pAn>ift TIA Ceipe ... ... ... .. ... 384
OJICA i n-AJAni HA h-AcmA ... ... ... ... 386
i n-4JAi-6 riA ti-AcmA (coip ette) ... ... 38S
Cinnif An TDtiomA ... ... ... ... 388
nA bpACAt (coip eite) ... ... ... 390
^DiA t>o OeACA A Cuijip CfiiofCA ... ... ... 392
*T)1A -DO t)eACA (coip eite) ... ... ... ... 392
*A flAorii itluitie ... ... ... ... ... 394
*A -Amgit tlAfAit ... ... ... ... ... 394
*Ctii pttce ... ... ... ... ... ... 396
*OftCA An SgAbAit ... ... ... ... ... 396
*'Se poctfAtn pocttAm ... ... ... ... 398
*PAIXM|I ifiott PAI-OI^ ^ffo ... ... ... ... 400
*-Atcuj;A-6 i nt)iAi-6 nA ComAotne ... ... ... 400
*A mj nA Cpuinne ... ... ... ... ... 402
*Co r AC ... 402
*lr thJAine ... ... ... ... ... ... 404
*1rnceocAn:> An fionn6ij;in
*lmte6cAi-6 A ^ciucfAi-o ... ... ... ... 406
T*
Page
* Another charm against tooth-ache ... ... ... 383
* The prayer on milking a cow .. ... ... 383
* Paul's Dream ... ... ... ... 385
* A Prayer on making bread ... ... ... ... 385
* The Kesh prayer ... ... ... ... ... 385
Charm against Farcy ... ... ... ... 387
Another charm against Farcy ... ... ... 389
Chaim against back-ache ... ... ... ... 389
Another Tooth-ache charm ... ... ... ... 391
* All hail to Thee Body of Christ ... ... ... 393
* All hail to Thee Mary ... 393
*O Mary Mother ... ... ... ... ... 395
* Angel high-born ... ... ... ... ... 395
* Three folds in my garment ... ... ... ... 397
* The " Ortha " of the Scapular ... ... ... 397
* 'Tis the Hacking and Racking ... ... ... 399
* A Low prayer, a High prayer ... .. ... 401
* Thanksgiving after Communion ... .. ... 401
* King of the World 403
* The first of a Ship , ... .. ... ... ... 403
*More lasting ... ... ... ... .. 405
* The little grey scaldcrow ... ... ... ... 405
* Who came have gone ... ... ... ... 407
AS f SiocA tieAtti-gnAtAC CA jvim-toeAs coptiuit
teif An t>pAiT)ij\ 5 eAl > t)O F UA1 F An c-AtAijv e<5$An
O SftAifmA i n-lnif-rheAtion Ajunn ; f 6|\c corhf.At> 6
iT>ift An c-uj-OAjx Ajup qiiup oilitf.eAC. tli 'I Ann
blo-6
An cniuu
"50 tnbeAtirmiji'o T)IA -oAoib A tftiuiji
"50 mbeAnnu 151-6 "OiA Ajuf fnuijie
"CA bpuit fib AJ -out Anoip" ?
"AS t>ut 30 StiAb HA n-Olui-oeA-o
t)Ainc otui'6 "oe c-pomn."
Cui^e tib* A*f CUJAI-O lib i,
An olAtin if peA|t|t -oo jeobAi-6 fib,
An olAnn ft/An cAOjiAii
Cojif-uiji-o 'f nA ceiiiji-o
'S nA lAf-jiAijit) CA-OA [OA'OAITI] T)'A cionn.
fo junn beA5 o rhnAoi Af 5r c Ititif 6 5 t1A1 r e
tiA 54iU,iriie.
50 bpOmnO T>IA.
50 bfonn-o T)IA Af An bpeACAC bocc
A bit)eAf 1 gconinui-oe AJ -out Af fcf A6
HuAif 6ifij;eAnn fe Af mAiT)in
ni Af A tijeAfnA cuimmjeAnn fe.
;^i cei-6eAnn fe coix>ce 61115 Aipfionn
no AS eifceAcc bfiACf A T>e,
Ace 50 bfASATO fe An fAO5At fo
tTlo t,eun ! CA f ACAIX> fe.
* tAbAifceAf An fOCAt fo tnAf "h5Atib," ni cmnce me cionnuf
1 There seems to be a confusion here between da/tin, wool, genitive
olla, and clluidh an olive, and again in the word caorach "of a sheep"
which is also ambiguous, so that instead of ' ' sound sheep's wool "
" sound berry-clustering [caor-ac/tl olives " may be intended.
Here is an unusual piece that is rather like the " White
Prayer," which Father O'Growney found in Inismaan
in Aran ; it is a sort of dialogue between the author and
three pilgrims ; it is only a small fragment.
THE THREE FRIARS.
" God save you, ye three friars."
" God and Mary save you."
" Where are ye going now?"
" Going to the Mount of Olives
Picking olives from trees."
Off with you and bring it with you,
The best wool ye shall get
The sound sheep wool. 1
Stir [yourselves] and do not hide [it].
And ask ye nothing for it.
Here is a small rann from a woman from Gort in the
County Galway.
THE FOOLISH SINNER.
God help the foolish sinner,
He always go astray,
He rises up in the morning
But prays not with the day.
Mass he has long forsaken
Forgotten how to pray,
Where shall he go when Death shall come
And he leaves the world, for aye. 2
2 Literally : God relieve the poor sinner who is always going
astray, when he rises up in the morning it is not his Lord he
remembers. He never goes to Mass or listening to the words of God,
but when (?) he shall leave this world, my grief ! where shall he go.
4
^5 f P^I'OIjtftl t)6A5 Cie TOO C
i n'Oun nA ngAll Agf T>O CuAlAit) An C-AUAIJ\
O 5P AfilflA -^5 fe^n-pe^f 1 scon-OAe tongpuific. "Outi-
f ixvo 50 fiAiti " UiAtfAt) " no to$A f e^Cc
's me x\n
'S me An C|teAcu|i LAJ; PAOI AtA6 cjiotn
Ace Atnivii5im Cjiei-oeAni *Oe 50
te st 1 ^ mo c|toi-6e A'f te
O coif choice jtAo-OAim
lIT) (sic) lOfA A}1 t)Cl5eAfttlA ctAOnAI^ AIIUAf.
AS fo uj\nui$e eite -oe nA n-uptiAi$tit> ACA te
le tmn An Aip|Mnn. "puAi^ An tiAtAnAC 6 6 jteAnn
nA-mAg-T)ut> 1 gcon-OAe nA
bnonnAitn
t)l\onr>Aim m'AnAtn -ouic-fe A jtij TIA
A'f 50 b|iAt tiAji teiji-o cu me AJI Aip,
A fiAX>nife feo o^tr-fA A ttlAij-oeAn tieAnnuijte
gu|i cuiji me fein m'AnAm A^I t/Aim x>o mic ;
A jnuip if jite 'nA An jjiiAn
me 1 bpAt) 1 bpiAn.
An peACAC AJ; 5lAo-6A6 A|\ f:iA-6nife r\A
1 niof me 'nA Aon piofA.
AS f o An fniAomeArh ceAT>nA mA^ puAif An "pAtAjx-
CA6 1 5ConAtriA|tA 6, glAcrO feifeAn OJ\CA itlui^e A1|\,
'""OA meAt>," niA-ft fUAiji An gfiAriinviijeAc e, ACC ni -peicim A
ciAtt fin.
1 Literally : I am the weak creature under a heavy load, and the
amount of my sin is repented of by me. But I acknowledge the
Here is another short little prayer which Mr. Lyons heard
in Donegal and which Father O'Growney heard from an
old man in the County Longford. They said that there was
an indulgence of seven years with it.
WEAKLY I GO.
Weakly I go from the load within,
Deeply repenting with woe my sin.
I acknowledge the faith of my God this day
With love from my heart and with hope alway,
From the foot of Thy cross I call to Thee
Jesus Lord, bow down to me. 1
Here is another one of those prayers which are to be
said during Mass. Mr. Lyons got it from some one who
came from Glenamaddy in the County Galway.
I BESTOW THEE MY SOUL.
1 bestow thee my soul Thou King of graces
And let it not fall out of Thy control,
Bear witness Blessed Virgin Mary
In the hands of thy Son do I lay my soul,
Countenance brighter than the sun
Shield me from pain when the race is run. 2
We see the sinner calling the Virgin Mary to witness in
more than one piece. Here is the same thought as Mr.
Faherty got it in Connemara. He called it "Mary's Ortha,"
faith of God for ever, w*th the love of my heart and with true hope.
From the foot of the cross upward, through Jesus our Lord I call,
bow down [to hear me]. In Donegal they say "friom "for " trlom."
2 Literally : I bestow my soul on Thee King of the graces, and
mayest Thou not let me back [from Thee] lor ever, the witness of
this on thee [i.e., I call thee to witness this] O Blessed Virgin, that I
myself have placed my soul on the hand of thy Son. O countenance
brighter th in the sun, do not sufler me [to be] long in pain !
6
ACC 111 Aft A-n bpAi-oift feo ArhA'in ACA An c-Ainm
fin.
out A rh time.
A ittuifie A mACAifi An 7115
T)eAn mo f-iotcAn te t>o tfiAC,
A jnuip ip gite 'HA ATI jfiiAn
HA putAinj me i bpiAn 1 t>j.\vo.
bjiontiAim m'AriAm -ouic IO^A Cjiiofc
A'f 50 bjtAU 111 IAflflpA-0 6 Ajlif,
A fiATnviife o|ic-fA A ttlAij-oeAn ttlui]ie
me m'AnAm A|( tAitii -oo mic.
fo pxMt)if\ eite te |AAt>, le Lmn An Aipfvirm, "oo
o "btune ^f 5^ e ^ t1n
T)einceAi\ i
An cAiUf .
-A 1OSA.
A 1OJTA "DO CU1J1
Ann -pA
50 lionAi-6 cu mo cfioi-oe
te 5|iAfcAib "Oe,
"Do tug cu mAiceAmnAf
T)o ttA mitdft -OA'!! fAotjtAij co
go fAojiAij' cu m'AnAm
Ap 3-Ac peACAx> X)'A nxieAnnA me.
X\5 fo pAiT)i|\in t)e'n cfofc ceA-onA A6c ni
mgiin CIA Ait) pUAifeAf e.
A nij nA tiAome.
A Uij nA h-Aome
T)o fin no jeujA A-p An jc^ioic,
A tiijeAftnA Ai|i A|i (?) futAinj c
nA mitce 'fnA ceAt)CA toe.
1 Literally : Mary mother of the King make my peace with
thy Son, countenance brighter than the sun do not suffer ine [to
(prayer, or charm), but it is not the only prayer that is
called by this name.
MARY'S "ORTHA."
Mary mother of our king
Make with thy blessed Son, my peace,
Countenance brighter than the sky
Let me not sigh without release.
1 give, and for ever, my soul to Jesus,
And heaven henceforth is my only goal,
Bear witness Blessed Virgin Mary
That I lay on the hands of thy Son my soul. 1
Here is another prayer to be said during the Mass which
Mr. Lyons heard from some one from Glenamaddy in the
County Gal way. It is said when the priest raises the
chalice.
THE SACRAMENT'S GRACE.
The sacrament's grace
Thou hast made and willed,
May my heart in its place
With that grace be filled.
Thou has, forgiven
Thousands of souls earned by thee,
Let not my soul
For its sin and its shame be spurned by thee.
Here is another little prayer of the same sort, but I do
not remember from whom I got it.
O KING OF THE FRIDAf.
O King of the Friday
Vv'hose limbs were stretched on the cross,
O Lord who didst suffer
The bruises, the wounds, the loss,
be] long in pain. I bestow my soul upon Thee Jesus Christ, and I
shall not ask it again for ever, I call thee to witness, Virgin Mary,
that I have set my soul upon the hand of thy Son.
8
Sinimi-o
-oi-oionn x>o fjeice
5 fS A t* A1 S cu ojtjiAinn cof.A-6 An c|ionn
A\\ ceufAt) Atft TIO copp.
Hi 't .Aon AIC i n-6ipinn
te F^gxMt innci. Ag fo may -oo
66$Ati O gt^^^j; i 6 tjeul -oume i n-Ajumn TTloifv.
AI sling ttiume.
"An fUAn fin o^ic A TTIACAIII feeAnntujce " P
"tli h-eAt> A tnic, Adc Aiftinj."
"CiA FAC c' Aiflinje A tnAiAift " ?
CA mAC "Oe O'A f5iu|tfAx> X)'A pu
l-e fopAib CAotA cnAibe -oo pofCAiti cto6.
An cfteAJ ninie AJ x>ut cjiix) A CAOit),
-An c|i6in fpioncA AJ t>t cpit) A ceAnn,
CAijin5iT>e mAotA Ag T)t Ann A cofAib,
A cuix) fotA beAnnuijce T^'A OOJICAX) p^oi cLocAib nA fftAix>e."
"If mAic c' Aifling A tfiACAifi. tli'L Aon T)uine oeAfijM'6 c'
Aiftinj r|ii h-uAipe A$ -out, i bpAif-co'OAtcA nA h-oix>ce -66, Ajt
t>AOJAt [x6] -opoc-Aiftinj nA piAncA ipjimn Ajtif 50
AS fo n\A\\ CtMtAiti mo A^A 66m tTl^c tieitt 6
oume xx
rhume.
(Coip etle).
"An co'otA'6 fin ope A iriACAif,"?
"tit li-eA'o ACC Aiftmj A niic nA pAife."
"CiA An Aiftinj A mACAtf " ?
9
We stretch ourselves
Beneath the shield of thy might,
May some fruit from the tree of thy passion
Fall on us this night !
There is no part of Ireland in which " Mary's Vision "
is not to be found. Here is how Father Eugene O'Growney
wrote it down from the mouth of some one in Aran M6r.
MARY'S VISION.
" Is that slumber that is on thee, O Blessed Mother?"
"It is not, Son, but a vision."
" What is the cause of thy vision, Mother?"
" Because the Son of God is being scourged, being punished,
With narrow ropes of hemp to posts of stone,
The spear of venom going through His side,
The crown of thorns going through His head,
Blunt nails going into His feet,
His share of blessed blood being poured on the stones of the
street."
" Good is thy vision, Mother. There is no person who shall say
thy vision three times on his going into the night's sleep-passion, to
whom an evil vision or the pains of hell are a peril again for ever."
Here is how my friend John HacNeill heard it from
some one ia Innismaan.
MARY'S VISION. [Another Version.]
" Is that sleep that is on thee, O Mother ? "
"It is not, but a vision, O Son of the passion."
" What is the vision, Mother?"
10
cu Aj -oo 1*5111 jtp Ait, AS -oo ptucAil
AS "00 ceAngAit te piteAp; ctoc,
AS -oo ceupA-6 A'P AS -oo p:6-ceup,v6,
T)o euro p.otA bpeAj; beA
'tlA pftOCAnAlb 50 tAtAITI
An tpteAS nime -O'A CAiceAtii po oo -oeif."
" Hi 't Aon -ouine rois^eA-o c' Aift-ms A
*S A -oeA*ipA-6 i cjii h-uAi^e fut, coT)locA-6
A|i bAosAt, -oo Aon fo-o -oe -OUCAIS
1p|iiTin peiceAt, 50 b}iAt, TIA Aon
*O|ioc-toif5 tADAijtc Af Aiftins."
mo CAfA, tiAC rnxMj\eAtin, pAt)|tAi5 O
An jbAfoifx CeA-otiA 1 sCopcAij.
Aisting rhtime.
(Coip eile o CO^CAIS).
"An AT)' CO-olAX) CAO1 A TT1AtA1|1 '' ?
"til Vl-CAXt A SJIAX) Sit,
Ace AS Aiftins ACAim-pe,
gO bpuit An 1T1A|1CAC CAOt, t)O
Asf An eAC CAot, -oonn
ASUJ* An cfteAs
Ann A T)eAf-tAirii
te cup c|te CAob A|
A5f A CUIt) 7?
1/6 X6}1CA - 6 A1T1A]1AC."
1p piop pin A riiAtAi]i
CA pi te oopcA'6 AmApAC."
An te 50 mbei-oeA-6 An Atptins pin Aise, ASP i fA'o
AJI A tufoe "nA teAbAix>-pAin -06, seobAi-6 pe neAtn
, ASP ni peicpix> pe ipjuonn puA^i 50 bpiAt."
1f PA-OA An c-AifceAf o AjxAinn 50 CopcAig Aguf 6
CopCAij 50 -oci Apt) 1TIA6A i gCuig UlAt), Ate c<J
Aitne Ap cufo iti6ip t>e nA piof Ait> DeAgA fo Ann f
11
" That Thou wast being scourged, being smothered,
Being bound to a pillar of stone,
Being tortured, being very-tortured,
Thy share of line blessed blood
In streams to the ground with Thee.
The spear of venom being thrown into Thy right side."
"There is no person who would take [with him by heart] thy
vision, Mother, and who would say it three times before he would
sleep, who is in dangor of seeing one sod of the estate of Hell for
ever, or of bringing out of his [night] visions any evil-consequence."
My friend, the late Patrick O'Leary, found the same
prayer in Cork.
MARY'S VISION. [4 Cork Version}.
" Is it in thy sleep thou art, Mother ?"
"It is not, bright Love,
But with a vision I am,
That the narrow black horseman [comes],
And the narrow brown steed
And the red spear
In his right hand,
To put through the side of our Lord,
And His share of noble blood
To pour forth to-morrow."
" That is true, Mother.
It is to be poured forth to-morrow."
" And he who would have this vision, and to say it three times on
lying down in his couch of slumber, will receive heaven without
foot-moving, and he shall not see cold Hell for ever."
It is a long journey from Aran to Cork, and from Cork
to Armagh in Ulster, but a great number of these small
12
Aic o'Bifurm A bpuit AT\ tjAetteitg T)'A tAbAiju; mtici,
Ajup i n-AiceACAit> 1 n-AU>Ainn tnAf\
fo niAf UA1|\ tno 6AfA ATI fgotAip
An LAoiT>eAC, -ATI furo ceAt)nA 6 eAp Af ATI
te
tiume.
(Coip eite, o ^i
X)O COT)tA-6 tu, A tVlAtAll " ?
"O! CA npuit*Acc i n-Aiftmg ACA me 4 riiic,"
"5 "OC ATI A1f1/ir>5 A ITIACAIjt " ?
-out) A ci-oirn AJ ceAcc,
A fteAJ t)Aftfi-cAot ^ ei r ATlt1
te h-AJAix* -oo cviix)-fe fotA beAiinuijce leijeAn
A 1T)AA1|t
CA-JI tiiifce T)o'n rfAojAt A jiA'6,
tli't neAc, fi]i tiA tniiA,
*O'A troeA-ppAiT) e JAC CJIAC
A -ocei-o A n-AtiAtn 50 h-ipjuonn 30 b|iAC."
AS f o pAi*oit\ tiA rnAiT)ne ACA ACA i 5CotiAtnA|\A
1 n-AiceA(iAitt eite. 'puAiji AH potAt\CA6 6 -Ouine
i n-lAi\-JAittirh T, Aguf CuAtAf pem ATI f\UT>
5cont)Ae Uof comAin.
uoit -oe.
Coit "Oe 50 tToeAtiAmAoit)
Aji n-Ancoit fein 50 fmAcctn^mfo,
SpiAn te n-A|i -oceAnjAi-o 50 5cui|iinii-o,
An Aic-pije iftACATTiAit S ntieAn
Ap pAif frpior c 50 fmuAinimi-o,
SAC coi|i peACAi-6 50 fe
HA c-piocA T>eijeAnnACA 50
*t)ei|i fiAt) "chA" 1 sCuij tll/AX) 50 mime 1 n-Aic "ni." If
" CA nfuit " A^uf " ni bpuit" no "nt't."
13
pieces are recognised in every place in Ireland in which
Irish is spoken, and in places in Scotland also. Here is
how my friend, that ever-active scholar, Mr. Lloyd, found
the same piece from a man from Lislea near Camlough in
the County Armagh.
MARY'S VISION. [An Armagh Version.}
" In thy sleep art thou, Mother?"
" Oh ! it is not, but in a vision I am, Son."
" What is the vision, Mother?"
" A long black man I see coming,
And his slender-topped spear with him in his hand,
To let to the ground Thy share of blessed blood."
" True is thy dream, Mother,
Know this the world can
Who says it, child or man,
Of any creed or clan
Is free from Hell's black ban."
Here is a morning prayer which they have in Connemara
and other places. Mr. Faherty got it from some person in
West Galway, and I heard the same myself in the County
Roscomuion.
The will of God be done by us,
The law of God be kept by us,
Our evil will controlled by us,
Our tongue in check be held by ua,
Repentance timely made by us,
Christ's passion understood by us,
Each sinful crime be shunned by us,
Much on the End be mused by us,
14
bAp beAnnuijce 30
Ceot nA n-Ainjiotl 50 jcUimimi-o,
AS motA-6 T)e 50
t,e tmn nA
50 T>if\eAC An pAi-otp C6A-OHA ACA Ann
5leAnncAib 1 n'Oun-nA-n^All, t)o fs
i, x\5f pUAij\fe tei n^ tince eile
HA ftAitif 50
1 -ocobAjt 5pApcA nA
50 nijmi'o firm fein,
fhuijie
beAnn\njce 50 fiAt>mAOit>;
pAfix>un 50 bfA^Ai'D fi -ouinn
1 n-1omtAn A
Afl t>pAlttlje.
AS fo pAfoipin be^s r\A m-Ai-one -oe'n cf 6pc
oo puAij\ -An ti.AtAn.A6 6 tteut *oume Af Contue Cij\-
A "6e 'f A ttlAistJeAn tTHupe
*Oo tuj ftAti me p6m 'f mo
6 bAf COT)tACA Ajieijl
Cum An t/Ae jit Anx>iu,
50 ocujAit) Sib ftAn muix) [i.e. pnn]
O JAC wile jAbA-o
'S 50 fAbAilit) Sib muiT) 6'rt
cojip.
An pocAl fin " bAf co-otACA " 1
6A5fArhlA. 1f "pAif Co-otACA" 1 n-AjAAmn e,
An c-AtAi|\ O 5t uuflirA1 5 t-iom, Ajuf if " mAi
IAUA" 1 n-^te^titi Cotumcitte 6. bionn f.Aic6iof
n\6\\ AJA nA oAomib |\oirh bAf fAgAit Ajuf IA*O
15
And Death be blessed found by us.
With Angels' music heard by us,
And God's high praises sung to us
For ever and for ayo. 1
They have exactly the same prayer in the Glenties, in
County Donegal, Mr. Lyons wrote it down, and found along
with it these other lines.
The heavens may we gain,
In the well of the grace of confession
May we wash ourselves.
Amongst the Ladies of Mary Mother
Of the blessed Scapular may we be,
Pardon may she get for us
For the entire of our thought*,
Our words, our deeds, .
And our omissions.
Here is a little morning prayer of the same nature which
Mr. Lyons got from the mouth of a man in the County
Tyrone.
O God, and Virgin Mary,
Who have brought me and my children safe
From the death-of-sleep last-night,
To the bright dawn to-day,
May Ye bring us safe
From every single danger,
And may Ye save us from the enemy
Both body and sotd.
"We find this word " death of sleep " in different forms.
It is " passion of sleep " in Aran, Father O'Growney tells
me, and it is mdis-codlata? in Glencol urn kill. The people are
very much terrified at the idea of dying in their sleep, and
1 This translation is almost in the original unrhyniect metre and ia
BO nearly literal that the piece requires no other.
Apparently a corruption of " pdw-codlata,' : "passion of tleep."
16
ti-oitxie ibumn " no "50 loctiSAni T)M tu 6
n.A ti-oi-6Ce " i n-Aic "oitxie tfuviC t>tnc " "oo
AS f o uf\nui5e-n.4-mAi 1 one eite 6 otroAS An
oo f5fiot> A
JAC VA cujAttin
SACjiAtneiT) nA h-Aic|ii5e A'f 50 neAjiuuijit) T)IA tmn,
m' AtiAtn A^I -oo coitniiije A
O 1 A "OlA, A ACAIf 'f A
T)ibiji JAC fmunAinceATi
t)i 'n A|t o-citnciott 'n &\( tufoe -ouinti,
'tl Ap fCAfAril A'f 'n A|l fUAtl,
t)i 'n A]i n-inticinr>
^i An
f P-Ait)it\ te^5 rhilif nx\ m^ittne
o
T>e
'S -D'A^ fAbAitc Afiif 50
xijt coitnjiije "Oe A'
ttlic T)UAC A'f rflic
CoVum-CiVle
|iif 30
.1.
1 Literally : Help and friends and grace from G od to us, help every
day to us, and I am seeking for it. Yhe Sacrament of Penance and
God strengthen us, My soul under thy protection, Mary Lady,
God, Father, and Lamb, banish from me every accursed
it is often that " Health of the night's sleep to us," or " God
bring you from the night's sleep-passion," is said instead of
" good night to you."
Here is another morning prayer from the County Clare,
which the same Mr. Lyons wrote down.
HELP AND FRIENDS.
Help for as, friends for us, help and God's graces,
Help I ain asking in all bad places,
May the Sacrament " Penance" make bright our faces,
And Maty our Lady protect us and gra^e us.
Jesus, Father, Lamb, I pray
Drive each evil thought away,
Be with mo 'till break of day,
In my sleep and on my way.
When the hour of hours shall sound
Jesus be withiu me found. 1
Here is a sweet little morning-prayer that Father
O'Growney found in Aran.
GOD'S ANGELS.
God's angls be our company
And save us while we live,
May God ana holy Mary,
Mac Duach and Mac Dara,
^nd Columcille protect us,
And save us until eve, 2
thought. Be round about us on our lying down, in our rising, and
in our slumber. Be in our mind and in our company at the last hour.
3 Literally : God's angels protect us, and save us again 'till eve,
Under the protection of God and Mary, Mac Duacb, and Mac Dara,
and of Columcille [we go] again till eve.
18
T)A nAorfi T)O tii i ttlAC "OtiAC Aguf 1 1YlAC T)Aipe } T>O
E>Ain le !i-ApAinn. 1f o feAp ACA t>AifceAp Cill-niAC-
OUAC Ap tnofef i n^Aittirh. <3'n t>peAp eite tig An
c-Aintn T)-Af A6 AUA coicCtonn tnA|\ -Ainm Ann fnA ti-oile-
fin p6f. CA otteAn ttlic T)Ait\e
6 ConAniA|\A, An cAOft C -deAf,
fiAt), 5A6 tnle t)A-o t)iof AS -out tAi{Vif 50
fe An f e6t mop mAjt CorhA|\tA tipt 161111
oo'n nAOrii. 1)1 Columcitle CAmAtt f.AT)A i n-
mA|\ An 5ceAt)nA, Aguf ip coictsonn An c-Ainm Cotum
'An OltCAil.
^5 f p^mijiin t>eA5 eite -oe'n cf 6f\c ceAtmA *oo
CuAtAit> An \ArhnuieAC 1 n-
"Oe 50
"Oe 30
T)e 50
locc A'
go bpAJAit) A^i n-AnAtn bode,
50 mmic " ut)Acc A'f AitjAige " Ann
line, no mA|\ ciiAtAit) An 5l uu>1t1ul 5 e ^c f.em
nA tTli-oe " olA 'guf Aitpije," 6i|\ CA An
if)Ami|\ fe<5 AS feAn-t>AoiniD An Cont)A6 fin
CA fi AJ minnncip
mmtc fAgmAoiT) pnop i n-Aic t)Ain, Ann
feo ; ACC Ag fo PAIT)II\ Atumn 1 bppof
t>o (iuAtAi"6 mo CAJ\ At) SeAgAn til AC A' t)AipT) Ann fnA
CeAttAit) t)eA5A i ntDun-nA-n^AU, 50 mime, Agup TO
19
Mao Dimeh and MacDara, or Darra, were two saints who
had relations with Aran. From one of them a diocese in
Gal way is called " KilmacJuagh." From the other comes
the name Darragh, which is still common as a Christian
name in the islands. MacDarra's island is out in the sea,
off Connemara, towards the south, and they say that every
boat that goes by it lowers its mainsail as a mark of respect
and honour to the saint. Columcille was also a long time
in Aran, and, I believe, Colum is still a common name in
the island.
Here is another little prayer of the same sort which
Father O'Growney heard in the island.
MAY WE BEHOLD.
May we see God's countenance
And perceive His gloriousncss.
And attain His paradise.
A death of blessedness,
Penance and clemency
May our poor soul have.
In place of the word " iockt," clemency, "udhacJtt"
1 testament," is often said, or as Father O'Growney him-
self heard it in the County Meath, " oil and penance,"
for the old people of that county had that prayer almost as
the people of Aran have it.
It is not often that we find prose in place of poetry in
these prayers, but here is a beautiful prayer in prose which
my friend, Mr. John Ward, of Killybegs, in the County
20
P5t\ioti An \,iAtAnAt Ar\ piop.A c6,<yonA 6 tteut TWip m
615111 .ap A
ontA rhume.
A tijeAfinA po-mitif, A lofA CfJofCA, A "t>\& nA n-AinjeAt, A
-Aon-mic nA ttlAiJTune jtofimAifie ttluipe, 61^15 ojtfiAmn-ne nA
peACAij boccA, Ann JAC cf.uA-6-cAf -O'A ftpuit of.ftAinn, Ann oo IACAI ji,
A ttlAij'oeAn jtojiriiAji, A ttlArAi|i T)e, A beAn -oo b' Aifte -oe SAC
cineAniAinc,* 'f ACA -oionjiriAtcA Ann JAC motA-6, -oeAn i-oijt-jtifoe.
Aft Aft fon i t)fiA-6nwife T)O me ^A-OAIJ pem, mAfi f>uit A'f 50
ttpuijimif An jloift fio|i|tuf6e 1 -o' Aice.
-A ftuime JAC h-uite thitpeAcc', A tiAinjiio^Ain nA|i cionncAi^, A
iobAijt nA r^ocAijie, 'f A -ootcuif tucc' An cjiei'oini, A -peulc nA
mAfone, if "mop" joi^eAf pA^jicAf tu. A ieAtnpoitt T)e, A
lofA C^iiofCA, if cufA conjnAni flAince -oumn.
An ce T>O cjiocuij finn A5up -oo ceAnnuij finn A'f T>O
ctii|i nA c-jn conn f otA "oe &\\ A-p fon.
A ttluijie ttlACAi^i, A ttlACAi|i nA n5|tAfCA, bi AjAtn i n-Aimfift mo
mo bAif, Ajuf ^oim mo tAf .
, bi jiomAm \An pope.
nA tei3 m'AnAtn C
Seo Aimpji nA cjtocAijte, Ajuf coj An c-uAtAc mop fo TDe m'
A'f oem 1 cfoi-oe.
A ttlinjie tflAtAift Ajuf A ttlic, 50 nt)6AnAi-6 cu mo teAf,
AUf tAtt; nAf; teiji-o cu m' AnAm Af; teic nA bpiAn. Amjle TJe
1iom. CeACCAijte T)e -pomAm. [A] JAfOA nA n-AmjeAtt CAfAm t
of mo cionn. OtA Cp t'ofCA Af; mo copp. T)IA tiom A5f poriiAm.
A t>Ainf.toJAn nA mbocc, -oo bAin impi-oe CAJI mnAib An T)omAin,
uAjifiAij :}: Aguf -oeAn COJAJI Af; mo fon, An peACAC bocc
nx)uit A'f 50 fcptnjinn An jtoip fio|i|tuit)e i
* If ooij 5n " cine " bu-6 coi|t -oo
t i,e, 151-6, % i.e. CAJI, Cij.
21
Donegal, often heard, and Mr. Lyons "wrote the same piece
from the dictation of one Rose O'Gallagher, in that county.
MARY'S PRAYER.
very sweet Lord, Jesus Christ, O God of the Angels, One-
son of the glorious Virgin Mary, assist us poor sinners in every
hardship that is upon us in Thy presence,
glorious Virgin, Mother of God, woman noblest of every race,
and who art perfect in every praise, make intercession for us in the
presence of thy own beloved Son, in hope that we may gain ever-
lasting glory beside thee.
Nurse [ = Mother] of every sweetness, Queen who hast never
transgressed, Well of Mercy and hope of those who have faith.
Star of the Morning, it is " Great " that Paradise calleth thee.
Temple of God, Palace of Jesus Christ, thou art the help of health
to us.
We pray to Him who created us and who bought us, and who
poured the three waves of blood from Him for us.
O Mary Mother, Mother of the Graces, be with me in the time of
my death, in the presence of my death, and before my death.
Be before me when I die,
Do not let my soul fly by. 1
Now is the time of mercy, and raise this great load off my soul
and off my heart.
Mary Mother, and Son, that thou mayest do what-is-good-
for-me on this side, and on that [i.e., here and hereafter]. That
thou mayest not allow my soul upon the flag of the pains. The
angels of God be with me. The messenger of God be before me.
Guard of Angels, come ye above my head. The oil of Christ
upon my body. God with me and before me. a
Queen of the poor, who hast gained [thy] request beyond the
women of the world, come and whisper in behalf of me a poor sinner,
in the hope that I may get eternal glory beside thee.
1 Literally : ' ' Let me have thee before me in the port, and do
not let my soul past thee."
2 This seems almost a reminiscence of St. Patrick's Hymn, "Christ
before me, Christ behind me," etc.
A bU\t n,\ bpAritiAjic, A -oeAliuvo tiA n-eAfbAtl, A -ootcAif tiA
5loitte, A iriAife nA ti-Oije, AIJI Ajt fmAoin UAccAftAm tiA ti-AingeAtl,
TIA n-A^c-AinjeAtt. 1p cti ATI pAl-Ap, 1p cu ATI c-utiAtt AT> A
c uite fubAitce oo ceiT> i ocAi|tbe x)o 'n cine oAonriA.
TIA Jjtoijie, AJUf A OOCCAIf I/Vice' ATI CfieiT>lril, A'f
5tt b'e no coinpiofoit)* tetf nA h-Ainjtitj A cuijieAf folAf op^A.
A ticAn rnitif, jui-oim tu 30 h-uriiAlt gAn A|i t)rjtei5t)eAt i n-Aimpji
ffiuAijmeiteAC A|t mbAif, An -UAifi befOPAf AJI n-AnAm
te n-At
x>o coimtie A lofA C^ioprA, i pocAiii t "oo pAife, A' ttuxie
oit)ce 'f A$ eiju^e -OAtn AJI niAi-otn.
fo jtAim mitif eile DA nurone -oo 6iu\tAi > 6
Ainm "bjugi-o tli Cf.om^ig 1
, 1 5con"OAe llof ccm^in. 1p f^nn e AtA. te
nu<\ii\ 'ouifigce^ en te cedt n^ n-e*.\n
pAi-oi]iin cutiAitcA rhuin
tTlo teAnb -oAni r:ein %
5An mo fuit -oo ftetc ru
1 n-Aim] % ifi fjneATJCA TA n-eAn,
AS "otit AH mo jtunAift, A
'S AJ A5Aittc ITItc T)e,
Cuimniu^At) AH An llAn ACA
tTlAjib -pAot 'n 3cpe.
* i.e. ComtiAT). t i.e. T)e bjnj.
+ "T)Am pein " x>ubAitic TT 6 * TnAp oetjiteAjt 50 mime 1 3 Con-
po. 1f cotrcionn "A'5ot"i TI-AIC " AS -out.
23
O Blossom of the Patriarchs, Splendour of the Apostles, Hope of
Glory, Beauty of Virginity, on whom ran the thoughts of the
princes of the angels and of the arch-angels ; thou art the palace,
thou art the apple out of which comes forth every virtue which
goes to profit the human raco.
Splendour of Glory, hope of the people of faith, surely it is thy
conversation with the angels which maketh them to be joyous. ()
sweet woman, I pray thee humbly not to forsake us in the pitiable
time of our death, at Iho hour when our soul shall be parting with
our body.
1 put myself under Thy protection, Jesus Christ, on account of
Thy Passion, on my lying down in the night and on my rising up in
the morning.
Here is another sweet morning-prayer which I heard from
a woman named Biddy Crummy, in the parish of Tibohine,
County Roscommon. It is a verse to be said when one is
awakened by the chirping of the birds in the morning.
A FRAGRANT PRAYER.
A fragrant prayer upon the air
My child taught me,
Awaken there, the morn is fair,
The birds sing free.
Now dawns the day, awake and pray
And bend the knee,
The Lamb who lay beneath the clay
Was slain for thee. 1
1 Literally : A fragrant little prayer my child taught me myself,
my eyes not to be shut in the time of the singing of the birds ; going
on my knees praying and beseeching the Son of God, remembering
the Lamb who id braised and dead beneath tho cby.
24
eile ru tn^i-one t>o dtMUM* me
6m' c-djtAi-o Uom^r t)ApcUi$ At A Af Con'Ode thing 66.
re 50 juMb fi te beit fAit)ce te tinn
f CtJf^ xig CU|\ OfVC.
A mj
A H.1J T1A
A ACAift An
t?A5 Ann mo feAfArii me
Af mAi-oin -ojiA-OAcoifi* [r]
mo teAgAfj
meA|i6Al-t A
tn' An Am
ceAnjAit 6'n
fo ce^nn eile "oo Cu^txM* me 6'n ttpexiii ce^voru.
A nij n
A ttti; tiA
CeAfCA 1 mbAfifi An
/A S u r cftofoe t)o cleiti
5u|i jieub fin tAm An
T>O cteib
teAcc A|i IAJI nA tmn',
AOI f^AC T>O TS^'ce
t)ei|i pein 50 pAfijiCAp fin.
b' ioiiAnn " T)f.A-6Ac6iti " A5f bjieAc-fot,f
t tAbA1|( fe All fOCAl fO ttlAf; "i
1 Literally : King of the friends, Father of the Saviour, leave
Thou me standing this morning at dawn (?). Do my teaching
25
Here is another little morning prayer which I heard from
my friend Thomas Barclay, from the County Mayo. He
said it was to be repeated whilst rising and dressing.
KING OF THE FRIENDS.
King of the friends,
Our Saviour's Father art thou,
Keep me erect
'Till evening moisten my brow.
Teach and control
Lest I unto sin should bow,
And save my soul
From the foe who follows her now. 1
Here is another I heard from the same.
KING OF THE WOUNDS.
King of the Wounds,
Sore wounded upon the tree,
The heart in Thy breast
The blind man rent it for Thee.
The blood of Thy breast
Congealed on the pool I see,
Beneath Thy shield
To Paradise bring Thou me. a
without mistake, Saviour, sava my soul and bind it from the
Adversary.
- Literally : O King of the Wounds, wounded upon the top of
the tree, and the heart of Thy breast sure the hand of the blind
one rent it ; the blood of Thy breast sure it congealed upon the
top of the pool. Beneath the shadow of Thy shield do Thou
Thyself bring us to Paradise.
26
1f f omptA mxMt Ap pAmpeAtArt r\A mai-one An mexvo
"DO tUg me fUAf. CAfp^tTIAOIT) AnO1f A
-An CfiAtnOnxx. fi^t) An-iom.A'OAm.Ait A^tif CA
te p-AjAit -Ann f 5A6 AIC 1 n-6ifvinii, ^6u -AttiAin x\nn
pn Ann ^\ 501*0 n*\ fgoitce "n^ifiuncA " A
c pein 6 n^ TXAoimt). UA f 1-AT) niof
'r\A pA\r)]\QAA nA m^fone, n\Ap if pxMdge, -oo
Aon oinne fx\n oit)6e 'n^ fx\n to, ^guf if ino
fe 'f-^ 11 u ^ 1 r T 1t1 5 tijruil u^^S^ 6 ^5
^f c^l Ait). AS fo pxM'oif *oo (iUAlxM-O rn6 6m'
Com^f O ComceAnnAm 6 1nnif-tlleAt)on.
tAit)im te "DIA.
l/AiT>im * te T)IA, A'p 30 tAixJi-o T)iA tiom,
tlAft tAi-oix) me teif An Otc,
A'f TiAfi tAit)it An c-Otc tiom.
C-ftiof t>-pi5X)e |:AOJ mo cut,
A'f bjiAC ttluijie fAoi mo IAJI,
CA|I, A ttllClt 615
^5 u r S^-* ^o tAth.
mo fiotcAti te mAC -oileAf *Oe.
5vnx)im peAT)A|i, 5111-61111 pot,
5ix)im muijie 615 'f A mAC,
5ix)im An T)A eAfbot t
x3kCA 1 bptAtceAmnAf T)e
gAn mife "o'euj, te n-A
O lofA cui|i bjiij Ann fAn
A o'pxiAfjAtt J nA niitce 5i c|(AiT>ce 1 bpem,
Cig b]tAon A|i mo C|toix)e "oe T)O mott-gjuvpcA j:ein
[Ann] gAc Aon peACA-6 TJ'A nt)eA]tnA me.
* i.e. tui-oim. f .1.-AbfCAt. J .I.--DO
1 Literally : The crocs of Brigid beneath (i.e., round) my back, |
EVENING PRAYERS.
All that I have given above make a good example of
morning prayers. We shall turn now to the evening prayers.
They are very plentiful, and they are to be found in every
place in Ireland,, except only in those places where the
"National " schools have robbed the people of their religious
inheritance. They are more plentiful than the morning
prayers, because a man's fear of night is greater than
his fear of clay, and he feels more at that hour that he
requires prayers. Here is a prayer which I heard from my
friend Thomas Concannon from Innismaan.
I LIE DOWN WITH GOD.
I lie down with God and may God lie down with rue.
TL.-u I may not lie with the Evil
And that the Evil may not lie with me.
May the girdle of Brigit behind my back
And the mantle of Mary before me bo,
And como to me Michael ()g
And by the hand lead me. 1
I mike my peace with the dear Son of God.
I pray to Peter, I pray to Paul,
To the Virgin Mary's Son pray I,
And also I pray to the Twelve Apostles
\\~ho dwell in the heaven of God most high,
That, by their leave, I may not die. 2
Thou settedst apart, in Thy Sacrament, power,
To heal our smart in our misery's hour,
One drop on my heart, of Thy mercy, down shower,
For every sin I have sinned to Thee.
ami tli- 1 mantle of Mary beneath my middle, | come Michael Og, |
and take my hand.
''///. I pr;iy Peter, I pray Paul, | I pray Mary Virgin and
her .Son, | I pray the Twelve A pintles, i who are in the heaven of
God, | that I may not die, by then- leave.
28
CA niuijie AJ njeAcc 6 x>eAf
LA AiceAticA * HA gcteAf,
A'f nA ti-Ainjte fioimpi AmAc, A'f i
O C1J ft AT11AC
bAinfix) fife AniAC
A'f ciut>iiAi-6 fi 50 ftAicif Tie finn.
ni't naAc, firt nA mnA,
A "oeAiipAT) e fin 'c Aon CHAU,
A o'peicpeA-6 ctoc ipjnnn 50 bjiAi
tno 6^fA e<5m 1TIAC tleitt,
leip f-eo, 1 n-1nip 1Tle^t)on.
50 tAi-CeAT) te -DM.
50 tAi'oeAX) te T)IA A'f 50 tAfom "OiA tiom,
tlAf. tAmeAT) leif An otc A'f nA)i IAI-OIT!) An c-otc liom,
C-piof t)|ti5-oe f.Aoi mo lift,
b|iAc tiluif.e f.Aoi mo ceAnn,
A ttlicit 615 Ajuf gtAC mo lAm,
oeAfl mo fioccAn te mac TIA
111A rA -ojioc-fiu-o Af bic A]i 1.10 ci
Cuifim ITlAC *Oe ITMH me pein Agtif
O 'nocc 50 xci btiAt)Ain 6 'nocc,
Anocc fem,
5 T)e '
5
6 xjiAirm 50
feo le J.MAII
An cip fin, beAg-nAC mA|\ CA fi ACA i
AS fo niAj\ *oo f5|\iob peAfi *oe
* "Li A-oAince " -outJAijic feifeAii, ACC m tvujnn fin.
1 Literally : O Jesus, who puttedst power into the Sacrament, |
which has relieved the thousands who were tortured in pain, | comes
a drop on my heart of Thy own great grace, | for every sin that I
have committed.
29
From the south shall Mary come
When we hear the judgment drum,
Angels go before her face, she of the sorrows seven,
Since she comes to-day for us
She shall make a way for us,
And lead us unto God, into heaven.
No woman nor man, so I tell,
Who shall say this, and say it well,
Shall see one stone of the house of Hell. 1
My friend John MacNeill found another little prayer in
Immmaan which is very like this one.
MAY I LIE WITH GOD.
That I may lie with God, and that God may lie with me,
That I may not lie with the Evil, and that the Evil may not
lie with me,
The girdle of Brigit round my middle,
And the mantle of Mary round my head,
Come O young Michael and take my hand
And make my peace with the Son of the Graces.
If there be any evil-thing at all in wait for mo
I put the Son of God between myself and itself.
From to-night until a year from to-night,
And to-night itself,
And for ever,
And for aye !
It is a long road from Aran to Lochaber in Scotland, but
this prayer is to be found amongst the Gaels in that
country almost as the people have it in Ireland itself. Here
Mary is coming from the south, | the day of the recognition of the
tricks, ] and the angel out before her, and she in torture (?), | since
she cometh out, | she shall strike out, | and she shall bring us to the
heaven of God.
There is no one, man or woman, | who would say that every single
time, | who would see one stone of hell for ever.
30
Sciut>AitAC i 6 vo-AttAnnAi ooA. tug
l< AtcACA-6
'nocc
te moi^e 'f le TTIAC,
te mAtAitf tno ^15
'Hi mo -6ion 6 T)
CA * tAi-oi-6 me teif AH Otc
S CA tAi-oit) An t-Olc
Ac tAi-oiT) me te T)IA,
'S IA1TD1-6 T)1A mA
TIA n.AOi n-AinjeAt
O mutlAC mo cmn
50 cfAiceAnn mo tonn.
gut-Dim peATOAji, gui-oim pot
jui'oim moi^e 615 Y A mAC '
5i-6im An -OA opcAt -oeAS
gAn mire "ool euj te 'n CGAT). !j
A T)IA 'r A itloine HA stoi^e
'S A mic nA 1i Oije CUITIIUMX) II
CumAib ** mife o nA piAncAn tt
'S ITIiceAt jeAt An co-oAit' ++ m' AnArnA.
Do fAoil nA r eAn--OAoine,iiiAn if -o^S. 5f-
AinsH e -oo te^Cc on tAOit) 6 t)e,\f
fin A-oeip An pAi-oif r e >
CA muifie AS reAfcc 6
tA AICCAUCA nA gcteA
6onncAtnAt\ i "tTO^n
An peACAC,
tonnAitic me jAifS An
CAob 6 tuAi-6 nA mu^cA outA
* m ti-6fit> me. t tiom. I tYlAitte tiom.
AbfCAt. a le n-A SceA-o. IT
31
is how Mr. Stuart wrote it down from the mouth of a High-
lander from Lochaber. He called it the Bed Blessing.
THE BED BLESSING. [Highland version.]
I lie down to-night
With Mary and with her Son,
With the Mother of my King
Who does me protect from evil-deeds.
I shall not lie with the Evil
And the Evil shall not lie with me.
But I shall lie with God,
And God shall lie along with me.
The right hand of God under 1113' head,
The girdle of the Nine Angels with me
From the top of my head
To the skin of my foot-soles.
I pray Peter, I pray Paul,
I pray Mary Virgin and her Son,
I pray the Twelve Apostles
They, of their leave, I may not go die.
God and Mary of glory,
And Son of the fragrant Virgin
Keep ye me from the dark pains :
And Bright Michael to meet my soul.
The old people seem to have thought that it was a sign
of a good Angel to come from the south, and therefore this
prayer says
Mary is coming from the south
On the day of the recognition of tricks [deeds]
and we saw in the poem of the Tor how the sinner said
I beheld the prowess of Death assembling ;
Oft the north black walls of fire,
'* ConjbuijiT). ft
JJ 1 jconroAil m'onAm<\, = CCACC i 5comne m'AnAtnA (?).
32
CAOD 6 -DeAf tYlwinncifi
AS ctiumniu-6 tnexSfj TIA n-AinjeAl JA,
An ITlAij-oeAn jtojimAti '
1f coicdonncA An fuv6 " Cf\of tiA n-
oo triitug xxn c-^cAip O 5f Ar1 'i"^ *^t
-00 t>eit 1 tipoiftn Cfoife, cex\nn
Ce-Aiin ^nn f 5^.6 ^jvo Tie n^ ceit^e
po e, .1.
AS fo p>A)T)iti-nx\-ti-oit)(ie -oo
t)cul -oume
sinim-se AU An teAbAit) seo.
p ATI ieAbAix> feo
tne '^
Aj
Af cc mui|te AJU]-- J^A-OA T)e
gAbAitn te T)IA mA{i ACAI
'S jAbAirn te ffluifte mA|i rri
gAbAim tdf tlA ptAltlf TTlAjt
A'p mA-p ton I'lOji-jitn'oe
A ti5CA|iiiA, 50 ftAnAi^i-o cu A-p tn
A Cjiiofc xieAti cnocAi|te
AS f o pAToifxin eile "oo
n-Aicele Coiltce-rnACi 5conT)Ae
fe triAf\ tofAigeAnn An ceAnn
sTmrn sios.
Simtn fi'of A|i An teAbAi-6 feo
1 n-Ainm iofA CjiiofCA [x>o] ceufAX) beo,
t)eic T>O mo fAbAit, -oo mo
-oo mo curiroAc ;
6 beut
Go.
33
On the south tho people of Christ
(fathering amongst the Angels,
The glorious Virgin hastening them.
The Angel's Cross is a common expression, and Father
O'Growuey explained it to me thus ; namely, the angels are
supposed to be in the form of a Cross, one of them in the
middle and two others out from him iu each of the four
" arts " or quarters of the compass : thus
I*
*
*********
*
*
Here is a night prayer that Mr. Lyons got from tho
mouth of a Tyrone man.
I STRETCH MYSELF.
I stretch myself upon this couch
As in the tomb I shall be stretched,
To seek the fruits and power, ent,
In the Blessed Sacrament.
For the sake of Mary and love of God,
God, as my father I take to me,
Mary as mother I take to me,
The Heavens as home I take to me,
Provision eternal for my soul.
Save, Lord, and take our soul,
Christ I pray, have mercy upon us!
Here is another little prayer which I wrote down from
the mouth of a woman near Kiltimagh in the Co. Mayo. It
begins as the last one began.
I STKETCH ME DOWN.
I stretch me down upon this bed
In the name of Christ Jesus who was crucified alive,
To be saving me, to be rescuing me,
And to be keeping me.
34
$eiT>eAf mo
A|l An fAOJAt fO
50 T>ro5Aix> An c-ACAift fioft}tur6e
go -pto^Acc tiA bplAiieAf
"oo'n plAiueAf if uifvoe * me.
S fo pAitMf; eile nA h-on!)<ie T)o UA1|\ -An
6 Geut U^TOg Hi
mt)x\ile-rriuipne i scorroA
T>e IIA Uncit "oo eit)iTit) i t>p<Mt>j\eACAit:> eite i n-
^guf i nAlt)Ainn. tli tig tiom A riiimtigAt)
cionntif pAjtriAOTo n^ Unce ceA"6nA f o Ann f 5^6 cuinne
Agup cedfn 1 n-6tf\mn Aguf i n-Albdmn Ann A bpuil An
5Aet>eAl, munAt) e s|\ CeAp An GAglAif 65 1 n-6ipmn
guf imiTiunnA, Cum nA nt)Aoine -oo
6um nA CfiofCAigeACcA T>O rhunA*
t)oi5, t)'eiT)if\ niof mo J nA mile t)liAt!)Ain 6 fom,
AgUf 5U|\ CU1fl f 1 AtTIAC AJUf gUfV fgAp f 1 nA plOf Alt)
f eo Ann f gAC AIU Ann AJA gAt) A cuit> ceA6cAi|ie ;
Aguf nA tinue T)O geitamiT) AITDIU Ann f JA6 Aon
Aic AtneAfs nA n^Ae^eAt, nA tince ACA
Aon f ocAl le 6eite, if jnngteAC nA f eAn-T>An fO
i n-Ainm An
1 n-Ainm An ACA|I 'f 6 ^ CAjAim 6m
Aj tAi-oe Afi mo IcAbAit) i x>'Ainm A
-oo deAnnAij pnn
A'f tion puAf fttin,
T>o 5|AfA ceAnjAit
50 -OAinjeAnn -oom' c|ioi-6e A'f
* .1. if Ai|foe.
1 Literally : In the name of the Father it is I come to rest, lying
on my bed in Thy name, noble King, Christ who didst buy
35
And when my date shall be
Spent in this world,
That the Eternal Father may bring ma
To the kingdom of the heavens,
And to the highest heaven.
Here is another night-prayer that Father O'Growney
got from the mouth of Teig O Sgannail, a schoolmaster in
Ballyvourney, in the County Cork, in which occur many
lines which we find in other prayers also in Ireland and
in Scotland. I cannot explain how it is we get these same
lines in every corner and nook of Ireland and Scotland in
which the Gael is, unless it be that the Early Church
in Ireland composed religious songs and hymns to instruct
the people and to teach them Christianity, perhaps over a
thousand years ago, and that she sent out and spread these
pieces in every place to which her messengers went; and
the lines which we find to-day in every place amongst the
Gael, and which agree with one another almost to a word,
are the remains of these old poems.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER.
In the name of the Father to rest I betake me, 1
To lie on my bed until daylight awake me.
Christ who on earth
Cold and dearth didst endure for U3
Our hearts in all places
By thy graces make pure for us.
us, bless and fill us up Thy grace bind Thou fast to my heart, and
make-durable. The protection of my soul on Thee, Father, king
powerful, Angel Michael since thou art the messenger.
I'G
Coimfiije* m'AtiAm' ope
A
A rhicit
An ccACCAijie 6'f uu 6.
An t>A 'feAj AbfCAt
CA i 5CACA1J1 TIA jtoijie,
A Cfttopc beiji-pe m' AtiAm LCAC
go CACAI(( TIA Cjtionofoe.
Coimpije m' AnAtn" Oftc A "OiA
'S ni jiAJA-of 'tiA -OIAI-O ope 50
Cui|iitn A peitieit)J cu^Ar A ttlui^e
50 -ocujAf m' AtiAm -oo Uij TIA
[Cuijtim A i'emei-6 ope A ttltnjie
T)o ^15 TIA nstiAr- 50 -ocusAr e,]
coinnteAcc tiA tAirhe -oeipe
Am' feACAinc AH fpiopAT) TIA tAirhe cte.
mACAip ITUnfte, 1Tluine
mAtAift Coin t)Aifoe,
Cu)]nm C|(iu|i iDe rimAib b'uAipte cAitce
A5 COftUJAX) TT1O tCAbCA,
Cvii|iim An cjtArm jup ceAfA^o Cpiofc
1-oijt m6 A*f An rjtom-tut-oe
me A'f gA6 'Opoc-ni-6.
AS fo pAi-oif-tiA-ti-oitjCe ette T>O r5|Ai6t> Art
o tteut mn-A ^ corroAe
A tllAijneAn beAnntiijce,
A bAnAtcfiA An Uij
t)1 mo donAtbuJA-6 1
*=coirmpce. t = tn tiACA-o. J^F'^'onuipe. $ = coinroeAcc (P)
The Twelve Apostles who are in the city of glory. Christ bear
my soul with Thee to the City of the Trinity. The protection of
my soul on Thee, God ! And I shall not go after it [to get it back
from Thee] for ever. I call Thee to witness (?) Mary that I have
37
my Father console
My soul with Thy blessedness,
And thou, Michael, too,
Who dost do his messages.
may the Apostles
The Twelve with Divinity,
And Christ hear my soul
To the Throne of the Trinity.
1 place my soul under God's protection,
To Him in His mercy my soul I bring ;
I call Thee to witness, Virgin Mary,
I have given my soul to the gracious King,
I call Thee to witness, Virgin Mary,
My soul is no longer in my control,
May the Right-hand Angel, the guardian-angel
From the Left-hand Spirit protect my soul.
Anna, mother of Mary, Mary, mother of Christ,
Elleesh, mother of John the Baptist,
I place the three of the most noble chalk-white women
Arranging my couch.
I place the tree upon which Christ was crucified
Between me and the heavy-lying [night-mare]
Between me and each evil-thing.
Here is another night-prayer which Mr. Lyonn wrote
down from the mouth of a woman from the Co. Mayo.
BLESSED VIRGIN.
Blessed Virgin *
Nurse of the King of all power,
Watch me by day,
And guard me in night's dark hour.
given m}* soul to the King of the Graces. I call Thee to witness,
Mary, that to the King of the Graces I have given it. May the
guardian (?) angel of the right hand make-me-avoid the spirit o"f the
left hand.
1 Literally : Blessed Virgin | Nnrse of the glorious King | be
38
pe mo fttttje -OATTI no mo Itntie
ffio 6o-olA-6 no mo fUAn,
t>i mo conAlbuJA-o,* bi mo timaoll,
t)1 Am' TMifte JAC tiAitt. t
A ITlAtj-oeAn % Ajuf coj mo
T)eAn mo fioicAin te IllAC "Oe,
cA AinfpiotiAT> A|i mo tAoti
jug TIA rijjtAf foin me 'juf e.
f p^ifiip-tiA-ti-oitxie onAtn^A r>o
O 5f ArflT1 ^ *Ani. Cpei-mm 50
f eipexin i 6 t)Orhn^U O
ttiijim te^c A
leAr A
A'f 50 tuix>i-6 cu tiom,
Cftiofc AJI m' AtiAm,
C|ie TIA ti-AbfrAi of mo cionn.
-oo cnurAij me,
fhic T>O 6eAnnAij me,
SpiojiAix) TlAoitii -oo beAnnuij me 1
/A ttAin^ioJAin TIA pie
'S A bAinftiojjAin TIA
Cos me Af HA peACAx>Aib
-Ajtif cuifi me Att An eotAf,
Cuijt ATI Aitiiige Ann mo
50 fitfeA-o nA -oeotiA.
. t "5 A c cu|tA " TiubAiiic fi, ACC m ruiji
+ "Oo f5ftiob An t,iACAnAc " CA|t A mic" ACT if "0615 nAc
fin.
keeping me by night | and watch me in the day | wliether I be
sitting or whether I be lying | whether sleeping or slumbering | be
keeping me, be round me, | be watching me every hour.
Come, Son, and take my hand, j Make niy peace with the Son
89
Whether I sit or whether I lie
Or whether I slumber deep,
Be my guardian, be my keeper,
Watch me through my sleep.
Come, Virgin, and take my hand,
A. id make my peace with Thy Son, and see
That 110 evil spirit beside me stand,
The King of Grace between it and me !
Here is a night-prayer from Counemara which Father
O'Growney gave me. I think that he heard it from
Domlmai! OTaherty.
I LIE DOWN WITH THEE, JESUS.
I lie down with Thee, O Jesus 1
And lie Thou down with me,
That the holy Creed above my head
And the oil of Christ on my soul may be.
O Father who sought me,
O Sou who bought me
Holy Spirit who taught me !
Queen of whiteness,
Of brightness, of youth,
Lift me from sinning
And show me the truth.
In my heart put repentance
And sorrow and ruth.
of God. | If there be an evil-spirit beside me | I put the King o"
Graces between me and it.
1 Li'erally : I lie down with Thee, Jesus | and mayest Thou lie
with me. I The oil of Christ on my soul. | The Creed of the Apostlo- ;
above my head. | Father who created me | O Son who bought
me j Holy Spirit who blessed me I O Queen of Brightness and
Queen of Virginity | lift me out of sins.
And show me the right way, | Put repentance in my heart | that
40
'S mA CA fe 1 ITOATI -OATH
50 |iAift m' AHATTI. Amen.
ce^nn eite t>o UAit -An
Itngitn le TMA.
l/uijim te T)IA, 50 tuij;n:> T)1A liom,
C^ioi'oe T)e liom, -OA tAirh *Oe tiom,*
fofA A'f fflui|ie tiom, A'p CUIJIT: riA n-Am
ceAtiriAij me, TofA beAnriAij me 1
teArinAij me, fAOfi A'f teAf AIJ me !
SAOfi 6 JAC peACA-6 me 'noif A'f 50 b^A
milif jtonmAi-p, fAbAit m'AnAm
HA piAncAib -O011CA CA -oeAncA oumn.
mo txioli tie AS.
mo cAob oeAf t
cot)t/Ai5im A|t mo tAob cle,
mo cut -oo'n peA|i if meAfA
m'AJAi-6 A]\ ttlAC T)e.
eile t>en cf6(\c cex3kt)n^ TO
i n-A^Ainn.
tuigim sios.
flof A|i An teAbA fo AHOCC,
tuijeAnnf t ttlAC "Oe A|( An
fo jtAnn t>e^5 -Aluinn 6 "OotrinAtt O ^otA^CA <.\p
* "Oo duAtAi-o fe 6 -owine eite HA f.oclA fo teAnAf CA^I eif HA
tine. " T)IA A'f mui^e tiom, | A'f C|iof nA
fAot mo IAJI | SnAixim A bonn," ACC nioji ctiij
ni ruijim-fe IAX).
t recti "AH mo tAoib -oeif."
Ji.e. "twijeAf," no " LuijeAnn " mA|i oeini'o i jCuije ITlumATi.
41
And if this be my story
E're morning to die,
May my soul be in glory
With God upon high.
Here is another which Father O'Growney fouud in Aran.
I LIE DOWN WITH GOD.
I lie down with God, and may God lie down with me,
The Heart of God with me, the two hands of God with me,
Jesus and Mary with me, and the Court of the Angels,
Jesus who bought me, O Jesus bless me,
Je&us who bought me, save and amend me. 1
Free me from every sin now and for ever.
sweet, glorious Jesus save my soul
From the dark pains that are made for us.
Here is another melodious little rann from Domhnall
O'Faherty, of Connemara.
I LAY ME DOWN ON MY RIGHT SIDE.
I lay me down on my right side,
On my left side me to place,
I turn my back on the Evil Man
And I face to God my face. 2
Here is another prayer of the same kind which Father
O'Growney found in Aran, and sent me.
I LIE DOWN.
I lie down on this bed to-night
As the Son of God lies [sic] upon the Cross.
I may shed the tears | and if it be fated for me | to die before
morning | in the possession of glory | may my soul be. Amen.
1 These lines make a beautiful rhyme in the original.
Literally : I lie down on my right side | and I sleep on my left
Bide | I give my back to the Man most evil [the Devil], and I give
my face to the Son ~* God.
42
l)[tAr b|ii'5t)e pAoi mo
Wui]ie tn'lcAf, mo tWri-jjuYO cu
1p cu ooccvhjt m'AiiAniA,
1j x cu mo cAjtAiT) &]\ Aift mo b
O' [n] ngleAnn HA iToe6}t fo c
Cuilt trio cttoi-oe ie S^A-O xio'n
Ap tiAifi mo bAif
50 tifAJAim nA ptAitif. Amen.
o p.AiT>ip-tM-ti-oit)Ce -oo pUAip me 6m'
O ti-CAin, r^5^ c S.1. CvtAtAi-6 i-ei^e-An i 6
tug nr e
A AriAin tjiTofi: beAntiAi^ me.
A cuijip Cjiiofc ptAtiAij me.
[A] fii Cttiofc r^r A1 s r11 -
[A] tiifje cAOib' C^lofc tii 3 me.
A pAif C|n'orc neAf.CAij me.
A iofA tiA nt)ut eifc tiom O [A]
*OeAn -oion t>Am 1 x>* c^eAccAib
[ = FtAiti5] me beit
e A|iAimpii [AimfmJA-o?] An
me &]\ Aiinfi^i mo bAif.
fuil A'f 50 motfAinn tw.
Aon leif tiA Vi-Ain5lib
fAOJAt nA fAOJAl. Amen.*
O pA1T)1]\-t1A-1l-Olt)6e T)O j:t1A1J\ Atl
CorroAe An ClAi|\.
tTlAU tUlgllYI.
tYlA|t tuijnn Ann fAn leAbAi-6 feo
SCA-O lui^eA-ot Ann f AH UAIJ.
feo le v^SAit i "bpA^ncAf AH AnmA,"
JAf i AJ t. 329. Cuji-AtnAC, 1645.
re.
The mantle of Brigit beneath [i.e. round] my bosom
Dear Mary, my very-love thou art,
Thou art the doctor of my soul,
Thou art my friend at the hour of my dealh,
From this valley of tears lift me henceforth,
Flood my heart with love for The Man.
At the hour of my death,
That I may find the heavens. Amen.
Here is a night prayer that I got from my friend the
Rev. Dr. Ed. Hogan, S. J. He heard it from a lady in the
County Kerry. She called it " Edward's Testament."
EDWARD'S TESTAMENT.
Soul of Christ bless me.
Body of Christ save me.
Blood of Christ satisfy me.
Water of Christ's side wash me.
Passion of Christ strengthen me.
Jesus of tho Elements, hear me O Lord.
Make a protection for me of thy wounds.
Permit me not to be separated from thee.
Keep me from the attack of the Adversary.
1 call me to thee at the time of my death.
In hope that I may praise thee
Along with the angels
For ever and ever. Amen. 1
Here is a night prayer which Mr. Lyons got from a man
in the County Clare.
AS I LIE.
As I lie in this couch
It is [so] I shall lie in the grave.
1 This prayer is to be found in almost identical shape in Friar
Gernon's book "Parrthas an Anma," or the " Paradise of the Soul,"
at page 327 of the edition of 1645, published at Louvain.
E
44
T)eAnAini
gO C|U1A1X> teAC
l/e cjioip nA n-Air>5eAl,
Ann fAn teAbAi-6 f eo tutjim.
UjlAOn Af 11 A ptAltlf
50 -OC151-6 Ann Aft
A oibeocA nA
r eo '
HA h-oitxie eite o 1nif tHeAt)oin.
A rhxMS'oe.An tte^nnuigte.
A ttlAij-oeAn beAnntngce, fhAtAiji T)6
[A] foittfe jjlegeAt CA
A coinneAt foittj >eA c ' ^ACAIJI "Oe
50 fiAib cu A5Ainn I/A AJ
1i-oit>Ce, x\5up
eite "oe'ri cf6{vc ce^'onA, p.Ai'ope.AC.AA'oeifinA'OAoine A\\
m6 ctn-o *oe r\A
tn Af AU-A, p/Mt)ii\ le t>eit
ctuince^ At>|\Ain nA n-e^n xxg cujv ^\itce
An IA 65, pxMT)i|\ AC^ f\.Ait)ce nuAip togAnn -ATI
Ann fAti Aij:pionii, pAmijA ACA fiAit)ce
UAic feipeAl no ceAmpott, ASUJ- ceAiin no -06
eile. 1p beAg tiAC pop te jtAt) 6, nA6 ^uib 51110111
fonntuvoAc no f pei^iAlCA Ap bit TD'A "ociseAt) te beit
oeuncA AS AH 6ipeAnnAc A^ peAt) An lAe HAC
1 Literally : I make my confession | hardily to Thee O God | with
the Cross of the Angels | on this bed I lie. | A drop out of the
heavens | may there come into our heart | that shall banish these
sins I and these scandals from us.
45
I make my confession
Unto God overhead,
With the Cross of the Ange!
I lie on this bed.
One drop out of heaven
Shed down on this heart,
That shall banish for ever
The sin and the smart. 1
Here is another night rann from Innismaan.
BLESSED VIRGIN.
Blessed Virgin, God's own Mother,
Shining light set up on high,
Candle blazing in the heavens,
Be with me the day I die. 9
These are sufficient as examples of night-prayers, and we
shall now turn to other short prayers of the same kind
which are spoken by the people upon special occasions.
OCCASIONAL PRAYERS.
I gave some of these occasional prayers above, as, for
example, a prayer to be said on waking, when the songs of
the birds are heard welcoming a new day ; a prayer to be
said when the priest raises the chalice in the miss ; a
prayer that is said when a church or chapel is seen in thy
distance, and one or two others. It is almost quite true to
say that there was no particular or special act that might
come to be done by an Irishman throughout the day, but he
2 Literally : Blessed Virgin Mother of God, bright light that art
without a stain, shining candle in the presence of God, that we may
have thee with us on the day of our death.
focAt 110 T)<5 "oe pAiT>i|t Aige j\ oirhe, AntiAf 50 *oti
SeApjA 6 f oin.
t)i gniorh fonnpA'OAC T)e'n cfojic fo te oeunAifi
Aige 1i-mte oit)Ce nuAij\ Cuipe^t) f e CUIT> T>e'ti ceme
oo t5i x\t^ An -oceAglAC i -ocAifge, ^5 pol$A-6 fpUinnc
no -06 50 -001111111 JMOI An ngjAiop^C ^511^ $AO\ An
-D'A gcoisilu," IUAJ\ -OUDAIJIC f e, 1 fio^c 50
pop HA cement) t>eo Aige A\\\? A\\
t)ut> 6 fin gnioiti T)eieAnnA(i An IAQ -Aige ; "oo
An oit)Ce Agvif oopCA'OAf n^ h-oit)Ce teif An
fin. 1f "ooig nAC 5^11 pAiT)i]\ 1^15 T>O gni-Oe^t) fe 6,
Aguf CA An pAi-oip feo te f.AjAil Ann f gA6 uite AIC i
n-6ijMnn Ann A t>f.tnl An 5 Ae "o ei ^5 tied f.6f, Aguf i
n-Att)Ainn mA|A AH sceAtmA. -Ag fo niAjA fgpiob mo
CAjtA 66m ITlAC tleilt i 6 tieut liUjvcAin tli
n-1mf tYleAt)on.
An ceme seo.
CoinjVijim* Ati ceme feo
instijeAf Cpiopc CAit>,
1 muttAc An cije
t)|u'5it> Ann A tAji.
An C-OCCAJI Ainjli-oe if c|teme
A* cunroAC An ci^e feo
'S A -oAome t
.e., coistijim, c. "AS congAitc nA cifie=A5
otteAn
1 In English this is always called "raking" the fire, but in Irish
" sparing " or " saving " it.
47
had. until quite recently, a word or two of a special prayer
for it.
Such a special act he had to perform every night when
he put safely away a portion of the fire that was on
the hearth, covering up a coal or two deeply under embers
and ashes, "sparing it," 1 as he said, so that he might have
the seed of the fire alive again in the morning. That was
for him the last act of the day, and with it came the night
and the darkness of the night. And naturally it was not
without a short prayer he used to do it, and this prayer is
to be found in every place in Ireland in which Irish is yet
alive, and in Scotland also. Here is how my friend John
MacNeill wrote it from the mouth of Martin Folan in
Inuismaan.
I SAVE THIS FIRE TO-NIGHT.
As I save this fire to-night
Even so may Christ oave me,
On the top of the house let Mary
Let Bride in its middle le.
Let eight of the mightiest angels
Round the throne of the Trinity
Protect this house and its people
Till the dawn of the day shall be.'
~ Lit trail y : I save t'.iis fire as s^veth chaste Christ, Mary on the
top of the house and Bngii, in its middle. The angelic eight most
fetror.g in the ci<y of the graces [be] protecting this lioasa and
bringing safe its people.
48
00151151111 An ceine seo.
ATI ceme feo
tecjiAtin
Am^te T)e XJA'JI troutpeAcc
'S tlAJI fUAfSlAfO AH 11AlilAn>.
OCC n-CAC fAOl A'l C6A6
CCAC nAc luijeAnn ceo Aijii
HAG n-imceocAit) Aon riiAjib Ap
'S tiA6 njoinceAji ouine beo Ann.
o til Aj\ i_*tivM|\ T)6niiiM,l O pot AJVCA Af Con Atii A^A 6.
00151151111-50 ATI ceme seo. coip etie.
ATI ceme j-eo
coigitx Cftiopc CAC,
f AOI n-A bun
tTlAC ttli}ie Ann A lAji.t
Ain5CAlA if mo CUITIACC
nA njjtAf
' ciimt)AC 'f AJ coiriieAX* ATI cije feo
'S A muinncifi A|iif 50 IA.
* tlo mA|A x'.i5Ai|ic tlojiA ni CoiiJAite An pAi-oip feo "le
clAnn -oe 6lAn-OAit> pA-ojtAis," Adc ni tei|t -oAm fin. x\5 fo
fUAijt An c-ACAip eo^An An pAi-oijt Aici-fe.
00151151171 An ceme feo le clAtm -oe clAnntJAio
tllAC T)e OA'JI |iei-6ceAC A*f nA|t niufslAix)
Occ n-eAc fAoi "n CBAC AjAinn A'f CCAC A luijeAnn ceo Ai|i,
tlAjt imti5i-6 -ouine mA|tb Af, 'f nAji jomceAti -ouine beo Ann.
t Aliter, "Ann A IACAI)I."
1 Literally : I spare this fire with the tree [staff] of the clan
Patrick ; the angels of God to wake us, and let them not let loose
the enemy [aliter, let not the enemy awaken]. Eight steeds around
the house, a house that no fog lies upon ; that no dead shall go out
of, and in which no living one is wounded [aliter, that no dead one
may go out of it, nor living one be wounded in it !]
49
Here is how Brigit Donnahue had it.
WITH THE STAFF OF THE SONS OF PATRICK.
With the staff of the sons of Patrick *
This fire I now am raking,
Awaken let God's good angels,
J>ufc enemies none be waking.
Eight steeds are about the house ' 2
A house not clouded a minutu,
Ar.d may no dead ever leave it
Xor living be wounded in it.
Here is how Donal O'Faherty from Connor ara found it.
I SAVE THIS FIRE.
I save this fire
As Christ once saved all,
Mw Bride 3 care and keep it,
On Mai-y's high Son I call ;
The three angels most mighty
In Heaven's hall,
Protect us this house
Until day shall davrn. 4
2 Compare the English lines, the only prayer I ever he.ird in
English resembling these Irish OIK-?.
Four corners to my bed,
Four angels round my head,
One to watch and one to p T \v
And two to bear my soul av. .iy.
* Notice how Brigit whose name is interpreted as breo-shviyit
"fiery arrow " is here associated with fire. It was in her honour
the Virgin's fire at Kildare " burnt through longages of darkness
and storm " until the Normans quenched it. For a notice of St.
Brigit's connection with fire, see my Literary History of Ireland,
p. 161.
4 Literally : I save this fire as Chi-ist saved each one, Brigit under
its foundation [i.e., taking care of it] and the Son of Mary in its
midst [aliter, boside her]. The three angels of most power in the
court of the grace*, be protecting and keeping this house and ita
people again till day.
50
5 f o Apif mAf\ puAip mo CAJIA pAT)f\<M5 O
niAipeAnn, An pAiT>if\ CeATmA t scontJAe
ATI ceine seo. cofp C
Coijjtim An ceme peo
coijteAnn Cfiiofc IAC,
A]i X>A ceAnn An nje
iT) Ann A I-AJI.
*6 A fopuit Ta'Ainjlib
'ST)e nAOtiiAit) i JCACAIJI MA
S cofAinc 'f AJ coimeA-o
tucc An cije f eo 50 IA.
S fo mAf CA An pxMt)ip (ie-A-onA ACA i
ti-Alt>Ann.
rnise ATI ceme.
mife ATI ceme
A fmAlAf ITIAC rnui|ie,
gti mbA ftAn AH cije 'f AH ceme
gti mbA ftAn oo'n cuiTieAcc uite.
Co f IT) A'JI An tAri* ?
peAx>Aji Ajuf pot.
Co Airi A biceAf An Aijie 'nocc ?
Al|t t11Vl1|ie JCAl A*f A1[1 A TTlAC.
t)eut "Oe A -o'lnnpeAf,
Ain5CAt Te A tAnnjiAf , t
AmjeAt An x)0|tAf JAC
go fotuf jeAt A mAi^eAC.
te t>eic fiAi'dce Ag t)wt cum A
iHA|\ cuAlAni An c-ACAip O 5f AmriA1 5 1 ti-.AjiAinn i.
S6A6C bpA1T)|ieACA f O fBACC
Cui|t muijie fAOi n-A triAC,
Cuift bjiijit) pAoi n-A bjiAC,
Cui|t *OiA fAOi n-A neAjtc,
i.e., CIA fu-o A|i An tijiLAji. t =lonnpAijeA^. J =dje.
51
Here, a^ain, is how ray friend the late Patrick O'Leary
fuund the same prayer in the County Cork.
I SAVE THIS FIRE. [A Cork version.}
I save this fire
As kind Christ saves,
Mary at the two ends of the house
And Brigit in the middle.
All that there are of angels
And of saints in the city of the graces
Protecting and keeping
The people of this house till day.
Here is how they have the same prayer in the Highlands
of Scotland.
I RAKE THE FIRE. [Highland version.]
I rake the fire
As the Son of Mary rakes,
That safe may be the house and the fire,
That safe may be the whole company.
Who is that on the floor ?
Peter and Paul.
Whose part is it to take care to-night ?
The part of bright Mary and her Son.
The mouth of God that tolls,
The angel of God that brightens,
An angel in the door of each house
Till the bright light to-morrow.
Here is a prayer to be said when going on a journey, as
Father O'Growney heard it in Aran.
SEVEN PRAYERS.
Seven prayers, seven times over told,
Mary left to her Son of old,
Bride left to her mantle's length,
1 '1 left to His own great strength.
52
ei-oifi pinn 'p An SUiAj
efoip pinn 'p An SttiAJ
6iT>i)i finn 'p AH wipje bAnJce,
eiTMfi pinn 'p tiA CACtH5t(it>) cjtAro
inn 'p AT) nAIJie f-AOJAtCA,
polUijv\6 511 p *AppA ^n piojM fo, 6 CA C^ACC
nx\
me Ati pAiDip peo p^ot CurnA eile 6 mo
O Coince^nnAinn. AS fo m^p -oo tM p
(coip eile.)
SBACC bpAix>jieACA PAOI
Cutji muijte XI'A TTIAC, t
ClIIJI bjUJIT) fAOl tl-A
Cuifi miceAl pAOi n-A fjiAC,
Cui[( DIA pAOi n-A neA|tt;,
61-otfi me Ajuf uifje mo muccA
6it)ifi me Ajuf wipge mo b<\ix>ce
ei-oi|t me Ajup bAp bio-6j;A [obAnn]
me Ajup JAOIC nA jcnoc,
me Ajup opoc-c|ioi i 6ttb
xjftoc-puittb nA n-oAome.
te mo cumx)AC, te mo pAbAit
[te mo copAinc] Ajup te mo jAf
t)Ap bftiJTie " "DubA-ipc &r. peA^i 6 A bpuAift AH 5f Amnui JCAC An
CC b'eixiingujt "bnoiT)e M "b|iAi5X)e" no "
t P.UAI-JI me An pAi'oifi ceATjnA 6m' CAftAit) ComAp O h-
Citt-Ain), 1 jContJAe An CtAip Ajp ip mA|t po bi An T>A tine
Aije-peAn. "SCACC bpAfojteACA po'n peAcc ^00 b|ionn
53
Between us and the Fairy Kind,
Us and the People of the Wind,
Us and the Water's drowning power,
Us and Temptation's evil hour,
Us and the World's all-blighting breath,
Us and the bondsman's cruel death. 1
It is evident that this piece is an ancient one, since it
talks about spirits that are not of this earth, the Fairy
Host and Host of the Wind.
I got this prayer in another form from my friend Thomas
C.mcannon. Here is how he had it.
SEVEN PRAYERS. (Another version.)
Seven times seven prayers
Mary put 2 to her Son,
Bridget put beneath her mantle,
Michael put beneath his shield,
God put beneath his strength,
Between me and water to smother me, 1
Between me and water to drown me,
Between me and sudden death,
Between me and the Wind of the Hills,
Between me and evil hearts,
And the evil eyes of people,
To keep me, to save me,
To protect me, and to guard me.
1 Literally: Seven prayers seven times [multiplied] | Mary put
beneath [i.e., left unto ?] her Son, | Brigit put beneath her mantle
' God put beneath his strength, | between us and the fairy host j be-
tween us and the host of the wind | and between us and the drown-
ing water j between us and hurting temptations | between us and
the worldly shame j between us and the death of captivity.
2 Aliter, "gave her son." This is how I heard it from Thomas
Houlihan of Killard.
* Literally : "the water of my smothering."
54
AS fo pAiT)ip le pAt) AS -mil Cum Aipcip, T>O P
AII LiAtAnAC e o oeut -ouine 615111 Ap Ui
noitn
1 n-Ainm An ACAJI le buAi-6
Ajtip An tflic A o'piilAinj An pi in
tlUnjie 'j- A tTlAC 50 ftAib Lioni Ajt mo fit<xlt.
O A ttltiijie CAf * t>Am AJ An pope
tlA teij m' AnAm cA^tc.
If mojt m' eA5lA ttoirii x>o
1 jcumAOin nA nAom 50 jiAib niuix> fftnn]
AS eifce<j<ic te jut nA n-AinjeAt
A' A motA-6 tllic T)e te AOAt nA Aoat. Am6n.
An cpeiDeArh An-6oic<iionn 1 n-6tjAinfi 'f 1 n-
50 mbionn -oAoine Ann, CAiteAf T)f\oC-f uit A]\
t\ut) Af bit ip miAii Ie6. UlA 6AitiT> -otvot-fuil A^ -oo
6uinneOis ni b6iu Aon im fAn mAijfq-iiujA-O, mA
6Aitit) A|\ t)O tt6 i, to'ei'Difv 50 ocuicptt) fi Agup 50
toicpt;ex\|\ i, niA 6AitiT) ojvc ^em i b'eiDiji gup cpotn-
$AlA|\ no cmneAp tiucpAp oj\c. x\5 po oj\tA AHAgAit)
nA -O|\oC-fuile -DO rspiott AII ti At An A 6 6 tteut oume Af
, Agup puAip An 5r Ar f 1nl11 5 eA ^ &n opt A
otitA AnAAit) -onoC-suile.
cuiji ITIAC 'Oe AJI SAC neA6
AIT)!^ nA bpeA]ic A|i A -OA jlum,
) potA Af A cneA'OAi'5,
A ti)ic 3An locc if triAit TO |tun.
* Aliter "cAftA".
1 See above the ORtA muine, Mary's Prayer, for this couplet
2 Literally: "during the life of lives," or "world of world's,"'
evidently taken from the Latin " in ssecula saeculorum."
55
Here is a prayer to be said when going on a journey.
Mr. Lyons wrote it down from the mouth of somebody from
Tyrone.
PRAYER BEFORE A JOURNEY.
In the name of the Father, with victory
And of the Son who suffered the pain,
That Mary and her Son may be with me on my travel.
Mary meet me at the port
Do not let my soul [go] by thee, 1
Great is my fear at thy Son.
In the communion of the saints may we be,
Listening to the voices of the angels,
And praising the Son of God for ever and ever. 8
The belief is very common in Ireland and in Scotland
that there are people in it who can cast an evil eye on
anything that they please. If they cast an evil eye on your
churn there will be no butter in the churning, if they cast
it on your cow perhaps she will fall and be hurt, if they cast
it on yourself perhaps it is a heavy disease or sickness that
will come upon you. Here is a charm against the evil eye
that Mr. Lyons wrote from the mouth of a man from
Donegal, and Father O'Growney found the same charm in
Aran.
CHARM AGAINST EVIL EYE.
God's Son hath given a charm of charms, 8
(First on thy knees thy pater say),
Shed was His blood by cruel arms,
Faultless and fair his righteous sway.
3 Literally : A charm which the Son of God hath placed upon
each person | the pater of the miracles on his two knees j the
shedding of blood out of his wounds | Son without a fau'.t good is
thy intention.
56
nuAift 6onnAif\c fYluifte A tYlAc peiti
Aji An cfioic te n-A X>A fi'nt *
Sit fl CJ11 FflAfVkt fOtA
^5 U T 1 F 1 ^ coi'AibJ 1*15 tiA trout.
A fuit utA [x>] x>o fimne mo totr
*Oo bAin -oiom mo x>|teAC 'f mo f
gin-oim-fe inuijie A'f A tllAC
A'f ^ 1 5 "A bptAiceAf A
T)o CAfA* p-c\ifce be^s A|\
O 5P AI "' inA1 5 1 ti-Af Ainn, IA, Aguf ti fiAT> ^5 CAinc te
gup tj\ACc f IAT> PAOI -Oeipedt) AJ\ tiA fit)e65AiG,
-outtAific An pAifce teif An n^lvAnnun^eAt 50
Dip eA6 tnAp f o ; " UA f 6 pAitbce, A AtAip," Ap f 6, "
Afv bit A -peicteA}\ Ap tAoitt -00 lAin'ie cti,
uT) fin, ACc two ^p blt 6ipe66Af Ap tAOitt T)O
-oeife nAC bAogal -ouic fin. A6c p6 AJ\ bit
A n-eipi$eAnn fiAT>, fo oj\tA 'HA ti-AjAit) le
"OUt All tiCAtAlg t)U1C."
T)e
go 5CUi|ipi-6 fe AH mo teAf me.}
gufoim Af ucc T)6
Ap HA fpiopAiX)' cle
Uite 50 teijt teijeAn T)Am.
AS fo optA tteAg eite CuAlAf o'n AtAip O
AtlAgAlt) flObpAt) fltieOg.
ontA AiiAjAi^i nA sitjeds.
te n-A jcoimtfice
oiutcAijnut) O'A n-imijtce,
* Sic., i TI-AIC "te TIA T>A fuit". t Aliter
J "pAh-ticc Ann -p l 5" m&\\ puAiji An tiAcAnAc e.
{ "OubAijic An pAij-ce "me cup AJI mo teAf," ACC if "0615
Aji fo T)o bl An tine AH
57
When Mary saw him, as sha stood,
High on the Cross all torn and rent,
Rained from her eyes three showers of blood
And at its foot she made lament.
An Evil Eye hath me undone
Paling my face in dule and dree,
I cry to Mary and her Son
Take the ill eye away from me-
Father Eugene O'Growney, of a day, met a little child in
Aran, and they were talking to one another, until at last
they talked about the fairies, and the child spoke to him
exactly thus, " It is said Father," says he, " anything that
is seen on your left-hand side, that it is a bad thing, but
anything that will rise up on your right-hand side it is no
danger to you. But, whatever side they rise on, here is a
charm to be said against them going the way, of you."
I PRAY GOD'S RIGHT-HAND ANGEL.
I pray the Right-hand Angel of God
That he may put me on the best-way for me,
I pray for God's sake
The Left-hand Spirits
All of them, to let me be.
Here is another little charm I heard from Father
O'Growney against the faerie of the fairies.
CHARM AGAINST FAIRIES.
Wo accept their protection
And we refuse their removal,
When Mary beheld her own Son | on the cross with lu-r two eyc-s
| She shed three showers of blood | and She at the feet of the King
of the elements.
yonder eye that has caused my wound j that has taken from me
my form and my good appearance ' I pray Mary and her Son | and
the King of t.h? Hetveus to take it from nie.
58
A jcut lmn
-A 11-4541-6 UAinn,
-Af uct bAip A'f p-Mpe
-Ajt SlAnAijteop lopA
fO OpA At1,A5.<M> -OOlj-fMCAt X)0 ClMl^r O
nud6 Ttluig 66; CA An OJ\C.A fo,
no oftA coftfiuit t6i, Le ^jxMl x\f\ put) IIA ti-6ipe-Ann.
An
C|tiofc Ann fin i tAC
" CA'oe CA ofir A peA-oAiji?"
" CA m' piACAit AUA ctnn."
A ^)eAT)Aiji i bi ftAn
til cufA AITIAITI ACC A mAijicAnn beo,
n-iomc6jiAi i 6 mo tViAijiinn
gAn* beic cjiiobloi-oeAC niof mo."
eite. (6'n
Sin A}tAT) [OJICA] T)O
A\\ fiACAit rilic Ui plotnn,
HA A\\ cinneAf cmn.
tiluipe An n-otbjtij [n -oibeojiAiT)]
^n C|1OC CJU1A1-6 CJU\pA
ACA i jcjiuAna-teAC An cmn.
fo m<\|A puAift me An o\\tA
le Se^gAn ITL\c ITlAtsAfhnA Ap oitexSn
cSionnAirm cimCioLt ceitfe pCit) bliA'CAn 6 foin.
OtlCA eite (AnAJAm An |tuit) ceAtinA).
LA T)'A fiAio PAX)|1A15 'HA f ut-oe Ap cloic meApbAiL -oo CAim^ T)IA
e.
* "A beic" outiAific feifCAn, ACC m -peicim Aon ciAtt Ann fin.
1 See above the mysterious piece called "St. Patrick's maraiiin or
mairinn." By carrying it, is meant having it by heart, or else
carrying it written which was done not uncommonly.
59
Their bick to us,
Their face from us,
Through the death and parsion
Of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Here is a prayer or charm against tooth-ache which I
heard from Thomas Barclay from the County Mayo. This
charm, or one like it, is to be found throughout Ireland.
TOOTH-ACHE CHARM.
Peter was in the wilderness,
Jesus Christ came there into his presence.
" What's on thee Peter?"
"It in my tooth that is sick."
" Rise up Peter and be whole,
And not thou alone but all who remain alive,
If they carry my mairinn 1
Without being further troublesome."
ANOTHER CHARM. (From (he same reciter.)
Here is a charm that Peter put
On the tooth of the son of O'Flohm
On a hardness on the jaw,
On sickness of the head.
Mary wilt thou banih
The hard knobby lumps
Thu,t is in the cruaidh-leac (?) of the head.
Here is how I found the charm against toothache written
by John MacMahon on an island in the Shannon about four
score years ago.
ANOTHER CHARM. (Against the same.)
Of a day that Patrick was sitting on a stone of straying' 2 (?) God
came to him.
2 The "fid mearbhail" or " f ud seachrain" is an enchanted kind
of sod upon which if you stand you are transported as it were into
all kinds of scenes and travels and experiences, without leaving the
place where you stand, though you may think you have gone for
miles and lived for days. This is the only place, however, where I
have met the clock mearbhail.
60
" CAT) 6 pin ofit A pAT>}iAis." AJI fAti CijeAjinA "OiA.
" ACA cmneAf jMACAt."
"C'f'S Ann -oo funie A f.) -YD 11*13," Ajt An CigeAjind, "Agtif bi
6'n bpem, A3j' ni cu AiriAin ACC 5*6 Aon neAc eile xo beAfipAp nA
peo teo 'HA ocimciolt, AJI n-A ]\&r> cuig pAi-oiji, 01113 Ave
UA r\A li-Of\tAnnA fo coicCtonn 50 te<5p,
11A pAgAtlCAtCA ^f Ctllt) ACA, AJUp CA 1?OCAlt 1
ACA tiAC bpuit Aon 6iAit lonncA Anoip. 1lmne ctn-o T>e
tiA T)AOiiiitt peni mASAt) ]:UCA, ACc nA "6tAi$ pin tAngA-
OA|\ AnuAf 6ti5Ainn 50 -on An IA Ant)iu. AS fo tnAf\
t\mne -ouine 0151 n triASAt) ^AOI optA An -0015-^1 ACAI,
T)O CuAtAit) T)6mnAU O potAjiuA i gConAtriAf A 6.
out A
OJICA A 6iji SeumAf "oo
An t)1A1t> [t)O15] ACA Aim t)O clA]1-p1ACAlt
A beic fAii bpiACAil if puit)e fiAji Ann -oo
"Do t>eif\ An potApCA6 01115 optA TD^AS -oumn -DO
fe AtTieAfg muinndj^e ConAniAfA,* mAf ACA
Coifgte poLA, OptA An UUAI*, OptA An UAtctA,
2 OptA An DpAomin, OptA te A gcoifgteA^ niA-OA* te
OUtCUf [tTlA-OAt) CUtA6], O|\tA An |^1At>f\A1f "Dig, OjttA
An "OiAit) 'fiACAil, OptA tfluif\e -oo rhnAit) Ann A Unt>e
fe6it, optA *oei|iteAp Ag -out tA|\c teif An sCjAoif
t)pigt>e, optA AnAjAit) eAfouit), ecc, OptA ColAim-CiUe
no OptA nA Seiige, OptA An Upom-ltiit)e, OptA Seipce,
optA AnAgAi* -oeAtriAn A6tp. Cfd gup " opt Ann A "
opp<i fo ni't lonncA ACc pAir>peACA geAppA, no
o," t 133-137.
61
" What's that that's on you Patrick ? " said the Lord God.
"It is the sickness of the teeth."
Rise up Patrick, said the Lord, and be free from the pain, and not
you alone, but every other person who shall bring these words with
them, about them, after their saying five paters, five aues, and a
creed.
These charms are common enough, and there is on some
of them the trace of paganism, and there are in some of
them words in which there is now no sense. Some of the
people themselves scoffed at them, but in spite of that they
have come down to us to the present day. Here is how
somebody made a mock of the tooth-ache charm as
Domhnall O'Fotharta heard it in Connemara.
A MOCK CHARM.
A charm which Seumas sent to Diarmuid
A cl>arm with requesting, without asking,
The pain that is in your front-tooth,
To be in the furthest- back tooth in your gum!
O'Faherty gives us fifteen charms which he heard
amongst the people of Connemara, 1 namely, a charm for the
staunching of blood, a charm for " rose " or erysipelas, a
charm against choking, two charms against a festering, a
charm by which a mud dog is quelled, a charm against
" little fever " or neuralgia, a toothache charm, Mary's
charm for women in child-bed, a charm said on going round
with Brigit's Cross, a charm against want, Colum-
cille's or the hunting charm, the nightmare charm, the love
charm, and a charm against demons of the air. Although
these are called orthanna, or charms, they are in fact only
1 See " Siamsa an gheimhridh," p. 133-137.
62
ceAtfu\rhnA t>eAj;A. Aj po beAsjAti eite "oe'n
ITlAc 111, \tAmnA :
out A An ctmi(iA.
[ojtcA] T>O cinji muijte -O'A WAG,
A)1CA -DO CUIjt CjltOpC 'tlA JjtAIC,
peA-oA|t, A-oufoAijic pot,
JO flAltt 5O 1DA1C.
CotAtn Citle fi] te TI-A
\,e TI-A ctiACAn * A'f te n-A udx),
Aj-oibijic nd cjttucA r^ein,
1 Ti-Ainm AH ACAIJI, AH tilic, 'p An SpiO]tAit>
OUt A An
An c-Am -oo donnAijic lopA An cjioipA^Aib Se te ceupA-6 uinjn no
C|(1C A ctlAb AJUp A CO^lp. T>'f lApjtUlj nA 5AT>U15Ce "66 An 1At>|'.Ap
no c-jiii; "DO t>i Ai|i, " no An |\e eAtjtA |t6iTiAinn-ne ~oo cjnreAnn cxi ?"
T)'pfteA5Ai]i iopA Ajup At>bAifir, "fli bpuit fiAbjtAp nA epic Opm,
A5up nl c^Aicim te CAjtA noThAib-pe, Agup JAC Aon "oo beA-|tj.-A; % UA
tlnce peo teo, nA ocimciott, TJO tneAbAfi no 1 ps^io
n-onoip -OAtn-pA, ni bei-6 pAbjiAp nA epic 30 b|tAC o|\jtA.
OUtA < O6lt).
AJICA x)o ctup triune
1 n-oo|iup CAC^AC Cjiiopc,
A}i cnuirii,
Cnutii TJO CUAI'O pAn
A'p T>O jnnn oic x>e'n oeA'o,
Soqtiin IopA Cpiopc
A -oibitic 'p A cup 1 n-eAj.
T)o 6uij\ m6 1 sclO fUAf piofA o tteut -oume Af Con-
QA6 'Oun-iiA-njAtt, AIJ\ A -ocustAp O^CA Illume, A6c Ag
" CteACAn "
63
short prayers or little quatrains. Here are some more of the
same which John Mac Mahon wrote down.
THE WHOOPING-COUGH CHARM.
A charm that Mary sent her Son
A charm from Christ's own hand that fell
Peter, it, said, and Paul, it, said,
And John, it, said, that it was well.
Columcille put it to his heart
And to his side and to his bosom
To banish the powerful whooping-cough
In the name of the Father and of the Son and Holy Spirit.
A CHARM AGAINST TREMBLING.
When Jesus beheld the cross upon which he was to be crucified His
bosom and his body shook. The thieves asked him was it fever or
trembling that was on Him, " or is it with terror at us that you shake"?
Jesus answered and said, "There is no fever nor trembling on me, and
I do not shake out of fear of you ; and every one who shall bring
these lines with them, around them, by heart or in writing, in
honour of me, there shall never be fever or shaking upon them."
A TOOTH CHARM.
A charm which Mary sent to her Son
In the door of the city of Christ,
Against maggot, against ache, against worms of the head.
A maggot has wrought in the flesh
And is eating the tooth away,
I cry unto Jesus Christ
To banish it and to slay. 1
I printed before a piece from the mouth of a man in the
county Donegal, which is called Mary's " Ortha," i.e.,
1 Literally, " A mnggot which has got into the flesh | and has made
destruction of the tooth | I call on Jesus Christ | to banish it or put it
to death."
64
j'o piojM eite -oe'n Aimn ceATmA t>o r5H'o -ouine
An TilAtgAtiinAij, triAjx
coip t>e.
t>o t\i(t An optA fo, A5f ACA
innui CIA t>6 *oo tei^e^f i, no tteAjvpAf PA -oeApA A
IfiigeAt), no lomcopap* i, 50 fAOppA|\ 6 OAf obAnn 6,
triAf\ AC^ ceine, uirje, Aguf cdrhjAAC. "P6ij\pit) p beAn
] -oceineAf temb, ACc A cup [uij\|\i] no A teigeA-o t)i;
no An cij Ann A tnbeit) fi ni beit) bAOgAl A
A tlgeAUnA |i6i-nntif lop^ C^iofr, A Aon-filic An ACAJI, A
tiA n-AnigeAt, A )ilic tiA IllAij'ome -po-jtonrhAit, cutiixvMg, A l
An peACAc bocc, Ajup fAojv me Af JAG cjtUA-6-CAf Atin
QO-tACAIH, AJUf ACA CUJAm.
O A rtlAij-oeAn jt6)iniA|t A ttlACAiji T)e, A beAn of JAC ceim, ACA
oionjiTiAlcA -oo jAi motA'6, -oeAn eA-QA^-jui-oe AJI mo fon-fA, An
peACAc bocc, cum -oo ttlic JIIA-OAIS pein. O A bAinci5eA|tnA |io
riA miLtfeAtcA, A lilACAiti nA n-AmjeAl Ajuf nA n-A|fo-
f6|ttAij A^tif fAoji me 6 JAC olc O'A troeACA
X>'A bpuit tAicfteAC, A5f ACA c5Am. O A blAit nA
iAnc, A oeAttnA-6 nA n-eAfpot, A -ooccuif nA n-AingeAt, A
nA n-oij. A fmuAineAX) AccA|iA6 nA n-AinjeAt
n-A|tt)-Ain5eAt, 5ix)im tu 50 tucJAi^eAc fA gAn me -oo c
n-Aimpn c]nc-eA5tAc An b<.\if, nuAijt fjA^j-Mix) m' AnAm
co^p te ceite, ionnuf 50 x>cAifbeAn|?Ainn me pein 1 bpiA-onuife x>o
ttlic jjuvoAij pein, Ajuf 50 bpAJjAuin An jtoin f io)t]<ui-6e mAitle
]u\>. A -peulcion HA fAimije, A -oojitiip ceAmpoilt t)e, A pilAip
1of A Ctiiopc, ip c t cuAn nA f lAinrre. O ! A blAit nA bpeACAc, A
ootctiip Iwcu An cjteintm, A cobAtfi HA cjiocAijte, A -6eAlt)iAt> HA
11-615 A'P JAC AingiL, ip e -oo conbA|tpAit) ^ip nA h-Aingit Ajup jtip
nA h-A]ro-Atn5il, -oo beiji pApA-6 x)6ib cum An ceAinpoilt Ann A
bpuit -oo piubAt, t>o out i -ocAifbe -oAonA. O A bAinpioJAin |io
* '"OiompojiAp" x)O P5|uob An peAjt, lAbAiftceAft "tomcAji
"lompAjt. "
65
charin or prayer, but here is another piece of the same
mime which somebody wrote in Mac Mahon's book as
follows.
MARY'S ORTHA [another version].
On a tomb was this ortha found, and there is this much virtue in it
that whoever shall read it, or shall cau^e it to be read, or shall carry
it about him, shall be free from sudden death, such as fire, water, and
death-iu-fight. It shall help a woman in child-sickness only to put it
on her or read it to her ; also the house in which it shall be, there
shall be no fear of its being burnt.
VERY-SWEET LORD JESUS CHRIST, One-Son of the
Father, God of the angels, Sou of the Virgin, very glorious, pro-
tect Jesus the poor sinner, and save me from every distress in
which I am at present and which may approach me.
glorious Virgin, mother of God, woman above every degree who
art perfect for every praise, make intercession on behalf of me the
poor sinner to thy own beloved son. very precious Queen of sweet-
ness, mother of the angels and of the archangels, relieve and save
me from every evil that has passed me by, that is now present, or
that is approaching me. blossom of the patriarchs, illumination
of the apostles, hope of the angels, beauty of the virgins, upper-
most thought of the angels and the archangels, I pray thee joyously
(sic.) not to forsake me in the fearsome time of death, when my soul
and my body shall part one from the other, so that I may show my-
self in the presence of thy own beloved Sou, and gain the eternal glory
along with Him. star of the sea, O door of the temple of God, O
palace of Jesus Christ, thou art the harbour of health. blossom of
the sinners, hope of the believers, O well of mercy, illumination
of the virgins and of every angel, it is thy conversation with the angels
and the archangels that gives them satisfaction that the temple in which
tin-Ate "trcu," t>or5H'b AII rSH'lineom "bup,"
66
OIJIOCAJIC tiA mittpeAccA, Ajup AJI neijtc, bup tup.\ tejt
CGAC 5Ac pAOCAp;, Ajjtip bup cjiioc-pA ip LucjjAifteAc SAC Ain^eAt
A 5 u r 5 A c Ajro-AinjeAt. O A loriiAiji (?) * tiA c^ocAijie tiomnuijim
Ajup-offiijimme'pem mo ppioftA'o Ajupmo cojup Ajup ino pmuAince,
'onnup 50 ccAicneocAinn fnot f em, Agup le x>' lilAc m
Oio-6 niAjt fin.
te f<it) 1 troMig ^\n c^bAic. T)o ^gjiiot!)
mo C^fVA Com m^c 11eiLt i o beul t1liCe^\iL lilic
, 6 Coti-o^e tiluig 66, ^guf tug ^e t)xMn i.
Occ tAn "oeAg TJC -jioitij pAt>ftAi5, T>e b^Ac tifti^'oe, x>e
CjtiopcA, rie jbAtAp nA UotriA, "o" eAjl/Aif T)e, l/e o'An.Atn Ajup te
h-AtiAm An ce A jiAib AH cobAC po op A cionti " nu\ bionn pe op
cionn x>uine "Au te h-AnAm tiiA^b pupjA-oopA 50 Vi-iomtAn.
IIA^I bu-6
5llAtlA gAITItie Afl Ail C^AI
DA jiibeACA peij\ ^5 pAp,
HA b|tAoncA OIU'ICCA Ajt An
DA An meAX) pm beAnnAccA te D'AHAITI,
Agup te h-AnAtn nA niA^b 50 h-iomtAn,
'S te rn-AnAm pem A-p -UAIJI mo bAip,
1p te T)tA -oi'-oionn poittpe Agup stoi]i nA bptAiceAp C
o' AnAm
"DO f)uine t>eiC
A t>6ile, if -AtriUMt) but) Ce^jvc T)6 beit buroe^c^ fon
An cobxuc, ^guf 'f fo fgeut be^g-oo fgpiob An TUAltAC
6 b6At An liliCeAit tilic TluATCjAig CeuvonA, ^5 cup i
"oCiinn ut c6iv *MT)i\ AH cobAic T>O \A~O 6 Am
* LAITI eite, ni tAm An teA-o-pjuibneo^A, -oocuin An pone Aft An m.
b'eiT)iji 5ft "umAifi but) 661)1 T>O bit Ann.
1 This is said only when t,he t-o^anoo ws taken and given at a wake.
67
they walk may go to human profit (sic.), very precious Queen of
sweetness and of our strength, it shall be thou through whom every
labour is endurable (?) and it shall be through thee that every angel
and archangel is joyous. trough (?) of mercy I bequeath and I
direct myself, my spirit, my conscience, and my thoughts, so that I
may be pleasing to thyself and to thy greatly-loving Son. Be it so.
Here is a prayer to be said after tobacco. My friend,
John Mac Neill wrote it down from the mouth of Michael
Mac Rury or Rogers, from the county Mayo, and gave it
to me.
PRAYER AFTER TOBACCO.
Eighteen fulls of the churchyard of Patrick, of the mantle of Brigit,
of the tomb of Christ, of the palace of Rome, of the church of God, be
with thy soul (and with the soul of him above whose head was this
tobacco), 1 and with the souls of the dead in Purgatory all together.
May not more numerous be
The grains of sand by the sea,
Or the blades of grass on the lea,
Or the drops of dew on the tree,
Than the blessings upon thy soul
And the souls of the dead with thee,
And my soul when the life shall flee. 3
It is for God to give shelter, light, and the glory of the heavens
to the soul of the dead of Purgatory.
Just as a person should be thankful to God for his meals
so in like manner should he be thankful for his tobacco ;
and here is a short story that John Mac Neill wrote down
from the mouth of the same Michael Mac Rury or Rogers,
which gives us to understand that it is right to say the
tobacco prayer from time to time.
'* Literally : May not more numerous be | the grains of sand on the
shore | or the blades of grass growing | or the drops of dew on the
crop | than all those blessings with thy soul | and with the souls of the
dead all together | and with my own soul at the hour of my death
OS
sj;eut AH An cob^c.
tti beAn Ann pA-o 6, Ajup bi Aon riiAc AtriAin AICI. tluAip cAinij pe
i n-Aoip cuip pi 1 5cotAipce e Ajup pinne pi pA5<spc oe. CAp eip A
ceAcc 6'n j^otAtpce 5i pe cAtriAtt beAj geApp 'p Ar > nibAite ; A^up
bi pe t-a AmAin AJ ppAipx>e6pAcc Amtn j pAn njAiptMn, Ajup 'cAinij
nAom op A ceAnn ASP tAbAijt pe AnAp tetp. Ajup x>ubAijic pe teip
An pAjAjit, 50 p;Aib pe p.ein Ajup An meA^o oo bAin t)6, "OAmnAijte
mAp; jeAtt Ap. A mACAip;.
T)'piAppui5 An pAjAp;r -oe, CIA An coip -oo p,inne A riiAtAip;, Ajup
t>ubAip;c An nAom teip 50 pu\ib pi [AJ] CAtceArii cobAic te X>A
bliAx>Ain t)eA5 A5up nAp. -oubAipc pi pAit)iji An cobAic A|i An
pin.
'"OotiA 30 teop;," Ap; pAn pAjAp;r, " bpuil p.ux> Ap bit 6 pl
AnuApte pin -oo p.ei-6ceAc ?" Ap; pAn pAjApc.
" tli'l ACC Aon put) AriiAin," Ap; peipeAn, " Agup 'pe peo,
rupA ApceAC cuij -oo riiAtAip; mmp r>\ mA|t CA intupce
x>ic-pe, A5up niup [inunA] mbi' pi pAprA teip An b<jp -o'puiltnj
mnp(6c.\p mipe x>uic-pe, p;AT>Ap;c A| "outcce ptdiceAp ni peicpix> ^00
tTiACAijt nA Aomne -O'A bunA-o 50 bpAC."
" CIA An bAp e ? " Ap PAH pA5Apc leip.
"CAicpi-ofi teijeAn -ouic-pe," Ap; peipeAn "A pjlAttA-o [mtti-
jeAppA-6] h-uile jpemi X>'A col-Aitin com mm te pnAoipin."
CuAtt) An pAjAjic ipceAC Ann A CBAC, Ajup UAtAC cpom Ap; A
cpoi-oe. Sui-6 pe Ap; CACAoip, Ajup bi bpon mop te peiceit Ann A
6AT)An. "O'flAjrpAlj An ITIACAlp "OC CC [CAT) 6] bi A1p, AJUp CJteAt) t)
eipij -66 6 cuAi-6 pe AniAc.
"A\ ni't opm ACC ctnppebeAj." Ap peipeAn, <(i oeAp5 TDAm piopA
A mACAip," AH peipeAn, "bux> mAic tiom gAt cobAic pAJAit."
'"OeAp^ocA-o, Ajup pAitce," Ap pipe, "pAOit me, A muipnin," Ap
pipe, " nAc pAib cu CAiceAm cobAic."
" Al b'et-oip 50 mbAinpeA-6 jAt Ancutppe peoT>iom,"Ap peipeAn.
b'piop An pjeut. Cuip pi pptAnc 'p At1 bpiopA Ajvip cAp etp A
pAic T>O CAiceAm -oe'n piopA, peACAi-o pi -oo'n pAjApc e, Ajup niop
oubAipc pi AII pAi-oip. ^5p pin e An c-A-obAp AmibAipc An pAjApc
tei An piopA t)eAp5AX), cemce (?) 50 nx>eAppAT:> pi An pAix>tp, ACC
niop -oubAipc.
'"OonA 50 teop ! " Ap pAn pA5A|tc Ann A inncinn pein.
T)'innip An pAjApc t)1 mAp -o'lniup An nAorri 06, Ajup CAIC pi i
69
STORY OF THE TOBACCO.
There was a woman in it long ago, and she had an only son. When
he came to age she sent him to college, and made a priest of him.
After his coming from the college he was a short little while at home ;
and he was one day walking out in the garden when there came a saint
[in the air] over his head and spoke down to him, ?nd told the priest
that he himself and all who belonged to him were damned on account
of his mother.
The priest asked him what was the crime his mother had committed,
and the saint told him that she was smoking tobacco for twelve years
and she never said the tobacco prayer all that time.
" Bad enough " ! saya the priest, " is there anything at all down from
heaven to set that right " ? says the priest.
" There's nothing but one thing alone," says he, " and this is it.
When you go in to your mother tell her as I have it told to you. And
unless she shall be prepared to suffer the death that I'll tell you, not a
sight of the country of heaven will your mother or anyone of her family
see for ever."
" What death is it ! " said the priest to him.
" She must let you," says he, "carve every bit off her body as fine
as sneeshin."
The priest went into the house and a heavy load on his heart. He
sat upon a chair and there was great grief to be seen in his face.
His mother asked him what was on him, and what had happened to him
since he went out.
" Ah, there's nothing on me but a little weariness," says he, " kindle
the pipe for me mother," says he, " I'd like to get a blast of tobacco."
" I'll kindle it and welcome," says she, " I thought avourneen," says
she, " that you were not using tobacco."
" Ah, maybe a whiff would take this weariness off me," said he.
True was the story. She put a coal in the pipe, and after smoking
enough of the pipe herself she handed it to the priest, but she never
said the prayer. And that was the reason the priest had told her to
kindle the pipe, hoping that she would say the prayer, but she did not.
" Poor enough ! " said the priest in his own mind.
The priest told her then as the saint had told him, and she thr<jr
70
pem Afi A T>A jlum AJ; 5ix>e T>e Ajup 45 peilc nA iroeoji, ASH;', <\\\
pipe, "ceA-o pAitce jtoim gjiAfCA T>e, Ajuf mA fe An bAf ex>o 56 Alt
T)IA -oAtn CA me fAftA AJI A pulAinj. gAb ATDAC A mic Atioip," AJI
pipe, "A5up nAiji benbeAp mipe feni -ouic-pe te -out i scionn
o'oibpe, gtAO-ofAi-o me AfceAC t."
(iuAi-6 An f AJA^C AtnAc, Aj lei^eAxi Ajtif A^ juiiDe "Oe 50 -out-
flACCAC.
[T)o] mj Ajuf j;^ At1 ATI niAi;Ai|A J f em. fuAip f i bfiAittince AJU^
f56AnncA 5eu|iA fiei-6, ^e II-ASAI-O nAh-oibjie, Ajtip nuAip bi'
f o|ic fieix>ce AICI 5lAox) f i Af CBAC Aft An pAjAjic.
CAfic -oe'n fA5A]ic A^I A coif CAinij An cAitneAm of A ceAnn
Ajuf -oubAipc fe leif 50 |iAib mAiteAmnAf f AjAitce AJ A bunA-6
uittj [wile] i n-ei-ptc A bpeACAix, T>e bA-p^ An Ait|ti5e oucftAccAc
teif [cAft eif] A -oeAnAth, A5f An c-An-b,\f -oo bi fi
te n-A
ATI fAjAfr AfceAC cum AH cie Ajtif licgAijie mof; A|t A
cpoixie, A5tif bi A mACAift f inre AH pAt) A o-pomA A-JI ATI mboftx) Ajuf
f iti Aguf tAi^ifn, Ajf A t>A tAim fince AIHAC UAICI,
i AJ jui^e T)e, Ajuf -OA f5?n JBAJI te n-A cAoib, Aguf A^t fAn
lei, "61^15 fUAf, AmAtAi|\," AJI feifeAn, "ci mAiccAmnAf
f.AJAitce A5Am 6 |nj nA njjiAfCA Ann Aft bpeACAixiib, Ajuf cin|itm
impi-oe ofic Anoif 6'n iA po AmAc nA -oeAn -oeA|imAT> jAti pAi-otji AH
CObAIC Atc JAX) fUAf JO OUC'flACCAC '6 AOn UAIft CAICCAf CU 6."
b'piop An f jeul. Hi jiAib ^on UAIJI 6'n IA f m 50 -ori An tA
mACAi|i An cfAjAiiic Aim fAn ^cfte. nA]( AtcAij fi An pAi-oi|<
50 1 ouc|tAcrAc "oo "CiA i x)o'n lilAij-om jt6jimAi|i. -Ajuf CA nA
feAn--oAome A^ put) nA cifie AJ AtcuJA-o An pAixnp. ccA-onA
[50] tAeceAriiAil, Agup beix), pAn 'p beix>eAp pocAt
beo A}t oiteAn jlAp
fo oftA eile -oo vu^ip tn6 i teAlDaji ^xn
1f cofttiuil 511 j\ xjnAjAit) cmnif tiA n-^\6 6.
out<\ eile.
-oo cui^i T)iA PA cliAb CfiiopCA, cuiji peAt)Ap, cui)i pot,
cui|t Coin -oo bAipc Cjtiopc, cui|i tnuijte Ajwp SeAnAii * A leijeAnc
cpeAnAt(?] Anoip. AbpcAt pionn -oo -o' leijeAp, AbpcAt -oonn TOO
* "cSeAnAn" pAn
71
herself on her two knees praying God and shedding tears, and, said
she, " a hundred welcomes to the graces of G ud, and if it is the death
that G od has promised me I am satisfied to suffer it ; go out now my
son," says she, " and when I'll be ready for you to get to your work
I'll call you in."
The priest went out, fervently reading and praying to God.
The mother washed and cleaned herself. She got sheets and sharp
knives ready for the work, and when she had everything prepared she
called the priest to come in. And as the priest turned round on his
foot, the brightness came over his head again, and it said to him that
all his family had found forgiveness for their sins, on account of the
earnest repentance that his mother was after making, and the awful
death that she was fully satisfied to suffer.
The priest came into the house, and a great joy in his heart, and
his mother was stretched on the length of her back on the table, and
sheets under her and over her, and her two hands stretched out from
her, and she praying God, and two sharp knives by her side, and, says
the priest to her, " rise up mother," says he, " I have got forgiveness
from the king of the graces, for our sins, and I beseech you now from
this day out, do not forget to diligently offer up the tobacco prayer
every time you use it."
And true was the story. There was never a time from that day till
the day that the priest's mother went into the clay that she did not
earnestly offer up the prayer to God and to the glorious Virgin.
And the old people throughout the country [added the reciter, talkiny
of West Mayo] are offering up that same prayer daily, and they shall do
go as long aa a word of our Irish language shall remain alive on the
green island of the saints.
Here is another charm which I found in Mahon's book.
It appears to be against sickness of the liver.
ANOTHER CHARM.
A charm which God put beneath the breast of Christ ; Peter put,
Paul put, John who baptized Christ put, .and Senanus ***** (V)
A white apostle to cure thee. a brown apostle to cure thee, the
"72
t>' leije^f, AbftAt Aom rhic t)e T>O t>' teijeAf, cvnj (?) An teAC
f'teAITIAn ACA fA CUtlTOAC X)O cteib AJUf ATI mCAtt OT>Afl * X>A
OCUJCAJI A]t riA h-eAJ. gtii-oim 01115 ttlmjie Ajup SeAnAin c'oct>
oo beic fLAn Ajuf cfeAriAt oo beic jieij.
AS fo o\\tA 'DO itinAot i QcmneAf teinb, o'n ^ic
eigm c
-60
mbuAn-bjtAC,
t)}iAc f o ti-Aji jeineAX) C^i
S A T)CAini5t Cfiioft Af.
" A ttlui^ie poift AH beAn
ACA i n-eAgtA An bAif."
"1p6\\\ pem i A ttlic
O 1|" AJAT) ACA,
.t)Aij'ce teif An njem
CAbAi|( An beAn ftA
UtiAit)f\i5 Agup niAji CuAlAit) mife e 1
llopcotriAin, Aguf i n-AiceACAitJ eile, cpeit)im.
beAnnuigAt) An tti"6.
t)AiL nA JCU15 A|iAn Ajtip An XA lAfj niA^t ^otnn "OiA AJI nA
mite fCA|t.
UAC 6'n 1115 "oo -pinne An -pomn
A}1 Aft 5CU1-0 'f A|1 Aj'< JJCOth-fttHtltJ.J
beAnnugAt) CAU 6is tii'6.
"OiA 5|(Af [.i. T)e6 5fiAt:iAf] iopA, mite motAT) m6]t
buix>eA6Af ouic AT!)IA. A ttluifie An ce cwg An beAtA pn -ouinn 50
fe An beACA fio^tiui-oe A^uf Stoifi nA bptAiteAf -OA'JI
Amen A
" oujt " fAn tYlS.
f SsfiobcA mAfi "fnA rAine cfi. Af ," ACC m teip -CAm fin.
% Aj fin mA|i cuAtAi-6 rrnfe e o ttinjiT) m C^ioniAiX) 1 jcotroAe
UofcomAin. 1f fMOft-'"Oeibn:>e " An T>A tine feo.
73
apostle of the one Son of God to cure thee, from(?) the smooth flag
that is under the cover of thy breast, and the grey lump which is
brought upon thy liver. I pray to Mary and Senanus that thy
breast may be sound and thy channel (?) may be free.
Here is a charm from the same place for a woman in
child-birth. Mr. Faherty found a charm something like it
in Connemara.
A CHARM FOR A WOMAN.
The mantle of the lasting-mantles
The mantle of the four crosses
The mantle beneath which Christ was bora
And out of which Christ came.
" Mary succour this woman
Who is in fear of death."
" Succour her thyself Son
Since it falls to thee.
Baptism for the birth
And bring the woman safe."
Ileie is a food-blessing or grace, as Michael MacKury
had it, and as I have also heard it in the county Roscom-
mon, and I think elsewhere.
GRACE BEFORE MEAT.
The good of the five loaves and of the two fishes as God divided
them on the five thousand men.
Luck from the king who made the division
On our share and on our co-division. 1
GRACE AFTER MEAT.
Deo gratias, O Jesus. A thousand great praises and thanks to
thee God. Mary, He who gave us that food, may He give
eternal life and the glory of the Heavens to our soul. Amen, Lord !
1 This must be very old. These two lines are in perfect Deibhidhe
metre, for the requirements of which see my " Literary History of
Ireland," p. 483.
As r be AS An "oe pAi-ope<\CAiti 5eAf\|rA eite T>O
puAip me 6m 1 C-AjtAiT) Uoiru\p O CoinCeAtin.Airm 6 1nmp-
meAt)on. Hi optAnn^ IATJ po ^6c pAit>f\e.AC4 be-AjjA
G&Appuige^CcA iAt>, mAf\ n .A pAit>f\e.A<i4 ge^ujvA eile "oo
tug me f\oirhe fe6.
A bAitmiojAin tiA
A bAuiftioJAtn DA bpLAt
Ajuf A -pig 5it tiA
tlAc leAC-fA jntoim mo 6&fAOto
x\]t iT)Ait>in
HA leij me AJI
-Ace cuiji me AH An eo
50 pobAtl. AII
50 fitpim
A "6iA,
5161^1 A 'OiA riAomtA,
ip tso'n ACAi|t pioitiiuixie
Ajuf sLoift "oo'n SpiofiAX)
i|i TDo'n iteutc eol/Aif
'S -O'A AOTI mAC-f An lofA
mile gtoiji piofittui'oe
"Oo'n ^115 [-00 -pinne AJI n-ot-oionn]
"Oo'n ^115 -o' lomcAin An c|totf
'S e -out 'ceAnnAc An cine TD
AS po cuplA p^iTiif tte^s eile -oo liltupe
oo CuAldit) me C'n
A mume
A ttlui^e -oi
If cw oi-oionn JAC
1 Literally : Queen of Heavens | and bright King of mercy | Is
it not to thee I make my complaint | In the morning and evening |
Do not let me go astray | But show me the right way (literally : put
me on the knowledge) to the people of the mass | until we shed the
tears. | Glory God, glory God, glory God, holy | Glory to
to
Here are a few other short prayers which I got from my
friend, Thomas Concannon, from Innismaan. They are
not charms but simply little metrical prayers like the other
short prayers I have given before.
O THOU QUEEN.
them Queen of the Heavens l
And thou bright King of k'mlness,
1/ioh morning and evening
Unto you I bewail my blindness ;
I>3 not let me go wander
But lead me with kindness
To the house of devotion,
Repentant and crimeless.
God of glory, God of glory,
God of glory, only,
Glory to the Father still
And to the Spirit glory,
Glory to our guiding-star,
All glory unto Jesus,
And a thousand glories fall
Round the king who frees us,
Round the king who bore the cross
And buys, by death, and frees us.
Here are a couple of little prayers to Mary Mother
which I heard from the same.
THOU MARY.
Thou Mary knowest 2
The lowest sinner's contrition,
the Father eternal | And glory to tho Holy Spirit | Glory to the
guiding star. | And His one-son, Jesus | And a thousand glories
eternal | To the King who has defended us | To the King who has
carried the cross | And lie going to buy the human race.
'.II y : O dear Mary | Thou art the protector of every sin
76
5ix> ofm, JAC puince, *
Ajup nA teig me coix>ce r,
A tilmfie beAnnuijre tr)AcAfix>A
niAi^-DeAn jeAt jlejeAl ACA 5Ati
An jloiji AcA 1 bplAiccAmnAp riltc T)e
50 ^(Aib pi AjAinn Aft UAiji Aft
se *oo tteAtA 'rhtnne.
Se -oo beACA
AcA tAn x>e j
A5p pe -oo beACA tinn-ne
T)o fiujAT) Ann |
nA6 beAnnuijce An
A
A mACAift beAnnuijte ACA Ann fAn bptAiceAf
i^r: ?] Aft 7115 nA n^Af, lAjiftAim A 3 u f Accwmsmi o|tc m
oo beic CAicneAriiAC Ann -oo IACAHI, Anoif A^uf AJI UAIJI mo
A 1OSA.
A lOfA, A ttlut|te, A nAorii 1ofe-p
m' AnAm Ajuf mo citoixie 50 x>eo
Ajt UAIJI mo
tine le
" A t>j:uil cpi fioltAit) Ann, Agti
An jotA Af\ An CeAD-fiollA "oe'n f:ocAl. t)o tug me
pAix)i|\ jeApp, f UAf .1. " Coil "Oe 56 n'oeAnAtriAoi'O " ACA
cumtA 50 'oij^eAC Ann fAn mOt) ceAT>nA.
"oe.
t)e 50 n-oeunAtnAoit)
T)e 50
Aji bAl,AX> C|iiofc 50
* " .1. Ann f JAC pone," no motmro.
ner | Pray for me at every point (moment) | And do not let me
for ever be damned | blessed mother Mary | Maiden while, bright-
77
Pray for me, hear me,
And steer me safe from perdition.
blessed Mary, O motherly Mary,
Thou white bright maiden without one stain,
May the glories of Heaven around God's throne
Receive my soul from the death of pain.
ALL HAIL TO THEE MARY.
All hail to thee Mary 1
Who savest from danger,
And hail unto Him
Who was born in a manger,
How blessed the infant
Who came as a stranger.
BLESSED MOTHER.
blessed Mother who art in Heaven pleading (?) with the king of
the graces, I ask and beseech of thee that Dry soul may be pleasing
in thy presence, now and at the hour of my death.
JESUS.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
1 offer my soul and my heart to you for ever
Now and at the hour of my death.
Here is a little short prayer that I heard from the same.
Every line is ended by an active-verb of three syllables,
and the accent falls on the first syllable. I have already
given a short prayer composed in precisely a similar manner,
i.e., " The will of God be done by us."
THE LAW OF GOD.
The law of God may we perform
The Commandments of God may we keep,
On the beating of Christ may we muse,
white, who art without a stain | The glory that is in the Heavens of
the Son of God | May it be with us at the hour of our dealh.
1 Literally ; Hail Mary | Who art full of grace ! And hail to us |
[He] who was born in the stable | Is it not a blessed infant | That
one that is in thy arms ?
78
j;l6ifi tiA t>ptAiceAp 50
ceot binn TIA n-AinjeAt 50 gclumtmi-o.
T)o UAip in6 AOfVAn oid'OA eile, cumtA AJ\ AD n6p
lonsAtiCACpo, 6 SeutriAf O ITlAOliriuAi'O (no O ttlAOiltHA
trAp rspiolDArm peipeAn An c-Ainm) ACA 'nA C6iiinuit>e i
5ClUAin-bu lAirh le "Opium "Opeipin, 1 gcon^Ae TIA
^AiUirhe. t)i An -0^11 fo ^5 feAn-fe^p, T)X\I\ t>'
nii<ieAt CongAlxMg -oo rsniot) e i tiupeACAi
DO p^ip puAime n<x ttpocAl, ACc ni 't fiof
An spiORAiD
A" SplO^AI'D nAOIlT) JO
Ann fAti gcjiefoeAm pioji 50
SotnptA TIA bpijieun 50
A3r 1 tJCeAITlpott 6flOfCA 50
An Ctiionoit) Si6jt^i'6e 50 n-i
-d|t trootcuf i n-lofA 50
Aji teAc-cjiom TIA tnbocc 50
x>o jieift cotA * T)e 50
An "OiAbAil f'AlAij 30
-oo teAjApg An cLei)t 50 n-
AnAJAi-6 jA6 loir 50 X)cnoit>imix),
A^up 6 Aicjup nA mb|ieA5 50
te cvimtotJAp; t b|iui5CAnA6 n&\\
Ace utiiiAijjie cp;AibceACA 30
Ciox>lAicce A|i oCijeA^tiA 50
6 r-A|i n-o^oc-beApAib 50 n-Atfiuijtnn).
*"coileAc" -oubAi^c peipeAn, ti.e., " c6riilwA'OA}i."
1 / have attempted to preserve something of the spirit of the original
metre in this translation, but have been unable to carry out the " tour
de force" which in the Irish makes every line, except in the last verse,
end in a trisyllabic verb, with the accent on the antepenult syllable.
2 Literally : The graces of the Ho'y Ghost may we gain | And in
the true faith may we dwell | The example of the righteous may we
follow | And in the temple of Christ may we abide.
79
The glory of the Heavens may we see,
And tiio sweet music of the angels may we hear.
I got another religious song composed in this very strange
fashion from James M alloy (Mweel-yeea he pronounces his
name in Irish) who lives at Clonboo near DrumgrilMn,
county Galway. An old man named Michael Conolly heard
this poem and he wrote it down phoneticahy in English
characters ; but he does not know who composed it.
THE GRACES OF THE HOLY GHOST. 1
May the grace of the Holy Ghost be gained by us, 2
And the true Faith be kept unstained by us,
While we follow the path of the saints, endeavouring
To walk in the temple of Christ unwavering.
And may we seek the eternal Trinity
Trusting in Christ and in ChrUt's divinity,
Helping the poor and relieving them
Walking with God and receiving them.
Devils that tempt us, still repelling them.
All our faults to the Church confessing them.
Fighting with all that wounds, with energy,
Ceasing from lies and evil calumny.
Let us not mix with strife and devilry,
Fall we to prayer instead of revelry,
Thanking the Lord for all his graciousnesi
Throwing aside our evil ways from u.
The eternal Trinity may we seek | Our trust in Jesus may we
place | The hardships of the poor may we relieve | And according to
the will of God may we walk.
The temptations of the foul devil may we repel | And to the
teaching of the clergy may we submit | Against every hurt may we
fight | And from the speaking of lies may wo separate.
With quarrelling company let us not mix | But pious prayers let us
practice j The gifts of our Lord let ua offer-thauka-ior j And from our
evil habits may we change.
80
Aft mbeACA mi-tiiA3AlcA 50
Afi n-Ati-coit pem 50
JAC uite irieA-o pcACAi-6 50
t>iAt>A 50 neAficutijrm-o.
te n-Aji oceAnjcACAib 50
6 cjiAOf nA metf.^e 50 pjAfiAtnAOfo,
Aji HA h-tiitc A|ti]' nA|i pllimi-o,
ACC Alt|tt5C tflACAITlAlt JO ITOeUtl AtHAOIT).
feAn-tuiB|ie * peACAit) 50 f
n-eAf-CAfiAix) fAOJAtcA 50 tnAicirm-o,
gcoinpAf [50] -po-riiAit 350
Cviit> tiuine eiLe TIA
CumAnn JAC t)uine 50
llArTIAIt) AJ1 Tl-AlimA 50 f AJ1U151T11X),
Ann fAn njeAmnuijeAcc tiuAin 50 mAijmni-o t
CLu nA coriiAjifAn 50
xMtcAiiiiCA t)e 50 jcomitt'onAmAOit),
Aon n-oume ie peijij nAft f Airittjt5ini-o (?)
A'f le f^nnAil Aon nt>ume n^i fAlutj;iv.it>.
Ann fAn bpi^mne molcA 50
tlA CjiiocA TjeijeAnnACA 50 meA&)ii
A|t -oiol (?) nA tpuAije 50 5C
50
*no b'ei-oifi "luibeAnnA." Hi |t.\ib fe cmnce CIA ACA bux>
oo beit Ann.
tjo " x>rAji|iAi5imit> " TiubAijic feifeAn, ACC ni tetji -6&m j'in.
Our irregular life may we amend | And our own immoderate-will
may we chasten | Every condition (literally " size ") of sin may we
avoid | And in godly friendship may we grow strong.
A bridle on our tongues may we place | From the gluttony of
drunkenness may we part | To evils again let us not return | But
timely repentance may we make.
The acts of fasting let us not break | Every old leprosy (aliter, plant)
81
Our life disorderly now amending it ;
Our evil will no more defending it ;
All sorts of sin avoiding carefully,
In friendship with God rejoicing prayerful'y.
Bridling the tongue so prone to mutiny,
Shunning drunkenness, shunning gluttony,
Never to evil again inclining us,
Seeking repentance made in time by us.
Never forsaking the rule of abstinence,
Plucking away the evil plants in us,
Always forgiving earthly enmities,
Purging clean our guilty consciences.
The goods of other men never eavying,
Never wantonly making enemies,
Fighting the foe of the soul for victory,
Living for ever a life of chastity.
As our own, our friend's fame, cherishing,
God's commandments obey in everything,
Oaths of anger for aye abandoning,
Blackening no one, no one scam'alling.
Speak we the praise of the truth, not slumbering,
The end of the whole, each dy remembering,
Helping the po^r and those in wretchedness,
Musing on Christ and on His blessedness.
of sin let us destroy | Our earthly opponent let us forgive | And our
conscience very-well let us cleanse,
The portion of another let us not envy | The affection of each person
let us keep | The enemy of our soul may W8 tire out | And in perpetual
chastity may we live.
The reputation of [our] neighbour may we keep [for him] | The Com-
mandments of God may we fulfil j A single person, with anger, let us
not * * (?) | And let us not stain one person by a scandal.
In the truth may we speak praises | The final ends may we remem-
ber | The deserving (?) of pity let us assist | And on the passion of
Jesun (Jurist let us consider.
82
tot fi nA bptAiceAp 50
DA ytACA CA O}1}1Ainn 50 n-IOCAtnAOIT),
tc ctAotiA-6 AJI n-mncmn 50 ti-uriituijmiT),
Afi 5 "conpiceoji" te -ovitfiAcc 50 n-
te pA)foun An AIJTO-HIJ; 30 t>{MnAmAoix>,
teip An cSACjiAmieit) tiAoiiiCA 50
te beAnnAcc T)e Ajup THnne 50
* conjnAtii tiA nAorii A ! f tiA n-Abj'CAt 50 -ocuittinut).
beAnrtAcc IVluijte 'f tlAom l6]*ep 50
te bAf beAnnuijce 50 n-imcijmi-o,
5t6t)t nA n-AmjeAl 50 gctoipmiT),
A^I t bAnc-|tAcc triuijte 50 fuit)imtt>
^5 peiceAth nA jloifte ^ite 50 ^A
5"if riiic T)e 50 bpeictmit)
x\5 motAx> 'f AJ 5ju\-6ujAt) T)e 50
te tmn nA fAOJAl. Anien.
"Do CuAtAi* tn6 T)xln px\t)A eite 1 gcon-OAfi thing Go,
p A T>cu5.<mAf\ " X)An peAT>Ai|\ SeCije." T)o
6 cuit> T>S pof o tteut feAtvfij\ "oe n^ 5 1O ^" 11A1
te CtAp-Ctomne-ltluifip. "Do Cu^tAit) m6
pif 6 pe^p eite, CAO& fiAj\
ooipin f^n gcon-OAe CeAt)nA, ACc niof\
e. Hi jiAitt x\n T>An lomtAn ^5 ceAtcAjA ACA,
cimCiott A teAt "66 no A d^ t)Cf\iAn eAcopj\A. S-AOit
m6 50 txAift An Cum eite T>e'n XMII CAittce, ACc t,\ptA
50 h-AtbAlllAlt, niO 6A{\A All C~AtA1JV 11U\C
"te conjnAtii" T>ut>Ai|tc feifCAn ACC ni teiji -OAtn fin.
t " A^l " = " AmCAf 5 " AJ1 UA11\tb.
The glory of the Heavens may we gain | The debts that are on us
may we pay | With inclination our mind may we humble | And the
confiteor let us say with diligence.
For the pardon of the High-King let us wait | The Holy Sacrament
let us receive | With the blessing of God and man may we walk | And
83
Striving to reach the heaven's holiness.
Paying all debts in peace and lowliness,
Toning the mind to true tranquility,
Saying 'confiteor,' with humility.
Watching for pardon through God's own graciouane~,
Taking the Sacrament He has made for us.
Blessings of God and of men still nerving us,
Help of apostles and saints preserving us.
Blessings of Mary and Joseph guiding us,
Making death blessed when life is partnig us,
The angels calling with vo'co of graciousneas,
The ladies of Mary making place for us.
"Waiting the coming of pe;sce and righteousness,
God's own countenance shining bright on us,
Praising and loving God for aye
Through worlds of worlds in endless day. Amen.
I heard another long poem in the county Mayo which
they called Peter Joyce's Repentance. I wrote part of it
down from the moutli of an old man of the Gibbonses near
Claremorris. I heard the same poem again from another
man, to the west of Ballaghaderreen in the same county,
but I did not write it down from him. Neither of them
had the entire poem, but about half or two thirds of it
between them. I thought that the rest of it was lost, but
my friend, Father MacErlean, S.J., luckily happened on
a copy of it when he was working in the Royal Irish.
the help of the saints and apostles may we deserve.
The blessing of Mary and of St. Joseph may we get | With a blessed
death may we depart | The voices of the angels may we hear | And
amongst the female-company of Mary may we sit.
Waiting for the bright glory may we be | The countenance of the
Son of God may we see j Praising and loving God may we be | Through-
out the worlds. Amen.
84
S. 1., c6ip T>e, nuAip bi pe A OOAIJ\ Ann p An
TliogArhAit 6if\eAnnAC Ap. i!u\ncAiD
T)' mnip p6 ^Am, 50 cmeAtCA, CA
6, i p5p.iot>Ap AtnAC 50 h-iomlAn e t)o p.eip nA c6ipe
oo tti fx\n AcAT>^irh.* SsjAibinn ttluntitieAC t>o t>i Ann
, AS up t>i longAnCxif o|\m An tD^n Conn-'
o'fTiigAll mnct. ^5 fO At1 dO'OAl T)O tti A1|\ :
An Seoi$ o ConT)A6 ttlAige 66 lAirh te tDAite
An tl6t>A," Agtif t)o 6|\io6nuig An f5f\iot>n<3if\ mAji fo e,
.1. "lAjt nA fgfxiottA* te peAT>Af\ UA Conuit, An 7 tfiA'd
"DO 1t4it fAti rnbliAt)Ain "D'Aoif Cfiopc, 1782.
puA|\Af f\6tfu\iin.'' T)o
An gctfip fe6 Aguf An 66ip
tteul An ^^t'unAig, A6c 50 ttpuit fe 50
niof jMTOe. 11io|\ freut) An 5 10t) " nA< ^
eite innpnc t>Am CIA j\ t>'6 An SeCi$eA<i t>o cum An
OAn pop-Sinn ^lumn fe6, nA CIA An UAIJI A|\ ttiAip pe.
t1iof\ cuAtAit) me An t)An AfMAtti CAot> Amuig re Cont)Ae
tiling 66, AS up T>eip An tAim-pstubinn niAf conncAtnA|\,
5up "lAim le t3Aite-An-"R6bA " Ann fAn gcon-OAe fin,
oo rhAif\ An pile "oo Cum e. 1p copmtiit JUJA CUITIAT!)
6 1 TlAnnuijeAtc 1TI6it\ A\\ t)cup, ACC CA pe |\UT)-beA5
C|AUAiltigte Anoip, Agup CA niop m6 nA peACC piottAit*
Ann pAn tine 50 mi me, Agup cpioinuiJceAji *o^ pAinii
oe, te pocAt -DA piottd, put) HAC c6ip. t1i pemiji A
Anoip An AititAitb T>O CeAp An Seoi5tev\c, 50 neArii-
e, no AH cjuiAittiugAt) e, *oo tAinig AIJ\ Ag
23_
L.35.
85
Academy on Jeoffrey Keating's poems. He kinjly told
me where I would find it, and I transcribed the whole of
it according to the copy in the Academy. 1 It is I think
a Munster manuscript, and I was surprised to find in it
this Connacht poem. Here is the title of it : " The Re-
pentance of the Joyce from the county Mayo, close to
Ballinrobe," and the scribe finished thus "after being
written by Peter O'Connell, the twenty-seventh day of July,
in the year of the age of Christ, 1782. Conclusion, as I
found it before me." There is extremely little difference
between this copy and that which I wrote down from the
mouth of Gibbons, except that it is much longer. Neither
Gibbons nor any one else was able to tell me who the
Joyce was who composed this melodious and beautiful
poem, or when it was he lived. I never heard the poem
outside the county Mayo, and the manuscript says, as we
have seen, that it was "near Ballin-obe " in that county
that the poet lived who composed it. It was probably
originally written in the great Rannuigheacht metre, but
it is now somewhat corrupted, and there are frequently
more than the correct seven syllables in the line, and two
stanzas in it are improperly concluded with dissyllabic
words. It is impossible to say now whether that was the
way Joyce carelessly composed it, or whether it is a
L.35.
86
out ^p peAt), b'eitnp, t>4 ce^t) t)lut>Ain, t>eul 50
be ul. AS po AH T>4n.
seoi$e.
If oomAn* m'ofnA, A'f ni 5411 fAC,
'S if cuiftfeAC An IA 45 FCAJI mo r
gAn piof 45 Aen neAC, fif no mnA,
CIA An n6f ACAIITI no CIA me.
If peACAc cionncAc mtfe Ar*
Anoif i f Atn (?) A An CAJ,
tli "t ojitAc bACAi)^T5 icnnAtn fL^n
te 'n fA-o ACAim i n-AJAit) T)e.
mo tiAij, mo fAjAjtr, niAc nA
If mAifj ACA Af; t/Af; 5An 6,
1f e mo jiiotic Anotf, '5 Of Afro,
Ann mo t-Ajt 'nA neAfcoiti cleio.
1 It is extremely interesting to find that even so far back as 120
years ago an attempt was made to translate this poem into English,
for the scribe after finishing the Irish text adds, "a translation of
the two first (tic.) stanzas of the foregoing poem," which run thus
with a very modern air, and with an evident attempt at interlinear
rhyme in the closing half of the last stanza.
My sighs are deep and groans are loud
Each night is tedious and the morn,
I pass a stranger through the crowd
Unheard, unheeded, and forlorn.
Fell guilt confounds [me ?] in amaze,
Dread Death appears with all his train,
Through all my soul corruption sways
For years and days mispent in vain.
It is a pity that the poet, whoever he was, did not complete a
translation which begins so well.
87
corruption which oame upon it in passing during perhaps a
couple of hundred years from mouth to month. 1
THE JOYCE'S REPENTANCE.
Deeply I sigh, and well I may,
And dark is the day for one like me,
For no one knows, nor yet know /,
Or whence, or why, or who I be.
I am a sinful man of men,
Sin's iron pen my feet have trod,
No single inch in me is whole
So long my soul hath fought with God.
The Son of grace, our priest and leech,
(Alas for each who finds not Him !)
Now who shall wash ray crimson stain,
Or lull the pain in every limb !
This version is almost in the metre of the original, whirh is a
corruption of the regular hepiasyllabic Rannuiyheacht Mhor.
Literally : Desp is my sigh and not without cause | and weary is
the da}' to a man of ray story | without any one knowing, man or
woman | what way I am or who am I.
It is a guilty sinner I am [ who is now in the pound (?) of death |
There is not a bacard? inch in me whole | I have bean so long against
God.
My leech, my priest, son of the graces | alas for who is overthrown
without him | my condition is now, [I say] aloud | an arrow in my
middle, an ulcer in my breast.
8 An " ordlack bacaird," I hare been told by old people,is the old Irish
tradesman's inch, something longer than the ord'ach, which is the same as
the English inch. The word " bacard," a carpenter's rule occurs in
O'Rorke's Feast also.
88
1p IOTTVOA buitte Af cneAt) 50
A'f gopcuJA-o jAitJceAd AS mil i bpjteim
Ay m' ATIAITI bocc, jAn f.iof x>o CAC,
O f5A)t mo pAijic te gfiAfAib "Oe.
An cfiAc fAOilim me beic flAn *
tli c6mni5imt VA 50 troeunAim
mAf, At! tACA A tlj 6'tl ftlATTl
'S A luijeAf i tAjt HA tinne leic'.J
1f CfiuAJ fin otAft 1 nt)o6AH
AS xut A' fpAijm te fACAc
tTlAji feAn-loinj bfiifce A^ mni jAti
'S ATI conn bAix>ce AJ fit 'mo
Oc ! mo toic, mo CJIOAC, mo cftA-6,
mo b|i6n bAip A'f m' A-obAft tein,
mo tijeA|tnA t>'fulAin5 -oo mo
A AJAI-O 1 -oc|ieAf.
OAOJIAT) A-OATTI, A clAtin 'f A tCAn,
pA'n utiAlt -oo t)Ain|| T)O neAm-toiV "Oe,
1f mife An ce nAft peuc A|i m'Ai)-
5|i jteAb PA feAC nA cuij Aicne
ITlA CA1C m6 f6At Afl ATI fCAI-Q TO
mo cjieA6 ! if geA^tji gup tu<Ml me, beim,
t)o -|ieiji mA|i -D'Apxiij m'AOip A*r m'pA|'
(tti5 me j-ttAX) T>O mAl/Aipc beAf.
* Sic. An JiobunAc. 1 n-Aic "fAOitim me beit" CA
tAim mo -oeunAm " An fAn ms.
t/Sic. An giobunAd. " CAitim " f*n ms.
J 6'tc. A,n giobunAC. " nA tinne A]\ eif" fAn ms.
" A nA^Am" ms.
|| .1. "tjo bAtnc." " -oo beAn " fAn 1YIS.
Many IB the stroke and wound to the bone | and dangerous hurt
going to the root | on my poor soul without anyone knowing it |
since my affection parted from the graces of God.
When I think that I am whole | I do not stop one day until I
make a lio | like the duck that comes from the open-water | and
lies in middle of the gray puddle.
89
For sick and sore in branch and root,
My foot a direful course did trace,
Since first my heart, observed of none,
Began to shun the ways of grace.
Just when I think my soul to win.
I sin some sin, or lie some lie,
As ducks will leave the clearest springs
To daub their wings in pools hah dry.
The fight with Death is hard and long ;
(Though Death is strong his pace is slow),
Like helpless ships we turn and toss
And drift across the waves of woe.
Upon this hinge hangs all my dole,
My pain of soul, my bitter smart,
That I have warred with Him who brought
Me out of nought rebellious heart !
Condemned was Adam, branch and root,
Who plucked the fruit that wrought the fall,
But I thrice five commandments break,
Nor take my sin to heart at all.
Once was I good, I once was pure,
Whilst yet the lure of sin lay hid ;
But as I, ripening, slowly grew,
I lusted too for things forbid.
Alas for the sick-patient in the difficulties of death | going to
contend with a powerful giant | like an old ship broken on the sea
without swimming powers | and the drowning wave rushing after it.
Alas my wound, my despoiling, my destruction | my pain of
death aud my cause of misfortune | my Lord who suffered for love
of me | and the length of time I am against Him in treason,
Adam and his children and his wife were condemned | for plucking
the apple against the will of God I I am he who never looked be-
hind , until he rent separately the fifteen commandments.
If I spent a while in the best state | my woe ! it is short until a
Mow struck me | according as my age and my growth ripened | I
gave love to a change of customs.
90
CpAop, leipse, oirheAp,
Cnuc, peAps, -opi-iip, A'p plei-6*
'S e beip m'AtiAm Atibp-Atin p. Ann,
ftlAp ip ionncA pvi-o -DO cxnp me ppeip.
put) A x>ume flAin
Cuiji 1 CAp 50 bputl cu cpeAn,
50 > ociucpAit)t name 50 mbeixifi tnA|t CAim
'S ni Mi-Dtp mAjt CAip Apip 50 h-eA^.
mipe peAtA-o, peAp mAp; cA6,
CA1C 1Tl6 Atl -OACA t)1 Ap tDO
^''o CAim Arioip Ap ftptiAC An
1m 1 dtiAilin criAm JATI pic JATI
pon 50 pAite piAm, ACA
A' CCACC mo -OAit, 'p ni Anxiu DA ArnJe,
CpOCA JotA A'p jnAp,
5pAtixA, A'p mAtAipc beip.
11A pCA-OA peApCA -DO ftAttlj A11D,
T1i tuj m6 ttiA6 piAm t)O mo
AmApc, meAtriAp
, tuc, A'p oibpiujA^o tAth.
opm, JAC te n-
puipeAnn cptiAillijce Arm A TI-AIC,
t>Ot)A1pe, bACAOlt, CeACAOll,, CpUAp,
UipjeAtt xiuAipc, A'p pxiAc Ap OAITTI.
rns.
T)o ciocfA-6 " rns.
"
.
i"56." ms.
00 pgpiob tAm eile 1 n-Aic ATI -OA pocAl po "baeghal, ciotgliail,
ticpeACAib UomAnACA Ap cAOib nA ouitleoi5e.
Gluttony, sloth, disrespect, covetousness j envy, anger, lust and
disputation | 't is they make feeble my enfeebled soul | for it was iu
them I placed my delight.
Understand this healthy man | (even) suppose thou art strong |
that it shall come to thce that thou shalt be as 1 am | and thou shalt
not be as thou art (ever) again till death.
91
Gluttony, sloth, distemper, greed,
Led me with speed the deathly way,
Envy and anger, lust and strife
Made of my life their hideous prey.
man, my warning take to thee,
That health shall flee, that youth shall part,
That as I am, thou yet shalt be,
But ne'er again as now thou art.
1 too was strong, I lived in peace
Until my lease of strength went by ;
A faggot, now, of wearied bones,
Upon the stones of death I lie.
There came to meet me on my way,
And not to-day, nor yesterday,
A change of form, of voice, of face,
And life's dear grace has passed away.
The prize of Jove from God I got,
I thanked him not, now none is left ;
And flown are hearing, memory, sight,
The foot so light, the hand so deft.
But in their place have made a breach,
Each after each, a loathly band,
Deafness and lameness, causeless dread,
Languor of head and palsied hand.
I (also) found a time, a man like others | until I used up the term
that was in my lease | I am now on the brink of the death | a faggot
of bones without run or leap.
Because that [I] ever was, (?) there are | coming to meet me,
and not to-day nor yesterday | a change of form, of voice, of cus-
toms | foul disease and exchange of habits.
The jewels of love they have departed (?) from me | I did not give
ever their price to mine artificer | hearing, sight, memory, clever-
ness | clearness, activity, and the working of hands [are gone too].
There came upon me time about | a defiled band in their place |
deafness, lameness, awkwardness, miserableness | sullen speech and
hate of poets (or men of science, or perhaps " kin ").
92
T)'imti5 An c-AmAfic Af mo fvnt
T)'imri5 .in fcuAim Af mo tAim,
tVimtij; An fpfteACA-6, An feAfAtii tut,
An fmiop 'f An fug -oo t>i Ann mo cnAim.
"O'imtij An LAfA'o Af mo JJIUAI-O,
Ctnc mo JHUA5, A'f cjtton mo btAt,
CA mo teACA AH x>At An 5Ait,
'S An r-At-ctif. fAf ni bpui5feA 1 o 50 b^A
Se H'D -oem mo beAn, f6 JI'T> T)ei|i mo clAnn,
CjtAt bim AS CAinc, "-oun x>o beAt,
1YIA CA C bOT)A|1 ni 't C bAtb,
'S T)A mbei-oceA mAjib bu'o beA^ An
Se -oeifi mo .c&iyoe
tli h-et AmAm pe
T)A mbeit' m'AtiAm A$ fCAiT) nA
50 mb-6 e m'Aic -oo beit fAn jcjie
tTlo toit-fe A tijeAjinA te -oo toit,
If mo mo coi|i 'nA mo CAin,
teij mo piAncA AH mo copp
A'f 6 JA6 otc fAOH m'AnAm ft Ati.
of;c -oe juit [moif.] AIJVO
J^i-6 5f; -OAnA An gniom T)Am e,
'S A tiAcc btiAT>An mAit fUAi^ me ftAn
'S jAn oibf-iuJAX) f Aim Afi bit im'
An giobunAfc, "Af -ojieAf t)A ctAinn " fAn IY1S. fUT) nAC
. Se f''o = fe An f;ut>.
tS'tc. An giobunAc. "ni h-eA-6 " fAn tTIS.
The sight has gone out of the eye | the deftness has gone out of
the hand | the spirit and the standing energy (?) are gone | the
marrow and the sap that were in my bone.
The light (blush) has gone out of my countenance | my hair has
fallen and my blossom is withered | my cheek is of the colour of
coal | and a re-setting up I shall not find for ever.
'Tis what my wife says, 'tis what my children say | when I am
The sight has flown the feeble eyes,
Their quickness flies the fingers deft,
And all the weary body groans,
And in the bones no sap is left.
Gaunt are the hollow cheeks and bare,
And fallen the hair, a rueful sight,
What once was bright is dark in me,
And ne'er shall be again made bright.
Now says my wife, my children say,
' ' Old man away ! we heed not thee,
Doaf thou art, would that thou wert dumb,
May death now come and set thee free."
.ily friends they think, nor lose one sigh,
(And even I myself must say),
That were my soul but sure of grace
The body's place were in the clay.
I pray Lord, Thy will be mine,
ISince for my crime how shall I pay ?
The flesh afflict with ache and dole,
But spare the soul I meekly pray.
Aloud, aloud I call on Thee,
Though bold I be on Thee to call,
For in those years Thou gavest me
I wrought for Thee, ah ! not at all.
talking, " close thy mouth | if thou art deaf thou art not dumb |
and if thou wert dead it were no great story (pity).
It is what my related friends and kindred (?) say | not only so but
what I say myself | that if my soul were in the estate of grace | my
place were to be in the clay.
My will Lord with thy will | my crime is greater than my im-
post | lay my pains upon my body | and from each evil free the soul
safe.
I cry unto thee with a loud voice | though it is a bold deed for
me | and all the good years that I got in health | and without [my
leaving] any kind (good) workings behind me.
94
If cfuAJ tno coft Anoif t&V CAC,
CAIC me An t-\ 'f tuop 65 me An
pAt mo jolA--'f niojt b'e A tfiAC
mo fttAic Ap tAp, -out fAoi -oe 'n 5J
S CA Aft "CAm nA h-AjAift
Ace cvnnjib viAim UAIJI mo bAif,
50 n-AdAi5ix> An Aicjuje ATI feAn-djioi-oe
ACA Ann mo IA^.
6ipc mo jui-oe 'f nA fcop -oo
Ace ftiuc mo 5|iuA-6 Af
peAd AP An bpeACAC bocc 1 ti3Aip,
'S gAn feAjt A rjiuAije ACC cufA Am<\m.
"OodAf m'AnmA Af -oo jeAllA-6,
CA mo feAf Am Aji T)O tAim ;
'S mo -oo t|i6cAi|ie, A buixieACAf teAc-f A,
1onA coi^t peACAi-6 fit
teAC A ^15 nA bp
SAC tiite beAtA-6 'f JAC uite bAf,
11A F&AC A ti jeA^nA i mjiAij mo loc-o
A'Y tii bei-ocA-o bocc 6 'nocc 50 b|iAC.
A lOfA -D'AIC-beO-OAIj, fAT) 6, CUIftp,
'S T)O nAOmAlj An JATWOe Af UAIjl A
A t)e bi An UAijt fin A'f CA Anoif Ann,
tlij cfiu*if ofc mife -oeAnAm flAn.
* e.f. tine An HeAccAifte, "x)'eAlAi5 An tA 'f niof; toj me An f.At."
t " cui^i " ms. I " 'f ni,' 1TJS.
It is a pity now my condition, beyond all men | I spent the day
but did not lift the hay, | the cause of my crying, and this was not
the time for it, | my swathes upon the ground at the going down of
the sun.
King who art in heaven do not accuse me of my pride | but
keep from me the hour of death | until repentance make-limber the
old-heart | negligent and cold that is in my middle.
Listen to my prayer and do not stop thy ear | and wet my cheeks
out of the flood of grace, I look at the poor sinner in peril | without
a man to pity him but only Thou.
95
A woe of woes is mine this day,
For through my hay tho wet winds blow.
The swathes ungathered anil undone,
And now the sun is sinking low.
King of Heaven, my pride forgive,
And let me live, till this old heart
By perfect penitence be wrung,
And stung by conscience wholesome smart.
Hearken my prayer, incline thine ear,
Xow let the tear of grace flow free,
The sinner finds (his brief hour run),
Pity from none, but only Thee.
The hope of my soul ia in Thy promise, 1
Though late, my homage receive of me ;
Thy mercy is greater than my defiance
And my reliance is placed on Thee.
Thine is my life and Thine my death,
God of all breath, my pride is o'er !
One glance from Thee were all my wealth,
My hope, my health, for evermore !
Thou who makest dead to live,
Who didst forgive the Thief his scorn,
Hear now, as then, a sinner's sigh,
The bitter cry of me forlorn.
1 The metre changes in this verse, in which the 1st and 3rd lines
have a ditsyllabic ending. This verse may perhaps be an interpolation.
The hope of my soul is in thy promise | my standing is upon thy
hand | greater is thy mercy, thanks unto thee | than the crime of
the sin of the seed of Adam.
I attribute (?) to thee King of the miracles | every life and
every death ; | do not look after my faults Lord | and I shall not
be poor from to-night for ever.
O Jesus who long ago didst revive bodies | and who didst sanctify
tho thief at the hour of his death | () God who wast in it then, and
who art in it now | it is nothing hard for thee to make me whole.
96
A lOfA c6AfAT) AJ1 ATI
e, cop Ap tAm,
lompaij tiOTn, A'p lompocAT) LCAC,
'S TiAft lomptitjcAt) UAIC Atii'p 50
tij ruv jiij A jtij tiA cjiuinne,
A ^15 t>o t>i, T)O beix>eAp, 'f ACA,
50 mAitift T)uitin-rie Ajuf T>'A bpuit uite,
5A5 x>o 5x11-06, A fnj TIA
.An CorhxMj\te f eo, " memorare novissima tua et
in aeternum non peccabis," ^n-Coic6ionn ^me^fs HA
guf if iomt)A CAOI ACA ^c^ te r\-A
T)uinn, xiCc ni c^f At) Of\m AjMArh -Aon |\ux
eif AH bpiof A neAtfi-$tiAtA6 f o teAnAf , -oo
m6 6 pfi6infiAf O Con6ut>Aif, tiAC mAipeAnn, -oo
6AtAi-t) e, A*oubAi^c fe, 6 rhriAOi T)A|i to'Ainm tTlAi|\e
111 CAtAfA1$, Af CotTOAe HA 5' A1 ^ 1r " e ' A ^ WOp Hlfllf
f 6 t)AtD C1A Afl A1C f peif lAtCA Af bU* Af 1. 1f AJAltAfh
no 66rhfAt) iT>if\ beifc tfinAOi 6, Agtif ifo6ij 511^ feAn-
TDUine cpAibceAt fiigm, no, b'^miii, t>|\AtAi|\ boCc "oe TIA
bpAit|\eA6Aib TIO t)it)eAt) Ann ceAT> btiAtiAn 6 fom, T)O
Aguf -oo 6um 6. HI A|\ -o'lnnf eA* 6 buti Cop tfiuil le
beAg OfAtnA e, A6c 5|\ lornpuig An c-AgAltArri 50
Cc Ann fAn TDeifeAt). 1f me pein TDO Cui^
Ainm An 6AinceopA op cionn |\Ait>ce gAC mnA ACA. Ace
Cuip An beAn X)'innif An fgeut A|\ TDCtif, 1 gceitt te n-A
gut -| te n-A ceAngAn!) CIA ACA "oo'n t)Tf bi AJ tAbAi|\c.
Ace, cof\-uAi|\, cin^fi AfceAC " A^fA TTlAife," no " A|\pA
Sigite," ACc nuAif tAitng pn AfceAC o'pAgAf AHIAC e.
Jesus who wast crucified upon the cross | who sufferedst nails in
foot and hand | turn to me and I shall turn to thee | and may I not
turn away from thee again for ever.
97
O pierced in foot and hand and side,
crucified for hearts that burn,
1 turn to thee, oh turn to me,
I ne'er again from thee shall turn.
O King of kings, O King of worlds,
King who was, and is to be,
Forgive King, our world, and sparo,
Receive our prayer, and comfort me.
The advice, " memorare novisima tua et in aeternum non
peccabis," is very common among the people, and many is
the way they have for bringing it home to us, but I never
met anything like the following unusual piece, which I got
from the late Francis O'Conor, who heard it, he said, from
a woman of the name of Mary Casey from the county of
Gal way, but he did not tell me from what exact place. It
is a dialogue or conversation between two women, and no
doubt it was some religious old person, perhaps a poor friar
of the friars who used to be in it a hundred years ago, who
shaped and composed it. As it was told, it was like a little
bit of drama, except that the dialogue turned at the end
into narration. It is I who have given the name of the
speaker at the head of each woman's speech, but the woman
who first recited it showed by voice and manner which of
them was speaking, though occasionally she interjected,
"says Maurya" or "said Sheela," but where this occurred
I have omitted it.
King of the kings, O King of the universe | O King who wast,
who shalt be, and who art, | mayest thou forgive us, and all who
are, | receive thy prayer O King of grace.
98
ram t>emc Se^ti
[triAif\e].
CeA-o f..Aitce ptimA'o, A Sigite, if tei$eAf t>o
nnimeACA t)'j:eiceAt [t>'f.eicf me], fuit> fiof -j teig -00
f git, Aguf mnif -oo f gent.
[Sigile].
m^ifeAt) ! ni't x\on fgeut AgArn, ni fgeulcA x\cxi AS
cup
irnnit)e
tii'l cfi t)f\e6it)ce !
[Sigile].
tli't m6 t3|\eoit)ce, t)uit)eACAf te "Oixx -Aguf te n-A
ItlAtxMjt t)eAnnui5te, xiCc bim ^5 c turn mug At) A^ nA
ceit|\e criioCAitt "oei^eAnnACA, x\f -An mbAf Agup Af An
mbjieiteArhnAf, Af\ ipfionn Aguf Af\ frtAiteAf, mA^ CA 'f
AjArn nAC mbeit) m6 mOrtAn niof pui-oe [pAi-oe] AJI An
t)|\6nAC fo, ACc ni mifce tiom *OA mt>eit>inn
[tTlAi|\e].
tli tAgAnn mi-<i6itt A|\ bit -oe'n Cf6|\c fin Ann mo
CeAnn-fA, Aguf CA mife niof fine 'nA tuf A ; ni't me
cuif\f eA6 *oe'n cf AojAt f o -pof . UA eotuf AgAtn AJA An
oorhAn f o, Aguf ni't e6tuf AJ\ bit A^AITI Afi An T)omAn
eite. tli CAinig Aon "oumeAft Aif Af\iArii te h-mnfeAcc
OAm t)'^ tAoit>. t)eit> me 1 n-Am 50 te<5f\ [AS] cuirh-
mugAt) Af An mbAf nuAi|\ tiuc^Af fe. Aguf fut) eite
ni Cperaim 5|\ c^utAig t)iA Aon t)ume te n-A tof-
1 n-if|\ionn 50 fiof|\ui'6e.
99
DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO OLD WOMEN.
MAURYA.
A hundred welcomes Sheela, it's a cure for sore eyes to
see you ; sit down and rest and tell us your news.
SHEELA. ,
Musha ! I have no news. It is not news that's troubling
me.
MAURYA.
Arrah ! and what's troubling you ? sure you're not ill !
SHEELA.
I'm not ill, thanks be to God and to His blessed mother,
but I do be thinking of the four last ends the Death and
the Judgment, and Hell and Heaven, for I know I shan't
be much longer in this sorrowful world, and I wouldn't
mind if I were leaving it to-morrow.
MAURYA.
No nonsense at all of that sort ever comes into my head,
and I'm older than you. I'm not tired of this world yet,
I have knowledge of this world, and I have no knowledge
at all of the other world. Nobody ever came back to tell
me about it. I'll be time enough thinking of Death when
he comes. And, another thing, I don't believe that
God created anyone to burn him in hell eternally.
100
[Sijite].
UA cti "out Amu ', A ttlAif\e. An |\Aib cu
An T)6rhnA(i fo ^"^^-^ **>-')
go oeimin m f\AbAf ! t)i me AS t)eunArii j\uit> but)
tAif\t>ie ; -AS CAbAijvc Aij\e tjo mo Cum ceAjxc t>o tti
m6, te n-A scongMit 6 ttjteit ^muig, no ni t>ei"OeAt)
Ainne c^e no p n^oif in ^g^m x\f\ pe^t) n^ f e^cu-
Hi tiuopxvo An botgAn-beiceAC, An
"bjiiAn, pigin -OAm, T)A 5Con5t>66At> f e me 6
tli't Ann A6c fAncA6^n fUA^Ac. t)i fcofc beAg muice
AgAm An tlo-olAj; fo 6Ai-6 tAfiu, Aguf 'o'lAfji fe o^m i
oiol, te fsiUing t)o tAbAific *o6 IA Ho-olAg ; Aguf mAf\
nA6 n-oeAfnA me fin ,$AiiAfe m'Ainm AmAC An t)omnA6
nA "61A1J fin Ann f An ceAC-pobAil. tli't f e f Af CA te biA"6
mAit, te coijAce "O'A CApAtt,te o^v Aguf te Ai^seAt) Ann
A p6cA ; mA|t T)tibAi|\c me 50 mime, m peicim Aon 6eif\T>
Com triAit te ceipt) f AgAijtc ; -pen 6 An c-eAT)AC bpeA$
6AiteAnn f IA-O, Agf oAoine boCcA -D'A f Aot^ugAt)
[Sigite].
CA longAncAf m6j\ opm f.Aoi *oo 66mf A"6. 1f
T>O mi-6^eiT>eAm ! ~CA longAncAf ojim 50
Corh mi-mfltJAmAit fin f.Aoi An AtAip DfiAn,
OA mbei-6teA Ag -pAgAit t>Aif AmA^At CIA teA|\pAt)
Abfotoi-o -ouic A6c An c-AtAi|\ ceAt)nA ? "
.
! bi T)O tofc, A Sigite, m 6Aff.A* An
t)p1An A fAt, T)U1C-fe 11A 'OAtfl-f A, gAn CUA|\Aft)At,
mbeit>eAt> friof Aige 50 scongboCAt) fe Af if|\ionn
finn.
101
SHKELA.
You're going astray Maurya; were you at mass last
Sunday ?
MAURYA.
Indeed and I was not ! I was doing a thing more profit-
able. It was taking care of my hens I was, to keep them
from laying abroad, or I wouldn't have the price of a grain
of tea or sneesheeii throughout the week. That bolgdn-
beiceach Father Brian wouldn't give me a penny if it was
to keep me from being hanged. He's only a miserable
greedy santachdn. I had a little sturk of a pig last Christmas
and he asked me to sell it to give him a shilling on
Christmas Day, and as I didn't do that, he called out my
name the Sunday after, in the chapel. He's not satisfied
with good food, and oats for his horse, and gold and silver
in his pocket. As I said often, I don't see any trade as
good as a priest's trade ; see the fine working clothes they
wear, and poor people earning it hard for them.
SHEELA.
I wonder greatly at your talk. Your unbelief is great.
I wonder that you speak so unmannerly about Father Brian,
when if you were dying to-morrow, who would give you
absolution but the same father ?
MAURYA.
Arrah ! Sheela, hold your tongue. Father Brian wouldn't
turn on his heel, either for you or for me, without pay, even
if he knew that it would keep us out of hell.
102
[Sigile].
Cpiofc oppAinn ! niop fAoileAf 50 mbut>
oe'n cf6f\c fin fcu. An nt)eACAit) cu Cum f.Aoifcme
til ?
CuAt>Af, An IA p6fAt> me, ACc nfoji Cpom me mo
6 foin r\A |\oime.
Tli'l mOj\An le
DUIC
tli Conj;b66At) f6 fin nx\ ce.AfiCM 6
> oceit)inn te pxioip-om TO bAr\Am leif
iAn, 1 n-Aic x\tfol6it)e if m^f
), mun^ mbeit>eAt) le-At-cpom x^gAm Ay.
mo mexifv le c-AbxMf\c -06.
[Si$ite].
tli'l An c-At<Mf bpiAn Com h-olc Aguf -oeip cu.
tne te -out xinn [Cum] A tije An cpAtn6nA f o le
le ppionx)A ime. LAittedfAfO me leif T>O
tugAnn cu An ceAT) *OAm.
HA cui|\ An ciMobldiT) oj\c pem mo tAOib-fe
nl'l mife -oul AnAice leif An AtAip t)piAn.
mife AJI leAbAi-6 mo t>Aif ciucpAit)
CA f?iof TDUIC* nAC bAf obAnn t)o geobtA,
tmcf.A-6
50 rninic "CA piof -outc" mAp i; CA J-
103
SHEELA.
The cross of Christ on us ! I never thought that it was
that sort of a woman you were. Did you ever go to
confession ?
MAURYA.
I went the day I was married, but I never bowed my
knee under him before or since.*
SHEELA.
You have not much to do now, and you ought to think
about your poor soul.
MATJRYA.
That wouldn't keep the hens from laying abroad on me,
and if I were to go to confess to Father Brian, instead of
absolution its a barging I'd get from him, unless I had a
half-crown on the top of my fingers to give him.
SHEELA.
Father Brian isn't half as bad as you say ; I'm to go to
his house this evening with fresh eggs and a print of butter.
I'll speak to him about you if you give me leave,
MAURYA.
Don't trouble yourself about me, for I'm not going near
Father Brian : when I'll be on my death-bed he'll come to me.
SHEELA.
And how do you know that it's not a sudden death you'd
get, and what would happen to you if you were to get a
" death without priest? "
* In Irish "since or before."
104
Agup nAC mbeit)inn Corn mAit teip nA mitcib T>O
bAp gAn pAgApc Af bit ? lli'l mojvAn -ofictnp
Ap nA pAgAficAib. pe.Ac.Aij; ACA ionncA-pAn inte.
ip triAp CAmAoiT) p6in, MT), 50 t>irveAC. Se mo
fe tiAC bpuit 1 gc^ei'oeAtti ^cc C.AIDU, An
CU AfMtfl CjUCC -A^ P-A1T)in C|\10nA.
[Sigite].
me 50 mituc.
50 tedp, ^6c x\n gcu-AtAit) cu
[Sigite].
50 oeimin niO|\ 6ux\tAf, ACC innif tMrn e, m^ f e TO
toil e.
ACA. Hi f Aib Aon beij\u ACA -oe'n
Aguf bi-6eAt) AC^Ann eAUO|\t\A 50 mime,
ti-uite feA|\ ACA AS |\At) 50 mbut) e A cfei-oeAm pem
An cpei-oeAtfi t)o b'peA|\|A. Aon tA ArhAin
peAjt ACA, " PAJJF AiYiAoiD AS pAiDin CfvionA e CIA
A bpuiL An c|teit)eAm if peAj\|\ Aige." " UAOIAOIT)
Af\f An beijvc eite. 5 lAO * r iA> ATteAt Ap
guf TubAi|\c -peAfv ACA, "A pAit)in, if CACOII-
ceAC mi^e. c^eAT) tA^toCAf -OAm 1 n-oiAig mo bAif " ?
" 1nnfe66Ait) me -buic," A|\fA pAmin. " Cui|\pit>eAi\
fiop Ann fAn AI$ t\\, Agiif 6i|\eCcAi-6 cu Afif, Agtif
f ACAlt) CU fUAf 50 geACA plAltCAf. UlUCfAlt) peA"OAfV
105
MAURYA.
And wouldn't I be as well off as the thousands who got
death without e'er a priest. I haven't much trust in the
priests. It's sinners that's in them all ; they're like our-
selves, exactly. My own notion is that there's nothing in
religion but talk. Did you ever hear mention of Paudyeen
Criona [wise Patsy].
SHEELA.
I did, often.
MAURYA. .
Very well ; did you ever hear his opinion about religion.
SHEELA.
Indeed, I never did, but tell it to me if you please.
MAURYA.
Musha, then, I will. There were three officers living in one
house and Paudyeen Criona [Cree-On-a] was servant to them.
There were no two of them of the same religion, and there
used often to be a dispute amongst them and every man
of them saying that it was his own religion was the best
religion. One day a man of them said " We'll leave it to
Wise Paudyeen as to which of us has the best religion,"
"We're satisfied," said the other two. They called in
Paudyeen and a man of them said to him, "Paudyeen,
I'm a Catholic, and what will happen to me after my death?"
" I'll tell you that," aays Paudyeen. " You'll be put down
106
Agtif f.iAf.f.6CAi-6 fe tMoc, ' CIA ^n cj\eit)eAm Af.*
oe tuf A ? ' 1mife6CAit> cu -66, Agtif -oeAftpAit) f6,
" Ceifug Aguf f uit> Ann fAn gcoifmeAU- UT> AmeAfg nA
p^ocef cun mif e," A|\ f An "OAftA peA|\, "
tA|\t66Af T)Afh-f A Ant)iAi$ mo tiAip ? "
50 < oi|\eA6 mA|\ An peAp eile, cuipp-OeAp -DO f uit>e
) tA}\l66Af f T>Arh-f A An-oiAig mo
" 50 T)i|\eAC mAt\ An t>ei|\c eite, ctHf\pt)eAf\ tti -oo
Anoif, m |tAit> -ouine AJ\ tut ACA, niof
An T>uine eite, mAj\ *o'f AS p^i-om IA-O ; Ajuf Ann fin
o'friApjAtus An CACoitceAC -oe ^AiTDin, " A pAi-oin CA-O
e T)O Cpei'oeAtri-f A ? "
" tli'l cfeitjeArh A|\ bit AgAm-f A,'' A|\ feif 6An.
"AgUf Cf\6A-O CAftOCAf T)U1U-fe AnTDIAIj -DO tWlf-
r e?"
" 1nnf 666A1-0 m6 fin T)UIC. Ci|\f.nbeAf fiof Ann
fAn t>poll me ; ei|\e6CAit) me A|\Tf Aguf tuCAi-6 m6
f UAf 50 geACA f.lA1CeAf . UlUCf.Alt) peAT)A|\ Agllf f.1 Af.-
t\6CAit) f e ' CIA 'n C|\eiT)eAm tf A' ? t)eA|\f. AT>
femeAm Af\ t)it AgAm-f A, Ajuf
Ann fin, ' CAJ\ AfceAC, Agtif f uit) no fiut>Ait, i
Aic Af bit if coit teAc'."
Anoif A Sijile nAC bpeiceAnn en 50 |\Ait> An ce
* If lontiAtin An " Aft " f o Agup " if." CA An c-Atc f o le miniu^A-o
fo, '"Oe CIA [An] cjiei'oeAn'i if cufA." c.f-., Ate niAjt "An
Aft teif An C6AC," ^C.
i f.ocAt ceAjtc e feo. ni't
107
into the grave, and you'll rise again and go up to the gate
of heaven. Peter will come out and will ask you, ' what
religion are you of.' You'll tell him, and he'll say, ' go
and sit in that corner amongst the Catholics.'
"I'm a Protestant," said the second man, "and what'll
happen to me after my death 1 "
" Exactly as the other man. You will be put sitting in
the corner of the Protestants ! "
"I'm a Hebrew," says the third man, "and what will
happen to me after my death 1 "
" Exactly as the other two ; you will be put sitting
amongst the Hebi-ews."
Now there was no one of them better off than the other,
as Paudyeen left them, and so the Catholic asked Paudyeen,
" Paudyeen, what's your own religion ? "
" I have no religion at all," says he.
" And what'll happen to you after your death ?"
" I'll tell you that. I shall be put down into the hole,
I shall rise again and go up to the gate of heaven. Peter
will come and ask me, ' of what religion are you ? ' I will
say that I have no religion at all, and Peter will say then,
' come in, and sit down or walk about in any place that you
have a wish for.' "
Now, Sheela, don't you see that he who had no religion
108
nA6 fiAib Aon CpeineAm Af\ bit Aige niof f.eAf\ri IA
nA t>Aoine .d pAib cjieiTieAm ACA. t)i 5^6 Aon T>iobtA
[oiob] fin ceAngAitce t>o CoipneAtt A C^emim f.ein,
ACC t/rgxyo ^i-oin t)l x^nn A A ^ice,
[Sigite].
ojtc A tlxxipe, c^ f.Aic6iof of,m 50
tipuil c^tnAlt PA-OA |toirii o'^nAin boCc f-An tpu|\-
t)iot> ciAtl xigAT) A Sigile, f ACAI* me C|\it) An bpup-
6orh CAA te
Hit Aon rhAit Ag CAinu IBAC, nA beit CAtiAipc cOtri-
t)tiic. PASPAITC) mfe Annf in tu.
tT Sijite -out AtriAC teig ITlAipe fSfveAt) t)o
mite Ap gAC CAOit) *oi. UionncAig Sigite,
6onnAipc fi THAipe i tAf tAfi\A6 ceme. Hit
Corn luAt Aguf tii mnui 50 ceA6 An
t)piAn, Aguf T)'pilt f i teif Ag fit 50 ceAC tilAi|\e,
mo bpCn ! t>i An ceAC TtGigce 50 cAtArh, Aguf tji
ITlAife odjce teif ; Aguf CA eAglA opm 50 fAit> An
c-AnAm t)oCc cAiUce.
* * *
If neAm-jnAtAC piofA -oo tteit mnifce mAfv An
c-AgAttAm f UAf, A6c AS f o A5Att<\m t)6A5 eite mAfi 6,
oo 6uAlAf o'n t>peA|\ ceA-onA. t)ut) te n-A gut -oo
tAif beAn An fgeutcOift TJo'n tuCc 6ifceACcA CIA ACA
oe'n fteif-c fti AJ tAbAip.c teif An bpeAp eite. Aj\ An
109
at all was better off than the people who had a religion !
Every one of them was bound to the corner of his own creed,
but Paudyeen was able to go in his choice place, and I'll be
so too.
SHEELA.
God help you Maurya; I'm afraid there's a long time
before your poor soul in Purgatory.
MAURYA.
Have sense Sheela ; I'll go through Purgatory as quickly
as lightning through a gooseberry bush.
SHEELA.
There's no use talking to you or giving you advice. I'll
leave you.
When Sheela was going out, Maurya let a screech out of
her which was heard for a mile on every side of her. Sheela
turned round and she saw Maurya in the midst of a flame
of fire. Sheela ran as fast as was in her to Father Brian's
house, and returned with him running to Maurya's house-
But, my grief ! the house was burned to the ground, and
Maurya was burnt with it ; and I am afraid that the [her]
poor soul was lost.
* * *
It is unusual for a piece to be told in the style of the
above dialogue, but here is another little dialogue like it
which I heard from the same person. It was by his voice
.that the story-teller showed his hearers which of the two
110
pn cuij\im Ainm -An CAince6ftA of ciorin CAince
Aom AC A.
AH mirnsuem A^US An SASUII.
Aor, IA ArhAin -oo bi gAfun beAj; bo<ic AJA tAoib -Ati
*oo eAn-6Min rhuice
f A C^pAtl bpe^g,
f6 teif An ngAf tin, " CIA An AIC A "ocusAnn An
i
f O tU ?
CA m6 Ann fo te coicrOeAf Aguf ni tug f 6 i n-
\ bit 50 poit m6.
tlA6 gLic An t)UA6Aitl beAg uw ! CIA teif HA inucA
An cfeAn-C|\Ain.
UA 'f A^Am pn, ACc cA me AS pAppuige CIA ti-6
TIA
An T)iAbAl beAg oub-Agtif-bAn pn A feiceAf cu
, tig teifBAn An c-iomtAn ACA A
Th n-6 pn ACA me [AS] pAppuige tioc Cofi Af bit,
CIA ti-6 T)O rhAi5ifci^-f e ?
mo rhAijifCf eAf A, peAf Corh mAit
Af fo 50 T>ci e pein.
Ill
were talking to the other. Accordingly I shall put the
name of each speaker above his speech.
THE MINISTER AND THE GOSSOON.
One day there was a poor little gossoon on the side of
the road, and he taking care of an old sow of a pig, and a
litter of bonharas along with her. A minister came the
way, and he riding upon a fine horse, and he said to the
gossoon " where does this road bring you "?
GOSSOON.
I'm here for a fortnight, and it never brought me any-
where yet.
MINISTER.
, Now, isn't it the wise little boy you are ! Whose are
the little pigs ?
GOSSOON.
They're the old sow's.
MINISTER.
I know that, but I'm asking you who is the master of
the bonhams.
GOSSOON.
That little black-and-white devil that you see rooting,
he's able to beat the whole of them.
MINISTER.
That's not what I'm asking you at all, but who is your
own master ?
GOSSOON.
My mistress's husband, a man as good as you'd get from
here to himself.
112
til tuigeAnn c me 50 f.6it. CIA h-i t>o
50 T>cuij;;eAnn cu fin !
50 triAic. 'Si beAn mo mAisifcirt i. UA
ti-uite t)uine fin !
1f glic An t)UA6Ailt be^s t, Aguf c^l fe Corn
T>UIC, ACc mmf T)AtTi bpuil friof AgAt) CA
O t)6mnAill 'n
[5AfU1l.]
O 50 T)eirhin. teAn An bOtAjt fo 50 "ociucf-Ai* cu
50 b<5itf\Tn A|\ tAoio "oo lAifi-OfVO<5i5e. Ann fin leAn
DO ff 6n, Agnf ITIA t6it)6Ann cu Amug', bpif An cj\e6if .
[Tt1inifueif\.]
50 T)eirhin if Apui-6 An ouACAill tu ! CIA An Ceijvo
t>6it)eAf AgA-o-f A nAif t>eit)eAf cu niof fine ?
tHAO|\ muice. T1A6 ttpeiceAnn cu 50 bpuit me
cup mo teAjwuA AfceA6. CATD e t)o 6ei|At) f.em.
! bi-6im AS cAif beAnc CIA h-e An beAlAC
50 ftAiteAf -oo nA
OpA ! nA<b btieA5A6 tu ! tli tig teAC-f A An
tAifbeAiic 50 ti-Aic AJ\ bit. tli't eoLAf A^AT) AJX An
113
MINISTER.
You don't understand me yet. "Who is your mistress I
Perhaps you understand that.
GOSSOON.
I understand you well. She is my master's wife. Every-
one knows that.
MINISTER.
You're a wise little boy ; and it's as good for me to let
you be, but tell me do you know where Patrick O'Donnell
is living ?
GOSSOON.
Yes, indeed. Follow this road until you come to a boreen
on the side of your thumb-hand. Then follow your nose,
and if you go astray break the guide.
MINISTER.
Indeed, and you're a ripe (precocious) little lad ! What
trade will you have when you'll be older ?
GOSSOON.
Herding a pig. Don't you see that I'm putting in my
term. What is your own trade ?
MINISTER.
A good trade. I am showing the people what is the
way to heaven.
GOSSOON.
Oh, what a liar ! You can't show the way to any place.
You don't know the way to Patrick O'Donnell's, a man
114
mbotAf 50 t)ci CCAC pAT>f ^15, jreAf A bf.ttil Aitne
AJ; beAg Ajjuf rn6f Ann fan cif Aif , Aj;tf if cinnce me
t>f.uil eClAf AgAt) Af An tnbOcAf 50 flAiteAf !
[TThnifceif.]
A m6 buAitce. Se6 "6uic teAt-6f6m xif fon t>o
guf nuAip tiucp^f m6 Ajxif geoftAit) cu cex\nn
eile.
50
tnA|\ tu An t>eAU\C, ti-mle
An cOrhp A* fo fseut eile itn' 6irhne 100
6uAtAit) me 1 T)CAOit) gAf um 1 gCon-OAfe itltiig 66. tls
PAJA^C Af\ An ngAf un Af An mt>6tAn Ajuf t)ut)Aipc
"^o tnbeAnnuigit) T)IA -6uic."
" 5 ttibeAnnuigi* ^n -ouine ceA-onA
f An buACAittin.
" Ce [CA] 'f t>' Af tu " ?
" Af t3eul-nA-muice,' J A
" CIA rii6A*o "OiA Ann '' ? Af fAn
" An oif eAt) A'f CA Ann f o," Af fAn t)UACAitt.
"SAoitim 50 t>f.uit -oo pAiT)feACA Ann -oo p6cA
Af fAn f AJAfC.
" tloif CA -oo tOin Amui," Af fAn buAdAilt, "
p6cA Af bit ofm " !
AS f o f 6fc c6rhf A* t>eAff AijeAtCA -oo
pf OinfiAf O ConCutiAif. t)i beAn Ann Aguf b'Ainm
01 ITlAife tlic 5 1o ^^ c Ain Aguf fUAif A -peAf bAf. 115
flAT) An CAtAt) CACA6 Af A f.eAf, ni't f?1Of A^AtY) CIA An
f.At, ACC cfei-oim guf lonnAnn "CACAC" Ajuf CAf-
115
that everybody big and little in this country knows,
and I'm certain sure that you have no knowledge of the
road to heaven.
MINISTER.
I'm beaten. Here's half a crown for you for your
cleverness, and when I come again you'll get another.
GOSSOON.
Thank you. It's a pity that a fool like you doesn't come
the way every day.
This conversation reminds me of another story that I
heard about a gossoon in the County of Mayo. A priest
overtook the gossoon on the road and said to him " God
save you."
" The same Man save yourself," said the little boy.
" Where are you from " ] says the priest.
"From Swinford," says the boy.
"How many Gods are there in it"? [meaning how
many Gods exist], says the priest.
" As many as there are here," says the boy [taking ad-
vantage of the equivocation].
" I think that you have your prayers with you in your
pocket," said the priest.
" Now you're out," says the boy, " the devil a pocket at
all on me."
Here is a sort of dialogue in verse that I heard from
Pruinsias O'Conor. There was a woman in it whose name
was Maurya Mac Gilligan, and her husband died. They
used to call her husband, I do not know why, the Caladh
116
.* tofAi ITlAipe tioCc 45 CAomeAt) A
An An cAlAt) CACAC.
Oc 6fl, 4 (iAt-Alt), CfieUT) fAC Aft fSAf CU
Ajuf me o'p.AjbAtt i m'AonAfi AJ; obAif 50
Ajtif A IIACCA fin bliA-OAn -D'oibfijeAmAf. te ceile
AS cup A^uf AJ bAinc As\if A5 fAocpuJA-o Ap mbeiLe.
If "0615 50 6f.uit ru Atioif te lofA
Aon-ttlAC T)e, ATI T)Af.A peAjifA oe'ti C-piotioiT) fio tiAOthtA,
Ajuf tnife AJI AH fAoJAl bfionAc 50 c|iAi-6ce ct/Aoix>ce,
5An ceile, ^An CA|IA, gAn CAbAip, ^An Aen neAc beo xe mo
^c Aon
if bAinc|teAbAc bocc me Ajiif cADAift T)Am f:oinn r>e t>o
mAiteAmnAf Ann mo peACAi-6' 50 h-iomtAn,
nA teij m'AnAm bocc imteAcc Af;
A-ominjimt "oo "OiA Tjo'n ttlAC Ajuf x>o'n SpiojiA-o tlAom,
HAG n-oeAjinA me fAoip-om nA f lOft-Ait^ije ^iiAm,
tltoti jtunAij me 1 tAcAif eAfboij, f ASAJIC, nA
Ajuf nio|i lAjtp me eA-OA^-jui-oe ttluife
Ace Anoif oeAtifAT) fAoiffoin Ann fo Ann -oo
Ajuf iA|tf;Aim eAt)Ati-5Ui'6e Af; An ttlAij-oin T>O
CA me cionncAc Annf JAC peACAT*, beAj Ajuf
CA me umAt x>o 6eit jtAncA i -oceine
*t)i feAn-AbfAn Af; An ftiAtJ Ceif Cof; Ainn, 1 jCon-OAe Stijij, t)O
cofAij, " Ceif CojtAinn CACAC, if mAit An Aic -oo t>eit te -oo tAoi6."
CuAtAf An r-A5fAn nuAif tn me 65, ACC niof p. CA-O me A f AjAiL 6
foin. t)i AfO-eAfboj A BpA-o 6 Ann A coifce AJ -oeunAm Aifcif.. )
nuAif. tAimg fe AnAice te Cetf -oubAijtc AH fCAf oo fti "o'A tiom-
Ainc, "A CigeAfnA eAfboig," Af feifeAn, "ciA'n cAob -pAjfAf me
Ceif," (if e fin, An ^ACAI-O me Af. A tAim -oeif no Af A tAim cte),
Ajf -o'pf eAjAif An c-Aif -o-eAf bog, ''f-Aj An Ceif m Af AcA fe," Aguf
fin jnAc-pocAt i sConx)Ae 811515 50 -oci An tA An-oiu, " pAs An
ceif[c] mAf AcA fe."
ftAt>AifteAf An pocAl fo i jCon-oAe ttlutg 06 mAf " Anrouijim."
117
Catach [the friendly 1 ?*] Caladh. Poor Maurya began
keening her husband as follows :
THE KEENE OF THE CALADH CATACH.
Ochone, Caladh Catach, why have you parted from me,
And to leave me alone working heavily,
And all these years that we laboured together^
Sowing and reaping and earning our meal.
No doubt but you are now with Jesus Christ
The One Son of God, the second person of the very Holy Trinity,
And me in this sorrowful world tortured and ruined,
Without a consort, without a friend, without help, without any one
alive of my kin.
bright King of Mercy, I do not ask of thee any respite,
1 am a poor widow, and give me share of Thy grace.
Grant me forgiveness for my sins entirely,
And do not allow my poor soul to go astray.
I acknowledge to God, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
That I never made a confession or a true repentance.
I never knelt before bishop, priest, or friar,
And I never asked for the intercession of Mary Mother.
But now I shall make confession, here upon the spot,
And I ask the Virgin, Thy Mother, for intercession ;
I am guilty of every sin, small and great,
And I am submissive to be cleansed in the fire of Purgatory.
* There was an old song about Kesh Corran, a mountain in the Co.
Sligo, which began " Kesh Corran catach, (friendly (?) Kesh Corrau)
it was a good place to be by your side." I heard the song when I was
young, but have not been able to get it since. There was an Arch-
bishop long ago making a journey in his coach, and when he came near
Kesh the man who was driving him said, " Lord Bishop," says he,
" which side shall I leave Kesh " ? meaning " shall I go to the right or
to the left of it." But the Archbishop answered, " Leave Kesh where
it is," and that is proverb in the Co. Sligo to this day, '.' Leave Kesh
(or the question) where it is.''
118
Com FAX> AS^F pAspAf T)IA me Ann f An njleAnn p o HA nt>e6}i,
ni FSAJIFAT) 6 oeunAtn u^nAijce Aguf poti-Aitfiije tiiojt,
1 n-Anim T)6 copocAi-6 me 30 moc Ap trtAfoin AmAfiAC,
biAij; mo oAif 50 mbeix>inn te mo CAtAt> CAtA6.
[ACc t>i c6rh^ffx\ ^5 6if cedCc le
AttMii$ f 6 A ut Ajtif teig f6 A
-oo t>i Ag tAt>,Aiju; lei, -Aguf oubxM^c fe "oe
If mife ATI t)Af t)o cAimj te -oo fAbAit 6'n obAiji tf oim
niA CA ru t/eix) Ajtif uriiAt, -oeAn O'U-OACC Ajuf bi tiom.
ITlA ftionn cu AJ cl/Am-pAn no AJ x>eAnAm jeAjiAin, Aneifiim teAc e
CjutnotiA AmA|iAC oei-6 -oo cnAtiiA f e rjioije ^AOI An jjcjte.
ni fAib 111^16 Corh ieit) le h-
t>'ei5in T)i b^f fMg^il, Aguf -oubAijtc f i.] :
O ! nA bfox) t)eipin o|ic, ACC cAbAip 'm Aon bliAxiAin r>e
50 n-oetinAi-6 me Aitjiije Ajuf f toccAn te Uij IDofi nA
CA mojiAn A5Am te -oeAnAm Anocc Ajuf AniA|iAc,
AS S^eup r^t tA1 '' SCAnAmAit' -oo m' ceite, An CAtAT CACAC.
6 6AtAi-6 me tii AS jtA-6 nAc n-
x\5f -o'lnnif cu 50 teojt b^eAjA -oo Uij
tii beix> moftAn bt^oin nA uAijnif ojic Anx>iAi j An
Ace AS co^uiseAct fi|t eite teix>eAf cu An^oiAis An CAtA-6
"out T)'A -f|\eA5Ai|\c,
lAirh te ceAtiti-f-<Mc6iop ponti ^
fe AtrA6 ^5 g^ifi-be, -AS up CotinAit\c
Ann ACc ouine.
119
As long as God shall leave me in this valley of tears
I shall never cease from praying and making groat and true repent-
ance.
In the name of God I shall begin early to-morrow morning,
And, perhaps, after my death I might be with my Caladh Catach.
[But there was a neighbour listening to Maurya without
her knowing it. He changed his voice and let on that it
was the Death that was speaking to her, and he said, with
a hoarse and terrifying voice] :
THE NEIGHBOUR.
I am the Death who have come to save you from the heavy work,
If you are ready and submissive, make your will and be with me.
If you be making complaint or lamentation I say it to you
That to-morrow evening your bones shall be six feet beneath the clay.
[But Maurya was not so ready to depart as she pretended.
Great terror carne upon her when she thought that she
had to die, and she said]
MAURYA.
Oh ! do not be in a hurry, but grant me one year's space,
Until I make repentance and peace with the Great King of the graces.
I have much to do to-night and to-morrow
Preparing a decent funeral for my consort the Caladh Catach.
[THE NEIGHBOUR ANSWERING.]
Is it not a short time since I heard you say that you would ask no
respite,
And you told numbers of lies to the Great King of the graces.
But there wont be much trouble or lonesomeness on you after
to-morrow,
But seeking for another husband you'll be, after the Caladh Catach.
Maurya was going to answer, and she wringing her
two hands with dint of fear at the Death, as she thought,
but the other could not control himself and burst out
laughing, and Maurya perceived that it was only a man.
120
An oif-eAt) Tie t>f\ofcuAt> Ann fnA n-At>f\AnAit>
Hi Afi piAncAit) ipftmn
niAf\ An 5ceAT>n.A,
Ann fn^ piofAitt ACA AmeAfg n^ nt)xxoine.
AS fo f^nn T)O CiMlAit) m6 6 feAii-freA|\ 1 50011*0^6 nA
5^1 Hi me.
IUJAt) -OOCCUf AJUf CA|1CAt1ACC,
SX) A coirrilionAf m'
*OeAn iAt) -po A'-p geobAiji HA
ACA te FAJJAII fAn mbeACA
1 r>CAOit> tiA nseAltAttiAn pem, Agtif i T)CAOit) An
CfOttAlf ACA 1 1TOA11 T)O nA pfieAtlACAlt), 6UAIAT6 tTl6
An fAnn fo 6 feAn-peA^v eile Ann fAn
CtUAS.
ni cuAtAi-6 ctuAf, ni pACAi-6 jtors,
A'f pof nioft fmuAiti cf oi-oe Aenne*
An c-AoibneAf rnott A bei'oeAf mA|i
T)o tucc tiA h-Aic|ii5e "f tiA
fo fgeut Afi "btnrie "oo ConnAittc An gt6ij\ pn,
T)O CAlt C6AT) t)llAt)An mnC1, AtflAlt AgUf 11A6
t\Aib Ann ACc cuptA t5. *Oo CuAlAit) mife An fgeut 6
O ConttabAi^, T>O pUAip 6 6 t>uine "OA^
'l,iAm tTlAC t)6mnAilt 6 t)eul-At-nA-trmice 1
ttltng Go. CA fgeul -oe'n cf6pc f o AJA An
ceA-onA te pAjAit Ann f gA6 cip Ann fAn
Aguf if e gAn ArhpAf " UJ'OAH Aguf
* i.e., " Aon ouine."
121
There is as much of encouragement in the Religious
Songs as there is of threats. Not of the pains of hell alone
is mention made, but of the glories of the heavens also, in
the pieces which live amongst the people. Here is a rann
which I heard from an old man in the County of Galway.
CONTRITION.
Contrition, Hope and Charity,
These my commandments satisfy.
Do them and gain the promises
Fulfilled in immortality.
About these promises themselves and the happiness that
is laid out for the righteous, I heard this rann from another
old man in the same county.
Ear never heard, eye never saw,
The heart of man conceived not ever;
How happy he in Death shall be,
Who dares himself from sin to sever.*
Here is a tale of a man who saw that glory, and who
spent in it a hundred years as though they were a couple of
days. I heard the story from Pr6insias O'Conor, who got
it from a man whose name was William MacDonnell near
Swinford in the County Mayo. There is a story of this
kind to be found about the same thing in every land in
Christendom, and without doubt their cause and origin lies
* Literally Ear never heard, eye never saw, and the heart of man
too never conceived the great happiness that shall be in store to
the people of repentance and good character.
122
ACA tefl, An beApfA T 1ri > Q unus dies a pud Dominum
sicut mille anni, et mille anni sicut dies unus .1. 50
bjruil Aon tA AtfiAin AS An T>Ui5eAf\nA mAp mile
bliAt)An "i mile bliAt>An mAp Aon IA AttiAin.*
Hi mifce t)umn An cujt-pop
t)o A$AI{\C Ann f o.
An cotAisce.
o
mAC-teij;in
*oe
50 cotAifce m<5t\
te tteit nx\
50 mime 6 mo
T>O tM
O "ptoinn.
te
T>e".
f6 ^5 fmnce
but)
bitie^t)
pdjttum
me xMnm
m Cuimni5im
t)T
f 5016156
te n-A
*oo bi -Ann.
An IA&,
nA bAC*Mttib eile Ann
teif T)tit ^m^C te
AS pub^t leif |:em
nA 5CfiAnn m6|\ -oo bi cimCioU
r& -Ann fin ^
pem 50 -ocuicpAt) oume
Cum A feompA.
Aon cfAtnonA AttiAin, i mi nA t)eAtcAine,
mA|\ but) gnAtAC teif, A5Uf bi re [AS] fpAif-
AOI nA c^Ainn [c^vAnnAib] nuAtp cuAtAit) r&
ce6t bmn- UAims -oo^CA-ouf .no foi vc "OAitte Ap A
fe ArhA^c Afif ConnAipc pe
te
f uitib, A5Uf niiAi|\
2.
III. 8.
in that verse which says " quia unus dies apiid Dominum
sicut mille anni et mille anni sicut dies unus," i.e., for a
thousand years are with the Lord as one day, and one day as a
thousand years.
It were as well for us to give here the Gaelic version of
this story.
THE STUDENT* WHO LEFI COLLEGE.
There came a number of young people from the County
of Galway, to a great college, to learn and gain instruction,
so as to become priests. I often heard the name of this
college from my mother, but I do not remember it. It was
not Maynooth. There was a man of these of the name of
Patrick O'Flynn. He was the son of a rich farmer. His
father and his mother desired to make a priest of him. He
was a nice, gentle lad. He used not to go dancing with the
other boys in the evening, but it was his habit to go out
with the grey-light of day, and he used to be walking by
himself up and down under the shadow of the great trees
that were round about the college, and he used to remain
there thinking and meditating by himself, until some person
would come to bring him in to his room.
One evening, in the month of Ma}', he went out, as was
his custom, and he was taking his walk under the trees
when he heard a melodious music. There came a darkness
or a sort of blindness over his eyes, and when he found his
sight ngain he beheld a great high wall on every side of him,
* Literally" Tue Son of Learning."
124
bAltA mdp A'p'o Ap J;AC CAOib "oe, Aj;uf b6tAp tonnp AC
Am AC poime. t)i nA pp-ce6it Ap An mb6tAp Agtif IAD
Ag feinm 50 binn, Ajuf CtiAlAi-6 fe gut AS p A*, "cApp
linn 50 cip DA f<3j; Aguf HA f UAimneAf." T)'f.euC fe
CAOb f1Ap "66 AgUf Cot1flA1|\C f 6 tAltA tnOfl AfT) A|\ A
Cut Aguf A|\ 5A6 CAoiG "oe, Aj;up niojt fr^At) f e
Aif tAf An mbAtlA, ci* 50 fAiti mi An
T)'imti f6 A|\ A$Ait> Ann pn AntMAi 5 An 6e6il. til
l An
50 T)CAn-
50 h-AbAinn m<5ip, Agtif uifge mnci Com
le puit. tAinig icngAnuAf Aip Ann fin,
fiut)lAT)Af\ nA pp-ce6it tAp An AbAinn
A T)O pliuCdt), Agup teAn PALAIS O |?Loinn IAT)
A CofA pom "oo ptmCAt). SAOII fe, i "ocofAC, 50
mbut) flUAg-fitie nA pip-ceOit, Aguf fAoil fe Ann
fin 50 bpuAip fe bAf Aguf 50 mbtfb fUiA$ AingeAl -oo
bi <\nn t)o bi t)'^ tAbAipc 50 flAiteAf.
nA bAttAtt) UA(tA Ann fin, A|t gAC CAOlb,
50 mACAipe m6p LeAtAn. t)i f IATJ AJ;
^5 fip-miteACc Ann fin, 50 -DrAngA-DAp 50 CAif-
teAn bpeA$ T>O bi i tAp AH riiACAipe. CuAit) nA pp-
ce6it AfceAC Ann, Ajuf -o'pAn p^-opAis O "ptomn
Atnui$. tliop bpAt)A 50 T)CAini5 UACcApAn IIA bpeAp
ce6il AmAC Cuige Aguf tug AfceAC 50 feompA Altnnn
e. tliop lAbAip fe pocAt, Agiif nTop CuAlAit) PA-QPAIJ
O ptoinn Aon pocAt AttiAin Com fATtA Aguf bi fe Ann.
Hi jiAib AOII oit)Ce Ann fAn AIC fin, ACc fotuf
125
and out in front of him a shining road. The musicians
were on the road, and they playing melodiously, and he
heard a voice saying "Come with us to the land of delight
and rest." He looked back and he beheld a great high wall
behind him and on each side of him, and he was not able to
return back again across the wall, although he desired to
return. He went forward then after the music. He did
not know how long he walked, but the great high wall kept
ever on each side of him and behind him.
He was going and ever-going, until they came to a great
river, and water in it as red as blood. Wonder came upon
him then, and great fear. But the musicians walked across
the river without wetting their feet, and Patrick O'Flynn
followed them without wetting his own. He thought at
first that the musicians belonged to the Fairy-Host, and
next he thought that he had died and that it was a group of
angels that were in it, taking him to heaven.
The walls fell away from them, then, on each side, and
they came to a great wide plain. They were going then, and
ever-going, until they came to a fine castle that was in the
midst of the plain. The musicians went in, but Patrick
O'Flynn remained outside. It was not long until the chief
of the musicians came out to him and brought him in to a
handsome chamber. He spoke not a word, and Patrick
O'Fiynn never heard one word spoken so long as he re
mained there.
There was no night in that place, but the light of day
126
Ap PAT>. tli op it ^5"f tiTofx 61 fe Aon nit), Aj;iif 111
f.ACAiti fe Aon -ouiiie Ann A lie ru AJ 61, A^up nlop
pcop An ceol. tl-uile leAC-UAip, mAp fAoil fe, T>O
CtumeAt) fe clog, mAp tteixjOAt) clog ceAmpotll, o'x.x
biiAtAti, ACc tn ACAit> pe XMI clog, Ajup nioji
pe ^ feiceAL 1 n-^ic A]A bit.
t6it)8At) HA |Mp-ceOil Am AC Ann fAn niA
AH CAipleAin, t)o CigeA-O cpeib -oe SAC uile
f6pc -o'^AnACAit) Ann pAn fpeip Ag peinm An Ceoil but)
ttmne T)A'|\ CuAlAit) ctuAf ApiArii. 1p mmic AtiutoAipc
pAt)pAi5 O ploinn tetp pein " ip cinnce 50 tipuil m^
Ann fAn bf.LAiteAp, ACc nAC AipceAC e HAC tipuil
cuiriine AgAm A|\ tmneAf nA Ap O.Af nA AJ\ opeiteAriinAp,
nAC tipACAit) me DIA nA A mAtAif teAnnui$te
ACA eAllcA "Otimn."
11i fv Ait) flop AS PA-OPAIJ O ptoinn CA pAT) Gi f6 Ann
4ic Aoittmn fin. SAOII fe nAC f Ait> fe innci ACn
geApp ACc 5i fe mnui btiA-6Ain Ajuf ceA-o.
Aon IA ArhAin tti nA f.i|A-ceCii Ainuig Annf An bpAipc
t>i feifeAn AS eifceACc Ie6, nuA!f\ tAinig An
Cuije. T)o tug ffi AITIAC e, Agup Cuip. p6
e CAob-piAp -oe nA f.ip-ce6il. "O'lmtijeA-OAp Ap piuttAl,
Agup ni ]\Aib pcop nA PCAT ACA 50 ocAnsA-OAjv Cum
nA li-Aibne -oo bi Corh -oeAps te fuil. CUA-OA^
Cj\ApnA pin $An pliuCAt) boinn, Aguf o'ltncigeA'OAfx Ap
* Compare the curious poem in the Liber Hymnorum at p. 185 of
ths edition published by Dr. Bernard and Dr. Atkinson, of the sing-
ing birds of which St. Philip told, who inhabited Inis Eidheand, a
land full of rivers. Seacht n-aibhne finda co fad \ i-na muighibk i
fuiled | A* eadh no.iMathand dogrts \ canaid ceolu co cain-lte, i.f.
127
throughout. He never ate and he never drank a, single
thing there, and he never saw anyone eating or drinking,
and the music never ceased. Every half-hour, as he
thought, he used to hear a bell, as it were a church-bell,
being rung, but he never beheld the bell, and he was unable
to see it in any place.
When the musicians used to go out upon the plain
before the castle, there used to come a tribe of every sort
of birds in the heavens,* playing the most melodious music
that eir ever heard. It was often Patrick O'Flynn sai<l to
himself, "It is certain that I am in Heaven, but is it not
curious that I have no remembrance of sickness, nor of
death, nor of judgment, and that I have not seen God nor
His Blessed Mother, as is promised to us ! "
Patrick O'Flynn did not know ho\v long he was in that
delightful place. He thought that he had been in it only
for a short little time, but he was in it for a hundred years
and one.
One day the musicians were out in the field and he was
listening to them, when the chief came to him. He brought
him out and put him behind the musicians. They departed
on their way, and they made neither stop nor stay until
they came to the river that was as red as blcod. They
went across that, without wetting their foot-soles, and went
Seven fair rivers in all their length \ are in theplains where they dwell \
it is t/iis that feeds them for ever \ and they siny songs with fair custom.
So sweetly do they sing that the poet says
"OA cluirroip pip eotn 5111 ACC
In coicetJAt CAerii COITHVAJIC,
tnli, mop in IIIOT>,
i.e. If men should hear (these) faultless birds | this fair equally-
balanced concert | they would all dio gre-.it the deed | on listen-
ing to the harmony. According to the Leabhar Breac there are
birds in heaven with " 100 wings on each bird and 100 melodies in
each wing."
128
50 ocAngA'OAf. Cum nA pAif.ce 1 nj;Af. -oon
cotAifce, An ,A"IC A bpuAf,AT)Af. 6 1 t>cofAC. Ann fin
o'imci5eAT>Af. Af A AifiApc mAf ceo.
T)'f.euc fe tAijuf, Aguf T/Aicin fe An cotAifce, ACC
fAoit fe 50 f,Aib nA cfVAmn niof xiitfoe A^uf 50 jv<Mt>
-Ann f-An gcolAipce p6m. Cu^it) f6
-Ann, x\nn fin, -ACc niof ,Aitm f 6 ^on oume "oo
nio)A Aitin -Aon otune eife^n.
n An 6otAifce Cuige ^nn fin,
teif, " OA'F b' ^f tu A true, no CAT) e 'n c-
ope ? "
O
" CA frAT)A Ann f o tu ? " Afv f An c-UACCA|\^n.
" UA m6 Ann f o 6 c6At> IA ITlAfvuA," AJ\ f eif eAn.
" SAoilitn 50 t>puil c nn-6eitlit)e." A|\ f An C-UA6-
"ni't Aon -oinne T>e T>' Ainm-fe Ann fAn
guf ni t^Aio te p6e btiAt>An, tnAp CA mif e
mo nA pCe bliA"6An Ann fo."
" T)A inbei-6teA Ann 6 f ugAt) tu, CA mif e Ann f o
6'n ITlAjAC fo CUAIT> tA|\c, Agup tig tiom mo feom^A
mo teAbpA tAifbeAnc -ouic."
fin T)' imti$ f6 fUAf An fCAijpe Aguf An
c-UACCAf-An 'nA "61A15. CuAit) f e AfceAC Ann A feomf,A,
o'f:eu6 f6 tA^c Aguf -oubAifc, " if 6 f e6 mo feompA-
f A, ACc m ti-6 fin mo cf-ofjAn, Agtif ni II-IAT) fin mo
leAbjtA ACA Ann." ConnAipc fe feAn-biobtA Af. An
mbofvo, -o'^of jAit f e & Aguf TnibAip c f 6, " 'f 6 f eo mo
bioblA-fA, tug mo mA"tAif. t)Am e niu\m bi m6 AS
ce<\Cc Ann fo, Aguf peuC CA m' Ainm fspiobtA Ann."
129
forward until they came to the field near the college where
they had found him at the first. Then they departed out
of his sight like a mist.
He looked round him, and recognised the College, but he
thought that the trees were higher and that there was
some change in the College itself. He went in, then, but
he did not recognise a single person whom he met, and not
a person recognised him.
The principal of the College came to him, and said
to him, "Where are you from, son, or what is your name ? "
" I am Patrick OTlynn from the County of Gal way,"
said he.
" How long are you here," said the principal?
' ' I am here since the first day of March," said he.
" I think that you are out of your senses," said the
principal, " there is no person of your name in the College,
and there has not been for twenty years, for I am more
than twenty years here."
" Though you were in it since you were born, yet I am
here since last March, and I can show you my room and my
books."
With that, he went up the stairs and the principal after
him. He went into his room and looked round him, and
said, " This is my room, but that is not my furniture, and
those are not my books that are in it." He saw an old
bible upon the table and he opened it, and said : " This is
my bible, my mother gave it to me when I was coming here,
and, see, my name is written in it."
130
"0'f.euC An c-tiACcAp.A'n AJA AH mbio'otA Aj;up Com
cinnce Agup CA T)IA Ann fAn bplAiceAf bi Ainm
Hi $ Loinn fgfviobcA Aim, Aguf An 14 'oe'n mi
An bAile.
Anoif bi btiAi'tf.eAt) m6p. mncinne Ap. An UACcAp.xXn
ni fAib fiop Aige cp-eA-o t)6AnpAt) fe. Chuip. pe
Ap, nA mAijipCjvib Agup A|\ nA h-oit>ib Agup t)'innip
An pgeul T6ib.
m'focAl," A|\ fA feAii-fAgAfc T)O bi Ann,
me CAinc nuAif bi m6 65 Ap. mAC-teiginn
f An gcol^ifce feo Aguf ni p.Aib Aon CuncAf
Aip., be6 nA m<\p,b, 6 fom. CtiuAipcig nA "OAOine AH
Aguf nA poitt motiA ACc ni f^ib Aon CuncAf te
Aip,,
An c-UACcAjtAii o]\ \\A, Ann fin, leAtiAp m6|i t)O
tAtAi|\c Cuige, A t\Ait> Ainm JA6 tnle t>tnne f5|tiot)tA
Ann, -oo tAinig 6um An CotAifce fin 6 cuijteAt) AJ\ bonn
e. "O'^euC fe cpro An teAbAp, Aguf f.euC ! t>I Ainm
PA-O^AIS VJi ^loinn Ann, Aguf An IA -oe'n mi
fe, Aguf ti f6 fe6 f5|\iobtA of coinne An AnmA,
imtij An PA-OJVAIS O ptoinn pn, A Ieit6it) "oe IA,
nA6 f Aib fiof Ag -oume AJ\ bit C|\eAT) tA|\lA -66. Anoip
bi fe 50 oipeAi bliAt)Ain Aguf cedt), 6'n 14 "o'lmtij
fe 50 T)C1 An IA tAinig f6 AJ\ Aif mAp fin.
" If ionj;.\ncA(i Aguf if |\6-ion5AiiCA6 An fgeut 6
f e6," Af f An c-UACcAf An, " ACc f. An, tuf A, 50 f OCAIJ\
Ann f o A mic, Aguf fgjtiobpAit) mife Cum An eAf boig."
Ilinne fe fin, Aguf f.uAip fe cuncAf 6'n eAj^bog An
psAp -oo CongbAii 50 -ociucpAt) fe f.em.
J?AOI CeAnn feACcrhAme, 'nA t)iAi$ fin, taints An
131
The principal looked at the bible, and thcro, as sure as
God is in heaven, was the name of Patrick O'Flynn written
in it, and the day of the month that he left home.
Now there was great trouble of mind on the principal,
and he did not know what he should do. He sent for the
masters and the professors and told them the story.
" By my word," said an old priest that was in it, " I heard
talk when I waa young, of a student who went away out of
this College, and there was no account of him since, whether
living or dead. The people searched the river and the bog
holes, but there was no account to be had of him, and they
never got the body."
The principal called to them then to bring him a great
book in which the name of every person was written who
had come to that College since it was founded. He looked
through the book, and see! Patrick O'Flynn's name was in it,
and the day of the month that he came, and this [note] was
written opposite to his name, that the same Patrick O'Flynn
had departed on such a day, and that nobody knew what
had become of him. Now it was exactly one hundred and
one years from the day he went until the day he came back
in that fashion.
" This is a wonderful, and a very wonderful story," said
the principal, " but, do you ->vait here quietly my son," said
he, " and I shall write to the bishop." He did that, and he
got an account from the bishop to keep the man until he
should come himself.
At the end of a week after that the bishop came an* 5
132
c-CAfboj;, AE U T 6ul H f 6 Pf W JDA-opAij; O
Ill fAib Aon t)ume 1 l<itAifi ACc An tieipc AtfiAin.
"-Anoif -A mic," Ap fAn c-eAfbog, ceifuj; Ajfoo
-oeAn f.AoifiT>in rhAit." x\nn fin y\nne f &
ice Aguf tug x\n c-e^fbog ^t)fot6iT> T)6.
n tnb^ll t^inig t^ige -Aguf cpom-Cot)t<.\t) AI^,
t>i fe Ap peA-6 C|\i 14 ^gup cpi 01* Ce m^f tteit>e-At)
ouine mApt). T1uxM|\ tAimg fe Cuige p6m, tti An c-
uf MA f x\5\Mt\c .Arm ,A tirn6ioll. T)'eini$ f6,
6 fein, xiguf -o'lnnif fe A fgeul -0610, m*\n C.A
fe innifce ^s^m-f^, x\6c Ctup fe ion5x.\nc^f t^p b^fijA
AP h-uile -6uine ACA. "Atioif,'' A\\ feife^n, " CA me
Ann f o flAn bed, ^gtif oe.An.Ai'6 m^|\ if coil lib."
Rmne AH c-e^fbog -Ajuf n^ fAgxMfic cOrh-Aifvte te
6eile. "1f n-AoriitA x\n f.eA|\ tu," Af f^n
Ann fin, "Aguf be.AptMni.Aoi'o opt) be^nnuigte "6uic
An mbAll."
tlinne fiAT) f ASA^C *oe Ann fin, ACc ni cuifge t5i
beAnntnjte custA t>6 'nA tine fe niA^b AJI An Atc6i|i,
Aguf CuAtA-OA^ uile fAn Am ceA-onA An ce6l but)
binne TO cuAtAit) clttAf A]MAm of A gcionn Ann fAn
f pei|\ ; Aguf outtyA-OAp tnte 50 mbut) h-iA-o nA
-oo t>i Ann, AJ; iomCAj\ AnmA -An ACAJ\ O
fUAf 50 ptAiteAf teo.
"Oo tti nA h-ei^eAnnAi$, tA|\ 5^6 nAifiiin eite, b'ei-oip,
cugtA T)O picciuipi "GO t>eAnAm Ann A n-inncinn f.ein
A|\ neitib An cf AogAil eite, A{\ gloip nA bplAiteAf Aguf
A|\ piAncAib if-^mn. "Oo bl fin AJI A gcumAf 6 Aimf ij\
tlAOim puj\fA AnAf, Aguf CA <( pif ^t)AmnAin " 'HA
piofA fA|\-Aitmgte fAn 66f\Aip. tli tHACCAim Ann fo
133
sent for Patrick O'Flynn. There was nobody present
except the two. " Now, son," said the bishop, "go on your
knees and make a good confession.'' Then he made an act
of contrition, 1 and the bishop gave him absolution. Imme-
diately there came a fainting and a heavy sleep over him, and
he was, as it were, for three days and three nights a dead
person. When he came to himself the bishop and priests
were round about him. He rose up, shook himself, and told
them his story, as I have it told, and he put excessive
wonderment \ipon every man of them. " Now," said he,
" here I am alive and safe, and do as ye please."
The bishop and the priests took counsel together. " It is
a saintly man you are," said the bishop then, " and we shall
give you holy orders on the spot."
They made a priest of him then, and no sooner were holy
orders given him than he fell dead upon the altar, and they
all heard at the same time the most melodious music that
ear ever listened to, above them in the sky, and they all
said that it was the angels who were in it, carrying the soul
of Father O'Flynu up to heaven with them.
The Irish were, perhaps more than any other nation,
given to making pictures for themselves in their own minds
of the things of the other world, the glory of heaven aud
the pains of hell. They have been able to do this from the
time of St. Fursa down, and Adamnan's Vision is well
known over Europe. I thall not speak now of Dante, nor
1 Literally : " An act of heart bruising."
184
An "OAnce Asup Aft An sconiAoin p. A A pAi'd pe (no
JVAIO pe) "oo rA n-<3ipeAnnAisiD, ACc ctnpp.it> me flop
CAit>bi\eAtYi no cAipbeAticAp beA$ AJI bpeiteAiiinAp
An AnmA mAfi 6onnAifvc p.eAf\ 1 sConDAe tflui 66 6.
1p mime 6uAlAp C|\ACC Ap An bpiopA po Avip finne rn6
ceitfie Mf\]VA<ic.A te n-A ^5^11, x\6c teip pin o^m, ni
ttpuAifie^p ACc pT|\-t>e^5An oe. ^AO\ oeipeA'6 -oo
P5t\iob mo 6AJM, AH TliAtlAc, ^n m^At) po 6 fteul mo
CAjrAT) Tllite^t ITI^c TluxM-opig, o Cont)A6 itluig 66.
1p "0615 n.\6 bpuit Ann x\cc blot), ACc, mAjv pin vein, ip
A tAbAijtc Ann po. ^5 po 50 -oijieAC
t)O lAbAlV TllAC Hi TlllAI-C.l e.
triAc A
t)i CAtUn Uoriu\nd6 AH Aimpif i T)ceA6 mimpceip,
.\5iip bi pi [AS] CAiteArii ei"oeAt) nA UlAij-ome ITluipe.*
V)\ pi gtUApACc Aon UAi|\ AiriAin Ag "out 6um Aip.|\nin,
AS up ntiAi|\ bi p! t)'^ nige pein bAin pi An c-enDeAt) "61
Agup teA5 pi i leit-tAob e. tAinig mAC AH mmipceip
ApceA6, ASP topuig pe AS 5AbAilleACt(?) Anonn 'p
An Alt AJ\ p.ux) An cpeomjux, A$up CApAt) An c-emeAt)
leip. tins pe Ann A IAUTI AIJI, Asup bpeAtnuig pe 50
5eA]\ Ai{t. Cui|\ pe cimcioll A muineit e, ASP nuAip
tionncutg AII cAilin tA|\u, ConnAiftc pi AH c-ei-oeAt) A|\
tiiAC AII mmipceijv, A$up T)'pAp bAinme mo|\ uijtjii. Cos
pi coipceim Cum ctnn, A$up pcfieACAil pi An c-eroe<v&
O'A ttiumeAl. CopAig pi 'SA -oiobUt) Agup 'S.A ttiAp-
* i.e., pgAbAtl. CA&AIJI f A -OCAJIA nA -pocAil ncAtVi-jjiiAtAcA Ann
An fjeuL j-o, mAj^ACA, " ei-oeA-6 nA nuij-ome," "sAbAilleAcc,"
X)iobtAX)," "COtlAlA-6, "bAtl," "
135
of the obligations under which he was (or was not) to the
Irish, but I shall put down here a little vision or revelation
about the judgment of the soul, as a man in the County
Mayo beheld it. I often heard talk of this piece, and I
made four different attempts to get i , but it failed me. I
only iccovered a very little bit of it. At lust my friend
John MacNeill, wrote down this much from the mouth of
Michael MacRury (or Rogers) from the County Mayo.
There is evidently only a fragment in it, but even so, it is
as well to give it here. Here is exactly, word for word,
how MacRury recited it.
THE MINISTER'S SON.
There was a Roman Catholic girl at service in a minister's
house, and she was wearing the Virgin Mary's garb 1 (i.e., a
scapular). She once was getting ready to go to Mass, and
when she was washing herself she took the garb off her,
and laid it on one side. The minister's son came in, and
he began rummaging (?) backwards and forwards through
the room, and he met the garb. He caught it up in his
hand and observed it closely. He put it round his neck,
and when the girl turned about she saw the garb on the
minister's son, and she got very furious. She gave a step
forward and she tore the garb off his neck. She began
1 This periphrasis for a scapular is one of the many curious ex-
pressions in this piece.
136
lu$At>. THitiAir-c fi leif nA<5 jvAitt f6 ceApc nA poit-
leAriinAC, AS f-CAf. T)'A cuemeAtfi bpeic Ap AH
fin Ann A lAirh, Aguf 50 fVAib fUAC Aguf 5j\Ain
AnA^Ai* nA tDAig-oine sldf-riiAipe, ".A^uf," A]\ fife leif>
" 6 t^fitA 50 fug cu AJA x\n 6it)eAt) be^nnuigte muf
[munAJ > ocpoif5it) cu An Aoine feo tug^inn, i n-ei|\ic
T)0 eACArt, VAt)A\C A\ > 6titA1 lxMtGA , ni GIC It) CU
50
f.AO1 An TMOblAt) tUg An CAlUn T)6, AgUf -OUttAIJIC f6
V6i 50 1 ocjAOif5f.eA > 6 f6 An Aoine.
t)i 50 mAit Ajuf ni fuMb 50 oonA. HuAip CUAH& tnAC
An rhinif c6ifv Ann A 6o > oVA 1 6 An oit)Ce pn, f-UAifi f e CAom
cinmf, Aguf tti f6 50 n-An-T>onA A|t mAiDin, Aguf
tDut)Aipc f6 te n-A rhACAip nAC le:5f 6A-6 f6 Aon-'ne
f AO1 nA tAij\if A6c An CAitin-Aimf ipe, Agnf 50 f.Aitt f uil
Ai$e nAC tnbeit)' f6 A t>fAt> fAn CAom cmnif .
Hi f Aitt Aon-'ne f.f\6AfCAt Ai]\ AC An CAiUn, mA|\ t)i
fiun m6f Aige An Aome cf-ofgAt). t)i piof mAic Aige
o^ mbeit)' A rhAtAip [AJ] cigeACc AfceA6 Ann A feoinjAA
50 gCAicf-eA* f 6 connAlA* (?) t>o CAiteAtti uAiti, Aguf
fin 6 An c-.dt>t>Ap nAC teigfeA* f6 A rhAtAif AfceA6.
tluAif CAinij; xjn /dome, niof t)lAf f 6 speim nA T)eo<i
Af. f e^t) nA n-Aoine.
Af mAit)in, *OiA SACxMpn, "o'fiAf pui$ An riiAtAip *oe'n
CIA An tAilT)o bi Aip. T)nt)Ai|\c An CAitin lei 50
6 AJ ci$ex\cc i T)cifv.* Aguf nuAif cuAit) An
CAitin AfceA6 A|\ UAIJ\ A'oO-tjfiAj fAn LA t)i f6 'nA fcotp
Un -oi^ " t)tjbAi|ir fe, b'eix>ijt 5ti|i "cum ripe" e. CA ATI
137
railing at him and abusing him. She told him that it was
not right nor fitting for a man of his religion to lay hold of
that garb in his hand, seeing that he had a hatred and
loathing of the glorious Virgin, " and," says she to him,
" since it has happened that you have laid hold of the
blessed garb, unless you fast next Friday in eric for your
sin, one sight of the country of the Heavens you shall never
see."
Grief and great unhappiness came over the minister's son
at the abuse the girl gave him, and he told her that he would
fast the Friday.
It was well, and it was not ill. When the minister's son
went to sleep that night he got a fit of sickness, and he was
very bad in the morning, and he told his mother that he
would not let anyone next nor near him except the servant
girl, and that he hoped that he would not be long in the fit
of sickness.
There was nobody attending him but the girl, because he
had a full determination to fast through the Friday. He
knew very well that if his mother were coming into the
room he would have to eat some food from her, and that
is the reason he would not let his mother in.
When the Friday came he never tasted bit nor sup
throughout the day.
On the morning of Saturday his mother asked the girl
how he WES getting on. The girl said that he was doing
nicely \literally, " coming to land "]. But when the girl
went in at the hour of twelve o'clock in the day he was a
dofi-CAince rneAf5CA Ann " un (i.e. cum) rf-pe. .1. "ceAdr i oct-p " -j
" CBACC cum cijie." 1p e if ciAlt x>o "out Ajt AJATO 50 niAit."
138
[coupon]. Aguf tAinig An-t>AtAt) m6p x\p An
Aguf topAig fi A CAOineA^. Cn^it) pi Anu\C
o'mmf ft T>o'n rh.At.Aip 50 pAib fe iriApb.
CuAit) -AH fgeut 6 t>eAt 50 beAt Aim fin,
ceAtm te ceite, gup Ab i x\n c^iUn -DO iiu\j\t> 6, ^511]- ni
fior* ACA CIA x\n c-xMi-tt^f t>tMpj.vvC) ft^-o "oi.
c^pn^n m6nA i n-6AT)x\n TIA cif ue^ti^, ^511^ Ce-An-
An CAiUn te flAt>pAt) speAmuigce -oe ID.AC.AN
ti 1 mbuin AH cige, Aguf nu^ip t>eit* An CotAtin
ACA, t>! fiA*o te ot^ Agtif 'gpeif' cup Ap AH mom
ceine t)o tAttAipc -ot, Aguf An OAitin -oo t)65At)
-oo tofgAt) Ann.
|\ rnAiT>in "OiA VtJAin, nAip ctiAit) PA*O AfceAC Ann
feompA teif An scopp "00 cup f An gcorhpA, t)i rtiAC
AII rhmifceip bed brOseAtfiAit Ann A teAbAi*,
o'mnif f 6 t)6it> An CAifbeAnAt) T>O Contu\ipc fe.
ContiAipc f 6 [mitiAipc fe] nA cpi uemce
niAifcin! ippinn, Aguf An "oiAbAt rn6p 1flx>4f,j"
f6 te6 [.i. te n-A rhumncip] gup Ab i An
n gtopniAp -oo fAbAit e, Aguf -oo f-UAip A
pAp'oun T)6. T)'iApp f i impit)e Ap A h-Aon-tllAC A cup
Ap An fAOgAt Aplf Ag CeAJApg nA ITOAOinC, AJUf fUAlp
f! An impit>ej fin T)6, Aguf mup tnbeit gup CAit fe
Ap An CAtAtii, ni feicf.eAt) fe f\At>Apc Ap 6ut.Ai$
50 bpAt ; Aguf fin e [TDO] f A&Ait 6 Af f.ip-
if?pinn.
*6i " t)ut)Ai|\c
t tAt)Aijt fe An c-Ainm
^ " An c tmpite" outtAifc fetfeAn.
139
corpse, and there came a great dispiritedness [literally,
" much-drowning "] over the girl, and she began crying.
She went out and told his mother that he was dead.
The story went from mouth to mouth, and one person
said to another that it was the girl who had killed him, and
they did not know what awful death they would give her.
There was a heap of turf over against the kitchen, and
they tied the girl with a chain, fastened in an iron staple
that was at the gable of the house, and as soon as ever
they would have the body buried they were to put oil and
grease on the turf, and give it fire, to burn and to roast the
girl.
On Monday morning when they went into the room to
put the corpse into the coffin, the minister's son was there
alive and alert, in his bed, and he told them the vision that
he had seen.
He 8aw, he said, the fires of Purgatory, the mastiffs of
Hell, and the great Devil, Judas, and he told them that it
was the glorious Virgin who saved him, and who got him
his pardon. She asked it of a request of her One-Son to
put him into the world again to teach the people, and she
got that request for him ; and if it had not been that he
had worn the garb of the Virgin [though] only for a moment,
when he was on earth, he would not have seen one sight
of the country of the heavens for ever ; but it was that
which saved him from the lowest depths of hell.
mic AT\ rhmisc6m.
CA An dotAnn 'OA lAi-6e A5p i 'TIA f ATI.
Sol'.lf tApCA Ap A h-UACCA|U
CA HA mnA cjiionA 'HA fi-6e 50 mAltA,*
65' (s* c ) 50
nA<i bAit>eApcA mAtl-Aijce -oAmAnc.\ mo
nioji fcpA-oA 50 b^ACA me An
Cfi teim-6 mopA.
An ceine but) tu^A ACA, buu m6 i
ceAt) O&A5 m6nA,
'ni tAn-ft6ibe || ci-6 bu-6 mop i.
Ann ftn TDO connAic me An c-ioti5AncAf, IT
nA cfi mAtpcint mojiA,
1At) A|l tAf At)
6oinne-vt
A|i cAoib An cfteibe**
Aj petceAm te m'AnAtn bocc
140
fe peACc tnt>tiAt>nA Ap -An
nt>Aoine, Ajjur 1 AS innpnc*ooit> An cpei-oeAtfi ceAj\c.
tionncAig A rhuijugin wile 'nA
T ^ ro^ ^ >ri ttimipc6ip *oo Cum An
-o, 50 mocAij' fit) mo fjeAtA,
An c]tt nix> ip mo teip An bpeACAt) no -oe
* " 50 mAntA."
t =5eAttAmnA (^An coiml,ionA-6,
" bjieAjAC " TDubAiiic fe.
|| " LA f teix) " -oubAipc
If " An c-AoncAf "
** "Ajl CA01D A ftCibe VAfCl"
141
He spent [after that] seven years in the world teaching
people, and telling them the right religion, and all his family
turned Catholics, and it was the minister's son who com
posed the dan or poem.
THE DAN OF THE MINISTER'S SON.
The body, it lies in the sleep of the dead,
And the candles above it are burning red ;
The old women sit, all silent and dreaming,
But the young woman's cheeks with tears are streaming. 1
Oh listen, listen, and hear the story
Of what are the sins that shut out from glory.
Promises, lies, penurious hoarding,
How troubled, how cursed, how damned the story ! 2
But it was there that I saw the wonder !
Three great piles of fire.
And the least fire it rose in a spire
Like fifteen hundred of turf on fire,
Or a burning mountain, higher and higher.
It was not long until I saw
The three great mastiffs,
Their gullets opened,
And they a-burning
Like great wax candles
In a mountain hollow,
Waiting for my poor soul
1 Literally The body is lying, and it in its [death] sleep | kindled
light above it | the old women are sitting sedately (?) | but tears are
on the cheeks of the young woman, miserably.
2 Listen ye, listen ye, until you hear my tidings | the three things
greatest for making sin | promises [unfulfilled], want of charity,
lies | is it not troubled, cursed, damned my story is.
(The rest of the translation in the text is almost literal.)
T) 'AtpA-6 'f no ficAbA-6,
A5 U P A cAb<M|tc 50 h-ip|;iorit?
x\5 putAinj nA peine.*
50 jcACAib ipp;mn
cpiACAp; pott cp:e mo c
mop: -vAm pern t An oioce cp.oipj;eAp,
ei-oeA-o tiA ItJAij-oine ITlume cAice^f,
HA beno' mo cit) pot A Ajtip peotA Ann AttiAic]ieAni. J n loifjce
nA rroiAbAt 50 tA An
Ann pin cuijieA-6 coipx)e An DA'^ 'eA5 ojim
tJux) cjieipe te n-A n-otcAp 'nA te n
[Alitei t)u-6 cp^ire te m'otcAp 'no te mo
5AC A moeAp;nA me 6 bi me mo teAnb,
S5p.1ot)CA 1 bpAlpeAJt' t>UbA A^ltp 56AtA.
CeAnn Ann mo tAim, A5up ce^nn AJI An
gAn Ap;cAC AjAm mo coijt cup: A bpotA6. J
Ap; tionnco-6 tAp;c oiom, CAOO mo tAime oeipe,
ConnAic me An ^luipce bpeAj beannAijte
PAOI n-A dtocAib geAtA,
"0 'piAppiAij pe -Diom, -oe nA bjdAcjtAi
CA |iAib me mo comnuit^e nuAip; bi me AH Ati
tlAjt me An c-AnAm bocc ACA te out p.\n
Ay ttonn-6-6 rAp,c t);om, rAob mo tAime cteiire
ConnAic me An "OiAbAt m(3|( x>o pUAi^t bjiAitip (?) f|
-Ag -out i mbAp;p;A mo jeA^A
pin -o'pAp An CAJIC Ap. m'AruMn bofcc,
A ^IA, 6 ! niop
" An peineAc " TiuoAipc p6.
"T)Am pem " t>utAip;r; pe, mAp; ip coic&ionn, 1 ^ConnACCAiti.
+ tAbAi|iccAp "potAc" mAp; "pAtAc" i j;conT>Ae rilui^ 66.
"Oeiji piATj " ce " i n-Aic "CA" 1 jcon-OAe rilmj 66.
II =b|iiob. 1ux>ApipT>6ij;. CAbAip PA -oeAp;AAn me.vo o'pocAtAtb
143
To tear and to swallow,
To bring down to hell's foulness
In anguish to wallow.
I was taken to the gates of hell,
And the hair was burnt off my forehead,
And a sieve of holes was put through my middle ;
It was then it stood to me, that night I fasted,
And wore the garb of the Blessed Virgin,
Or my flesh and my blood had been burned to a pufi of ashes.
It was then the jury of the twelve sat on me,
Their evil will than their good will was stronger, J
And all that I did since my days of childhood
Was writ upon paper in black and white there ;
One paper in my hand, on the ground another,
To conceal a crime I had no power.
On turning round of me, towards the right-hand side,
I beheld the noble blessed Justice
Beneath his bright mantle,
And he asked of me, with soft blessed words,
" Where was I living when I was on the earth,
And whether I were not the poor soul who had to go to the
bar. "
On turning round of me, towards the left-hand side,
I beheld the Great Devil that got the bribe,
Going to fall upon me from above [literally, " on the top of my
branches or limbs,"]
And it was then that the thirst grew upon my poor soul !
And, oh, God ! oh ! it was no wonder !
x>An \-o, m&\\, "50
," " bjuMlip."
1 Aliier " My evil was more powerful than my g< odnesa."
144
6eA|ic me puAf Afi An mAi5t>in
O'lAjtjt me impit>e ui|i|ii me to3-.\il 6 nA
"O'l'r^S f" ^nuAf 50 tutmAfi CApA,
teij i pern Aft A glum min fleAiiiAin,
O'lAjt]! fi irnpnae Aft A h-Aon-ltlAc 'f A^I A
tDo cu|i i mbA]tfi J6A5 nA i tub nA cloice,
nA FAOI An cAlAm mAft teix)eAf * An eApoj,
HA An CAot> o -OCWAI^ mA^t f-ei-oceAji An pieAccA,
HA Ann f An jcol-Ainn ceAt)nA A5 ceA^Afj nA nx>Aom3,
beAtinAcc T)e -oo bent O'A innjMnc.
fo upnxMge ^n-^Lumn -co ptMii\ me rgniottt^ le
eigm, i n-oeif.e^t) -An te^ttAit\ r ln An
A.\J\ UA!^MH me 6e^nA. CA x\n pio]M
fo c^ppAinsce 6'n tAi-oion ^gup ip p ^ f<\G^il o'n
An ^t)tt^|\ pin, toeitum ^nn po e. Se ip
-06 "Upn^Mse coicCe^nn Ap An uile OCAIT)." Ho
i U\iT)!on, "Oratio universalis ad oinnia salutem
spectantia." 1p piti An CuLAit) gAe'oeAlAC AJ\ An
T)O
O, A *6iA, cpefoim icnnAC, neA^icAi5 mo c]iei-oeAtTi ;
ITIuimjim loiinAC, -OAinsntj mo muim^tn;
tu, -oubAit mo j|iA-6.
c liom 5iiji cuijteAf feAjij o|ic
A-6]iuijim c niA^t ceAxi-c'.'if mo GeArA-6,
SAnncuijim tu mA)i mo cpioc -oei
tteijtim bin-oeACAf -oiuc mAjt mo fi
5Aifiim o^c mAji mo
" CenJCAnnp " A-oubAi^c feipeAn, AJ meAfjA-o, mAji tp
, An X>A foi]tm fin. * -" eAnn " Ajup i n-"eAp.
145
I looked up and saw the Blessed Virgin,
I asked a request of her to save me from the foul devils.
She lowered herself down actively, quickly.
She laid herself upon her polished smooth knee,
And asked a request of her One-Son and her child,
To put me in the top of the branches, or in the fold of a stone,
Or under the ground where the weasel goes,
Or on the north side where the snow blows,
Or in the same body again to teach tha people,
And the blessin" of God to the mouth that tells it. *
Here is a prayer that I found written by one Michael
Picoi 1 at the end of that Mahon's book of which I have
spoken before. This piece is taken from the Latin and
it is worth while to save it from death. For that reason
I give it here. It is called a common or general prayer
for every occasion. Or in Latin " Oratio universalis ad
ormia salutem spectantia." It is worth preserving the
Gaelic garb of this Latin prayer.
A GENERAL PRAYER.
<~fr>cl, I believe in Thee ; strengthen my belief.
1 trust in Thee ; confirm my trust.
I love Thee ; double my love.
I repent that I angered Thee,
Increase my repentance.
I adore Thee as first-beginning of my life.
I desire Thee as my last end.
I give thanks to Thee as my ever-helpsr.
I call upon Thee as my strong-defender.
1 i.e., the mouth that repeats the above.
146
tion mo dftofoe te h-uAmAin jAn
te muinijm 5411 An-x>6ccuf,
te CttAbAX) JJAtl f AODA-6,
tTIo "6iA ! Aoncmj mo
tTIo toijmeAf5 te x>' ceA
tYlo comp6|tcAcc tex' c^.o
mo 6it)ionn tex*' coiiu\ccA.
tlAoriiAimt m'uite fmuAince, bjiiACjiA, gnioniAjicA, Aj
, UAI-O peo AniAd, 50 f mAinp ttiti ojic
50 orjiAccpAinn ope, 50 p Aoc^ocAinn -outc,
Ajuf 50 bf ulonjAinn xiuic.
, iA|i|tAtm 50 tToeincAji x>o coit,
T>e 6icm 5|i Ab i TJO ioit,
Ojic poittfij mo tuij
lontAif !! (?) mo coit, stAti mo cojtp, Ajuf nAoriu\i3
mo "6iA ! cAOAijt neA]ic
loniiAf 50 troeAnAim cutciuJA'O im' e
50 mbeAjipAinn buAix) &\\ mo CACUij;ci6,
50 sceAjicocAirtn mo -ojioc-ctAoncA tAi-o|te,
50 ocAiceocAinn nA fubAilci-oe
x>om' f CAI-O beACA-6.
tion mo 6ttonJe te jeAti x>o -o' li
T)'f UAC oom' toct)Aib, -oe $]\&r> oom
Aguf "oe CAjicuif ne -oo'n
go jjcuimni Jim, IT A t)iA,
1!)eic utiiAt oom' uAcuAft
AoncAijeAfc T)O m
"OtteAf xio m'
A^uf CA^tAnAc x>om'
*'"Oo" MS. tt>'efoi|t "nAomAij." J"llAi-6j'i" MS.
147
Fill Thou my heart with awe without despair ;
With hope, without over-confidence ;
With piety without infatuation. ;
And with joy without excess.
My God ! consent to guide ma by Thy wisdom ;
To constrain me by Thy right ;
To comfort me by Thy mercy ;
And to protect me by Thy power.
I hallow all my thoughts, words, deeds and sufferings to The
So that from hence-forward I may think on Thee,
May converse of Thee, may labour for Thee,
And may suffer for Thee.
God ! I ask that Thy will be douo,
Because it is Thy will,
And iu the way Thou wiliest.
1 beseech of Thee enlight: n my understanding,
Wash my will, cleanse my body, hallow uiy soul
My God, give me strength
So that 1 may make expiation for my misdeeds,
So that I may wiu victory over my temptations,
So that I mav right my strong evil-inclinations,
And so that I may practise the virtues
That are suitable to my st.ite of life.
Fill my heart with affection for Thy goodness,
With hatred of my faults, with love for my neighbours,
And with con'einpt for the world.
That I may remember, God,
To be submissive to my superiors,
To be at one with my inferiors,
Faithful to my friends
And charitable to my enemies.
=""Oe oj"5 5 u t'-" !i t>'eiT]i "lonnail " = 1115.
V J^ujt cuiriinijeAjt '' MS.
148
CUfOlj t'OTM bUAIT) -DO ft]181C
Aft cotnuijeAcc te cjiAbAx>,
Aft fAinc le h-AtmpA,
Afi tAj-AncAcc te rmocAijieAcc,
\ pUAtt-CftAbA-6
A t)iA, -oeAn cjtionA* me ftiA netiib JAt>Ap te[m'] Aip,
5:1^ UtTIAt 1 lTOUt-A|1-A5A1X) '
tlAjt -oeAtiAimt coi-oce
PA Aipe x>o cfi te m'
tTleAfA|it>Acc te tn' beA
THcciott te m' CU
buAncAf Ann fnA neicift c
A CijeAjinA, mup^Ait me cum compAf ceA;rc ~oo conheAX),
[CAt>Ai|i xAm] moTJAmtACC oo'n teAc-Amuij,
10niCA|1 ^1A5
"OeonAij -oAm -oo fi
te rjteipe t>o bjieic Ait mo nA-ouip,
te pAoriiA-6 x)o T)' 5fiAfAi5,
te coimtionA'o o'AiteAnncA,
te h-oibtnuJAT) mo ftAnutjce.
j x>Atn, A "6tA, neim-ni-oeAcc AH oomAin-pe,
Aitip T)e,
cc nA h-Aimf i^ie.
-oAm me fem -oo cufi t ti-ovieAmAtn -oo'n
jTAicciop TJO beic o|itn |ioirii TJO bjieic
"OAmnA-o oo feACAmc,
f A xieoij neAm oo jjnocuJAt). t
coit
pCACAC,
*' : T)ion cfiioiTOA," MS. t " no.ji -oiongAn," M
yioji-ConnAcrAC An focAt po.
149
Aid mo to gain a victory
Over fleshly -desires by piety,
Over covetcusness by alms-giving,
Over passion by mildness,
And over hypocrisy l by earnestness.
O God, make me wise in the things that pass near me(?)
Valiant in danger, patient in tribulation,
And humble in going forward through the vvoiiii.
May I never forget
To put heed in my prayers,
Moderation in my ways,
Earnestness iu my care,
And perseverance in the things I set before me.
Lord, stir me up to keep a riglifc conscience,
Give me courtesy on the out-side,
Pro lit able conversation, and orderly bearing.
Vouchsafe me always
To get the upper hand of my natural disposition
By inclining to Thy graces,
By fulfilling thy commandments,
And by working out my salvation.
Show me, God, the nothingness of this world,
The majesty of the heaven of God,
The shortness of time
And the length of eternity.
Grant me to put myself into a state of fitness for death,
To be afraid of Thy judgment,
To shun condemnation,
And at last to gain heaven.
Finally, may it be Thy will
To grant repentance to every
sinner,
1 Literally "cold-piety," by which the Irish always ti-anslato,
ihough not very happily, the Greek ' wrwptjnt. 1 It is here equiva-
lent, however, to the Latin iepiditas.
150
Sio)t-T>tit AJI A^AI-O DO nA pi |',eunAi5,
Sioc6An -co nA beoxiAib,
A 5r piop-AOibneAp DO .HA cuefOiheAcAib pu
po uite o]\r, & tijeAjinA xo Aoncvitd-6,
Cjte UiAioeAcc Aft -oCi^eAjinA lopA Ciiiopc,
Cjie eA-oAjiguvoe AJI mtJAmcigeAjtnA toeAtmAijce,
tiA n-uile HAOITI,
toil AH nAom-ltlACAitt An eAstAip -imen.f
, -oo
me 6'm' CAMT), x\n u-AtAi|\ 66111 Cvvcni^ot^c
-ouine
*oe
t)e t/e h-AnAm Ann-Aii|ieACA, Ajt mAitfeACA, Aft nx)eA|'.-
, AJI tTDeittbpiujiACA; Aguf beAnnAcc "Oe le AJI n-
Vein An IA oemi'6.
tDAlt, A t)1A, JTA01 f
Aipjiinn tA fAoi^e n<i "OomnAij, nA ftnAt peACAt-6 A|! bic.
go meADUisiT) cu A|t An nsluijie, Agup 50 tA^Diii^iw cu A|t nA
Amen.
mAit * ACAtnAoitt Anocc, 50 rnbuTJ feAcc mite feAjtjt A
mui-o bliAx>Ain 6 AHOCC [pnn pcin ]] Ajt jcufo 1 n-^.en-
, [i] fAO^AL Ajup i plAince, 1 IIJUA-O i i n-AbAncuji, i njjtA-o
A 5 U T ' bpAicciop "Oe, 1 njtiA-o "Oe A5p nA ti-OAOine, A5p A beic 6
nA peAcAi-6.
x\jup An Ce A cui|i ptAn 6'n tA mui-o, 50 jcuijii'o Se ptAn CAJ\ An
oit)ce tnttiT), 50 5cui]iit) Cu ptAn 6 JAC ^AbAX) 50 x>eo mint). Amen.
peipeAn.
t "Do ci|i mo cA|iAix>, CACAl mAC 11eitt, coib "oe'n tAi-oion c
A6c ni't An c^tiomA'D fiAnti nA nA oeic tine "oeijeAnnAdA miin.
CopAtjeAnn pe mAji po pAn l/Ai-oion, " Credo, Domine, sed crcdam
firmius | Spero, Domine, sed speram securius | Arao, Domine, sed
151
Constant forward-progress to the righteous,
Peace to the living,
Aud everlasting happiness to the faithful who have died.
I ask of Thee, O Lord, to grant all this
Through the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Through the intercession of our Blessed Lady,
And of all saints,
And through the will of our Holy Mother the Church.
Here is a short, and not very shapely prayer which I gut
from my friend the Rev. J, C. MncErlean, S.J., who wrote
it down from the mouth of a man in the County Galway.
GOD'S BLESSING.
God's blessing with the soul of our fathers, our mothers, our
brothers, our sisters ; and the blessing of God be with our o\vn soul
at the last day.
Forgive, God, neglect of confession, of penance, forgetfulness of
Ma?s on holiday or Sunday, or any [other] blot of sin.
Mayest Thou increase the glory, and mayest Thou lessen the pains.
Amen !
If it is well off we are to-night, that it may be seven thousand
times better we shall be a year from to-night, ourselves and our
possessions together, in life and in health, in love and in luck, in
love and in fear of God, in love of God and men, and [us] to be
away from sins,
And He who sent us safe since day-[break] that He may put us
safe over the night ; and mayeat Thou send us safe from every
daner for ever. Amen.
Ap bemu'o"
amem ardentius | Dolco, Domine, set! doleam vehemcntius." ^3 ro
AH tAitMon ACA Af AM reireAX> HAIVD. .). Voto quidijv.id vis | Voto
quia vis Yolo quomodo vis | Yol r quamdiu vis. ~QQ\\\ mo cA|tAix>
ATI fliAllAc liom 50 opuit j.-Aic<':iop Aiji jjuji Af An mbeAjtlA x>o
152
/An CeAT) UA1JV "DO CUAl'Af An T)An fO, teAnAf , "DO
5Aillime e. T>*
fiAT> AnnfAn gCAtAijx fin An
\/' 1 gcomOfiCAf Af. fon tnu\ipe e ni'l fi
CAT) 6 A flomneAtX Hug m6 -00 leit-t^oit> 6,
guf fgfiot) me f iof tixMt) niof in<5 'HA
t)e, .AC ni |iMtt ^n c-x\m .AgAm le
. T)ut>Aipc me fin le mo CAJVAIT),
nuAi]\ fUAi|\ fe pem pAitt A\\ xin f
*oo fppTot) fe fiof An c-ioml^n uAit>, *j *oo
50 cmeAlCA 6ti5Am-]M e. 1f t)0)5 n^6 topuil Ann
tilO-C, Aguf 50 t)f.uil -DA piof A meAfgtA cfe n-A Ceite
Ann, 6tp ni meAfAim 50 mt)AineAnn nA h-o6c Unce
teif An 5CU1T) eile t>e, <3 6eA|\c. Uug m6
piof A seAff -oo tofAij mAf tofAijeAnn fe f e6.
t1i f Ait) Aon Ainm Ag An feAn-f.eAf, Aip, if mife t)o Cinp
An ciot)Al Aip. 1f coicCionn ATI f 56 At 1 -ocAOit) An
AtJtACAt) 10SA.
A ttlAij-oeAn mo-otriAti, ni6t)AniAit,
1f r ino fc6|i, tno Ion, 'f mo tAi
1f cu mo cfiAnn-poitlpe te
"Oo cjieonu^A-o 30 TliojAcr: tiA
An c-Aon rilAc nAomcA, ^15 TIA n-
A o'putAins An pAif, An fjAt, 'f Ati mAf U
Aj; CAOA1|1C fAfAX) A|1 An
T)o gnimi-o AH An CAlAm.
* * * *
CuijieA-6 Ann fAn cuAmbA e, te coit
b'e An pomptA Ann | % An eAT)A^t|iA *OIA h-Aome,
h "An -piomptA Ann fAn cAnjtuij," -oviftAinc feipeAn. SAOit me
1 T)ro}"Ac guji t>'e "An pomptA Aim fAti neAt> " AT>ulJ)Ai[tr fe.
Literally: O Virgin, courteous, mannerly handsome | Thou art
my store, my provision, ami my resource | Thou art my shaft of
light to conduct my soul | To the Kingdom of the heavens.
153
The first time that I heard the following poem was at
the Galway Feis. A poor old man whom they called in
that city the Ceaimaidhe C6ir [canny core] or Honest
Merchant I do not know his real name recited it in the
competition for a prize. I brought him aside during the
interval between two competitions and wrote down from
him more than half of it, but I had not time to finish it.
I told this to my friend Eoghan O Neaclitain, and when he
himself got an opportunity he wrote down the whole of it
from the old man, and kindly sent it to me. It looks as if
there were only a fragment in it, and as if there were two
pieces mixed up with one another, for I d not think that
the first eight lines belong by right to the rest of it. I
have already given a short piece which begins as this one
begins. The old man had no name for it. It is I who
have given it a title. The story about the cock is
common.
THE BURIAL OF JESUS.
Virgin gentle, courteous, gracious,
Whose goodness, which my soul embraces,
A shaft of light through time and space is,
To lead it into heavenly places.
Thy Holy Son, the King of Angels
Suffered passion, wounds, estrangement,
In satisfaction for the ailments
Of the sins which here assail us.
******
He was laid in the tomb at the will of the King,
He died with pains unstinted,
The Holy One-Son, the King of the Angels | Who suffered the
passion, the terror, and the reviling | Giving satisfaction for the sin
| Which we commit upon the earth.
lie was placed in the tomb by the will of the King, and hard-
ship (?) | And he was the example in the afternoon of Friday | The
JTtnt A cjioit>e AS out cjti n-A c\oib A'p JAC bjiAon TOO AJ -out
C|iApiiA.
-A'p 50 pAoitpeA HAG peAppA'o pe conJce.
tii teAC Ann pAn oojiup, -OAJI 50 -oeimui cosh -OAinjeAn
'S HAC OCOJpAt) C6A-Q p6AJl 1 JAn fplOJIAX),
go -ocAinis AinjeAt Ap plAiceAp, 5ji jienicij; pe An
"S gun cos pe An teAC Ap A
muijie mAj-OAteine* 50 li-eApjAiti ApceAc Ann,
go teijippeAT) pi cneA-OACA AJI ^Ci^eAjitiA,
\ An cAmbA, CAJ(C tim6iotl, 50 f
Hi bfUAijt pi Aon AtriAjtc A]i lopA.
go 5pACAi-6 p5 An c-AipeAt) 50 ]\em cotp An
SAn meAT) A t>? potA6 -oe -oo t>i pet
O'ftApuwis fi 50 pAiceAc "An peA|i cu no FAC(?) cu?"
Ho ce ntjeAjinAit) pib AC AIT) (?) J A\\ oO^eAjtnA.
"niojt pA5bAij me An AIC peo," -oeiji An 5A]foAbi '$A F
'S nl p.CApA6 me CIA ^IACA-O O'A IA
CA emin beA5 0011/15 AJ pticAt) pAn
('S IATI A' oeip-mA5AX> FA n-&]\
*SAOil mipe gup x)ut)Aijic pe " triAfoiiilejie," ] niojt
6 1 -ocopA6.
t Hi tu^im An tine feo 1 5ceAjic.
t A3 po nocA -oo bi AJAHI 6m' CA^AI-O eo^An UA
ngAittiiTi, niAji teAnAp. ""O'Aic-fnp AH 'CcAnnui-ue Coiji ' An t3An
WT) Ajtip "OAm, ACC 1p m6}1 All C|(I1A15 nAC bptllt tlA flACtA AJ An
t)ume bocc. tli peitjif A tAn -DA n-cei|ieAnn pe -oo tuijpitic 50
beAcc, i ni't pop AjAm fop AN -oubAijic pe 'ACAITJ' no 'ACAI-Q, '
no niA-p 'ACCAOI' no ' ACAT>.' X)ei}i pe *An p.eAfi cu no fAc cu ?'
.1. 'An feAf cu no CAitibpe?' ACC fAOit mipe ju^ jjieAmuij; pe
'cu' te ' f CAJI ' i A|tip te 'FAC' [p.eA|\cu no F A ^]- "Oeijt pe
'fAC,' An ' A ' 56A^|i. T)eifi pe Ajiip, "ni't 5A^i AJ c|t 'bAfijiA-6'
An lopA," i nuAiji o'^iA^ttiigiop ceAnA T>e c|teAt> e ' bAjijlAX),' -oe
pe 5U|t ' bA|iAmAit 6,' ACC ip "0613 tiom 30 bpuit An ceA|ic AJA-O-
jix) nA-p cuAtAp-pA A|iiAth ' bA|i|i pe me = hestopt me. 1 [CA An p
fin coicceAnn 1 gComjAe UopcomAm]. T)ubAi]ic pe ' coit A'
niAji 'coitjuj;,' Aon pocAt AtiiAin, i 'pomptA ' niA|i ' piomptA.' [ip
mA|t ' piomptA ' tAbAi]tceA|t e i jCotTOAe TtopconiAin mAjt An
5ceAt)iiA]. T)ubAi|ic pe 50 gciAttxii^eAnn ' CA-OJIUIJ ' [eAt>AficfiA ?]
'CA| eip nieA-oon tAe,' A^up ' bi pAtAc -oe, -jc.' ' tDi pe ct-O
pAn AIC (oe) A ^tAib pe ctu-OAijcc, Ajup fAn AIC nAc |iAib, ni
155
The blood of his heart on the point of the dart,
And death on his cold face printed.
At the door of the tomb was a stone of gloom,
Not a hundred men could heave it,
But an angel came from heaven like flame
To raise it and to leave it.
The Magdalen came, and she came in her haste,
To wash his wounds in a minute,
She searched through the gloom of the rock-hewn tomb,
No trace of the Lord was in it.
She saw by the wall the grave clothes all
Lying empty there, and started,
And timidly asked of the soldier guard
" Where has our Lord departed."
" I was here," said the guard, " I kept watch and kept ward,
Why seek ye the truth to smother,
I've a nice little cock who boils here in my pot
And the one is as dead as the other."
[ni cuijim-pe An niiniuJA-o po], Ajjup x>eijt pe sup 'niAjA'o,' 'x>eip-
TTIAJAX).' "
^5 pin nocA mo cAjtAt) An MeAccAnAc, -] cpoctnjeAnn pe com
CA pe nA peAn-x>AncA po x>o cup piop i jceAfic.
blood of his heart going out through his side and every drop of it
flowing across Him | And sure, you would think that he would
never stand.
There was a flag in the doorway, and surely it was so firm | That
a hundred men would not raise it without breaking-it-up | Until
an angel came out of heaven, till he redded the road | And till he
lifted the flag out of. their presence.
Mary Magdalene came hastily into it | That she might heal the
wounds of Our Lord | She searched the tomb all round about,
hurriedly | And she did not get one sight of Jesus.
Until she saw the grave clothes ready beside the wall | In the
portion [of the tomb] that the cover was off (?) it was | She asked
timidly, "Are you a man or a ghost (?) [ Or where have ye made the
room (?) of our Lord ? :>
"I never left this place," said the guard who was watching
him | "And I do not know who would go looking for him | I have
a small little bird of a cock boiling [hers] in this pot" | (And they
making a mo^k of our Lord).
M
156
[" CA einin beA coitij AJ ^IUCA-D f ATI
xVoeifi f<?,A5 mAjAT) pA n-Aft
" 5 S 50 n-ei^ij An coiteAc ATTIAC Ar- An scot
til pefoiftAn Aifeirti.^e oeAnAtn.
Act -o'eitiij An coiteAc Aniop Af An 5001116,
CjlAlt f 6 A "DA fJIACAn, 'f CUIfl f e gtAO-O
"lYl'ocon 1" AH fAn 5A]foA, 'f -OAfi n-ooij ni 5An A'
"tll't 5A|\ AJ CU|1 bA^tflATI A|1 lOfA."
CA mife cinn b|te6it)ce, 'p beo me TD'A
tTluji feolAix) cu me i mbeAlAc A ttpuij" me e,
Cuirtpi-6 me bAm Annf JAC fAtAX) 'f JAC
T)'A
t tigAititi-o CA Se 'n Aic A bpuit nA
1f Ann fut) A jeot)Af cu
CA mo ceAmpotl-fA x>eAncA 50 nAomtA AJ
'S An cHciT)eAm tpi tAfA-6, JAC cAob -oe,
tTlA buAitceA^ An colAnn ni bAoJAlAc -oo'n
A6c nA fCAnAjAix) m'Ainm-fe coi-oce.
fo piojM beAg tDinn eile Ap An t3^ Thuipe, T>O
rn6 6 mo 6A<Mt) Aitie^ Hi AiCeAllAi, -oo
t tli teip 6 CIA t>ei|i T>A tine feo.
" I have a small little bird of a cock boiling in the pot," | Said he,
mocking at our Lord | "And until tho cock rises up out of the
pot | It is impossible to make a resurrection."
But the cock rose up, away out of the pot | He shook his two
wings, and put a crow oiit of him | " My ouhone," says the guard,
and surely not without cause | " There is no use putting a stoppage
on Jesus."
[THE VIRGIN SPAKE.]
I am sick and ill, and I am not alive for want of Him | Unless ye
157
"Pve a nice little cock who boils here in my pot
While the camp looks on and sees us,
And until the cock rises out of the pot,
He never shall rise, your Jesus."
With that the dead cock flew out of the pot,
And clapped with his wings, loud crowing,
" Ochone " ! cried the man, and his features grew wan,
"Then Jesus is up and doing."
[SPAKE THE VIRGIN].
" I sicken, I sigh, with longing I die,
If ye show me not where to find him,
To put balm in the cuts and the stabs \<vl the wounds,
Wherewith in his side they signed him."
He is gono where are gone the Apostles, and soon
In Galilee thou shalt find him.
[SPAKE CHRIST.]
By Peter my Church has been holily built
With flame of faithful endeavour,
Though the body be stricken the soul hath no guilt,
Confess ye my name for ever.
Here is another melodious little piece about the two
Marys which I got from my friend Miss Agnes O'Farrelly,
direct me in the way I shall get Him | I shall put balm into every
stab and every cut | That they have made across in His breast.
In Galileo He is, the place where the Apostles are | It is there
you will find Christ.
[SPAKE CHRIST.]
Peter has My Church holily built | And faith [or religion] lit up
on each side of it | If the body be beaten there is no cUnger of the
soul | but do not ye deny My name for ever.
e 6 Afun 65 1 n-1mpmeAt)on, no 1 n-A|iAirm
ni'l piof .Ag^m CM
.AH *OA rhu!:te.
An OA tiluijie
T)A UAIJI -fionri An tA,
'n A' ceAmpoill*
CAOinCAX) A
An
'S A comneAlt jeAt 'nA tAtth,
"Se T)O IbeACA, 'ttlui|ie,"
tiA
"CAT) (bulge HAG 5Cuiitim5eAnn cu
IIUAifi o'putAinj cu An pAip?
CAX> cuige nAc scuimmjeAnn c
T)'pulAin5 cu An bA
"CAT) cuije nAc jcuitnni^eAnn cu
An cfleAJ mrnet ctie -oo IAJI,
peAt)Af Ajuf cuiriineocAX)
CtAnn CA&A
Ctiimmj o
A clAnn
te congnAtn "Oe.
= 6um An
t "tluAip CUA1-6 An cpleAi; mme," x>bAi|ic
1 Literally The two Marys arose | Two hours before the day {
Tuay went to the church | Keening their love.
The angel came | And his bright candle in his hand | All hail,
Mary | Says the great God of the Graces.
Why dost thou not remember | When thou sufferedst the passion |
Why dost thou not remember When thou sufferedst the death.
159
who got it from a young gossoon in Inisnvian, or in Arau
more, I do not know which.
UPROSE THE TWO MARYS.
Uprose the two Marys, 1
Two hours ere day,
And they went to the temple
To keene and to pray.
There came in the angel
With candle so bright,
"All hail to thee, Mary,"
Said God full of light.
"And dost thou forget it, 1
Thy passion and pain,
And dost thou forget it,
Thy slaying by men ?
" And dost thou forget it,
The spear and the threat,
Which no children of Adam
Could ever forget?
Remember me, children
Of Adam and Eve,
And the heavens of God
Ye shall surely receive.
Why dost thou not remember | The venomous spear through Thy
side | And so excellently well would the children of Adam and Eve
remember it.
Remember me [or, think of me] | Ye children of Adam and Eve |
And ye shall find the heavens | With the help of God.
1 In this and the next verse it would appear as though the Virgin
were speaking and asking Christ how he could be to forgiving as to
appear in the world again after the. treatment he had received, because
none of the mere race of Adam could be so forgiving.
160
6'n n^Ar-un ceAt)nA:
rim me tiA nj;nAs.
riluijte ttA
tine t)e,
cu
AH mo teAf me. *
Jo fAbAlAfo cu me
Aft jAd uit.e otc
[o f AbAt/AiT) cu me
1x)i^ AnAm A'J' coj'.p].
50 fAbAtAfo cu me
Aft mU1} A'f Ajt C'M,
50 j'AbAlAiT) ru me
A^ leic riA bpioti. f
HA
Op mo cionn,
*O1A fOITlAm
T)iA tiom.
e tlA l1ApCA6Altt *OO
AgUf TDO tfveig A Cf\eiT>eAtfl. tll't flOf AgAtTl C1A
h-6 t)o |\inne 6, no CIA An UAIJ\ A|\ lomptng An ^AgApc,
no CIA 'p o'e p6m. puAipeAf An T)An 1 leAftAp "oo
fgrvioo Se6ifife 5 1 U- A "' At1 ~ cl ' o1 S> no t) e ^ 1 mt)eAritA,
oo c6rhnui5 1 sCLAjA-cloinne-ttluinir, 1 5Cont>A6
ttlui$ 66, Aguf X)o 01 'nA 5Ae-6eil5te6ip clifce. puAip
f6 bAf 50 "oeigeAnnAc, Aguf tAinig An teAbAp fo A|\
feilo mo CAjiAT) An *OoCcui|A ConCuoAiji ITlAgufDiri Ann
* "trie Aft tno ieAp," -oubAinc feifCAn.
t To teAn TIA -pocAit eil/e -peo CA^t eip An -p* 31111 " f UA r> "Ot/A
6|iiopc AH mo copp, ceAccAiH<J fc X)IA i gcomne m'AnAmA," A6c
pAJAim AmAC 1At>.
1 Literally. Mary of the Graces | Mother of the Son of
God I That thou mayest put | Me on the-thing-be3t-for-me.
161
Hero is another piece from the same gossoon :
MARY OF GRACES.
O Mary of Graces 1
And Mother of God,
May I tread in the paths
That the righteous have trod.
And mayest thou save me
From Evil's control,
And mayest thou save me
In body and soul.
And mayest thou save me
By land and by sea,
And mayest thou save me
From tortures to be.
May the guard of the angels
Above me abide,
May God be before me
And God at my side.
Here is a song upon a priest of the O'Ruairca or
O'Rorkes, who married a wife and forsook his religion. I
do not know who composed it, nor at what period the priest
turned, nor who he was. I found the poem in a book that
George Giolla-an-chloig (or Bell, in English) wrote, who
lived in Clarernorris, in the County Mayo, and who was an
expert Irishian. He died lately, and this book came into
the possession of my friend, Dr. Conor Maguire, of the
That thou mayeat save me | From every evil | That thou mayest
save me | Both soul and body.
That thou mayest save mo | By land and by sea | That thou
mayest save me | from the flag of pains.
The guard of the angels | Above my head | God before me | And
God with me.
162
f An mbAite c6At)nA, Agup ip uAiti-peAn *oo puAip
o
t>6Al "oume 6i5in, fAn mbliAt)Ain 1892, oip but!) gnAt
leif gA6 nn& t)o CAfA* Aip Agup -oo tAitnij leip T)O
plop Ann A laAti-Aj;.* HUAI|I bi fe 65 -00 C^it f e
i n-iAp-gConnACc Agtif i n-xiice-ACxMti
eile ^5 CAfftAins CAipce n^ ci[ve Ap
oo'n
ni't Aon AIC A t^^" 6 r nA6 mt>eit
T)O f5|\iot f6 M-O fo Ann A leAttAji -oo
iAt). tDu-6 tteAg -oe f5OtAifit)it) nA
1 gConnAtCAiG -oo b'f:eA)\p VIA 6. Tli
f At) 50 mbut) Clu 6 "O'A CmeAt).
"OiA 6.
CAt)J5 O UUA1RC.
Te TIA UUA^CAIJ t>o
A|i dAf An JAOC o -OCUAIC no An ctAAX)-po]tr:un -oo'n ci] feo e?
tlAc e feo tjiol nA c^-uAije 'p A tuAice A tei'oeAp nA -OAoine i 5C|ie,
b|tAnt)A CjtiopCA Ai|i, buAitce, A^up e AS cuji puAp Ajiip X)'A cji6AT).
J tiom -oo cfieA-o bocc A meAtlAt), 'p A pjApA-o p.o 'n
'S jAn Aon t)me Le n-A BpeACAinc no te nA bpil/te
I/A An cpteiBe oo beA|ipAin pjieAgAittc "oo C^n'opc
JTAOI n-A tjieijeAn A|t ceile oo beic AJA-O pAn OITDC*.
*1p e peo piopA -oeineAnnAC An teAbAiji, cA^Ann nA pocAil peo
'nA "oiAij .1. " cftiotmiijce te mipe (sic) SeojipA gtottA-An-tLotj,
Ap An m-bobAite bi^, A sClAp-ClAnnA-1Tlui^ftip, An xxvi. IA -oo'n
rhAftc, MDCCCXCII. 50 j,cuip.it> T)IA Cpioc riiAic opjiAinn ite
A n--oeip.eAX> Ap mbeAtA." Ajup CAjAtin Ann pin An p.Ann po
"5AC Aon -oo ctuinpip no 130 teij;iop mo p.AnncA bes binn,
ACA plOX) bpeACAIT) A n-JAOITMtje CAOin.
5tbeAC pe An cAtAIR An tTIAC 'p At1 SplOUAT) nAOttl
Cum pAOft-bpeic x>o cAbAipc Aip AnAm An ce -oo psp-ioo."
seouse bell.
1 This poem about Teig O'Ruairc is the last in his book, and is fol.-
163
same town, aud it was from him that I got it. No doubt
George Bell wrote it down from the mouth of some one in
the year 1892, for it was his custom to put down in his
book everything that he met with which pleased him. 1
When he was young he spent much of his timo in lar-
Connacht and other out-of-the-way places, drawing charts of
the country and mapping it for the government, and there
was never a place he would go but he used to be in pursuit
of the old songs, arid these he wrote in a book according as
he got them. There were few better Irish scholars in
Connacht. He was, indeed, a credit to his race.
THE PRIEST TEIQ O'RUAIRC.
A priest of the O'Ruaircs who departed with the stray sheep !
Was it the wind from the North, or hard-fortune, that turned him to
this country ?
Is not this a sufficiency of wretchedness, considering how quickly
people go into clay,
The brand of Christ imprinted upon him, and he again giving up the
Flock !
I pity thy poor flock, their being deceived and scattered over the country,
Without anyone to visit them, or to turn them back again !
On the Day of the Mountain 2 thou shalt give an answer to Christ
In the matter of forsaking Him for a consort, to be with thee during
the night.
lowed by these words, in Irish " Finished by me, George Qiolla-an-
chloig, out of the little bo-bhaile in Claremorris, the xxvi day of
March, M.D.C.C.C.X.C.I.I. May God put a good end upon, us all at the
conclusion of our life." And this verse follows
" Everyone who shall hear or shall read my melodious little ranns
They are jotted down (literally "speckled" i.e., put down in black
upon white) in graceful Irish,
Let Him pray the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
To pass a free judgment upon the soul of him who wrote.
GEORGE BELI*
* The Irish expression for the Day of Judgment-
164
HAC tnAiftj "oo jiinne f AJJAJIC t>e CA-O^ O Hu
'S tetf HA JjAttAib jiif; lompuij fe An tAob
1Y1A 'f e tAije T>O cfteix>itri rug ojic iomp6t> tiAinn
AH An gcAjijtAig fin peAt>Aiji ni f,Aib ru buAii.
A 'OlA jtejlt 50 bpeACAIT) CU A|1 p6ACACAlt> An
6 'f let^i ouic JAG A^n coijt -D'A gcuiii-piniit) oinn.
An ce pn -oo cjieig tu Ajf oo jt/AC te m;iAct,
Ap bic AC eA-oAC torn CAitce cpion.
A ftij "A n-Abpcol A triAiceAf T)o TIA x)Aomib A n-otc
Ace CAf AX> 50 h-AititijeAc qioi-6o-t>|iui5ce ofic,
t11u|i* TijtAcpAix* cu le peACAc ACA tAn x)e tocc
1 t 11-AlilA]tC TIA bptAlceAV; I)' X)eACA1|1 T)O tAX)5 T>O "Otll.
An ce -oo CAinij Af p.\|'.|ttAf -D'A^ sceAnnAC
'S A|t cjiAnn IIA pAife ju^t cAftjiAinjeA-o puit A ctioix>e,
Af A t/AtriAib HAJA jjiAnnA -owic imceAcc A^iif
Aft peApp-A'f-bA)iti beA5 -o'pAJAit -oe x>o coil A^ An
If eAt)cnoinie cettle Aguf cAi-oeJ tio bi
Aji An re fin A -o'eAtAig Af Aibi-o Cuiofc.
Hi fefoqt nAc bpuit fjieAni eijin gAn CAiceAm Ann -oo
T)o -oeAHf-Axi teAc gAn Aon f CAT>, ACC CAf A-O
CAx>5 nA pAipce, nA6 nAijieAC A o'lmci^ c
-f iof t)O "oo 6Aifroib Aguf AnAgAix) AH pipA gu|i riitonnAtj
ru,
tTJA piiAqi CACUJJA-O ATI rf AOJAil jjiAnnA buncAifre Aft T>O nieAtlA-6
UAinn.
CAf Aftif i or-pAr, i beit) f Aitre Ann fnA plAirtf jiotiiAC.
tli -oe lAfjAijub 6^iofr
Att f AjAjir oo x>iot An -pio^Acr A riiAitipeAf 50 btiAn,
tYlA CAf At) cAol-beAn cnAoix>re teAr, rAnA c|(UAix),
SjAOit An beA^AC l/ei Aju'f, Ajuf tJC
* =munA.
t " Acr A n-AmAftc " MS,
"cAirce " MS,
165
Is it not, alas, for him v,-ho made a priest of Teig O'Ruairc !
Seeing it is with the Gr.lLs J he has turned on the north side,
If it is the weakness of thy fait'.i that has ma'Ic thee turn from us,
On that rock of Peter thou wast never steadfast.
bright God ! mayest Thou look upon the sinners of the world !
Since to Thee it is plain, every crims that wa throw off from ourselves,
Is it not a pity yon man who has forsaken Thee and taken up with a
wife,
Without any fortune but bare worn old clothing.
King of the apostles, who forgivest to the people their evil,
But to (i.e., if only they) turn witli repsut.mce and cuii'critioa to Thee,
Unless Thou take with (receive) a sinner who is full of evil
Into a sight of the heavens it is hard for Teig to go.
He who came out of Paradise to buy us dearly
(Sure upon the tree of the passion the blood of his hjart was drawn
forth),
Out of His hands was it not abominable for thee to depart again,
To get a little over-and-above of thy desire in the world.
It is lightness of sense and of chastity that was
Upon him who stole away out of Christ's habit,
It cannot be but that there is some root not worn-out in thy heart
Which shall say to thee to make no delay but to turn again.
Father Teig, my beloved 2 is it not shameful how thou hast gone
Without the knowledge of thy friends, and sure thou hast sworn
against the Pope.
If the temptation of this Tile world has found ah opportunity to
deceive thcc from us
Return again in time, and there shall be a welcome before thee in the
heavens.
Not of the fishermen of Christ is Teig O'Ruairc,
But a priest who has soli the Kingdom that shall endure everlastingly,
If thou hast met a slender woman, withered, thin and hard,
Dismiss her on her way again, and make a quick repentance.
1 .., the English.
8 Literally, ' Father Teig of the part," in this idiom patjic means
lore or affection.
166
1p pAt>A CAx>5 bocc
-AS cftuitiniusA-6 peACAi-6 Ann p SAC bcAtAd -O'A bpuAip: An
1p loe'n rf tot e x>o cfiAiteAT> AH An mbeAtAc nAfi cuift pp.eArri
PA01,
tlO "06 T1A CAOtfllj peACtTIAlll A X>'eAtA1j Af AH C^teUX) T> C^l
'Se pcACA-6 nA ojiuipe -oo iriud nA gfiA
t)i AjAt) A|i Tjcuf te curiiAcc An PAPA.*
ACC ACJIUIJ 'DO CUjlf A AJUf -QIUICAIJ T)0 riinAlfc Atl CfAOJAlt,
-uriiAl Aguf bei-6f JAC cuip T>'A nT)eA|inAir f AOJI.
5 -oo ceile
x>ein An ce x)o ceArA-6 T)'AJI jceAnnAc 50
bpuil feAlA o]ic nAc pefoi^ -oo fSAfAniAin LCAT: coit)ce,
fin tiucep 50
If CJIWAJ liom An UuA|tcAc T)o CAilleAt* te mnAOi,
'S A finuA-6-pojicun niop cuAlAi-6 me AJI fA5Afi
tCAC fAOl buA1T)|ieA'6 6m C* ACAjl AJlif
pUAfJAllC AtlUAf O pLAICBAf nA nAOtil
Aon coiji -oe no ftije peACAij,
'S pAj jiei-oceAc i n-ei|iic -oo ncAm-Aitpije,
If beAj eipeAcc Aft eiftij xie'n cfAOJAt leA--f A,
'S An cjieA-o fin ticeij< fjAoit UAIC
A f A5Aipc beAnnuijce A
O teAmpott peAt)Ai|i, A
1f oijieAd nA|t peACAp -ouic -oo cui-o -oit-ceitte
'S A jiojittAi'oe ouic-fe An LA Ann A n-eA5pAip,
Ann A pitipeAft p iof xo cotAnn
Ann f An uAig AS beAcujAX) peifce
'S nA6 otiucpAi-6 x>o jAoLcA A|iip TJO
D'pup;vipA Aicne -ootri-pAll 50 ftAib cu [AJ] cAilteAm' "oo ceilte.
* "An pApA nAOTTlCA," MS.
t " Di " MS.
ceAii An pocAt po 50 mime 1 sConnAccAift m&n " Ajiipce
-Am oeifteAf; e 5An c t)o cu|i leip. i. " A|iip."
167
Long is poor Teig bound in the trouble of th ? world,
Gathering sin in every road to which he has found the way,
He is of the seed that was scattered on the wayside, that never put
under it a proper root,
Or he is of the stray sheep that have wandered away out of yon flock
of Christ
It is the sin of adultery that has quenched the graces
That thou haddest at the first, through the power of the Pope,
But change thy course, and refuse (give up) the women of the world,
Come humbly, and every turn that thou hast committed shall be free
(forgiven).
Forsake thy consort, and come without pause
Unto Him who was crucified to buy us dearly,
Is there not a seal upon thee, that it is impossible to ever separate
from thee,
And from yon flock of Luther mayest thou return again.
I pity the O'Ruairc who has been lost by a woman,
And his (i.e., such) hard fortune I have never heard of (falling on) a
priest
Proceed, under trouble, to thy Father again,
And thou shalt receive redemption down from heaven of the saints.
Forsake every crime of thy sinful way,
And receive a settlement in eric for thy unrepentance.
Small is the value of all of the (fortune of) life that has succeeded
with thee,
And dismiss from thee henceforth yon flock of Luther.
blessed priest that hast turned thy accomplishments
From the Church of Peter, teaching lies,
It is plain that all thy lack of sense was not evident to thee
Considering how near to thee is the day in which thou shalt die.
In which thy lying body shall be stretched down
In the grave, feeding the worm,
And thy kin shall never come again to visit thee ;
It was easy for me to know that thou wast losing thy sense !
J"A be<vocAi6." MS.
MS.
168
O ! pux> e An IA, mo cjieAC-inAixme ! 50 mbA leip o
5AC A tTOeAfttlAnJ CU AfllAtri t>e peACAfO 1 AJI CfAO.^A 1 ., fO t
CiucpAi-6 -0110115 * tT)Att,ui5ce nA lAiriie cleice
Aft -OAt; An juAil, A' fj^tcA-oAij Y A5 beicit.
AS cothjiAc.t Y A S teAjAti milteAin A|t A ceile^
til 061-6 CCAT) fAO^CA J ACA T1A fCUtlCA,
t)eix) A scoijtceACA fj^iobtA i sclAjt A n-eAt)<\!n,
An c-otc 'f An riiAit, "f IAT> fsniobcA t n-empeA^r.
PCAC AfceAC Ann fnA cpiocAib oetj
'S i bpocAtAib C-JIUAIX) An " U
"OeAn -oo CAfAOTO teip An ACAIJI O
'S munA mjeAnAiX) fin niAit TJIIIC, ni't neAfic A5Am ^em o-pc.
Hi I6if\ t)Atn CAT) e ATI " HecAncAoon " Ai|\ A|\
At! t>AT1 fUAf, A6C CA An pOCAt C6A"OnA 1 fl-Ab|\A11 Cite
t>puit An c-iomlAn "oe'n At|iAn AifoeAC 5fteAnnA
ttiAit f o AgArn, A6cT)ei|\ An
Leif An cfeAn-cAilli
T>O nA h-ACAi|i (?) fin
Ajuf feun An
;< iompuij leif
bei-6 piuncAf AH t)o family,
Ajuf buAX)AccAil ASAT)
o cu x>eife o'n n Government
Hi h-ionnAnn AY t/ucc nA oeijice-
"0615 guf\ t)iutcAi$ An
f o, Aguf 511^ "OuftAific f i JUTO ^igm At^ f on An
* " An x}ion5 " MS.
t " Coi|tt<eACAn " MS.
t " SAO^A-O AC A-O " MS.
'S5(' 1 obcA^ An tine feo te peAnn-tuAije mAfi LeAnAf, "An c-otc
up An mAic A n-eAnAcc fj^iobcAtt." 1r mife T)' Attiuic i.
| "Father O'Leary," fAn MS.
169
Oh ! that is the day my morning spoil ! J in which shall be plain to
thee
All that thou hast ever done of sin in this life,
Tae accursed troop of the left hand shall come,
Of the colour of coal, screaming and roaring.
Fighting, and laying blame upon one another,
They shall have no leave of freeing (themselves) or denying.
Their crimes shall be written on the forehead of their faces,
The evil and the good, and they written together.
Look into the " Final Ends," 2
And into the hard words of the " Recantation," *
Make thy complaint to Father O'Leary
And unless that dc thee good, I have no help for thee myself.
It is not plain to me what is the " Recantation " of
which the above poem speaks. The same word occurs in
another song that I heard, a dialogue between two wom^n.
Unfortunately I have not the whole of this curious and
amusing song, but the Protestant old woman says to the
Gaelic old woman :
Refuse those ways (?)
And deny the Gaelic faith,
And turn with the Protestants
And read your " Recantation."
There will be respectability in your family,
And victory for you, after that,
You will get a nice job from the Government
Not all as one as the people who beg.
Apparently the Gaelic woman refused this invitation,
arid said something on behalf of her own religion, for the
1 A common Irish idiom meaning an intensified " Alas " !
2 Probably the poem of that name, a portion of which I have
ulrr^.dy given.
3 This is not plain to me.
170
6j\eroirh T>O t>i Aid, Oip T/fpeASAip An cpeAn-tteAn eile
f, AJ; cuji i gceitt "01 CIA An pope cpeitmh e fin,
lei em !
filA muineA-OAjt -oo lesson t>uic
nioji popSAil fiAT> -oo fuile,
ntop leij cu fiiAni x)O "
nA fOCAl T>e tlA
tDA mbeic no pocAi-6 tAn
ni bAoJAl HAG bpuijpeA
*OA tnbAinpeA ceAnn -oe
u absolution !
feo, if C|VA$ g^n An c-iomU\n "oe
tliop t>'6 ^n fAg^iic UAtig O Ru<Mf\c Arh^in -00
te mn^oi. Hi nie^f Aim 50 tjpuit Aon
coiu6ionncA 1 gConnACc.^ 6 tu^it,
)^n " no An " "b
-ouine 6uAlAf cuit> "oen
fo WAit), Aguf Cuiji m6 te C6ite 6 6 r\A
T>O puAip me 6 tieAt nA n"OAoine, Aguf 6'n
*oo UAi[i m6 1 leAt>Ap Se6ipfe 5 1 ^.A"-
A6c c|\eiT)irn 50 t>puil 'OAAttpAin, no cpi cinn,
le ceile Ann fo.
An cAisi"oeA(i t)An no An buAittiin bUAit)eAntA.
A oAOine, An cjtuAJ lib An tDfiAicjiin
ACA t)'A nuAjAti Ationn 'f AnAlL,
jleAnncA oo|tcA A5p fteibce
nt)eA]inA-6 SUA!/ X)'A Cfioniie 'nA
j'o m&\\ fUAtjt me AH ^OA ceAtpAtriAin peo 6 -oume eiLe.
t)UACAltt bUAf6eA|\tA me, CUIUCAX) Ajt pUAt)|IAT)
Ajwp cui^eAT) HWAIJ ojtm Anonn 'f AnAtL,
1 nseAlt AH cAilin CA m'inncinn buAi-oeAncA
A5up -jdnneAX) guAl x>e m" c^onae Ann mo tAjt.
t)AiteA-6 mo jjUAtA 50 -on mo ctuAfA
me puAg^AX) slAn seA|t 6'n mbJ.p,
171
other old woman answered her again, giving her to under-
stand what kind of a religion that was, according to her
own idea of it.
If they taught you your les-son
They did not open your eyea,
You never read the Testament
Nor a word out of the authors,
If you had your pockets full
There is no fear but you would get forgiveness,
If you were to cut the head off a Protestant
You could get absolution !
This is fine satire. I wish I had the whole of it.
It was not the priest Teig O'Ruairc alone who was
deceived by a woman. I think there is hardly any song
oetter known in North Connacht than the Caisideach
Ban [Cosh-a-dach Bawu] i.e., the Fair-haired Cassidy, or
the " Troubled Friar," as it is also called. Many is the
person from whom I have heard parts of this sorrowful
song, and I have put it together from the various versions
which I got from the mouths of the people, and from the
xipy which I got in the book of Seoirse Giolla-an-chloig ;
but I believe there are two songs, or even three, mixed up
l ogether here.
THE FAIR-HAIRED CASSIDY,
OR
THE TROUBLED FRIAR.
Friends, are ye sad for the troubled Friar, 1
Scorched by desire and blight of soul,
Roaming through valleys and lonesome mountains,
While all his heart is a kindled coal.
*S m"l x>i!ine A cuAlAfo mo rseAl An UAIJI fin
nip T>ubAipc 50 mbu-6 CJIUAJ; bocc .in CAtp-oeAC tK\n.
1 Literally : O people, do ye think him a pity, the troubled friar |
who is bring routed backwards and forwards | amidst dark valleys
and lonely mountains | until a coal hag been made of his heart in his
middle.
N
172
TD'AC mo suAitne 50 "oci mo ctxKvpA,
Agup puAif\ me fuAgpA-o gtAn SCAM 6'n mbAp,
tli't oaine t)O duAtAi-6 mo pjeAt An UAI^I pin
tlA-p -oubAmc 50 mbu-6 c-puAJ e An CAipix>eAd t)An.
1p put) i piAjt, AH
Aj;up i com sleupcA te mnAOi AH
An oix>ce t^SA-o i Ap bpoinn A
1 jcomne mo t>Aip oo CAIIUS
flAji fUAjtAc 'nA h-eAjiViAip -OA bp
A'f me '5 mo feAnAX) A^ mo
A'f cu 5 mo mA]itAT) te x>o jeAn, A
A cuAix) me ["O'A] h-eiliuJAX) Ajuf nAC bpuijinn.
Hi A|i fleibcib pjiAoic A bi-oeAf mo miAn-fA *
Ace i n^teAnncAiS Aoibne mbionn meAp A5 f Ap,
t)A AJUp lAOIjCe AJUp b|1IC HA pJAOltlft
C|iuicneAcc bui'oe Ajup eopnA GAO.
t)ionn mit A|i tAC|tA Ajup im A|i VIACCA|(
A'f i tA^i An PUACC' btonn nA bA fAO' OAIJI,
'S WA mbeinn-pe cjiionA 6eit m'Ajiup -oe^^cA
Ajup mil -O'A CAO-omA-6 AJ mo mwi]inin bAn.
tlAc bfA-OAC bpeAjAc cui^eAX) i jceitl T>I
HAG 6pApAnn peAji Ann f An AIC A mbim,
tlAC x>ci5 6'n ngeAlAij A potttpe bjteije
'S nAc tApAnn ^eAlc Ann A^ peAt) nA h-oi-oc ' !
* CA An ceACjiAmA po, i An ceAtjtAmA teAnAp, Ann pAn Ab|iAn
"An cojtji-StiAb " mAp An gceA-onA, Ajup i n-Ab|\An A|i A TacugAnn
fiAX> "An muileAnn t)An" i A|iAnn.
My shoulders have swelled to my ears | and I have g-t a clear
sharp warning from death | there in not a person who heard my
story at that time | that did not say that he was a pity, the Fair-
haired Cassidy.
Yonder she is, back there, the bright-white swan | and she ns well
dressed as the wife of the king, I the night that she was born from
her mother's womb | it was for the purpose of my death she came.
{This verse occurs also in the song of the " White Mill" in Aran.']
Were it not miserable, without her, if I should get [all] Ireland |
and I being denied by my friends nn r l relatives | and you killing
me with your affection, sky- woman | whom I went to ask for, and
might not get.
173
His ears are shrunk to his round'.d shoulders,
And death has called him with one loud call,
And not a man who has known his story
But says "Alas ! for the Brathair Ban."
Saw ye her passing, the swan so slender,
Graceful and tender and queenly bright,
Alas ! the day that her mother bore her,
Fate set before her my death and blight.
What wero, without her, the whole world's riches,
When she bewitches, I all forget,
You are killing me, love, with your love. I met you.
I tried to get you. I could not get.
On no wild mountain, but in a valley
Fruitful and happy, my love slrnes bright,
Where trout are leaping and calves are lowing,
And ied wheat growing, and barley white. 1
Where the rush drops honey, the cream makes butter,
And no cold comes from the skies above.
Had I been prudent I might be in it
And poaring honey for her I love.
Oh ! false and cruel the things they told her,
That where I rove no grass will grow ;
That the moon keeps back her borrowed light
And the stars of the night refuse to glow !
Not upon mountains of heather docs my desire (love) be, | but in
delightful valleys in which fruit is growing, | cows and calves and
trout in shoals, | yellow wheat and white barley.
There be's honey on the rush and butter on (the) cream, | and in
the midst of the cold the cows are fruitful, | and if I had been wibe
my abode would be made, | and my fair love would have honey
pouring-out-abundantly.
Was it not meanly and lyingly she was given to understand | that
no grass grows in the place whore I be, | that there comes not from
the moon her false be:uns \\.o,bcam borrowed from the sun} \ and that
no star gleama throughout the night.
This verse ana the next are found in various songs ; I have heard
them often. The', e are verses like them in the song of the " Curlew
Mountains " and the Aran *ong called the " White Mill"
174
n-eAlAtj; Ati F.UACC A'P ceAp HA 5peine,
go n-CAjpAi-o eips pAn mui]i $t<n bjiAon
-eiftij' An pAijiji^e op ciorm nA ptei&ce
go bjiAt ni peAnyA-o cui-o mo cjioi-oe.
iin (?) IAJAC A orus me S]\&~6 x>i,
An beAn if Aitlne pnA bAitnb i,
CA CA T>'A HA-O 511 ; bAoJAlAc -QAni-fA
tTlA teA5Aitn tAtii A|i A bpoltAc min.
tli'1 coift tiA CAtn tm" A5Atr fATi AIC f eo
A6c fusjiA'D A'f tneA'OA|i, 'f 50 njjAbAim ponn,
A pobAlt CACA15 pAJ-'^llljim C|1AC T)i5
An mitteAnn 5]tAf t>eit TjeAriAtri 5)<itin.
'n jcoitt cjt
"Oo cApA-6 opm ppei|t-beAn A*p i biiAinc cno 5
**
tlAc otc tiA cjieicjie ^15 im' mnrinn
Cuji petjije AJ\ tno SLAnuijceoi)! ! t
tlioji f 5^11 oft Seoijipe tYlAC ^lottA-An-cloij An ciifo eite x>e'n
in fo ; ACC AJ; po rnA]! cuAtAp e 6 peAn-peAji ne muinnci|t
|.'Al,AriiAin -oo fti i jCAipleAn UIAOAC i 5conxAe HopcomAin,
bLiA-OAncA 6 pom
O'Airpip m6 tei 50 mbA b^AtAin T)e me
S 50 nt>eAnp.Ain A h-eipceAcc Ajt cuptA poj.
Ajup toAn An ceAcjiAmA eile peo nAC x>c5Ann Seoijipe tYlAC
-ctot5 A|t COJ1 A|l bit.
'O'urh'lAij; An cuilpionn T)Am &\\ A jliii
6ip: but) e An bpeiteAmnAp-Aitiice 5i AJ* An jcuip pin
gu-p joit) mipe UAICI piuc^A A poj.
J me An tme -oeijieAnnAc, jiut) beAj.
ttli'op: pst 1 ' 00 m&c S'oltA-An-cloij An -DA tme eile -oe
peo, Ajup ni cuAtAi-6 me fein
Till the Cold and Heat of the Sun shall depart, | till the fish ahull
die in the ,-ea without; a drop (of water), | till the ocean shall rise over
tho mountains, | I s'lall not deny for ever the portion (love) of my
ho.vrt.
175
But till the seasons are passed for ever,
Till sea and river are all gone dry,
Till the onset of ocean the rocks shall sever
This heart shall never its love deny,
I gave my love, until then a stranger,
To her, the fair one of all the land,
Now each one tells me of death and danger
From laying my hand in her snow-white hand.
Ah ! men have nothing to say against me
Except my mirth and my gift of song ;
Tell me, good people, is grace made little
By things like these that ye make them wrong ?
That day I walked in the leafy green- wood,
Au;l met her picking the nuts so brown. 1
How evil the thoughts of my hid desire,
They anger my Saviour, they weigh me down.*
Courteous Sigrin (?) to whom I have given love, | the most beauti-
ful woman in the villages she, | everyone is saying that it is dan-
gerous for me | if I lay my hand upon her smooth bosom.
There is neither crime nor fine against me in this place, | but
mirth and merriment, and that I sing an air. | O friendly people, I
ask (this) time of you, | does it destroy grace to be making mirth?
On a day that I arose beneath the branchy wood | I met the sky-
like woman and she picking nuts | ....
Are they not evil, the ideas (literally " accomplishment* ") that come
into my mind | putting anger upon my Saviour. | . . . .
1 Seoirse Giolla-an-chloig, did not write the rest of this Terse, but
the completion of it, as I have heard it orally, is as follows, " I
told her that I was a friar of God, | and that I would hear her for
a couple of kisses." | According to a version I heard from an old
man named Fallon, who used to be in Castlerea, in the County
Roscommon, another verse followed this." " The coolin bowed down
to me on her knees, j and alas ! I did a thing that was not right, |
for the penance that was in that cose | was that I stole from her the
sugar of her kiss "
* He did not complete this verse either, and I have never heard
it orally.
176
mo cftA-D 50 bf. AJAt) m& T;nix>im niof m6
50 -oceit) me i jcomfiA f inre i
mim impix>e AJI Uij nA
tlA peACAix> mojiA fo 65641 1 worn.*
CmpeAnn pgeAt An ti^AtA^ ImAnSeAntA "oo
Af mifie te 5fA'6 "oo riinx\oi, fg^At A$ fAgAfC eite
mo Cuirhne. t)o ctii^e-At) An f AgAfc eile f eo
50 miOHt)uiteA6, m^'f piopt)o'n f^eAt, Agu
cionncAC T>O fti Ann, ACc teAt-nAorh. 1p triAit An
f omplA An fgeAt fo AH An JCAOI A n-iompuigeAnn HA
OAOine HT> nA-oujit^ 50 H"O mio|\t)UileA6 Ann A n-inn-
pem, -O'A TbeifiugAt) Agtif TD'AjleufAt) PA
PUAIH tn6 An fgeAt fo 6 p^
O ConCotjAif, Ajuf puAif p eipeAn 6 6 peAp -OA'H
! 10 t)U ' 6 ^ f in An c-Ainm t)o tug pe
-fA lAirh le to6-glinne 1 5ConT>Ae UopcoiriAin.
X)'At|iin$ me nA h-AinmneACA Ann fAn pgeAl po, oip
CA ctnt) *oe nA -OAomit} beo p6p, mA^ CH^i'Dim. tli'L
An Aic ACc cuig nd f6 t)e miLcit) Cm' Aic-C6rhnuit)e
"Do |iei|t cumA eile ACA Ap An AbjiAn, -oo pop Ati bjiACAi|t Ati
, oip AS fo -OA ceAcjiAriiAin eite t)e'n AbpAn triA^ cuAlAix* mif e
1AX) 6'tl OpAt/AliinAC.
"Oo t>i 5eAn-tJAfAt fCAt -O'A IUA-O tiom
Ajuf 6uit\ me fUAf x>i, CCA-O FAjtAotp SCAJI !
Ajup pop me An fcuAic-beAn HA mAtA j^iiAmA
T)o inne juAt -oiom, i tAjt mo cLei5.
T5A mbeic An chance fin AJ\ CAftf Ainn An
tei-6mn fAn Am fin Ap mo comAi|ite fein,
Ace, Aiioif, CA me cAittre A'f ni't JAJI i jCAinc
Aguf beix) mo cLAnn bocc A$ jot mo "oeij.
6uAlAf, i TJCftioriiAX) tinenA ceAT) ceAcftAthnA fUAf, i n-Atr "nA
mAtA spuAtnA " nA f.ocAit " fAn mbAite 5f;AmA," Aguf 6 x>ine
eile nA pocAit "AJ t)onn nA
177
If I do it, may ruin and death come o'er me,
And the coffin open to take me in,
But I pray Ihia night to the King of Glorf
To lift from my soul its load of sin. 1
The story of the troubled friar who v/as driven mad by
love for a woman brings to my recollection the story of
another priest. This other priest, however, was driven
mad miraculously if it is true for the story and he was
not a guilty but a half saintly person. This story is a good
example of the way in which people change a natural thing
to a miraculous one in their own minds, ornamenting and
dressing it up under a garment of wonder. I got this story
from Pr6insias O'Conor, who got it from a man of the name
of Thomas Gruairc that was the name he gave me who
came from near Lough Glynn in the County Roscommon.
I have changed the names in this story because I believe
there are some of the people alive yet. The places spoken
of are only five or six miles away from where I am writing.
My destruction may I find, if I do it any more | until I go into a
coffin, stretched in the churchyard, | and I put my request to the
King of Glory | to lift from me these great sins.
According to another version of this song, the friar married the
woman, for here are two other quatrains of the song as I heard them
from Fallon.
There was a lady once on a time betrothed to me (i.e. the Virgin),
And I gave her up, a hundred times bitter alas !
And I married the hard(?) woman of the gloomy brow,
Who has made a coal of me in the middle of my breast.
If that chance had happened at the threshold of the Church
(i.e., before I was ordained a friar.)
I would have been then at iny own disposal,
But now I am lost, and there is no use in talking about ma,
And my poor children shall be weeping after me.
178
ATI SAAnc CuAit) AH innie.
tliof m6 nA "oeiC mbliA'OAin -Agtif -QA friCeAT) 6 foin
bi muille6ifi T>Af\ b'Ainm T)onnCAt) O ftiAin 'nA <i<5m-
nui'oe i mbAite beA$ AIJ\ A ocugAnn fiAT> ....
i bpoigfeAcc mite TO ... i gcotroAe "Rof-
comAin, Agtif bi muileAnn Aije i H^AH "oo'n botAji.
t)i TDonncAt) nA CHAPAH [mAi^cineAC] C'n Am Ap
fe An muileAnn Aft bonn.* T)ei|A "OAome 50
fUAt) Cui^e Aon oit)Ce Am
bi fe AS ppiocAi!) nA b]\6n-muilmn, A^
'e "oo CeAnn "oe nA ctotAib mojvA cuicim Ai|i,
o 6|\eApAilt e. J O'f:iAfj\tii5 An
oe, " CIA ACA if f.eAfn ICAC,"
f e, " TDO beAti, t)o rhAC, nA tu fein T>O beic AJA
?"
"tli'l AjAm ACC Aon riiAC AniAin Ajuf ni't bAogAt
mif\e ^ip, CA f e f An gcolAif ce Anoif Agtif bei"6 f e 'nA
fAgAfic fAoi 6eAnn tniofA, Aguf mAi > oi|x te mo mnAO,
'fi -An beAn if ciAttmAife Ann f An bpAjvpAif ce i."
" 1f triAit An fseuluixie An Aimfip," AJI f An feAfin
beAg jujAt).
t)i 50 mAit -Aguf lit jvAib 50 n-otc. "O'lmtij mi
CAJIC, ^guf tAinis 66j<\n ITIAC 'OonntAi'6 "Ui
A-bAile 'nA fA5Aj\u. D; fAitce m6|\ |\oim An
etijAn, tii h-e AttiAin A$ A AtAif\ Aguf A ttiAtAip pein
ACc Ag ti-utte tiume Ann f An sCOttiAff AnACc, mAp bi
* tli AbpAnn An fjeAt e, Adc ip fottufAc juji ituft fe Ati
tnuiteAtin AJI bonn i n-Aic T>O ti AJ TIA T)Aotni5 niAice [TIA SI-OCOJA]
ooilS pein, T j;uji cui^ fe fCAjij ojijtA.
1 He had evidently built the mill on a spot that the " good people "
179
THE MAD PRIEST.
More than fifty years ago there was a miller of the name
of Dennis O'Ryan living in the little village of ....
within a mile of .... in the County of Roscommon,
and he had a mill near the road.
Dennis became a cripple from the time that he founded
the mill. 1 People say that a little red gruagach or wizard
came to him one night when he was pricking the quern of
the mill, and that he let one of the great stones fall on him,
and that it was this that crippled him. The little wizard
man asked him, " which do you prefer," says he, " your
wife or your son or yourself to go mad ?"
" I have only one son, and there is no danger of madness
on him ; he is in the college now and he will become a
priest within a month, and as for my wife, she is the most
sensible woman in the parish."
" Time is a good stoi-y- teller," said the little rod man-ecn.
It was well, and it was not ill. A month went by, and
Owen, son of Dennis O'Ryan, came home a priest. A great
welcome was before Father Owen, not only from his father
and mother, but from every one in the neighbourhood, for
himself and his father and mother were greatly respected.
or fairies, i.e., the sidkeoga or Tuatha DC Danann themselves, lived in,
invisible, of course, and unknown to men-folk. They had probably
given him a warning to desist from his work, and he had neglected it.
This is the suppressed premise of the story, but all Irish speakers
would supply it for themselves as something self-evident.
180
fe f.ein Agtif A AtAif Aguf A rhxStAif fAoi meAf mof .
An ceAt) *(!)6mnAC, CAf eif ceAcc A-bAile t>6, tei$ fe
Aiffionn 1 TiceAC-pobtiil .... but) e fin -A
ceA'o-Aif.fionn, ACC mo teAn ! but) e An c-Aif.fionn
oeifit) t>A'f leij f6 fMAtti. An oit)6e fin pem
rnifie x\i|i. "puAiji f6 fAfui^ ] f^oit fe
*oo geAfjiA'd. Ap mxMT)in, IA AH
f6 n-uite 5^ e1tTI 6At)Ai5 T)O t>i Aip, Agtif Af 50
tetf, CjiiT) An cip, Ajjup 6 tom-noCcA, Ajuf teAt)A|\
A Cinn.
t)i An c-AtAif UoncA te b|\6n Aguf te
CfOlt)e, Agtlf nA1|\ CUAtAlt) An ttlAtAltA An fl10(iC A
A h-Aon-niAC Ann, t>i fi p6m beAg-nAC Af mife, Corn
niAit teif. CuifeAt) p eAfibpogAnctnge i n^oiAij An AtAfi
C6$An, AgUf CUgAt) Afl Alf 6, ACC bfllf f 6 UAtA Af If,
Aguf Afif eile, i b'Sigin > o6it> CGAT) A Cinn "oo tAbAifC
06 ^Aoi -beifeAt).
Hi (ioi'oeotA'b f6 AIC Af bit ACc Ann fAn tnuileAnti
Aguf ni CAitpeA* fe gf eim bi* Af bit ACc mm
biotAf, Agf m fACAt) fe A 60*0 lA"6 gAn An
m6f fAoi n-A 6eAnn. 1f mime fAoit nA "OAome An
t6At)Af T)0 gOIT) UAlt), ACC niOf feATJA-OAf, AgUf m
fgAf^At) fe leif, 6of Af bit.
t)t)t) jnxit teif -out 50 pAifc mof, 1 t>j:oij;feAcc
teit-mile t)o'n muiteAnn A f Aib 50 leof CAOifig
tiAin mnci. Sui"6eAt) fe fiof i tAf nA pAifce
m fAitt CAOfA nA uAn mnci nAC mbeit
'nA timCiotl, Aguf tofuijeAt) feifeAn AS
66it> Af An teAbAf m6f, Ajuf feAfAt) fiA*o Ag
leif 50 mbeit fe fAfui^te. Ann fin t>o
181
The first Sunday, after coming home of him, he rend Mass
in the chapel of , that was his first Mass, and,
my grief ! it was the last Mass ever he read. That very
night madness came upon him. He got a razor and thought
to cut his mother's throat. In the morning, the next day,
he tore every bit of clothes that was on him, and off and
away with him through the country, and he naked, and a
great book which he had written himself in Irish and Latin
on the top of his head.
The father wjis filled with grief and with heartbreak, and
when the mother heard of the way in which her only son
was, she herself almost went distracted as well as he.
Servants were sent after Father Owen and he was brought
back, but he broke from them again, and yet again, and at
last they had to give him his own way. 1
He would not sleep in any place except in the mill, and
he would not eat a morsel of food at all except meal and
watercress, and he would not go to sleep without the great
book under his head. It was often the people thought to
steal the book from him, but they were not able, and he
would not part with it at all.
It was his custom to go to a large field within half a
mile from the mill, in which there were numbers of sheep
and lambs. He used' to sit down in the middle of the field
and there was never a sheep or a lamb in it that would not
be gathered round him, and he used to begin reading to
them out of the great book, and they used to stand listening
to him until he would be tired. Then they used to come,
each one of them, and lick his hands.
1 Literally " give him th leave of his head."
182
Aon ACA, Ajtif t)o li$eA"6 puvo A
tyAinm peA*oAf\ O RiojvoAin A
Aon uAifi Atrium, A-gAn-pop *o6, A^uf tug fe
A-t>Aile leip An cpeAfimoip T)O CuAlAit) pe ATI
eog^n -D'A CAttAifC -DOHA CAOf,6Ait>.
"1 n-Ainm An ACAJA An ttlic Aguf An
1lAonii. Am6n.
tiorn, fitt-f e ACA gAn peACAt>. U^ fit)
"O6. CA |:eu|\ i UntteAnnA AJ pAf "OAoit),
f Mn Ofi|tAit!) te tiuf\ scongniAit ceit
ci|\tn. Aguf ni't Aon tofieiteAmnAf O
if. CA piti niof f6jnA 'r\A clAnn
oo pugA-o 1 bpeACA'6, Agup teit PAT> T)'A n-oojAt) t
oceme rhOiji 1 n-ippionn 50 fiO|\|iuit)e CA^ 6if A tnbAip,
munA mbeit SUJA Cuif\ T)IA, Uij An t)orhAin, A Aon
ttlAC AnuAf Af |?tAi6eAf le f omptA Aguf le ceAjApg
oo tAt>Ai|AC 'ooitt, Aguf le n-A fAt>Ait. ACc -peuC An
tu5A*OA|\ 166 Af\ fon A tpiobtfii'oe. ttlAf-
1 t>UAlteAT)AJl 6, AgUf 6Alt6AT)A|\ f tT)U5A1|U,e
A CeAnn, Aguf t>f\uij; fiAT) fiof i 50
I^; Aguf 'nA ^Aig fin 6fo6At)Af
6 A|\ CjvAnn. ACc nuAip t)i f 6 AS ^AgAit t>Aif -o'lA^p f 6
Aft A AtAift niAiteAmnAf T>O tAtiAiju; t)6it5 1 rnDiAig nA
ojioC-up Afoe tu5AT)A|\ "66, 6if\ T>O finne fe IA*O Ann A
t>eilt> pem, Aguf tAiftjeAn p6 > 66it) A rhCfi-CurhA(iCA te
IttlOfltiUllClt) A|\ An Cf AOgAl fO. t)f\A1C 1UT)Af
e, Aguf Ceil peAT>Af\ An c-eAfbAl e, ACc 'nA
3 The Irish when speaking English feel the want of a distinctive
plural form for " you," " your " these being now used as singular
183
There was a man of the name of Peter O'Riordan
listening to him once, without his knowledge, and he
brought home with him the sermon that he heard Father
Owen giving to the sheep.
" In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
" Listen to me, ye that are without sin. Ye are under
the care of God. There are grass and herbs growing for
ye, 3 and there are nice white garments upon ye, to keep ye
warm and dry. And there is no Judgment for ye after
ye'r death. Ye are more happy than the children of Eve
who were born in sin, and who would be a-burning in a
great fire in hell for ever after their death, were it not that
God, the King of the world, sent His only Son down out of
Heaven to give them example and doctrine, and to save
them. But behold the requital that they made Him for
His trouble. They abused Him and they smote Him, and
cast foul spits upon His very-holy face. They put a crown
of thorns upon His head and bruised it down tightly upon
Him, and after that they hanged Him upon a tree. But
when he was dying He asked His Father to grant them
forgiveness after all the ill-usage that they had given Him
for He made them in His own image, and He showed to
them His great power with miracles in this world. The
thief Judas betrayed Him, and Peter the Apostle reneagued
forms, and they very sensibly make it out of " ye " and " ye'r." It is
a wonder the English have not long ago followed their example.
184
fin cus fe eocf ACA lAicif "06, Aguf bu w o 6 An c6AT>
pApA, Aguf cuip fe AH bonn An GAslAif CACOIICCAC
le n-Aji ocFeopusAt) i inbeAlAC nA nspAf A ; Aguf ni'l
bAOgAl Af All Ce leAnf-Af T)1, AtC 1T1O tf 6ll ! fll't 1Tl6f Afl
Ag teAfiAttiAinc -01 ! " t)tit:)Aif\r; f e m6jvAH eile X)e'n
ceA*onA teip nA cAOf A6Ait>.
An C|iAtn6nA pm CAf AX> AH f AJA^C pAff Aifce Ap An
AtAip CogAn O tliAin, Aguf cofAij fe AS cAttAipc
c6rhAi|Ale t)o. ACc -outiAific An c-AtAip GojAn leif ,
" Coif 5 T>o beul ! 1f peACAcn gfAnnA tu, ACA Ag cup
nA nt)Aoine Amug' tet)|toC-foiTiptA.' )
" C1A An CAO1 ? " A|\ f An f AgA|\C pA|\fA1fOe.
" 1nnf e66Ait) m6 fin T)UIC," AJI f An c-AtA
"HuAiji gtAC c ofo beAnnuigte, fimiie cu
AriinA TJO "OiA, mA|\ ACA ^tin f.Aoifoine,
uf urhAl-boCcAnAf. Anoif ACA fiof AgAT) 50
nA6 ftpuit cu AS congbAil "oo geAllArhnA i
An urhAt-to6cAnAif ; 6i|\ CA C6A6, CAtArh, t)A
CA01J11J5 AgAT), AJUf CA nA CeAT>CA punc AgAT)
Ann fAn mbAnc. "pAip cu An cifce pn 6 nA t)Aoinib
boCcA, i ni't tA fAn cfeAccn'iAin nAC bpeiceAnn cu DO
com-c|\6ACuifr6e beA^-nAC [AS] fA$Ait bAif teif An
ocfiuf , Aguf ni f\omneAnri cuf A -00 fAi-obpeAf teo m
cu 5|\eim te n'lte "Coib. HA cuip ceifc ofim-
50 n-AC^uijit) cu T)O flije, no o6igpi > 6 me An
A^uf coifce ACA i -o* ogA^-o, A$uf f Agf-Ait)
me tu gAn CApAll j^An CAOJAA."
e AJI An mbotAf mof -oubAifC f6 An 6Ainc f e6,
bi T)|\eAm "oe t)Aomit!) AS eifceACc leif, A$uf if
50 5p.nl. cuiT) oiob beo f6f.
185
Him, and yet after that He gave him the Keys of Heaven }
and he was the first Pope, and He established the Catholic
Church to guide us in the way of grace, and there is no
danger of whosoever shall follow it, but, my grief ! there
are not many following it."
He said many more things of the same kind to the sheep.
That evening the parish priest met Father Owen O'Ryan,
and began to give him some advice. But Father Owen said
to him, " Hold your tongue, you are a vile sinner, you ai - e
putting the people astray by your example."
" How so 1 " said the parish priest.
"I'll tell you that," says Father Owen. "When you
took sacred orders you made three promises to God, namely,
secret of confession, chastity, and lowly poverty. Now you
know perfectly well that you are not keeping your promise
about lowly poverty, because you have a house and land
and cows and sheep, and you have hundreds of pounds in
the bank. You got that treasure from the poor people, and
there is not a day in the year but you see your fellow
creatures almost dying with the hunger, yet you do not
divide your riches amongst them ; you do not give them a
morsel to eat. Put no question to me until you change your
ways or I shall burn all the hay and oats that is in your
haggard, and I shall leave you without a horse or a sheep."
It was on the high-road that he held this talk, and there
were a number of people listening to him, and no doubt
there are some of them alive yet.
186
tli f.ACAn!) t)ume Ap bit An c-AtAif\ eojAn AS ceACc
Cum An muilmn -An oit>Ce pn, mAft buti jnACAC leif,
tii imnit>e mop AJ A ACAIJA Ajuf Ap A mACAiji, AJ\
gup bA'i'oce T>O tii fe. HUAIJV bi fe m^tt
.Ann f An oiftCe, Ajuf ntiAip t>!
uile 'KA sco-oUA*, pAif -An
fe 6um An rhuilinn. TluAifi o'frofgAiL fe An
ConnAific fe An imnteAnn lAfCA fUAf, Corn
lonnp AC Agtif *OA mbtTC 6 An JJUAH "oo tii *D'A tAfAt).
t)ut> rhifneAfhAil An peA|\ "OonnCAt) O TliAin, ACc t>i
A1|\ -OUt AfCeACtl. "O'fllt f6 Afl Alf
6 peA|\ eile, peAp Tie nA g 10 ^! 1 ^"^ 1 ^*
teif 6. CuAjt) An tieifc ACA Ann fin Cum An
muilinn, Aguf nuAf CUAT>AH AfceACh ConncAT)A|i AH
c-AtAi|t G6gAn 'IIA Co'OlA'6, Agup An teAtiAp m6f ^AOI
n-A CeAnn, Ajuf peite m6p sl^geAl 'nA feAfArh A\\
gAC CAotft -06. Uuic An c-AtAif\ i lAige, Aguf t)'6i5in
oo'n feAp ette A iotTiCA|A A-ttAile teif. t)i f6 cinn
bfeoixice 'nA "biAit) fin, Aguf niop AJ; f6 An teAbAi*
50 ceAnn cpi mi.
T)o tiiot) foluf mop Ann fx\n muiteAnn h-uile oniCe
'IIA -6iAi$ fin, UA|\ eif A DeiC A Clog, Aguf tiiot)
eAglA in6|\ AJ\ nA "OAomil!) putiAl Af An mbOtAp t>o tii
te h-Aif An muilinn, 6 tuiceAii oo^CA'ouf HA n-oitbCe ;
ni tiuti^At) fiAT> coijAce Cum An muilinn le n-A
no le n-A meilu. ACc t>o DIOT!) An pot-
AS T)ul tA^c, h-uile oitiCe, Aguf nA cloCA AS
ODAIfl.
SeAl geA^i 'nA "CiAig pn t)O cui^eA^ An c-AcAip
66gAn 50 ceAC mo|\ 1 mt)Ail-At-cliAt A JIAID -oAoine
Aim TJO f>i A|\ mijie nd Af A jjceill, ACc niofi rhAifi f 6
187
Nobody saw Father Owen coming to the mill that night,
as it was his custom to do, and his father and mother were
vary anxious for fear lest it was drowned he was. When
it was late at night and when the servants were all asleep,
the father got a lantern and went to the mill. When he
t
opened the door he saw the mill lit up as bright as if it was
the sun that was shining upon it. Dennis O'Ryan was a
courageous man, but he was afraid to go in. He returned
and waked up another man, a man of the Gillerans, and
brought him with him. The pair went to the mill, and
when they entered it they saw Father Owen asleep, and the
big book under his head, and a great shining ram standing
on each side of him. His father fell into a faint, and the
other man had to carry him home with him. He was sick
and ailing after that, and never left his bed for three
months.
There used to be a great light in the mill every night
after that, from ten o'clock on, and the people used to be
greatly afraid of walking on the road that was beside the
mill from the time that night would fall, and they used not
to bring oats to the mill to dry it or to grind it. But the
mill-wheel used to be going round every night and the
stones used to be working.
A short time after that Father Owen was sent to a great
house in Dublin ^rhere mad people and people out of their
senses were; but he did not live long in it. He died, and
188
A t>pyo -Ann. J?uAifi p 6 t>Af ; Asuf niop mAip An c-
nxX An tti.At.AiF A ttpA-o 'nA "biAis- "Ofun-oeA-d-ruAf An
muiteAnn, A$uf ni'l bfiAon uipse AS ceACc Cui$e le
btiA'CAtiCAit!), ACu T)eiji fiAT) 50 gcluineAnn mumncifi
TIA ti-Aice An fAot-uipse AS obAip h-uile oit>ce |?6f Ann.
fo t)An eile T>O fUAit\eAf 6 mo CAJIAIT) UomAf
T)0 CUAtAlt) 6 AS A ttlAtAlf *OO f t1 5^* C 1ir| -
6ioll ceitfie mite 6 t)eAl-An-AtA 1 sconT)A6 tiling 66.
"OutJAijvc ppe 50 mtA gnAt le<5 An piof A fo T>O sAt>AiL
Ann fAn CfeipeAl h-tnle "OCrhnAC nuAi|\ t)i pfe 65.
C^UAS 5An teAnAriiAinc t)o'n -oeAS-nOf pn Anoip !
SAoit mife sup loCcAC cpuAitliste -oo tii An t>An fo
Aid, A$uf teAftns me e, mAp f Aoit me, te poclAib "oo
Cup i flc\tt|VA(iAit) [ ] Cum nA Unce *oo "OeAnArh com-
tfom, ACu puAipeAf Am AC 6 f om 50 j\Ait> fe Aid b8As~
tiAC 1 sceA|\c, Asuf sup bAineAt) e Af An leAt>Aj\ Aif ceAC
pn Aip Ap tf ACc me CeAnA, An " H6f* SpiopA-OAtCA,"*
teAttAf A bpuit h-uite f6fic T)|\oC-piLit)eACcA Ann.
t)ei|Aim Ann fo e mA|\ *oo leAf uis mife e, Af nA
t)Am o'n mt)A|\ctAiseAC, <51|\ niof\ ttpu mofiAn e
CA Y& Ann fAn teAt>A|v UA A U\n eite fAn
ni tusAim Ann fo ACc An meAt) |^UA1|\ me 6'n
A
A tTlACAttl A'f A
T)e'n Aon T)IA Ann A C|ti,t
A ceAmpoitL tuc5Ai|ieAc nA
[A] toifcin 5^n CACA-O [coi-oc 1 ].
*peuc An -OAn "lofA mui|ie -j lofeph," fuA)\ T)o
coip "oe'n leAbAji f o, -oo fUAi]t me o f om 6m' CAJIAI-O "OAiti Coimm,
Ag muineACAn 1835, AJVI^ xeificeAfi 5n mAiciu O Cemnfoij t>o cuift
t "Ann
1 See above, the poem of " Jesus Mary and Joseph." A copy of this
189
the father and mother did not live long after him. The
mill was closed up, and there has not been a drop of
water coming to it for years, but they say that the people
of the place hear the mill-wheel working in it every night
.still.
* * * *
Here is another poem I got from my friend, Thomas
Barclay, who had it from his mother, who was born about
four miles from Ballina in the County Mayo. She said
that they used to sing this piece every Sunday in the
chapel when she was young. A pity that this good custom
is not followed now ! I thought that she had this poem in
a faulty and corrupt way, and I corrected it, as I thought,
by inserting words in brackets to make the lines more even.
But I have since discovered that she had it almost cor-
rectly, and that it was taken out of that curious book of
which I spoke before, the " Spiritual Rose," l a book in
which is every kind of bad poetry. I give it here in the way
that I arranged it when I got it from Thomas Barclay, for
it is better than the way it was printed. There is a lot
more of this poem in the book, but I only give what I got
from his mouth.
WELCOME MOTHER.
Welcome take Maid and Mother
From the Godhead's One-in-three,
Holy temple wrought for heaven,
Habitation still to be. 2
book which was given me by my friend, Mr. David Comyn was
printed in Monaghan in 1836, and it is said that it was " Mathew
O'Kennedy " who Irished it.
3 Literally. Welcome mother and maiden | from the One God
ia his Three (persons) | joyous temple of the heavens | Tabernacle
not worn-out for ever.
190
[A] f6lA1f 5ACA Ctllflpj;*
[A] tfiAinn pAilrn Ann & fwoe,
A JAijroin nA bpteAfiuti
tAti-jeAnmnui-oe.
pAitre A Aific tiA
A CACAOIjl SotAItT) ATI fttj,
t>Aix> bAifce riA t>pl<\ii;eAF
An c-6|i te ceine [i].
6it)inn
A f>tAc tAn -oe
A nut h-AOite(?) SAmppon,
reAd t)e 50
-oo'n rilAc
A fAt)All 6 [JAC]
Ann o |tAit> ctAnn Ax>Airh
[T)o bi] geinnce i tocc.
An fteAn tiAOth T>O cog
te beic AS XHtiil A
1onnAf nAC tuijpeAt)
coixc'.
A st 11 ^
Ai|i A t otionncAijeAnn An pi
[t)o cuAi-6] -oeic jceim A|i Aip
t)e'n
* " SAC tuijtf eAc,"
t " A^i fon A ononncAijeAnn," -oubAijic pe.
J " UinneA-6 peoit oe'n CfiiAtAft," x>u6Airic
solace of every weary one | palm tree set up | garden of
ure | that art full chaste.
\ Welcome ark of the law | throne of Solomon the king |
Victory of the baptism of the heavens ; | the gold (refined) by fire
is she.
191
Sol xc3 of the sick and weary,
Spreading palm and fragrant tree,
Garden walled around with pleasure,
Innocent, and chaste, and free.
Welcome arc of purest judgment
Throne of David's mighty sire,
Victory baptized from heaven,
Gold refined and purged with fire.
Welcome fleece of high protection,
Welcome thou blossom-rod,
Welcome honey-comb of Sampson,
Welcome house and home of God.
Meet it was the kingly scion
Should be saved from stain and spot,
Common to the race of Adam,
In their sin and shame begot.
Hence He chose her pure and holy,
On whose breast He meekly hung,
To the spotless one and stainless,
Free from stain and spot He clung.
Welcome Sun of regal splendour,
In whose face a glory burned,
Backwards, paces ten, revolving,
Now the Word to Flesh is turned.
Welcome protecting fleece | welcome rod full of blossom |
Welcome pleasant (?) honey of Sampson | Welcome house of God
for ever.
It was right for the Royal Son | to save her from every spot | in
which the race of Adam was [stained] | which were begot in fault. |
The holy woman he chose | to be sucking her side | so that there
should not lie | a blemish of sin upon her for ever.
Welcome regal sun | on whom the true glory turns | ten paces
went it backwards | and of the word was made flesh.
192
Cum -ouine AJVOUJA-O 6 ipfuotin
50 pAttpcAr [seAl] An Uij,
[fCUc] "OlA mOft nA
Ann A
An tile AmeAf5 cfifonAc
A cftuicniop An c-ACAifi-nitfie
A jlAn-fteutc Ann fAn oix>ce
fotAf -oo'n cfitimne.
5ix>TTTO
50 h-utiiAtt, 6 cftofoe,
tlA h-Ai|ie CAincice feo
gAn -OlutCAX) DOlb A-C01X>c'.
T)O
5O t1AT>A|1C
) oji|iAinn A
['tloif A'f] AH uAtp AJI mbAip.
-A cum riiAit tteA^fxMjeAtCA Ann fAn cf eAn-teAttAt\,
CA f e uite 50 ti-otc. UA An turn if mO t>e cumtA
te t)Aoiniti nA6 |\Ai15 Aon eotAf ACA A|\ pOf,-fMlit)eA6c
HA n^Ae-OeAt, if T><51 guf CA^jiAingeAt) An 6uit) if tn6
50 oei|:i|\eA(i Af ceAngAit) 6151 n eile. AJA An At)t)Afv fin
CA f6 mi-toinn "otioC-titAfCA, Aguf cuit) rh6|\ t)e T)f\o<i-
T)6i-tei$ce. AS fo fompl-A no "06, Af
S fo cuplA fceAjifA Af An teAtA|i 50 "Dip CAC mAji cl66uAil-
iAt>. CA A tAti eite fAn -oAn fo.
Failte mhathir agus a Maighdion | Don aon Dia dtri
Tearapull luaghir na naingiol | Lostin gan chaoidh.
Solas gah turseach j crania pailim na sith.
Gardiu a phlesir I Lon geanamnaigh.
Failte Ghrian riahghal j Ar son a dtiontain a nfhioghir
Deith goeim air ais | Rinnamh feoil do mbreithir.
- Chum a duine ardamh o Ifrion | go Parthus a righ
Dia mor na bhflaighios [ A stabla na Hugh (sic).
193
Mau to raise from hell to heaven,
Opening Paradise for all,
See the God of worlds unnumbered,
Lying in a stable's stall.
* *
Lily amongst weeds, a terror
To the serpent ambush-curled,
Purest star of deepest midnight,
Batting light through all the world.
We beseech thee Holy Mary
Praying humbly here to-day,
From our canticles and praises
Turn, thou pure one, not away.
Keep, protect, and steer thy servant,
Let him dwell with Christ for aye,
Pray for us we pray thee, Virgin,
When our soul deserts its clay.
There is a good deal of versification in this old book, but
it is all bad. The most of it is composed by people who
had no knowledge of the true poetry of the Gaels. No
doubt most of it was hastily translated out of some other
language. For tliis reason it is unrnelodious, ungraceful,
and a great deal of it ill-spelt and unreadable. Here is an
To raise people from hell | to the bright Paradise of the king |
beho-d the great God of the heavens | lying in a stable.
The lily amongst brushwood(?) | who shaketh the serpent ; |
clear star in the night | which giveth light to the universe.
We pray, Holy Mary, | humbly from our heart | these hours of
canticles | not to refuse for ever.
Steer thy servant | to the view of Christ of the graces, | Pray for
us, O Virgin | Now, and at the hour of our death.
194
" Offic ainnim losa." S^ " ^ 1 An leAttAjv " neamh-
nuaill " (?) AJ\ nA ftAnncAio geA^A po. Ctnj\ nA
DOCCA fO 1 gCOttlpfVAIT) te pOJ\-At>f\AnA1O
nA nT>Aoine 6in.
"neAtfinuAiU," AS An n6s
losa an tra mhusclaa tn an mo mheomhair
Bion mo chraoidh air lasamh le gah luaghair,
Ach nuair a thig tu lathair a rare gah maitheis
Bioghain manam ambuil aoibhnis Flaighos.
no AT :
losa bheir trocaire uaid na cheatha
Soilse ar gceadfaidh Ian fhuaran na beatha,
Le nor sholas bhethaidh tu ar gcradh
Ta da thiolcaid os cionn ar nor iaraidh (!)
no
losa glac seilbh air manam a nocht
Agus dibir uainn a hule locht,
lonas go mbeamh shinn saor o gah inn is
Go mblasaidh an saogh'l do thiolcaith bhills.
CA cuiT) *oe nA " neAttinuAitt " niof binne 'nA 1AT) f o,
ACC CA An 6uiT) if m<5 ACA -oonA 50 leoj\. Ag fo cuptA
ceAnn *oe nA cmn if peAt\f, fSjiiobtA AtnAC
1
ni bpuit ceol com fAim no tnotAX) coni
no AJ eifceAcc ctuAf gto^i com binn,
ni 1:15 A fmuAtneAtri tfe c-ftoix)e 50
An c-Ainm ^16 jtonmAn fin, TofA A]t
[A] lOfA ACA |l6 tlOntTlA|\ 1
PUAI^I buAi-6 AH ijeAji-jeArA An
195
example or two from the " Office of Jesus' name." The
book calls these short verses neamhnuaill (?) Compare
these poor effusions with the real spiritual songs of the
people themselves.
NEAMHNUAILL FROM THE SPIRITUAL ROSE.
Jesus when thou awaknest in my memory,
My heart lies fired with every joy,
But when thou comest forward, in the sight (?) of every goodness,
My soul he's as it were [in the] felicity of heaven.
or again
Jesus who gavest mercy from thee in showers,
Light our senses, full spring of life,
With true light of life thou art our love,
And thy gifts (?) are beyond our true asking (?)
or again
O Jesus, take possession of my soul to-night,
And banish from us every evil,
So that we may be safe from every * * * (?)
And that the world may taste thy sweet gifts.
Some of the "neamhnuaill" are more melodious than
these, but the most of them are miserable enough. Here
are a couple of the best, properly written and spelt :
There is no music so gentle, or praise so pleasant,
Nor in the hearing of ears voice so sweet,
No heart is ever able to conceive it
That very glorious name, Jesus, our love.
and again
Jesus, who art very full of grace,
Who hast obtained victory over the bitter gate of Death.
196
to jeAn fmne 50 olvit
ti-eArovn-6 Ann pm fAfuijeAnn c.*
1f cofttiuit 50 tpuil tiA caAtjvdriin,A po
6'n mDeAjilA, xx6c CA cuig
* The above gives us some notion of the gradual decay of Irish learn-
ing and of the artificial translated religious poetry of the beginning
of this century, printed, and probably composed by the clergy, who
were already becoming Anglicised. But the attempt made about
this time to replace Irish religious poetry by English, sounds a
lower depth still. Here are some specimens which I find printed
and bound up with Irish poems in an Irish MS. of mine, with a
sheepskin cover, which has the following colophon, " wrote by me
John MacMahon, philomath, Dear Island, 1824, in the month of July."
The English poems bound up with the Irish MS., were printed in
little booklets or leaflets, and appear to be of about the same date.
Here is the extraordinary prose preface to one of them entitled,
" A Hymn on the Seven Joys of the Blessed VIRGIN MARY, first to
the inspection (sic) of the Most Rev. the titular Bishop of Dublin,
and published with his approbation." The preface does not speak
highly for the bishop's knowledge of English as a literary language.
It runs -
" Beloved Brethren, as nothing tends to promote human happiness
and the cause of religion so much as the Bibles which are printed
upon the wise institutions of the Gospel, because they insensibly
warm the will of man into sentiments of Devotion, and a pure desire
for the Catholic Faith, so essentially to rise (sic) a prospect in our
hearts for the dignity of the Christian Religion, for the peace and
prosperity of the public in general, and also to frustrate the private
influence of ir-religion, I heretofore (sic) recommend this Psalm to
my people, and hope that every clergyman will recommend it to his
flock."
The poem itself begins, " Dear Christians of Christ's useful (!)
name," and here are a few specimen lines from it exactly as printed.
The second joy this heavenly bride
Felt rising in her breast,
Thro' when Saint Elizabeth cried,
Men or women thou art blest.
The Lord is thy womb enshrined
This wound will I restore
To all the world that bliss which man
For her renounced before. Hallelujah.
197
Thy affection draws us closely,
Our wants, then, Thou dost satisfy.
It is possible that these quatrains may have been trans-
lated from English, but there are five poems of a purely Irish
When humbly prostrate on the ground
You were delivered of a son,
Three Eastern kings, Messiah's crowned,
T ho' in a manger roll'd.
The fourth joy, this the Virgin knew,
Whilst heavenly light unsulted (sic).
Sent down the gospel from the spheret (sic)
To teach a guilty world. Hallelujah.
Another of these English religious poems is called " The Pilgrim's
Address," and begins thus
Glory be to God on high, glory be to him again,
Glory be to him for ever, and ever, that suffered for all men.
The Blessed Virgin thus she said, dear Son pray let it be,
Perform the promises you've made, perform them now to me.
Glory be to God on high, glory be to him again,
Glory be to him for ever, and ever, that suffered for all men.
St. Francis sits at God's right hand, St. Francis sits on high,
Come to me you children all, for none of you eternally shall die.
*****
All you that's invested in my Cord, all you that has it on,
All you that's invested in my Cord, shall follow the holy Lamb.
Here is the first verse of another fragmentary poem on St. Francis.
St. Francis, poor and naked, his penance first began,
St. Francis, Dare and naked, lamenting for his sins,
St. Francis seeking Jesus, till he found his wounds at last,
may these wounds be written and engraved upon our hearts.
Neither poet, nor printer, nor even bishop seem to have been
thoroughly at home in English ! These effusions are miserable, com-
pared with the beautiful traditional religious poetry which lived
upon the lips of the people in such abundance then, and of which
we have been able to save so many specimens even at this eleventh
hour.
198
ii-oeijieA-6 An teAttAifi, An CeAt> CeAnn ACA AJ\ piAncAit>
, toftnjjeAf mAf\ f o :
Beith le ghlacan [?] na dhcharaand [?] tiugh siordhubh,
Dorochadas cruinnigh a niffrion iotrach,*
Nil cuimsiot * dearbh air Fhairsings a crhaois duibh ;
Na air fhad a dhoimhnat * nil rare no fis air.
UA nAOi sceAttvAtfmA "oeAg f An T>An fo. 1f 6 An
T>Af\A T>An " CdtiifVAt) An AnAtn "OAmAncA teif AH
gCojip.' 1 ~CA n^oi gceAtfArhnA Ann. Ag fo An 6eA*o
6eAnn ACA, 50 trifieAC triA^t ct6t>UAiteA'6 e:
A Dear an Tanam a gleacamh uime a cliugh chulip (?)
Le heasgain threan a neigin dioltaia
Narab e do 1 heatha a chuirp mhallaigh an ghoiomh uile ; f
A cru bocht g^irana nar ghraidh an rioghat * mhaith.
An C|\iorhAt) T)An,
1 nt)An." | UA ceitj\e
Ann, Aguf cop uigeAnn f e :
Gach molamb. Gloir onier is buidheachas,
Do thabhairt don Tronaid fiormhoa dhligh muid
Do athair na Gloir is do mhor mhac losa,
Is don Spirod naomb. na gras air chach do scaoila",
1f e An ceAtf ArhAt) piop A An Dies Irse, 1 ng
An AuAifi tDeAfnAfiT) O CotAin (?). UA
ig Aifcjxigciti) T>e'n t)An fo
A tAgAT). Uof AijeAnn f e feo :
La na feirge laud (sic) an leurscrios,
La mbeidh crioclia thrid a clieile,
Mur deir Dabhi 'is Tybeala.
-pA t)eA|iA nAc fonncAfi An " Ach Ann fAn
in An T>Ain feo, ACC " iocfiAc " 1 n-Aic "IOCCAJIAC," ~\
" i n-Aic "JIIOJACT:," -jc. 1f cfiutuJA-6 e fo JMJI CUTTIA-O e
UlAX* foi|(, no 'benoif 1 5conx>Ae nA tTli-oe, Aft
199
character in the end of the book. The first one, on the pains
of hell, begins thus :
To be with * * * * (?) of the * * * * (?) thick, ever-black
Darkness gathered in lower hell,
There is no certain supposition concerning the width of its
black gullet,
Nor on the extent of its depth.there is no sight or knowledge of it
There are nineteen quatrains in this poem. The second
poem is " The conversation of the damned Soul with the
Body." There are nine quatrains in it. Here is the first
of them exaccly as it is printed :
The Soul says taking upon it * * * * * * (?)
With a powerful curse, in the necassity of revenge,
No hail to thee * accursed Body of the evil deed
Poor, vile worm that loved not the good kingdom.
The third poem is entitled, " An attempt at the root of
our religion in poetry." There are fourteen stanzas in it,
and it begins :
Every praise, glory, honour, and thanks
We ought to give to the truly great Trinity.
To the Father of glory, and his son, Jesus,
And to the Holy Spirit of Grace, which he lets loose upon
everyone.
The fourth piece is the Dies Irae in Irish by Father
Bernard O'Calain. I know of at least five translations of
this piece into Irish. It begins
The day of anger, the day of destruction,
The day that countries shall be through other,
As David and the Sybill say.
f =jniom uitc.
* no map cloouAilreAji e, " aig so irauht air phreimh ar gcre
di ,h a ndan " I
*}t)'en>ijt "
200
1f 6 An OAti ceijAe^nnAft '"Dan An "Outne
DO Cum An fAgAfic ceATm A. t& "oeiC j;ceAt*iArhA -Ann,
AJ; po An "OA 6eAnn cof AIJ, f5{\iotiA AITIAC 1 s
SAJI Am a HAIO tnife 63
If iomt)A fin poj,
1,e h-ionriiuinn HA collA t<o iti6|i
"Do tug me <oo 05-iiinAiO An
1 icni-oA fin ceA^AfS 6'n jcteijt
A T)eA|ipA-6 tiorn pein, 50 fiofi,
*OA bpeACAinn ie coit A'f te mem,
-OA nt)eAiipAr6e } -.
T>o tti5 ine ^n mfeAt) fo A? An lettiAp fin
Ann, 6ip nil 'outne Ann fAn mile "DO Conr>Ai|\c An
teAttAij\in feo no *oo CuAtAit) c;|v<vic Aip A^iAtii. Ill
GpuAifv nA TJAome Aon GtAf A|\ nA piof Ait f eo, "\ m fiAitt
coicCionn ; m 6uAtAf j\iArh Aon CeAnn ACA ACc An
A ItiAtAiti'' t>eAt t)inne A^ TDI.
-Ag fo tDeAnnACc An SgAbAit mA|\ puAi^eAf e 6
m' CAfXAit), TlofniA t)oj\cuic, T)O PUAIJA e o
5Cont)A6 tiling 66:
An
f uAi|i me 6 fhACAijt
riAomtA ACA Afi neAm,
me TIAC piu me pAJAil/,
Ace ftAti m'ATiAm' te -oo b|iAC.
ct6buAitreA|i f An teAt>Afi e :
Sa nam a rabh mise og | Is uime sin pog fa rair | Le hanmhain na
colla ro mhor | A thug me do oig mhna 'n tsaoghail.
Is uirae sin teagasg o'n gcleir I A dearadh liom fein go fior | Du
bpeacain le toil is le mein | gur bhannan sda ndeanfidh gniomh.
201
The last p^em is the "poem of the Sper.dthrift " which
the same priest composed. There are ten quatrains in it.
Here are the first two, properly written out :
In the day when I was young,
Many was the kiss, alas!
With too great fieshly affection,
I gavo to the young women of the world.
Many is the instruction (I got) from the clergy
~7ho used to say to myself, with truth,
If I were to sin with the will and with the inclination,
That it was the same as though the deed had been done.
I have given this much out of the book as an example of
the ungraceful, tasteless stuff that is in it, for there is not
one person in a thousand who has seen this book or heard
of it. These pieces never became popular on the mouths o2
the people, for I never heard one of them, except the
"Welcome Mother" from the lips of anyone.
Here is the Blessing of the Scapnlar as I got it from my
friend Miss Borthwick, who got it from the mouth of a man
in the county Mayo.
THE BLESSING OF THE SCAPULAR.
I have found a garb from Mary Mother, 1
The Holy Maiden who dwells on high,
She guards with the hem of her cloak my soul,
An undeserving sinner I.
^Literally. A dress I got from the Mother of Jesus | Holy Maiden
who is in hearea | a sinner am I who am not worthy to get it | but
the health of my soul (be) with thy mantle.
202
A fhAij'oeAn cumAcCAc stojiriiAii beAnnuijie,
AS A bpuit me fAOi t>o f5' A ^-
1 n-Amm At! AtAfl ACA A|t TieAITI
An rtlic A -a'utAin AH
An SpiojiAt) tlAom D'AN
Ajuf 50
A|t uAifi A|i mbAif. Amen.
ceAnn 56A|t\ eile T)O UAi rn6 ttlAC
Af CoiTOA6
" t)An TIA "LeAptA " :
OAfl tlA
Sfnim Ann fAn teAbAi-o fo
tnA^t f inpeAT) * Ann p An UA15,
]?AoifiX)in c^Ai-6 TOO
O '"t)iA, Afbotoin CA me 'lAftfiAix) O|IT;,
PAOI ojioc-jiAi'ocib mo beiL,
-otioc-fmuAincib mo cuoi-oe,
T>|(oc-5nioiTiAjirAib mo 6ol/tA,
nix> TjubfAf nAc |iAib piott,
nix> jeAtl/Af A5Uf nAtt coimtionAf.
[btionnAim] m'AnAm x>uic, A ttlic *O6,
-oo X>
A ITlAiS'oeAn beAnnuijte.
flA cjii h-Amjte if Ai|it)e i
50 jiAib [AS] cunroAc
'tloif A5f Anocc Ajuf 50
ji UAIJI mo bAif. Amen.
AS fo pAit)i|\ eite te jiAt) AS -out 'nA tttfOe "oo t>uine.
Hi 6uirhnisim CIA tiAit) fSj\iot>Af fiof e.
* " Stnim," -oubAittc f e.
O powerful glorious blessed Virgin | beneath whose shield I am }
in the name of the Father who is in heaven | and of the Son who
suffered the pain.
203
Powerful, glorious, blessed Maiden,
Shield me and take me in thy train, *
In the name of the Father who dwells on high,
And the Son in the sky who suffered pain.
May the Holy Spirit guard us,
And the Virgin Mary ward us,
Now and till our latest breath,
Now and at the hour of death.
Here is another short one which I got from Mac Bury,
from the county Mayo, which is called the " Bed Dan."
THE BED DAN.
I stretch in this bed
As I shall stretch in the tomb.
A hard confession I make to Thee.
God, absolution I am asking of Thee
For the evil-sayings of my mouth,
For the evil-thinkings of my heart.
For the evil-actions of my flesK
Everything that I have said that was not true.
Everything that I have promised and have not fulfilled,
1 give Thee my soul, Son of God
Between Thy two hands.
Blessed Virgin,
The three angels highest in heaven,
May they be protecting my soul
Now and to-night and for ever,
And at the hour of my death. Amen.
Here is another prayer to be said by a person going to
rest at night. I do not remember from whom I wrote it
down.
The Holy Spirit strengthen me | and the Virgin Mary guide me |
now and for ever | and at the hour of our death. Amen.
204
me pop AJI An LeAbAix) peo
[xo] pineA-6 ttlAc T)e
t)|iAC ttjiij-oe -DO beit mAfi p^AbAl oftm ;
A tilAij-oeAn jlotimAji mo mile SjiAt) tu,
CAftAiT) m'AnAm' leip An bplAiieAp
A TopA C^iofc xio ceupA-6 A|i An
nA ceu-ocA 'guf tiA milce loic,
JAG tute olc
"O'A bpuit AJ bjiAc o|tm Anocc
1 T)CAOlb An Am' Agtlf C1f(p,
Anoif Ajf A|i UAI|I mo t>Aip. .Amen.
fo upnuige eile -oo fUAif mo 6A|\A t1o]\rnA
6 pe-AT>x\i\ O Coince^ntixMnn 6 1niftneAt)on.
1p cofttiuil i leif ^n bpxM'oipin -00 tug m6
cio-oot " A t)Aiti|\i05An n
gloiu
gtoiji 'n .AiAifi, 5toi|i 'n ttlAC [sc],
gloiji 'n "CiA nAomcA,
-oo'n tlij -o'lomcAiti An cjioif
t)o ceAnnuij nA oAome.
of teif An UeAtc
'S i tTluitie tTlACAiii iopA.
A ITlAiSTDeAn nA poitlpe
J S A ttlAiJTieAn nA stoi^
5nix>im mo
mAit)in Ajup
pAOi mo coimfii'6
cuift me Aft An eotAp,
mo cjtoi-oe cum Aii^i
go pitpi-6 me nA -oeo^A,
50 -oceix) me 50 [T)CI] nA pLAici
Afi peA-6 nA 5loi|te.
1 Literally. Glory to the Father, glory to the Son | glory to the holy
God | glory to the King who bore the cross | and who bought the
people | great praise be to the guiding star | she is Mary, Mother of
Jesus.
205
A NIGHT PRAYER.
I shall stretch myself down on this bed
As the Son of God was stretched upon the cross.
The mantle of Brigid to be for a scapular on ine.
glorious Virgin, my thousand loves thou art,
The friend of my soul to obtain the heaven.
Jesus Christ who wast crucified upon the cross,
Who didst suffer the hundreds and the thousands of wounds,
Banish every evil
That is spying for me to-night,
With regard to soul and body,
Now and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Here is another prayer which my friend, Miss Borthwick,
got from Peter O'Concannon in Inismeadhon. It is like
the little prayer which I have given already under the title
" O Queen of the Heavens."
GLORY TO FATHER AND TO SON. 1
Glory to Father and to Son,
Glory to God most holy,
Glory to Him who bore the cross,
And bought the nations wholly.
And glory to our guiding star,
To Mary pure and lowly.
maiden of brightness,
All heaven adoruiiig,
1 cry to thee ever
Both evening and morning.
Come to me, guide me,
And save me from fears,
And make me repentant
And wash me with tears,
And lead me to heaven
When spent are my years.
And maiden of the light | and maiden of the glory | it is to
thee I make my complaint | each morning and evening.
Come for my protection | and show me the right road | and send
my heart to repentance | until I shed the tears | until I go to the
heavens | throughout the glory.
206
f P^i"Oi|\in 6'n -ottine ceAtmA ACA te
DO teAbAit) t)uic
c0mi$im An teAbAit) seo.
Coifiijim An teAbAit) feo
1 n-Ainm ATI ACAJI, An ttltc ~\ An
1 n-Ainm nA h-oix>ce getneAX) finn,
1 n-Ainm nA h-oi - 6ce ftujA'O finn,
1 n-Ainm An tAe bAifceAX) finn,
1 n-Ainm jA6 oi-oce, JAC tAe, JAC eoin, (?)
gAt Ainsit t>'A tifuit/ Ann fnA
CjteAX> rA C 'fiAX>, A
pAfoitt BeAg eite, A j
If triAIC 1 X)O pAlX)!^, A ITIAtAlfl, t/6
"Ouine A|t bic -oeA^pA-o -oo pAi-oift cjii li-UAijie 'taut Aco-otA-o, 50
mbeit [A] AnAm pein Ann fnA ftAicif Ajiif 50 bpic.
mAiceAmnAf te
6 Uij gcAt nA
nA t)tAi5T)e6i5e i sCon-oA^ Roi-cotn&n. t)i
>1 me
T)0 t1 Ag lAffiAlt) "061 pee, AJUf tAbAI^ fl An
AS An -oottur. 1f r 6 t^ c coipe 5 Ae * 1l '5 e T)e ' n
t-Salve Regina 6. Ssfiolj me fiof, Com tUAt
, e, 6n-A t?et pem, niof m6 nA ceitj\e
6 fom. 11i't pocAt 5Ae-6eilse p An AIC fin
50 mtjeAnnuisteAn -Otnc-se.
50 mbeAnnuijteAf; T>uic-fe
A bAin-fiioJAn nA
CtiAji Af; mbeAcA
Ajtif Aft n-ootcAf,
207
Here is a little prayer from the same person, which is to
be said on your making your bed.
I MAKE TH[S BED.
I make this bed
In the uame of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
In the name of the night we were conceived,
In the name of the night we were born,
In the name of the day we were baptized,
In the name of each night, each day, each ...(?)
Each angel that is in tha heavens.
" What art thou saying mother ? "
" Another little prayer agra."
"Good is thy prayer to be said, mother."
Any one who shall say this prayer three times on going to sleop,
sure his own soul would be in the heavens again for ever,
And forgiveness to be had
From the bright King of the Graces.
Here is another poem that I heard from a poor woman
in the parish of Breedogue, Co. Roscommon. I had been
wet out shooting, and was drying myself in a house, when
a poor woman came in who was looking for alms, and she
repeated this piece at the door. Ifc is a kind of Gaelic
version of the Salve Regina. I wrote it down wheu I heard
it from her own mouth, uure than twenty-four years ago.
Irish has completely disappeared out of that district since
then.
SALVE REGINA.
Salutation to thee
Queen of Glory,
Presage of our 1112
And our hope.
208
If
A clAnn io-obAjiiA Aix>e, [ =
go TICI iu ct)i-pimit>
Aft n-ofnA 'juf AJI mbtion,
AS oeunAtri ruifife
'SAn njteAnn nA nt>e6|i po.
triitif,
jiAinn 50
te
'S
JI An cfAoJAL po
CAifbeAn t)uinn
T)O bjioinne
A ttlAiJTieAti ttluijie,
A iriAtAiji fteAnnAijce
ttlic titif "Oe.
50 iroeAtifA ptuncAc ftnn
A-\\
Aft oCijeAittiA -a'pAJAit ! Amen.
le oeipeAnriAige c6ip eile t)e'n pio?A f o
oo t)f fSfiofttA Aft oile.5n Ann fAn cSionnAin te
SeA$Ain O 1TlAt$ArhnA eigin, Aif\ AJI tAttAip m
cimCiott ceitjie p6iT> bliAt)An foin :
50 mbeAnnuigteAn "6utc.
50 mbeAnntiijceAfi TIUIC, A t) AinjiioJAn, A riiACAifi nA
AJI mbeAcA, Af mittfCAcc Ajuf AJI nx6tcuf. 50
otuc. Opc-fA stAOTDAmAon) nA oibiticeoinib feo ctAnn
CujAt) cxjittimit) Aji n-opnA, A^ n-octAn A5f A\( nsotcAific Ann
fAn njteAnn fo nA n-oeoji. Ay An A-obAH fin, Ap n-A-obocoit) f6-
5tiAfCAriiAil, lompuij otijiAinn -DO f uile cfiocAitteAiA, A5f CAJI eif
A|i nT>i'biftie Ann fo Beit i SCJIIDC CAifbeAn x>umn cofA'd beAn-
nvnjie t>o bjioinne lof A, A tflAix>eAn ceAnf A . . . ? mitif
ri^uitte, 5i-6 ojif Amn A nAorii-riiACAift T)e.
lonntif 50 mbpiu finn jeAttAriinACA Cfiiofc o'pJ5Ait.
209
It is to thee we pray,
Ivory (?) descendant of Ad.im ?
To thee we send
Our groans and our sorrow,
Making weariness
In this valley of tears.
O sweet treasure,
Look upon us mercifully
With eyes of good-inercy,
And wheu our good works shall be
Ended on this world
Come and show to us
The fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O greatly merciful,
Greatly effectual,
Greatly-pious.
O Virgin Mary, *
blessed mother
Of the dear Son of God,
Mayest thou make us worthy
At the hour of our death
To obtain the promise
Of Christ our Lord. Am.cn.
I lately got another version of thia piece which was
written on an island in the Shannon by one John O'Mahony ,
of whom I have already spoken, about eighty years ago.
SALVE REGINA.
(Another Version).
Salutations to thee Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our
sweetness, and our hope. Salutations to thee ! To thee we call,
[we] these banished ones of the clans of Eve. To thee we send our
sighs and our groans and our cry ings in this valley of tears. For
that reason, our very -gracious advocate, turn upon us thy merciful
eyes, and after our banishment here being at an end, show us the
blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. mild sweet .... Virgin Mary.
Pray for us Holy Mother of God, so that we may be worthy to
get the promises of Christ.
210
5 f
n6 i oceAmpoll. ptiAipeAf i 6 m' C^Afo XJnA ni
Tio 6uAtAit> i n-A^inn e :
-ouic, A CeAtnpoiVl t)e,
50 tnbeAnnuiji-o ru -pein
f>uit A'f 50 mbeic An nxi
^i-oe o|im feiti Atroiu.
A|t mo jtuin oeAf oo'n AitiX)-|ii5,
Aft mp jlum cti -oo'n SpiojiAD tlAOiii,
ft3it 50 ocojyAinn
A mbeic |t6mAm A'f mo
6 teAC TIA bpiAn,
Amen nA
AS fo Anoif ceAnn eite 6 CorcoAe
Ho|imA t)o^cuic e C "OonncAt) UA HiAm -] 6tn|\ p 1
6 Y^" n-1f\ifteAt)A|A " tlAorh pA-ofAis," Aguf tug
ceAt) T)Am A At-CtOttuAtAt!) Ann fo :
An c-seipeit.
Coib CojicAijeAc.]
-outc-fe, A iofA C|iiofC,
-ouic, A ttlAij-oeAn
-ouic-fe, A GAjlAif
TOUIC, A fetpeit nA
1m' cuoi-oe CA An c-olc,
1m' beul Agf im' clof,
Ctiiuti 'oo ctiitiim O'A cofj,
An c-AiAifi, An niAC A^uf An SpiotiAt)
bfionnAim m'AnAm x>uic, A iofA
e t ic e
nA 50 bfiAC.
m' Ac6uinse cu^AC-fA, A
xo bpeic AH t>o
cije pein.
211
Here is a prayer to be said on entering a chapel or church
I got it from iny friend, Miss O'Farrelly, who heard it in
Aran.
THE CHAPEL PRAYER.
I salute thee Church of God,
And mayest thou thyself salute me.
Hoping that the Twelve Apostles might be
Praying for myself to-day.
I lower [myself] on my right knee to the High King,
And on iny left knee to the Holy Spirit,
Hoping that I might raise
All who are before me and behind me
From the flag of the pains,
And Amen after it.
Here now is another from the county Cork. Miss
Borthwick got it from Donnchadh O'Ryan, and printed it
in St. Patrick's, and allowed me to reprint it here.
THE CHAPEL PRAYER.
[A Cork Version],
I bow to thee, O Jesus Christ,
I bow to thee, glorious Virgin,
I bow to thee, O Church of God,
I bow to thee, Chapel of the Trinity.
In my heart ill things are massed,
Through mouth and ears ill things have passed.
Three I send to chain them fast,
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
I bestow thee my soul, Jesus Christ,
I shall not ask it of Thee '
For ever or for ever.
I put my petition to thee, O Mary,
To take my soul on thy right hand,
On the floor of thine own house.
212
A-omuijim x>uic, A t>\A fhoiji r>A n-ute cumAcc,
[An c-olc t>o junneAf]
6 tA mo bAifre 50 xir:i t<i mo cofiAirh,
Cfti [cue] tiA-oAfic mo ful,
Cfti ctof mo cluAf,
fcfi tiAix>cib mo oeit,
Cfti fmtiAinctb mo cjioitie,
Cjii jtAC mo tAtiiA,
C|(l' CUflfA mo fllATl,
Cfl tl-A ITOUftA^C A'f tlAjt oeinCAf [tlAC TTOeAjltlAf],
C|ii n-A]i jeAltAf i riAjt coimt/ionAf,
C|ii ti-A|i fieAbAf -oe otijcib "] t)'Ait;eAncAit) nAomcA,
lA|itiAim-fe An eAfpAtoi-o [AbfAtoit)] O^T: Anoif pein,
1 n-Ainim milif TofA Cfiofc,
A|t eAgtA riAf( lAnt'Af i jiiAm mAji bu-6 coifi,
Ajuf HA [nAc] mAijipinn le h-i iAji|iAi-6 A|tif.
1 ti-Ainm An .AiAft Ajuf An ttlic Ajuf An SptojiAit)
tlAoim.
Cloinne ttluifif, tiom, gup Cu^tAiti fe
)i, HA
teAc, A li
ICAC, A C^i
50 5cv3mx)Ai5 fib
50 ocigix) me
f o j^Ann eile "oe'n cf ope ceAtDnA Ap Con'OAe TIA
T1i Cuirhnijim CIA UAit) cuAlAf e :
ATI nut)
beAnnAcc ICAC, A CeAc *Oe,
beAnnAcc *Oe 'n Afi ocimciott,
go bpillpimit) cum A CeAmpoiLt.
*.i. linn-ne.
213
T acknowledge to Thee, great God of all powers
[The evil I have done].
From the day of my baptism till the day of my wake,
Through the sight of my eyes,
Through the hearing of my ears,
Through the sayings of my mouth,
Through the thoughts of my heart,
Through the touch of my hands,
Through the course of my way,
Through all I said and did not,
Through all I promised and fulfilled not,
Through all the laws and holy commandments I broke.
I ask even now absolution of Thee,
In the sweet name of Jesus Christ,
For fear I [may] have never asked it as was right,
And that I might not live to ask it ag iin,
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
My friend, Dr. Conor Maguire of Claremorris, told ine
that he heard an old woman say these words as she was
leaving the chapel. They ran thus, if I remember them rightly.
ON LEAVING THE CHAPEL.
Farewell, O Mary ;
Christ, farewell,
And keep my soul
Till I come again. 1
Here is another verse of the same kind from the county
Galway. I forget whom I heard it from.
TIIK SAMK.
Farewell to thee, House of God,
May not thy blessings wither,
And may God's grace not part from us
Till we again come hither. 2
1 Literally. A blessing with theo, Mary | a blessing with thee
Christ | my soul may ye keep | till I come again.
2 Literally. A blessing with thee, O house of God | and the blessing
of God round about us | may the graces of God not part from us |
until tve return to His church.
214
f piopA T>O piiAijv me 6m' CAJAAIT) tin A ni
, oo puAii\ e 6 ouine i n-1nir > -tneA l 6on, 6
oe'rhuirman: CoinceAnnAinn,
CA "oo suite.
CA t>o fvnte [AJ] -ounAX) 'p 'oo beAt AJ ofgAitc
Agup c' inncinn AS imteACC te pAtiA,
CA T)O SCAJA 'puA|tAx> 'f tjo ctionae -D'A fcjiACAx>,
Aguf T)IA teif ATI AnAm AH IA fin.
[A] ithceAit nAoriicA, gtAoxiAitn An c-Ainm ojic,
Ajuf flAorii eom t)Aifoe tAiTJiji,
'S J;AC ite nAorii eite -D'A bpvut Ann fnA ptAicif
Le m'AnAm bocc -oo -AbAi
) An ttlAij-oeAn * 'f A JBAJA [AJ]
Aj IA^AIX) nA h-Aicftije ip peA^ti -ouinn,
50 bpuijpimit) fAfA-6 1 gcuific nA 6plAiteAf
te consnAth 6 ttltune
^5 f o c6ip eite "oe'ti "OAn ceA'onA, 6 "Ooijte Cotuin-
citte, t)o puxMp me otn' 6A|VAit) llofvmA t)of\cuic :
c6ip eite.
, 5tAOT)Aim AJI
J S AH 1lAoth Com t)Aifc
nAoim uite An ootnAm cum CA&AIH "oom'
Aimfiji nA CACA nA[c] [o]cAinij.
beixi An beAt 'A -ounA-o 'f An cpuit, 'A
'S An meAbAjt Ag imceAcc cum pAin uAim,
An coif ce 'A gLAO'OA-o t 'f An ceA|imA
"OiA te n-Afi n-AnAm An tA t5x>!
*"An ttlAi5t)eAn gtonmAn
t Of. ""OAn ITlic An mmifceiji," tine 31.
1 Literally. Your eyes are shutting, your mouth is opening | and
your mind is going astray | your limbs are growing cold and your
heart a-rending | and God be with the soul that day.
holy Michael, I call thy name to thee | end the strong St. John
215
Here is a piece which I got from my frieud, Miss
O'Farrelly, who got it from some one in Inismeadhon, I
think from one of the Con cannons.
WHEN YOUR EYES.
When your eyes shall be closing, your mouth be opening,
And your senses be slipping away,
When your heart shall grow cold and your limbs be old,
God comfort your soul that day.
holy Michael, to thee I'm calling,
And John the Baptist to him I pray
And to every saint that is high in heaven,
To save my soul that day.
The Virgin shall come, and her white arms spreading,
" Repent of your sins," herself shall say,
In the court of heaven, your only comfort
Must come from her that day. 1
Here is another copy of this same posra, which came
from Derry of Columcille, and which I got from my frkmd
Miss Borthwick.
WHEN YOUR EYES.
[A Derry Version]
holy Michael, I call upon thy name,
And upon the loving St. John the Baptist,
Upon all the saints of the world to aid my soul,
In the time of the battle that has not [yet] come.
When the mouth shall be closing and the eye breaking,
And the feeling going astray from me,
The jury being called and the term up,
And God be with our soul that day.
the Baptist | and every other saint of all who are in the heavens | to
save my poor soul.
The Virgin shall come and her arms a-spreading | seeking for us
the best repentance I and sure we shall find comfort in the court of tiie
heavens | with help from Mary Mother.
216
cmnce nAC tipuit Ann p o ACc piopA beAg T>e *An
-DO tM AJI tieAt nA tTOAome 6 <df\Ainn 50
T)oif\e, Ajup t>'eit)ifv AJ\ put) nA h-6i^eAnn, Aon uAip
AttiAin, cit> nAC t>piiAit\eAp fiArh 6 p6in nA A 6otr-
i n-Aon lAirii-r5j\itmin nA i n-Aon teAt>A|\.
tTlAC 5 10 ^^ Thi6iL cuit) -oe'n 'OAH
6 "OeAf, i n-AlbAinn.
^5 f p-Ait)ijiin t)eA5 eile -oo CuAtAf 1
ttluij 66 A^UF 1 n-AiceACAiG eite, le f\At) A|\ n-6ifii$e
SIIAS.
te "OiA,
go n-eitusi-o "OiA tiotn.
tAm T)e Ann mo cirridiott,
Aj fui-oe Y 4 S tuiwe
'S AS eituj
A S f t Mnn ei ^ e ^ e f^* A r trout Ann "oo
ceitne comn6itt.
A]I mo t-eAbAi-6,
Ainjte opf
me b^f 50 TJCI
go mbu-6 i 6plAiteAf
t16 mAf (iuAtAiti m6 6 6 t5nA ni f Aij\<ieAttAi$, T>O
6uAtAit) 1 n-ApAinn e :
coip eite.
Ceicjte pofCA AJI mo Lc t \bA,
Ceicjie Ainjit A|t mo fSA^Ai:), (?)
tu, mA|icf, tuc A'f SeAJAn,
t)iA mo cumxiAc Ajtif 50 t.
* Aliter : "m'AnAm."
1 Literally, Four corners on my bed | four angels spread on
them | If I die until morning | that it may be in heaven my bed
sh vll be.
217
Undoubtedly there is here only a small piece of a spiritual
poem which was at one time in the mouths of the people,
from Aran to Derry, and, perhaps, throughout all Ireland,
although I have never found it or its kindred pieces in any
manuscript or in any book. Mr. Carmichael found a portion
of the same poem in South Uist of Scotland.
Here is another little prayer that I heard in the county
Mayo aiid in other places, to be said on rising in the
morning.
I RISE UP.
I rise up with God,
May God rise up with me,
God's hand round about me,
Sitting and lying,
And rising of me.
And here is another rann to say on going to your bed.
FOUR CORNERS.
Four corners to my bed, /
Four angels round it spread.
If I die within the night
God receive me into light. 1
Here is how I heard it from Miss O'Farrelly who hear 1
it in Arau.
FOUR POSTS.
Four posts around my bed,
Four angels have it spread,
Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John,
Keep me, God, till the day shall dawn. s
2 Literally. Four posts on my bed | four angels on my spread-
ing (?) | Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John I And God keep me again
till day | .
I have heard an English verse very like this. It ran thus if I remem-
ber right : '' Four corners to my bed | four angels round it spread |
Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John | bless the bed that I lie on."
218
AS r ptofA t>eA5 "oo
eite Ann mo peilt>, pgpiotitA AS *ouine "oe mumncip
OfuriAin. UA put) copmuil leip mp An peAn-t)eAncup
pn, " An UeAngA t)it-miAt)."
m A
"OiA h-Aoine -oo peACAij; AXKMTI,
T)iA h-Aoine t>o cuifieAX) Af pAfifrAf ADIAC e,
"OiA h-Aoine T)o h-iA-oAtb neAtii ~\
"OiA h-Aoine xo iriAjib CAIH Abet.
"OiA h-Aoine x>o CUIJICAT) An T)ile cAft An x>oiriAn.
T>IA h-Aome -oo cuijieA'o ctAnn* ipfidel c^e'n ttluiji
"OiA h-Aoine x>o ceufAT) C-piopc.
*OiA h-Aoine T>O -fiinneA-o "oinf *j
Ajuf JA6 tuif min [Ain-tiiin ?] 1
T>IA h-Aoine TJO cui^eAt) ScepAn cum
T)1A h-Aoine -oo mAtib neftox> TIA teinb 1 n-uimiti 4020.
T)iA h-Aome -oo ctiocA-6 PCATDAH Ajuf pot.
*OiA h-Aome T>O bAineA'o A 6eAnn t)' Com t)it)ce,
*OIA Ii-Aome cu5A"6 co|iA - 6 "oo'n
ACA, "oo 6uAlAit) me 1
Aome n6 < oeif\eA-o SAtAifvn if otciAt>."
"C& f5 6At - Ann 1 'QCAOtb " Duitte luAt An tuAin, -\
buttle oeifii* An c-SAtAipn," Aguf t)o f\6i|t mA|\ T)eip
An ^Al, ni ftionn iAt n& && COACCA ACA. tTlo
e, bliAt)AncA 6 fom, oif t)' AifceAC e.
UAII\ me An n<3cA fo, leAnAp, Ap peA
AOpcA, *oo puAi^ m6 AJA lAfACc 6m' CAfVAit)
O T)6rhnAiU 6 t)Aite VJi 'fiA'OcAin i n-iA^CA^ Cont)A6
ltli$e 60. UA An n<5cA po AS CJIACC Ap tAetAncAib
mi-At)AmAit
Here is a little piece which I got in another manuscript
in my possession, written by one of the O'Gormans. There
is something like it in that very curious old composition
"The Ever-New Tongue,"
ON FRIDAY.
On Friday Adam sinned,
On Friday he was sent out of Paradise.
On Friday heaven was closed and hell opened.
On Friday Cain killed Abel.
On Friday the flood was sent upon the wtrld.
On Friday the children of Israel were sent through the Red Sea.
On Friday Christ was crucified.
On Friday briars and thorns were made,
And every smooth [perhaps a mistake for unsmooth] herb in ground.
On Friday Stephen was put to death.
On Friday Herod killed the children to the number of 4020.
On Friday Peter and Paul were crucified.
On Friday his head was taken off John the Baptist.
And on Friday fruit was given to the groutid. 1
They have also a story about the " early stroke [of work]
on Monday and the last stroke on Saturday," and according
to the story there is no luck in either of them. I wish I
had written down this story when I heard it years ago, for
it was very curious. I got the following note from an
ancient manuscript which I got the loan of from my friend
Mr. Patrick O'Donnell from Baile Ui Fhiadhchain [New-
port] in the west of the county Mayo. This note speaks
of the unlucky days of the year, and says that an unlucky
day is the first Monday in April, the second Monday in
August, and the last Monday in December. Here is the
1 Note. I do not understand this; p?ihaps it means "was taken
from the earth."
220
\,& 6 An CfiAt) tuAn 1 n-Ait>peAn, An t>AfiA l,UAn 1 mi
nAfA i An tuAn oeijeAnnAC 1 trn tlo-olAg. AS fo
n6cA 50 -oifieAt tnAp fgpiobAt) 6 infAn
"UAIT> cpi tAite coijwieAirste *oo
fAn mbtiA^Am, .-j. An C6At) tuAn *oo rhi
-1. An lA -DO flUgAt) CAin ~\ *OO rilAfti A
1 6eA|it)|\A'tAi|\ Abel : An "DAf A tuAn *oo ttif Agufc .*j.
An IA t)o f5|\iof At) So-oom if 5 orn P An > ^S^f ^^ C|\eAf
tuAn .*i. An ItiAn t)6i5eAnnA6 -oo rhi "Oecetnbep. .-]. ATI
IA T)O fugAt) 1ut)Af, An ci t)o
AS fo "o^n t>o puAip tn6 6 pAtipAis O "OCrhnAitt 6
t)Aile-ui-iA'6CAin 1 gCoiTOAe liluij 66, ACA 'nA 5 Ae> ^'
it5te6i|\ bjteAj cli^ce ^OjlAmcA. CA An udn coic-
6ionn Ann fin.
gtom Agus onom.
onoi|i
50 oeo -ouic, A p\o\(-mic t)e,
-oo icAnnuij cu AD jloifi,
te -o'pmt A| % dil onoj(Aij peiti.
C|t btiA-onA Aguf An -oeifi fA tjii
*Oo fiuftAl cu AH fAOJAt [T)uinn] 50 bo6c
AS ceA5Af5 'f A.^ pojluim An cine x>AonnA
*S AJ miinAt) nA ftije x)uinn te x>ut AJI neAtii.
nA6 beAg A fmuAinirniT) A^ ^jiAfoA [ttltc] "Oe
A'f jujt ceAfA-6 e AJI A|i fon,
AS t>eAnAtn fioccAin A}t peA|i5 "Oe
"Oo'n cine oAontiA i bpeACAX)
1 Literally. Praise, glory, and honour, | I give for ever to Thee, O
true Son of God | Dear hast thou purchased the glory | With Thine
own noble, honourable blood.
221
note exactly as it was written in the old book. " There are
three forbidden days, according to the doctors, in the year
the first Monday of the month of April, namely, the day
on which Cain was born and killed his brother Abel ; the
second Monday of the month of August, namely, the day
that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed ; and the third
Monday is the last Monday of the month of December, the
day that Judas was born, the man who betrayed our Lord
Christ."
They have a proverb which I heard in the county Galway,
" The beginning of Friday and the end of Saturday are bad."
Here is a poem that I got from Patrick O'Donnell, of
Baile-Ui-Fhiadhchain, or Newport, in the county Mayo,
who is a fine, clever, well-read Iresian. The poem is common
in that locality.
GLORY AND HONOUR.
Glory and honour and lasting praise,
Through endless days to the Son of God,
Thou hast bought Thy glory dear enow
With sweat of brow and fume of blood. 1
Through toilsome years thrioe ten and three,
Each day to Thee was the poor man's day,
Teaching and learning all his needs,
On the road that leads the heavenly way.
Is it not little we think about the grace of the Son of God,
And how he was tortured for our sake,
Making peace against the anger of God
For the human r?ce in the sin of Adam ?
Three years and ten three times over | Didst Thou walk the world
for us in poverty | Instructing and learning the human race | And
teaching the way for ua to go to heaven.
222
llAc mAifij -DAm-fA CAims AJI An
Aguf bneiceAiiinAf T)e 50 bpuit fe tiorii
'S A tiACCA fCAjij Ajtif cuijteAmA^ Ajt "6iA,
te n-Af. 5Ctioix>e -j te n-Af. tnbeAl.
TlUAIfl tlUCf.Af An bAf* X)' Aft J
DAG 5eAj\|i An fAOJAt x>o beifi fe
50 tttAtl66cA1t> fe A|1 JCOpA Aj;Uf A|t tAtTlA
X) AJ1 JCtlATTlA JAn AOn lC.
t>|np-6 fe An c-AtriAHc 'n AJI -DA
^kji jctuAf A 50 n-ounAi-6 niA
'S Ann fin cAiceAf An r-AnAm
Aguf x>ul An Aip fin i IACAIJI t)e,
'S Ann fin tAfAf An peAjts 1 n-eAt)An ttlic T)e
peicrcAf fe An peACAC
Of A comAiji.
x> fpiop.A-0 nA tAiriie cleice
6 fe 5An Aon f Airctoj
oo fiinne fe -OAtri-fA Af. An
Inf SAC ni-6 x>'Afi cuip fe jioitne.
O jl/AOi-6 cufA Aifi.
p, A tfhc "Oe, if OArii-fA fem peAfCA if coift e."
'S Ann fin A jlAcrofAf ITlAC De
Af. AinjeAl jtejeAt nA tAinie -oeife,
"innif Anoif x>Arii-fA JAC ni-6
*O'A nneAfinAixJ An cotAnn AjuAtii oo'n AITAID
xo bi fe AH An
[An
tAt)AifieAX> fe ujinuijce beit Aft A j
eixieAX) fe 50 h-Aif.fuonn An *o6rrinAi5
S eifceAcc teif An nAOtri-io-obAijic AJI An
fe x>ei|tce UAIT> 1 n-Ainna T)e
i5Ax> toift)in nA h-oi-oce -oo peAf. An teAc-tf.otm,
223
Is it not alas for me who came into the work! 1
For sure the anger of God is before us,
And all the anger that we have made God angry with ;
With our heart and with our mouth I
When the Death shall come our hearts to cleave
He shall not leave us time to speak,
He shall swamp our life with floods of groans
And leave our bones as water weak.
He shall break the sight in our two eyes,
Our ears, sure he shall close them as a board,
And then the soul will have to move,
And to go at that hour into the presence of God.
It is then the anger shall burn in the face of the Sun of God,
When He shall see the lying sinner
Coming before Him.
The Spirit of the Left Hand shall c^me
And shall speak without any fear,
" Much " [shall he eay] " he has done for me in the world,
In everything which he set before himself,
Since thou calledst him.
Now, SOB of God, it is to me myself from henceforth he belongs
of right."
It is then the Son of God shall call
Upon the shining angel of the Right Haud k
" Tell me now each thing
Which the body hns ever done for the soul
When it was on the world.
[THE ANGEL].
' It used to speak mouth prayers on its knees,
It used to go to Sunday Mass,
Listening to the holy offering on the altar,
It used to give forth alms in the name of God,
And it used to give night-lodgings to the man who was ill-
used [or badly off].
224
O! A tijeAfinA i A fion-rinc t)e,
6 if cufA fern A bjruit AjAt) An bjteic
tlA teij An c-AnAm 50 h-ipjiionn i ociuvt'O
e X>A flttAfOAil inf HA ceincib."
1f Ann fin t>eix>e<\p An c-AnAm AJI An
^5 u r 6 "'& ineA'OCAn i n-A^Ai-o
'S Ann fin beAjipAf tTlAC T)e bjieiceAtrinAf
5 An Aon eA5coi)i :
" Cibe f Aottiuij fe AJI An rf AoJAt
"Oe no if.f.ionn [biox> Ai5
"DO ^IKMJ\ m6
t^irh rsfi&itin "DO f.irme.At) 1 n-xSic 6igin 1 te^t Cuinn
6 foin ; "oo f tu\ifi tn6 i x\p
, t^irh teip
eile 6, ^gu
50 rnbe^t f6 cxMllce c^ f6 Corn m<Mt t)Am A CUJA pop
.Ann fo.
o^n t)'oit)6e
T)iA -DO beACA A nAOi-oe
'S An mAiiifcAii cix> CA [cu] bycc,
1VeAX)|1AC fA1X>5lf1 ACA CU,
'S 5l6f.iriAt\ it)' oun f.em Anocc.
A riAoi-oe bi^ ACA mow,
A lemt>* 615 ACA feAn,
[SJAn mAinfeAjt niofi cui^it A tAn [?]
Cit> nAC BfuijeA-o AIC AJV neArii.
* Ili'L i " leint) " ACC ^on cpioLlA AmAin ; b'enjiM gup
lembin " no bi Ann Aft t>cuf.
f'nitt cuf.A tAn." IDS.
1 Or " the north-side of hell."
*Liten"j Hail [literally, " G*A thy life"] holy babe | In the
225
Lord and true Son of God,
Since it is Thou Thyself who hast the judgment,
Let not the soul go to hell in the North, 1
And it being shovelled into the fires."
Then the soul shall \x iu the scales,
And it being weighed against its sin,
And then the Son of God shall give righteous judgment,
Without any injustice :
" Whatsoever he earned on the world
Whether it be the heaven of God or hell [let him have it]."
Here is a curious poem to Christmas night, which I got
out of a MS. which was made in some place in Leath Chuinn,
about two hundred years ago. I was lent it by my friend,
Mr. Blake, near Navan. I never saw it in any other MS.,
and for fear it ruight be lost it is as well for me to put it
down here.
CHRISTMAS HYMX.
Hail to thee thou holy Babe
In the manger now so poor,
Yet so rich Thou ai t I ween,
High within the highest door. 3
Little babe who art so great,
Child so young who art so old,
In the manger small his room
Whom not heaven itself could hold. 8
manger though Thou art poor | Jubilant rich Thou art | And glorious
in Thine own dun to-night.
8 little babe who art great | young child who art old | Who in
the manger did not put its fill | Although he might not find place
in heaven.
TMb jAn [<".on] niAiAiii AftiAih
gAn AtAiji Afi iit>6i5 AMOCC,
'S oo x>ume Aft cvif Anocc.
ni fine h-AtAifi 'nA fib,
6156 An riiACAijt, A tine T)e,
If fine 'f if 6156 An tnAC,
If* fine 'f if 6150 i 'n^ e.
eile T>O puAij\e^f 6
O "OOrhnAiU 6 t3Aile-ui-piAT!)(i^in, 1 n-Mftx.\j\
60.
6 t>un n^ cnoiCe.
C bun nA cjtoice feACAim
A lofA A|i oCijeAfnA clAon AnuAf.
AT)riiui5imt c^eiteArii T)e 50 f.io)t
te st 1 ^ C|ioi 1 6e A'f te -oocAf fio|i.
AS fo Ato^An be^s btnn 1 n-on6if; TO n^otti
oo puxMf. tn6 6'n bpA-OfAig O T)6mnAiU c6AT)nxi. tl!
Cuirhnigim sup (iiiAtAf Aon f Ann eile A^iAtti i n-on6i^
ibA-OfiAis AtneAfs nA tTOAome ACC An ceAnn fo, |\ut)
Cuij\eAf icngAncAf OJUYI.
*T)o jni-o An "ip" fiollA T>e bAjiji, m fAn line, ni fAib f
Atin Af. -ocuf, if 0615.
tT>ei|i ftAt) " AriToui5im " 1 gContiAe tiluij Co.
^ForThee, without mother ever | Without Father surely to-night |
God ever art Thou | And Man for the first time to-night
227
Motherless, with mother here,
Fatherless, a tiny s^wn,
Ever God in heaven's heig!<t,
First to-nighfc becoming m-.n. 1
Father not more old than thou ?
Mother younger, can it be !
Older, younger is the Son,
Younger, older, she than he. 2
Here is another small verse which I got from Patrick
O'Donnell, of Baile-an-Fhiadhchain, or Newport, in the
we.-.t of the county Mayo.
FROM THE FOOT OF THE CROSS.
From the foot of the Cross I look up to Thee,
Jesus Lord bow down to me.
For I stand in the faith of my God to-day,
Put love in my heart and hope a'.way. 3
Here is another melodious little song in honour of St.
Patrick, which I got from the same Patrick O'Donnell. I
do not remember that I ever heard any other verses in
honour of St. Patrick amongst the people except this one
a thing which surprises me.
2 Not older Thy Father than thou | Younger Thy mother, O Son of
God | Older aud younger is the son | Older and younger she than He.
3 Literally. From the foot of the Cross I look up | Jesus our
Lord, bow down | I acknowledge truly the religion of God | With
love of heart and with lasting hope.
228
GO nAOlfl
ACA i
fhic T)e jAn tocc,
ftAince te DO 5
"Oo'n ce biop bocc,
me Ann T>O tAtAifi
A'p me tA$ jAn tuc,
f t)Am
'n AIC A bpeicpi-6 me cu.
n-on6i|i H. jJA'OjUM
t.AOit> lom^-o^rhxMl 50 Ie6|i. Cuippi* me
Pr fSeiUn sex\^ Ann fo, A Dptnl cfi^Cc ^
Ann, 61^ cuipe^nn fe i gceilt "ouinn gup
PATIJUMJ; An oijAedT) fin fuime 1 n-innfinu nA
5ti|\ f AJ f6 "oe ttuAit) AS tetc A|\ Af (ijiom f6
A gttinA, nA6 ttpeATDpAt) "oume bjveAj; innpnc of A
cionn. t)o u\\\ nA feAn-'j^Ae'Oil fuim An-rh6j\ in fAn
ttpifinne. TluAip "o'lApn pATifVAig AI\ Oifin Ann
feAn-T)AncAib cionnAf TIO jtinne ponn Aguf An p
A mdjv-gniorhAntA, *o'ff eAgAi|\ Oif in 6.
pmmne n
tli cAnAtriAoif, An iAnn, 56,
Ajuf btieAj teo nio|i
te pifmne A'f te neAfic AJI lA
*Oo tijinn't' ftAn Af JAC
eiLe :
Hi CAnAmAoif-ne An f?iAnn 56,
t)feA5 lUAtn nioji fAmluiseA-o teo,
Acu A]\ -pijunne 'f AJI neA|tc Aft tArii
T)o tigimif ftAn Af JAC gloo.
229
TO SAINT PATRICK.
Patrick in the Paradise
Of God on high,
Who lookest on the poor mail
With a gracious eye.
See me come before thee
Who am weak and bare,
O help me into Paradise
To find thee there. 1
But if poems in honour of Saint Patrick seem rare, stories
about him are numerous enough. I shall set down one
short one here in which mention is made of Patrick, for it
gives us to understand that Patrick set so much store by the
telling of truth that he left it as a virtue in the flag on
which he bowed his knees that nobody should be able to
tell a lie above it. The ancient Gaels set very great store
by truth. When Patrick asked Oisin in the ancient
poems how Finn and the Fenians performed their great
deeds, Oisin answered him.
THE TRUTH OF THE FENIANS.
Our word we Fenians never broke,
No lie we spoke since wo were born,
By TRUTH it was and strength of hand
We saved our land aud selves from scorn. 1
1 Literally. Patrick who art in the Paradise | Of the Son of
God without fault | Who givest help with thy grace | Unto him
who is poor | I have come into thy presence | And I weak without
activity | Give me a dwelling in Paradise | Where I shall sen thee.
-Literally. We the Fenians used never to utter a lie | And a
falsehood never pk-a.sed them j By truth and by the strength of our
hands | We used to come safe out of every danger.
230
nioji fm^o clei'|ieAc 1 scilt
ClX) bllin 1DA-|1 CAtlAIT) DA
T)o b' fiftinnije 'DA finti-ne An
pfl HA> tAJAIj 1 T15I1AT)
fltoji seineAX) Aon neAC
A PALAIS cAoiti if binne
t)o b'pininnije TIA ^ionn TIA
tAji -oAini -oo bfionnAX)
tli'l^n (iAit^ 1 ^ 1 " 111 ^^ 1 ! 1 HA ti -61 pectin mt)ui 50 fepuil
ttgtA 50 f pei^MtcA "oo'ti pijAinne, ACc "oo ti fi^t)
cugtA 50 tn6|\ *oi jTAT) 6 ; ^guf An "ouine AC-A feni te
mille-An t)o 6ujt O^VA Anoif, but) C6i|\ -66
teiteiT) pn "oe "lijcitt pi^nAmlA, ^gtif *o
n-A tDpeige plAnnT)ui5te ^guf le^tnuijte '
^ *Tit)ut> xMn^le pem T>O t)i lontic^v.
tn6 An rse^l fo 6 }0fi6inp4f O
-Aguf niop Atftnj m6 ^Cc
pu AH f ge^l T>O f ^t>Ail, Af An AtJtiAp eite f eo ;
50 "ocugAnn f 6 cuncAf oumn "oo f eip tri^p bi An
nA n-DAOine, 6j\ toun-xS-otJAti Cpoip? Cong
ctoC tiA ptrnnne no ceArmuvOe
Ann, nA c6AT)tA Agtip nA ceAt)tA btiAt)An 6
fom, "OA^ t)' Ainm T>6 PAHOIII O CiAj\lJAin, Agttf "oo t>i
pS'nA COrhnuije 1 ng^f *oo CongA 1 n-lAf-ConnA(5cAift.
tD'AifceAC An peA|\ pAiT)in, niof C|ieit5 p6 i nT)iA nA
i n-Aon nit) "O'A tAoit>. 1f mime "oo fAoit An fAgApc
pAit)in *oo tAt>Ai^c Cum Aippinn, ACc ni fAib Aon
231
A cleric who in church has stood
(However good his psalms afar)
More true than we, is yet to seek,
True, but not weak in ways of war.
There never came, nor yet shall come,
Patrick not dumb in chant and prayer,
A man with truth upon his tongue,
Like Finn his gold did poets share.
The people of Ireland have not the character at the
present day of being particularly given up to truth, but
they were once greatly given to it, long ago ; and any
person who is ready to blame them now, ought to remember
that they suffered for almost two hundred years under such
Penal Laws as would have left the spirit of the lie planted
and broadened in their midst, though it had been very angels
that were in them.
I got this story from Francis O'Conor in Athlone, aud I
have only changed a couple of words in it. The story is
worth saving for this other reason too, that it gives us an
account as the story ran among the people of the origin
of the Cro.iS of Cong.
THE STONE OF TRUTH OR THE MERCHANT OF
THE SEVEN BAGS.
THERK was 'a man in it, hundreds and hundreds of years
ago, whose name was Paidin 2 O Ciarbhain [Keerwaun, or
Kerwin] and he was living close to Cong in West Connacht.
1 There never sat cleric in church | Though it is melodious how they
chant the psalms | Who was more true than we the Fenians | Men
who never weakened in harsh conflict.
There was never anyone begotten | gentle Patrick, of most
melodious voice | Who was more true than Finn of the Fenians |
A man who on poets used to bestow gold.
2 Pronounced :1 Paud-yeen," a diminutive of Patrick.
232
"66 Ann, niAfv nA6 n5lACf.A"6
f A5Aipu no eAfbois. Cjiem fe 50 juib An T>uine
An beiti"oeA6, Aguf 6|\eiT) fe nuAip geobAt) An tunne
bAf nAC tnbeit Aon -pocAt eile t)'A tAoib.
CAit pAiTiin t)}\o<i-beAtA. t)iot) f6 Ag "out 6 teAC
50 ceA6 f An 14 Aguf AS gelt) f An oi'OCe.
nuAiji t)i tlAorh p^-OfiAig i n-lA|\-ContiACcAit>
6 CfiofOAiTie "oo > 66AnAm t>e nA pAgAnAig,
fe Aon IA AriiAin AH A glutiAiti A$ teic rh6ifi
le i\nAi$te "oo pAt), Agup ntiAif "o'eifij f6
fe tops A t)A glum m fAn 501016, Aguf "o'f dg
fe t)p!g rh6f\ mf An 501016 6eAT)HA, 6if\ otune AJA bit
DO tAibeSjiAt) of cionn nA cloi6e fin, b' ei5in T)6 An
frifimne gtAn t)' innfeACc, niop ^eAt) fe bjieA5 mn-
f eA6c, A5f Afi An A' - 6t)A|\ fin 115 nA t>AOine Clo6 nA
|?i|iinne mAf x\mm Af. An teic fin.
t)io"6 f.Aic6iOf mo\\ ^t\ pAiT)1n 1 5c6riinui"6e f,oirh An
501016 fin, A5f if tninic 6ui|\ fe f\oirhe i t)o 501-0.
Aon oit)6e Arii^m, ntiAif f.UAi^ fe f.AiU, o'A'fi'OAis fe
An cloc Ap A ^uim, tus fe leif i, A5Uf 6Ait fe i fiof
m6j\ iT)i|v 'OA 6noc, feACc mile 6'n AIC i
f i : A5f fAoit An biteAtfinAt 50 pAib teif, ACc
01 -An Clo6 A|\ Aif in A feAti-Aic f.em, An oi"6ce fin,
eite 'HA -61^15 fin, JOIT) f e seA^A An
A5Uf niAp bi Arh^uf ^5 nA OAomib
oubAif-c fiAT) 50 ociubpA'6 fiA*o e 50 CLo6 nA
t)i p.aiT>in x\5 5Aif\it)e in A inncmn fem, 6ip bi
50 f.Aib An 6lo6 5oiT)ce Ai5e, A5Uf bu* rh6p An
"oo bi Aip nuAip 6onnAipc fe An 6loC
f,oittie,m Ali-Aic pein. tluAifi cuipeAt) e of cionn nA
Paidin was a strange man ; he did not beliuve in God or in
anything about Him. It's often the priest thought to bring
him to Mass, but it was no use for him, for Paidin would not
take the advice of priest or bishop. He believed that man
was like the beast, and he believed that when man died there
was no more about him.
Paidin lived an evil life ; he used to be going from house
to house by day, and stealing in the night.
Now, at the time that St. Patrick was in West Connacht
seeking to make Christians of the Pagans, he went down
one day upon his knees on a great flag of stone to utter
prayers, and he left after him a great virtue in the same
stone, for anybody who might speak above that stone, it
was necessary for him to tell the clear truth, he could not
tell a lie, and for that reason the people gave the name to
that flag of the Stone of Truth.
Paidin used always to have a great fear of this stone,
and it's often he intended to steal it. One night when he
found an opportunity he hoisted the stone on his back, took
it away with him, and threw it down into a great valley
between two hills seven miles from the place where it used
to be, and the rogue thought that he was all right ; but the
stone was back in its old place that same night without his
knowing.
Another night after that he stole the geese of the parish
priest, and as the people doubted him, they said that they
would bring him to the Stone of Truth. Paidin was laugh-
ing in his own mind, for he knew that he had the stone
stolen ; but great was the surprise that was on him when
he saw the stone before him in its own place. When he
was put above the stone he was obliged to tell that he had
234
cloice b'eism t)6 mnfeACc gup 501*0 fe nA
Asuf fUAif. fe bUAlA-o mof. 6'ti CfASAfc. Tlinne fe
fun OAmsionn, Ann fin, -OA bfASA-o fe f.Aill Af An
SCloiC AfTf 50 scuiffeAt) f6 i i n-Aic nAC t>ciucfAt>
fl A$ A1f xNf.
CuplA oitxie 'n& "OIAIJ f m pAi|\ f e jMitt A|\if ,
gom f6 An CloC An OAJAA n-UAij\. C^it fe
tpotl tnGp ooirhin i, Agtif t)' itntig f e A-t>xMte, ^
Ari\ tutgAijAe teif pem. ACc nit)eA(iAit) f
mile 6'n AIC, gup Cu^lAit) fe co|\An mop ^5 ce^cc 'tiA
"0'f.euC fe CAOt* fiA|t *oe, Aguf ConnAipc fe
-oe t>Aoimt> beAgA, Agtif IAT) gleAfCA 1 n-eA-oAt
6om geAt leif An c-f neACCA. UAimj An oi|\eA-o fin
f.Aicif An pAi-oin nAf f. eAT> f e coif ceim *oo f iut)Al, 50
nA "OAoine beAgA fUAf teif, Aguf iAt) AS
CloiCe nA ]Tif\mne led. lAtiAif\T)uine ACA leif
out)Ai|\c : "A pATOin itiAlltngte, t)ei|\ An CloC
fo A|\ Aif 6um nA h-Aice A ttpuAip cu i, no tocf Ait) cu
Af 50 Cf\UAlt)."
, Aguf fAilce," Af feifeAn.
An 6lo6 Af. A "Oftum, Aguf T)' frilleA'OAf.
Aif Af An mb6tAf "oo tAti5A"OAf . ACc mAf "oo t>i An
AS cuf CAtmgte AJ\ PAI-OIH *o' imtig fe Aguf
6Ait fe An CloC ifceAC i bpoll but) -ooitfme 'nA An
CeA"o poll, poll "oo fintie HA t)AOine le "oul i
Ann nuAif. tieit An cogAt) AS ceACc.
T)'f.An An CloC AnnfAn bpoll fin niof m6 'nA
mbliAt)nA, Aguf ni f,Aib f.iof Ag "ouine Af, bit CIA An
A\K A fAib f i ACc AS pAToin ArhAin.
1 sceAnn nA h-Aimfi^e fin tM pAi-oin AS "oul le
CAoib nA cille nuAif -o'^euC fe fUAf Af. Cfoif -oo t>i
235
stolen the geese, and he got a great beating from the priest.
He made a firm resolution then that if he got an oppor-
tunity at the stone again, he would put it in a place that it
would never come out of.
A couple of nights after that he got his opportunity again,
and stole the stone a second time. He threw it down into
a great deep hole, and he went home rejoicing in himself.
But he did not go a quarter of a mile from the place until
he heard a great noise coming after him. He looked behind
him and he saw a lot of little people, and they dressed in
clothes as white as the snow. There came such fear over
Paidin that he was not able to walk one step, until the
little people came up with him, and they carrying the Stone of
Truth with them. A man of them spoke to him and said ;
" O accursed Paidin, carry this stone back to the place where
you got it, or you shall pay dearly for it."
" I will and welcome," said Paidin.
They put the stone upon his back and they returned the
road on which they had come. But as the devil was putting
temptation upon Paidin, he went and threw the stone into
a hole that was deeper than the first hole, a hole which the
people made to go hiding in when the war would be coming.
The stone remained in that hole for more than seven years,
and no one knew where it was but Paidin only.
At the end of that time Paidin was going by the side of
the churchyard, when he looked up at a cross that was
standing there, and he fell into a faint. When he came to
himself, there was a man before him and he clothed as white
236
J nA peApAm Ann fin, 4511 p tine p6 1 tAijje. ttuAij\
fcAinig pe 6uige pem bi p,eAp m A tACAijA Aj;up 6
gteupcA corn geAt teip An cpneAccA. tAbAip pe te
pAfoin Agup "OUbAific pe, " A pAit)in tfiAttuigte, CA
cu cionncAC in pnA peACc bpeACAit) mAjtbtA, Agup
ngmt* cu Ait^ige jiACAit) cu 50 ti-ip.f\ionn. 1p
6 "OiA rmpe, Agup cuifpt) m6 t)|\eiceAriinAp
ojic : cuifipt) m6 peACc m^lAit) oj\c
cu IA*O t)' iorn6A|\ btiA"6Ain Agup p6e.
eip An AtriA pin ceif\i$ 1 tACAif cpoipe moi^e tjeit>eAp
i mbAile ConjA Ajup AbAi|\ ctM li-uAi|\e " ITl'AnAm T>O
"OiA Agup -oo ttluif\e." CAit beAtA t)iA5AncA [TMA'DA]
50 *oci pin, Agup fAtAni cu 50 plAiteAp. Uei|\ig Cum
oo f AgAi^c Anoip, niA CA cu urtiAt te mo CdrhAiple TDO
" UA me flrhAt," AfipA pAit)in, " Ate belt) nA -OAoine
AS T)eAnAm mASAi* pum."
" HA bAC teip An mAgAt), ni triAifvpit) p6 i bpAt)," A^
PAH c-AingeAt.
eip An cOmpAiti pe6 tAimg ci\om-6ot)tAi!) AJA
, Agup nuAip -duipig pe t>i peACc mAtAit> AIJA,
bi An c-AingeAt imtijte. t)i -DA riiAtA A^ A
tAoib -6eip, T)A riiAtA A\\ A CAOib 6te, Agup bi Cfi cmn
eite Af A t>tAUim, Agup bi piAt> 5^ eAmuigce Com cjniAiti
pin Aiji gujA fAOit pe gufv AJ p.Ap AIJI t)o bi ptAT>. t)i
piAT) Aft *6At A c^oicmn pein, Ajup bi cfvoicionn O|\|\A-
An tA A|\ n-A ITIA^AC nuAijA CuAi"6 pAit)Tn AmeApg nA
iTOAome 6uij\ pe longAncup ojiju, Agup tug piAT)
" CeAnnui-oe nA SeACc tTlAtA " Aip, Agup -oo teAn An
c-Amm pin *o6 50 bpuAij^ pe b-dp.
pAi-oin Ap beAtA nuAit) Anoip. CAit> pe
237
as the snow. He spoke to him and said : " O accursed
Paidin, you are guilty of the seven deadly sins, and unless
you do penance you shall go to hell. I am an angel from
God, and I will put a penance on you. I will put seven
bags upon you and you must carry them for one and twenty
years. After that time go before the great cross that shall
be in the town of Cong, and say three times, ' My soul to
God and Mary,' spend a pious life until then, and you will
go to heaven. Go to the priest now, if you are obedient
(and ready) to receive my counsel."
"I am obedient," said Paidin, "but the people will be
making a mock of me."
" Never mind the mock, it won't last long," said the
angel.
After this conversation a deep sleep fell upon Paidin, and
when he awoke there were seven bags upon him, and the
angel was gone away. There were two bags on his right
side, two bags on his left side, and three others on his back,
and they were stuck so hard upon him that he thought that
it was growing on him they were. They were the colour of
his own skin, and there was skin on them. Next day when
Paidin went among the people he put wonder on them, and
they called him the Merchant of the Seven Bags, and that
name stuck to him until he died.
Paidin began a new life now. He went to the priest, and
he showed him the seven bags that were on him, and he
told him the reason that they were put on him. The priest
#ave him good advice, and a great coat to cover the seven
238
Cum An
niAlAit) -DO t>i AIJI,
cuif.eAt>, Aip, iAt>.
Aguf tug fe t)
f eACc mAlAio ;
fin 45 "out 6
fe -66 nA
-o'mnif fe t>6 An- f.At
t>6
le f.olAC -oo Cup AJ\
-00
50 ce^C
ni tiot)
rnbio-6 f e 45 An
uile xiic.
6 tt^ite 50 tMite,
no tA p Aoi|\e
t>iot) police f oirhe
^5 -out le cxxoitt An puilt
Ann. UxSini5 fe 50
pn
\ 6xMt fe CloC
An pttill, CtiAit) fiof
CtoC -oo
Cuige. t1iu\if\ t>i cjviot A|i A jbAiT)ijt, ConnAijic fe AH
CloC AS ceAcc Aniof, Agiif nA ceut>CA "oe ColumAit)
timCioll uippi. t)i An CloC AJ eipije Aguf Ag
50 TiCAinig fi i lAtAip pAit)in Af. An
Ann fin o'lmtig nA coluim A^ Aif Aj\if.
\,A AJI n-A riiAjiAC CUAT6 fe Cum An CfAgAipc
"o'mnif T)6 5AC ni"6 1 "otAoib CloiCe nA J?ij\inne,
An CAOI A T)CAini5 fi Aniof Af An topoll.
An f AJAJAC, " 50 tipeicit) me An c-iong-
mOp fo." CuAit) An fAgAfC leif 50 -oci An
poll Aguf ConnAifxc f6 CloC HA JTipmne. ^guf
ConnAifc f6 f.ut> eile *oo Cuif. longAncAf m6p Ai|t
nA milce Aguf nA milce colum AS eicil cimCioll beil
An puill, Ag T)ul fiof Ann Aguf AS ceACc Aniof Af .
Cug An fA5Af\c poll nA gColum AJ\ An AIC,
CA An c-Ainm fin ui|\|\i 50 T>CI An IA int)iu.
An CloC tteAnnuigfce AfceAC 50 CongA, Aguf niop
gup cuif eAt) f uAf C|\of mdf of A cionn ;
239
bags with ; and after that Paidin used to be going from
house to house and from village to village asking alms, and
there used never be a Sunday or holiday that he would not
be at Mass, and there used to be a welcome before him in
every place.
About seven years after that Paidin was going by the
side of the hole into which he had thrown the Stone of
Truth. He came to the brink of the hole, went down on
his two knees and asked God to send him up the stone.
When his prayer was ended he saw the stone coming up,
and hundreds of white doves round about it. The stone
was rising and ever rising until it came into Paidin's presence
on the ground, and then the doves went back again. The
naxt day he went to the priest and told him everything
about the Stone of Truth, and the way it came up out of
the hole. " I will go with you," said the priest, " until I
see this great wonder." The priest went with him to the
hole and he saw the Stone of Truth. And he saw another
thing which put great wonder on him ; thousands and
thousands of doves flying round about the mouth of the
hole, going down into it and coming up again. The priest
called the place Poll na gColum or the Doves' Hole, and
that name is on it until the present day. 1 The blessed
stone was brought into Cong, and it was not long until a
grand cross was erected over it, and from that day to this,
people come from every place to look at the Doves' Hole,
1 Pronounced " Pull na gullum." For another derivation of this
name, see the story of Paudyeen O' Kelly and the Weasel, in my
" Beside the Fhe," p. 88, and note, p. 189.
240
o'n IA f in 50 t>ci An IA inT>iu cA$Ann o^ome Af
uile AIC le bp-eAtnusAtb Ap poll nA gCotum,
nA f eAn-T>Aoine sup single tlAoitfi PA-O^AIS t>o
Ann fnA coluniAit) fin.
t)i CloC nA pijiinne te t)liA'6AncAit5 r\A t)iAit) fin i
if cmnce 50 nT>eA^nAit) fi tnAit rhop,
ft 50 teoji tMoine 6 CoijieACA T>o
ACc gomeAt) i pA "60615, Aguf ni'l cuncAf
fom.
50 jiAib fe ceit^e piCit) bliA"6An t)'
AOif, Aguf t>' iom6A|\ f6 A CUTO Aitfige 50 Cf.Ait>teA6.
HuAif\ t)i An t>liAt)Ain Aguf f.iCe "oo tug An c-
06 cpiotntngte, Agiif e AS lomCA^ nA feA
A|\ f.eA'o nA n-Aimfi|;e fin, tAimg ceACcAipe
n-Aiftmj, le f.At) leif 50 f.Ait A tieAtA A^ An cf AOJAI
fo CjiToCnuigte, Aguf 50 gcAitf-eAt) fe "out AH tA A|\
n-A rhAjiAC i lAtAif Cfioife CongA, Ajjtif e f.em "oo
fUAf "OO "OlA Agllf *OO 11)111^6. A|t mA1*Oin JO
6uig An fAgAjic, Aguf -o'lnnif T)6 An
*oo fUAif. fe mf An oitxie. "Oeif. T)AOine n^p
An f AjAf.c e, A6c Afv CAOI Af\ t>it *out)Aif.c f6 te
pAit>in -oeAnAiii mAf\ -outtAi^c An ceACcAi|\e teif.
> O'imti$ pAmin Agiif "O'^AS fe A OeAnnACc AS A
C<5rhAf\f AniiAit) Agtif AS A oAomitt rnuinncif.eACA,
nuAij\ tii An clog AS buAlA* An oo-'oeAs
OAoine AS f.A-6 "pAilce An Ainsil, tAinispAi-oin 1
tiA cftoif e Astif t)tit)Aif c cpi h-Aipe " Tn'AnAtn -oo
-oo ttlui^e," Asuf At\ An mt>All tuic fe
An Cjioif pn i nit-Aile ConsA le
eAfbos t>e flomneAt) "OubtAig Cum nA tlotriA
fe piofA t>e'n ^io^-6|\oif Asf Ciutx fe
241
and the old people believed that they were St. Patrick's
angels who were in those doves.
The Stone of Truth was for years after that in Cong,
and it is certain that it did great good, for it kept many
people from committing crimes. But it was stolen at last,
and there is no account of it from that out.
Paidin lived until he was four score years of age, and
bore his share of penance piously. When the one and
twenty years that the angel gave him were finished, and he
carrying the seven bags throughout that tune, there came
a messenger in a dream to say to him that his life in this
world was finished, and that he must go the next day before
the Cross of Cong and give himself up to God and Mary.
Early in the morning he went to the priest and told him
the summons he had got in the night. People say that the
priest did not believe him, but at all events he told Paidin
to do as the messenger had bidden him.
Paidin departed, and left his blessing with his neighbours
and relations, and when the clock was striking twelve, and
the people saying the Angelical Salutation, Paidin came
before the cross and said three times, " My soul to God and
to Mary," and on the spot he fell dead.
That cross was in the town of Cong for years. A bishop,
one of the O'Duffys, went to Rome, and he got a bit of the
true Cross and put it into the Cross of Cong. 1 It was there
1 The Cross of Coug, now in the National Museum in Dublin, is of
the most exquisite workmanship. It is about thirty inches high,
covered with an elaborate Celtic ornamentation, and inscriptions in
Irish along its sides. It was originally made for the Church of
Tuam, to the order of Turloch O'Conor, King of Connacht. The
Archbishop of Tuam at that time was, as the story says, really an
O'Duffy. The artist was an O'Hechan.
242
1 $Cf oif CongA e. t)i pe Ann pin 50
HA 5^1 AS^r S^f leA5AT)Af\ 50 CAlAtti 6. UA C|\oif
CongA i n-6ifiinri p6f, Aguf CA cuAjutn AS HA OAomib
50 mbeit) f i Afvotiite f UAf 1 tnbAile CongA A|iif le
T)e.
T)o ^UA1|\ me 1 teAt>Ati beAj; eile, fstAiotttA teif An
O 1Tl^t$ArhnA ceAT
A]\ oileAn Atiti fAn cSionnAinn, omdiolt ceitfte
tliAt)Ati 6 fom, f 6j\c tKroAin no oipge i n-on6ij\ *oo'n
ttlAig-om 1tlui|\e, A ttpuil btAf ^lo^-JAe^eAtAfi AJI Cum
06, 6i|t CA cufo 1061 tieAfif uigeACc Agup cui"o "oe i
Aguf ni cmnce guf AifCjiiujA'd 6, An
A|\ itidt) A|\ bit. Hi ACAit> me fiAtti Aon Coip eile t)e,
j E>ei|\im Ann fo e le n-A fAt>Ail. CofAijeAnn An
piof A fo le pAiT)iti, Agup 6 Am 50 h-Atn CAgAnn
nA bjMAtfA Ait--|\Ai-6ce A^if Aguf Apif eile,
" O A bAinti^eAftnA oeonAij CBACC te
Cum me X) 1 fioticof Ainc AJI mo tiam AIT>.
oo'n AtAi|i T)on mAC Aguf oon
An fAinnin ;
O A CijeAfinA eifc te m'
50 |iA6Ai-6 m'oftiA t -o'
ATI CijeAtinA,
te t)iA.
An fuAn fiotiff6e r^e tjtocAijie t)e
go bpiiisi^o AnAm nA bp'tieAti.
Ann fin CAgAnn nA ^oclA " o A llAom ttl. A
A. 1. C., ic." 1f IA-O fo nA ceut)-
froclA -oe'n upnAige ^CA fgfiobtA 1 "ocuf tiA
O A nAom-tiluitie, A mACAiti A|i x>CijeAnnA lofA Cfiofc, A
nA bptAiteAf, A bAmciJeA-finA An t)o;ViAin -uite nA(c)
juf nA(c) rAticvufnijeAf Aon tieA6, peuc otim 50
243
until the foreigners came and threw it to the ground. The
Cross of Cong is still in Ireland, and the people have an
idea that it will yet be raised up in the town of Cong with
the help of God.
I found in another little book of mine written by the same
John O'Mahon of whom I spoke before, on an island in the
Shannon, about eighty years ago, a sort of litany or office in
honour of the Virgin Mary, on part of which there is a truly
Gaelic bias, for some of it is in verse and some of it in prose,
and it is not certain that the verse, at all events, is a trans-
lation. I have never seen another copy of it, so give it
here to save it. This piece begins with a prayer, and from
time to time these words come in, repeated again and
again :
Queen, vouchsafe to come with help
To truly protect me from my enemy.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
and the versicle
Lord, listen to my prayer,
And may my sigh go before thee,
We praise the Lord,
Thanks bo to God.
And the eternal slumber, through the mercy of God,
May the soul of the righteous obtain.
And then come the words, " O holy Mary, Mother of Our
Lord Jesus Christ," etc. Here are the first words of
the prayer that are written at the commencement of the
Office, as follows :
holy Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Queen of the
heavens, Queen of all the world, who forsakest not and despisest not
any one, mercifully look upon me with eye of compassion, and gain
(or me from thy beloved Son pardon for all my sins . . . through
244
le fvhl cjiuAijmeile Ajjuf fAoijiAij; OATTI 6 t>' TTIAC
muijineAc pAjvoun i n-iomtAn mo peACAi-oe* . . . . cfie
f1AfCA A5Uf CflOCAIfte Aft t>' CljCAItnA lOfA Cf-IOfC ^DO CUJ CUfA
A triAis'oeAn 6 T)' ojioinn, An ce tTiAi^eAf Ajuf ^lAjtuijeAf
Aon teif An -AtAiji A^up teip An SpiofiAt) TlAom, AOTI T)IA
, i oCtuonoit) f6 TIAOITICA, le f AOJAt nA f AOJAt. Amen.
Ann fin CAg^nn nA fAinntni*, Aguf pCe Une -oe
|i6mAX) A 615 ciAllx>A
A ceAJ TDuine -oo t)iA An c-A
ni 6uitiim Ann fo IAT) map ni fo foiLl6i|\ i
eif pn CAgAnn nA f\Ainnimt>, Aguf CAJI 6if nA
An Cum eite T)e'n liOT)An niAf\
50 mbeAnnuiijceAft -ouic A Aiftc An
A cACAiti jiioj'DA 6otAim mtc
A BOJJA bAifce foittfeAc nA
A cop An nofponA t>o
A tomfiA miofiDtiitleAc $ix>eon C^OTDA,
A ftAC 6tAcmA|i AAfton COITIACCAIJ,
A mit cubA^tA SAmpfon moji-OA,
A5uf A 6eA5-feom|iA An cSlAnuijce6|tA,
bu'o nix) oitieAmnAc 50 fAbAlpA'O
ITlAC 50 f1Ot1-UAfAt,t
6'n ulc J x>pA5 ctAnn A&A,
f.Aoi buAineAm.
An ttlAij-oeAn jio nAomcA,
T)o toj fe tnAtt mAtAiti,
lonnuf nAc mbAinpeA-6
AlCIT) An pCACAIXt,
tlA cnAit/teAt) 50 bjut -61,
Comnui5e[Ann] [fe] Ann fAn ftptAirior ip AOifiT)
mo ftotcin
* LeAnAnn Ann fo nA bjiiACftA " ionuf 50 bpuijinp no6 DO
inif 50 piopomof AC te 56An oiAmot>A6 TJO JAbAil nAomcA
fo mAf. juAtsuf An jloifie fiojtjtuise," ACC ni teifi
CAT* if ciAlt x)6ib.
t"t)o ni oif^oibneAc 50 fAriiAitAc niAC co ptoJiWAfAi," tns.
J n? teip An pocAt fo.
45
the grace and mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
brought, Virgin, from thy womb, He who liveth and rnleth together
with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, in a Trinity very holy, for
ever and ever. Amen.
Then come the versicles and twenty lines of a sort of
versification, beginning
Welcome to thee, prudent Virgin,
human house (?) for God the High Lord ;
but I do not give these verses here, as they are not very
clear. After that came the versicles, and after the versicles
the rest of the Litany as follows :
Ark of the Law, we hail thee there, 1
And Solomon's, son of David's chair,
And the bow baptismal in Heaven's pure air.
tower who once did Moses guide,
Marvellous fleece by Gideon's side,
Blossoming rod of Aaron's pride,
Honeycomb sweet which Samson tried,
Room where the Saviour did once abido.
It were meet she should save
A Son so noble
From the children of Eve,
Their sin-stain and trouble.
The most Holy Virgin
He chose as His mother,
ITiat no spot or stain
Of sin might remain
Her brightness to smother.
1 Literally. Hail to thee, Ark of the law | royal throne of
Solomon, son of David | O shining baptismal bow of the heavens |
tower of the tabernacle (?) which guided Moses | O miraculous fleece
of valiant Gideon | blossoming rod of powerful Aaron | And
little-chamber of the Saviour | It was a fitting thing that she should
save | [Her] Son truly noble | From the evil that left the children of
Eve | under trouble | the maiden very holy | He chose as mother | In
order that the disease of sin or corruption might not touch her for
ever | He dwelleth in the highest heaven | And He is my royal peace I a
Pillar of the Clouds.
246
A bAinciseAftnA 50 mbwo t>eonAc teAC,
CBACC te CAbAiji,
6um me o'f.ioti-6ofAint AJI mo nAriuvo.*
50 mbeAnnuijteAft -o
A mACAiti Ajjuf A
A reAtnpuitt HA Cjiionoi'oe,
1p cu tuAtJAittet nA n-AinjeAt,
A pAlAif r>A
A comp6t"o
A c^Ainn jjiAfAiriAit nA
A 5^itiT)in An
An oifi-dipte nA
if itip nA c At Am fAjAjiCAmAil (ate)
T)o fAOfi iomlAn 1 n-ei
x\'f 6 peACA-6 An c
gup f AOjiA-6 tu 50
A JCACA nA
A dACAifi nA Ctiion6it)e,
A peAjitA
tin t>o'n uiLe
tYlAp An tite meAfs nA
Af An meo'OAn fin, fin mo Jt 1 ^" AmeAfj injeAn
O A nAom rhuijie, A ttlACAif AJI -oCijeAiinA lofA CjiiofC.
A GAincijeAtinA 50 mbu-6 t>eonAc
CCACC te CAbAip
Cm me o'pioji-cofAinc A|i mo nAriiAX), "jc.
.
50 mbeAnnuijteAji ouic
A dACAif nA coimifice,
A tuiji "6Aibi I) An |n j
CofAnrA 50 comAccAC,
Le A|tm An Aijvo-ftij,
* CA5Ann nA |tAinninit) 1 An pAiTJif; Ann f o.
i," ms.
iomtAn An AomtAcc," IDS. t)'ei-oi}i " Ar
i nAorricAcc."
"nA n-ofioneAjA," ms.
247
She dwelleth to-day in the heavens above,
For me a royal place of love,
A Pillar of cloud.
Queen, mayest thou consent
To come with help
To truly protect me from mine enemy.
[ Versicle and prayer as before.]
Hail to thee,
O Mother and Maiden,
Church of the Trinity,
Thou art the rejoicing of the angels,
Palace of the true Virginity,
comfort of the sorrowful,
gracious tree of patience,
garden of pleasure, %
golden-treasury of the virgins,
Thou art the soil of the priestly ground,
Who hast saved all effectually,
And from the sin of the ancestor (original sin),
Sure thou wast saved completely (?)
O gate of the heavens,
chair of the Trinity,
noble pearl of the maidens,
Full of every grace without limit H,
Like the lily amongst the thorns,
In that respect, that is my love amongst the daughters of Adam,
O holy Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
[ Tersicle and prayer as before.]
Queen, mayest thou deign
To come with help
And truly protect me from my enemy.
.
Hail to thee,
Throne of protection,
Tower of King David,
Protected powerfully
By the weapons of the High King
il"T>Ait," IDS., tAOAiticeAp T>AIOI niAti "OAIC" no ""OAite" 50
mime.
248
Ann t)O JAOAit nAoriitA,
T)0 6l An CAJICAnACC Aft 10fA,
AS u r t" 00 1i-Jr^ 1 5 eA '
50 bpuAiji fe r|iioc
t)o ftinne Tnop-jniom t/e n-A
te n-A bpuAiji oeASfiij; jiif A CAPA (?)
loifep rnAC UAeciL
"Do lion e^ipc te beACA,
A'f 50 "octas tTluitie 6 nA b|ioinn
An ce tuitt ouinn nA ptAitif.
1f 110 Atinn t cu 50 hiomlAn, o mo st 1 ^
^S^T TP OCA "O 6 peACA-6 An
11i fiAib HIAITI
50 mbeAnnuijceAji -owic
A 5tn*nAin jtotimuifi,
1p ionAC lompunaeAf An
"Deic 5ceim X>'A
^"T 5"^ F A01
T)o cuijitins triAC T)e 'n A|i meAfj.
50 n-eitieodAt* An cine
6 ipfionn nA bpiAn.
Cix> gun mop e tA|t TIA h-Ainjil J
S ! 1 ^"S 4 ^ 1 T C ^^ A ^otAni jAn biA-6
tDux> riiimc An jjiiAn fo
[^Sl r 1 ^r iu 5 A ' "'t 1 ttl
t1ix> -oo tiinne A
gluinne || nA mAixine.
cu An tile fio Aluinn AtneApg n* nT)|tAi5eAn IT
rS1 nceA t 1 > iris -
+ "AA." ms.
tllAift nA tAingit, tllS.
ottAm ms.
P t)o fsjiiof A'O AniAi An pocAt f o A5f> f5|tiob tATri eite Ann
A AIC "jjloneAn."
249
In thy holy conception,
The friendship was on Jesus,
And Lucifer [was humbled] in the hour
That he found through thee reproach.
Thou art the unconquered Judith
Who performed tho great feat with her weapon,
Or Abishag, as is written,
By whom a good king found his activity (?)
Joseph, son of Rachel,
Who filled Israel with food,
And sure Mary has brought forth from her \vomb
Him who earned the heavens for us.
It is very beautiful entirely thou art, my lov'?,
And one spot of ancestral sin
There was in thee never.
[ Veraide and prayer at befort."]
Hail unto thee,
glorious grianan [sunny-house].
It is in thee the sun turneth backwards
Ten degrees of its course. 1
And sure beneath thy womb
The Son of God descended into our midst,
So that the human race might rise
To heaven from hell of the pains.
Although He is great beyond the angels
And though He was born in an empty stable without food,
Often was this sun
Shining upon Mary,
A thing which made her holy conception
Like tho clearness of the morning.
Tkou art the most beautiful lily amongst the thorns,
i leift OAtn An pocAl fo. 1f xxji-teijce e, ACC
1 Cf. verie 7 of the poem above, " itte * rhACAits" " Welcome,
Mother."
250
HA tiAitjteACA wme 50 ocei'oi'o fiAi> fiomA'o-f A
Ann f An t)oticAt>uf,
If cu An UAC jjtAn eolAif
T)o'n ce biof A]\
If cu An fotltfeAii
Ann f An bplAiceAf t)o cuift me
Sotuf fiotitiuix>e A|i bun,
t'i:oti3 me An xiomAn uile
ceo bftAonAch.
O A tlAom-ttluifie, -jc.
O [A] bAincijeAnnA 50 mbu'o x>eonAc let)' mAC &\\
fA Cjiiofc cjie c' impix>e-pe fteic fioccAncA tmn, finn -oo
JI fCAir> nA n5t^rt[A] Aguf [A] peAps t)' iompo-6
O [A] ftAincijeAiinA 50 mbu-6 Te6nA6 teAC CCACC le
4m me -o'yioti-cofAinc AJI mo nAmAit>.
50
A triAij-oeAn yo feunriiAji,
A -oeAJ-CAit nA
A bAinjuojjAn nA CJIOCAIJIC
ACA cfionutjce te
1f jtome tu 'nA nA h
AS AriiAjic A^ -oo itlAC
At) fuix>e AJI A
If cu COJA nA
A itlACAItt nA
A -uoccAif nA bpeACAc,
A tteutcoig foittfeAc nA t)6cnA,
At) pojiuf AJI An ntjjiuins te
T)eonAi5 jeACA nA bptAiceAf
"Do beic OfjAilce tiomAinn-ne.
lonnuf, teif An scuAtAcc beAnnuijce,
50 fCAtbocAtriAOif T)O ttlAC mut|mcAc,
1 fuAimneAf nA sloifte.
If otA nAomcA c'Ainm AjAinn A fhuqio,
If mop An geAii ACA AS x>o fei|tftifij xi
A ttAom-rhuijte, -\c., ^c
*"CobtA An oinseAcc," ms.
251
The serpents sure they go before thre
In ibe d:irkncs8.
Thou art the clear moon of guidance
To him who is astray,
Thou art the torch aiid the lamp.
In the heavens have I set
An eternal light,
And I have covered the entire world
Like a dripping mist.
Holy Mary, etc.
O Queen, may thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, consent, through
thy request, to be at peace with us, to keep us in the state of grace,
wild to turn away His anger from us.
O Queen, mayest thou consent to come with he'p to truly pvr..< eot
me from my enemy.
[Versicle and prayer ai before.]
Hail to thee,
maiden very prosperous,
good-fame of chastity,
queen of mercy,
Who art crowned with stars,
Thou art purer than the angels,
Looking on thy glorious Son
Sitting on His right hand,
Thou art the choice of the inheritance (?)
Mother of the grace*,
O hope of the sinners,
little shining star of tho oc au,
Refuge (?) of those being de;tn,yod.
Consent that the gate of the heavens
May be opened before us,
So that with the blessed company
We might inherit thy beloved Son
In the quiet of glory.
Thy name to us, Mary, is an holy c-'L
Great is the love thy servants ha\e
Holy Mary, etc.
252
50 h-uriiAit t>uic
A tflAijj-oeAn t ( o cjiAi&te.v:
tlA CjlAtA CAnOI1t)A fO
te 5|uvo -ouic.
tj fin[n] oitit(ti5
5O T)CA3AtnAO1T> It Cp
-A'f AH UA1J1 Aj( ttlbAlf
A t>Aitifiic>5An nA tiSl'Ap
gui-6 ojipAinn i IACAIJI
'Si ro A
StnAt peACAi-6 Ati
HA coip t PCACAI-O An jniorii'.
An CATI T>O ^ineAT) cti
1 mb|tonin TJO itltc
T)o 6i cu JAM fpocA
MA fmot A|t bit
cum An ACAJI fioji|<wix)e Aft Aji fon.J
O! (A) t)tA tioc o'ottniuis lonA-o cotiinutsce XOT)' ttlAC,
JAbAit/H neAm-ctiAilLi5ce nA tTlAiJTiine beAnnuijce, cjie
Feicpncir bAif A Ii-Aon rhic ju^ fAbAil cu i 6 ypocA Af bit
peACAix, 50 mbux> t>e6nAc teAC cpe n-A h-unpioe-fe ** AJI An moxi
jcSA-onA pnne -oo fAO^A'6 6 peACAi-oib, ionnuf 50
cu pern, cpe A)t -oCijeAtinA lof A Cjiiofc T)O ttlAC, x>o niAijie
DO f.iAJAluijjeAf m&.\\ Aon teAC, Ajup teip An SpiO|tAt) tlAorii, An
Aon t)iA AniAin, i x)Ciuon6it) ]\o nAoriiCA, te fAOJAl HA
Amen.
*"flA fUAJIAf |11Am TIC," tTlS.
+ tli Leip An pocAl fo, if coj'muil te " cotc " e.
JCA tine eite Annpo A6c ni teif 'OAm i: <! ion t)CU5 cu
6 oo Bjtoinn."
'"OottAi5," ms.
" 5oit," ms.
IT " Seo cjte fieimeiji'inc bAf AnAon ttlic," ms. Ajup pocAt eite
nAc teip x>Am pjitiobcA of cionn An " cpe."
," ms.
253
W. humbly present theo
Maiden most holy
Tliesv prayers and devotions
With service most lowly. 1
Steer us poor pilgrims
To Christ on our way,
And when Death shall fact us,
Queen of the graces,
To Him for us pray.
For this is the branch
In whom never was known
One fin-spot ancestral
Or crime of Hie own.
For Thou wast conceived
In the womb of Thy mother,
Sinless and stainless
As never another.
Pray to the eternal Father for us.
God, who didst prepare a resting place for Thy Son through the
Ir.miaculat^ Conception of the Blessed Virgin, through the foreseeing
of the death of her only Son, so that Thou didst save her from any
spot of sin, that it may please thee, through her petition, in like
manner to save us from sins, so that we may possess Thyself ; through
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livoth and reigneth along with
Thee and with the Holy Spirit, one God only, in a >ery holy Trinity,
for ever and ever.
^Literally. We bestow on thee humbly | maiden rerypious These
canonical services ["hours" or "times"] | Which we have spoken
with love for thee. Steer us pilgrims | That we may come with Christ j
And at the hour of our death | Qu?en of the Graces | Pray for us in
the presence of Jesus | This one is the branch | In which was never
found | A blot of the sin of the elder [otiginal sin] | Or the crime of
the sin of the deed [actual sin] | When thou wast begotten | In the
womb of thy Mother from morning | Thou wast without spot | Or
any stain of sin.
254
x\s r ojitA xMUAjAr6 11 A ntK\ome mAite no
6m' CAJ\AIT) UtiA n! G^Ain 1
no ContMe HA t)Ainfuo5n.a, t>o puAijt e 6 "OOmtuAlt
O
OHUA xMTAdit) IIA nt)Aoine
A itiic "Oe An gcLum ru An steo
50 moji fAn ii5leAtin ?
Ctuintm, A filACAiji. 11 A biox CAjlA ojtc.
50 fA&ilAi-o An c-AtAi|t UeAntiAigce vmn,
50 mbux) t)un -oAttijionn, An T>un A Gpuilmit) Ann.
50 mbux> fltJAJ OAll An flAJ po cujAinn.
O A lofA Cjdopc, A rilAij-oeAn
A ci-oeAp Aji n-oodAji A^np AH
5
ete t)o |?UAif eAf 6m'
O "pLAnA^Ain ACA fAn scol^ifce 1
e:
6 "6i
CeAcrAifie 6 "6iA -poiriAm,
-AinjjeAl T)e op mo cionn,
OlA Cjtiopc A|i mo copp,
"OiA foihoim Ajup tiom.
[T)e]
[tnni}ie] A^up A
piAt) * mo
CALt.
flAfi Iei5f6 pib m'AtiAtn uAim i bpiAn, 7 niiAijt beixieAp pe
te cuAt>r^AT) An cpAoJAil, 50 Toc5Ai-6 cu [e A T)e] A
50 b^AC. Amen.
*"Si5" A t>uoAi]ir peipeAn.
1 Literally. A messenger from God before me j An angel of God
155
Here is a charm against the good people or fairies that 1
got from my friend, Miss Young, in the County of Porl-
Leix, or Queen's County, who got it from Daniel O'Faherty
of Connemara :
CHARM AGAINST THE GOOD PEOPLE.
Son of God ! dost thou hear this confused noise [coining] towai>Is us
Loudly in the glen ?
1 hear, Mother. Let there be no fear on you.
May the Blessed Father save us.
May it be a firm fortress, the fortress in which we arc.
?.fiy they be a blind host, this host that is coming towards us.
O Jesus Christ, glorious Virgin,
Who secst our harm and our hurt,
Mayest thou spread thy blessed cowl across us. Amen.
Here is another little prayer that I got from my frieiul.
Father O'Flanagan of the college in Sligo. He got it
fixxii the mouth of some old woman.
A MESSENGER FROM GOD.
A messenger from God before me,
An aug-el of God above my head,
Tho oil of Christ upon my body,
And God before me whsre I am led. *
Hay Mary, Mother of God,
And her Son in endless bli-s,
Do with me what is best
On that sWe and on this. 8
That ye may not let my soul from ine into pain, and xrhs.ii it i-hnll
be done -with the visiting of the world, raayest thou take it, O God,
upon Thine own right hand for ever. Amoa.
abov-: my head | The oil of Ch.ii.st upon my body | God before me and
with me.
2 Ma y, "lotl-.e; of God | ilary and her S'ju | ilay they do what-is-
bu*t | Over and beyond.
256
|*o ceAtpArhA eile -oo FUAip An c-
A tigeAmiA -oo piAnA'6.
! A tvjeAjmA t>o piAnA-6 ] t)'putAin3 An
t>o t>' fciAllA-o te h-iA|iAnn 6 itiuLlAC 50 f .\it,
A tijeAjitiA ptiAin TIA cAitin5ix)e in -oo coif A'p t)o
A CijeAjinAt if AS IA^I^AI-O xo coimipce
e.^5 eite ACc ni Ctmfmigim CIA An
t>puAij\eAj'' 6*:
sUmce.
StAince An
t)0 tCAC A
Aft cjiAnn nA
AS fA&Ait An cine OAOnnA,
o fiujj A ITIAC jAn ceile,
flAince
To
fo |\Ann beAg eite, ACC c^ej-oim gup 1
e:
A h-AmAjtc 50 mime Ajt -oo 61(615
HA -oeAn fcii6 Af -oo fcjtAC,
50 h-ui}\ifiott i 116-0
beAnnuij pi -66 t>o'n t>uine bocc. $
t)i CAIIIC Ap SolAtii mfAn tioti^in t)o tug me f
p infAn T^n "police, A Th^tAip" -oo tug m6
f.oirhe feo, cujtAH "A 6AtAoip SolAitri An iii," AJ\ An
Ctu\tAit> m6 niof m6 'HA Aon
*"A tijeAjinA i ntJiAix* fin f.iiAi]t ciAf.x>Af(?) TIA Cf-oin
.'.ft tio l-Aiih " - out)Ainr fe.
t"A tijeA^tnA T A ttjeAftnA," x>ubAi]tc fe.
jt "bocc" \ sCuige ulA'o coin, oe-*5-n.\6 nu\ii
257
Hero is another stanza that Father O'Flanagan got from
the same woman :
O LORD, WHO DIDST SUFFEP..
Lord, who didst suffer Thy tortures for me,
Tom with iron from the head to the knee,
Whose feet and whose hands were nailed to the tree,
Help, Lord ! I come seekiug protection of Thee. 1
Here is another little piece, but I do not reruembei
where T got it.
THE HEALTH.
The health of the Excelling -Mail
Who stretched wide His limbs
Upon tho tree of the passion,
Saving the human race.
AuJ. the health of thn gentle woman
\Y'io bore her Son without a < oneort,
And the health of St. Patrick,
Who blessed Ireland.
Here is another little ra:m, but I think it was in Ulster
I got it.
LOOK XOT.
Look not with pride at thy polished shoe,
Be not proud, too, of thy cloak so nice,
In humility walk the road afoot,
And always salute the poor man twice. 1
Solomon was mentioned in the Litany above ; and in the
poem whkh I gave before, the " Welcome, Mother," the
Virgin Mary is called, "O chair of Solomon the King." JLhavc
heard more than one story about this Solomon ; but I think
1 Literally. Lo;d, who wast paint d and didst suffer the passion |
Rent with iron from top to heel | Lord, who didst get the nails in
Thy foot and Thy hand | Lord, it is seeking Thy protection I am
- Literally Do not 1-juk often on thy shoe | And do not not m:ike
[conceive] pride cue of thy mantle | Walk rcry humbly on the road |
And Eiilut:- twice the poor 111 .n.
AmAin AJI An Sot Atii po, v',cu me A]' Aim 5111; i T>CAOIO
OAome eite t)o li-innpeA'6 uvo AJ\ T>ctip, Agup sj\
teAsA-6 A\\ SotAiii cuiT) ACA tiAp twin leip 6 ceAjvc-
Ap cuniA Ap bit, AS po pseul *oo psiuoo me pocAt Aft
foe At 6 innpinc lilice^il, lilic tlu<Mt>|\i C i^\t
liluig-66 occ mt)lu\t)nA 6 foin. Yttop Cuijie^p
leip T ni t>Ainim foc^t -oe. 1p ffop. 50 ttptut
po, -j ni't m6 'p^tj iu\c 6'n
luAijt bi mAtAip SotAim* cmn, cuipej.'o SotAn'i
AII mbAite A fAiU pe Aim, T)'A pAi{\e '6 inte
'c tiile fOAf "co tMot> -6'A p.<Mj'>e, CAicjreAt) pe
fonti eijuge HA 5j\eme AJ\ niAmin te pgeul
cmg SolAm CAX) e AH CAOI A fAitt A m^tAin. A^np An
CeAT) f6A]l A t>eA]lp,At> go jlcMt) A ttlAtAI^ mA^ti t)1 A
Ctoigtonnf te tMinc Te, "\ A CpocAt) AJA pteig t>i op
cionn An oojunp riioip. ^gup tefoeA^ piAt>, peA^ Afi
IJOAJI, gA6 Aon oi"6ce AJ\ A ciijin. A5p cuig puncA An
tuA6 pAOUAiji A o'i.'A$At)| pi AT) gAC Aon oitxie. t)i 50
mAit Ajjup nt |\A1D 50 T)onA 50 ouAimj; p6 A|itt\n
niic bAinu] \eADAige "out AS pAi(\e niACAp SotAirii. Agtip
An oit>ce tti p6 AS -out TD'A pAijxe tf pi Ati-tAg ctAoroce
] cwgrA pUAp "oo'n Mp.
t1tiAip tAii;is cuncAp AS mAC nA bAinc|\eAbAige te
out AS pAijie triAtA]\ SotAnfi tAitus tAise Agup Attup
AII bAip Aip, "] topAig A nu\tAi|\ 'o'A CAOinc.At) mA|\ m\e
AICI ACc e. A\sup AS cigeACC A-bAite -66 6'n
fe An c-Atnm feo
ti," TDutiAipc fe
259
it hkely that it was about other people H ose stories wen<
n'rsfc told, ;uid that some were left on, or ascribed to, Solomon,
that did not of ri-hfc belong to him. At all events, here is
a story whi. h I wrote down eight years ago, word for word,
from the telling of Michael Mae Rury, or Rogers, of the
County Mayo, near Killalla. I have not added a word to
it, nor do I tabo a word from it. Undoubtedly there is a
flavour of tho Eastern, world about this story, and I do r.ot
my that it may uot have corae from there.
STORY OF SOLOMON.
When Solomon's mother war, sick, Solomon nsod to aeiv
a .oj.in from the Tillage in which he was to watch her every
night; and every man who used to be watching her had to
come before sunrise next morning with word to Solomon of
how his mother was, and the fjn-,t man who v;oukl say that
his mother was dead, his head was to be whipt oil* him, and
hung upon a spc-ir tl at was above the GIT at Door. And
they used to go, man after man, each night in their turn,
and five pounds was the reward f<>r thoir \vork, which they
used to :,ct each ni^ht. It was well, and it was not ill,
until it came to the (urn of a widow's son to go to watch
the mother of Solomon ; and the night that he w;vs g ing to
watch her, she was very weak Mid overcome, and given i;p
for death.
When the account came to tho widow's son to ?o a-i.l
watch Solomon's mother, tlrjre c.uno the we.'ii : uess ami the
b\veat of death upon him, and his mother bc^n to keene
for hirii, because she had no one bub him. And as he was
260
obAip IA -DO bi Aise, An cpAtnonA fin, bi re AS CAOIII-
CAt) 50 bUA1X)eApCA, ASUp CAfAt) teAC-pAIC [leAC-
AtiuvoA'n] Aip, i "o'^iAjrpuis p 6 Tie mAC IIA bAincpeAbAise
CAT) e ATI c-AT)bAF bi p 'cAomeAtX i T)'innif mAC HA
bAincpeAtxMge t>6 mAp CA rmpe TVAinnpeACc tAoitt-fe.
" CIA AH tUAC-fAotAiji eot>Af cu ? " j.\\ f An teAt-
^)AIC, te ITIAC riA t3Aincf\eAttH\i5e.
"Cuig puncA," Ap feifeAn leif.
" m'AnAm t)o t)iA nA ngf ApcA," AI\ f-An leAt-jbAic,
"mA tugAnn cu nA cuig puncA t)An'i-fA, 50 t\ACAit)
mipe i t)'Aic AHOCC."
" t)eA|\]:Ait) me cing puncA Aguf AjinpTn -outc,"
mAC nA bAincneAtiAije, " mA C6it)eAnn cu Ann."
AH fsout. CuAit) An teAt-pAic [AJ]
SotAim AH oit)Ce pn. Asup bi fi inf An n-e
nuAip cuAix) f 6 ApceAC infAn f eom|\A ;
T)'A pAipego T)CI leip* UAI|\ Ati -oO-DeAs fAn oitxie.
icigt T 6 COJUMI Ag An -oojiup mOp Agup
o'eipig f A f A cofAit>, Aguf fiubAl f6 50 -oci An
oopup mop. -Ag up bi peAjA Ag An ootiup m6p A5tip e
[A$] ^Aipe ApceAt Ap ^uinr.eoig -00 bi A|t An "oopup
m6p. Agup but) e AIT peAp -oo bi Ann f eAp'oi-'OjAncA-
cuipp T)O bi Ag SolAm, Agup bt An-cionn AS SotAm AJI
An bpeAp fo, Agup CuipeAt) ye AH peAp j-o 'A6 uile
oit)6e te fS 61 ' 1 ' " tAbAipc PAOI tdim [ = of ipioLt]
cuige AS PAT) -- Art peAf T)O bi AS CAbAipc Aipe -O'A
An pdib pe A5T)eunAm A gnACAis [s t1<5 *] ceApc.
ni pAib Aon f?eAp T)e nA pip -oo bi '^Aipe A
Ap peAt) btiAT)nA com c6ip-bpAipeA6 teip An
bi T)'A pAipe An OITOCC pin. tliop mAoitig AOH feAp AH
T)O bi AS An -oopup mop, AOII oiT)Ce, A6c 6.
201
going home from the day's work that he had, that evening,
he was weeping and troubled ; and there met him a half-
fool, and he asked the widow's son for what cause was he
weeping, and the widow's son told him as I am telling it
to you.
" What is the reward that you will get ? " said the half-
fool to the widow's son.
" Five pounds," says he to him.
" My soul to God of the graces," says the half-fool, " but
I'll go in your place to night, if you give me the five pounds."
" I'll give you five pounds, and something over," says the
widow's son, " if you go there."
True was the story. The half-fool went to watch
Solomon's mother that night, and she was in the last agony
when he went into the room, and he was watching her until
after the hour of twelve at night ; and he heard a noise at
the big door, and he rose up on his feet and walked to the big
door ; and there was a man at the big door, and he watch-
ing in, on a window that was in the big door. And the man
who was in it was a body-servant of Solomon ; and Solomon
had a great regard for this man, and he used to send this
man every night to bring him word privately to tell him
if the man who was taking care of his mother was doing
his business right. Now there was none of the men who
were watching his mothew-for a 3 ear so keenly-watchful as
the half -fool who was watching her that night. No man
of them heard the man who was at the big door any night
except him.
=" 'v eir,
o.-rt
4.V2
"O'foj-^vMt An leAt-pAic AH oopuf mop Ann fin, Agiif
feAn-6lAit>eAtii* Cjuxiu-A of cionn -AH oopmp riioip.
nuAip til An oojiiif m<J|\ popgAitce f-aoit AH fe^pb-
npp *oo tijeACc AfteAC, Aguf tAppAing An
Aic AH clAroeAiii Aguf CAIC fe An ceAnn -06.
fe Ann fin e, 7 cuAit) fe ApceAc fAn feompA-
CODAtCA, 'n A1C A f.AI$ mAtA1j\ SotAlttl, *J ni f.Altt fe 1
t)f.AD AfC1 go tifUAlp niAtAlf SolAlttl bAf.
t)i SotAn'i Ag eiiuge An riii-fuAin'ineAC fAOi n-A
cA, CAT) e An f.At iu\6 |u\!ti f6 cije^Cc
le fgeut, niA|\ tigGAt) fe gA6 tnle o!t)Ce eite.
Ace ce-bA-f in-t)6 [AJI ctiniA Ap bit] niop frAg SotAtn An
ceAC 50 niAiDin, *] ni t>eA6Ar6 f6 T)'A eileArh. Ace
ni tAini^ fe. Aguf niUMp t/tnig An tt\ ni f <\ib IIIAC tu\
bi nA pij\ eile. t1i -CeACAit) SolArii f.Aoi coifintifOe.
ACC e 'ofil.Airii AS fAipe [ = AS fiop-fAipe] AHIAC
An bpumneOig, Agtif, A\\ 'oeipeAt) fiAp, ConnAicfe
nA bAiiiup.eAttAije niA{\ fAoil fe gup b' e tji Ann
cijeACC cuig An 5CAtAi|i. A^uf niiAip tAinig fe Af
61115 SotArii beAniung fuvo -O'A cC-ile. Aguf , Apf' An
teAt- I'OAIC if e bi Ann te SolAiii, " UA me '5
oo pA^Dum ope, A f.ij 'f A ppionnfA."
" CIA f.^6 "oeip cii fin ? " Apf A SotArii.
"CAIC me AII IIACA t)e -oo
" UA t)o pApt)un f-AgAitce
Sol Aiii.
*' Ace, A jug -oo b'jrcApp *oe nA pigcib," Ap f AH ICAC-
PAIC, " bi An ctoigionn teif An IIACA." Agtif niAp bi
* lAt)<M;iteAti "ctAi-oeArii " m&]\ "clAibe" i 5ConnAccAit>.
2U3
The half -fool opened the big door then, and there was an
old sword hung up over the big door. When, the big door
was: opened the body-servant thought vo com; in, but the
half-fool drew the sword, and threw the hjad off him. He
left him there and -went to the tleeping-room where
Solomon's mother wan, and he was not long in it until
Solomon's mother died.
Solomon was getting very uneasy about his servant, as to
what was the reason that he was not coming to him with
tidings, as he used to come every other night. But, howso-
ever, Solomon did not leave the house till morning, and he
did not go to look for him. [Re waited], but he did not come.
And when the day came, the widow's son was not with
.Solomon before the rising of the sun, as the other men had
been. Solomon did not go to rest, but he ever looking
out through the window, and at long last he saw the widow's
son for he thought it was he was in it corning to the
palace. And when he came in to Solomon they saluted one
another. And, says the half-fool it was he was in it
to Solomon, " I am asking pardon of you, O king and
prince."
" Why say you that?" raid Solomon.
" I knocked the hat off your body- servant yetterday," said
the half-fool.
" You have your pardon got," said Solomon.
" But, O thou best king of the kings," said the b1f-fool,
" the head was with the hat." And as Solomon was af te*
giving him his pardon, ho could not go b ;cl of hs word.
264
SotArh CAft eif An pAfvouin CAttAipc T)6, niof p <vo f 6
OUt Af Alf-pOCAl.
" t)puil Aon fgeAt eite miAt> teAC? " Apf A SolAtti leif .
" UA," AH f eif eAn.
" Aipnij [ = ^itpif] e," ApfA SolAm.
" "CA f oiltf e T)e AJA ^n CALdrh," A
" CA AM jjMAn 'nA f uit>e," Aj\f A SolAtti.
" UA," Aji j\An teAt-^)Aic.
" HA ctoCA tM i n-iu\CcAp mne," Af f eif eAn, " CA
out i n-ioCcAjv Anoif."
"UA An CeACc AJ c^eAtiAt) triAp fin," A^JM SotAiti.
" UA," A|\ feif eAn, " Agtip An CeAT> teAC Ap oileAt)
tupA Ann, CA pe Af IAJA."
"UA mo tfiACAiji mAf\ft niAji fin," AJV^A SolAtfi.
" UA," AH f An leAt-pAic.
" t)eit> "oo CeAnn AJAHI Ap An Cfleig," Aj\f A SolAtti-
" 111 ften!), A |\lg ttlACAtlCA UAfAll," Af\ f All leAC-pAIC,
"cu fein AH C6A.vo-f.eAf\ ADUGAIHC ."
" Af\ m'onoip," AfifA SotArii, " if me."
peicit) fib Anoif, Com cpionA Agtif tti SolAm, 50
t>puAif\ An teAt-^^ic An DUAit> Aip te cjvionACC. tDionn
xS/O A|\ AITIA-OAn.
UA f eAn-pocAt Ann, i n^Aetjeilg, AT>eip, " t)ionn
UAIH nA n-AtCuinge Ann." 1n f An f gent fin AH " 6ijvige
Cumn pAoi nA ^^Aip," f5 ei1 ^ " o CUIH me 1 5Ct6 im'
tA6c "oo'n ce fin *oo CtAfpAt) An CeAT) gfeim t>e'n
pe<5il ; " 5 "DCA6CAH e," AH f if e. tki'o i pem "o'lt An
eAT> $H eirn *i 1 " CACcAt) ! pein, 6in, A-THIDAIHC An
p 5euiuit)e, " oionn UAIH HA n-AcCtnnse Ann." *Oo
265
"Have you any other tidings with you?" said Solomon.
" I have," said he.
" Tell them," said Solomon.
" God's brightness is on the earth," said he.
"The sun is risen," said Solomon.
" It is," said the half-fool.
"The stones that were above yesterday," said he, "they
are going below now."
"The plough is ploughing, then," said Solomon.
" It is," said he, " and the first house in which you were
reared, it is overthrown."
"Then my mother is dead," said Solomon.
" She is," said the half-fool.
" I shall have your head on the spear," said Solomon.
" You shall not, O honest noble king," said the half-fool,
" you yourself were the first man who said it."
" By my honour," said Solomon, " it was I."
Ye see now, that, as wise as Solomon was, the half-fool
got the victory over him in wisdom. " There bo's luck on
a fool." i
There is an old word in Irish which says, " There be's in
it the time of the petition." In that story " The Outrising
of Conn amongst the Goats " a story which I printed in my
Sgeuluidhe Gaedhealach the woman of the house gave her
curse to that person who should eat the first mouthful of
the meat " May he be choked," said she. It was herself
who ate the first mouthful of it, and she herself was
choked ; for, as the story-teller said, " the hour of the
1 A common Irih proverb.
266
feif, mAf, ciiAlAit) me, bionn moimit) AriiAin in
ceitjteuvMf.it> piCeA-o mSnni-o HA h-AtOuinge
Af, bit> beAntiACc n<5 mAllAcc, mA -oeifteAf. e 50
outjuccAc, A^tif 50 T>if,eAC ^f. An mOitniT) pn, coirh-
UoncAf, e. 1f f<5f,c guitje, mAttACc ; if ofoC-gtu-oe
i. Tli tug me 50 t>ci fe6 foinpl*\ Af, bit Of.jiA pn.
Ace if pu CHIT) be<\5 oiob -oo cti^ fiof , Agiif 50
m6 AT) AI git) T)IA An itiAit ) 50 tAj-otnjit) Se An c-olc
in" Af Of.oc-f.un ACA me t>'A t)6AnAiti, ACC AriiAin le
fomplA T)O fAbAtt A|i JAG uile fopc. Hi bete An
le.\t>A|\ fo loinlAn gAti ce^nn no T)6 ACA no
licit Ann. 11i'l nA mAllACCA iotnAT)AniAit. tluAif,
cutnAnn -otiine upntnje tio f.ein, AJ gui-oe T)e -j tnin|ie,
bionn fi poiteAttinAC TDO nA milcio t)Aoine eile ; ACC
ni mAf. pn "oo'n mAllACC, ni bAineAnn fife ACc -oo'ti
ouine T)O ceAp i, ] -oo'n T)uine f.AOi A f$AoilceAf, !.
DAineAnn An upnuige leif An gcoiccioncAcc, ni bAin-
GAnn An mAtU\6c ACC Leif An bpeApfAin fpeifiAlcA.
1li 6uAlAit) me ApAitti m All ACC i bf.oif.rn DAin, Af.
nA nt)Aoine, mAllACC Ag gAbAit nA cife, mAf. "oe
1 i f.eit) le n-AfgAOileAt) f. A nAitiAiT) Af. bit. 11i
Aim 50 bpjil A leitem Ann. Ace AS f o fomplA no
06, mAf, T)O cex\p -OAome mAllACC, -oOib f.em, nuAif.
T)'lAf.|\ flAt) A n-eAf5CA1f.T)e T)O ClAO1T)e.
T)i T)All bocc Ag iAf,|\Ait> neipce i gCoiTOAe nA
^Aillime, i tAinig fe 50 T)Of.uf cige riiOiji i TMAf.f. fe
oeoc. tDeAn 5AllT)A t>o t>i 1 mbeAn-An-cije, ~\ 6
1 1 read somewhere iii Irish, I forget wlicre, of an old woman who
.letermined to pra\' steadily for twenty-four hours on end that; her
grand-child who was in the cradle might become King of Ireland,
hoping that she must hit the moment when her petition would be
267
poti'ion be's in it." According to what I have heard about
this, there is one moment the moment of the petition in
every twenty-four hours, and any prayer, either bless-
ing or curse, that is fervently uttered precisely at that
moment is accomplished. 1 A curse is a sort of prayer also ;
it is an evil prayer. I have not up to this given any
example of these ; but it is worth while to put down a few
cf them, and " may God increase the good, and diminish
the evil " 2 it is out of no bad intention I am doing it. but
j *
only to preserve a specimen of every kind. This book
would not be complete without one or two of them being
in it. Curses are not numerous. When a person frames a
prayer for himself, praying to God and Alary, his pra}*er is
suitable for thousands of other people ; but it is not so
with the curse. It only appertains to the person who
shaped it, and the person against whom it is loosed. The
prayer suits the public ; the curse concerns only the special
person. I never heard any rhymed curse in the mouths of
the people a curse going the country, so to speak, and it
ready to be launched at any enemy. I do not think there
is such a thiug. Uut here is au example ov two of how
people composed their own curses for themselves, when they
tought to overthrow their opponents.
There was a poor blind man seeking alms in the County
Galway, and he came to the door of a big house, and asked
for a drink. The woman of the house was an English [or
granted. When it was near the end of the time a drop of soot fell
rom above on the child's face. She wiped it olf with au iinprocatiou
on the soot, when the whole roof went off in a blaze of fire.
* A common Irish saving clause.
268
f! & olA^n p "oe'n cpeApttpfljAncA ceupt) T>O
t)i An "DAll 'lAptvAix:). "OuoAtpc An peAptipOgAncA 50
fiAitt pe AS lAftjvAit) "oige. " Water is good enough for
the blind beggar," A\\ pipe. "Do tuig An -OAU An J\UT>
A-"OUt)A1|AC pi, Agttp O > p.f\eA5A1p pe.
Atl -OAlU.
1m riA fiAiti A^t -oo
CtWTTI tlA jlAlb 4|1 -DO
TIA |tAit> AS -oo
fi t>o fto.
'850 mbut* tno 'f 50 mbut> leicne An
A beAf AJ -out cjte o'AtiAm
HA Sleibce ConAtnA^A,
A^Uf 1AT> "00 belt X)A 1TOO5AX).
-Ag fo ceAtfAtfid Af Abfi^in T)O jtinne t>uine
i 5Cont)Ae ttluig-Go 1 n-A$Ait) " f uipeij\i " figm T)o
tMo'o Ag iA|\pAit> IIA t)Aoine T)'iornp6t) leO.
me 6 6m' CAJ\AIT) > OCCCUI^ ConCutJAjx tllAguit)^ i
Cloinne
go h-ip]tiorin IDA teixn^, A rilic-A'OAtn, TIA oeAiim<vo SAtn
tJioti teAC ATI ptieAcheji, 6 '?& ^efopeAf nA boils 50 ceAnn,
t)si-6 SeAtnAf Ajup A popcA T)'A nxiibijic 50 'tTlefiiCA 'tionn
l)ei-6 niAC Ax>Am O'A t6{tAm A5p IIA bjtoin-e A' tneitc or- A cionn.
f cuit) *oe tfiAtlAGc "oo fjAoit
A t3CijiCA, f6jiC pie, nAttiAit) -06 pom, T>O t>iot)
AS cup 'nA x\jAit). Sjfiot) m6 pop 6 ttiine T>AJ\
t>'AiniTi 1TlAf\CAin TluAt) O gioltAfinAt A
AO11
1 Literally. Butter may there not be on your milk, down may
there not be on your ducks, power-of-walking may there not be for
269
English-speaking ?] woman, and since she did not understand
him, she aslzed the servant what was the biiiiu man asking
for. The servant told her that he was asking for a drink.
" Water is good enough for the blind beggar" said she. The
blind man understood the thing she said, and answered :
A BLIND MAN'S CURSE,
Your milk may no butter crown,
On your ducks may there come no down,
May your child never walk the ground,
Be your eows where the flayer flays.
May more hot be the flames that dhall roll
One day through your wicked soul
Than the mountains of Connemara
And they to be in one blaze. 1
Here is a stanza out of a song which some one in the
County Mayo made against certain " soupers " who were
trying to turn the people with them. I heard it from my
friend, Dr. Conor Maguire of Clareinorris :
To hell if you go, MacAdam, do not forget Sam,
Let you have the preacher with you, since it is he will powerfully blow
the bellows.
James and his race shall be banished across to America,
MacAdam shall be tming-waked, and the mill-atones grinding above
his head.
Here is a part of a curse that Raftfiry once loosed at
Shaun a Burca, a sort of poet, and an enemy of his own, who
used to be opposing him. I wrote it down from a man
called Martain Ruadh O Gillarna (Forde !) near Monivea
in the County Galway. He had no English. The curse
your child, and a flaying upon your cow. And may g eater and may
broader be the flame that shall bo going through your soul than the
mountains of Comiemara and they all to be burning.
270
Art riiAtlJtfic AinmnsAA <MI oisu-o psn
oumn i n^AOteiLs gup pu i T>O f\c\t>*\il. Hi m
gup *OA f ipiti dp ,<vo T)o t)i TvvMjrceju ^Cc guti r6fc comop-
45 funnuigeACc T>O 1)1 itiip 6 j^m i An pe^p eile.
fid COfA JO JCAllllX) CU 6 tlA jlu
KA-OAtlC T)4 fut 1 tut tlA tATTl,
toit>)'.e lob 50 -ocisi-o AtiuAf ojic
iX*, 1 CApbuiX) SjliJA-O.
CJieACAt, pAlt, Af -OOCC-pUAlt OJtC,
Sin 50 lAC, T 5AtA|l ATI bAlf,
T)o 5)iA5 50 -DicuiCfo -oe r>' iriAtA jitiiAmA,
A'f tlA -|tAlb AOn 6lAf OJIC, ACC ATilAltl A T1-A1C.
p t>eACA1t1, bACAll* A*f C^UAllt OJ1C,
Tlit i 11UA1J, T fAt AS t)o tJAm,
tiltAC lOngAnt AJUf 5Al/Al\ ful, OJ1C
pmio;i tiA fuj HA jiAib in -oo 6tiAit7i.
itA-6 cpopA6, ATjup tomAT) tuAinJ ojic,
lAji t6iTO cu i n-uAij HA i 5c6ti]iA ciAijt,
An SAOC AS peitieA-u 50 s^Ait 6 CXIAIX> ojtc,
]\ duinne p-UAji, 'p ru -oo cuAilte fAit.
t)tJine eite " bAil A^up ctiucAitt o^c." "Deiti mo 6At<A
T)occv!i}t ITlAC Coipx>eAtA Viom 511^1 ionnAn " bAit" A^vip "a back-
M'ard thrust with ths elbow or the arm given in contempt or disre-
spect." t tAOAift pe An pocAt po niA|t " SjApAc-S^An," AC
oei^ iTiuinncitt HA citte pin "ceAjAt," " IOJA,"
VeAbAio " ceAnjAit," " longA," " ceAn^A."
lp mi-AX)ATT1All, e TJO 5JAUA5 -DO bAinC TJ1OC t)lA
=cori>nA.
1 My friend, Dr. Costello, of Tuam, who explained all these diseases
to me, says that this me.ins a certain strumous disease of the glands
of the neck. CApbuni rouud Tuaui ia used for any scrofulous
disease.
271
gives us the rames of so many diseases in Irish that it is
worth while to save it. I do not believe that Raftery was
wholly in earnest, but thnt it was a sort of rivalry in versi-
fication between him and the other mau :
RAFTERY'S CURSE.
The feet may you lose from the knees down,
The sight of the eyes and the movement of the Lands }
The leprosy of Job may it come down upon j'ou,
Farcy, erysipelas, and king's evil in the neck. 1
A shaking ague,' 2 hiccough, and gravel on you,
May that come quick, and the disease of death,
May your hair fall off from your sullen forehead,
And may the,ie be no cur on you, but only the place of them.
Disgust and hardxhip, lameness 3 and corruption on you,
Running and rout and hatred [for you] amongst your kin,
Whitlow under the nails, and disease cf the eyes upon you,
And neither marrow nor sap may there be in your bones.
A shaving with gashes, 4 and a Monday hair-cutting * oti you,
May you never go into a grave or into a coffin of board,
But the wind blowing cuttingly from tho north upon you,
In a cold corner, and you [atuck as] a wattle of a hedge.
a Not an uncommon disease in Raftery'a day, says Dr. Costello ;
tho harvestmen who went to England frequently got ague in the Fen
districts. The Fens were called by them DA JTionn<v.
8 According to another reciter, for "lameness" was substituted
a word meaning a contemptuous thrust of the elbow, given in dis.
respect.
4 Literally. " A gapped shaving " such as a man would give himself
with a shaung hand from drink or other causes.
5 It was considered unlucky to cut hair on a Monday,
a shearing, but here a hair-cutting.
272
cl6)6e A3f polun puAft ojic,
An, inucAx>, Ajup peile r-iAt>Ain,
OotnblAf -oiiAjuin Aguf nitri c^it), fUAiire,
50 mbu-6 i t>eoc T>O fuAin i Aft uAif. 'oo
t)HAic{ie DAttA i bum tiA CfiuAice,
fU Cottle HuAit>e, ~\ ttAile-An-ClAi^,
A n-oiombuAitb* uite [50 leif] AnuAf o^c,
A S u r bfieic 6'n cptuAJ oftc muttt bpuil cu FACA&.
/Ate til Cuntinigim 50 bjMCAiift me DA 50
tn6 Aon rh^tt^cc, ^5 ce^Cc AmAt Corii f e^|\t>
AH C^oit)e-'fci5, le tnAttA6c T>O ptu\i|i ^n
OT)tiinnin 1 lAim-fgfibin
. Ctiip re 1 gcl6i, i n-l
AifC|iiugx.\t), ACc tteipim .Arm fo xifif 6. 1f "0615
o ceApA-6 i, 6 C.A CAinc innci Ap " peelef."
til copttiuil 5ti|\ fine i 'n^ c^i pi tit) bliAt)<An no *oei6
oo Gi m fAti byex.\f -co finne e. U^ttAiji PA
6om clipce i pijeAnn fe xMn
ct\i-o-x\-(i6ile, t)j\uAT)Ati Smioc ] 5^ 1nn > b 1 - 1 " 11
T Stnioc, Smioc g^ 1 '"" 1 1 tDpUA-o^jt, Aguf Corn
r <\5f\^nn pe "OiA p^ 5^6 Ainm T)'^
T)6, An tTlxic, tlig nAi
ti-0i$e,
po 6 Cup 50 oeirve.A'6,
n-Airht)e6in HA n-Ainm peo.
m&\\ " niomu " e. t=munA.
1 " Au internal boil on the chest," says Dr. Costelio, " CCA^C A
is always applied to ;in abscess in the armpi:,'"
2 piolun, Dr. Costelio tells me, means "anccrotic periostitis in any
place, but usually on the shin bcne. It is a disease which begins with
a painful swelling, and when it bursts it continues to discharge
matter for years, until finally pieces of the bone are discharged and
273
A chest-boil l and a cold " felon " 3 on you,
A \vheezing, 3 a smothering, and a seile-siadhain, 4
Dragons' gall and puison mixed through it,
May that be jour sleeping-draught at tli3 hour of your death.
The friars of Balla, of the foot of the Reek,
Of the Coill Rua.dh, and of Bailc an Chlair,
Their curse altogether be upon you,
Aud judgment from the public if you are not satisfied.
But I do not remember that I have seen or hoard any curre
coming as bitter, out of the cockles 5 of the inner heart, as a
cuvsc which Father Dinneen found in a manuscript belong-
ing to Mr. O'Byrne, of Castleknock. He printed it without a
translation in Irisleabhar na Graedheilge, but I give it here
again. It is apparently not very long since it was composed,
since them is talk in it of a " peeler." It is not likely that
it is more than sixty or seventy years old. But a true poetic
artist was the man who made it. Observe how cleverly he
intertwines the names of his three enemies Bruadar, Smith
and Glinn, Glinn, Bruadar and Smith, Smith, Gliun and
Bruadar, and how fervently he appeals to God under each
name the Gaels have given the Deity, The Son, The King
of the Angels, The King of Brightness, the Son of the
Virgin, The King of Sunday, etc. Pagan, and truly pagan
io this piece from beginning to end in spite of these names :
healing takes plac* slowly after years of suffering. The orifice ia
called -oojiur."
3 In asthma, says, Dr. Costello, there is both cfiiocan, which is
noisy, and rm'icAX), which is dyspnoea.
4 This is the Irish name for a falling of the urula, called cednjA
66^5 in Irish.
5 " The cockles of the heart" is a common expression amongst
most English speakers in Ireland. It ia really Irish from the word
COCAl,
274
snuoc A'S gtm.
[nu\tu\cc.J
, Snuoc A'f glni,
.Amen A fhic, An c]uu|t
C1A11 30 f.AbA1t> f.6* leACA1D,
50 mAjib, tAj, f.uAH 'f An "in-
Amen
Srmoc,
50 PATIAC,
Amen, A ttij tiA n-
A'f 50 cjieic-tA5 cjiuiciLt
t)]niA-OAi|i, Sinior A']- gliti,
JTA 5LAf,t A-.t tic nA bpiAn,
Cutf CAOI Aguf file -oeoji
AC t6 A An T>C.l
T)AttAX) Aji Snuoc 50
tasujjA-o AJI
Amen, A Uij nA
X\'f f^ in A}t CAfbA1-6
Smioc i
piAn,
Amen I A Uij nA nx>ut,
A'f gtin jAn tut 1 meAc.
Amen !
Amen I
*="fA," no "f.Aoi." 1 5Cont)Ae CiAtittAixie -oo
tAim-f5p't)inn. " tlAf-A " = " n^t Ab." t"5tAif." 1TIS.
1 i.e. Probably " Broder (in Connachh always translated " Brod-
arick ") and Smith ind Glynn," in English.
^Literally. Broder, Smith and Glynn, Amon, Son ! tho three,
may it not bo long till they are under flags, dead, feeble, cold in
tho c'.ay. Amen.
Broder, Smith and Glynn, straying, single, cold, Amen, King of
the Angola, and weakly- feeble, consumptive, pitiablo. Amou,
275
BRUADAR AND SMITH AND GLINN.
A CURSE.
Bruadar and Smith and Glinn. 1
Amen, dear God, I pray,
May they lie low in waves of woe,
And tortures slow each day ! 2
Amen 1
Bruadar and Smith and Glum
Helpless and cold, I pray,
Amen ! I pray, O King,
To see thm pine away.
Amen !
Bruadar and Smith and Glinn
May flails of sorrow flay !
Causa for lamenting, snares and cores
Be theirs by night and day !
Amen !
Biindness come down 011 Smith,
Palsy on Bruadar come,
Amen, O King of Brightness ! Smiie
Gliuu in his members numb,
Am-_n !
Smith in the pangs of pain,
Stumbling on Bruadar's path,
King of the Elements, Oh, Amen !
Let loose on Glinn Thy Wrath.
Amen !
Brodei', Smith and Glynn, locked in upon the flag of pains, cause
of lamenting and shedding of tears, may the three have every day,
Amen.
Blinding on Smith soon, weakening on the limbs of Broder, Amen,
King of the Brightness, ;^nd Glynn in want of movement. Amen.
Smith in a prison of pain. Broder without a path, without pros-
peritj', Amen, O King of the Elements, and Glynn without power-to-
movo, decaying. Ainen.
276
50
5tl11 50 FUAJ1 'nA CJtlAI-6,
Amen, A Uij An "OomnAij;,
A'p Smioc PA f-lAOjtAib An
A-.-i 5n 1
TMc-ceilte Aft ftfiuA-OAift c
piAn AH mum peme AJI jtin,
Amen, A fttj; HA UeAnn[A] *
An TMAtJAl A5 CAt)A1|1 A}1 SmiOC.
CAncAfi i ocoAnjAin
Amen ! A Uij nA b
A'f Smioc A meAfS nA
gtin ^e tA|ic jAn t>coc,
Smioc 50 t)occ Y
Amen ! A 1^15 nA tlAom,
A'p bjiuA'OAin 50 fAon
Smioc gAn neAd Ajt A ftiocc
t)|tuA-OAi|i jAti bun 5An
Amen ! A Hij nA h-Aoine,
A'f gtin gAn 6)115 'nA
Jim -O'A CACCA-6 1
Amen ! A Tlij; An cpotuip
A'f Smioc i
Amor. !
Amen
Amen
Amen !
' "jiAnn" tns.
Brods-r shortly in the tomb, Glynn cold in the clay, Amrn, Kin^:
of the Sundr.y, and Smith beneath the devil's chaiiis. Amen.
Scntelc^irness on croaked Broder, pain upon top of pain on Glynr,
Ar.icn, King of the Stars ; the devil helping Smith. Amen.
Glynn in a shaking fever, a cancer on Broder's tongue, Amen, O
King of the Her.vc-na. And Smith amongst the hardships. Aincu.
277
For Bruttd.tr gr.pe the grave,
Up-ahovel for Smith the mould,
Araen, King of tho Sunday ! Leave
Glinn in the devil's hold.
Amen !
Terrors on Bruadar rain,
And pain upon pain on Gliun,
Amen, King of the Stars ! And Smiih
May the devil be linking him.
Amen !
Glinn in a shaking ague,
Cancer on Bruadar's tongue,
Amen, King of the Heavens ! and Smith
For ever stricken dumb.
Amen !
Thirst but no drink for Glinn,
Smith in a cloud of grief,
Amen ! King of the Saints ; and rout
Braadar without relief.
Amen !
Smith without child or heir,
And Bruadir bare of store,
Amen, King of the Friday ! Tear
For Gliun his black heart's core.
Amen
Bruadar with nerveless limbs,
Hemp strangling Glinn's last breath,
Amen, O King of the World's Light 1
And Smith in grips with death.
Amen !
Glynn in thirst without a drink, Smith tight-bound under grief.
Amen, O King of the Saints, and Broder feebly decaying.
Smith without a person of his posterity [surviving], Broder without
a root, without store [or without capital or profits], Amen, King
of the Friday, and Glynn without power in his voice. Amen.
Broder without power in his limbs, Glynn strangling in hemp,
Amen, O King of the light, and Smith in the ruckle of death. Amen
27(3
Jim 50 fWAft tlA
SmiOC 50 CJ16ACA6 tJUI
Amen ! A Uij nA bjTe
A'p bfiuA'OAiti 50 be,xcc 'nA i
Amin !
Stnioc 'nA CJIIACAU polt,
toiiuA-oAip AJ tooA-6 'VIA joile,
Amen ! A ttij nA n-6jix>,
A'p glin 'nA boc-j*e6 AJI butle.
Air 6n I
c-tiUACAji jAn riioilt A^I Smioc,
gLin pA cotjt* A C^IOCCA,
Amen ! A tlij An LuAin,
A'f t)|taAt>Aiit fAn UAIJ 30 tottcA.
Amen
tTIo mAllACC 50 buAn x>o Lin,
tTlALluJAt) A'f mCAC A|1
Amen I A ttij; DA 6plAiceAf,
Asuf Stnioc i 5CA]icAitt CHUAJ IAJ.
Amen I
tTli-A'O Aft An t>C)UU|1, 'nA CCACAlB,
tTlAfLA-o, mi-jiAc, A'P
tlAlfie fAOJAtCA X>eA1l6,
Amen ! A 1115 n
Amen 1
teitifsttiof A'p teAJA-6 50 h-obAnn
1 nt>Ail< An cfiiAin Atjubd^ic,
Smioc A'P 5>tin,
gAn ftAC JAH tiic gAn tuc.
*b'eix)itt "pA coriiAiji
Glynn cold, in a hard-stiffening, Smith shaking carcase-like (?)
Amen, O King of the miracles, and Uroder a very pity. Ainc:i.
Smith a sieve of holes, Broder rotting in his stomach, Arnen, O
King of the Orders, and Glynn, a buck-show, gone mad. A men.
A destructive rout without delay on Smith, Glyrm prepared for his
hanging, Amen, King of the Monday, aud Broder rotten in the
grave. Amen.
279
Glinn stiffening for the tomb,
Smith wasting to decay,
Arnen, King of the Thunder's gloom,
And Bruadar sick alway.
Auicn !
Smith like a sieve of holes,
Bruadar with throat decay,
Amen, King of the Orders ! Glir.n
A buck-aLov/ every day.
Amen !
Hell-hounds to hunt for Smith,
Glinn led to hang on high,
Amen, King of the Judgment Day !
And Bruadar rctti: g by.
Amen !
Curses on Glinu, I cry,
My curse on l>ruud;T be,
Amen, King of the Heaven's high !
Let Smith in bondage be.
Amen !
Showers of want and blame,
Reproach, and shame of face,
Biiiite them all three, and smite again,
Amen, O King of Grace !
Amcu !
Melt, mr\y the three, away,
Bruadar and Snvth and Glinn,
Fall in a swift and sure decay
And lose, but never win.
Amen !
Mv curse lastingly to Glynn, cursing and withering on Eroder.
Ame'ii, King of the Heavens, and Smith in a prison, pitiable and
weak. Amen.
Ill-luck upon the three in showers, reproach, misfortune and bodily
hurt, aud worldly shame assured, Amen, King of the bright gracea.
Amen.
Utter destruction and inelting-away suddenly.be for the three I have
spoken of. For Broder and Smith and Glynn, without luok, without
power-to-run, without power-to move. Amen.
280
im nitric cjifor-fA, A Smioc!
A'f riAjt itnctjit) mo juc te J
l t)o cjiofoe f.e btiA - <JAin 6 'nt>iu
50 jiAio 'nA ffivit te t)' rAoib.
gAn cij 3An AIC no Smioc !
pAO fAt)A
An "OiADAt AH
SAC mAiT)in
Olc A'F Ati-jom 6f 5A6 Ai
50 6peiceAt)-f A i nt)Ait An
A'f fin pe btiA'OAin 6
Amen 1
tie.
ximen !
Amen !
-o A']' bftuJA-o Af $lin !
? f incinn te t)|tuAT)A
Amin, A iofAl eifc te m' juc.
A'f Smioc SAC tA 50 feig.
Amen I
5tin A'f
'f Smioc, 50 CJIVIAI-O te T)1A,
T) A'f beA|inA i 6 AJI An or^iu
A'f mo mAttAcc 50 x>tuc 'tiA
Amn I
SAC n-Aon oo cui^ ionnAinn tAm,
A^ oeAjinA A n-Airiitif ooib !
CfeAc-fuACAH AnuAf 6 neAm
go xcu5Ait> fsiuof 'nA meAfs Aon-ti.
Amen
A venemous stitch [go] through thee Smith, and may my voice
not go with [i.e. be swept away by] the wind. TLe blood of thy heart
before a year from to-day, may it be in a stream by thy side. Amen.
Without house, without place, for Smith, a long wandering n
Eroder, the devil on the right hand of Glynn, every morning getting
clung up to him. Amen.
Evil and slaughter-wounds from every quarter of the compass may
I see for tho three, s.nd that before a year from to-day, in a black
prison without power. Amen.
281
May pangs pass through thee Smith,
(Let tbo wind not take my prayer),
Slay I see before the year is out
Thy heart's blood flowing there.
Amen {
Leave Smith no place nor land,
Let Bruadar wander wide,
May the Devil stand at Glinn's right hand,
AndGlinu to him be tied.
Amen I
All ill from every airfc
Come down upon tho three,
Aivl blast them ere the year be out
In rout aud misery.
Amen I
Glinu let misfortune bruise,
Bruadar lose blood and brains,
Amen, Jesus ! hear my voice,
Let Smith be beut in chains.
Amen I
I accuse both Glinn and Bruadar,
Aud Smith I accuse to God,
II ;y a breach and a gap be upon the three,
And the Lord's avenging rod.
Amen {
Each one of the wicked three
Who raised against me their hand,
May fire from heaven come down and slay
This day their perjured band,
Amen !
Breaking aud braising on Glina, blood and brains [running] down
crooked Brodor. Ameu, Jesus, listen to my voie?, and Smith
every day too-weak- ts-movo.
I complain of Glynn and Broder and of Smith hardily t-< God : de-
struction and a breach be on the three, and my curse close behind
them. Amen.
Eich one v/ho put a hand into [i.e., against] us, into the gap of
their misfortune with them, may a s^oiling-rout down fiom heaven
bring destruction into their mkist iu one da/. Auun.
282
JTAn ptioct op ctomi A mbv'tp,
Ce b 1 obAnn A "OCAps "p<\n cptoj,
AC CApjAine i SAilm tiA bp..\it>
50 bpeiceAt) 'TIA nx>Ail AJI poj.
V.men !
An cltiAp, SATI cjioiceAnn A bplAeps,
SAII eipceAfcc, jAn fA-oA] c, 5Ati
Sut A mbeit) An btiAxiAin peo
Atnenl A rhic TIA h-Oije.
fli oeijteAxi t)o'n -oiosfAf, trick of the loop,
tlirii SAC A iiToubAjic, mAillo te CA&,
go -ocuicix) Af An " bpceteji " CIAJI,
A'f Amen ! A "OiA, gA6 IA.
)i x>4 flije eite 50 coictioncA AC A i
le m^ltACc t)o Cup A^ 1 6tiine, Cx\t\ At>pAti -oo
Aip. t)o txMii fUge ^\CxJ fo leif ^
CfLige eile leip ^n bp^gAnc^Cc. 1f e " An
(n6 "cuAt^Al" m^p tAt)AipteAp 6 i
-oo t^mig 6'n sCpiopcuigeA
Ii1nne6me " *oo tAin teip An
1p AttilAit) T)6AncAp AII " Cupup UuAtAl," -ouine
*oo t)ul 50 'oci AII p6ip6At Agup cupup HA cpoiCe *oo
t)6AnArh 1 n-A$Ai'0 A Cuil, ipe pin An cupup T)O copugAt)
AS An t)picciup T>eipnC), Agup A CpioCnugAt) Ag An
5C6AT>-p1CC1Up, Agup 6 A5 AgAlpC An "OlAtiAll Ap p.6Ai&
An AmA pin, AJ lAppAitb Aip, "oiosbAiL no opo6-pAt
"DO Cup AJ\ A nAfhAit). "Ou&Aipc mo CApA'OoCtuip
Without posterity [to keen] alove their death, though sudden was
their fame in the prwt [i.e., thoysuddeuly came into public notoriety],
every curse in the psalms of the prophets, may I see beside them with
delight,
283
May none of their race survive,
May God destroy them all,
Each curee of the psalme in the holy books
Of the prophets upon them fall.
AmenJ
Blight skull, and ear, and skin,
And hearing, and voice, and siglifc,
Amen ! before the year be out,
Blight, Son of the Virgin, blight.
Amen I
May my curses hot and red
And all I have said this day,
Strike the Black Peeler too,
Amen, dear God, I pray !
Amen
There were two other common ways in Connacht for
cursing a person besides making a rhyme on him. One of
these belongs to Christianity, the other to Paganism.
The " Reversed Journey " it is that had a Christian origin,
and the " Curse of the Anvil" belonged to Paganism. This
is the way in which the " Reversed Journey" is carried out,
a person to go to the chapel and him to make the journey,
i.e., the Stations of the Cross, backwards ; that is to begin
the " journey " at the last picture and to finish with the
first picture, and he invoking the Devil all that time and
asking him to send some misfortune or bad luck upon his
Without an ear, without the skin of their skulls, without hearing,
without sight, without voice, before this year is finished [may they be]
and Amen, O Son of the Virgin. Amen.
Trick-of-the-loop is not the end of the . . . . ? The venom of
all that I have said along with each, may it fall upon the black peeler
and amen, O God, each day. Amen.
Con6ut>Ap tnAstiroip tiom Art \,& CeAnA "nAc pAiti pe
ACc ACAp* beAg 6 f oin 6 CUAI* peAn-beAn 61115 pAg-
Apc Agup t>ut>Aipc pi teip 50 nDeApnAt) A teiteit) peo
t>' e5c6if\ inppi, ASUf, ^T* r 1 f e F-ACAt) uro -A" ceAtn-
P01U go n'OeAnATD " Ctlpup CUAfAt " T>6. ttlinig Att
350 mt)ut> m6p An peACAt
pn *oo > 66AnAiti, Aguf t>i obAip rhop
fe seitleAt) Aiti tiA6 n'O^AnpA't) p e."
-Ann fAn T)An fin TDO teAgAt) Ap HAorh PATJ^AIS A
"OCUgtAfV "tuifieAt pAT)pA15 J ' n6 An
Aip, CTtnit) pAT)|tAi5 AS 5lAO"6A6 Ap " neApc "Oe,
CA T)e, ciAtt *Oe, pope 'Oe, cltiAf T)6, bpiAtAp *
"Oe, pjiAt T)e," -]c., -O'A CopnAtfi pem Ap "t>pi6ci t)An
ocup ^OtJAtlT) Agup "opuAT)," ip e pin An optAib t)An,
SAGA, Agup -opuAt). TluAip fUAip -OAome (nA6 pAitt
ACA ACC An UIYIA no An ppAp poirhe pin) eolup Ap An
Ap "ocup, T>O cuip p6 longAncup oppA, nit)
longnAt), i Cpeit) piAt> 50 pAib bpij oo-p eicpionnAC
Ann. 1p -0015 gup cpeit) piAt> 'TIA t)iAig pin 50 pAift
cuit) T)e'n t>pi longAncAij po Agup -oe'tt ttuAit) *oo tit
mpAn lApAnn, mpAn ngAftA *o' oibpig An c-iApAnn, Ajup
oo riiAip An cpemeArii po 6 Aimpip PA-OPAIJ 50 "oci An
IA m-oiu. 1TlAp pm T>e, m^ 'p tniAn te "ouine niAtU\cc
oo Cup Ap "6uine eile c6it)6Ann pe 50 T)d An
Agup lAppAnn p6 Ap An ngAttA " An mneom t)o
Ap A nAriiAi-o, 1 piocu 50 T)citicpAt) teAjAt) Agup
uile pope mi-Atb Aip. "Do tAipgeocAt) pe Aipgiot) "oo'n
Ap pon pin T>O "CeAnAm, Agup "OA mbut)
-oo bi mpAn ngAtiA -oo jlACfAt) pe An c-
pe (-oeip ConCutiAp 1TlA5Uit)ip tiom)
285
enemy. My friend, Dr. Conor Maguire, told me the other
day " that it was only a little while ago an old woman
went to a priest, and told him that such and such an injus-
tice had been done her, ' and,' says she, ' I'll go to the church
till I make a " Reversed Journey " for him.' The priest
explained to her that it was a great sin to make a curse of
that kind, but he had great work before he got her to submit
[.and promise] that she would not do it."
In that poem that was ascribed to St. Patrick, which is
called " Patrick's Lorica " or the " Faed Fiada," we find
Patrick calling on " the Might of God, the power of God,
the wisdom of God, the eye of God, the ear of God, the
word of God, the hand of God, the shield of God," etc., to
protect him against the " spells of women and of SMITHS
and of Druids." When people, who had only bronze or
brass before, first got to know of iron, they naturally enough
marvelled at it, and believed there was an invisible virtue
in it. Probably they afterwards got to believe that some
of this wonderful power and virtue that was in the iron
was also in the smith who worked the iron, and this
belief has lasted from the time of Patrick down to our own
day. Accordingly if a person desires to put a curse upon
another person he goes to the smith and asks him " to turn
the anvil" on his enemy, so that a melting and every kind
of misfortune may come upon him. He would offer money
to the smith for doing that, and if the smith was a bad man
he would accept the money " and he would put," says Conor
Maguire, " ' the cor chip,' that is the horn of the anvil, facing
backwards, 1 and he would request the devil to do his utmost
1 Literally " westwards.'
286
" AgAi-6 f iAf\ AJ\ An scop cip," if 6 fin AJ\ A-OAIJIC nA
h-inne6me, Aguf "Ctnppexyft fe impi'oe AJ\ An T)iAbAl
A "CiccioH oilc Aguf tni-A-o T>O cuj\ AJA An "oume eite."
tli jvAib Aon rhAllACu eile Ann Com -oonA teif An
fo, T)o |A6i|\ t)A|iAmtA nA nt)AOine, no triAp
Con6ttttAp TnA5Ui-6i|\ " ni tteit ttiAC teit-pmgme
f.Aoi 6eAnn btiAt)nA t)A mtoeit Aon rhAit teif An
f ni t>eit Aon IA "oe'n A* of u Afif 50 scuijv
An 5At>A An mneOin tA|\c "ouic A|\if, if e fin
CAfAt)-tA|AC-tim6lOtt ^00 t>AinC AlfCI Af f-AT), AgUf A
fAt) 'cfOfAim mo rhAttA6c -\ mAitim -oo . . . . gA6
A n-oeApnAi-o fe AJI . . . .'" T)eit\ nA -OAOine gujt AO
6 An rhAtlACc fo An AOA, An rhAltAcc but) meAf A A|\
bit, 50 jtAib f6 6orh millceA6 fin "5ti|i AnArh
"00 fimneA'O e."
fvmne nA t)Aoine Ufnuigte
ntiAome tnAit, no HA ptjeGg, Ag |\At) :
"A ttlic T)e An gcluin cu An $le6 CugAinn 50 in6ji
f An ngleAnn 1 "
"50 mbu-o t)un OAingionn An oun A bf.uilmi'o Ann,
50 mbut) ftuAg t)Atl An ftuAg fo CugAinn,"
OO 6|\eit)eA'DA|\ 50 'OeApbtA 50 1\Alb fttlAg *OO-fA1C-
'nA -ocimcioU, |\eit> le n-A nsotACtijA* -OA
e t)6ib. Ag fo cuncAf beAg AI\ CUAI^C 6 n-A
fin x>e fluAg -oo f5fi D m
6 foin 6 beAt ttlAfCAin Hi t
le CiU-Ao-OAin ct\i rhile 6 Coillce-mAC i
d. AS fo A CuncAf p6m 50 -oit\eA6 mA|\ -oo
fe e, T bu-6 peA|\ 6 nAf mnif |\iAfh fiut) nA6
f.ioji. PA^ Aop ! f.uAi|\ f e bAf 6 f om.
287
for putting evil and ill-luck upon the other man." There
was no curse so noxious as this, in the opinion of the people,
or as Conor Maguire puts it, " You wouldn't have a ha'porth
at the end of the year, if there was any good at all in the
smith, and there wouldn't be one day's luck on you until
the smith would put the anvil round again for you, that is,
would take a complete turn right round out of it, and say,
" I cross my curse, and I forgive for all he did to ."
The people say that this " Smith's curse " was the worst
curse at all, and that it was so venomous " that it was
seldom and very seldom it was done."
"When the people composed prayers against the Good
People or Fairies, saying :
O Son of God, hearest thou this confused noise
Coming towards us loudly in the glen.
and again
May it be a strong fortress the fortress in which we are,
May it be a blind host this host that is coming to us,
they believed firmly that there was an invisible host
around them ready to hurt them if it were allowed.
Here is a brief account of a visit from such a host, which
I wrote down about five years ago from the mouth of
Martin Brennan, near Killeaden, three miles from Coillte-
mach (Kiltimagh !) in the county Mayo. Here is his own
account exactly as he spoke it, and he was a man who never
told a thing that was not true. Alas ! he has died since.
288
An nA "OAoirnt)
t)i me it>ifv t)^ bliA-odin Aguf cpi bliA-onA T>eA5 TO
Aoif An c-Am fin. CtiAit) me m^|\ curhlo'OAfi [corti-
cuig mo t>eif\bfiup. Hi f\Aib Aon -ouine
CuAi-6 muit) A Co'otAt) cimdiott A T6- > o^5 A Clog
T)' xM|\ig mum m^ belt fionnAti m6j\
of cionn An cige, Aguf m^t\ tteit p^ifce 65
fe, An cuAim [i.e., f?uAim] 5|\ cmp fe
Af ceAC An T)A t)0|Mjf , 5|\ buAit f e A|\ A Ceile IATD.
mtiiT) guji A1|A1$ muiT) nA foitige bAinne t)'4
nA6 fAitt ceO nA pfn$it) f An ceAC
me An cofAn Ag ojeA6c AnTop 'tin nA
cemeA-o, 50 t)CAini5 f e te n-Aif mo leAptA Agtif 6Aill
me mo meAtJAip Ann fin, Agiif nuAifi -ptiAift me i Af.if
o' Aijug me mo 6eif\ttfi|\ A fAt) ei^ige Aguf An f oUif
A tAf AT6. 11uAi|\ tAf mtnt) An fottif fiiAifi muix)
|iAio Aon HUT) t)eAncA, ce6 nA fpigm."
-***-###
f o At>t\Ainin beAg binn T>O f.UAift me 6m'
1TlA5uit)i|\ 6'n gCtAti. CuAtAit^ f eifeAn 6 6
oume AnAice teif An mbAile m6f fin.
An bAS.
"o'eif-15 me
An ceAC|tAtriA"6 IA "oe'ri ttlA-pc
bl me tCTTlA|t
A5 AtTlAjlC A|t ATI
289
A STORY OF THE GOOD PEOPLE.
" I was between twelve and thirteen years of age at that
time. I went for company to my sister. She had nobody
for company in the night.
We went to sleep about twelve o'clock at night.
We heard, as it were, a great whirlblast of wind coming
above the house, and as it were a young child crying outside.
It came the noise so that it drove in the two doors
[one on each side of the house] so that it smashed them
against one another.
We thought that we heard the vessels of milk being
poured out, so that there wasn't a single thing in the house
that wasn't broken.
I heard the noise coming down to the fire until it came
beside my bed, and I lost my feeling [consciousness] then.
When I got it again I heard my sister saying to get up and
kindle the light. When we kindled the light we found that
there was nothing [no harm] done, not the fog of a flesh-
worm." 1
******
Here is a melodious little song that I got from my friend
Dr. Conor Maguire, of Claremorris. He heard it from some
one near that town.
THE DEATH.
When I rose up iu the morning
On the fourth day of this March,
I was active and spirited
Looking at the stock ;
literally " the fog of a fleshworm," i.e,, the fog raised by the
breath of a fleshworm. I heard a witty priest translate this idiom
the other day by " the sneeze of a microbe," i.e., the smallest thing
possible. The phrase is very common all over Connacht. Some
translate it, "a fog or a fleshworm," as if the TIA were nx.
290
AS -out AtnAc ATI beAlAc oAtn
C1A CAffMI'Oe ACC ATI tAf tlOTTl,
tii me out, .' btAt>At teif,
pof* AgAm 50 ftAib fe tAi'oi|i.
ojic, A SeAJAin, A5p bi tiom."
A ttlAijie, TA me '
tno niite st 1 ^ S r e o
1f TT1A1C TJO CUIttflTin pArA1X)
fliof feAfiit x>o bAinpTin tnom
[ATI] bo bAinne
l t>U1C An
tix)piTiT) fiof AH teAbui-6
1f ctifce bAinpinn poj ofoc.
A ttlAi^e, TIA tei5 teif me 50 poitt.
CA T)oimTiic beAj 'HA feAn-t>tiiTie,
1f beAg ATI mAit Tiiop mo e,
tli't mAic Amuij TIA i mbAite ATITI,
A-p mAiDin no cjiAcnonA.
C^'n beATi *f nA pAifci-oe fjTuofCA Aij;e
XSlJ lA^AlX) A belt t>'A COJAlt,
'S An tA nAfc mbem CAbAc Aige
1) cotifiuijieAc An coriiAtifA e.
LBAC e, Ajuf fAj me 50 poill.
1f CfiuAj nA6 ttpuil An r-A^&n f 6 -Aft pvo
ni fAitt Aige A6c TIA Cfvi fiAinn feo.
5 f P^i'oit' Ac ^ Ail-Cop muit teif An T>A|\A "
*oo tug m6 ^01^^ feO. ]TuAi|\ tno
Asui-oip i C feAn-feAp OAJA At) Ainm 1TJAC
tJT ^AgAfCAig AnAice te Ci^|t-Ctoinne-1t1aifif. 11iof\
TTlAC til 6A5A^CA1j tt1Af\ T>Ut)A1fC An
tuAmbA 6, ACc T)O Cuip fe leif An
"bl'f
291
As I was going out the way
Who should meet me but the Death,
I was going to flatter him
Because I knew that he was strong,
" Hurry on, Shaun, and be with me.'
then, Maurya, I am parting from you,
My thousand loves for ever you are,
It was well I used to plant potatoes for you,
And better still I used to cut the turf ;
1 used to buy you the milch cows,
And I would repeat for you the song,
When I used to lie down upon a couch beside you
It is cleverly I would take from you a kiss,
Maurya, do not let me loith him yet.
Little Dominic is an old man ;
He is little good any more,
There's no use in him, abroad or at home
Either morning or evening.
He has the wife and the children perished
Trying to be supporting him,
And the day that he is without tobacco
He is the contrary neighbour.
Take him with you and leave me yet.
It is a pity we have not the entire of this song, but he
had only three verses of it.
Here is a prayer that is very like the second " Ortha
Mhuire," or "Mary's Prayer," that I gave before. My
friend, Conor Maguire, got it from an old man named
Hegarty near Claremorris. Hegarty did not say as the
other did that it was found upon a tomb, but he added to
292
nA bpiAtjiA f o, ArhAil Aguf T)A mbu-6 Cuit) oe'n pAiT>if\
j:ein IAT> :
"Seo pAitMf An-beAnnuijte. TDuine AJI bit A oeAfipAf e feo '6
mle ti 5eobAix> fe oijieAt) pAbAif 6 "61 a 'f 50 bpeicpi-6 fe mA
T)e of A coinne f ul TTIA CAiltceAji e."
if An |\oirh-^-6 fo -oo tor^ij UlAC tJi
-An pAi-orp leif n-A bpMtfixMtt feo, n^
tei 6 6ex\fiu, m^n f ^oitim, ^6c te pAi'Dip eite :
" A tijeAtitiA |i6-niitif , lof A Cjiiof c, A Aon ttlic *Oe, ACAIJI *Oe (sic)
r\A n-AinseAl/,' Aon true TIA fnAiJTSiTie stofitriAin' cui'oiji'o teif An
bpeACAc bocc, fAOjt finn Af SAC c|uAX)-CAf T>'A bpuil/min in A
6if pn, tug fe An "OptA Cum nA 1TlAi$T)ine,"
f.Aifi me A ttpAX) niof f-eAfifx i 1 teAtDAf Attnnn
-f5fiiotttA t)o t>i Ag Setiipfe ITlAC giottA An
, 1 gClAfv-Cloinne-Thtiifvif, Agtif t)o tug T)o<icui|\
50 tiAn-6meAtCA OArh-fA 6 fom. T)o
An leAttAp fo te h-et)mon-o (3 ConCutiAip
f An mt)tiAt)Ain 1740. Ctnpim fiof An pAi-oift 50
mA|\ T)O fs^ioG feifeAn e, Aguf 6 nA6 n-At-
|Auigim Aon nit) inf An ticfiugAt) no oipeAt) Aguf pone
pem, cnbpi'o An teijceoip Com mAit Agtif Corii beACC
AgUf ACA An leAOAJt.
onutA -oo chum nA mAi$-ome mume.
A rhAijveAn stojiriiAii A mACAi|t "Oe, A beAti* of cionn SACA
ceime ; ACA lonriiot/CAt lonn JAC motA"6 T>A irieAt), xeAn
jui-oe A|\ mo fon-fA cum x>'Aoin-mic sfA-otnj fem.
onofiAC, Af cufA mACAif -pij nA n-AinjeAt Aguf nA
o|iAm Ajtif f Aop me 6 SAC cjiAT)cAf A^up olc.
* "OeAnnuijte mf gA6 cetm." THAC Ui
t "DiongbAtcA -oo gAc motA-6. m. Ui e.
J " nA nx>eA5-Ain5eAl." mAC Ui
293
the prayer these words, as though they were part of the
prayer itself :
This is a very blessed prayer : Anyone who shall say this every
day, he shall obtain that much favour from God, that he shall see the
Mother of God over against him before he dies. 1
After that preface Hegarty began the prayer with these
words, words that do not, as I think, belong to it by right,
but to another prayer.
very-sweet Lord, Jesus Christ, One Son of God, Father, God
of the Angels, O One-Son of the Glorious Virgin, help ye the poor
sinner, save us out of every hardship in whose presence we are.
After that he gave the " Prayer to the Virgin," but I
got it a great deal better in a beautiful manuscript book
that Se6irse Giolla an-Chloig, or Bell, had in Claremorris,
and which Dr. Maguire has since very kindly given to me.
This book was written by one Edmond O' Conor in the year
1740. 2 I put down hero the prayer exactly as he wrote it,
and since I am changing nothing in the orthography, not
even a dot, the reader will see how excellent and exact the
book is.
A PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY.
O glorious Virgin, Mother of God, Woman above all rank, praise-
worthy in all praising no matter how great, make intercession on
my behalf to thine own beloved Only-Son. O honourable Woman,
thou art the mother of the King of the Angels and of the Archangels
relieve me and save me from every hardship and evil.
1 This promise is attached to more than one prayer, See the
"Article of the Cregil Crua" given already, where the repeater of
the prayer is promised that he shall see the Virgin three times.
2 This book contains also John M6r Dubhagain's Poem on the
Calendar, the Athanasian Creed and Nicene Creed, the Te Deum, the
Song of the Three Children, the Seven Penitential Psalms, the
" Psalter of Jesus," the " Litany of the Passion," the Office of the
Immaculate Conception, and many other pieces of a like nature, all
beautifully and correctly written.
294
A blAC nA ppAciuAtic, nA n-6j, A^uf riA n-Ainsiot, A -66tftviif
5l6ipe A riiAipe HA nog, A ptnuAineA-o UACCAJIAC nA ti-
tiA n-Atic-Ainjiol cuimnij; ofiAm, Ajup jui-oim cu gAn mo cjiei^inc
Ann Aitnpift cinteAjLuij mo OAip. O A peAlc nA pAijije, A -6o|iif
, A ceAttipAtl T)e, A pAlAip iofA CfiOfo, A cuAn nA
e, A 6lAC nA nvnle cmi'oeAc, A peA|\tA nA huile milfcACCAj
ceA^monAij nA ccioncAc, A -ooccuif tuccA An
ctiei-6im, A -oeAtiiA-o UACCAJIAC n-oig Ajuf nA n-AinjeAt : gtiHAb 6
oo conbeAtif AIT) fp TIA h-Ainjit Ajf nif nA h-AjicAingeit ip
t)6ib; t)A bjiioj fAn A mACAifi nA c^ocAirie cui|tim A^t
x>o lAm beAnnuijte fein, mo t>ut AmAc, mo teAcc
, mo t-uije m'eijise AmAfc mo fut, glACA-o mo IATTI,
mo beoil, eipceAcc mo cluAf-, lomauf 50
te t>' mAC gjtA'OAc p em. Amen.
T)o Cuip Yf\AC Ui 6A5^|\cxM5 teip A
eite f eo, 5'^ cfioCnugAtb, n\A$ tof ^15 p6 i, te
"CA "oe ttJAi'oeAcc innci, An ce iomp)i6cAf [iomc6|iAf] i, An ce
A teijeAf i, Ajuf An ce eifceAf tet X)'A leijeA-o, f AoJAt
A]\ bAf cobAnn [obAnn]. CA teijeAf innci AJI ceine, &\\
pAinpse, ^suf AJI eAfjAn [eAf5Anuitie ?], A' fvnt 50 bpeicpimit> i
cjii h-UAirie ft mA jeobAmuit) bAf. tTlAC "Oe Aguf An
Ann fo piofA pli"6eACcA ACA PA rheA]-
TTIurhAn Agup i gcuige ConnA6c 6 "oeAp. An
A1|\ AplAttl T)d'|\ CUAlAlti 1T6 6 t)Ut) 6 A peAfA
DA|\ t>'Ainm PA-OJIAIS O "bjuonAin -oo tti Ag ot>Aif\ -DO
Cunc T)e t)ApUfio, AS Dutipop AH tipuAcn nA
*oe Cinn-rhA^A 1 5ConT)A6 n
peipeAn tiom 5j\ tt'e mAigipcij; pgoile 1
5Cont>A6 tunnnij "oo p.mne e. UAinij peAn-CAilteA6
Agup A tnAC ApceACh AS lA^pAit) tOipcin nA n-oit)Ce
A\\ An niAigipcijt pgoile, Agup tug p6 pin -061^, Agup
pioc p6 sp 6 ^ 11 An "OorhAin Ap An n*oiApp6ii\eA6u -00
295
blossom of the patriarchs, of the Virgins and of the angels ;
Hope of Glory, Veauty of the Virgins, Higher Thought of the
angels and of the archangels, remember me, and I pray thee not to
forsake me in the fearsome time of my death. star of the sea,
door of Paradise, temple of God, Palace of Jesus Christ,
Harbour of health, blossom of all nations, pearl of all sweetness.
Queen sheltering the guilty, Hope of the Faithful, O upper
Brightness of the Virgins and of the Angels ; verily it ia thy con-
versation with the angels and with the archangels that is for them a
delight.
Therefore, O Mother of Mercy, I place in the protection of thy
own blessed hands my going out and my coming in, my lying-down
and my rising-up, the sight of my eyes, the touch of my hands, the
speech of my mouth, the hearing of my ears, so that they may be
pleasing to thine own beloved Son. Amen.
Hegarty joined on to the prayer these other words, ending
it, as he began it, with a promise :
There is this much reward in it that he who shall carry it [about
him, written], that he who reads it, that he who listens to it being
read, shall get a life free from sudden death. Tliere is a cure iu it
for fire, for water, for the sea, and against eels [probably a mistake
for e^rcAine cursing] ; in hopes that we may see her three times
before we die. The Son of God and the Virgin grant it to us !
I give here a piece of poetry that is in great esteem in
South Connacht and Munster. The first time I ever heard
it was from a man of the name of Martin Brennan, who
was working for the Count De Bastro at Dubhros, on the
brink of the sea, down from Kinvara. in the County Gal-
way. He told me that it wa3 a schoolmaster in the County
Limerick who made it. An old hag and her son came in
asking a night's lodging of the schoolmaster, and he gave
them that ; and he picked the fun of the world out of the
dispute that started between the pair of them after they
had their meal eaten, and he put it in the form of a poem
296
t>t A\\ pmttAl it)i|t -An mbei|\c nuAijt tit A mbeite itce
ACA, Agup Ctnp p6 i ttpoiiun t>Ain 6. eAj\ t>e tiA
CoilleAnAiti -oo ti Ann pAn mAigiptip pgoile " o t^'P
An t)jAdonAnAi. t)o CAill me, 50 mi-AtiAmAit, An
t)e'n T)An no fst 1 ' ^ m6 6 ^6^1
uAif\ me cdib eile t)e "oo |\mne
x*n-Cloi5 i 5CtA|\ Ctoinne tt1ui|Mf i gcon-oAe rhuig 60
1870. 1f -0615 gup tteul feAn "ouine
O t)j\AonA!n, t)o fst 1 ' ^ feifeAn
f lof e, 6sf\ if polttipAC nA]\ tuig pe cuit) o'-A ftAitt f e
'A fsi\iot).* puAi|\eAf 'nA -DIAJ fin c6ip eite t)e'n
t)An rgfviobtA le ITli6eAtO tomnpe eigm, tTluimneAC,t
-DO cui^eAt) edit) eile t>e i gclO i n-1jupleAt>A|\
pe bliAt)nA 6 pom, 6 t>6Al 6Amum tli
i gconDAe CojiCAig. tli f\Ait> Ann pAn T)An
oi pe t)e meAbAip A$ ^Atnon O |T6sLu$A A6c 144
Unce, ACc CA 220 tine Ann pAn TiAn ITIAJI
Ann po e. Uinne me An OA'n Corh
Agup "oo to'emiji tiom, Ap nA qtf cOipeAnnAiO pe6,
6ip A gcufi, 50 n-Ai|ieAch, i gcompfiAiti te Ceile.
CugAim Ann p nA n6uAiti 5- ^-> A 5 u r V'> A P 60ipeAnnAit>
Seoifpe ttlic 5ioUA-An-Clot5, thiceAl Ui totnnpe,
A\ teit.
An si OCA 's A
T>o jluAif cM^Atn cupt/A i -ocwif HA h-oi-oce,
c, tiubAc, 6 fmtiAt MA ci^e,
x* r>eijice, 'f AS eitiotii CAbAfirA,
'S AS 5uit>e cum T)e A^ SAC Aon T>'A
* CjiwcuJAt) eite ^uji 6 beAt -ouine t)0
f e Ati oijim ConnAccAc AH poctAib mAft poi5t)e i n-Air poi-one, "jc.
t ni't piof AgAm cA|i t>' Af Do'n toinnfeActi f o. CeAnnuij; me
297
A man of the Collinses, the schoolmaster was, according to
Brennan. I lost, unfortunately, all of this poem that I
wrote down from his mouth, but I got another copy of it
that Seoirse Giolla-an-chloig, or Bell, wrote down in Clare-
morris, in the County Mayo, in the year 1870. No rloubt
it was from the mouth of some old person like Brennan he
wrote it down, for it is evident he did not understand a
portion of what he was writing. I got afterwards another
copy of the poem written by one Michael Lynch, a Munstcr-
man, and yet another copy of it was printed in the Gaelic
Journal six years ago from the dictation of Edmund Foley,
in the County Cork. There were only 144 lines in the
poem, as Edmund Foley had it by heart, but there are 220
lines in the poem as I give it here. I have out of these
three copies made tha poem as intelligible as I was able.
after carefully comparing them together. I call, in the
notes, the copies of Seoirse MacGiolla-an-chloig, Michael
Lynch, and Edmund Foley, G., L., and F., respectively.
THE LOUT AND HIS MOTHER
There came to me, right as the night was falling,
In very poor plight, a couple calling,
They were looking for alms and help to save them,
And praying their psalms for whoever gave them. 2
i jcotroAe CottCAij. T)o
coib eite ran ngao-oAt, i n AmejiicA cimciott pice bt,iAX>An 6 f oin,
Accjni riieAf Aim 50 fuio An r-iomtAn Ann.
1 SIOCA is the word in the written copies, except 5. SOCAC, IIOTT.
ever, is the word that I have always heard. It does not appear to ue
known in North Connacht, but Brennan explained it to me to be the
same as SCOCAC, or a grown-up lad. I have translated it " lout," but
I think it hardly conveys so disparaging a meaning.
8 This is something like the metre of the original.
298
t)eAn mop cojiAncA mujifAncA
'S A 1TIAC, 'nA f 10CA tie f OtnACAn T>AnA.
t)i An cAitteAch 50 SAjtfAthAitt
tifneAmAit OAntAmAit fAijeAthAit
t>i Atl f1OCA|| 50 fCUACAC btlAI'OeAftCA bf.6nAC,
pAOi -ooitceAtt 'f f.Aoi 5ftuAim sufi -otiAro fe A
T)o CA5Ai|i fAoi ItiACAf nuAijt T)UA1'6 fe A beite,
CA jiAib A ouAif cum jtuAifeAcc teice.
" C'\ bpuit mo fco^i t>e t>6 'f oe dAOjiA,
C,\ bpil mo ton -oo to 'sr T>'oi-6ce,
CA tipuit mo cAit, CIT> nAi^ tiom innfinc,
Ace AS fouAH te o'f-AtAib A'f mAtAi-6 im' timciott?"
ScAnAf pein 30 ciuin 'f ni -oubjiAf Aen-m-6,
T)o teAgAf mo fuite 50 t>tut te ceite,
tTlAti if mime Aft fAn jAn fAC feA|t ^eijce,
T)o jiinneAf mo JAifte 'f x>o f A 5 A r F^ ceite IAT>.
^i An TMAf ni b'peAtiti nA pAijiif Af xJkefop,1I
T)o contivnj fi fuAf 50 buACAc
T)O COCAf A St 111 ^ T "0 CA1C UA1C6 A
t)0 tAflflAinS ft AntlAf A CUIT) "OAnCA t)105AtCA1f,**
&5 V T An-cit) mop nA6 f.eAt)Aim cuimmuj' Aift.
An CAitteAch :
ITlAi 1 oi|i te -ouAif nA tuAi'o e Ap Aen 6oft,
6 -o' ACAIJI ni bpuAijieAf -oviAif nA beite,tt
HA OA'OAi'6 -oe'n AI^T) ACC nAipe f AoJAtcA,
*S r 4 5 A1 l lc Y A S bjiAicjnb -com' 6|1A 1 6 'f x>om' ceAfA-6.
An SIOCA :
Sux) e An f At oo t^A'o 'f -oo ceAf t,
tYlAji biof A-tAn -oe mnAib -oic-ceitte,
AS jAbAit te feAp gAn ceAt> gAn comAipte,
A impeAf A cteAf JJ 5An meAf jAn pofA-6.
* bpofAnCA (5.)- t geocAmAit. J t)LAf nAmAit (5.).
pUirgac (5-)-
II S5t'obAnn tTlAC giottA-An-Ctois "fuccAcn," Aguf if
"SIOCA" ACA Ann fnA coipeAnnAib eite. T)ubAitic An
tiom gun bACAitt m6f; no "fcocAC " e. IT Tare Af Aefop
299
A big . . ? ? mealy-mouthed (?) woman
And her son, a lump of a bold lout-of-a-fellow,
The hag was indecent-spoken, carnejing, lying,
Plausible (?) full-of-poems and prophecies and sharp-edged.
The lout was surly, troubled, grieved,
Discontented 1 and gloomy until he had eaten his enough.
He disputed in haste when he had eaten his meal,
Where was his reward for travelling with her.
Where is my store of cows and sheep,
Where is my provision by day and night,
Where is my character though I am ashamed to tell it,
But trotting at your heels and bags round about me.
I remained quiet myself and did not say anything,
I closed my eyes tightly together,
For it is often a man who-goes-to-settle a quarrel [goes] astray
without cause.
I had my laugh, and I set them at one another.
The pair were better than Aesops . . . . ?
She stirred herself up .... ? powerfully,
She scratched her hair, and flung from her her pipe,
She drew down all her poems of vengeance,
And a great many more things that I cannot remember.
THE HAG :
As for reward, do not mention it on any account,
From your father I never got a reward or a meal,
Or anything of what-was-honourable, but only worldly shame,
From priests and friars ruining me and torturing me-
THE LOUT :
That is the cause that ruined and tortured you,
As be's [the way with] a number of silly women,
Going with a man without leave or counsel,
Who plays his game without respect, without marriage.
** T)O CAJAlfl Af1 ttlAC.*]* CUtTl OUAT1CA OlOtCUIp (I,.).
tt CijeAf (I.). ++T>o buAileAf A -ope^r (U).
1 Literally " under niggardliness."
300
CAlttSAch :
TO An CAif fin FAS CA^ eif e,*
HA ctumeAt* A-tAn O'A HA-O, cu, A}t Aen-cofi.
'S A tlACCA beAtt 65, p6fCA Af AOnCA,
te -ouit fAn scteAf, jtii-oeAf beAjic b-6 ctAome.
S1OCA :
te ctAonAtt 'f e bux> coi^ x>uic,
x)eitice A\( tAob tiA
50 1 oeA|ibcA oeiriiin muriA bpAij me
50 ftA6At> tDo'n cil/L te oi
CAitteAch :
SeACAtn ATI ni-o fin coix>ce, A
AiftAis xio ftnuAince A'p 5i-6 An tflA
ACA AICI fcop 50 teojt A'f jiomnpfo,
'S nioji oeAjiniA'o ft |tiAtri cjioi-oe nA
SIOCA :
CA m'poijix) |t6 pAtJA, 'f ni peA'ftp OATTI mA|t CA me,
jieAbAX) mo IIACA, 'f 6 FC^ACA-D mo CAbA,
CA mo bjio^A CAicce 'f ni't fnAice Afi mo
A S u r '^ A CC niASAx* 'n A n-Ab|tAnn c, A
CAitteAch :
A ctA'OAipe mAttAijce, 6 cAitm me mnfinc,
t3iAx niofi Atcuij cu mAmin nA oi'oce,
Tli AbjiAnn cu pAi'oiji, A'f geAjifiAnn ru lof A,
1f e PAC c'AnACjiA otcAf T>O 5iiioriiA|icA.
SlOCA :
tTlAife! ni't Aon mAit>in cftA 'f miAn tiom T)uifeAcc,
flAC bpAJAim cu CAitce coif cnAifce no cuinne,
^5 HAT) -oo pAiT^iieACA sup AC x>o stunA, ||
'S nAC bpeicim t>'A bA^tt AJATJ ACC pACAix) s^n AnntAnn,
X)A h-AtpAT) AS bACA1 nA -OUCAIS. IT
*AH lAftiAiTi e (5.)-
t CteAbnof (5.) tli teif oAm ciAlt nA tine f eo.
i oisne (t.). gAitiim cu (t.)-
II "Af: cfAp -oo stuine," xmbAifc An tJjiAonAnAch.
AT? cftuncA" (t.). IT AS tucc TJAnAfCA 'f x)|iuife (5.)-
301
HAG:
As for that case, leave it after you,
Let not on any account many hear you say it,
And such numbers of young women, married and single,
With liking for the game who do a turn more crooked.
LOUT :
As for crookedness, it was that was your right,
Asking for alms on the side of the roads,
For sure and certain unless I got some relief
But I shall go to the churchyard with very-despair.
HAG:
Avoid that thing for ever, you coward,
Change your thoughts and pray to the Virgin,
She has store enough, and she will distribute it,
And she never yet forgot the heart of patience. 1
LOUT :
My patience is too long, and it is none the better for me as I am,
Since my hat was rent and my cape was torn,
My brogues are worn, and there's not a thread [of a stocking] on
my heels,
And there is nothing but mockery in all you say, mother.
HAG:
You cursed villain, since I must tell it,
You never said a grace for your food, morning or night,
You never say a prayer, and you blaspheme 2 Jesus,
The wickedness of your deeds is the cause of your misery.
Lour :
Musha ! there's never a morning when I desire to awake,
That I don't find you thrown beside a bed post or some corner,
Saying your prayers until your knees swelled,
And sure I don't see that you have anything on the head of it
but potatoes without any "kitchen,"
While the [other] beggars of the country have meat to gobble.
1 i.e. The heart that is patient 2 Literally. " cut."
302
CAilleAch :
A mentis mAltAisce, mAtLAcc mo cfioi-oe o^c,
"Do tiAts nA f ASAftc ni meAf Ann cu fC}iiocAX> ;
'S 50 bf.uil nA nAoith A'f An eAslAif AS ceAjAfS nA nx>Aoine,
-oo tiA boicc ceApAT) nA plAiiif mA]i fv
S1OCA :
ITlA'f -oo nA boicc ceApA-6 nA lAitif
'S 5U|t AIC e bpuit pAifrinje beACA 'sT "O'S 6 ^nn,
tlA|i c6|tA T>UIC pjieAbAX) 50 CAPA "oo fgiotit) Ann,
tlA beic AS fiubAt bAitce, tons eipciof (?) nA h-oi-oce?
CAitteAch :
A clA'OAitte niAttAisce, mAttAcc mo ctei6 Ofic,t
tlo An nit) e x>o meAfAif x>Am,J pfieAbAX) x>e teim Ann.
tlA tlAoim A'J* nA h-AbfOAit 'f An GAjtAif nAomcA,
tli fiACAro i feitb nA bplAiteAp 30 n-
SlOCA :
AIC com T)Ain5ion fin, gAn geACA jAn ceim, e,
'S nAc bpwispeAt) xjume cAfA-6 'gcionn feAccm<xm' no tAe A
Ap eAstA eAfnAth no eAfbAi-6 mo beite,
T)o b'peAtiii tiom beic AS bAite AS fceAltAx>i| nA oeijice.
'Se AiATJ-jiiosAcc nA bplAiteAf An peA^AncAf nAomtA,
6 nAc scAfAnn Aon neAc Ap CA^AIT) nA AJI ceite,
tlt't ceo, ni't peACAX>, ni't Ain'oeif A-p Aon Ann,
Act s^-O't 1 A S u r ^cAf 'f ni fAT)A teo A
SIOCA:
AIC com mAit fin SAH obAiji s At1 S n
'S 50 6[Mi5inn-fe comcjiom, A'f cot>t,Ax> mo
'S 50 bpuil, biA-6 'sf bAinne 'sf fAijifmse m6|t Ann,
To fACAinn fnA pt/Aitif 50 TJCISBAT) An
* tlA beic i sctiinne cAfCA sn cjiApA'6 oo cuncA (5.)-
t tCASAT) nA CjlAOl 0(1C (t.)' + & n AliltAl-O X>O m6Af A1|1 t)Am.
Ay eAstA mo mAfl/t)5AT> mAf. seAtt Af mo beit/ixie (5.)-
II " Af CAlt A " (t). " Ais f ci Alt Aim " (5.)-
303
HAG:
Accursed rebel, the curse of my heart upon you,
To physician or priest you never think to submit,
And sure the saints and the church are teaching the people
That for the poor were the heavens framed, for liberty.
LOUT :
If it was for the poor the heavens were framed, for liberty,
And, that it is a place where there is plenty of food and drink
in it,
Wasn't it better for you to hurry quickly to visit (?) it,
Than to be travelling townlands seeking food (?) for the night.
HAG:
You cursed villain, the curse of my bosom on you.
Or is it a thing that you thought for me to skip into it of one
leap.
The Saints and the Apostles and the Holy clergy,
They will not go into the possession of the heavens till they die.
LOUT:
If it is a place so fenced, without a gate or a step,
And that a person shall not find [himself able] to return at the
end of a week or a day,
For fear of want or lack of any meals,
I would sooner be at home squirting (?) alms.
HAG:
The high kingdom of the heavens is the holy territory,
Since no one meets [there] his friend or consort,
There is no fog, there is no sin, there is no ill-plight on anyone
in it,
But glory and joy, and they do not think their days long.
LOUT :
If it is a place so good, without work, without business,
And that I would get fair play and my enough of sleep,
And that there is food and milk and great plenty in it,
I would go into the heavens until the harvest would come.
304
CAiU/eAch :
H'l gleO Ann tlA obAlft, nA C05AT), nA COnijIAC,
ni't bftuit), tiA cojiAn, TIA cox)tA i 6, TiA jno Ann,
Tli'l ceo, ni'L peACA-6, tii't tAff-ACA '-065' Ann,
Adc ceotcA AS Aingit A'f lonroAt) gtoijte.
SlOCA :
tttunA bpuit [in] oo beACA ]<nA ^:lAitif ACC ceotcA,*
Tli bf AijeAT) [An] botg bocc octiAc fpotic Ann,
'DA nAoirii A'f 'nA h-Ainjit/ AJ sfieA-OAt) A gcuit) ceolcA,
t)A binne tiom cojiAn An po^A 'mbeic fpol Ann,
HA -oofm t)e bocAnnA-6 5O|imA ]t6frA, t
Co-oAit, A CAittij.J 'f HA h-AbAi|i niof mo tiom,
'S nuAiji ii^CAitt fnA plAtcif nAft CAJAI'D cu beo Af.
CAit/leAch :
tTlA'f beo no niA-fib oAm, mAt/t/Acc mo cjioixie ojtc,
T)o tiAi nA fAjAttc ni mCAfAnn cu
-Ace moroe mAtlAijte, peACA-6 A'
tli |tACAi'6 f-iAtii 50 pAjif-tAf peAjt no jniom-fA,
'S 50 bf.A5f.An:> TJO coijieACA i n-if^ionn fi'of tu.
SIOCA :
munA -orei-6 Aon peACAc 50 pA|if.tAf coi-oce
Acr An ce beAf beAnnAijie, beix) f Aijifinje flise Ann,
triA'f -oAoti A'f mA'f -oAniAncAll AH r6 LeAnAf mo flise-
CA bliAx>Ain A'f fice 6 bill iffiionn tioncA,
'S tii stAcpAixie [Ann] mife, te h-uif.eAfbuix> ftije Ann.
CAltteACh :
An CJIA bi nA h-Abft)At AJ ceAgAfg nA nx>f.Aoiie
'SAn fCAccmA-6 CAibit)it, 'f e peA-OAft t)O fgf- 1 ' 00 e>
5^11 b'e -oubAiiic An teAnb T)o ceAnnvnj nA milce
An ce feAnf.A-6 A]i iAlAiii e, tiA6 ptAiceAf but) -oi'on t)6.
* Both t. and 5. seem ungrammatical here, the one reading
bpuit t)o beACA ... AC An fopc fAn, the other tnAfi bf uit x)o
beACA ... AC ceotcA.
t This line occurs only in t. I don't know what bocAnnA-6 is.
I All three make (wrongly, I think) the vocative of cAitt/eAch
"A CAiltij," but 5. also has A cAitteAch. Only in t.
305
HAG:
There is no quarrelling in it, nor work, nor war, nor fight,
There is no captivity, nor noise, nor sleep, nor business in it,
There is no fog, there is no sin, there are no flames burning in it,
But music with the angels, and much of glory.
LOUT :
If there is nothing in your life in the heavens but music,
The poor hungry belly would not get much spirit in it ;
The saints and the angels hammering at their musics,
I'd sooner be listening to the noise of a pot that there'd be
a joint in.
Or a fistful of blue roasted . . . (T)
Go to sleep, you hag, and say no more to me,
And when you go to heaven may you never come back alive out it I
HAG:
Whether I am alive or dead, the curse of my heart upon you ;
To physician or priest you never think to submit,
But cursed oaths, sin, and wicked crime.
A man of your deeds shall never go to Paradise ;
For sure your crimes shall leave you down in hell.
LOCT:
If no sinner ever goes to Paradise
But [only] he who is blessed, there will be plenty of room in it.
If condemned and if damned is he who follows my way,
Then it's a year and twenty since hell was full,
And I would not be received in it for want of space.
HAG:
When the Apostles were teaching the Druids,
In the seventh chapter it is Peter who wrote it
Sure it is what the Child said who redeemed the thousands ;
He who would deny Him on earth that heaven would not be his
protection.
I! Ac ma'r f Aop no t)AmAnrA (5.).
If PA bliAX>Ain Ajuf piece beij (U).
306
SIOCA:
pf1Ain * X>6 peA-OAf. tAbAIJIC -OAnAtltA Af A6n T1CA6,
*S 5 U F 5 eA W 4n 6Aifmif.c x>o feAfAirh fe fein Ann,
T)A rnbu-u pt6 -66 te cAillij jAn eAjijiAT) gAn 6AT>Ach
SATI c6iji gAn coriitftom ACC co-ot,At> 'f JAC Aen cij,
miolA TJA p|tiocA-6 fAoi jiobAilt tiA t>eiiice,
t)u-6 fcuACAc ATI t)uine e, 'f tjo cloippeAx> An fAOJAt e.
CAitleAch :
Sut Af buAiteAt* tufA otim if mime -oo teij m6
xXf lob A x>'putAin5 An icmA^cuix) peme,
t)t tniolA 'f jeAftbA AI^, CA^riA, juf toib^e,
^S^P FAif fe nA ptAicif ^oe bA^^A nA jroij-oe,
An c-AHUf bjieAj beAnnuigce tneAfAim nAc
SlOCA :
A cAittij ! teij peAf CA oo't> jteo tiom,
t>Aili5 oo -oeitic, 6 if e bu-6 coin -ouic,
tlo cuififi'6 me -puc-r-A cujifA
oo cuiji tuiceji cuijtc fAn
****
If m-6 e bf.uil fuil A'f -ouiL JAC Aenne Ann,
1f meAfA 50 mop -oo jnocAix) femeAC,||
AS feAnAt CtiiofCA A'f "olije nA
, A cAittijIT nA bAc Liom Afi Aon coji,
An ce cuAificeocAX) o'Aisne, 'f meAfA cu
* tliojt SAT) -06 (p. and t.). t PACAI-OB (I.), PUCCA (5.)
Thus 5. cui^feATj-fA Aijti Aft fcviifn no nAi|ieAch (t.)
Thus 5. t. has f unnc (?) -p. omits.
|] It is curious to find this Munsterism reproduced in giott
Cloij's copy, but the rhyme requires a dissyllable. Another Munster
form is
IT " Scop, A CAilteAch " (5.) I have noticed that this voc. is some-
times but not often used in 5.
307
Lour:
Peter should have been in no hurry to speak roughly of anyone,
For sure it was short the struggle himself stood !
If he had to be arguing with a hag and he without means or
clothes,
Without right or fair play, but sleeping in every house,
Lice pricking him under the rags of poverty,
He'd be a surly man, and the world would hear him [yelling].
HAG:
Before you were struck on me, 1 it is often I read
Of Job, who suffered excess of pain,
There were lice and sores on him, scab and leprosy,
And he got the haavens on the head of his patience
The fine blessed dwelling which I'm thinking you will not get !
LOUT:
Listen, you hag ; let be your quarrelling any more ;
Collect your alms, for it's it was your right,
Or I will put a false course (?) under you,
As Luther put ...(?) in the Pope,
HAG:
****
It is a thing which everyone's expectation and desire is in. 2
But far worse are your own doings,
To be denying Christ and the law of the clergy.
LOUT :
Listen, you hag, and don't mind me at all.
Whoever would search your mind [would find] that you are
\v,>rse yourself.
1 i.e., before I met you to my cost.
2 In 5. she argues, in two lines which I omit as they are not in the
other versions, that her own sinning is only natural. She is an Anti-
nouiian. and the poet means to expose her as such.
308
CjtiopcA * tii jtACAnn f e btAt>Ap: 6 Aen neAc
Ace fieip; colA AH AcAp; pAn bplAifceAp, TOO
'S 50 bp.eicim-pe t f AJAJIC 'TIA peApAm 'HA teme
A jniom 'f A teAgAfs peAcc n-ACp;A 6 ceile.
CAilleAch :
HA bAC teip TIA pAjAipc, cAbAift Aip;e -ouiu peineACh
'S e TTlAOif T)O ceAp IATJ 'f tug AiceAncA T)e ouirm, J
'f TIA h-AbfCAlt, A T)' ACCU1J 1AT) tlA X)ei5 fill,
An peACAij cum 'AnAm oo oeAnArii,
Cum porA-6 A'f bAipceA'o A'p Aipjuonn T>O teijeA-o -ouinn.
te popAX) ip jno yo -oAop e,
Cjii guineA 6i|i A5up c'tioin -oo'n ctei|ieAch,
5lAOX)CAH 50 h-A|fO Af CAI^'Olt) An CUpl/A,
Cum AI^SIT) o'pAJAil, bionn ptAcA AJI pciup Ann,
'S munA n-iocAnn cu tAicfteAC CAI^I oo bpucA.
Till the bishop is paid ni teijceAft Nobis,
'S, A cAittij, nAc -oAOtt e An cEgo Vobi.
'S guf b'e t>eiti JA6 Aon CA^I eip tiA ngnotce
b'6 An mAmtiAm (?) pego -oo snixieAp An popA-o.H
Ip ACC pAn rt\\ 'gup ip -otije p.6 coiji 6,
'S ip -ouine gAn cp;oix)e nAc mbionn i 3coi|t leif,
6 tup An cpAoJAit CA xjlije Ajup op-tj teip,
QAibi A'p ITlAOipe Gio'OAti popcA,
A'p -oe'n uipse oo jni-oeAt) Cp-iopc pi'on Ap;
'S ip AnAm oo biot> i ToctjeAp
* Cp.iopc and Cp.iopCA are both used as nominatives.
t'S 50 bpeicionn pe (U).
t^euc ttlAOip -oo ceApA-6 cum ArAncA t)e o'pAJAit (t.)-
This is what I heard verbally. 5. has mAft ccije cu ion
CAip t)o &JIUCA. L omits this line and . the next four as well.
|| An Matterapeak A niopAn poApAX). 5- Both lines are corrupt
and unintelligible. HTJon coniAp;pAin. 5.
** A miec Aij; -ofp. 5.
309
Christ does not accept bladher or flattery from anyone,
But to do according to the will of the Father who is in heaven.
And sure I see the priest standing in his vestments,
And his actions and his teaching are seven acres apart.
HAG:
Never mind the priests, take heed to yourself.
It is Moses who established them and gave us God's command-
ments ,
Christ and the Apostles who afterwards appointed them by act,
Guiding the sinner to make his soul,
To read us [the services of] Marriage and Baptism and Mass.
LOUT:
As for marriage it is too dear a business,
Throe gold guineas and a crown to the clerk.
The friends of the couple are loudly called upon,
To get money a plate is ssnt steering,
And unless you pay on the spot you are a brute.
Till the Bishop is paid 1 the " Nobis " is not read,
And, you hag, isn't it a dear business the Ego Voa,
And sure what everyone says after all the business
IB, that it is the mamram 2 pego (?) which makes the marriage.
HAG:
It (i.e. Marriag*) is a statute in the country, and it is a very just
law,
And it is a heartless person who does not consent to it (?),
From the beginning of the world there is law and ordinance
for it,
David and Moses were married,
And it is of water Christ used to make wine at the marriage
feast,
And it is seldom he used to be in a disgraceful house.
1 These wor.ls are in English.
2 It is hard to say what Latin word the Lout means here.
310
SIOCA :
if bAot, A cAittij, 'r if teAtn TJO
'S T>A mbeiceA-fA mApb Ap rtiAix>in AmApAch
'S 50 mbeAjipAinn cum fAjAipc cu, ceAnjAitce i
Hi tei3f.eAt> "Guic Aippionn JATI Aip5CAX> tAime.
'S i jcuftfAi-oe An CApcAnAif if feApb teif CJIACC Aift.
CAitt/eAch :
5^n conjnAtfi TIA fAjAjic bu-6 -ooitij AJI fAOfiA-6,
niAH if no-A|fo An c-Ainm [AJ] peAji ionAi-o T)e A5Ainn,*
1f nix) e 50 mAiceAnn fe peACAX) A'f -OAOp-cyiti,
'S if cmnce gup ceApA-6 r^ 1 5 e beACA ^A pei-p -06.
SIOCA :
6ipc, A cAillij, no cAitpeAt) cu Ainotfi t
CAX> e An rptise beACA cuj peAt>Aft oo'n pApA,
x\cc peAjiAncAf ft6ibe Aguf jieirn nA
'S 51171 fiof AC An f AOJAI 5p b'e bwo
-An beACA 50 teift beic A5 pjieim-fliocc tucAi]i.
1f t)viine jAn cettt cu, 'f if bpeAg A
Tlo neAC cuippeA^o fpeif 1 mbpeic-pib
TlACAi'o peAjt Aft An gcoitt 50 mbAirifix) fe fsiupf
go mbuAitfixi A teAnb AJ cup fmAcc A^uf fciutp
If SAifii-o Anr>iAi5 An f.eAfi5 DO riiucA-6
gup mite meAfA teif An teAnb nA An f5iupfA.
1f gAipix) An cupfA An cuij te comAipCAm ||
1TlAicpeAt> An coi|t if beix> An fjiupfA xioijce,
fteibe 'juf |\eim nA h-Aice
T)e A'f An t)eAptA CAittce.
SIOCA :
flA CpA6c tlOm, A CAlttlj, Afl bACA nA Aft fS1U)lfA,
1f micix) xioib beic CAicce 6 bAppA 50 fcumpA,
tTlAp A bfAi^fo An c-ACAip An teAnb te munA'o
T)o beip fe A mAttAcc t>o 'f teigeAnn cum pubAit e.
ionnA
- omits this line, probably not understanding Aiciom, which is
not a Connacht word. JpeApAn if jtebe if y eim coise. U
Aoinne. t. " C6 duipf eAch. 5.
II If 5Aifiit> An compf A An cuig te compAim (5.)) which alone
gives this line, and t. the next three.
311
LOUT :
Silly, you hag, and foolish are your sayings;
Sure if you were dead to-morrow morning
And I were to bring you to a priest tied up in a bag
He would not read a Mass for you without hand- money,
And as for charity, 1 the name of it is bitter to lain.
HAG:
Without the help of the priests it were hard to save us,
For it is very high is the nams that God's representative has,
It is a thing that he forgives sin and evil crime,
And it is certain that a way of living was planned for him
accordingly.
LOUT:
Listen, you hag, or I must convict (?) you,
What is the way of living Peter gave the Pope,
But mountain territory and the rule of the country,
And sure the world knows that it is he who was most guilty
For all the means of life going to the descendants of Luther.
HAG:
You are a person of no sense, and it is a lie you have spoken,
Or anyone who would have liking for the words of Luther.
A man will go to the wood till he cut a scourge
Till he beat his child to put manners and decency on him,
But it is a short time after quenching his anger
Till he thinks a thousand times more of the child than of the rod,
It is a short space of time it takes to count " Five,"
The fault will be forgiven ere it is counted and the rod burned.
Mountain territory and the sway of the place
Be to the Church of God and the English language lost.
LOCT :
Don't talk to me, you hag, of stick or of scourge,
They ought to be worn out [by this time] from the top to the stump.
Unless the father gets the child taught
He gives him his curse and he lets him go.
J This seems to be the Southern meaning of CAttCAHAf, literally
" friendship."
312
CAitteAch :
An ce -o'ltntis 6'n ACAIJI te peA-ps gAn f.eix>ceAch,
1 gciAncAib OAnnAficA A bpAT> 6 riA JAolcAtb,
gAti fuit te cAfAT> -06 1 gcAiceATTi A tAece,*
tlAif cAims fe A-bAtte CAf. eif A ceA^imA,
T)o cug fe A beAnnAcc oo, 'f mAfib fe tAo 06,
'S Ati ce o'pAn fAti mbAite nioji triAjit) fe je -66.
SIOCA :
T)o b' Ati-pA-oA An peAfij e, "f niop bpuj 1 "? A
'S bux> thicit> oo CAfA'o X>A gcAffAX) fe Af; Aon 6011,
'S 50 bptnt fe fuijre -oeA|ibcA AJ sjtAtin (?) An
tlAc tpuit t>f.eAm Af; ATI CAtArh if meAfA nA Papists
'S An ce -oi'ol CfiOf CA nAf; -oiob f em e ? +
Cf-eAt) CA AQA pein te teijeA-o nA mnfinc
ACC An f.Ut> A o'pAJ CAtbm An CtAmpA'DOIJI fjf lOOCA,
'S 50 bpuit occ sceAX) occ troeic Agup occ nAoice ||
T)o tictteACAib CAm-fjeAt A'f bjieAj 'nA mt)iobtAib.
CA' 'uit An re if mo oo teij x>e UJ^AIJI
ConnAipc nAorii no PAIJ -oe p|ieirii-ftiocc tucAif?1F
CA 'uit An ce connAijic Cf.iofC nA ttlAOif nA oceAtnpott,
HA pobAt nA CIA-DACCA CCACC 'nA jcAtnpA ? **
tli teAnAnn CfiofC ACC bmn An ceAtnpoitt tt
'S CA XMmAncA nA mitce A|t An mbiobtA
SIOCA:
T) ACjiAnn if peA^n t)uinn
c|tioc nA beACA nAfi oAtnAncAfi Aon neAch, J+
fi finneA-6 r>e peACA-6 AJ CtAnn A-OAUTI A'f ebA,
* 5. alone has this also. t ^5 SAfAnAij teAbcAij (5.).
J'6A'6pA'6 pein e, 5., which alone has this line, but I have heard
or seen it elsewhere.
Camden An ctAmmpfteoip (t.). I! O6c n-Aon pnijce (t.).
irt)o CAimc nAorii nA pAij oif; ff.eibftiocc Luther, 5., which
alone has this line which I have edited as above.
** no AbpobAt mAf; Aon -fiif An eAj;tif $Att-OA (t.).
ttni bAineAnn -oo CfiofC AC miAn An ceAmpAtt (5.) Neither
version is clear to me. -p. omits a great deal of the end of the poem.
313
HAG:
He who went from his father with anger without making-it-up
Into wild foreign parts, far from hi* kindred,
Without hope of ever returning throughout his days,
When he did come home after his term
He (the father) gave him his blessing and killed a calf for him,
And he who remained at home he did not kill him (even) a goose.
LOUT:
It must have been a very long anger, and it must have been
hard to settle it,
And it was time for him to return if he were to return at all,
And sure it is settled and proved by the English-speaking
rabble (?)
That there is no people in the world more evil than " Papists,"
And he who sold Christ was not he one of them himself ?
HAG:
What have they themselves to read or to tell,
Except what Calvin, the disturber, left written,
And sure there are eight hundreds, eight tens, and eight nines
Of letters of crooked import and of lies in their bibles.
Where is he who has most read authors
Who ever saw a saint or a prophet amongst the root-stock of
Luther ?
Where is he who ever saw a Christ or a Moses in their church,
Or the people of godlinss coming into their camp ?
Christ only follows the gable of the Church,
And the thousands are damned through the foreign bible.
LOUT:
Let us leave off disputing, it's best for us to settle it,
At the end af his life may there be no one damned ;
Sure after all the sin tha'. was committed by the children of
Adam and Ere
5<Mi t>AOfi-coitt triAltaiscA ni oAtrmoi-oieti Aon neo,ch
Only in U
314
Se oufoAitic ATI teAtitb -oo ceAnnuij 50 x>Aori fitin
'S T>O X>6lfiC A CU1T) f-OlA 'f t>O CfiOCA-O -OA'H fAOIlAX)
T)A mbeir An -ouine com T>b teif nA -OAolcAib
fitt orim f.eAf CA A'P f tAtip. Aix> me f.em f it>. *
51-oeA-o, t -oeiri f AjAifir btiAic|ie A*f cteijie
5f,A-6 "Oe AJUf CAjICAnAf ^tAtlpAf gAC AOH TieAC,
Cei|ii5 Ati mAi-oin A'f ceAnnuij -OAm terne,
p6fpAi-6 me peAfCA 'f m pAnf AIT> m Ag pie
Sin eAccjtA TIA cAitlije 'f ATI t)Aitcin
SgtiiobtA piof i bpioji 'f i n-eiceAcJ
teij so fAim 6 ftAttTt 50 cut i,
A'f piofftuij "oe CAC CIA 'CA b'peAttTi T>e'Ti cuptA.
IDA rA bAOtf Ann, CTtiofc t>A tteToceAch, !|
C|t6cAi|te 6 *t)iA OfittAitin 'f IAJIJIAX) JAC Aon e.
in f-An fgeut fin, "T)6it\c r\A
*oo txAinig fs^CA 'o^'OAol ^triAC Af be^t
t>o t>i ^5 |:AgAil bxiif. t)ut> IAT> pn
TO t>i -AS ceA6c AmAt Aifci : no
t>'tAt) n^ T>MttxMt pem -oo tii ^5 pAn-Arh^inc i
An t)6it, teip x\n AnAm -oo
50 mt)eAt\pAt)Aoif Ai|\. A
An rut) fin, T>O ptJAif me Af feAn-lAirhf5t\itiinn T>O
6eAnnuig me 6 eAt\ i gCon-OAe nA H1n!>e. 1 teit Cuinn
TDO fgftiotiAt) i, ACc ni ^eA*OAim A fAt) An fgrtitimn
ConnAtCAC !. 1f "061$ tiom 50 tipuit An leAtA|i f o iDiri
T)4 6eAt) ] C|\i CeAT) t>liAt)An t)'AOif , A6c if fine 50
An 6Ainc ACA Ann 'nA An fgfitimn fem, tr>Afi if
6 nA f eAn-f.oijMniti ACA mnci, mAfi " CAimgfec," "jc.
*C6f [cAf] oftmfe Ajuf jeAtpA-o me -peiTi tu (5.)-
tThus I read the contraction in t., which appears like
5. reads "fin -oAilcin Ajuf cAiltiAC
which seems to be misplaced.
315
It was what the Child said who bought us dearly,
Who poured out his blood and who was crucified to save us,
That if a man were as black as the beetles
Return to me henceforth and I myself shall make you whole.
Howsoever, priests and friars and clergy say
That it is love of God and charity that shall save every one.
Go to-morrow morning and buy me a shirt,
I'll marry after this and I wont remain arguing with you.
There are the Adventures of the Hag and the accomplished
Youngster
Written down, both truth and lies,
Read it quietly from end to end 1
Aud enquire of each, which was the best of the pair.
If there is folly in it Christ make it right !
Mercy from God on us, and let each one ask it.
We have seen in the story of Christmas Alms how a flock
of dardkeels came out of the mouth of the evil woman who
was dying. These were the bad spirits that were coming
out of her, or, perhaps, they were the devils themselves who
were waiting at the door of the mouth for the soul to come
out of the heart that they might seize it. Here is a very
wonderful story about this that I got in an old manuscript
that I bought from a man in the Co. Meath. It was written in
Leath Clminn, but I cannot say whether it is a Connacht
writing or not. This MS. appears to be between two and
three hundred years old, but the language that is in it is much
older than the manuscript itself, as is evident from the old
forms' that are in it, such as tainiyset [for thangadar], etc.
An CAdAije (5.) te bjns T le h-eipeA6c (p.).
I,. omits the summing up.
These two lines occur only in .
|| Thus I edit 5., which runs IYIA cu bAOif^neAn CfitofOA X>A
jieACACC, t. has none of the last six lines.
1 Literally "from top to back."
316
Hi rheApAim 50 tipuil Aon c6ip eile -o'
flAOirh p6t copmuil leip -An gcovp pco. 1p "0615
cumA-6 i Ap Tcup, Agup CA c<5ip eile t>e
nA SipiA, -j ceAnn eite 1 tAit)ion. C-4
fo le -pAgAil 1 f eAii-A|to-5eAFtttAinip, i toc-
lAnnAip, i typpAincip, -\ 1 SlAtiAip. CA An C6ip tAi-one
ip peAfip -j ip ?woe fte, te |:AAit mpAn mBiblio-
th^que Nationale Ag pApip. ACc ni'l p.ocAt mnci
(nA inpAn ng^igip nA mpAn SijMt>ip) Af imteACc An
AnmA Ap An gcopp,* nA A|\ tlAorh HliCeAl Ag -o^AnAtn
An e6lAif T)o tlAotn p6l 50 leAt)Ait> An T)uine t>o t!
AS AgAil Mip. Hi pei-oiji A fVA-6, int)iu, An e Af A
CeAnn pein 1)0 Cum 5^ e>i:)e ' A ^ ^5 in An m6At) pin, no
An AipujAiugAt) 6 AJ\ CCip lAiT)ne eile AC^ CAittce
Anoip. 1p copriiuil An piopA po leip An "CeAngA
"bit-lltiAi!)," no te " n-Aipling UtmDAit," t)o cui|\eA-6
ip T)6i5, i njAe^eits 6'n "LAi"oion. Hio]\ pj\it AJVIAIII
Aon rsfuoinn tAi-one -oe'n " CeAngA t)ic-Hti<vo." 1T1A
tji A leiteit) AjxiAtfi Ann Agup ip cinnce 50 fAib
ip coprhuil nA6 bpuil pe A^ p.AAil Anoip. 1p
'0615 50 t>p.uit 51OCA1-6 eiLe Ann -oe feAn-lic]\i'6eACc
* The nearest approach to the awful scene of the hunting out of
the poor soul as described by the Irishman is as follows I have re-
duced thespelling to the ordinary Latin standard "Etiterumrespexi,
et vidi omnem contcmptiim peccatoris, et omnia quae egit, et in
unum asteterunt ante eum in hora neccssitatis : et factuni est ei in
ilia hora quae minabatur de corpore ejus, ad judicium, et dixi,
melius erat ei si non fuisset natus. Et post haec venerunt simul
sancti angeli et maligni, et anima peccatoris. Et sancti angeli
locum non invenerunt in ea. Maligni autem angeli coraminati sunt
ipsius ; qui cum educerent earn de corpore comrnonuerunt earn
angeli tercio, dicentes. misera anima, prospice carnem tuain
uiide existi ? Necesse est enim te revertcre in carne tua in diem
resuri-ectionis, ut recipins peccatis tuis oondignum et impietatum
tuarum. Et cum produxissent praecessit earn conpnetus angelus et
I uo not think that there is any other version of St.
Paul's vi ion that is like this one. It was, probably, first
composed in Greek 1 , and there is another version of it in
Syriac, and another in Latin. This story is also to be
found in old High German, in Danish, French, and Slavonic.
The best and longest Latin version 2 of it is to be found in
the Bvbliotheque Nationale, at Paris, but there is not a word
in it nor in the Greek nor in the Syriac of the going of
the soul out of the body, or the angel Michael's guiding
St. Paul to the bed of the man who was dying. It is im-
possible to say now whether it was out of his own head some
Gael composed that, or whether it is a translation of some
other Latin copy that is now lost. This piece is like the
"Ever New Tongue," or the "Vision of Tundal," which
were, probably, translated into Irish from the Latin. But no
Latin original of the " Ever New Tongue" has been found.
If such ever existed and it is certain that it did it is likely
that it is lost now. No doubt there are other pieces of the
ancient literature of Christendom as well as the "Ever New
Tongue " that would now be entirely lost but that the
Gaels saved them, and the bulk of this story belongs to such a
ait ad illam : misera aiiima, ego sura angelus adhaerens tibi, referens
quotidie ad dominum opera tua maligna quaecunque egisti per
noctem vel diem, etc.
It will be seen from this that the Irish composition bears only the
smallest possible resemblence to the Latin, until the description of
hell is arrived at. The Latin contains 51 chapters or sections, and
de,;ls with St. Paul's account of Paradise and other wanderings as
well as with his description of the infernal regions. It is to be found
in Apocrypha Anecdote, by Montague Rhodes James. Cambridge,
1898.
1 See Tischendorf, " Apocalypses Apocrypha;, "34 -69.
'-' Hermann Bnuulea published three abbreviated Latin versions of
it at Hulie iu 1SS3.
318
IIA CfiOfCtngeAccA, CAOD-Atmii t)e'n
Oit-tluA-6, " T)O tieiC cAittce A\\ AT> Anoip, ACC
gup fAbAit nA S^ 6 * 1 ^ 1AT) > 1 5 U F "o^ 00 T in -A*
if mo oe'n fgeAt f o. UA " p^ip tlAoim pot "
leAtA|\ tD|\eAC, -ACc ni'l pocAt Ann A|\ An Aifling f eo.
ACc CA T)A 1 OiAo6-66ip eite "61 le pAgAit f An AcAT)Airh
, nA6 Gpuit 6om niAiu, Corn lAn, n^ Corh
te mo c6ip-fe.* Aj\ An xvobAri pn beifvim mo
pein Ann po, te n-A pADAit 6'n mt)Af, ] cuipim
te nA ti-Aif nGcAi'd Af An t>A c6ip eite.
AS fo cuncAf Af tAim-f5fiDinn gAe'deitse eitef
Ap tlAorh p6t: '"Ouine beAg "oeArtoit An c-AppcAt pot.
StmeAin teAtnA Aige. A$Ait)J OAn, 50
pofvufOAj Aige. A ceAnn beAg. Suite
gtmne Aige. 1TlAtAit)|| ^A-OA, f|\on feAfAriiAc, -\ peur-og
-oo vuAi tiAt."
Hi Atfitngim Aon ocAt mfAn fseut f o, ACC
"eA" i teAbAit) "e" Aguf 1 teAbAiti "10,
Anoir*
pAT)A
cnioCA t)eieAtiHACA AH t)tnne AS A
pot GAfbAtt 1 n-Am Aifii^e 1
bA Ainm Smi^nA i 50^16 nA SipiA, -\ if AtfitA *oo t>i p6t
23 23
S<ui AcAt)Aim nioJAmAit, .-]. - --- Ajur -j
I. I/ I. 4
B oji^A nifriA tiocAib peo. CitfocnuijceAti A mA|i fo, "qtioc Ai|i
cjiioc -oeijionAc An -ouine te T)otiinAtl rtlAC Slieeliy, An Q'A-O tA to
Novr., jAn ceAnncA boijTO nA t?itinj- > e A mbAile piecAjfOA CAot> te
319
category. There is a " Passion of St. Paul " in the Leabhar
Breac, or Speckled Book, but there is not a word about this
vision in it. There are two other bad copies 1 of this piece
to be found in the Royal Irish Academy, which are neither so
good, nor so full, nor so ancient as my version. Accordingly
I give my version here, carefully compared with the other
two, to save it from death.
Here is an account of St. Paul, from another Irish manu-
script, ' : A small, miserable-looking person was the apostle
Paul. Broad shoulders he had ; a white face, with a
sedate demeanour. His head small. Pleasant, bright eyes
he had. Long brows, a projecting (?) nose, and a long
beard, with a little grey hair."
I change no word in this story, but write ea for e and to,
and I correct now and again the orthography of a word, and
add long accents.
THE LAST END 2 OF THE MAN WHO LEADS A
BAD LIFE.
The Apostle Paul, upon a certain time, chanced to be in
a city of the name of Smyrna, in the land of Syria. And
Aoir An CiAjtnA, 1814." CjtfocnuijceAtt B mAfi
" .\fi riA fSftioGAx) te UitliAm 6 JTeAfiJAoile A CAoftAjicuitt i bpAfi-
Aipce Cutnonn 1 5ComoAe muilteAnn 5eAjt|i."
f'AjinA fst'iob te hGo^An CtomAnAC fAn ceApA Afi An CAo6
bo hiiAij; t>e ftiAft nA mbAnn pionn, n>ifi piASAfiT) "] muittin nA
i"(c). J"Ai5h,"MS.
4, MS. II mAilije, MS.
,23 ,23
1.17 a d O
Literally " the last endings."
320
eAT>An$ui-6e T)6 uile*-CuniACCAi5 JM ni-6 615111 -oo
ip|tmti -oo tAifbeAiiAt) -00, ionnuf 50 [mbut)]
m6iT)e f A tfeAnf-At) coil t)e 6, ) -oo bfeAftf-
DOHA puible An cAifbeAnA-6 fin f.Aj;Ail.
mbeit "06 AS guitbe "O6 AmlAit), cig 651^6 -O'A ionn-
fuit)e, i 'o'\Appl x\i|t 'Out teif, A ne-4|\uuAt) -0111116 m
A Cfiei-ooAtn -oo tM 1 bpumc A' Mif . T)o jlu^if pot
leif An ogtAC cum r\A h-^ice A pdib AH -otjine cinn, -|
oo ^UxMjA e [^5] f pxMjin teif An mt)Ap, |\ompA. So An
moti A fgA^Ann An c-AnAm teif An gcopp (mAp A-oeip
S. t)epnAt\t), Aon T>O A^'o-'Oocctifvit) nA Ufion6it)e).
f e 50 t)ci5 An tAf 'nA -oeitb fruAip AnAitne -66-
A5 gAOAlt T)0 t6A}lpA1o|| "} "OO fAOlgTMO fAn
i 05 AJI -ouuf infnA buiU FoijMmileACA, mAfi
1 gCjAOiiieir nA nibonn T nA mbAf, mpiA euif-
m gA6 bAll eile -oo'n 6oj\p,** no 50 tuiAigeAnn
An u-AnAm uAfAt fxoirhe Af ^AC bAtt -oo'n copp, mAp A
t^uAigeAf An c-iAfgAifie AH [c-iJAf[s] po 6uAfAib nA
bAbAnneff (?) guf An AnA6 A mbi An Uon nAfuitbe cum
A ngAbAt. TllAt; fin T>O $nit) An bAf A' f uAgAti An
AnAm |\oime guf An cnoi"6eJJ ^An 6eAt>*bAlt be6
An bAll TteigeAnnAC *oo geib bAf "oo'n T>ume.
cit) CfACC, AJI ti$eAcc T>O p6l Aguf t)o'n
guf An T)uine cinn [cugA-oAp f.A t)eAjiA], mA|v A f\Aib
pein Aguf An b^f A' gleic le ceile, T 50 fuib An bAf
nt)eif feilO An Cuipp uile A gtAO<yo> ACC 50 |\Aib An
* uile repeated twice in MS. tmnufSAtn tiioi'oe, MS.
J " 1-0 lAf," MS. " ncAttcui-o," MS. || " beAHjiA," MS
1T"ctioi,"MS. **sco|ip, MS.
" m&\\
321
this is how Paul was, namely, making intercession with
GoJ, the all-pom?! fa!, to reveal to him something of the
pains of Hell, so that all the more for receiving that revel-
ation, he might perform the will of God, and give instruction
to the congregations. And, as he was beseeching God in
this wise, there cometh unto him a youth, and he asketh
Paul to go with him, to confirm in his faith a man who was
at the point of death. Paul departed along with the youth
to the place where was the sick man, and him they found
before them struggling with the Death. Now this is the
manner wherein the soul parteth from the body as saith
St. Bernard, one of the arch-doctors of the Trinity. He
saith that the Death cometh in a cold, unrecognisable, in-
sufferable shape, stabbing the body with spits and arrows.
And first it cometh into the outer members, namely the
centre of the soles of the feet, and of the palms of the
hands, in the veins, and in every other member of the body,
until it hunt the noble soul before it out of every member
of the body, even as the fisherman routeth the fish (?) under
the hollows of the banks (?) to the weedy-place (?) in which
the net is set to catch them. Even so doth the Death,
routing before it the soul into the heart the first member
of a person to be alive, and the last member to die.
But howsoever, upon the coming of Paul and of the
messenger to the sick man, they perceived how he himself and
the Death were struggling with one another, and that the
Death was after taking possession of all the body, except that
Lion puije, suitAbniujtrin -oo foi3Xe<\p An bap an tAnam," 231. 17
"AthAil foitVoeAp lApstiine an ciAfj; Af vocjiApAib An
23 I. 4. JJ'' Atl CHOI, ' MS.
c-.An.Am i feomjAA ioficAfAig An Gpoitie AJ; lApjui-o 6
f,6in A f.olAC* 6'n mb.5f- Aguf but) tMArhAom "06 fin,
CAinig An b^f guf An Cf.oit>e, -oo $Ab A'
Ajuf A' coll At) An Cf,oit)e, oifv -oo ti A tteirhm
gup Ab Ann -oo t>1 An c-AnAm. 1TlA|\ TO ttiotAij
An c-AnAm A n^rhA Aguf A eAfCAfiA .1. An bAf, 1 gcorh-
T)6, t>0 fAOllf An COflp fAgbAll, AgUf
Af An tnbeul, 6 nAC f.tiAip ionAT) corhnuitbe
oion fAn scojip. ^5f 'f e geiti fe poinie Ann,
AtflUfAfACj (sic) At-UAtf-Af "00 t)1AtlAlb t)tlt>A
lAf Af ACA cmncige lAn *oo tip eAncAf, T
s^nnAfhAil TK3-frulAin5 Af A mbeAlAib
; Agtif gAC Aon ACA f.eiteArii le bpot ** AH An AnAtn
[oo teA6c] Af An mbeul Ajuf Af An gcofip AIDAC.
Oijt Af f CAit) "OAtnAncA gAn Aitf,ie f.UAif An peACA6
fo b^f. Aguf Af. f.Aicfinc An $A|\-OA -CiAtJlAi-Ce fOTo'n
boCc f.oirhe, T)O frill AH c-AtiAm 50 ceifmjeA6
is 50 flige nA ff,6tiA, Agtif f AOII TJO
AmA6 Ann. Agtif -oo Cit) An fluAg c6A-onA
foirhe. pllif lAn T>'Acctiif.fe 7 -oo tfUAigbSil ~\ c6m
guf nA ftiile, T 'f e S 61 ^ f- 1rtie At111 iomA > ot)o 1 6iAt)lAit)
oubA *OAt-f.^nnA, lAfAf,A<i[A] cmncige Af A mbeulAib
j Af A mbf.^iit), i SAC Aon ACA -O'A f.^t> " 50-06 An
cflmntn'oe f eo Af. An mbAf gAn An c-AnAm t)AniAncA f o
A fUAgAt) AmAC 6ugAinn Af An gcollAinn Cf,Aoifi$ in
A bpuil, 50 mb6AfAniAOif linn -OA AicjteAb || p6m e, AIC
A bpuil -oofCA-ouf i piAn f iofif.ui'oe c^e fAogAl nA
t " fiU," MS. b'eitMti "
J" -oiiofi-bAUA-o," MS. ** D'eroin 511^1 ^b e "bjieic " An
m," MS.
323
the soul was iu the lower chamber of the heart, striving to
conceal itself from the Death. But that was in vain for it,
for when Death came to the heart, he began ploughing and
boring the heart, for he felt certain that it was there the soul
was. But when the soul felt its enemy and adversary the
Death close to it, it thought to leave the body and to
come forth out of the mouth, since it found no dwelling
place nor shelter in the body. But it is what it finds
before itself there, a frightful fearsome host of black,
ugly-coloured devils, and fiery flames full of stench,
and a loathsome, insufferable, evil smell coming forth
out of their mouths, and each one of them watching with
fierceness for the soul to come forth out of the mouth and
out of the body, for it was in a state of damuation, without
repentance, that this sinner was dying. 1 And when the
poor soul beheld this devilish guard in front of it, the soul
returned fearful (?) and quaking, and cometh into the passage
of the nose and thought to come out there. But it beholds
the same host before it. It returneth full of weariness and
misery and goeth to the eyes, but it is what it findeth there
before it many black, ugly-coloured devils with fiery
flames out of their mouths and gullets, and each of them
saying, " What is this delay of Death's that he routeth not
out to us this damned soul forth from the greedy body in
which it is, till we bear it with us to its own abode a place
where there is darkness and eternal pain for ever and ever,
as its evil deeds have deserved [that were wrought] during
the time that it was its own master ? " And on the poor
1 Literally, "died."
324
f AOAI, niAf to tuitl A rhi-gniorhA An fe.vft tM Af
CtmiAf fein ? " Af Clop nA mbfiAtf A fo T)o'n
bocc "oo fsfeAt) } t>o 6irh 50 mAfc-tAg, i T>O CAOI 50
oeufAc "oobponActi seAf-tuiffeAc, 6if t>o Aitm Ann
fin 50 fAiti fgAftA* leif An mbeAtA fiofftntje te
f AoAt nA fAogAt, i lompuiji^f f6 AJI Aif 50 coltArh
tlA JCttlAf , niA|\ -00 fAOlt r^ 1 $ e f^A$All A1YIAC, "] '?& A
Ann f in fioirhe, An loniAT) t>o p6if citt 5^ AnnA, i -oo
nirhe -oo-t)eAlttA At-puAt^Af[A] eAg-
f ArhtA. UlAjA T>O ConnAifc AH c-AnAtn fin f.iltif CAJI A
Aif guf An C|\oi-6e niAf -oo fAnnctug, *OA|\ ieif f.6in,
out A tSpolAC. Aguf "oo f.Aij\ An bAf ^\oime Ann,
A' Cf\eAt>At> i A' coltAt) An C-poifte. T)o rheAf AH
, Ann fin, nA6 f Aitt "out Af Aige t)o Aon
i mT-'doiiuf J Af "biA 'f Af An sCiaifC
uite, Aguf t>o CuAfd fUAf 50 t>AtAif An <5mn.
An cofp AniAC T ftii'dif Af rhullACA 1 Cinn. "P6i6if fiof
AII ctiAmbA fin m A f Ait) .1. A CollAnn, 7 "oubAif c, " A
"biA Vliie-CuriiACCAij ! An f.eit)if guf At) i f eo An CollAnn
in A f AI$ mife f.eAt) AOittnif geAff, i iriA'f i, CA'f At>
An f ofg gof m 5lAn-fAt)Af CAC no An jf UA"6 Cof CAif ?
} Se "oo Cim [i] n-Aic nA fOfg, cuAfA cotlA ciOfmA, Af
nA fttigAt) 'f^e-Afi 'TAK Cloigionnll; An jfUAt) CofCAif
6eA-ttlA1f 6A6, 1 AnOlf T)Of 6AH > OAOt-"DAtA6 ; An t)6At
DO bi inT)iu "oeAfs T>eA5-<iumfcA, e Anoif -ouncA t)o-
t>An-gofm bit-jfAnnA, g^n uifjiAtt gAn
, T A "OiA "Uile-CuttiACcAij if triAifg A meAltA'6
* " V5A1TA," MS. t " lompi'o," MS.
J " A mi-6iocf ," MS. ; " Anet)or:uif ," B.
" CAJI JAb in fiAib m t'*rS" MS. |j " ctAjAn," MS.
If " DAOt-OACA," MS. ; "'OAOt X)A1Ce," A; "-DdotxIACAC," B.
325
soul's hearing these words it screamed and cried feebly 1 and
wept tearfully, sorrowfully, and with bitter weariness, for
it recognised then that it was parted from the eternal life
for ever and ever, and it turns back again to the hollows of
the ears, where it thought to find a way out, but it is what
it finds there before it many loathly worms and evil-shaped
terrific serpents of various kinds. When the soul saw
that, it returned back to the heart, for it desired to go, as it
seemed to it, into hiding, but it found Death before it
there, ploughing and boring the heart. Then the soul con-
sidered that it had no escape on any side. It despaired of
God and of the whole angelic court, and ifc went aloft to
the crown of the head. It goes out and leaves the body
and settles on the top of the head. It looks down at that
tomb where it had been namely, the body and said, " Oh !
all-powerful God ! is it possible that this is the body wherein
I was for a brief [space of] happiness ; and if it is, where
has gone the blue clear-seeing eye, or the crimson cheek ?
'Tis what I behold in place of the eyes hollow dry cavities
sucked back into the hollow of the skull ; the ruddy hand-
some cheek now dark and beetle-hued ; the mouth that was
to-day red and shapely now closed, not to be opened, livid,
hideous, 2 without talk, without speech ; and oh ! all-powerful
God ! alas for him who was deceived by the companion at
the raising (?) of the body's strength, power, pride, and
spirit, which was begotten and which was alive, and whose
share of gold and treasures was great ; but I do not see one
thing of all that in his possession now, nor advantaging nor
1 Literally, " deadly-weakly."
'Literally. " white-blue, ever-ugly."
326
neij\c cum.Aif
4ij\f if .Aigne in Cuijip, "DO geme-At), T "oo bi bed, -j
but) ttiOfi ^ two <5ip i lonnmuif , T ni f..Aicim -Aon nit> t)e
fin uile Ap 5 Ail Aige no "out i f otAp no 1 f <5taf A^I
bit t)(5. Ace cim jtif -AD otc -oo c^it f6 n^ ciot)-
tdictfo tug *O\A t)6, T UA ttj-og fin guj\ t)AninAi$ mif e
50 fio|\jiuit)e."
T)o tAbxMj; An Column -j -oub^ijic, "tHun^ mbeit J
- 6eAniufxic'fo -co
Anoif. Oi^ if xirhlAit) TOO bi
T>O CeAnglAt) > 6iom-fA tu, no fpiop^T)
TIO tuigfe, *oo rheAb^|i -j -oo
, o'uxMfle i -o'onoip ; ^itne^jA'o IX>IIA[| olc '
i gAn mif e ACC mo l^n -ooijtn t>o Cpi^t),
fjeirh, s-Ati nex\i\c,
cingfe, s^n cum^f,
f\<vo.<*i\c, gAn 6ifce^Cc, no gup ceAtiglxvo tup A t)iom,
^guf X)A bpij fin gup cuf A if cionncAC i ni mif e."
"A piAfo Cft^oifig Colnuit) t)o-cexinniMi5te** ni
f.ioj\ A n-^bxMp cu, 6ip *oo biof mo fpiop^t) gUm
An c-AnAm, " s^n piACcAn^f Agxim le
no gAtMC, no nit) Ap bit eile o'-d bpuil A^ A'
ACC Aoibne^f n^ be^C^ n-Aomt-A, no gup
t)ioc-fA m6, T if tnme "oo ceAnglAt) DIOC
, Cum cti CxMte^m lut *oo Cof , f ,Aot-Af\ -oo l^rii,
-00 ful, 6lfC6ACC -00 ClU^f, tAb.A1ftC "DO
uxMnit) "oo Ct\oit>e, ~] $At c^b-Af,cuf eile
tug t)iA t)uic, le f.6$nx\m, le
*" Lef in compAtin," MS.
t " utAxdiAf ," MS. ; "pAliAifieil ne<\}ic T cumuj*-] uabAti," A.
827
comforting him at all ; but I see that it is ill he spent the
gifts that God gave him, and that on account of that he has
damned me for ever."
The body spake, and said : " If ib were not for thee these
devilish furious hosts would not come to claim me now.
For this is how thou wast when thou wast bound to me ;
thou wast an active, most powerful spirit, full of under-
standing and of feeling, and of clear intellect, of nobility
and of honour ; thou didst recognize between evil and good ;
whilst I was nothing but a fistful of clay, without beauty,
or strength, or feeling, or sense, or understanding, or power,
or guidance, or movement, 1 or sight, or hearing, until thou
wast bound to me, and for that reason it is thou who art
guilty and not I."
" Thou greedy, carnal, unsubduable worm, all thou sayest
is not true, for I was a clean, glorious spirit," said the soul,
" who had no necessity for food or clothing or for anything
at all, of all that is on the earth, but the joy of holy life
until I was bound to thee. And this is why I was bound
to thee, for thee to spend the activity of thy feet, the labour
of thy hands, the sight of thy eyes, the hearing of thy ears,
the speech of thy mouth, the thoughts of thy heart, and
every other gift that God gave thee, so as to do ministering,
to make submission, and to perform every other service to
glorious God throughout thy period on this world, so that
J "tntitiA A mbet," MS.
" 6itim-f A," MS. || " CA-OAti olc if," MS.
IT " riiotui-6," MS. ; " moruj," A ; mutxiJA-6," B.
**"ceAnnpx>>" MS.
1 Literally " Walk."
328
le 5AC peiptMp eite A tieAnArh -DO "OiA 5t<3{<niAp An
jreAt) -oo pA6 Ap AH pAOjjAl-p A ; Agup VIA "61415 pin 50
t>p.tngj:inn-pe ~\ cttpA copAft nA n-oeig-gniorh pn 1
5CAiteAtii nA gloipe pioppuifte i scOrhtUA'OAp T)e, nA
h-6ig' toeAnnAigte* Tlluipe, ^gup n^ cuii\ce Aingtitie
neArht)x\ uite, mxi|\ [A] ftjruit 5^6 -OA rroe^jxnA rix\ "0615-
gtiirh, mA]\ AUA c|vof g^t), "oeipce, UfuiAigte, CAjit^tiACc
te cOriiAj^xMnn, [tieit] ^5 eif ce^Cc le t3|\iAt|\AiG t36 50
jrormrhAp, T T)6AnArh T)A f^ 1 ^ 1 "^^ troiulcAije^t)!
cops ju^CcxMi-Aif tixi mboCc, ic. Aguf ni ti-i^-o pn "oo
pnne cufA, ^Cc n-A ciot)tAicte tug T)ix\, A CxMte^rh te
cjuof, te p6ic, te nA'C-AtqiAnuf, te uAtAif, te
te f Ainc, te rnitte^t) COTM n^ scCrh-A^f Ann, te
te cAitiof, te peA^s, te ti-AtfiAnn (?), te
geAft\At>, te mi-CiAll, te neArii-t^uAjj, te
te TTt>|:eijA5, te teifg, te po^mAT), te ofOif, te cjieicj
nA mbocc, i te gAC cineAl eitepeACAf6 bA fAnri leip
A' gcottAinn -OAonnA. Ajuf ^eAC ! 50*0 e An cof At)
ACA ASAC A|\ fon r>A mi-gniotri|| pn ? 1f mAfrt> tAg t>o
Guitt oo tM tutrhAfv tAiroip, if *ouncA An betit te
tAt>Ai|\te^i AH coriifiAt) mi-t)tifcini5, ip tAg An ceAnjA
te A gCAtlpA nA bjMAtjtA gfAOfOA t)A|\t)A1\t)A, A'
CAt>Ai|\c rm-Clu, CA|\cipie, -oimeAp, nAij\e, CAijve, mi-
tAitneArh, A'P gA6 cineAt eite -OAJA bpei-oip te -DO
p muAimt) i te T>O mncteAdc tAt>Aif\c m cuirhne. 1p
bo'OAp An ctuAp "o'eipcpeAt) te monttAp, te pgAnnAtt, te
cut-jeAppArh TIA 5c6rhAppAn 50 ponnttiAp. 1p tjAlt
cottcA An cpuit "oolF peACArii [sic] 50 pAnncA ctAon
cii5, MS. ; "n^d coinsnAtri AtAitii OTIA boiccift," A.
329
after that I and thou might get the fruit of those good deeds
in the enjoyment of eternal glory in the company of God
and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the angelic
heavenly court, where cometh 1 everyone who has done good
deeds, such as fasting, alms giving, prayers, acts of friend-
ship to a neighbour, listening willingly to the words of God,
and acting accordingly ; and who used not to refuse to
relieve the necessity of the poor, and the like. But those
are not the things that thou didst, but spending the gifts
God gave with gluttony, drunkenness, adultery, pride, arro-
gance, greed ; with the ruin of thy neighbour's portion; witli
lies, noisiness (?) anger, satire (?) back-biting, folly, pitiless-
ness, injustice, wrath, sloth, envy, lechery, with the spoil of
the poor, and with every other sort of sin that the human
body thought pleasant ; and lo ! what fruit hast thou for those
misdeeds. Dead and feeble are thy limbs which were once
active and strong ; closed is the mouth wherewith thou didst
use to hold unlawful discourse ; weak is the tongue where-
with thou wast wont to utter obscene barbarous words, giving
ill-fame, reproach, disrespect, shame, contempt, displeasure,
and other sorb [of evil] that thy thoughts and intellect
could bring to mind. Deaf is the ear that used to listen
with pleasure to murrain-ings, to scandal, to the back-biting
of neighbours. Blind and hollow is the eye that used to
look with greed, partiality, and malice. There is no fair-
ness nor beauty in the hand on whose fingers the gems used
to be. I see them not on thee now. And, moreover, I see
" cjtec," MS., not in A or B. " pecci-oe," MS.
|| " Ap f on if tnijmiTi r m," MS. U " ix>," MS.
1 Laterally "is."
330
mAitiofA<5. tli't ^riAOi n.5 triAife Aft A' tAirh AIJ\ [A]
tnbiot) m\ pe6it>e AJ\ nA m6Aj\Aib, ni f.eicim
Anoif, Aguf j:6f ni peicim An c-6f\ nA An c
no JAC lotrhAiteAf eite *oo rhe^tt c,* TO flAt) cu, *j
DO 6n^f Aij cu 6 An tpAnn, 6 An oitle.ACc.A, ^guf o'n
oe^Cit, te ce^lgA [Agtif] te tni-|\un.
feilt> -OAoine eile, -\ gAn ^on ni*
J\ bit t)uic, ACc 5^6 otc "OA|\ but)
mAf fin, A 6ottAnn CjiAoifij Ainttii-AnAig ] A
if -oo-teAnnfAijte T>A'|\ Cum T)M, if cufA if
J *j ni mife," Ap -A' c-AnAtn.
UA|\ eif nA bpiAt^A fin A fAt) -oo'n An Am 50
pn -oo bi f. eiteAtri teif An AnAm f.AAit
A feilb f,6m, Aguf A-oubAi|\c, "1f ion5nA-6lT An
An bAf gAn An c-AnAm -oAmAncA f o A
Af An gcottAmn AtriAC."
-oiAbAt eile 6 Aguf A-oubAiftc, " Hi
ouinn A feitb no [A] glACAt) no 50 'ocugAi'o TofA
C|\iofc bjieit Aip, A|\ -ocuf, t)o |\6if A jniorhA otc A'f
mAit, sitteA* if Unn 50 fiojvfiui'oe A feitb 50
ui"6e, t)O bjAig 5Uj\ t)uinn x>o jimne feifbif A'
An f-At) oo bi m A beAtA, Ajuf if Imn feitb A
A 6uifp 6 IA nA bfveite T)6i5eAnnAi$e AmA6 50
6lf nA b}\1AtfA fO A ^"6 "OOnA "OlAbtAlb,** T)0
iftig ftuAg foittfeAC foitbip -oo Aingtib neime 50
CAnncAnnArii (sic) ce6it ACA cimCiottff A' Cuipp, Agtif
but) gt6|\rhAi|ie 'nA An jfHAn m A 5ceA|\u-tAf .
*"meUcu,"MS.
MS. J "cionnciTi," MS. "cionnr^c," A. and B.
331
not the gold nor the silver nor the various other goods which
thou didst get-by-defrauding, which thou didst rob, which
thou gottest from the weak, from the orphan, and from the
miserable, with deceptions and ill-will. They are now in
the possession of other people, and not one thing of them
doing good to thee, but [doing] every evil that is possible to
reckon. And, therefore, O greedy lustful body most un-
subduable worm that God ever created, it is thou art most
guilty and net I," said the soul.
After the soul uttering those words miserably and
wearily, an evil spirit of that damned host that was waiting
to get the soul into its own possession spake, and said : " It
is a wonder how long Death is without routing this damned
soul to us forth out of the body."
Another devil answered him and spake, "It is not
possible for us to possess it or to take it until Jesus Christ
pass judgment upon it first, according to its actions, bad and
good. However, its possession for ever is ours ; for ever,
because it was to us it did service and ministry whilst it
was living, and ours is the possession of his soul and body
from the day of the last judgment for ever."
After the devils speaking these words, a shining, happy
host of the angels of heaven, lowered themselves, with singing
of music round about the body, and in their midst a Youth
more glorious than the sun. Many awful, wide-opened
wounds in His skin, and they dripping blood. The Youth
|| " 6atrmi i 6," MS. ; " XMmAtiCA ro," B ; "tMrriAnrd," A.
IT " AojnA," MS. ; " fonstid," A ; " lonjna-o, B.
," MS. -rt"cimpioU,"MS.
332
An iomAt> -oo cneAt>Aitt AitiOeul' mOjv-ofSAilce m A
Cneif, A'f iAt> A' file f.oU\. "Do lAttAiji An
leif An mAjAt), -j t/fMApfvuij; got) 6 mAj\ CAIC An f
A f-UAip fg, no HA tio-olAicce tug T)IA -06.
An collAnn Aguf tnitiAifvc : "A TofA Cfiofc, A
Tilic "Oe, ni feATiAim feunA"6 gup Ab olc t)o 6Ait
mo fiA, -] HA ciot)tAicti pUAij\ me, guji frutAing
^Aip A'f tAf A|\ mo fon, gup 1 neAtti-fuim
fin, i t>A bpi$ fin ACAim fem At)15
CUtttAp AgAIO-fA 6 ^1O|\-6eA]\C "DO ttlA^ACC, AgUf
UonttiAijie mo OpoC-griiorhA An u.Aip riA6
tuAt tiA mAlt lonncA, gAn bpeit
of m Anoif. Aguf pAfAoif ! T>O Cim Anoif,
, T)i6, i TMojttAlA HA fAillige T>o finne me, AH
A 6u^ AH CAijvoe, 50 T)CAini5 -oo teACcAipe AH
t)Af cugAm, ] mo nuAij\ ! 111 ]\ AI& m6 oUmtngte |\oiriie,
ni ttpuAtf me CAifoe AH UAI|\ tAinig fe ; gun
me . . . Ajup fin e mo CuncAf AH mo t>e.ACA,
j 50 oeimm if mo if otc e 'nA if mAit e."
"VHAifeAt>," A|\ An c-65tAoC AIJA A JVAID nA cneA-OA,
" in A n-oeAfuiA cu *oo toccA i TO mi-gniomA AJ\ peAt) t)o
beAtA, *o^ n-oeAncA Aiti\i$e ^j\eAtinAC 6*0' CHOit>e
lonnuA, *oo ^eAnf-Ainn-fe 6om gtAn leif An gjiiAn tu,
] "oo 6ij\pinn i 5CtiiT)eA6uA HA n-AingeAt i nA nAoitiA
5l6i|ie fiofff ui"6e, 7 ni t>eit curhACCA
AS An fUiAg oiAttlAroe ACA 'peiceAm ICAC
oj\u. A^tif 6 nA6 n~oeAfnA cu fin if eijm tipeic A
tAt)A1|AC OJ\C ^61^ "DO gniOITIA OlC A*f ITIAlt."
Ann fin *oo tAimg SAC Aon T)o'n cftuAg
tM 'peiteAtri leif An AnAm bocc, f fcuAr6 -oo
ci A)\-t)ub i lAirh gAc [Aom] ACA, Ann A JVAID
333
spake to the dear?, and asked him how Tie had spent the
life that he got, or the gifts that God gave him. The body
answered and said, " O Jesus Christ, Lamb, Son of God,
I am not able to deny it, that it was ill I spent my time
and the gifts that I got ; that Thou didst suffer passion-
pains and death on my behalf, and that I paid no regard to
that, and therefore I am myself admitting that Thou hast
no power (from the true right of Thy divinity, and from
the plentifulness of my evil deeds, since I did not make
repentance of them either early or late] not to pass judg-
ment damning me now. And alas ! now I see the wrong,
the loss, and the harm of the neglect I was guilty of, in
putting off repentence, until Thy messenger, the Death,
came to me, and, my grief ! I was not prepared for him,
and, moreover, I got no respite when he came, until he
destroyed me and that is my account of my life, and indeed
it is more evil than it is good."
" Well then," said the Youth on whom were the wounds,
" all that thou hast committed of faults and of evil deeds
throughout thy life, if thou wert to make true repentance
from thy heart of them, I would make thee as clean as the
sun, and I would place thee in the company of the angels
and of the saints, enjoying everlasting glory, and the devilish
host which is waiting for thee would have no power nor
might over thee. But since thou hast not done that, it is
necessary to pass judgment upon thee according to thy
deeds, bad and good."
Then there came each one of the demon host that was
waiting for the poor soul, and a roll of dark black parch-
ment in the hand of each of them, in which was written all
334
nt>eAjvn.A An mA^ti *oo f
f.Aicpn fin oo'n SlAnui$teCij\* TofA Cfiiofc, 'f 6
outtAiju;, " t)ei|\i"6 lit> AH c-AnAtn -OAtnAncA f o 50
ti-if.f.ionn "O'A piAnAt) 50 IA nA bpeite genejvAlCA, *j 6
fin AtnAC beit) An Coll<\nn niA|\ Aon leip
xNguit), 1 5CAiteAtti nA bpiAn f foppuitbe.''
Ann fin CAimcfecf An ftUAg oiAtolAitie fin
'f.eiteAm teif An AnAm, *oo tAfpAingfec le
cinnci'Oe An c-AnAm t>o6c, i T>O |\mnfec meAlt ceini"6
*e, i *oo t>if ec *O'A fUAgAt) foinpA 50 ti-ifjuonn, -j e
Ag gAftA i AS eirhit) 50 f. Ann tiAtttAf AC.
T)o tti p6l eAfbAll A' feiteArh gA6 ni"6 "6iottA fin,
oo t)|\is gup Ab eTJiA-oo Cui|\ AteACcAijie 6ui5e,ionnuf
50 ttf-uig' f e ArhAfxc Ap An "ouine AJ [A] tnbeit "0^06
[lieAtAJ 1 bpumc A Mif, T>O f,6i]i An guitie *oo yvmne.
A|t imteACc *oo'n cfluAg rnAtlAigtell i "oo'n
A JVA^AJAC Ann fin, t)' 61 rhl Pol, AJ got
6A5CAOin, ArhA]\c f-AJAil AJ\ An gcjiiC tti T)'A
A|\ An AnAm. Ann fin T)'piAf.t\ui$ ^n ceACcAtpe T>O
|D6l, AJI lil1A11 teif .AtYlApC f?AAlt Ajl p1An A11 AtlAm' UT>
T nA n-AiiAinAnn** eile -OAmAnuA. " t3w6 ttiiAn liom,"
A|\ poi, " -OA mbutift coil te T)IA e." " ITlAifeA*/' AI\
An ceACcAife, "T)O tieAfpAit) mife AiiiApc -ouic O^A,
61^1 ni -oume f AogAlCA m6, ACc AingeAl T>O Cui|\ T)iA
Cu<5AT)-fA, -oo tAifbeAnAt) nA neite feo -6uic, Aguf
if mife niiCeAl Afic-AinseAl," Ap fe.
6if nA mbpiAtfA fo T>O |\ug An r-Ain<;eAl 50
" ftAntiui-ooit," MS. ; "-0011 rflu-6 AtiAtjtoin," A.
335
that the dead man had done in the service of the devil.
On the Saviour Jesus Christ perceiving that, it was what
He said, " Take with you this damned soul to hell, to pain
it till the day of the general judgment, and, from that out,
ye shall have the body as well as the soul, enduring eternal
pains."
Then came the devilish host that was waiting for the
soul. They drew the poor soul with fiery crooks, and they
made of it a lump of fire, and they were hunting it before
them to hell, and it calling and crying out faintly and
fearfully.
Paul the Apostle was observing each thing of those, because
it was God who had sent His messenger to him, so that
he might get a view of the person who led a bad life, at the
point of death, according to the prayer he had made. Then,
upon the departure of the accursed host and of the soul
out of sight, Paul cried aloud, weeping and lamenting, to
get a sight of the end that was being brought upon Iho
soul. Then the messenger asked Paul did he desire to get
a sight of the pains of that soul and of the other damned
souls. " I should so desire," said Paul, " if it were God's
will." " Well, then," said the messenger, ' I will give thee
a sight of them, for I am not a man of this earth, but an
angel that God hath sent to thee to show thee these things,
and I am Michael the Arch- Angel," said he.
After these words the angel brought him to the brink of
" B. "metl,"MS.
|| " mAilli-6," MS. 1 " t-o eim," MS. A and B omit.
** tiA hAtinmAnn, MS. tt"t>A ma," MS.
TO
t)o ConnAij\c pot, -DO HA C6A*o-neititt Ann
fin, AttAnn rhop "6of.6A gfAnnAriiAit. tDu* -ouitte 'HA
An guAl A jjnS, [but) CiA|\-'out;)] AH c-uifge AeftAptA
Atf.uAtrhAfi "oo tM mnci, 50 muiptif.eA'O J f.ij\ A'f rnnA
nA Cf-uinne Aen cfei"oeAt) Atfu\m "oo'ii <\oit mrhe
tigeAt) Aifci inAp mbeit Spio^At) X)e T>A ftpujiuACc
5 r5f 1o rF' d [ > o] cloCA i c|\Amn, Aguf AH IOITIATI no
toiAfOAiti 5|\AnnA, i "DO Ait|\eA6A nirhe, -j -oo -oiAblAib
oo -Ceitbtit)!! eAgf AtiilA mnci, A' gteo, A* teA-ojiAt), A'
CfAtnuig (?) -j A' ciiArh-geAnt\At) A Ceile, A' rnAUugAt)!
An tAe in AJ\ geineAt) no m AJ\ c^titui^feA*] IAT>. "Oo'n
leit** eile tAU -oo'ti AftAinn TO t>i UAirii tbo^cA, m A
liAitt lottiAT) t)o AnniAnnAitt -OAmAncA, A' r5f eitl $ (?)> 1A>
OA gdAtDftJlg (?) 1 "DA tAf5A"6, AgUf 1f AliltAlt) T)O t)1
onong tbiobtA nA fuit>e AJA ceAU/AC cinncit>e nA
An loniAt) -00 CiAtitAitt "OU^A oejlb-gf ^nnA A"
j A ppiot6lA"6ff nA bptAn "oo-futAins O|\f\A,
CAIT) ceince T lAfA^ACA geuf' 5feAuig(?) *j HA
OA n-iom|AUA5A"6JJ -\ TIA n-iomluAt)<MU te
|\mn-6A|\A mfnA tAfApACAib fin. Aguf T>O ti)i pof-
At>f.nAp oij^eACA IAII "oo mm m 1F1F A t6imiT)if
i, MS. "50 bjiuAC jteAnnA Ai
FIJI An -ooiTiAin uit/e 50 mt> teop t)A-obuti bAif
AtriAin tl A|t ATI njleAnn fin AJI puAi^e ] AjtAitfoe T Art
e, A. t "uAtbAfi-6," MS. jThusB. "mA^buij," MS.
" cfAoit," B. || oeAtbuift, B. IT." mAltuj," MS.
** le-6, S. " teic cAtt," B. tt This whole passage is quite
different in A. " A h-Aile nA mbtieicf e pn -oo gtuif A^oAti -\ ni pAX)A
oo bi An rAn t>o HAn5AT)Ati CACAU pluco i f^.te ujiAOibinn A
cciomciott nA CACAUAC ~oon CAob Amuij. f& iomAX) TTIAJA mmAit,,
lAn 'DO luibionib I 'DO btACAlB T 'OO COIjlAtb CAlttlCACA 1 X)O
337
a valley that was stupendous for depth 1 and fearfulness.
Paul beheld, amongst the first things there, a great, dark,
frightful river. Blacker than coal was its appearance, and
jet black the bubbling terrible water that was in it, so
that one puff alone of the venomous wind that used to come
out of it would kill all the men and women of the world
were it not for the Spirit of God succouring them it would
split stones and trees and he beheld many loathly worms
and snakes, and devils of divers shapes in it, raging,
beating, gnawing (?), and bone-cutting one another ; cursing
the day in which they were born or were created. And on
the other opposite side of the river there was a dark cave in
which were many damned souls screaming (?); being bound (?)
and lashed. And some of them were in this wise, sitting
on the fiery hearth of pains ; many black, ugly-shaped devils
serving and administering the insufferable pains to them,
such as fire flames, sharp and -hurting (?), and the Devils
tossing them and turning them (?) with sharp-pointed
spits in those flames. And there was a resting-lake (?) of
very cold ice, full of venom, into which the damned t;ouls
used to leap, seeking cooling and comfort from the sharp
goauing of the fire. However, no sooner would they go to
5AC ni eile bo CAictieAt) te ruil -ouine x>pAicpm ACC
pAU\r fin A ceA S plco i ir AmlA JMJAIJI An AIC FA
i, etc. It then proceeds to describe the punishment of
the wicked inside the palace.
J "moinpuj" in MS., which is probably a false expansion of a
contracted lomftuASAtJ.
"beA|itW MS. till Thus B. "Ae-ojie
HIT "um um A leitni-oi'r," MS.
a Literally, " height."
338
6 geuji-j^eA'ougA'o nA ceme.
oo teiT>if* "oo'n toC 'HA teimiT>!f Af Afiff fAn ceine,
te meAT) An f.ttACc -j AIT geup-nirh -00 bT fAn tnfge,
AS f o r\A buiAtjvA -oeAf\f.At> cuit) T)iobtA : " A
iA6cAi5 An | bpuil pu^f sUv6 no
], no' mbeitjmi'o 50 t>
feo, no CA ti--Aic A t>puil b^f n^C "005
5cuij\ Af neiifi-nit), ionnf 50 bpuigmif f u^n te beit
t)o ^eAgAtp fpio^it) eile
"A fpiofiAi-o rhAlluigte
pe, " ni'L puficACc no ^uAfglAt) i
te f AojAt nA f AojAt, -OA b]\is guf AD e fin
-oo tuitt bujv tm-gnioitiA Art peAt) T>O bi pb in
bup mbeAtA, te h-u^b^, te -oiomuf, te cp^of, te
h-Ancoit, i te g^C cme^t eite pe^cAit). T)o 6xMt fib
DA ciot)tAicte tug T)1A liib, m^ ^CxS,
, Aoibnex\f, ^OAJAC fut,
Af ACc b-ditt, i IAT> uite
t)e no t)eAnAtti, gi-bexxt) if e |\inn fib-fe A
te f eifAbif An -oiAbAit, i if e beApfAf tA6||
OAoib 1 bpiAncAib gAn pujtCACc s^
nA f AOgAt."
"An pop -ouic," Afi An c-AinjeAt, "A p6\l,
h-IAT) A p1AnCAj\ tTlA|\ f UT>." ?
" tli pop -OAm," Afi p6t, " A6c if oppA CA An
nA6 f.ei"oi|\ [A] AifieArh nA ^Aifneif ."
"Su-o i," Ap An c-AingeAt, "tucc An "oiomuif A
An AbAi|\, t)o biot) AS coiti-b^ujAt)** nA tnboCc, tug
* " cei-oipc," MS. t <Mu'rc, MS.
339
the lake than they would leap out of it again into the fire,
by reason of its cold, and of the sharp venom that was in the
water, and here are the words some of them would say :
" 0, all-powerful God, is there any redemption or help in
store for us, or shall we be for ever in these pains, or in what
place is death that he cometh not unto us to put us into
nothingness, so that we might find a sleep, on our being
dead?" Another spirit of them answered and said, " O,
accursed, devilish, damned spirits," said he, " there is no help
nor redemption laid out for you for ever and ever, because
this is the end your misdeeds deserved whilst ye were in
life, with pride, with haughtiness, with gluttony, with
inordinate-desire, and with every other sort of sin. Ye have
spent the gifts that God gave you, namely, feeling, beauty,
strength, airiness (?), happiness ; the sight of the eyes ; the
hearing of the ears ; the speaking of the mouth ; the move-
ment of the limbs, and all those [given] to do the service of
God. However, what ye have done was to spend them in
the service of the devil, and it is he who shall give you your
wages in pains, without help or relief, for ever and ever."
" Knowest thou, O Paul," said the angel, " who they are
who are pained like this ? "
" I know not," said Paul, " but it is on them are the hard-
ships impossible to count-up or to show-forth."
" There," said the angel, " are the people of haughtiness
and pride, who used to be bruising-to-pieces the poor, who
J Thus B, " tiitiA, 1 ' MS. All this is omitted in A.
" i-o ptteosAiti," MS.
y " tAt," MS. " IUACC," A. IT " ce," MS.
** " coriifcpuit," .M.S. and A.
340
"DO .AinrhlAn.Alt> An CfAOgAlt. C.A1T) DA
T>i.At>Ait UT> tM* 5coriiuu,Af\5Anc, i A f.fiot6tArh tiA
beix> [m.Af\ fin]
, 1 n-6if\ic n.A 5Cionnc.A fin."
T)o Conn^ifc p6t t)|\on5 eile &p te^llA
, AH iornAT> *oo "6Aoit-p6ifcit) 5j\.dti.Arh.<Ml -\ -DO
mttie A% cpeim ] ^5 cnArh-seAixrixit) 5^6 t)Aitt
, cuit) -oo n.A peif dt) out if cede in A mbe6tAit),t
in A mbtiAijitdt), ^guf A' oge^Cc Am^C ^f A
HA fplOfxMT) pem x\' tACAfl (?) 1 x\
| riA n-itpeipc 5jVAnnArh,Ait pn
cue A f 6m.
A pi.Anc.Af\ ITIA^ fut) ? "
" tli't f^iof," Ap pot.
" Su-o," Ay, An c-xMtiseAt, "tu6c An
DA Oftuipe 5f\AineAfhtA, ] 1 n-6i|\ic nA 11-6^*0^15 || "OAt
Atuinn -OAtAmlA -oo cui|\i'oif oppA, eitJirt n\nA "] pif\, A'
meAttA-6 A ceitelT, c^it) nA -oiAttAit UT> -OAsc^eim i -OA
5COf5Ai|\c i TXA 5cn^tti-5eAf\|\^t) 50 fio|\|\uit)e."
T)o connAifc p6t "0^0115 eite A^ teAttAC cmnci'oe
n^ bpiAn ; pteittce m6n' ceme -AJI 546 CAoti
An iomAT) "oo t)Mt)txMt) oeittt-g^AnnA A
fteitjce fin f^n sce^pc-rimttAC O]\\\A T>A
-] T>A n^eA^-^eArtAtt 50 b|\At. +|
"An -piof t)uic, A p6it," A|\ An c-.Ain5e.At, "C-A
O|\on5 A pi,Anc.Af\ mAf f ut) ? "
' "AS coihi;viA|i5xinc," MS., but cotTicu.Aji5.Aim Aifi sounds so odd
that I have changed it. A reads as I edit.
fmbeoilW MS. "AHA mbeAt," A.
841
g ive themselves up to drinking and the evil desires of the
world. Yon devils are beating them, and ministering to
them eternal pains, and they shall be so for ever and ever,
in eric for their misdeeds."
Paul beheld another band upon the fiery hearth of pains,
many loathsome beetle-worms and serpents gnawing and
bone-cutting each member of them ; some of the worms
going into their mouths and their necks and coming out on
their ears, and the spirits themselves collecting and drawing
those devils and those loathsome reptiles to themselves.
" Knowest thou, O Paul," said the angel, " what people
are pained like this ? "
" I know not," said Paul.
" Those," said the angel, " are the people of adultery and
disgusting lust; and in eric for the fair-coloured, gaudy
clothes that they used to put upon themselves, both men
and women, deceiving one another, those devils are for
ever gnawing, overthrowing, and bone-cutting them."
Paul beheld another lot upon the fiery hearth of hell.
Great mountains of fire on every side of them, many ill-
shaped devils throwing down those mountains upon the very
top of them, bruising them together and bitter-urging them
for ever.
" Knowest thou, O Paul," said the angel, " what people
are pained like this 1 "
J" A ccluArA tiA fpio;u-o pcin ACACAIJI i A CAJIATIS," MS. Af A
gcluAfAib T HA rPP'^'S 6 tJAtnancA pein ASCACAU T AJ CAJIJAITI, A.
" (Af. A)," MS. || " nexH-o," MS. HA neA-ouije, A.
IT AJ meAttA-6 r>A tipeAji ~\ tiA mbAn neAtri-pdrcA, A and B.
** " xipA," MS. fti.e., ceilseAfi. f bjiAC, MS. passim.
342
AH p6t.
" Sut>," Ap An c-AingeAl, "luce nA fAince,
oo biot) A' CAC<*|i T A' cionif u$At) cuit> nA
50 nerrivolipoinni'o, nAC n-oeAtiAt) ciuiAige, T>6ifce, nA
OAonA6c oo nA boccAib, []] T)O t)6AnAt) leAtfoin A;\
An opAnn."
t)o 6ontiAi|\c pot T)fve.Atn eile A|\ teAtlAt cmnci'&e
nA bpiAn, TiAt)lA bit-$|\AnnA, A fuite A^I meAftigAt)*
in A gceAnn, t)A bpiAnugAx!) -j T>A ngeAfi-cpAt), T>A
oceAnntigAt) te plADfAiD cmncitie.
"-An bpuilf po? AgA-o, A p6il" AJ\ An c-AingeAt,
" CA T|AeAm A piAncAfi mA^ f UT>. ? "
" TH ; V AIA poi.
luce nA cnutA, "OjieAm *oo biot) T>^ gcjiAt) ~\
te cnu, ~\ Le 1i-eAt), An UAIJI "oo ciuif tnAit
n^ mAOin AS A 5C<3rhA|tf Ainn, nA6 tnbeit f A^CA leif
nA ciot)lACtib *oo b^AppAt) "OiA t)6ib pem, ] i n-6ipic
ftn b6fO T>A scjxAt) ArhlAit) fut) 50 pioj\juiit)e."
"Oo connAijic p6t "opeAm eile AI\ teAtlAC nA bpu\n
cinncit>e, 50 ntnge A ffnige m uifse At-fuA|A fiocAig-
te| Ap t)At A' jtiAil. t)A bj\6ine An c-uifge fin HA
conAblAC niAfb CAJ^ eip mottpSAi'o. An iomAT) TDG
A' f nAtti m A bpiA'onuife fAn tiifge, IAT> T)A
-oo jopuA i -oo tA|\c, A ttibeflil ofgAilce, A'
H biAt> T A^ -015 & of A 5c6rhAif, Agtif gAn
Af A gcuniAf A btAf. Oif gA6 mi nice beipeAt) Amuf
Aip, 50 n-imtigeAt) || niof p Ait)e UAtA.
* " tnejijtAxi," MS. t"n A ftpuil," MS. "An bpeAt>A|i cufA," C.
343
" I know not," said Paul.
" Those," said the angel, " are the people of greed, the
lot who store and gather their neighbours' portion unlaw-
fully, who used not to show mercy or give alms or act with
humanity to the poor, and who used to oppress the feeble."
Paul saw another lot of people on the fiery hearth of
pains, ever-hideous devils, their eyes straying in their heads,
being pained and bitter-tortured, and being tightened with
fiery chains.
" Kino.-. est thou, O Paul," said the angel, " what people
are pained like this ? "
" I know not," said Paul.
" Those are the people of envy, the lot who used to be
tortured and burnt with envy and with jealousy when they
used to see their neighbours' goods or possessions, and who
would not be satisfied with the gifts that God would give
themselves and in eric for that they shall be tortured in this
way for ever."
Paul beheld another band upon the hearth of fiery pains,
up to their chins in cold frosty water of the colour of coal.
More stinking was that water than a dead carcase after
corruption. Many reptiles, swimming before them, in that
water, they being tortured with famine and with thirst,
their mouths opened, crying for food and drink, it set before
them, without its being in their power to taste it, for as
often as they would make an attempt it used to remove
farther from them.
J " rioci-6," MS. " ox>tieACA," A. " j;otn b jieme," MS.
U " nimecA," MS. A omits all this.
344
"An f.iof tune, A p<5il," AJ\ An c-AngeAt, "cAt)f.e<Mn
p1AnCAJ\ tYlAfl f UT> ? "
"tii pof," AF pot.
IAT> luCc An CpAoif, T)|\eAtn nAC
nA CfieftieAnuf, T)eif.ce nA ufuiAigte,
A5 ite i AS 61 An tiit> ] HA "oije* coiiAtneAfgtnste, t)o
t)6A|t|:At)t A f A^At) pfiin "oo'n CottAinn le p6ice A'f
c|\AOf [A'p] te ti-An-coil T nAji Cofj jiiACcAnup nA
mboCc."
T)o 6onnAijic p6t t)pon5 eile AJI teAtlAC nA
cinncit)e, Agup if ArhtAit) 130 t>i An -opeAm fin
tAf AJIACA ceine Af A mbe6il -] Af A mbpAijTiit) ;| T>j\oC-
t>olAt) sfAnAttiAit T)o-^tilAin5 Ap A' tAfAi|\ fin ; Afuile
<A|\ f1At)t)A|\tA, Af f6A6^An, "| A|\ meA|lU$At!) m A
gceAnn ; IAT> A' CAffiAing A Ceile, A' leA'OfugA'b A
CeiLe, in AH tieit tefittiAin lAn-go^cA6[A].
"An piof -ouic, A poil," Ap An c-AinjeAl, "
A plAnCAJl tTlAf f UX)." ?
"tli pof -OAm,"
"SuT) t6c nA ^eifge, nA h-6Af CirhlA, ] An
bfilT) AltllAlt) f AOgAt nA f AOgAl."
"Do 6onnAif\c p6t -Ofons eite At-puAji,
Aji teAttAt nA t>piAn, CeAngAilce te
teAptA CAOL CuriiAing, T>A mbjtuit } "OA
OA n-OAO^-teAnnAt) AS nA f tAt)|\A[it>] fin, tan T)o
CAf } *oo > 6|\o6t>otA'6 sfAnArhAit T gA<i piAn
A
* " AH T)i5," MS.
t " beujififA," MS. t)o tei|t A coil T f AfAtri pem, A.
" Knowest thon, Paul," said the argel, "what people
are paiued like this 1 "
11 1 know not," said Paul.
" Those are the people of gluttony, the people who never
fasted nor abstained nor gave alms nor said prayers, who used
to be eating and drinking forbidden food and drink, who
used to give to the body its own satisfaction, with drunken-
ness, gluttony and lust, and never checked the want of the
poor."
Paul beheld another band upon the hearth of fiery pains,
and this is how that lot were, with fiery flames out of their
mouths and gullets. An evil, disgusting, insufferable smell
upon that flame. Their eyes ghastly wandering, straying in
their heads ; they pulling one another and beating one
another like fully famished lions.
" Knowest thou, Paul," said the angel, '' what people
are pained like that ?"
" I know not/' said Paul.
" Those are the people of anger, of disobedience and of
despair. They shall be thus for ever and ever."
Paul beheld another lob very cold and dark, upon the
hearth of pains, bound with chains upon their narrow beds,
bruised 1 and tortured and tightened in bondage by those
chains, full of foulness and of evil disgusting smell, and every
pain that it possible to thiuk of.
" tnbjiAij-OA, MS. mbfiAij-oAib," A.
"no," MS., the word AijteAm probably being left out by the
scribe ; uot in A.
1 I take bjunt,which means to " boil," for bjtut^, to bruise, through-
out this pieca,
346
" CA -opeAtn IA-O f UT> ? " Afi p<3t.
" SUT>," Aft An c-AmgeAt, " tucc nA teif 50, o'-
6 Aif.j\ionn, 6 f eAnm6ip,f ~\ 6 f eiptMf T)e. te teif 5 T>O
$nit>if f.Aitti$e -\ neArh-fuim "oo nA oeAj-gniotfiA, -\
if rnAips A tiir ^5 CfiAtt -ooti ^$e^6u ut>," Afv An
At, " 6 Y 6 T"" AicfieArh nA tipiAn cinncit>e
t)6tAif, toC An |:uACc, pfioffln AH ootnUnp,
Airhe An oo|\CAT)uif, coiiiitionfil nA mAltA6c,
nA peipje, At An up neAtCA, OAOfibptn'o nA teipg
An ArhgAi^, cA|icAf An mrii, cui^c An im|teAf Ain,
nA nt)iAt>At -OAfnAncA, to6 A'p pAifjige CA UoncA T>O t)i-
t>pei|\5e, *oo t)it, -00 tnu, t)o froitmAt), T)O 6At) -\ TDo'n
wile otc. 136 6n 6 ! if mAi|\5 biof c^iAll Ctnge."
-A6c CecMiA TO tAipbeAn An c-AmgeAt 50 6it\-
teAtAn -oo pol piAncA ifimn 50 1i-iomtAn. Agiif A^
nA Aicpmc T>O p6t fin tnte, te st^Af A t)e ] te con-
rh An Aingit, *oo tug t)ui-6eA6Af "oo T!)IA po An CAif-
fin f AgAit, 1 T)o 6tAoit> 5ep5O[\c (?) + A
fmuAineAtti UACC ouine A^V An fAojAt t)o t>i c|\iAtt
Cum nA t>piAn UD. Ann fin TIO ttie6|Aui$ An c
6 mutAtAift if,fiinn 50 T>cti5 AriiAfic t)6
t)e. AH f Aicfin An AtfiAific fin '06, niof.
-OA rheA-o -O'A ti>f.uAi|\ J nA f AOgAl [AIJI]. "Do
6onnAi|\c 5t6i|\ tnte An fig-tig neAfht)A, t)o
Afi StAntnj;te<5iii Tof A Ctvioft) 1 meA'bon nA n-
A|t A f ij-CAtAoif , i *oo 6uif An UieA|\nA fAit
rhumncit\t)eA jioirh |D6t, *] "outtAipu teif 5t)|\ geAfiji 50
j," MS. passim. t " fenAtnoji," MS.
Jb'eit)i|t, " t)o clAOti 50 goiftc SCAJI"? "x>ot)i pem A
T)90}i 50 suipc," A. " tiiui|i|tib," MS., " tnuijiAib," A.
347
" What people are those ? " said Paul.
" Those," said the angel, " are the people of sloth who used
to remain away from Mass, from sermons, and from the
service of God. Through sloth they used to neglect and
disregard good deeds, and alas for him who is journeying to-
wards that kingdom," said the angel, "for that is the habi-
tation of the fiery pains and of the misery, the lake of cold,
the prison of gall, the cave of darkness, the congregation of
curses, the hearth of anger, the ford of snow, the captivity
of sloth, the abode of misery, the dungeon of venom, the
court of dispute, the war of the damned devils, the lake and
sea that is filled with wrath, with want, with envy, with
covetous desire, with jealousy, and with all evil. Uch
hone, uch \ Alas for him who is journeying to it."
Howsoever, the angel showed Paul, at full length and com-
pletely, the pains of hell. And, on Paul's beholding all that,
with the grace of God, and with the help of the angel, he
gave thanks to God for receiving that vision, and he fell
to thinking bitterly about the numbers of people on the
world who were journeying to those pains. Then the angel
led Paul from the clouds 1 of hell until he gave him a sight
of the glory of the heaven of God. And, on Paul's be-
holding that sight, no sorrow of all he had had in his life
oppressed him. He behold the entire glory of the heavenly
palace. He beheld our Saviour Jesus Christ in the midst
of the angels, on His throne, and the Lord gave Paul a
gentle, friendly welcome, and told him that it was a short
1 or " ramparts."
2 A
348
6 Cum [n]A sl6ip.e piop,puit)e. Ann pm T>O
pug An c-AinseAl p6l leip 6 Atf>Aj\c nA j;l6ip.e *j
O'FAJ; e pAn AIC A bp.uAip. e 6 tup, '0*^5
Atge, Ajjtip T)' imtij 50
T)ov\A puibtit), i "oo n^
i Af\ piAncAit) ippinn.
-co "OiA t>e6.
V * * *
po siouA T)O UAip m6 6m"
i gCon-OAe filing 66, i 6 'bAoimb eite Ap
6AT)nA. "OubAipc pe liom 50 n-Abpuig-
peAn-feA|i eigin An c6At) CUTO, ."]. An Solxip no An
jo bppeASfVAigeA'O nA t)Aome uile *oo biot)
tetp An jiAnn "tTlolAmAoit) tu A lopA," -jo.
subAilcit)e nA
1TlolAinAoit>t tu A lof A T molpAmAoiX) tu coit>ce,
TIA stoi^e. An jtoiji (lopjiui'oe 50 bpAsAi'o An
An c-oj, A ociucpAit) ] A 'ocAinis, jMot ei-oeA-6 nA niAi5X)ine.
O A tigeApnA HAC Aoibmn foLAfAc, Ajup beAiinuJA-o *Oe 'nA|t
ITlite beAnnAtc T)e 50 BpiJAi-6 Aon neAc beo AJI An
A -oeA{ipAp " SeA6c SubAilcnie nA mAij^me."
An C6AT) pu&AitceJ puAiji An rflAi5t>eAn BeAnnuiste, 50 bpuAiji
A h-Aon ttlAc HAomcA An duriiAccA pin 50 Bpu AIJI pi 6 te n'lomcuji.
ru AlopA Ajup molAmAOiT)c coi-oce, -\ rnoLAtnAoi'o
nA jtoifte, Agup beAntiAcc T)e "oo neAc Ajt. bic pA'n
, A oeAftpAp peAcc puBAitci-oe nA
MS.
t " tTlolAtnui-o " Tjeiji PIAT> i
349
time until he should come to eternal glory. Then the angel
took Paul with him from the sight of the glory [of heaven],
and left him in the place where he found him at first, bade
him farewell, and departed to heaven.
Paul was throughout his life teaching and preaching to
the congregations and to the Gentiles about the glory of the
heavens and the pains of hell.
Glory be to the living God.
Here is a piece that I got from my friend Dr. Maguire
of the County Mayo, and from other people in the same
county. He told me that one old man used to repeat the
first portion, that is the " Satisfaction " or " Comfort," and
that all the people present used to answer with the Rann,
"We praise Thee, O Jesus," etc.
THE SEVEN COMFORTS OF THE VIRGIN.
We praise Thee, O Jesus, and we shall praise Thee for ever, and
we praise tho Queen of Glory. Eternal Glory may they find, both
the old and the young, all who shall come and all who have come
beneath the garb of the Virgin. O Lord, is it not delightful and
comforting with the blessing of God around us. A thousand
blessings of God may each one get who is alive in this world who
shall say the " Seven Comforts of the Virgin."
The FIRST comfort thai the Blessed Virgin got was that her Only
Holy Son got that power that sho found Him to bear Him.
RANN.
We praise Thee, Jesus, and we praise Thee fur ever, and we
praise the Queen of Glory, and the blessing of God to anyone in the
world who shall say The Seven Comforts of the Virgin.
Oeii cit> -oe MA
350
An "OATIA f ubAilce puAift An ttlAij-oeAn tteAnnuijce 30 bp UAIJI A
h-Aon ttlAC tlAoriicA ATI cuiTiAccA fin 50 nt>eACAix> Se AS t>iuit nA
cice.
nAtin.
molAmAoiT) iu, ic.
An CUIOrhAt) fubAilce f.UAif( An I'flAij'oeAn GeAnnuijce 50
ijt A h-Aon rtlAC HAOITICA Ati curiiAccA fin suji bojA-o e in f An
n^nn.
1C;
An ceAtUAttl <Vt) ffibAitce ^UAIH An TtlAij-oeAn beAnnuijce 50
A h-Aon true tlAoriitA An cumAccA fin 50 n-oeACAi-6 Se Ag
An CUIgOAt) fut)Ailce puAiji An tflAijijeAn GeAnnuijce 50
A h-Aon ttlAC nAomcA An cariiAccA fin 50 n-oeACAi-6 Se AS
* An t>iobtA.
An sfeAttlAt) f ubAitce f UAIJI An tflAij'oeAn tieAnnuijce 50 bpuAiji
Ah-Aon ttlAC tlAomcA An cumAccA fin 50 n-oeAjinAi'o Se pion oe'n
~\C.
An seA6cttlA'6 fubAitce fUAiji An lilAijtieAn tJeAnnuijce 50
Se 50 cuipc nA nsjiAfA.
tli A$ Aon t>eAlA6 Aiti^in -oo tti nA SeAdc SutAilcit)e
Ag nA T>Aoinitt. AS fo eASAji eile O^A, n\Ap t>o
6uAtAf 6 -buine eile e.
1. nAtti f uAiji Se An 6riiA6c s\in ruiflins Se in A bjioinn.
2. nuAip puAi|i Se An cuniAcc 50 F U 5 A '6 6 fAn
mbecletem.
351
The SECOND comfort that the blessed Virgin got was that Her
Only Holy Son got that power that He went drawing her breast.
RANN.
We praise Thee, etc.
The THIRD comfort that the blessed Virgin got was that Her Only
Holy Sou got that power that He was rocked in the cradle.
RANK.
We praise Thee, etc.
The FOURTH comfort that the blessed Virgin got was that her
Only Holy Son got that power that He went walking the floor.
RANN.
We praise Thee, etc.
The FIFTH comfort that the Blessed Virgin got was that Her Only
Holy Son got that power that He went reading the Bible.
We praise Thee, etc.
The SIXTH comfort that the Blessed Virgin got was that Her Only
Holy Son got that power that He made wine of the water.
RANN.
We praise Thee, etc.
The SEVENTH comfort that the Blessed Virgin got was that He
went to the Court of the Graces.
RANN.
We praise Thee, etc.
It is not in one way only that the people have the Seven
Comforts. Here is another arrangement of them that I
also heard :
1. When He found such power that He descended into her womb.
2. When He found such power that He was boru in the stable at
Bethlehem,
352
3 5 n-oeAftai-o Se AJ x>iit nA cice.
4. go nt>eACAi-6 Se AJ f iubAt A
5. 50 ntjeACAi-6 Se AJ teijeAT) An t)iobt/\.
6. 50 nt>eACAi-6 Se 50 JjAjijroA An
7. 50 troeACAit) Se 50 plAiteAf "Oe nA n
fo Ufuiuige t)6c\3 Ve tiA"6 1 ITOI,\I$ An
-oo \!ot) mo
ttluij 66, ) tug fe > 6Arh-fA e.
tmnuige i nt)iAi$ An
A tijeAjinA tjeAn cjiocAip
A Cpiofc oeAn citocAi|ie
A tJAinfioJAn nA Soillf e
T)eAn cfiocAijie ojijtAinn.
J^o oc5Aix> fib cjiocAipe xiuinn
tTlAiceAmnAf i cjtocAifte D'AJI n-AnmAnnAi6.
tlA|t cuifn-6 fit) nix> AJI bit m A
A bAin-peAf A|i jcion*
*Oe jloift fionfiui-oe nA 6plAiceAf "oi
50 f AbAtAi-6 fib AH cic An AnAdAin
Asf A^ Aicit)ib nA bliAx>nA f inn.
go gconjbAijit) fib AH 5C1T) i A|i
A)i f AoJAl ] A^ ft/Aince,
-A-o T)e Ajuf nA jcoriiAHf An. Amen.
AS fo coip eile oefAoipt)in nA le^ptAn T>O cuAtAi"6
m6 1 sCon-DAe Thing 66. U^ cuit) rh6p T>e feo
|\Ait AgAm CeAnA 7 if piu A Cup fiof 50 ti-ioint<in.
pAoisitun nA teAptAn (coip eae).
50 tui-6imit> Ve T)IA "| T)o ttn-ona T)IA tinn,
peAjif A O "6iA tmn, T>A tAirii T)e tmn,
nA CHI riluiHe tmn,
t)iA 'gf Colm-cit/te tinn.
*ni HO coiccionn i jConnAccAib An f.ocAt "cion " = "cuit)."
353
3. That He went upon her breast.
4. That He went walking the floor.
5. That He went reading the Bible.
6. That He arent to the Garden of Paradise.
7. That He went to the Heaven of God of the Graces.
Here is a little prayer to be said after the Paidirin
Pairteach. My friend, Dr. Maguire, wrote it down from
the mouth of Michael O'Hegarty, from Teachin, in the
county Mayo, and gave it to me :
PRAYER AFTER THE PAIDIRIN PAIRTEACH.
Lord, have mercy upon us,
Christ, have mercy upon us,
O Queen of the Bright Light,
Have mercy upon us.
May ye show mercy upon us and grace.
Forgiveness and mercy to our souls.
May ye put nothing in our hearts
That may take our share
Of the eternal glory of the heavens from TIP.
May ye saye us from the showers of calamity,
And from the diseases of the year.
May ye keep our portion and oar people
In life and in health,
In the love of God and of thft neighbours. Amen.
Here is another version of the " Bed Confession " that I
heard in the county Mayo. There is a good deal of this
that I had not got before, and it is worth while putting it
down entirely.
THE BED CONFESSION (Another Version).
May we lie down with God, and may God lie with us.
A Person from God with us. The two hands of God with us.
The Three Marya witli us.
God and Columcille with us.
354
tlAc OAinjeAri An tun A bpuilmi-o Ann
IXMJI muifte ASU^ A tTlAC,
AJUf A b]1AC,
AgUf A fJIAC,
T)1A 'gUf A tAril T>eAf ,
T)vit foiji finn 7 JJAC olc.
HAH tuixumiT) te h-otc.
HA|i tui-oix) otc tmn.
Cuimjiij nA DCJII
CfiAnn TIA choice,
C|iAnn nA cfto,
CjiAnn Ai|i A|i ctiocA-6
'5 u r [] ^t 1 eifig Se Ajiff beo.
O A 1115 nA CACJIAC AJI neArii
CoiriieAX) fpiopA-o m'
A\\ f iop-CAtAisci5 An
f |\nuie Avei\\eAt> PA-O^A^ O
, 1 gCon-o^e ttlui$ 66, f\oirh An
f-dn oit)6e. |?t>Aif mife 6 6m'
<\ t)opcuic t)o CAit c^mAU A|A AH oilexin pn,
-oo
Omtvujnut) Ajtif fteAccAmait) i n-Ainm lofA CjiiofCA,
m AJI bpeACAi-6.
] consnArii ACAmuit*
Aft n-AnAtn A cuji
te gAn tiut) AJI bit A
1nf An cfAogAt fo -ouinn
T)o ftAinpeAxi A\I joint)
"Oe jl/oif -pio|intJiT)e nA b
Ace JAC ite ni'o
1f mo jiACAf 1 foiji&e
i teAf A|t n-AnAtn.
355
Is it not strong the fortress in which wa are I
Between Mary and her Son,
Brigit and her mantle,
Michael and his shield,
God and His right hand,
Going between us and every evil.
May we not lie down with evil,
May evil not lie down with in.
The protection of the Three Trees,
The tree of the Cross,
The tree of the blood, 1
The tree on which Christ was hanged
And from which He arose again alive.
O King of the cathair in heaven,
Keep the spirit of my soul
From the real-temptations of the adversary.
H 
