AbnAin AC A teAgCA ar
An RBACCtime

OK

SONGS ASCBIBED TO RAFTERY.

BEING THE

FIFTH CHAPTER OF THE SONGS OF CONNACHT

NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME COLLECTED EDITED AND

TRANSLATED

BV

DOUGLAS HYDE, LL.D.
(Ati cnAoiOin Aoitjinn.)

t)Alte AtA ClIAt :

CuftA AtllAC te 51U AgUf A itlAC.

1903.

i

-I -I

III

S

§

i

5 's- a

C hi <3

-Ml le<\tiAii so
le meAs mon i ie tintfeACAS

t)AincigeAnnA Snejont
o'ti 5cua,

ADjIAlTl ACA leAJCA All AH

UeACcuiiie.

Abn^iin An ne^ccume.

Hu&iH CAicce;y]\ cloc i n-uij-ge coJ^nu15ce^n mj
c-t'ii-ge. TJuice&nn en cloc 50 ■oci 6.n com Agui" Luix)-
e^nn p e>.nnpn, acc «. bpA-t) cd-n ei]-<s. cuicime m/>.iiie4,tin
gluAf Acc 6.n tiifge Aguf cit)ceA]» e\\ a bi.]t|i ^.n conn 00
cog Ati ctoc. SnAth6.nn An conn fo AttiAC 6'n 5ce4.)(C-
ti.|i, mA|\ pAintie moji, 50 BCAg^nn fe 50 t)ci An bnuAC.

If e CAinij; in mo ccAnn, e>.]\ scpuinniuJAt* wAncA
ATI UeAccuijie -oAin, 50 •ocuiccAnn pie 6 neirii in I'An
cf A05AI, co^ji-UAni, tnA|i cloc 1 n-uif5e. SgiobcAji UAinn
An pie A5 Ati mbAf, cuiceAtin a cojipAn in ^^An caIaiti,
Acc niAineAnn An gluAf acc 00 cog \-e, Agui* cogAnn a
cuit) •OAti conn bcAg feim fioccAncA aji uij'ge An

Cl'AOJAll, Ag fnAlh AiriAC A fepAtJ 6 A1C BUCCAL' An pie

l^ein. If AthlAit) ca^Ia fe, guji buAilcAti opm An conn
•00 cog Ancoine O ftcAccuijie ceic]ie f icio mile 6 n-A aic
f6in Aguf niof mo ni. x>i^ pcit) bliAWAii ca|i eif a conn
x>o beic fince in f An cfeAn jioilig i gCillinin. If mAti
fo ca|iIa fe. "O'eifigeAf AmAC, Ia bfeAg feACA fAn
ngeimiieAt), mo gA'OAi^iin lemo coif Aguf mo gunnA An
mo guAlAinn, Agtif niop bf aoa cuAit» me no go gcuAl-
Ai6 me An feAn-feA|i Ag 'oo|iAf a bocAin Aguf e Ag
£AbAil go binn v6 fein,

noif A^i vce&£c nil peit btii5T)e '^-e&iy tosFitj me 6e<Sl,
O £utft me in mo 6eAnn e ni fCopirAi'D mi iomie
Ko reAfFAfo me f-i-sit i l«« 6ont)Ae ttluit-ed.

• •*••••««

f?ii5Aim le lt-ut>ACCA 50 n-eit«5eAnn mo £ttoi'6e-r«
ITlAjt Aji'OuijteAii An JAoc no majt fSAptAfi An ceo

nuAtt< fmoAinijim a^i CcAftt^A Ague Aft t)AtlA caoi5 p'or tie
Af fSAAtAi *' mile, no aji ]&lAtneA'* ttlui^-eo.

8
RAFTERY'S POEMS.

When a stone is thrown into water the water is moved. The
stone falls to th« bottom and lies there, but long after its fall the
movement of the water remains, and the wave that the stone has
raised is perceived upon the top. This wave swims out from the
centre like a great ring until it reaches the bank.

It occurred to me, while collecting Raftery's poems, that
occasionally a poet falls from Heaven into the world like a
stone into water. The poet is snatched from us by death, his
body falls into the earth, but the movement which he has
aroused remains, and his poems raise a little, quiet, gentle wave
upon the water of life which floats far out from the poet's own
native place. And so it chanced that I met the wave that
Anthony O'Raftery had raised, some eighty miles from his native
place and some forty years after his body being laid in the old
churchyard of KLlleenin. I had risen out of a fine frosty day in
winter, my little dog at heel and gun on shoulder, and it was not
long I had gone until I heard the old man at the door of his
cottage and he singing sweetly to himself.

Now, on the coming of spring, the day will b© a-stretohing.
Now, on the coming of Brigit's Eve (1), it is, that I shall
raise my music ;

Since I took it into my head I shall never stop

Until I stand in the west in the miftet of the county of Mayo 1

I solemnly (2) declare it, that my heart rises up,
Even as the wind is lifted, or as the mist is dispersed,

Wihen I think upon Carra and upon Balla to the north of it (3),
Upon the Bush of the Mile and upon the planet of Mayo.

(1) The first of February

(2) Literally : " I leave it by testament," a common Irish expression.

(3) Literally: "Down from it." The Irish say "down" for the
North, and "up" for the South. The North of Ireland is ioicAn iia
h-6itie4nn i.e. the bottom of Ireland. The South is the top. They
say the wind is siiifting down, i.e., to the North.

X>o CMcnig n& b]\iACH6. bom 50 t)i6)\. "Ohiiuix) me
A.nonn 100'n ci^eAn-fre^p, Ajup " An nii4inpe& ^n c-6.bpAn
pn lOAm ?" A]! -pA mij-e, "Oo liiuin, AgU]- lo'itticij nie
^'b6.1le, A.5U|- ctn-o ni6|i •oe " ChorroAe Ttlhuij-eo " ■oe
iTie6.bA.p Aj&ni. "Oo b'e pn mo ce^^TD ca^ao leij- ^.n conn
■Of ^5 An UeAccuiiie 'n^ ■61A.15. tliop cu&LAf a Ainm An
UMji pn, Agup nf jiAtb pop AjAm 50 ceAnn monAin oe
bliA-OAncAib 'nA ■61A15 pn juji b'e ■00 ceAp An piopA 'oo
CAicnig liom com moji pn.

'Oo bi me Ia, CU15 bliAonA ■oeAg, 'nA tiiAij pn, Ag
lAimpuJAT) AgU]- Ag pi\ucA-6 AmeAfg nA ^-eAn Laiti-
■p51iibinn jAe-oilge aca ^An AcA-oAiiii tliosAiTiAil, 1
mt)Ail-AC-cliAc, Ajup cpcAt) •00 cA|-fAit)e oi\m acc
teAbA]i tAiTi-i-gpiobcA a jtAib cuitj -oe -OAncAib An
■ReAccuine Ann, Agup -oo bi mo f-eAn-cAiiAio "ConnwAe
TnJiuij-eo" 'nA meAi-5, ASU)- 1)' Ann pn -oo puAip me
AmAc gup b'e An TleAccui|\e a ujoah, aju)- gup b'tomwA
AbpAn binn eite ■00 cum ye teip

"Oo bi me Ia eile, a bpAt) ca]i eiy pn, AnAice leir
An 5CA111AA15 "Ohuib, 1 jComoAe bliAil-AC-cliAc, Agur
me A5 pubAloi-ocAcc "OAm yem a]i An mb6cA)\. 'Oo bi
peAp •oaII Ap CAOib An bocAip.Agup e AgiAppAio t)ei|ice.
Chug me ^'in ■06, Agup -o'lmcij me Liom. Acc caji eir
pee peippe no mA|\ pn ■00 beic pubAlcA AgAm, CAinir
■pe in mo ceAmi t)'Aon ppeAp AiiiAin, 50 mbA copriiuiL te
5Aet)eil,5ce6]\ An -oaII pin, gup CA-OAn Agup beAl ^Aet)-
eilgceopA-oo bi Aip, Agup "cAt) cuige," a]\ pA mipe liom
pem, "nAp lAbAip cu 1 nj^-eoeilg leip?" tlf ciiipre
CAinig An i-muAineAm pin cugAm nA •o'pll me Ap m'Air
Aptp go x)Ci An uaUj ^gup lAbAi)\ me teip 1 njAetieiLi:.
O'ppeAgAip fe me go binn blApcA Ann f An ceAngAio

The words pleased me greatly. I moved over to the old man,
and " Would you learn me that song 1" says I. He taught it to
me, and I went 'home, and with me a great part of "The CJounty
Mayo " (1) by heart. That was my first meeting with the wave
taiat Eaftery left behind him. I did not hear his name at that
time, and I did not knoiw for many years afterwards that it was
he who had composed the piece which had pleased me so well.

I was, another day, fifteen years after this, handling and
poking amongst the old Irish MSS. that are in the Boyal Irish
Academy in Dublin, and what should I meet there but a manu-
script book in which were some of Baftery's poems, and amongst
them my old friend " County Mayo," and it was then that I learned
that Eaftery was its author, and that many another sweet ecmg
he 'had composed *s well as it.

I was another day, a long time after this, near Blackrock,
in the county Dublin, and I strolling on the road iby myself.
There was a blind man on the side of the road and he asking
alms. I gave them to him and went on. But after my having
gone about twenty perch it came into my head, of one snap,
that that blind man was like an Iris'h speaker, that he had the
face and mouth of an Irish speaker on him, and "'w'hy," said I
to myself, "did you not speak to him in Irish ?" No sooner did
the thought oome into my 'head than I returned back to the blind
man and spoke to him in Irish. He answered me with melody
and 'taste in the same language, and I remained for a long time

(1) This ia also known as the "Song of Killeadan."

ceAT)n&, Ajiif o'jTAn me c6.niA.lt Y6.V6. 6.5 c&itic leif.

SeAJ&n O niAinnin ah c-Ainm -oo "bf Aip. but) ^f Chon-

t)Ae no. 5'i^illi'iie e. gioll*. c6.pA.ll 1)0 bi Ann, in a 6156,

Agu)' ■00 CAill i^e iia-6a]\c a ful A5 leimnij I'gonnf a aj-

liiuin cApAill ; no buAil c]iAob e, aju]" ■oo t)All p e.

"O'lnnii' ye a lAn •OAm 1 ■ocAoib An TleAcrui)ie. 'OubAi)\c

]-e liom : "TTIa beiTDeAf cu conoce 1 mbAile bcAj -oaii

b'Ainm C|\eAciiiAot 1 gConoAe nA 5«-illiriie ; ca ceAc aji

CAOib An bocAip A5111' i:eiliTieA|i -OAp bVinin "OiAiiniuit)

O CluAnAin 'nA coiiinuioe Ann. Ij^ Ann ^^An C15 pn

yuM\\ An HeAcci'iine bAp, Agu)' bf poy Ai5e i-eAcc

mbliAionA noiiTie ym, CAt) e An aic Aguf An ceAC Aguj' An

Ia A5«f &n UAi]i -oo bf 1 nt)An ■do bAf frAgAtl." *Oo

cuitiinig me A]i An meAt) AwubAipc An ■oaU liom, acc

nion fAOil me 50 mbeinn coitice 1 jgC^ieAcmAol. Acc

caiiIa 50 bjruApA^ me pein 1 nweij-ceAiic An cont)Ae

A5Uf CAinig An ym A-oubAipc An t)aII in mo cuimne.

ChuAiD me coiii jtawa le CueACiiiAol, yuAi]\ me AmAC

DiAnmuit) O CluAnAin, iy'^viy connAipc me An ccac a

bfUAip An pie hi.y Ann. "OubAiiic An i-eAn-i-cA^i liom

50 |\Aib A cult) BAncA i-5i\fobcA 1 leAbA]! Ag A leiceiD

]eo t)'feAii. CliUAit) me aji a ucoip, acc t)ubi\At) liom

gup co^At) An leAbAp 50 t)ci An c-OileAti Uji.

ChuAit) me 50 C15 nA gCAlnAnAch bo bi j-An jcoritAp-

fAnAcc pn, oiji cuaIai-o me 50 ^lAib leAbAji aca-

^An A jiAib TjAncA An TleAccui^ie aju]' t)AncA a n-oncAil

yein Ann. Dhi nA CAlnAnAi5 b)\eA5 pAlmAjt ^Ai^ipng,

t)'iA)ApAt)AH o]im An oit)ce t)0 cAiceAm leo, acc wubnA-

t)AH 50 iiAib An leAbA|i yo imcijce gotsci An c-OileAn

U|\ inA|\ AnjccAtinA, Aju]' b'eijin uaiii plleAt) gAn e.

11io|\ b}.-At)A 'nA loiAij pn 50 nt)eACAit) mo CApAit),

talking io him. Seaghan O Mainnin was his name. He uras
from the county of Galway. He had been a groom in his youth,
and he had lost the sight of his eyes in leaping a scuns* on
horseback, a branch had struck him and iblinded him. He told
me a lot about Raftery (1). He said to me, " If you are ever iu
a little town called Craughwell, in the county Galway, there is a
house on the side of the road and a farmer of the name of
Diarmuid O Cluanain living in it. It is in that house that Raftery
died, and he knew, seven years before that, what was the place
and the house, and the day and the hour that it was fated for
him to die." I remembered all the blind man told me, but I
never thought that I should be in Craughwell. It happened,
however, that 1 did find myself in the south of the county, and
the thing the blind man told me came into my memory. I went
as far as Craughwell, found out Diarmuid O Cluanain, and saw
the house in which the poet died. The old man told me that
such and such a man had his poems written in a ibook. I weAt
in pursuit of them, but I was told that the book had been taken
to America. I went to the house of the Calanans then, that was
in the neighbourhood, for I heard that th«y had a book in which
were Raftery's poems and the poems of their own unoJe. The
Calanans were fine and generous and hospitable, and asked me to
spend the night with them, but they said that this book was gone
to America also, and I had to return without it.

It was not long after that until Lady Gregory went in pursuit

(1) Taming to English he said something that stmek me so that 1
ivrote it down on the back of an envelope. Here are the exa.ct words :
"Kaltery was an in«pired man, and that's all aoout it, and every word
ot it correct just as if it was coming out of a dictionary 1"

i>.n D6.inci5e6,)in& 5]ie50|ii, 6.]\ coip leAbAiji t)0 CU6.I&116
■pi 00 beic I'ATi 5c6tTi6.|if«>Ti&cc ceA.'ond., A-guf p^-ip fi e 1
peilb feA-n fAoi|i-ctoice An&tce le Cillinin. "Oo
f5piobAt> ATI leA-b*.!! 50 1i-4,n-iiiAic 1 lir:)Ae«.CMb 5*.et>-
eilge Ag tiiiine eigin j&n AiTiTn,citiiciollleic-ceAt) bliA-6-
Ati 6 foin; pM]i p An led.b6.]i fo Ap 16.|-acc Ajuf cug
■o&iii-'pA e, AStii" fSlifob me fe&cc n-AbiiAin -oeAg Af.
"Oa AbpAti pcit) leip &n TleACcume 00 bi Ann, Ajup cpi
cinn no ceACAji le ■OAOinib eite. Ca]i eif pn cuai-6 me aji
c6i)i An leAbAip 100 donnAic me f An AcAt)AitTi niof mo
nA -oeic mbliA^An ]Aoiiiie pn. ChuAit) me a]i ■ocup 50
t)ci An cLap, no index, nA teAbA|i aca fAn AcA'OAirii acc
ni pAib oipeAtj Aguf Ainm An ReAcctiiiie a]i cIa^ nA
leAbAjt 5^6'o6i^e Ann fAn AcAOAim, Ajuf nf |AAib
cfeAt) line Aon x)Ain v'a cuit) ■OAncAib le fA50.1l a]i cIaji
nA gceA'o-lince. ChAit me ■oa Ia 6 tiiAixjin 50 1i-oit)ce
&5 'Dul cpfe nA leAbpAib ful puAip mh 6. Aca niop
mo nA pee ■OAn leif An TleAccuipe in pAn j-jpibmn
•peo, Aguf IA10 p5|AiobcA 50 mAic 1 liCjieACAib "Styet-
eilje le Iauti peAn-uuine, mA^i mcAfAim, ■ooccuip
leigip, b'eit)i]», 6^]\ ca An line feo, 1 l/Ait)ion, fspfob-
CA A|i ■Duilleoig 'oe, toUere nodosam nescit medicina
podagram, Ajup ca peicceAji cinn An TleAccui^ie
CAjniAinjce j;o \\em le peAnn Ati IcACAnAc eile,

A5Up CUplA pOCAl 1 mbeA|\lA pAOl (1) Ag CAbA1]lC

•OACA A bi-if, 1835, Aguf <>- 'S-oip, Aon bliAt)Ain tjeAj
Ajup 'OA pcit) ! X)o |-5|tiob me AmAc nA h-AbpAin nAc
^lAib pAn leAbA^i eile, Agup ^iinne me comppAit) le
h-Ai^ie m6i]i it)ip n6 coipeAnnAib -oo bf pAn p5)iibinn

(1) A5 ro 14 b|ii<\c)id, Authony Bafferty, Irish Mioslrel, died
October, 1835. Aet 51.

9

of a book that she heard was in the neighbourhood, and she found
it in the possession of an old stone-cutter near Killeenan. This
'book was written very well in Irish characters by some nameless
person, apparently about fifty years ago. She got a loan of the
book and lent it to me, and I copied out of it seventeen songs.
There were in it twenty-two poems by Baftery, and three or four
by other people. After that I went to look for the book I had seen
in the Academy more than ien years before. I first went to the
index of the MSS. in the Academy, but there was not even tihe
name of Eaftery in the index of the Irish books there, nor was
the first line of any of his poems to be found amongst tiho index
of first lines. I spent two days from morning till night going
through the books before I found it. There are more than
twenty poems by Raftery in this MS., which is well written, in
Irish characters, in an old man's handwriting, a doctor's, perlnips,
for I found this line written on one of the leaves—

toMere nodosam nescit medicina podagrAm,

and there is a picture of Baftery's head drawn in a rougih and
ready way, with pen and ink, upon another page, and a couple of
words in English underneath, giving the date of his death:
" Anthony Baflferty, Irish Minstrel, died October, 1835. Aet 51."
I wrote out from this MS. what poems were not in the other book,
and I made a comparison ?rith great care between the copi^ that

10

feo A-guf 1 i'5nibinn «.n ci-^^om-cLoice : ^vg yo 6.no\]' me>~\^
cuijA me n*. ■oatica eile te ceiLe.

"Oo TTU&ip me occ nxjAticA 6m' ca^mt) eoj&n
O tle^ccAin, 1 ng'^l-'-i'Ti. qiei-oim 50 'byud-HA yei]-eAii
6,n CU1-0 If mo &.ci>. 6 ^ei>-]\ -oe muinnci]\ CliomAin 111
ye>.r\ gcAC&i)! pn. X)o y\i{>■^]\ me CU15 6.'bi\d.in eile
6'n Ac«.i)\ CLemenc O tujnM-o, 6'n TTlA.itiifCi]! 1 mb&il-
Loc-|Ai&c, 00 T5|Aiob i6.t) 6 be^L ^•eo-n-'oiiine pee
blio.r)An ^oime pn. X:a.]\ e^y pn, vo fUM]\ me Tjinbinn
A.]\ 1&TA.CC 6m' c^iAMt), IHd-c til pbloinn, cleine&6
Uliu&mA, Ann a|a cuii\ ^e pof Af -pgiAibinn x)0 b6.in le
IIIac Ui Clie6.lLAi5 eigin, aju^- 6 be&l OAOine, cuit) m6)\
t)e n«. OAncAib t)0 bf A^^m ce6.nA. CliuMt) me cftit) An
]-5)nbinn ^-eo le 1i-Aine m6iii, aju)' b'uf AitveAC e A5 ceAp-
cuJAt) nA 5c6ib eile. tit ]AAib Ann acc t)A AbpAin
AiTiAin (1) Agui^ ctiplA ]iAnn nAC ]iAib AjAm ceAnA. "Oo
|:uAip me An OAn fAt)A, "SeAncuf nA Sj^eice," 6m' ce^\\-
Ait), triAc 111 ITIhioiocAin, e.\\ wcuf, Ajuf xio ceApcAij me
e Af Tjufbinn ITlViic tJi ^'bloinn. "Oo y\iM\\ me "An
CboLenA monbui-" 6'n bfeAi\ ccA'onA. "Oo ^uaipcAf An
" Chiti]' x)A pleiB " 1 -pjntbinn ■oo pinne feA]A •oe nA
b-Oipmj 1 liqieACAib Tl6mAnACA 00 peip fUAime nA
bpocAl, I'An mbliAt)Ain, 1834, no mAf pn. fuAi]! me lAf-
Acc nA f5nibinne yeo 6m' CAi'Ait), TIIac Hi pbloinn.
puAip me "p^-'o^-c mViAHCUif tli ChAllAin" Af An fgiiib-
inn ccAunA, A^uf Af fgiitbmr, TTlhic lli fbloinn, Sjptob
me fiof "niAipe tli Vi-emm" 6 bcAl UbomAif Hi b-Bit)-
in, Af CbillcApcAn, aca jaoIac leif An jcAilin Aluinn
•00 bf 'nA bun-A-obA^i t)o'n AbjiAn, Ajtif fspiob me An
CUIT) if m6 tje'n " TleAcctiijie Ajtif An bAf " 6 bcAl An
(1) " Cnocin Ati e<Jnn*i5" -Jsuf " ■*" 5reur«<t>e."

11

were common both to this and the stone-cutter's MS. 1 collected
the other poems as follows : —

I got eight poems from my friend Owen Neachtain in
Galway. I believe that he got most of them from a man of ^tho
Oomynses near that city. I got five other songs from Father
Clement O'Looney, from the Abbey in Ixiughrea, Who had written
them down from the mouth of an old man about tiwenty years
tefore. After that I got the loan of a MS. from my friend Mr.
Glynn, Town Clerk of Tuam, in which he had written down out
of a MS. belonging to one of the Kellys, and from the mouths of
difEerent people, a great number of the poems that I had already.
I went through this MS. with great care, and it was useful to me
to correct the other versions by. There were in it only two songs
and a couple of ranns that I had not got before. I got the long
poem, the "History of the BuSh," from my friend Mr. Meehan
first of all, and I corrected it from Glynn's MS. I got the
"Cholera Morbus" from the same man. I got the " Cuis da
pleidh" (the "Cause a-pleading") from a MS. that one of the
Hessians wrote phonetically in Roman letters in or about the
year 1834. I got the loan of this MS. of Hessian's from my friend
Mr. Glynn. I got the "Hunt of Marcus O'Callain " from the
same source, and from Glynn's book. I wrote down the song of
"Mary Hynes " from the mouth of Mr. Thomas Hynes, of Cill-
tartan, who was himself related to the handsome girl who was
the subject of it. I wrote the most of " Eaftery and the Death "

12

oinne ceA.t)nd.. ■puA.i]\ me " Cilt&o-OAin " tio " Conti^e
ITII1U15-66," 6 Uhrt.t)5 O Connl^in, TnAO)! 00 iTiuintici)\
tnhic ITIhfi.jn6.1-4., 1 ^Cill-fi.O'OAin, no ]\u-^6.x> 6.5U)- -on
to-^a-v 1 n-6.on b«.il-e Lei|- &11 KeAcciiine )rein (c). pii«.i|i
tne An cuid i]- m6"'o'An4.c CuMn " 6m' C6.i\4.it), Pivoin-
pty]- O Conciib6.i]\,T)o ciiA.l6.ii6 e 6.5 -j-eAn-mnAOi 1 n-An6.c
Cu6.in ^rein. pu6.in me '' bA.ii-loc-)ii6.c " 6 Sheum&i
O Tn^oittii*., is]' *0]\uim "Oneipn, t)o cu6.t6.1t) 6.5 6, 6C6in
e. ■pu6.i)i me 6b]\6.in eite fi-gur ]"5e6Lc6. 6 •ofi.oinib eile.
ly- iii6]i pn ■00 cuiji me le ceile, com 1116.IC ^'^Viy
■o'^'e6.t)6.-p^ 6.n me6.t) -oo ^.-umji me, ne coj\6.6 c6nui5e6cc6.
f:6.'06, •oe •oi.ncAi'b ajiii" •o'6.bn6.n6.ib 6n 'Ue6ccui]\e, no
■oe n6 h-6'b]i6.n6.ib ■00 bi Icajca. 6.i]i.

"Oo ]ui56.t) 6.n Ke6,ccuine cimciotl n*. bli6.t)n6, 1784,
6.5 Citl-6ot)&in, 6n6.ice te CoilLce-m6.c, 1 5Cont)6.e
tnliui j-G6. "Oo rAii-be-snAt) x>6.m 6n Aic 6. ]i6ib 6n boc-
6.n 6.nn 6. luijAt) 6. tif'l -pe 6. b]:6.T) 6'n Lio)- Ajit), cnoc-
Ainfn 17601 cn6nii6ib 6.]i cul cije moiii Cliill-60t)6-in, 6.n
6.1c bu-6 liio CAicige ^'iceog •o'a bf.niil |'6.n ci)i pn. IIuai]!
bi ]-e cimciolb n6.oi Tnbl,i6-66.n6. •oVoi-p •00 buAileA-t) eleir
6.n n56.l6.11 b]ie6.c, Agiif C61LI ye 6. ii6.-66iic. Uhoi-615
l^e 6.^ 6.n bei-oUn no 6.n pt)il ■o'^ojluim, 6cc nfo|i cuaL-
A.i'o me CI6. liiuin tdo e. UA 6on |iut) cinnce, n6.c p6ib -pe
liiAtii 6cc 'n6. ■6noc-bett;ile6.t)6ifi, 6.511]- nio|im6ic ^nbeiri-
lin •00 bi 6i5e. Ilioji yeA-t) me ]>6.56il 6m6c C6t) fAC 6.]!
c]Aei5 I'e 6. 6.1c ■6ucc6.iy 1 5Con'06e tl1liui5-66 le ■out 50
Con-06e nA 5*-'^^"^i6- ■^^n ^iinne |-e fin, 65UI' C6ic pe
6.n cmt) b*. liio vi. f6056t 50 -oci 6. b6.p 6.5 10111 fU6.p 'y

(1) S5|iio& reipeAn e 1 liciie,MiAib noriiAtiac* no \ie\p FUAinie tiA
bpocAl X)0 injeAii ttlic fh*5n*|-n4)i -oo CU5 ■oAm-r* e.

18

from the mouth of the same man. I got " Killeadan " or " County
Mayo" from Thady Connlan, a herd of the MacMjunis family, of
Killeadan, who was born and bred in the same townland as
Rafterty himself (1). I got the most of " Anach Cuain " from my
late friend F. O'Oonor, who heard it from an old woman in Anacih
Cuain itself. I got " Loughrea " from James O'Mulloy, of Drun»-
griflSn, who heard it from his father, and I got other poems from
other people. In this way I have put together, as well as I have
been able, whatever I hare found as the result of long hun'ting,
of the songs and poems of Baftery, and of the songs attributed
to him.

Raftery was born atwut the year 1784 at Killeadan, near
Coilltemach, or Kiltimaglh (1), in the oounty Mayo. The place
where the little cottage was in which he was bom was shown to
me. It was not far from Lisard, or the High Liss, a small
wooded eminence at the back of Killeadan House, one of the
places most frequented by fairies or s'heeogues of all that are in
that country. When he was about nine years of ag'e he was
struck with smallpox and lost his sight. He began then to learn
the violin or fiddle, but I never heard who taught it to him. One
thing is certain, he was never anything els© than a bad fiddler,
and the violin he had was not good either. I have not been able
to find out for what cause he forsook his native place in th«
county Mayo to go to the county Galway. H© did this, however,
and spent th« most of his life until his death, going up and down

(1; He wrote down this song in phonetic spelling for my friend
Miss MacManus, the novelist.

14

AHUA.1' 1 jConioA-e 11^ gMLliiTie, 50 mon-mon it)i|t b'l-i-c-
An-mj Agu]' bAil-loc-pK^'c, A.guj' 5o)tc Inny-e SuMjie,
A.5 ioe6.nA.m ^ttiA-c fLije be&c^ -66 ^ein te n-A cuit) ceoil
^5"r ^fep«-n. bhi cpiup no ced.c|i&p •oe bAi\t>6.ife inMce
Ati UA.)]! feo 1 gContiAccd-ib, m6.]\ 100 bi ITl&c Ui Shuibne
Aguj- Ati bA.iped.'OAc, 1 5CotiT)6.e Itlhttij-eo, ty-^viy t)eip
cuit) Toe riA. feA.n-iOA.oinib 50 mbpeApp i&t) ]-o da 6.r\ Re&c-
COTjie. Ace CA &n cui-o i]' mo t)'<s n-d.b]iAnMb-|'eAn
CAillce, Aguj- ly- woibj, e>.]\ t>n A.X)h6.\\ pn, coni6)(CAf ■00
■6eAnA.iii e&co]ipA, Agup niop ce&nc e. 6i)\ ij' pp teijiti
*-5"r e6lA.if Agu)' tii&oine 00 bi in yt^n mbeiiAc pn ; &cc
fiin cugAinn An Tle&ccuine, 'n«. t)AlL 6 n-A oige, 6.5
lomcAU hiaIa, gAtt ceAc, gAn ceAgAjA, ^An •o'noionn, jAn
^r"r> 5^" eolAf Aige A|i leijcA'o ni. a]i pgjifobAt), jAn
ceAngAi-o ijceAjic Aige acc a JAeoeils fem.Agui' ■o'f-A5
ye lop5 'nA wiAig 50 oci An Ia imoiu, niofooinine, ■OAp
liom-TA, ni. •o']f-A5 pAO-fAn. ITlunA nibeic we liiAic in
f An leAbA)i fo ACC Ab)iAin ■oaiII jAn leigcAn ■00 c|\uin-
niu^At), ■DO b'pu An qnobloit) e, Acc nuAiji ca pof
AgAinn 5b |iAib An baIL yo 'nA curiiAcc in fAn cfp, A5
SpiofuJAt) nA nwAoine A-nAgAio nA nx)eAcmui6, Aguj-
56. mbnoi-ctiJAt) A-nAJAiTJ a nAiiiAt), hiaY oLc ihaic a
cum Ab]iAn i^' pu a gcpuinniu^At) a|i a fon pn ^rein.

Tlinne An UeAccui]ie AbpAin A5 niolAt) nA ntsAome
t)0 cui-otg no T)o CAicnij lei|-, no Ag inolAt) nA n-AiccACA
in Ap c6mnui5 pAW, pinne ye AbpAin poiliciceACA aj
gpiofuJAt) nA nwAoine A-nAJAiw nA njAll, Aguf Ag
cuiwiugA-o le pAipci X)h6ninAill Ui ChonAill. Kinne ye

COf1|1 AbpAn SJlAt) AgUf COpjl AbpAn ■01At>A, AgUf Anoij-

^■B^r*-!"!' ^^1'*" ^5 CAineAB ■ouine, no '*Ae|\" niApcugA-
■oAp nA SeAti 5Ji<^et)d aiji. "Oo b'^Ajip a AbpAin-niolc«.

15

in the county Galway, especially between At'henry and Loughrea
and Gort Innso Guaire, or Gort, as it is now called, making out a
means of livelihood for himself with his songs and music. There
w«re three or four good poets at this time in Connacht, lilse
MacSweeny and Barrett, in the county Mayo, and some of the
old people say that these were beitter poets than Raftery. But
the greater part of their poems are lost, and for this reason it is
difficult to institute a comparsion between them, nor would it be
right to do so. For these two were men of learning and knowledge
and means ; while here we have Raftery, blind from his youth,
carrying a :bag, without house, home, shelter, dwelling, without
knowledge of reading or writing, without mastery of any other lan-
guage than his own Irish, and yet he has left his m vrk behind him to
the present day, more deeply, I think, than they have. If this book
were of no other use than to collect the songs made by a blind
unlettered man it would be worth the trouble. But when we know
that this 'blind man was a power in the country, spurring the
people against the payment of tithes and urging them against tiieir
enemies, then, whether his songs are good or bad, they a/re worth
collecting for that reason alone.

Raftery made songs in praise of people who helped him, or
whom he liked, or in praise of the places in which they lived ; he
made political songs spurring the people against the Galls, or
English enemy, and helping Daniel O'Connell's party. He made
an occasional love song, and an occasional religious song, and
now and again a song of dispraise, a satire or " aer," as the old
GmIs used to call it. His songs cf praise are better than his

16

ni. {>. AfciiAin-CAinre. 'Oii'b)\6,t) t)'a c&oib, " cia bfe nwne
riiol fe, liiol |-e 50 mAic e," 6.cc f Ati e>.m ceAon*. ■out)6.i)\c
cuit) oe na. t)6.oiiiib haj^ b'i>t)A.iii6.il Ati ]U)t) e beic tnotcA
1 n-6.b)\An. "Oubwun fe^-n "OhiAiimuiT) O CUiATi6.in, t>.n
pe^n A. bfUAin «.n pie bi-]- in a 05, "tjo age&T) An
UcACCUipe 50 tninic," AT)ubA.i)ic ye, " 50 ■oci o.n ce6,c p
Agu^' ■o'pMiAt) fe linn, &cc ni -oe^i-iinAit) ye he(,.]\yi>. 'ui.\\
t)CAOib &]\i6.ni. tlioji m&ic le m'&CAi)A pn, 6ip nf At)MTi-
Ail e." "OubMiic yeA|\ eile, "^]• mime cuAl^it) mfe
mVc&in 6.5 cA.inc 1 oc6.oib R^-ifceni, bi bu^^no iceinc
(ei5in) Mge, A.gui'bi'oeA.t) ].-6.inciof- a|\ n^ ■OAoniib poniie.
^Y mime cu&l6.ir) me CMnz c]\ lOAOimb •oo be6.|iy6.t) ymve
t>.]\ 6. 5CAH|i 'DO, ^.guf nud.i)i ■o'p&piuije&t) |'e C6.v e en
c-Mtim bi o|t|iA ni inn^'eocAnoii' '°o ^> ^^ V'Mccioj' 50
5CUi]AyeAi6 fe 1 n-^byiAn e." -Ajuf t)ubAi]ic yeAji eile,
"bi nuine muinnceA]\t)A 00 m'^UAip 0.5 ciom&inc a
CAi|i|i Ap An mbocAji, Ia, ajuj' connAinc -pe ah TleAC-
ciime Acc niop leij ye Aip 50 bfAeAit) I'e e. Agu]- nuAiji
bi fe A5 jAbAil CAipif t)ubAi]ic An UeAcrume ;

ni jiAiti )'Ai5T)iu|i jiiam

n&t bpui jedT) A 6iteAX)
Acc CA tiAiiiAfo AH coiniti

In f&n bpenieAt).

*OubAi|\c ttuine niuinnceAnt)j. iii'acai)i Annpn Ajuf
weipp Ai]i, 'O! A TntiAijifcip UAnrrepit), 111 pAib poy
AjAm gun cu-pA 00 bi Ann. IIac n-eipeocAit) cti Agiip
l-ui-oe Api An 5CAH]A ? ' " ITIIiol ]-e IHaihc II1 1i-eit)in
Ajup b|Ai5T)fn bheAf A15, Agtif bi ^aojaI biiAii6eA]\CA A5
An mbeipc AeA. 'PuAiji TTlAipe t1i b-Gi-oin bA]- 50 b]i6n-

AC 1 Ia]! pU)>CA15, Aguy •OubAljlC COlTlAUpA t)1, •' tlOCAlilAn

A bfAT) A beioeA]' louine beo a mbeit) AbnAn ccApcA
Ai}t." Acc Aj; An CAOib eile jiinne f6 AbpAn A5 molft.'O

17

songs of dispraise. It was said about him " Wlioever he praised
he praised well," tut at the same time some of the people said
that it was not a lucky thing to be praised in a song. Old
Diarrauid O'Cluanain, the man in whose house Baftery died, said,
" Raf tery used to come often to this house, and he used to remain
with us, but he nerer made a song about us ; my father did not
wish it, for it's not lucky." Another man said, "It's often I heard
my father talking about Baftery. He had some kind of virtue or
gift, and the people used to be afraid of him. I often heard talk
of people who would give him a lift on their car, and when he
would ask what was their name tiiey would not tell him, for fear
he'd put it in a song." And another man said, "There was a
relation of my father's driving in his car on the road one day, and
he saiw Baftery, but he never let on that he saw hdm. And a« he
was passing him by, Baftery said: —

There never was soldier
That got not his billet,

nut the rabbit has an enemy
In the ferret.

My father's friend said then, all in a hurry, "'0, Mr. Baiftery,
I didn't know it was you was in it. Won't you get up and sit
on the car?'" He praised Mary Hynes and Breedyeen Vesey,
and both of them had a troubled life. Mary Hynes died miserable
in the middle of a bog, and a neighbour of hers said, " The sorra
long alive a person will be who has a song comcosed for them."
But on the other hand he made a song praising a young woman

18

rnni 6i^e -oo bf mi-i-jiMti&c, 6.cc bi p pbiAtc6> c6\]\ cin-
«aIc*. "Oo bi-6e&.i) ^-f 6.5 fpe^-iXAl 0.1)1, 1 ocij eigin,
'n-Aic 6, iiibiot) ye e>.\\ l6i]-cfn, 6.^\iy yiii>.i]\ p ipe6.]\ leif
All 6.b)i<>.n, Aguf CA tiiA-c lei 'tiA. coiiinuiioe &noij' 1 jCLah-
5o.itLim. TDuboinc beo-n A.O]'CAliom, 1 5C1tLc^]^T:6.1n, 50
bj.'6.cA.i6 p An Ke6.ccui]ie A.on U6.i]\ 4.111 i.in,i wci^ tJAiiirA,
-^gni' lA.b6.i]i I'e lei ajuj' wubM^ic, " but) riioic Ati fCAji
ceinoe no )>inne cu^a., ^ C4.ilfn, ifi-eirii no leikj ]'e An
plAnA ojic; b'l A. ceipx) Aige." " llfo)- |.'e6.]ii\ ni. ri.
AgA-o-fA," 6.nf6. mife, 01)1 bi cuplA ccat) bpiixe in a.
bemlin. l6.bAi)\ ye yxm eigin i>.\\ "O li-eAtjpA no.
cleice nioiiie " ogu)- nion moic le tn'ocAip pn Agu)' niop
leig fe t)Aiii cmlleAt) CAinre beic ajaiii leip ITlunA
mbeic pn b'eioip 50 moeAnyAt) ^-e objiAn OAm j.'ein mA)!
)\inne |-e ■00 TDbAine tli 1i-ei6in Aguf ■00 TllliAine
ScAncun ! "

puAijA muinnnn no cine a jcuit) eolAif a^i fCAin
^S^r ^t'f^^^'^^r 6 beul-omeA]' nA )-eAn-T)Aoine, Agu]'
bfoT)An 50 mon nio]' poglAincA, A511)' iax) gAn leAbAji,
5An lei5eAn, no. jtiAp CAit) Anoip *Oo bt y\oy aca aii
liioTJ Ap bic 50 |iAib ci]\ ■ouccAif aca, iy^uy 50 mbA ciit
AOi'CA f, Aju]' 50 jiAib p Aon UAi)i AiiiAin 'nA cip bpeA5,
cLu64,ttiAil, pojlAmcA. tli pAib An fleAccui)ie acc A5
CAbAipc AWAC An eolAif ■00 bf AineAf5nA moAoinenuAin
cuip ye "SeAncAf nA Sgeice" le ceile. ScAip nA
Ji-ei)\eAnn aca in f An ■OAn pn 50 cpuinn Agu}- 50 yo-
cuig^-eAnnAC. Tlic An •OAn fo aji pm nA rt]ie A5111' i^
t)6i5 nAC nAib buACAill 1 gConxDAe nA 5Ailliiiie An UAiji
pn com bjiuit)eArii6il ioaII AineolAci ocAoib a rine rem
lei)' An 5CUIX) If mo 'oe buACAilbb ACA Ann inoiu. Tli
bpijpA 1 jConioAe nA ^Ailliriie An uai|i pn An nyt VQ

19

who was plain, but she was civil and kind and courteous. She
used to attend him in some house where he used to be lodging,
" and she got a husband through the song, and there's a son oi
hers living now in Claregalway." An old woman at Cilltartan
told me that she saw Raftery once at a house where there was a
dance, and he said to her " He was a good tradesman made you,
my girl, it was smooth he rubbed the plane on you, he had his
trade." "Better ithan. you have yours," said I, for he had a
couple of strings broken in his fiddle. He said something then
about O'Hara, of the Big Wattle, and my father did not like it,
and wouldn't let me have any more talk with him. If it wasn't
for that perhaps he'd make a song for myself, as he did for Mary
Hynes and Mary Staunton.' 1"

iThe people of the country obtained their knowledge of iUxe
history and antiquities of Ireland in those days from the mouth-
instruction of the old folk, and they were a great deal more
instructed about it— and they without book or learning— than
they are at present. At all events they knew that they had a
native country, and that it was an ancient country, and that at
one time it was a fine and honouraible and learned land. Raftery
was only giving out the knowledge that existed among the people
when he put together his " Story of the Bush." This poem is a
concise and intelligible history of Ireland. It ran through the
country, and I have no doubt that there was not a boy in the
county Galway at that day as brutally blind and ignorant con-
cerning his own country as are the boys that are in it to-day. You
would not find in the county Galway at that time the thin^ that

so

y\ii>.\\\ An c-AcA.i]A O C^oriiAtiMg nuAij\ cui^ \-e cei]'r 50
•oei5e«.nnAc e>.\\ -ouii-in ne 'bud.c&illib 6.f n*. ^'^oilcib
CA.icilceAc-s. If fe^nn 1 Luinine*c, Ag p^fnuije -oiob,
" cia'h ^ ^ 1"5 "oeiiieA-nnAC n^ h-6ii\e&nnp" n&c n^ib
rior 6.5 ■ouine t>.]\ bit aca cia. ]\^ be, no mi. bf pij 1
n-eH]\inn a-immti. "Oub&ijic fe6.|i a-ca. guitb e A.n Sai)i-
■peAl6.c e, A.'^uy x>M'bi,.i\\c yei,\\ eile gun b'6 R15 Com ei
111 m^\\ pn ■00 nin*. •cA-oinib nuAi]i bi a nS^etieilg |rein
6.C&, 4-5"r "OAOine m^.^ An ■o&tt fo bep nA meAfg.

bill uA^ic A]! An KeAccuijie 1 gcotiinuiBe A5 ia^ijiaid
eolAir. "OubAiiic a CA]\Ait) An CAlnAnAc nuAi]i cuic ]-e
AtiiAc leif Aguf nuAi^i bf fc '5A CAineA*

ni'L ce*ii-OA ■oo'n fcuige 6 g*ittim 50 'Ou6]i«p

no Af r'" S° b)1UAC tIA fAijuije
A tnbeit C41I1C *t" ^^^ *1^ ri*m|*A na aj< usVAft

nAd mbudilFeAii An rgotA fo A tA-OA)t Ann.

'Ou'bAii\c |:eA)\ X)'a CAOib 50 bpeiceAt) fe e 50 mime 1
rroil-cine ■00 bi A5 A oncAl fein. bhi An c-oncAl 'nA
liiAijircili-fSoile, Aguf bife cugrASomon-oo'nol. tluAin
biot) ye -aAlt a)1 meifge 00 bAincAt) ye a cuit) eAt)Ai5
•oe Agufi^iceAt) fe lom-nocc Aji fun nAci|ie. Ace aji
■oceACC nA h-oit)ce vo biot> fe A5 munAW nA fjol-Aine
An yut) nA h-oix)ce, Aguf •o'yeiceAt) An feAji fo An TIcac-
ctiijie 50 mime 'nA yume in f An T501I a]i feAt> nA 1i-oit)ce
A5 eifceAcc leif An munA-6.

nuAijA bi eAinc AmeAf5 nA nt)Aoine 50 jiAib An
c-tJACCA|\AnAcc A5 -oul i-goilce -00 cup a^i bun cum nA
noAome ■00 munAt) yi 'nA juajaiI fein, wo CU15 ye a^ An
moimiT) 50 -pAib feAll Ajuf opoc-beAiic •out x)a n-imipc
ofiiAinn, Ajuf c6iiiAi]ili5 ye nA tiAoine ^An bAinc aji bic
00 beic ACA •661b,

«1

Father Karanajh found when he lately questioned a dozen of the
boys from the best Catholic schools in Limerick, asking them
who was the last King of Ireland— that not one of them 'knew
who he was, or if there ever had been a King in Ireland.
" Sarsfield," said one of them. " King John," said another. The
people were not ignorant like this when they had their own Irish
language and men like Raftery amongst them.

He was always thirsty for acquiring knowledge. His friend
Calanan said after falling out with him and dispraising him : —

There is no corner of the province of Galway to Dooms,
Or from that out to the brink of the sea,

Where there would be any talk of sport or authors,
That this scold would not have his finger (1) in it.

A man said of him that he used constantly to see him in a country
school that his own uncle kep't. The uncle was a schoolmaster
and greatly given to drink. When he would be blind drunk he
nsed to throw off his clothes and run naked through the country.
But at the coming of night he would be ready for the boys in the
school, and used to teach the pupils throughout the night ; and
this man used often to see Baftery seated in the school during
the night listening to the teaching.

When there was talk amongst the people that the Government
was going to found schools to teach them under their own rule
he understood instantly that treachery and evil were going to be
practised against them, and he advised the people not to touch
them at all.

(1) Literally : "Would not strike his spoon in it."

a

CuAlAt-u m^, maii«b Dpeag, 50 T>i;incp*i'6 fe r*»crA05At

JJo souinFiTJe*)! miijirciji teijin iiip 5*c ciiinne,
tli'l in r^n jcip dec rgeim ^5 nie4lL4-6 u^inn An cpei-o

x\5ur -DiutcAijiT) ■oo jnoc^MJift tuiceiti.
Cpeiwigi-o ■oo'n clettt, Y "* ceix)i'6 4(1 miUiftc petn

no CAillpi-o fib mac ■Oe *'r A cum*cC4,
'S All tons r° cu*™ 1 leig (?) mi cei-6e*nn pft Ann ■oe tetm

lompocAiB fi, a'|> beixi pib puici.

^5"r ^^^ ® P" 50 t)i|Ae6.c &n ]\u-o vo pintle fi, u'lompinj
P ^Z^V "o'v^Z V ^^^ 5<^et>il fiiia ; Ajuf t)'fA5 p n*.
bu&c&illi-o t)o nug^kt) 1 n-6.on b&ile leif fein, coin
bpuijce bjiifce pn, gAn fpne^CAt), 5^.11 |'pioi\AT), j&n
liiein, 56.T1 meiped-c, g^n cuij-ge, jAn cip-jivi-o, g^n
be6.]\l* tiA 56.et)eil5, n^c bfuil p^-t) Ab&lc& a]i CU15
lince ni. ^bjiAnAib fein — nf h-e a-iiiAin tio pAt), &cc •oo
cuigpnc I

CI10111 ^eey\\ {y-^uy •oo bjAOfCAis fe n* •od.oine a
ri-&56.i'6 riA. ngdll Agiif A n-AJM'o n«. n-cAgcoi]! t)o bi
v'i. n-iiiii]\c o]\]\(., nf p^ib ye ^^r\ ceiU riiAic. Ua fge^L
65 feAn-]:-e&i\ 1 n-Aice le bd-ile-ui-LiA-s 50 ^t/^ib c)(Uinn-
luj&t) ^5 n*. DuAC<yillib b^n^ no 6,5 T)Aoin)b 'oe'n
ryoyz pn Aon oi-oce AtiiAin, A^iif •o'ia]ih6>'o6.ii &p o.n
TJe&ccuine ■oo ce4.cc leo. 'O'imcij ye leo 50 t)ci An
c|\uinnui56.-6, Aguf pinne fe cupl& ^i^nn oyye,. nio]i
citiiiinijeiKt) nd. be6.pf &it), acc Tjub^ijic An feAn-pcAU 5"P
b'e yeo An bjnj t)o bi lonncA ; " Cuiriini5it)," a|\ ye, " e>.]\
An mcA^o f Ait)t)iu|i tieA]\5 aca aj nA Sac^ AnACAib, Aguf
CA A lAn gunnA Aguf Apm Aguf b-uile fopc aca. ■puAip
pA'o An buAiTJ AH An SpAin yew, Aguf bAineAt)AH Jib-
|iaLca|\ loi, AgU]- i\inne pA"o cogA'o bliA'OAin A5Uf pee in
]-An OiLcAn U|i, A5111' ati e pn le iia'o 50 bpuil pb-fe
t-'til AiiiAC A n-AJAi-o nA njiinnA A5Uf nA tai5T)iu)i m^]\
CA pb, A5111' gAn AgAib Acc cipin inAiT)e a bAincAf pb

23

I heard, if it be true, a rumour strange and new,

That they mean to plant schools in each corner ;
The plan is for our scaith, to steal away our faith.

And to train up the spy and informer.
Our clergy's word is good, then seek no other food,

God's Church has his own arm round her ;
But if ye will embark on this vessel in the dark

It shall turn in the sea and founder.

-\nd this is exactly what it did ; it foundered and left the Gaels
underneath it, and it has kept the lads who were bom in the one
townland with himself so bruised and broken, without fire or
spirit, without breeding or courage, without understanding,
■without patriot;sjn, without English or Irish, that they are unable
not only to repeat, btft even to understand to-day five lines of his
own poems 1

Sharply as he spurred tbe people on against the Galls, and
against the injustices that were practised on them, te was not
without sound sense. An old man near Ballylea bas a story
about him that the White Boys, or people of the same sort, had
a meeting on« night, and asked Baftery to come with them. He
went to the meeting, and made a couple of verses for them. The
verses were not remembered, but the old man said that this was
the sense of them : " Bemember," said he, " all the red «oldier»
that the English have, and they have many guns and weapons,:
and every sort (of armament). They have got the victory ©vet
Spain herself, and they took Gibraltar from her, and they made
a war of one and twenty years in the New Island (America), and
il that t» say that ye are going out against the guns and soldiers
M ye arc, and without ys'ie having but a cipoen of a stick that

u

In]- A-n gcoilt ]-m fio]'. 11*. ■oeA.nM'opn 6.511]' tiA. Iji^iA
Mmng Ag nub6.l yt^n oit)ce, a^cc ci51'6 t>.me>.c Tj.i. j-oLui"
rid. 5neine AgU]' mife mo "bAn^.ix) 50 mbeit) ccajic ^-gur
c6i]i Ag&il!) 50 ]:6ilL" LeMi tia ■OA.oine &n c6iii«.iple
c]>ioTiA -po nu&i]\ CAITI15 C056.-6 n*. iroeA-cttiuit), Ace
cuA-l&it) me n^-nn eile 6 aomAnuit)e cai]ih ne TnliuinTici]\
"OliiAnmATDA, 1 5CA.Ti''LeivTi-A.-'bA]iii6., aju)- ■oubA-nic yet>.]\
eiLe liom gup li'e ati Tle6.ccui|Ae pinne e, &r mol^-t), n*.
niOii4.c6.il,tit)e OAtiA mA.]\ leAn&f

1nnptii-)-e -oaoit), itia VjpAJAnn fib tiu)i riojit,

50 Sfuijfi-o "iiebelnien " lu4C a rLAince,
1 teAbui-6 5<i(i ofDc' -oo CAiceaoip riA funie

S»Ar454i-6 50 ■dLuc, ni ceit)it> Ap jcul,

A5«r bpipist'o Cfe Luce sapt)*,
t)ir«AC Ajap buAi-6 50 ■ocisi'O 50 Lpac,

A5»r t'BASF'*'^ fllic 'Oe Hup niriiAi-o

Ca &ti "beA^ij-A ]'o nfo|- cofriiuite te inncinn An tle&ccuine
HA An c6mAi)Ale eile, aJjU]' mA duiji I'e a n-AJAit) nA
nT)Aoine wo bi A5 cpumniu^At) 1 mbAile-ui-liAJ, b'eiwip
50 ]iAib pof Aige 50 i>AbAt)A]A A]! CI gniom AmAXJAncA
eigin '00 'oeAnAm.

*Ouine I'^^-^S CAol -co bf in •pAn tleAccuipe. "Oo
CA)i|AAin5 An CAlnAnAC •ouinn mA]i fo e, nuAi]( bf ^'e A5
weATiAm bAll-niAj^Ait) ve,

tti ■DA coif -pAOl mAp ITIAI'Oe bACAlg

A^uy lAt) com CAoL le fiiACAro P4CA15,
to5 in A Lap Ap nop bACiij,
'Se lomcAp An AaIa •o'f 455*15 cpuir oip.
t)i A eAT)An CAnA rn*l.«ni (?) pnAoisce,
'S bA ■ouiBe A 5puA5 nA 5UAt Cilt-coinn
'S A fuile jluApACC niAp ^oa piiL uipse
A5 pnAm AnuAp Le c*oB a pLucA.

25

yell out in the wood telovv? Ikrn't do that, and don't be out
night-walking, but come out under the light of the sun and I'll
go bail but yell get ye're right and justice yet." The people
followed this prudent advice when the Tithe War came. But I
heard another verse from a man of the M'Dermots, a cardriver
in Oastlebar, and a man told me that it was Eaftery made it,
praising the White Boys, as follows :—

I tell ye, if ye get your life (i.e., live to see it),

That the rebel men shall yet get the price of their health
In lejiital (1) for every night that they spent sitting up

Under wind, under rain, under flood.
Standy,e close, do not go backwards.

But break through the guardsmen ;
May increase and victory soon come.

And the Son of God shall overthrow your enemy.

This verse is much more like Baftery's temperament, and if he
opposed the people who were gathering in Ballylee he may
perhaps have known that they were about to commit some foolish
act.

A spare thm man was Eaftery. Oalnan, or Calanan, when
ho was making a laughing stock of him, drew him for us thus : —

There were two legs under him like a beggar's stick

And they as thin as a packing needle ;

A hollow in his middle like a bacach,

And he carrying the bag that left the hump on him.

His face was thin, sallow (?), worn.

And blacker was his hair than the coal of Kilkenny j

His eyes moving like two pails of water,

Swimming down by the side of his cheeks.

(1) Literally: "In the bed," i.e., "in the place of."

bVii yh 50 ti-ion5A.riC6.c Iaiw)!. 11i ^Mb I'e i(o-&i\t). Cori,
yt>.ve>. buenoin Ajuf buii'ce ■oe'n coiioop^i t)o bfot) aiji.
•OubMiic yee^]\ leif <>.n inbA.inci5e6.i\nA 51*^50^1 juji
intii]' A ArAin ■66 511^ tubMur o-n Tle6.ccuine ]rein, leif,
ve>.d iit)e&cMt) fe A.5 c&)\MJ;e&cc le ■ottine ]ut>.m n&c
le6.5]?6.t) ye e, A5UI' 50 ye^yh ye coiii Iait)ij» pn iti a
5e«.5«i.ib 50 bpeo.'o]:6.6 ^-e luiT)e 6.i\ «. loiiuini Agu]- itiaIa
A mbeicceiqAe ce*.t) c]uncne6.cc6. Atin 'oo cuja fu«.^ of a
cionn. t1io|^ f:eAX) )-e ceo no. fjujiT) []-cim a^i bit] f-eic-
pnc. lluMH bu4.ll An jaIah b)\eAC e, if in A fuilib vo
focping ye, Ajuf nfo^i f 6.5 fe acc cpi no ceiqie b^iLl &|i
A cA'OAn, Acc bfi-in fe An jiawahc •oe A]1 fAt). Choiii 'daII
Agtif bf ye ■00 publAt) fe boicjie nA cif e 50 lein, Ajuf
T)o cionncocAW fe f An aic cei)ic 6 bocAp 50 bocAji jAn
oineAt) Ajuf A tArii nA a liiAiwe ■00 IcAjAn a^i An
mbAllA. 'OubAif c "ouine: "bhi id'aca^i A5 loeAnAtii lon-
jAnrAif fAoi, Aon Ia AiriAin, Ajtif cubAifc feifeAn leif,
' f An 50 ■ociucfAiHAOit) 50 '0C1 An cfoif •b6cAii 50
b'L'Ac'n-fig, Aguf riA b-innif -oAn', acc fCAC, fein, niA
ceipeAnn fe oiim,' &5«f coiii cmnce A'f ca me beo nuAiji
CAinig fe 50 t)ci An cf oii'-bocAf ■00 cionncAi5 fp, 50
■off eAC 1 gCCAf c-t-Af An bocAif ."

'OubAif c feAf eiie 50 f Aib An UeACCUife Aguf pfob-
Aif e ■oaIL be ceibe 1 njof c, Ajuf t)'f AjA^OAf An bAiLe-
mof te ceile be ■out 50 bAile-ui-LiAJ, acc bi ^e
■oeijeAnnAC A^wf n\oyi ^e^-oA'OAf An beAfnA no An
fCATOjie ■oo bi in f An mbAllA f ajaiI, te wub fiof 50
bAile-ui-liAJ, A5"f "iof cAinij Aon louine le nA CAif-
bcAnc -ooib. TDubAif c An tleACCuijie Annfin, 50 bpU-
fBA'o fe 50 5oi\c, Ajuf nAC ■oceipfeA'6 fe aiji Afif.
CbuAit) f6 mile aji Aif 50 Sojic, Ajuf iajiiAifij f6h-uile

27

He was wonderfully strong. He was not very tall. A long iclezA
coat and breeches of corduroy he used to wear. A man told
Lady Gregory that his father had told him that Eaftery once
said that he never went wrestling with the man he would not
throw, and that he was so strong in his limbs that he could li»
on his 'back and put up over him a bag that would have four
■hundred of wheat in it. He could not see a stim at all (1). When
the smallpox struck him it was in his eyes it settled, and it only
left three or four spots on his face, but it took the sight of him
entirely. As blind as he was he used to walk the roads of the
entire country, and he used to turn at the right place from road
to road, without as much as laying his hand or his stick upon the
wall. " My father," said a man, " was wondering at him one day,
and Baftery said to him, ' Wait till we come to the cross-roads to
Athenry, and don't tell me, but see for yourself if it fails me.'
And as sure as I'm alive when he came to the cross-road if he
didn't turn exactly in the middle of the road."

Another man said that Kaftery and a blind piper were together
in Gort, and they left the town together to go to Ballylee, but it
was late, and they could not make out the gap or style to go
down to Ballylee, and nobody came to show it to them. Raftery
said then that he would return to Gort and that it would not
fail him a second time. He went back a mile to Gort, and

(1) Literally : '• A fo;; or a fleshworm."

2g

coipceini A.|\ T)ce6.cc 6.nid.c ■66, &5i<i" nuM]t CAitiij |-e coih
ir^-oA lei)' An fnbe6.)\n6.inn fe&f fe, 6-5U|'e 50 ioi)ie6.c o]- &
A. coiiiAip ! "

"Oubft-iitc 11& -oAoitie, 1 5Cill-Aot)Ain, 50 nibioD le*.c
led-jco. ]-fo|' A-n bjuiAc riA. bpoll-ni6n«. in yei.r\ cfnpn,le
feA^-Aiii «in|ii nu4.i)A leimeAU loutne An potl-m6n6., 6-5111*
50 leimeAt) An ReAcctiipe lAt) com tiiaic le ■ouine aji btc
nuAip b'eijin '06 tiul cahixa. "Oo c6riiAi)ieAt> y6 a cuitj
coi|'-ceiTn A]i Ai^- o'n Leic ^iiceAt) |-e ajuj^ leimeA'6 ^-e
Annpn 50 •oci An CAob eiLe, com iiiaic le tiuine a lAAib
A iiA-OApc Aige.

'Oo b'e An ceAt) Ab)iAn vo |iinne ^e, vo ]ieip tnuinn-
ci]>e Cbill-Aot)Ain Ab)\An Ap Iiaca ■00 gonocAt: 6 pcAp
ei5in 00 bf A5 cu|i coipce. tluAin cuai-6 ^-e AjxeAC cum
A '6inei)i ■o'fAj An fCAU yo a Iiaca c)\occa a^ mAnoe cum
nA ppeACAin 00 ]'5Ann]\U5Ai6. "O'iah]! An tleAccuine 65 Ap
•ouine eigin An Iiaca 00 CAbAi]ic leii", nuAip bi An yei>.\\
eile Aj'cij A5 A '6ineA|\, Le 5](eAnn ■ooweAnAm •66 yein.
Ajuj' junnefe AbjiAn aji An Iiaca, aj ]\ao gu)! b'lAt) nA
•OAOine iiiAice ■00 665 te6 e, Agup cutp^-e in ]~An Abpi-n
5U]i leAn An peAji y-o lAt) fUA]* 50 Chuac rrbeA*' Aguf
Af I'm yo\]\ 50 UofcomAin, a|\ c6tn a Iiaca, asu^ An meAti
cahIa •66. Iliop f-CA'o tne An c-Ab^An fo f-A^AiL, i]' ■ooii;
50 bfuil ye CAilLce. 1j- in-bneAcnuijce gup b'e An ceAt)
Ab]\An •oo innne Uoip^oeALbAC O CeApbALlAin, ye6.]\ vo
CAibl A iiA^OAjic niAp An TleAccui)\e aju]^ vo leAn rbte-
beACAniAH eijeAn, acc AnieAj-g nA noAoine ua]-aI nuAip
bi An tleACCuipe AmeAfg nA ntiAoine ipolL — 5up b'e An
ccAT) Abjusn ^iinne ]'e AbpAn Ap nA WAoinib mAice.

(1) Now Castle Hacket, near Tuam, where Pinbheara and
Nuala, King and Queen of the fairy Host of Connacht, dwell.

sd

oounted ©very footstep coming out of him, and when he came as
far as the gap he rtood, and he was exactly forenent it."

The people in Killeaden said that there used to 'be a flag laid
on the brink of the bog holes in that country to stand upon when
a person would be leaping the 'boghole, and that Raftery used to
leap them as well as any man when it was necessary for him to
cross them. He used to count his steps backward from the flag,
he used to run then, and leap to the other side as well as a man
who had his sight.

The first song he composed, according to the Killeaden
people, was a song about a hat that was stolen from some man
saving oats. When the man was going in to his dinner he left
his hat hung upon a stiok to frighten the crows. Young Baftery
Mked some one to take the hat away with him while the other
man was within at his dinner, in order to make sport for
himself ; and he composed a song about the hat, saying that it
was the good people lifted it away with them, and he put into
the song how this man followed them to Cruach, or Cnoo
Meadha (1), and ftora that east to Roscommon in pursuit of his
hat, and all that happened to him. I could not recover this
song ; probaibly it is lost. It is remarkaible that the first song
which Torlough O'Carokn composed (a man who lost his sight
like Baftery, and who pursued his livelihood like him, only
amongst the upper instead of the lower classes), that the first
song which he composed was also * song about the good people (2).
A cotter his father was, and his mother was a woman of the
Brennans. There are some of the same stock in that country
yet. I heard that the Rachtnaoins (Rachtneens) were related to
him, but the schoolmasters call them Roohford nowl His own
name is written variously Reactuire, O Beachturigh, and
Raohturaigh in Irish, but the English form, "Baftery," is the

(2) I recovered this song, and printed it in the old " Nation,"

so

S5,uobc&ii A. Mtim yem O neAccui|ie, O tle&cctJtiij, ti6
O n^cctijiAis, 1 n5^et>eiL5, &cc ij- i 6.n ioium blie&JiU
" riAifceni " 1,' 1110 ArA cle&ccMJce, aj^U]- cle6.cc ^6 y6m
e. S5i\ioli)6.iiii-|-e m-^ji tle&ccvnue 6, 6ip if lonn&ti tle^c-
cuine Ajuf iTiAon "o r^iub&nc aju]- i]- -0615 gup 6'n oipg
c&ini5 Ml floinne6.t). Ace cud-l&i-o me •OAoine t)o bi 54.11

yOCiyl bed.]\lA AC6., ^5 CAbAl|1C tlAlfCein -Mp. Ij'COf-

liiuile yuMm i^n Ainme le tleAccupis iia le Re/i-ccuine.
Coire^^i -00 bf in ^ ^.c&iti, i.^U]- bi 6. i)iac6,ih we tTltiuinn-
ci]t Dii4>.onAin. ri, euro ■oe'n bunn^ii ce^.tin^ in f A-n cip
pn PJ-; cuaLaiio rae 50 ji6.ib nA TlAcnAoinij 5A0U6
leif, Acc cujAiin ha mAijii-ciute fgoile Rochford A]1
llAcnAom Anoif ! but) e PiiAnc CAApe, •ouine uaj-aL
f Ai6bi]\, •00 bi 'nA c6iiinui-6e j-ati C15 m6)\ aj Cill-AO'OAin
An UA1H I'm. bf conpAic gA-oAji Aige, aju)- 00 bion ^e
A5 pAT)AC Le6. Chuiihni5 "^ fCAn-'OAoine 50 mbiot) a
cApAll-pA-OAig A5 leimnij Aguf Ag ppompi'Ail nuAip
biot) An tleAccui]\e Ag |-einnm aii a bemlin. bhi ITnAnc
UAAf-e CAjACAnAc leipiptjoij, oi]! CAgAnn a Ainm aj-ccac
I'An AbfiAn « ConoAe TTlhuis-eo" Agup bi ^-e 'pa bueic-
eAiii AH An Ab|\An pn, oiji iiinneA-6 ^caU it)i|\ An Ucac-
cuipe Agu]' pie eile Af jhAiUnti, cia aca ij- peAHH tiiol-
f A-6 A comoAe i^ein, Agu]- •o'i-ajaioaji An biieiceAiiniAi- pA
fhiiAnc UAAfe. nio|i j-aj An PjiAnc CAAfe |-eo |-Liocc
'nA -oiAij ; ineAi-Aim nAc ]\Aib fe p6|XA, aju]- ■oeiji pAt)
50 mbionn a CAiple peicpnc 50 niinic cmicioU An cige
1110111, in i-An ngAi^iioin Agu]- AmeAj-g nA gcHAnn. )y m
fAn C15 ceA-onAt)o HUgAt) a']- toja-o Iocaiw IIicITIIiaj-
nA^'A, ui)i|-5euluii6e A511)' SAetnLgceoi)!, t)o |\mne moHAn
ciim nA J^Ae-oeilje A511)' ciinime An KeAcciiijie t)o cong-
b^il beo rAn aic rin,

31

most used, and he employed it himself. I wtite it as
Ueachtuire, for Eeachtuire means a herd or steward, and no
doubt the surname was derived from the office. But I have
heard people who do not know a word of English calling Lim
"Raftery." The sound of the name in Irish is more like
Bacht-oor-ee. It was Frank Taafe, a wealthy gentleman, who
was living in the Big House of Killeaden at that time. He had
a pack of hounds, and he used to go hunting with them. The
old people remembered his hunler to be leaping and prancing
when Eafterj used to be playing on his fiddle. Frank Taafle was
probably friendly to him, for his name comes into the song of
the " County Mayo," and he was a judge of that song, for a het
was made between Raftery and another poet from the county
Galway as to which of them would praise his own county best ;
and they lelt the judgment to Frank Taaffe. This Frank Taaffe
left no descendant behind him ; I think he was not married, and
they say that his ghost is oiten to be seen round the Big House,
in the garden, and amongst the trees. It was in the same house
Miss MacManus, the novelist and Gaedheilgtheoir, was born and
bred, who has done so much to keep alive Irish and Baftery's
memory in that place.

83

b'olc An cuma. •oo bi 6.]\ i-ji bpile bocc nu6.ij\ w'^aj y-e
CitL-A.ot)Ain. O tifi.c ]iA.ib oipeAt) Aguf &cpA CAltii&ti Ag
A ttiumnci)!, Agui' e ^-ein 'n6. ■o&ll, ij' v6\-^ 50 ^Aib fe com

bocc AgUf bf peA]A AjllAIM 6.\\ An CI'AOgAl fo. A5 \-o An

picceAji '00 ]iinne An CAlni-nAc a.]\ a coacc 1 ■oco)'ac, 50
huAccAp ContiAe nA 5*''l'^i"ie.

b'olc e A CAiU-oeAiz a^ a iigeAdc 6um ci'jie,
til CAibi'n loetidcA aiji, aji xiac ah cpnt'cin,
A t^Aib rt^eAnsAti bijijiAij Aip, CApcA fn'omcA,
A5ur ir FAXiA CAic re, cAitce Ajt Ati scAjtn A01I15I

bi " tiAppefi " fmeApcA ai)i, Ajup tiioit nAi)i e tiiinmJA'o,
niAji ip lomxiA -oAbA cuitteA-6 j-e 1 bp6cA r.A cAoiBe,
bi trouser pAtAc ai)( 50 CAtAiii fiop teip,
A |iAib X)A ceA-o poLL Aijt Ajuf 5A(i le piopA.

bi feAfi-ieitic ctAOi'Dce jiobAfi aji a beipce,
•piirste A^i A lotnlACAn A5 ^aLac a peiLce,
bi beiLc Afi A bAfcA, '\-e A|i duniA tiA jeiLce,
'S tiuAifi Bio'6 A60L5 [■oJttui-oce tetjeA'D j-e teice.

Acc, coiii bocc Agiif bi fe, niop biTACA 50 bfUAip yb
meAf Agui" on6i]i Aguj- gjiAb AttieAf5 :nA niuinncipe
jplAiccAiiitA peite ■00 cotiinuij 1 n-t4ACCA]i ConxJAe nA
jAillmie, AjU]- ni ^lAib Aon CApAit) 00 b'feA|in Aige, aj\
peAt) CAmAitl A^\ iTiot) AjA bic, nA An feA]i x)0 pinne nA
Lince c|\UAit)e j-eo ai|i.

(1) I took down Calnan's verses from a blind piper in the
county Galway, whose name I did not learn.

(2) i.e., every second scrap of it was a patch,

33

Our poor poet was in bad shape whan he left Killeaden.
Since his people had not as mudh as an acre of land and be wai
blind, he was apparently as poor as ever a man was in the world.
Here is the picture Calianan drew of him on his first coining to
the south of the county Qalway (1) : —

Eril was his quality on coming to the country ;

He had a caubeen of a hat upon him of the colour of snuff,

On which there was a cord of tow, turned and twisted.

And a long time that hat had spent thrown on the dung hill !

He had a greasy wrapper on him, and it were right to

explain it,
Tor it's many's the dab he used to put in its side pocket ;
He had a dirty trouser on him down to the ground.
In which there were two hundred holes and every other
patch (2).

He had an old outworn, untidy rag on his yest

Squeezed over his middle covering his pelt;

He had a belt on his waist and he in the shape of a eeilt C)

And when his belly would be full he would let with it (4).

But, as poor as he was, it was not long till he won esteem
and honour and love amongst the generous, hospitable people of
the upper part (5) of the county GaJway, and he had no better
friend, lor a time at all events, than the man who composed these
cruel lines on him.

(S) _ A wild lunatic" ; pronounced "celt "

(4) I.e., "open it out a bit."

(5) i.e., the south,

u

\i\\\ cuMjAtii Ag cult) ■oe HA OA-oinib 50 "bpiMn A.n
1[le6.ccui|ve a cuit) plToeA-cc-i. 50 ii)ioi\'builce6.c.
"Oub^ntc fCMi-be^n -oo ]\inne •OA.iiii-A. 50 mime b'^ cuit)
ceoit: "t1u«.i|i lunoe&t) \& b.\\ e>. LeA.b6.i-6 in \'t.i\ oit)ce, if i
pn An UAi|A t)o jm-oeAfe fe a cuit) Ab)\An, Ajuf cui^ifeAti
I'e longnAt) ope a|\ niAit)in A^uf jAn pof ajac ca
bfUA^A fe lAt)." Aguf tJubAii^c fCAU eile : "SinbuAit)
jTUAip fe. "OeiiA fiAt) 50 bfUAip pe a hoj;a, cia aca
b'feAjiii leif A beic Aige, An cAinc no An ceol, Ajuf coj
fe An cAinc. "Oa mbut) e An ceol tic C05 fe, ni beic
ceobcoip eite Ap An tJoiriAn com mAic teif, acc C05 fe An
CAinc, Aguf cionncAij fe attiac beic nA pLe moji. Ajuf
munA tnbeic pn ca bfuijfeAij fe nA focAil uile t)o cui^i
fe in A cuit) Ab)iAn ? " "OubAijic feAn-beAn eile : " tli
HAib fcim jiAWAipc [nAt)AHC AjA bic] in a ceAnn, Aguf
fin e An f ac a ^lAib An c-eolAf mo)! fin Aige. Chug
"OiA tJO k, Aguf t)'imci5 A cuit) Ab]\An a^i fut) An
cfAogAil. 5"^ mA^A An 5A0C t)obi A-ije."

IDubAiiAC fCA-p t>o cotiinuij 1 n-Aice to ITluine-beic
Ajuf t)o bi 5An beAjiLA, liom, 1 t)CAoib An AbjiAin t)o
pnne fe 1 n-AgAit) SheAgAin a bupcA. "In fAn oit)ce,
tiUAit< cuAit) fe A cot)lAt), Annfin 'f^*-'" innne fe An
^Aimeif A^i fAt). A]i A bcAbuit) t)o jniteAt) feh-uile
CAinc d'a nt)eA|inAit> fe A]iiAm ; if Ap a leAbuit) -oeAn-

fAt) fe lAt). CAinc An-btAfCAj An CAbA|\CA-AniAC

CAinc KlAifcepi." (1)

(1) Sin lAXi A 6eA|ic-bii)Atji4. SstiioU me fio|' ut) 6 n-& 6e4L.

35

Some people thought that Battery had come by his poe*ry
miraculosuly. An old woman who often danced to ihis music
said : " When he used to lie on his bed at nig'h't, tihat is the time
he used to make all his songs, and he would put wonder on you
in the morning and you without knowing where he had got them."
And another man said "tlhat was a gift he had. They say that
he got his choice, which would he best like to have, the talk or
the music, and he chose the talk. If it was music he had chosen
tihere would not have been another musician in the world as good
as him ; but ibe chose the talk, and he turned out a great poet.
And if it were not for that where would he get all the words that
he put in his songs ?" Another old woman said : " There wasn't a
stim of sight in his head, and that's why he had that great
knowledge. God gave it to him, and his songs went through the
world. A voice like the wind he had 1"

A man who lived near Monivea and w'ho had no Eng-lis'h told
me about the song he made against Shawn a Burke. "In the night
when he went to his sleep it was he used to make all the raimteis.
It's on his bed he used to make all the talk that ever he made— it's
on his bed he used to make them. Very tas^teful, very drawn-out
talk, the talk of Baftery." (1)

(1) These are the exact words as I wrote them down.

til ^Aib m6]i6.n le loccuJAt) i 11)be^cA a^ bpile
boicc. 1]- ■0615, BA nibetc, tiAC feyitijye&t) ye Ati me&f
•oo piAip I'fe 6 tiA t)4.oiniti. Ij- poji 511P cui]i ]-e ^n lomAp-
CU116 t)uil iti y^n 61, Anoif Aguf 6|Af|% acc m&)i •Duti&i]\c

fe pin,

Ca flop A5 An r^oJAl (1)

tlAi te T>utt Ann A bim,

Ate le S11A-6 X)o nA 'OAOinib tior nA Atce !

Agu]- T)em i-fe 1 n-Ali)iAn eiLe 50 biruijyeA-o j-e bi-j- leij-
A.n TiAijie Viy\\ ei|' e beic a)\ meij-ge, acc itiaji 5e4.ll Aip
yeo — TiAC |\&ib i"e 'n&. /^onA]\ AgU]- e Ag CAjiiiijeAcc
leif n& un-je-beACA.. (2)

Aiz 5UJ1 5leAcui'6e 6 6ior eAtj^iAinn
^ ftAineAf lompo-o aj- p]teAbAiftib
50 xjeimin Ajuf 50 weAjibcA

TOO finpinn fiop le n.'i|ie.

l)- t)6i5 50 mb& beA5 an tocc &p c-oIacau 1 ii'nlib tiA
tiTJAOine An uai^ pti, aju^ cM]-be&tiAnn An x>i. beA]»j-A
tu^y, nAC mcA^'A, acc 5«j\ feA|\)i wo bf ]-e nA inonAn
eite, t)o cuijtfCAt) ^e>.x> y6^n a]i nieij-ge gAn ^yi-v aj» bic
■oo'n coinluABAp, Agu)- nAc mbeic Aon nAi|ve o]t|\A f aoi,
n& WAij pn.

(1) CuiSFi* An mutmneA^ juji lAbAifi r^ " f'^ojdt " Annpo nK,|i
"fAOi^BAl" no " f Aoit." Ate lAb)iAnn )'e Ap An-AticAib eile e niAti
" f ab^baI." Zi. " Ao " = " Aoi " t 5Conn a6cai6.

St

There was not much to find fault vith in the life of onr poof
poet. No doufbt, if there had been, he would not have leceiTcd
the respedt which he got from tihe people. It u true thait he now
and again gave way to a liking for drink, but, as he himself said,

The whole world knows
That it is not with liking for it I do be ,
r.ut with love for the people who are '»t it.

And he says in another song that he would die with shame after
being drunk, but for this — that he was not alone in wrestling with
th« usquebagh.

Only that it is a wrestler who is among us,
And who takes a turn out of gallants,
Indeed and assuredly
I would stretch myself down with the shame.

No doubt drinking was a, small offence in tihe eyes of people at
that time, and 'the above verses show that he was not worse but
better than many others, who would get drunk without any love
for their company, and would nci 'be ashamed of it afterwards.

(2) c. IT. t)fiiActiA GejiAnseji, " Je rourgirais de mon ivresse / si tu
conserrais ta raison."

as

^ "Deiji fe ^ein in A, Aifnije 50 ■ocuj i^e «.« iotti6.|icuit)
Sl^At) 150 n«. niTiAib, Acc tiion cu^l&]- ^on T^poc-i^jei^L •o'a
CAOib in f&n 5cut|- pn, ^gu]- ni cuiiiea-nn ^n C^LnAn^c
'n*. Leic e. "Oeip ye pern in a " f ^oiptJin " n&c pAib ye
leAC com h-olc le ni6]\An UAOine eile in ya-n ci]\, ccc
A-'DthuigeAnn j'e 1 locAoib An oil Agtij- n^ mb^n.

tni t«6-ai)i mife '5 coir tpolL
50 C4)kOit>eA<hAit, te mniib -oeArd,

Sin A tpuil 1 m'AJAi^ rj^tobca,
■^ST S" i-6tAim wrje-beACA!

If e An locc ^y mo 00 cui^i a nAimoe 'ne>. letc, 50 jtAib fe
]»6 fAnncAc, A5Uf yd jeA^i aj cnuinnniJAt) Aiiigm,
Aguf nAp t)eA|imAit> ]-e fiiAm An pLACA vo cyctt^v caji
feif T)AiT)f A. nil Aon AmpAf Ann 50 ^Aib f aiccioj- A5 nA
DAOinib foiriie, Ajuf An ce tiac ■ocitibpAb bo le cApcAn-
Af -00 beApf At> ye to le f aiccioi'. CuijieAnn An CaI-
tiATiAc pn 1 5C61II oumn nuAip cuip fe &n KeAcciiipe
fiof mA|i

•AS re^lTAt tiA CI tie, Ajtir aj rS'^'-^-o ti4 iiBAoino,
■<^5"r *S cdgbAit tiA ciofA in j-nA bAilceAiAit,

ASHfmA)* fipAj' rtifefln ■oi'oien ajur a 6015 -mo ti'onA^,
WiD A *eiihe4f 1 t)|rAo6*ti a' beAjip** Aije I

Du'6 e A ceAnjA a t)eimeA)', Ajuf 6 bi p com jeAp pn if
longnAt) liom n&y jeApp fe niof mo Lei. "Oaji liom-f a,
If cpocuJAt) Af mine AgWf Af cAoine a nAOuipe, nAC
bfUAip me Aon AbjiAn ^et>.y feAf b 'nA tiAij, acc An ■da
ceAnn •oo pinne fe 1 n-AJAit) nA gCAbiAnAC Ajuf 1
Ti-AJAio SheAJAin a bup ca AgUf 1 n-AJAio t)tiiTie no
joit) A COCA mop. 'A^uy mAit)ip le n-A •oAncAib oiaba
ni feiuip nAC ntseApnAi-o pAt) mAic -oo-irnifce in fAn

39

He says himself ju his Eepentanre that he liked the female
sex too much. But I have never heard anything bad of him on
that point, and even Calanan does not accuse him of it. He says
himself in his " Confession " that he was net half as bad as many
people in that country, hut he admits about women and drinking—

If I have spoken, privately,

Courteously, with pretty women,
That is all that is written against me,

That— and that I drink whiskey!

The greatest fault of which his enemies accused him was that
he was too greedy, and too sharp in gathering money, and that he
never forgot to rattle 'the plate after a dance. There is no doubt
that the people were afraid of him, and he who would not give
to him through friendliness would give through fear. This is
what Calanan means when he described Haftery as

Charging the country and scolding the people,

And raising the rent (i.e., rent for himself) in the villages,

And unless he gets shelter and his belly to be aied.
He will hare his scissors witlh sharp edge a-cutfeing.

His " scissors " was his tongue, and since it was so sharp it is 4
wonder that he did not cut more with it. To my mind it is a
proof of the smoothness and gentleness of jhis dis-
position that I have never found anj cruel, bitter
song after him except the two that he made against the
Calanans and against Shawn a Burke, and one against somebody
who stole his overcoa't. And as for his religious poems, it cannot
be but that they accomplished untold good in the country. As a

40

■oticAit). Tn&it •ou'b&inc yet,.\\ tiom : "D'^eA.]!]! iA.t) fitl
11 A •|-&5A.|\c no b|iAC6.i]\ &5 ce^jAj^g tia. nxj&oine !" ^Y
bcAg De neicib, ve>.]\ lioin-^'*., a. cojijiuijeAi' &ti c|\oit)e
in4.]\ ^n |.-)\e&5)\6.-6 loiijo-ncAC -oo tug ^-e a.]i t)uine eijin
■DO conriAipc e Ag i-einiii, Agu]- r\i.]\ 6.1CT115 e. 'Cpi-j^iiuij
AT) ycA]! I'o 1 5C01)' <i]it), " C16. h-e Ati ce6Lc6i]\ ? " A5U)'
■o'j.-]ieA56.i]i A^\'beir;il-e&t)6i]\ ■oaII : —

imse UAipceni.
triipe TlAifce)(i An pile,

L«n t>6i«ij' 05«r StiA'o,
le furtiB 5A11 folur

Le cinnorsAi cjia-o.

TUut |M4]t A)t mUiccedt^

Le ]-otup mo c^iofoe,
J-'Anii A5«r cui}ipe«t

50 T>ei)<ed'D mo ft-'SS.

J-'eAc dnoif me
<J5Uf ni'<s34i-6 AjA CaIIa (1)

<.\5 peinm cedit
"Oo pocAi* F»tdm.

Dhi mAi5ii-C)ie6,cc iii6|i Aige ^)\ a ce^njAit) •ouccai)'
Acc CU15 ye 6.n bcAjilA.. X)eip •oAoiiie iia]! cmg, acc i]'
Boij 5Ui\ CU15. "OubAiiic Ancoine O "O&Uis liom, ci.
beo 1 mb/^il-«.c-cli6.c if6y, ju]! cuimnig ^-e 50 ihmc gup
Leij A fe«.ti-ACAi]\ le&b&n beA^AlA vd AHAice le b<>,il-
Loc-tii6.bd.c, ^.gu)- cui]! n&ipceni 54,et)eil5 ai]! 111 ^-ati
oitice. b^ e ]-m ]-i,.n nibliAtiAin, 1830. 'OubM)ic ]-e 50
^lAib fe gleujXA 50 1i-6.n-riie4>>]'«.iiiAil An uaiji pn, ty-^uy
50 ]iAib A liiAC Leif. 'O'iTAg A liiAc, X)o bi 'nA bei-oileA-
t)6i|i ttiAic, e, le ■oulle " cijicdi-" •00 bi 6.5 gAb^il n*.
cine.

(1) no in«jt (aAt&i« me A5 peAp eiLe e, "*'r mo ciit le b-vllA.'

41

man once said to me, " They were better than priest or friar tot
instructing ithe people 1" There are few things, to my mind,
which touch th« heart like the wonderful answer that he mad« to
some one who saw him playing, but who did not recognise him.
This man asked aloud, " Who is the musician J' and our blind
fiddler answered him : —

I AM RAFTERY.

I am Eal tery the poet,
Full of hope and love.
With eyes that hare no light.
With gentleness that Ihas no misery.

Going west upon my pilgrimage (1)
(Ouided) by the light of my heart.

Feeble and tired.
To the end of my road.

Behold me nowi

And my face to a wall, (2)
A-playing music,

Unto empty pockets.

He had a great mastery over his native tongue, but he under-
stood English. Some people say he did not, but he probably did.
Mr. Anthony O'Daly, who is still alive in Dublin, told me that he
remembered well his grandfatber reading him an English book
near Loughrea, and that Raftery put Irish on it during the night.
That was in the year 1830. He said that he was dressed very
respectably at that time, and 'his son was with him. His son,
who was a good violinist, left him afterwards to go with a ciicus
that was travelling the country.

(1) Or " journey," but he evidently means the iourney of life.

(2) Or, as I also heard it, " with my back to a wall."

42

Aib She6.r]\uui Ceicins- b'eiBin ^u]\ leije&t) i^-o ^i'
lAiiii-i-jnibinn ■06, le tSo^'^M"^ ^'P"- ^5"V ''l" V°P"r
A yeiq-mc e^]\ cuno -d'a ^'bnAn&i'b 50 n'^^^ ^^"5*-
Aicne M-^e «.]^ t)«>nc6.i'b TnAi\ " UtiiiAe«.t) n& li-ein-
e&nn," le *Ooocuin O Con&iLl, aju]- leif ad " Siojuite
lloiiiAtiAc" 6.5111- le pioi-«.ib eile we'ti x:y6]\c cett-vnc.
I1- 0615 50 5CU6.1A1-6 ye i6,t) p utle 6 be&l ri6.
TC&n T)6.oine, c>.-^uy vo cum yeij-eiKn 6. oadca. fein &n &
long. Ilion i-6>5 ye bocA^i n^ iTO&ome vo cu6.t6 ^loniie.
Ta ciiit) liiop T)'* 5lid.e-6eil5 Mvjld-ii, Agur 1"^°!' °
f-oclAib iAf6.cc6. A-y 6.11 inbe6.nlA. I]- bcAj n&c j-aoiI-
^A-n ■otiine 50 n-oe/^cd-it) ye cy a "be^yld-c 6.5 i&H)\/:>.i-6
r;l6-ine in />. cint) S&etfeilge, &cc ci. cuiw eile ■o'i.
IbnAtiA-ib qui6.illi5ce le i:ocl6.ib beo.nU 1116^1-56^ z]\\-o
6.n nSd-e-oeilg. If wm-bi,. co]i-CAince veb.y aca ^150 <k
C6.iibe«.n4>.i- 6- iiic\i5i]-q\e«.cc t^y «>n jc^inc, Ajiti'ni'l oija-
CAt) A^iif itocaI Aige riAC bpi6.i]\ fe 6 no. -OAOiiiib f6in,
Ajuf n&c H^ib coiccionn AnieAi'S ha iroAoine ah umh
pn. C^bAiH fA ■oeA-HA coiii Jiiinn ajui' 00 ce^p ye yoc&l
ma-y " cei^yvc:>.-c>.n-6\y" Cyy 6.11 aic a iiweAnrAii ha boinn
6ii\, Agur bjiiACiiA iiiAi\ "cAiplif -OA nibiieACAX)," "■oij-le
CTIA1V' " 5«-'r"i Tjoile," " qiioc yi^l," nc, Asuf mAji
cuTiAnn ye AfceAC AinmneACA ni6.i\ " CVinoc An aih,'
"Cac CluAin UAipb," "^ConlAOc," "AiioAn Aille
[Ainle] Ajur HAOii-e;' " 5^^^ ^^^^ llloimA," t.^uy " An
'OeA]^5 tlloii," nc , 6'n cpAti-licin'oeAcc, ■00 bi An uai^i
■pin cy beAl b-tiile •ouine.

(1) A common phrase in folk lore for some kind of assembly
convened by a person in authority.

(2) i.«., Lueland.

43

He shows that he had a knowledge of (Jeoffrey
Keating's works. Petlhaps they were read for him by
some scholar from a manuscript. And it is easy to see from his
songs that he had a right good knowledge of such poems as Dr.
O'Connell's "Dirge of Ireland," and the "Roman Vision" and
other pieces of the same sort. No douM he heard these from the
mouth of the old people, and he shaped his poems in their track.
•He did not forsake the road of the men who went before him.
There is a great deal of his Irish which is very pure and free from
English loan-words. A person might almost think that he went
out of his way to look for purity in his Irish, but there are others
of his songs corrupted "by English words mixed with the Ir'sh.
He has many a nice idiom showing his mastery of the speech, and
he has not as much as 'a word that he did not get from toie people
themselves, and that was not in use amongst the people at tliat
time. Ohserve how finely he shapes a word like forge-of-goM for
the mint where the gold pieces are struck, and words like " ta.Ves
a-speckling," i.e., backgammon being played, and " ivory rfice,"
and a "criling of the school" (1) and the Land of Fail (2), etc.,
and how he brings in names like The Hill of Slaughter (3),
Conlaooh (4), Ardan Aille (the common pronunciation of Ainle),
and Naoise, Goll mac Morna (5) and the Dearg Mor (6), etc.,
out of the old literature that was at that time in the mouth of
everyone.

(5) The name of an Ossianic poem.

(4) Cuchulain's son, celebrated in an Irish epic.

(5) One of the Fenians.

(6) The hero of an Ossianic romance.

44

tJi'L co)'iTiuile6.cc i>.\\ bic le ■oe6>n*m it)ip ah TIcac-
cuipe tn&p pie, t^^vty ye&.\\ m6.|i e65«^n Xluo-v O StiilLio-
fe&in, Aguj' n& plirie ITSuimne&co^ bo bi Ann, ce&T)
bliAiOAn 6 f-oin, 'OAOine ^rojlAniCA oo bi lonncA fo.
TnAiji^'cuTOe A]-* &n n5*'^'^6'^5> fe^" <s5tii' nuAt), vo bi
lonncA. bill focLoi)* &c&. fein, Agup ni ]A6.ib fi ]\6
n&'ouu'DA, 1f binneA)' t)'i&pp p^'o, ^^sui' fUAin p^t)
binneAf. Ace bAine&'OAji 50 ]\d mime loe'n ceiLl Le cup
te n-A mbinnoAp Tliop i6.pp mo HoAccuipe binne*]' a)\
«.on co]i. Di'l I'e jAn e, acc ni ■ocacai'o w'a coiiuigcAcc.
tliojA cLe&cc fe ciAUAW-pocAL AjMAm te ceoL a beA.))]-*.
t)0 iheA'ouJAt). LAbAijt fe ahiac An put) tjo bi in a
cpoit)e, 50 prnptiBe ^guf 50 •oipcAc, in a b)iiAC)iAib pein;
Acc tneAtlcAji me, Af* a fon pn, munAncuigj-'ed-t) niuirii-
neAC yem, iiroiu, e, tiiof fCApp ni cuigfrcAO ]-e CogAn

1lUAt>.

bbi I'e cuiji'eAnnAC com mAic le cpAibccAC. Ua]i
6if An TDo.TinAllAnAC t)0 itioIax) A)1 yon nA c)ioit>e ]\inne
]'e leif An gCAlnAnAC (c|ioi-o ■oopn tjo bi Ann, Agup
T)Aoine UAiple nA cipe 50 leip Ag ■oeA]icAt) 0)i]iA^, peAC
com qiionA Agup 'oeip pe pAn ntieipeAt)

"Oo tuf op coinnc a Ceile

le Fe4CAtnr ctA beic piop.

Hac bpuil pe peo niop UAiple Agup niop me6.pAiiilA 50
mop nA lomcAp Ajup innctnn nA nBAoine UApAl 00
cuip cum cpoit)e iao.

45

There is no comparison at all to be drawn between Ratfery
as a poet and a man like Owen Eoe Sulliran or the Munster
poets who lived a hundred years ago. They were learned men.
Masters of the Irish language, old and new, were they. They had
a vocabulary of their own, but it was not always a too natural one.
It was melody they sought for, and melody they found. But they
took away too often from the sense to add to their melody. My
Raftery never sought out melody at all. He is not without it,
but he never went hunting for it. He never used a "cramp " or
hard word in order to increase the mellifluousness of his verses.
He spoke out the thing that was in his heart, simply and directly,
in his own words ; but for all that I am mistaken if even a
Munslerraan would not understand him to-day better than he
would understand Owen Roe.

He was a man of sense as well as oi piety. After praising
Donnellan for the fight he had fought with Oalnan (« boxing match
it was, and all the gentry of the country looking on at it), see how
sensibly he says at the end: —

To give a close scrutiny into the matter,
Was it not a pity that two sons of the Gael
Should be placed, one over against the other,

To see whidh of them would go down ?

How much more noble and creditable this, than the conduct and
mind of the gentlemen who had put fbem to fight I

4G

"Oeinte^]!, A.CC Hi pon e i,.\\ y^t), gun caic ati lle^c-
ctiipe tiA i-CACC iiibLiA-TDn* weije^nnA-CA. ■o'a fAog^l 6.5

Aifling •00 bi -Mge. A5 ]'o ^.n cuncii]- 100 cug "OiA-timuio
O Clti^nAin A.]! A.ti ^.i^-ling pn (1) : — " ChuAl6.i-6 nie e
■o'A i^At) le m'ACAin 50 i\<3.i'b y-e citin 1 Ti5AiUitii, d-juf bi
cupAn le&jcA. Ap boji-o le CA.oib tid. Ie6.pn6,n •06, a^ui-
oeoc &nn, ajuj- in f ah oit)ce cu/ixl&i-o ^^e conAti eigin in
1-o.n CfeompA., cy-^uy f&oil fe gu^i b'e An cac •00 bi ^ii An
mbop-o Agup 50 leAg^At) p An 'mug.' Aguf cuip |-e
AniAC A Iaiii, AgU]- qicAt) ■do geobAt) ]'e Ann acc cnAttiA
caoIa An DbAi|-. Ajup cAinig a hai6a|ic aji ai^' cuige
^■t^r* ^5"r connAqic ]-e An aic A^iAib a coca mop qioccA
A]i An mbAllA. A5U1' •oiibAijic An hi.y 50 •ocAinig ^-e le
n-A CAbAi|\c lei]-, no le feAji eile tie nA c6iiiA)i|-AnnAib
■00 comnujj in a leiceit) pn oe cij, -oo CAbAijic lei]-,
inunA •ociubj'A'o ye An tleAccui|Ae. AgU]' biooAii Ag
CAinc fjACAt) le ceile, i>.^uy -oubAiiic An bAp 50 -ociub-
|iA-6 yb AiTOfi|i cinnce t)6, aju]- 50 -ociucitax) i-e ya. n-A
■oeir. tiuAiji beic a CAi]TOe CAicce, aju]- Annpn ro'imcij
ye UAio. Aguf nuAi|i CAinig a beAn AfceAC a^i mAioin,
•o'pApnuij ye ^6^ cia An aic a^i cjioc p a coca m6|i An
oiT)ce jioitiie pn. Ajup •oubAinc pfe gup ctioc p in a
letcetx) yeo •o'i.ic e, A-gUf bui) e pn 50 ■oi]ieAc An aic
cCAonA 'nA bpACAi-6 feii-eAn e, Aguj- bi pop Aige Ann|m
50 x)CAini5 A|iAt)A|ic Ap Ai|' cuige -DA y\]»\) in j'An oi-oce.
A5U]' cum r^ CBAccAijie 50 nci ceAC nA cortiA^ifAn ai)v
A]i lAbAi)! An hly, Agu]- -oubjiAt) leif gu^i cAillcAt) e in

(1) "Oo'n bAinci5eAnn4 St'esoni, if Uiici-fe f\ii\^ me cuiT) ttioti

47

It is said, Ibut it is not altogether true, that Raftery spent
the last seven years of his life praying and making religious
poems, because of a vision that he had. This is the account that
Diarmuid Cluanain gave of this vision (1) : — "I heard my father
saying that he was ill in Galway, and a cup was left for him on
the table ibeside his bed, and a drink in it. And in the night
he heard some kind of noise in the room, and he thought it was
the cat that was on the table and that she would throw down
the mug, and he put out his hand and what should he find tliere
but the thin bones of the Death. And the sight came back to
him again, and he saw the pkce where his great coat was hung
upon the wall. And the Death said that he had come to bring
him with him, or else to ibring another of the neighbours who
lived in such and such a house, if he did not bring him. And
they were talking for a while together, and the Death said that
he would give him a certain time, and that he would come for
him when his respite was up. And then he went from him. And
in the morning, when his wife came in, he asked her where was
the place that she had hung his great coat the night before. And
she said that she had hung it in such and such & place. And
that was exactly the same place in which he had seen i,t, and he
knew then that his sight had really come back to him in the
night. And he sent a messenger then to the house of the neigh-
bour of whom the Death had spoken, and it was told him that
he had died (2) during the night. It's well I remember, after

(1) To Lady Gregory, to whose kindness I owe many of tliese
stories about the bard.

(2) Literally: "Was lost."

48

r^n omce. If iriMC cuirimisim nuM,, fei ^-e aj i^A^mI
fci.ir 'n^ ■6.A15 pn, 50 locAinig c^iaait) tjo, pe&,, ve n^
Cu^n^ijib, A,xeAc, ^gu,- t.ubo.,i.c r& 'ihmc 50 leop, a
n*»rce,u.' A,, 1-6, 'nil An a,,,oe -oo 61.5 An bi.^ t,u.c
CAicce vop/ Agur t,'j;-,,eA5A.|, RAipeepi Agu,- -oubAipc
re, ' CA I'e BCAncA ahiac Ag An eAglAif asu^ AjAtti
r^in Anoir nAc e An bi^y x>6 V, Ann, cop aii bir, acc
gup b*e An oiAbAl e 00 CAinij A5 cu|i CACuijce onm.' "
1r iomt)A I'geAL cuaIaio me 1 ■ocAoib a t>Aip 'Oub-
A11.C I'eAn veA). bo bi gAn beA^LA bom 50 byuMn |-e
bAp 'nA AonAH, 1 xjceAc j-oLAtn gAn ouine a)! bic beic
leir, Agu)- 50 ]>A.b An ccAc uiLe Ia)ca yu^y com jcaI
let)- An U, Agui- LAfAin in ^ha ipcAjicAib oj- a cionn,
-s-Sur 5U|i b'lATi pn HA h-AingiL tjo bi Ann A5 tJeAnAiii
connAii) 1)6.

•OubAijic veAH eile 50 ^Aib pop A5 An HeAccuipe
l»oiiii-lAim, CIA An U Agup An uaiji tjo beic a ceApmA
CAicce, Agup 50 nooACAit) pe 50 SAiUiiii Agup gup
ceAnnuig pe cUn, Agtip go orug Leip e go cig eigin,
Agup cuijt pe AH An bpAjiAt) e. "OubAiiic pe Le muinnnp
An cige cdm|iA vo ■oeAnAtti -66 Ap pin, Agup puAiji pe bAf
An otBce ccAionA !

Acc ni mAp pn cajiLa pe. ITud-ip An bliAincigeApnA
5nego|ii cuncApiomLAn aji a bAp 6 peAji oo bi 1 Iacaih,
Agup e 'uA gApun. 'OubAiHc An peAji yo ^up buAiLeA'b
e Le cmneAp 1 nSA.LLuii, Agu]- nuAip "o'eipis I'e niop
peAp). x)'imcig pe All put) no. t)ucAige Apip le pguibin,
be<^g Aipgio «o bAiUiug^u, " Acc buAileAt) piop Apip e
nuAip CAinig pe cum An cige peo. ni p4.,b ^e p6 ftoj-CA

49

that, when he was dying, that a friend of his, a man of the
Cooneys, came in and said, ' Very well,' says he, ' the time the
Death gave you is not up yetl' And Raftery answered and said,
'It is now made out by the Church and by myself that it was
not the Death who was in it at all, hut that it was the devil
who came to tempt me.' "

Many is the story I hare heard a'bout his death. An old
man Who had no English told me that he died alone by himself
in an empty house without anyone being with him, but that the
house was all lighted np as bright as the day and a flame in the
heavens above it, and that those were the angels who were there
waking him.

Another man said that Baftery knew beforehand what was
the day and hour that his term would be up, and that he went
to Galway and bought a plank, and took it with him to some
house and put it on the loft. He told the people of the house
to make a cofSn out of that for him, and he died the same night.

But th«t was not how it happened. Lady Qregoiy got a
full account of his death from a man who was present when he
was a boy. This man said that he was struck with illness in.
Galway, and when he got better he went out through the country
again to gather a trifle of money, " but he was struck down again
when he came to this house. He was not very old, about 70

50

cimciotl •oeic mbl,iA.t)&n ib.\ c)\i pciti (1). Dili ^'e cinn
6.]\ An leA-bint) aji •peA.'o coicci'6i]'e. "Oub^-tiic in'&c&ip
Annpn ^-aj^-hc ■o'^^iJAil -oo. bhi 6.11 fAg^nc p«.)(]iAi)xe
tt-Y Ml mb&ile, 4.CC yu6.n6.iTiA.|i 1-6.56.nc eile ^gu]' c\u]\ ye
Ati ot*. ■oei^eMitiA.c 6.1^ i^Bul' tug 6.i-bot6it> ■06. 11i ji^ib
pi6.n AjA bin 6.11;, 6.cc 6. co]'6. ■00 beic fud.^, Agup ceice6.'6
116. bu6.C6.ilLi'6 cloc 6.5Uf cuiiiee.'o y\ei.x> in ytyn te6.bui6
cuige i. but) iTii6.n le ino tTi6.c6in poy a. cu]\ e>.\\ 6. be6.n
A.5UI' 6.^1 6. iti6.c tio bi 1 ng'^i^t't'ii, 50 'ocnicf6.iT)ii' le 6.iiie
tiiop ye6.]in C6.'b6.iiic '06, 6.CC ni Iei5]:e6.t) ]-e tiuinn )'in 6.
'666.n6.rTi. ^610666.]^ xnym jup f aoiI ^'e n6.c iToe6.|in6.'06.ii
gup ]\o iii6.ic ■66. CliU6.t6.i6 me l'5e6.l gup wn'ilcAij 6.n
^6.56.pc 6.]-boL6io 00 C6.b6.ipc v6, 6.5UP e 6.5 ^-ajaiI b6.if,
iTiun6. iii6.ici:e6.'6 ^^e •oo n6.1ii6.1t) ei^in 00 bi 6.150, 6.5UI' 5up
i6ub6.ipc ■peii'e6.n, 'mi. rii6.ic me 66 te mo be^l niop
iri6.ice6.-p '06 le mo cpoi6e,' 6.cc ni'l i:oc6.l ■pipinne 6.nn.
tli p6.ib m6.ille 6.p bit 6.p 6.n p6.56.i\c 6.5 cu]i 6.n ol6. 6.ip.
Ace "00 bi puine6.p6.i6 'n6. c6ninui6e, piop 6.nn)'in, 6.p 6.n
mb6c6.p, 6. cuip 1[l6.ifcepi 'opoc-6.i5ne6.p 6.on U6.ip 6.rri6.in
6.ip. Sopc pie 100 bi in p6.n piuine6.p6.i6 po 6.5UP bi 5UC
bpeA5 6.156 6.5 56.b6.1L 6.bpd.in, 65UP CAinij pe 6.m6.c
6.5upbpippe6.n bei6lin 6.p tl6.1pcep1.A5up ip m6ic cuitii-
ni5im, nu6.ip bi pe 6.5 P6.561I b&ip, 50 iDcug 6.n p656pc
6.n piuine6.p6.i6 peo 6.pce6.c, 6.5UP CU5 pe opp6. in6.ice6.m-
n6.p C6.b6.i]ic -d'a ceile Agupl&m a ceile cpACA6. Agup
■oubAipc An piuineApAit), 'oa inbeic "oipp iniji beipc
■fieApbpACAp BorriAicpi'oip -d'a ceile, A5U]- CAt) cui5e nAC

(1) 1r '0615 tia4 ^Aib f6 totii h-AOfCA pti. "OufiAijic Ancoine
O 'DitAij liom j;u|i f-4.oil fe riAC ^utb yi tii'op mo n« 50 bViiixiin
piti mbliA'DAinj 1830,

51

years (1). He was sack and in bed for a fortnight. My father
said, then, to get a priest for him. The parish priest was from
home, but we got another priest, and he put the last oil on him
and gave him absolution. He had no pain at all— only his feet
to be cold— and the boys used to heat a stone and put it into the
bed to him. My mother wished to send for his wife and his son,
who were in Galway, that they might come to take better care of
him, but he would not let them do it. It seems to me he thought
they had not done too well by him. I heard a story, that the
priest refused to give him absolution, and he dying, unless he
would forgive some enemy he had, and that he said, 'If I
forgave him with my mouth I did not forgive him with my
heart,' but there's not a word of truth in it. There was no
delay on the priest anointing him. But there was a carpenter
living down there on the road whom Baftery had insulted one
time. This carpenter was a sort of a poet, and he had a
fine voice singing a song, and he came out and broke Eaftery's
fiddle. Ajid it's well I remember when he was dying that the
priest brought in this carpenter, and he made them forgive each
other and shake each other's hands. And the carpenter said. If
there were to be a differ between two brothers they would forgive
each other, and why should not we forgive?' He was buried in

(1) He certainly was not as old as this. Anthony I>aly toW
pie he did not look more than fifty in 1850,

52

lA.icpmii'-iie?' "Oo cuii\eAt) e 1 gCiUinin. tli ]\{,\h
yoc\\e>.m po m6)t Aije, acc bi WAome &n t)Aile a]\ ^tao
Ann. Oit)ce fheil IIo-oLas V""^')' T^ ^^r- ^5"1" ■oub6,i|vc
re rem i scoriinume oa mbeic Uii) aj -Oia Aim, 5Ui\ ^A'n
11ot)lAi5 ■oo jeibeAt) fe bA)\"

Ua reA^A AtiAice leif An iioilig m o.|i cumcAt) e
Ajtif tiubAij\c re gufi f&oil re jup cum a cije rem vo
bi An TleAccui)\e ceAcc, nuAip buAileAo pore "acc
cUAit> re ArccAc Annpn yA-n C15, poy," aja r^- " Omce
11ot)Ia5 F"^M* re bAr, Ajur ym coiiiA|icA 50 pAib
re beAnnAijce, bionn beAnnAcc Ajt nA WAomib JAJAnn
bir r'*''" tlowlAj. In r&n oiwce •00 cinpeA-6 e, 6ip ni
tifeAnrAiToe Aon obAip Li. IIooIaj, acc cpinnntng
tn'ACAir, Agur beAjAn x>e coiiiArrAnAib eile, rcmbin
Aiiigit) le oojiipA X)o ceAnnAc Bo.Ajur l>'"neAt) e Le ye6.]\
r^n nibAile, Ia SAn SreApAm, Agur cugAt) e Annj-o,
Agur IcAn t>Aome nA mbAilre e, 6i)( bi meAr Agur ^\\6.x>
ACA uile A|\ nAirceri ; ACC niiAijt CAnsAOAji Annro, bi
An oioce Ag cuicrni, Agur niiAij\ bioiOAji A5 cocaiLc nA
h-UAije bi ctoc m6]\ ^lompA mnci, Ajur niop feA-OAUAH

A COgbAll, AgUr f^Oll- "* buACAlUlt) 6 -00 CAbA1)lC

ArccAc r^n rgioboL Agur An oiwce wo bAmc Ar- ^cc
bi meAr m6]\ Ag mo itiacaiii, 50 nweAnAiu tDiA r|i6cAi|ie
uippi, A|i KAircejn, Ajur cuip yi AmAC t)a comnil-miinLA
lAfCA, le rolAr no CAbAi|ic t)umn, "Oo biot) a miinlA
rein A5 b-uiLe beAn An uaiji pn, A5iir t)o jnmir a
5CUIT) comncAL rem 1 gcoiiiAin nA HooIaj. Conjjbint-
cahiah nA comnLe lArcA or cionn nA h-UAije x>o bi a
n-Aice le bmn An creipeil le CAbAipc roluir ■ouinn.Agur
cuAit> mo -oeAjtbrACAin por m r&n uai 5, Ajnr rcig re ^n
Cloc; Agur cunieAtflA^i Annpn e, bhi reioeo^ liiAiC

HilTeenln. He had not a very big funeral, but all the people
of the village were ther*. On Christmas Eve he died, and he
had always said himself if God had a hand in him that it was at
Christmas he would die."

There is a man near the churchyard where Eaftery was
huried, and this man said that he thought it was to his own
house Kaftery was coming when he was knocked up, " but he
went then into the house below," said he. " It was on Christmas
Eve he died, and that's a sign that he was blessed. There he's a
blessing on the people who die at Christmas. It was at night
he was buried, for no work would be done on Christmas Day ;
but my father and a few of the other neighbours gathered a trifle
of money to bay a coffin for him, and it was made by a man in
the village on St. Stephen's Day, and it was brought here and the
people of the villages followed it, for they all had a love and
respect for E^aftery. But when they got here the night was
falling, and when they were digging the grave there was a big
stone before them in it, and they were not able to lift it, and
the boys thought they would bring him into the barn and take
the night out of him. But my mother — Ood have mercy on Ler—
had a great respect for Eaftery, and she sent out two mould
candles lit, to give us light. Every woman used to have her
own mould at that time, and they used to make their own candles
against the Christmas. We held the lighted candles over the
grave, which was near the gable of the church, to give us light,
and my brother went down into the grave and raised up the
stone and we buried him then. There was a good breeze of wind

54

56.oife A.nn, ah iiaija ce«.T)nA, acc tiiop muc f6 nA.
coifinLe, Agu^- ni iiieA|-Aitii guji cojipuig v' a" Iavmh yem,
*5"r CHOCU15 fe pn 50 iiAib Urn ati UisecpTiA Ami."

tDo KAgAt) ATI pie 111AH pn in fAn C|-eATi-]\oiLi5 1
SCillinin A5 co-oIaw 50 |-Aitti AmeAi-s tiA iroAoine
•o'Aicmj i^e Ajuj- ■00 5HA-6U15 ^-e. Cuig bliAt)nA Asuf
cpi pciT) •06, A5 co-oLa-o Annpn 50 ciuin, jad a coidLao
beic buAioeAi^cA, 50 •ocAinis ■*-" feifeAt) U pceAW
LugnAi'A AnumiAij (19 0). -Oo ciiuinnijeAt. Ati U pn
rtjAJ mon t)A0itie le ceile Af ha bAitctb cimcioll, Aguf

T)AOine X)0 CAini5 6 bjTAt), AgU]- fAgApc 01J\blt)tieAC tIA

P^rr^T^e, Aguf t)AOine niAp eAtibAii-o TnA|\CAin 6
C1iAi]'leAn Culoijpe ■oa riiile ■ocAg o-y pn, Aguf An
OhAincijeAiinA 5]\e5opi &y An gCuil 1 bfAt) «o'n CAoib
fuAf ■oe'n conuAe, Aguj- An c-AcAip Con|-Ait)in Agur
niopAn ■oAoine eile a]- ShAiLlirii, Ajup U5t)AH nA Lince
yeo niA)! An sceAunA. TJo qiuinnij^At) iat) Annpn,
it)ip ipoU Agiip ua^aI, iioi]1 i-eAn ty-^iiy 65, le onoip ■oo
CAbAipn T)o'n pie niAnb. bA i An bhAinciseAiinA
Spejoiii cion-pocAin ^" cjiumntsee. ■puAip p aiiiac 50
■oipcAC An A1C A]\ cinneAt) e, ajuj- Annpn •00 cog p cite
Apt) Aluinn oy cionn ha h-UAise, Agu]- Ainm An pie 1
ngAe-oeilg ui]\jii 1 liqieACAib oip. bA i t)o f 6.01I a
■oeAnAiii, Aj,u)' ^y ui]i|ii cuic An co]-CAf, no An cufo bA
tiio ie. bhi upnAigce nA ti-eAglAije leisne O)- cotiiAip
An q-luAij, Aju)' 100 pinneAio ouaibiw 1 njAeBeilj A5
molAX) An KeAcciiipe ().

(1) tuAUiiD me 5H|i cpuinnij n& -oaoino te 6eile i mbLiATin* man
/- gretTP* cimc.oLL a uji^e, nudi}. ]imne 4n c-xicAm O TDonAbim 4p
LaU-toC-jitAC ojiAiu B|iei5 Tioib.

65

out that same time, but it did not quench the candles, and t
dou't think it even stirred the flame, itself, and that shows tjhat
the Lord had a hand in him."

The poet was left thus, sleeping peacefully in the old church-
yard of Killeenin amongst the people whom he knew and loved.
Sixty-five years he rested quietly there without his sleep being
disturbed until came the 26th day of August last year (1900). (. n
that day there was gathered together a great multitude of people
out of the villages round about, and people who came from far,
and tlie reverend priest of the parish, and people like Mr.
Edward Martyn, of Tillyra Castle, some dozen miles away, and
Lady Gregory from Coole, far on the upper side of th« coincigi,
and Father Considine and many othwr people h*iK GUlwiy, mi
the writer of theM lin'ps aisv. They were gathered there, both
low and high, young and old, to do honour to the dead poet.
Lady Gregory was the prime cause of the gathering. Sh© raised
a high and handsoa^e stone above the grave, with the name of tue
poft't in Irish upon it, in letters of gold. It was she who thought
of doing it, and it waa upon her the cost, or the most of it, fell.
The prayers of the Church were read before the people, and
speieches were made in Irish in praise of Baftery (1).

(1) I have heard that the people collected at hds grave again
s year, and that Father OT , ^ .

miles awa)') made a fine oration.

this year, and that Father 0'I)on<jvan, from Loughrea (mauj

Hi h-\ mo b&i\&ni&il guji ciiuinnig me ■oAncA uile
&n Ke^^-ccuipe {y]\ Aon co)i. b'^tup r&c bpil m6)iAti
n o]- mo Tii, ;sn le6.c aca ^.g^ym, acc i]- citince me 50
bpuil All •OAncd. 1]' ye&np aca Ago-m. tli 1 ti-Aon aic
frtiiAin ■00 bio-o ^-e, acc 1 gcomtiuroe ^5 pu'bAl, t>.-^uy vo
Hinne ^-e ^biiAin ■00 iiei]i me>.]\ u'eipij ocait). nio]\ iriAij\
50 t)ci An U iTiT)iu, A|\ beAl tiA ntiAoitie, acc da cinn ir
cliitJAmlA. 1]" lomtiA ceAtin ]iinne ye tiA)i LeAcnuijeAt*
A)i v"^ "«► cii\e A|i Aon cop; 00 cuimne6cAit)e e in ^-An
A1C A nt)eAnnAt), aji fCAt) CAmAiLL, e, Agu]' Ann-
pn cAiUpioe e. CIiuaLaio me cjiacc aji cum
oe nA li-AbnAnAib t)o ninne ^-e nAp f-eAT) me
nA beAnr^it) v-A^Ail Af. Aon cop. Ca AbpAin 1 rspibmn
inhic Hi -OiaIaij, An cfAoi|i-cloice, nAc bfuil 1
rqubinn ITIhic t1, phLomn, ca AbpAin in ^An ixiubmn

r-»>n X^CAiOAHil nAC bpUlL A5 ceACCAp ACA. Asur mopAn

«.CA-r^t. nAC bpil mnci feo, Agup fUAip me AbpAin 6'n
lleACCAnAc, 6 phpoinpAp O ConcubAip, 6'n Acaiiv
CLemenc O UjnAit., Agu]- 6 Sheoippe ITIac SioILa An
CI1L015 nAC pAib A5 T,uine Ap bic eile acc aca pein
AiiiAin ; A5U1' cuaIai-o me cpAcc Ap m6]iAn eiLe nAc
bpuAipeAp. Acc Aueip An pcAn-pocAl SAeoeilg "bionn
bLAp Ap beASAn " Agup b'emip 50 bpuil mo f-Aic cpuinn-
tSce A5AW1. 1p t,6i5 50 bpiiiL li-uiLe AbpAn cLutAtiiAil
AgAm «'a nt)eApnAir. pe, A511P ip leop pin. b'emip gup
biAio "Dp,5T)in bheApAig" Asup-lllAipe TI1 h-ewm"
(no An pAbpAe SLeseAl; An oa AbpAn, ip mo ■oo cuaI-
&1-0 me AmeAps n^ ntJAoine 1 5Conx)Ae nA SAillime,
^5"r ^" c-AbpAn Ap Chill-Ao-OAin, 1 gContjAe tniiuit!
eo. Ca nA li-AbpAin peo Ag h-uile t)uine a bpuil rue
^.ge. Ca An "A.cpise" le pA^AiL inp gAC Aon aic.

67

1 do not imagine tliat I have collected by any means all
Baftery's poems. Possibly I have not much more than the half
of them ; but I am certain that I hare his 'best poems. It was
not in one place he used to be, but constantly travelling, and ho
composed songs according as occasion arose. Only the most
famous of them remained in the mouths of the people until the
present day. Many a song he made that never spread throughout
the country at all. It would be remembered in the place in
which it was composed for a time, and then it would be lost.
I have heard tell of certain songs that he made of which I have
not been able to find the verses at all. There are songs in the
stone-cutter's MS. that are not in Glynn's, and songs in the
Academy MS. that are not in either, and these,
again, have many that are not in it, and I
get songs from Naughton, Francis O'Conor, Father
Clement O'Looney, and Seoirse Mao GioUa-an-chloig, or Bell,
that nobody else had except themiselves alone ; and I heard
talk of many others that I did not get. But the old Irish proverb
says, "There he's a taste on a little," and perhaps I have col-
lected enough. No doubt I have every famous song that he
composed, and that is sufficient. Perhaps " Breedyeen Vesey "
and " Mary Hynes " (or the Posy Brigiht) are the two songs that
I have heard most from the people in the county Galway, and t'.ie
long of Killeaden in the county Mayo. Everyone who has s
voice knows these songs. The "Repentance" is to be fou&d m

68

CA A.n A^Ajuince^cc leif ^n iiifje be^^cA (ioitciotin §6
lej5]A iTiAp An jceA-tind.. 1]- beo-s ■ouitie n^f cu«.ld.it)
CAinc A^i " SheMicuf [no C6.ii-miiAc] n^ 850106" o-^uy
A]A "fbiAt)6.c SbeAJ&m bhiAA-OMJ" m&.]\ A-n gce^-wni..

11i fenjip lioni AbjiAin A.n Re^ccuipe c^bMnc wo
](ein n^s b-Aiiiifiiie i>.]\ cvmiy.x> i6.t). Tli C15 liom 6. \\i~t
C1/S b-iAT) n* 1i-6.bnAin 00 pinne ^-e 1 ■ocoj-ac, ^'S'T "'
beic Aon rii/sic A-nn, ia-t) 00 cu]i 1 n-opTJuj^-o ^.^uf 1
Ti-eA56.)^, vo ]\e^]\ Ct. mbun-A'obMH, n«. lOAncA r)i;».i6A teo
yein, n* •oi.ncA ^]\i>-v leo fein, Cy-^viy me>.\\ fin leif An
jcuit) eile ACA. b'yeAjAH liom m>~v ■00 meAfjAt) qiit) a
ceile t)o jiein m^n xio cuin feife^n Ajuf inA.i\ tie \-vc>.\]\
iTii]-e iAt), Ajuf If e An ceAO-AbpAn beAf fAf me, AbnAn
b]i6in ■oo finne ye t>.\\ 'bi.y ce6t.c6]iA, feA]i T)'a eAl,At)Ain
fein^ piobAi]ie.

An ce nAC bfuit cleAccAC le pLi-oeAcc nA
nSAC-oeAl, ni feicpw fe Ajuf ni cuigp-o yd binncAf
Aguf ceol An •OAin f eo. Hi cuigpt) An beAfloin Af cop
A^A bice, 6if CA plioeACC nA iiJ^'-et'eAl eA^f aiiiaiL Af
t'At) 6 pbiTDeACC nA SACj-AnAC. but) coif 100 5AC uite
JAftin 1 nGi^mn pof -oo beic Aige aji An ■oa f6)\c plit)-
eACCA, Acc yAfAOn! ni'l; A5Uf ni liuiinm nA fjoilce
bpAWACA ACA AjAinn Aon pioc T»o nA ■OAomib 1 -ocAOib a
licfi-ocACCA fein. Ay An At)bAf pn lAiifAim aji An
Iei5ce6ii\ a CAbAijic f a neAjiA 50 ocuiceAnn h]\>^ An
50CA occ n-UAijie in f An gceAt) beAffA aji ah lici^\ a,
Aguf ■p5|AiobAiin An pollA pn moji, le nA cvy 1 n-iul
TJo'n leijceoif &^y mot -po-cuigfeAnnAC. CuiceAnn fe
mA^i An gceA'onA t^y A in fAn gceAcpAriiAt) cin^eAt)
feifCAt) Agiif fCACCiiiAt) f Ann. CuiceAnn bfij ah 50CA
occ n-UAi)»e a^ \X in fAn ■OAfA Ajuf in fAn cfeAf fAnn,

59

every place. 1?he argument with the whiskey is common enough)
too. There are few people who have not heard of the " History
of the Bush " and the " Hunt of Shawn Bradach " also.

I am unable to give the songs of Ba-ftery according to Iho
date of their composition. I cannot say which were the songs
he first made. Nor would there be any great advantage in putting
them in order and arranging them according to their subject
matter, the religious poems by themselves, the love poems by
themselves, and so on with the rest. I prefer to mix them
together as he composed them, and as I found them, and the first
poem of his I shall give is a song of grief that he made over the
death of a musician, a man of his own art, a piper.

He who is not accustomed to the poetry of the Gaels will
not see or understand the melody and music of this poem. The
English speaker will not understand it at all, for the poetry of
tihe Gaels is altogether different from the poetry of the English.
Every boy in Ireland ought to have a knowledge of the two sorts
of poetry, but, alas ! they have not ; and the miserable schools
(f« have do not teach the people on iota about their own litera-
ture. For this reason I ask the reader to observe how the stress
of the voice falls eight times, at regular intervals, in the first
rerse, upon the letter A, and I print the syllable large t/O make the
reader understand it after a more intelligible manner. It also
falls upon A in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh verses. t\he
stress of the voice falls eight times upon the letter U in the third

60

A.SUf occ n-UM]\e /^^i 6 yt^n jiAtin ve\\\w. Ij- pop-pie
e^-lAion&c BO bi I'&n ReAccuijte.

[Se<s.i7Mt> An licin C, in p^ n6cAib,le cuji i jceill
m6.|\t)o hi i:oc<.iLAn 6,t)]iAin 6,5 ^.n sConiAnAc 6 &t)).-u6.ii\
An tIeACCAnAc iat). 5. ida^ ■do h\ox)<y]\ aj IIIac lit
Vhloinn, O'L. inAp t)o biooA^i A5 An Acaih Cleinenc
LujnAit), S. mA|t 100 bioiOA]( 1 fcjiibinn ITIic t)i t)iAlAi5
(An |-AO|A cloice), Agu^ A. niAH biot)A)\ ^-An vcnibinn ^^n

AcAtJAItil.j

CAome AR toniAS o idaL^mj.

If e ConiAi' O "OAtAlg

'^'F'*'5 P^'l ^Z^V VS^-p A)i Aoi]- 615,
AY 6 ■o'lmi)! An b^S ai}!,

Da gl^-^SA 50 ■ocugAit) "OiA to.
Ua An cin i-eo a]i |:at) CHAlt)Ue,

A5 po^i-CnACC Atn,6T)'eA5 A]»b}.-eAH-i-p6i]it,
"Oo beA]\i:A-6 An bAlllG

Af 5AC CeAll'DA le bpeAJCA a euro ceoil.

Ua nA h-cAlAit) A]\ nA cuAncAib

Haoi n-UAijie com t)ub teif An ptieAji,
O t)'eA5 An peAjA UAinn-ne,

A pAlb An fUA1|\CeAf Aft bAfl)\Alb A liieAi*.

but) loeij-e (1) A WA f-uiL jlAf

tlA '0|iucc nA mArone aja bAim F^'Pj

'S 6 pneA-6 in f An uAitii e
CA'n yuAcc (2) AjpAJAil cjieij-e aja An nspein.

(1) SU.reC. (2; x»|.uccS.

61

verse, and eight times upon the letter E in the last one. (My
translation of the first verse into rhyme after the metre of the
Irish will give the English reader a better idea of it.)

N.B.— In the notes the letter will stand for Comyn'a
version as given to Naughton, G for Glynn's, O'L for Father
Clement O'Looney, S for the stone-cutter's, Mr. Deely's, MS., and
A for that in the Academy.

LAMENT FOR THOMAS O'DALY.

It is Thomas O'DAILT

Left ACHING in young hearts and old,
And since Death has wayLAID him,

May the GRACES of God be his fold.
This country is AILING,

BEWAILING that fingers of gold
Which made music like ANGELS,

Should be LAID in the Clay and the Cold.

The swans upon the waves

Are nine times blacker than the blackberry,
Since the man has died from us.

On the tops of whose fingers lay the pleasantry.
Fairer were his two grey eyes

Than the dew of morning on the top of grass,
And since he has been stretched in the grave

The Cold is gaining power oyer the Sun,

II'

III

62

"Oi ^'itibAlpA riA. C1115 cuije,

Le inun^x) (1), c|iuc, -oeip, aju^- mein,
A f'Aiii&ii, me>.]\ tmbpAt),

■niofi pufed.1l |-e ni&iii C6.lA.iii tiA fe^-ji,
-Aiit)-]\i5 ri*. iToul

A bpuil n& cuiTiA^cCii. I'o o.|i f AT) A.54.-0 |?eiti
O '-pe c)ioi-6e n^c p&ib cuiii&tig,

CA.tM)i cuiciuJA-x) t)6 1 bflA-iceA]' vi. ]\ei|\.

Out) e |-ut) ATI c]i<kob Aluinn

1nf- jAC ce&iit) oa'p cLe^ccAt) (2) ye &iM6.iii
SgApA'o ye A L^n

AY niop c]U)inni5 I'e caca riA niAoin.

CllAICfCAt) fe jTACA

Ha tiTJaIaij 'tia be6i)» Agu]" pon,

'S 1 5CACA01]\ riA ngJlA^XA

1 Iaji ph&nficAi]- 50 jiAib fe 'tiA fume.

Sgeut c|AAi-6ce aj ad iiibA]',

An plAi5 (3) ^^AAnriA iiac e ^iinn Ati yee>.\X.
TIac •0CU5 no Ia CAiptie,

A "OtiiA lAit)i)\, riA beAgAinin Am' !
Ua tiiriA 65A, aY r)\ 5An ]:ac e,

CiAion qiAitice 6 f ajao e 1 gciLl,
A tijuuAg poi-Le iTAnuit)

tlA fCjlACAIt) (4) aY i Ag llACA'S 6.\\ A SCIHtl.

(1) A]\ c)ioifie, muinceAfic, ticire, ic, G

(2) 54c ceiji-Od OA m5c*c*ni C,

6b

If you were to travel the five provinces,

For learning, shapeliness, beauty, and good mien,
■His like (as has been said)

Never walked earth or grass.
0, High-King of the Elements,

Who hast these powers altogether to Thyself,
Since his was a heart that was never narrow.

Give him recompense in heaven accordingly.

That was the beautiful branch,

In every quarter which he used to ever frequent,
He used to scatter a quantity (of gold),

And he never gathered hoards or goods.
He would spend the estate of the Dalys

In beoir and in wine.
And in the chair of the Graces,

In the midst of Paradise, may he be seated.

Misfortune (1) to the Death 1

The hateful plague, is it not It did the treachery.
That never gave him a day's respite,

0, strong God 1 or even a little moment of time ?
Young women — and not without cause —

Are withered and ruined since he was left in the church-
yard ;
Th«ir hair down and flowing.

In streaks, and it turning grey upon their heads.

(3) pUii, C. (4) sioC; " rcfiiV S. asop 9.
(1) Literally: "A miserable story to."

64

tli'l poj-Aio (l) 1 n-A.on 5«.i)\T)in,

'S ci. yt>.i cAoince a-g cuilLe tiA. gcpAnn,
A beic cuicim te pArid-t),

'S tii'L bi-nji j^L6.f e>-\\ bA]»]\Mb n^ ■ocom.
O CU6.1W c6np<>. (2) cl,i.\\

A)\ An "OaI^c ca biioti a^\ Lucn sinnn,
C6. pnuit) 6.)i An Ld. ge^l.,

'S ni fnAihAnn Aon bpe6.c a}» n*. coinn.

Ojipeui' ']■ A ctAin]'e*.c

A ■o'A)»t)M5 (3) gAc ouine'o'A qteoin
A'f An j^leACAioe DO bi [aj] fAtptjeAl (4)

Apollo mA^i leijceAp

C '^-e CU5 An c-oineACAf tioib
A gcup A|i f At) le n-A ceile,

'S bycA^iji An TDaIac ni-'n meAt) fut) luce
ceoil.

'Oa nibeii6inn-^e mo dlei^eAc

^\^ uiiiAll eAfjAit) 100 beA]if Ainn a|v peAnn,
go f5]»iobpA»nn-]-e fgeAl beAj,

'Ha beA)ij'Aib i Ia]1 lie' o)' a ceAnn,
A jnioiii Y «> ibeAJ-ciieictie

11 A ceAt)CA ni cui|i|reAi6 a jcionn (P),
A'f wubAi^c tleAccui]\e An meAt) pn

'U eif (5) An'OAlAC,niAi\ CAictnj ^elioiii(6)

(1) p4Br*^< C- 'Oe'f "" ConiAiiAt juti b'6 feo An fi64« tSeAjipa.

(2) c6niiA = c6mtt.».

(3) "4 ■o'ii|t«ui§"=T)0 dt™*'^- 'Oub*nic in ComAnA6 mAJl peo i:
"Si *n fliiic 4'r *» cLAHireAd « i<it'f*'"56*r>" 1^.

(4) An 5*t»oi-6e 6t aj *itiT)iol (!), C.

(5) " I6ir," 8., reote " on ■QaIaij."

(6) ni'l Alt beAtipA fo -*$ AX sCominAi, a£c ca be«]i|<A ette Ai^t'i

66

There is no posy in any garden,

And the leaves of the trees have cause to weep,
To be falling downwards,

And there is no green top on the tops of the bushes.
Since a coffin of boards has gone

Upon th« Daly, there is grief on men of merriment ;
There is a Shadow on the bright day,

And no fish swims upon the wavesr

Orpheus and his harp,

Who caused every man to forget his way (1),
And the clever one who was watching

Argus, till he stole away lo,
Apollo as is written.

Since it was he gave them the instruction,
And to put them all together —

The Daly was a better musician than they all.

If I were a clerk.

It is obediently and rapidly I would seize the pen,
I would write a little story

In verses on the midst of a flag over his head.
Ills acts and his good accomplishments

Hundreds would not succeed in telling (2),
And Eaftery has said all that

After the Daly— because I liked him.

Literally: "Who hoisted every man from his direction."
Literally: "Would not put to a ead," i.e., drive home
to the listener.

\l

fe&n tiA* UpuAiji mi 6 Aon tjuine eile. AtS. ^4 niAji tednir:
Ci «ti •ouiAi'6 yeo fne&\i&f6

CittiAimin Agur "nitnncitt C{j(-eoj4in
O T)jioi6eAt)-A-6LAini'n

'S Af fin 50 CAirleAti t-CAtn XiiAf (')
Ca cioficA ftitL tliJtiLL

^5 pof-S"'- 'r '*5 ■o^AtiAtti T)obp6in
O CAittcA'D An peAft i-iAm|>A

b'^eAjin piobii-o x>'i. )i«5A-6 50 potl.

66

X)o bi AH "OaIac yo X)o d«.oin &ti tle^dctiine 'ti&
'6uiTie-UA-f6.l. '0'inni|' TIIac Hi ■phmn, ty^" 0]\i.nm6]\, i66.m,
50 mbiot) OApAll tn&ic'otAllo.i'oe |?&oi 1 gcdthnuiwe, ^511^
T\Ac feinneAi6|'6 ceot 00 n(>. ■oA.omib coicciontid. &|i coji
^n bit, Acc 6.iTi«.in 00 riA OAoinib UAi|'te, 6 bi yk ye\n
UAI'At. Cbui]\ bei]ic piobAiyie 1 njA-itlirfi tJubflAn p6.oi,
Aon U6.1H MiiAin, A5 i^jiiiAit) cia. ac6. if i:eA|Ajt •oeo.nf At)
piobM^ieAcc, Ajuf ninneA'OA.p bpeiceAiri •oe'n tleAdcuipe,
6i]i bi ctuA]' liiAic Aige, biot) hac |i6>ib f6 acc 'tiA.
'6noc-i'eit)ileA."o6ni. Cliug An UeAccuipe An buAit)
■oo'n "OaIac.

-A5 ]-o AbjiAn tjo i^inne f6 aj iiiotA'6 An bhuncAig
t)o bi 'riA cOtimuirie 1 mOeAt-AC-nA-ti-Aibne An uai|\ pn,
I]' A1C beAg, c)ii tiiile'oo'n CAOib io\]\ tje ChpeAcriiAol,
i. Ua I'eAn-tiiuiteAnn toii'gce Ann, a pAib tiiuinncip
b-eit)in 'nA muiLteoiiub Ann, A5Uf pn h An pAC Awei^i
ye 50 b|:uil, " cotTijAH niuilinn Agup aca Ann." UA An
muileAnn 1 njot^c Inn^e guAipe A5feA]\ aca Anoiy. Ij'
in fAn A1C ceAtinA 00 riiAin tTTjiiAiirAC O h-Ciibm a
ntjeA^inAio An Suibobo-nAc An c-Abj\An cLu'OAmAiL ai|i.
Cbit>pt) An leisceoiji 50 "ocuireAnn bpij An jorA 50
^iiajaIca tJA UAip t)eA5 in f An gceAt) beA^f a a]i fuAim
nA bene "i " ; —

67
The Daly for whom Baftery made this keene was a gentle-
man. Mr. Finn, of Oranmore, told me that he used always keep
a good riding horse, and that that he used never to play music
for the common people at all, but only for the gentry, because he
was himself of gentle birth. Two pipers in Galway once chal-
lenged him to try which oif them would pipe the best, and th«y
made Baftery the judge, for he had a good ear although he wafl
only an indi£Eerent fiddler. Baftery gave the victory to Daly.

Here is a song he made in praise of thft Burke, who was
living in Ballinahevna, now JRiverville 1 Hiis is a little place
three miles ito the east of Craughwell. There is an old burnt
mill there, in wihioh the Hynesies were once the millers. And
that is why he says that " there is conveniency of mill and kiln
there." One of them has the mill in Qort now. It is in the
same place Murty Hynes lived on whom T. D. Sullivan made the
famous song. The reader will observe how the stress of the voice
falls regularly twelve times in the first verse on the sound of the
Towel i (ee) : —

68

beAt-AtA-nA-1iAit)ne.

CAi.)iuf in yt>.n dp j-eo beip c&'bAip t)o [n«.] o^oimb

'S nio]i bp6.t)A liom <5oi-6ce beiE cn^cc Aip,
oA}\uii5 yk An p(o5d,cc le ^6ile 'y le 'o&onnAcc

'S -oi. bpfexyo^TAinn vgniob fSof 6>i|\, b6inn i^ApcA.
An c6 jluikii^eAt) 'jcoif Ipoll (1) ^p UAip 6,n tiie&'bon-
o^t6e

Cloifye^t) f6 ludc fiA.iii|'& A5Uf lOAncA,
Sg&pA-b A]i iion Aju^ coi]An xj'i. Uon6.t)

'8 n\ \&-\\]\y{y-6 yeei^]\ y\r\eA.x> y\c>.]\ |\«.ice Ann,

W\. bupcAc in yi>.n jcuige feo, blAc&c no. b]iiin&c (2)

■ppionn-pAC ni. pn^^eAp pi n'O^lAC
lyomjfeAc n& tlumnponn n&. &on oit)]\e tiuicce

Y\i.y miAn teo glAowAc go ce^c phAtJiiAig (3)
[Ua] irAovffoin 'y loJA'o [Ann], bionn ]rpeAft)Al t^'y
cAbAiji Ann,

[bionn] comjA^A muilinn Ajuf aca,
'S "OA bfAgAinn-fe mo pojAnn Ap Aicib An xDoiiiAin

^y 1 mbAile-nA-bAiiiAn 'oo b'peApp liom.

(1) "Co riofAt," MS., "or irtott" am focaL ceA^c, Ajur »r
coi-muit 50 ti-AbAtiCAjt " «5 or I'rioU " mi^ " 'joir irioU."

(2) ni'l in b^AjirA X° ^^''^ ' "-■*• AiViAin.

(3) "So ceAfi pitJiiAis t)e bu|(C* " fArt MS.

«9

BAUJNAHEVIIA.

There is a dwelling in this country that gives assistance to people,

And I should never think it long to be telling of it j
It surpassed (all in the) kingdom for generosity and humanity,

And if I could write down about it I would be satisfied.
Whoever would proceed secretly at the hour of midnight,

He would hear there the people of merriment and poems,
An out-pouring (4) of wine, and goblets being filled,

And a man would never ask to stretch back (5) for a quarter-
of-a-year there.

There is no Burke in this province, nor Blake, nor Brown,

Nor French, nor elder of the seed of the Dalys,
Nor Lynch, nor Nugent, nor any heir to an estate,

But would desire to call in at the house of Patrick Burke.
There is confession (heard there), indulgence (given), there is
attendance and assistance there,

There is oonveniency of mill and kiln there ;
And if I were to get my choice of the places of the wozla,

It is Ballinahown (6) I would prefer.

(4) Literally : " A-scattering on wine."

(5) i.e, " go to bed."

(6) He calls it now t)*ae-nA-h-4rii*n and now t)«iU-n*-ti-Ai6ne.
The word, Airii.n, haa the two genitives stUl in common use.

TO

TJa eif5 in ■pA.n A-liAin mih A.5UI' co|\C6. a|a c|^«.nn 6>nn (1)

Seiliniio A-'f A.i|\rnt)e, libl^ 'r bALAii-cit) (2)

Asui' meAf Ag f^si' a^ 'bii.]\]\ geug Ann.
Oiotin An cuac Ann A5 lAbAipc 6 ShAiiiAin 50 nci
tloulAig,

Dionn -pmolAc Ann, c|ieAbAi|A, AgU'p cei|i-peAC,
An elite 1 'oceAnncA Ag nA gAiipAib piA gleAnncAib

'S An ponnAci I'i.mn (3) Ag nA bleA|'AiT>[f].

Ca coiltce bpeAg \\h^■6 Ann, Agnf bAince oa jiei^ pn (4)

Ua geAlAC Ann, gt^iAn Aguf peulcAin,
SeAgAb Aguf jiAib, Agui" cjtuicneAcc Ag y6.\- Ann,

AcA geATiiA]! Aguf coi]\ce cog ■oeif Ann (5),
An cfeii-T^eAC Y^n eA|\iiAc 'y nA polcAWA gc|AACAo

'S nA bAncA n'i. ■pgoilceAt) 6 ceile,
Soicige to'a wcoblAo, bionn coic lonncA 'y eocAip,

Aguf i^oileip xj'a bpofgAilc 'y w'a jieigceAc,

Doi|\t) Ann r)A leAgAn Aguf cdcAij\it) Ag fpeAfCAl

ITIiAf A Ann 'y g]>eic]ie x)a (6) •oAoijij'e,
"OecAncen go h{>.]\]\ (7) [lAn-]LioncA aj; An gclA^i

1/6 h-uij'ge be pon aY be neguf (8).
TIa CAncAHAt) (9) Ann i:AfCAigce f nA gloini-6 nAn-Aice,

'S •oAOine UAifle Ag 61 •pbAince a ceile,
UAiplif 'o'a mbneACAt), Aguy' oifle ^d'a gqiACAU,

Agui* ce6lcA •OA I'einin a|i ceAioAib.

(1) Aliter, ca ^ipg in fAti tmti, &'f 5<iitt,-6n6A dji ctioinn.

(2) t>l4ij>ci-6e, G. (3) He'ondtit) i •ocednncA, Q.
(4) ";<3i'r foitlj-e 5411 eclipr," A.

(5; " Cfie -D^ir," A. "'S C05A ■oeir," G.

(6) Aliter, "tniArA 411 -oelph Ajur chin*." "gpeij;i-6," S.;
"5ji6it»," G. niipe AteijsAf "5jieic:|ie." (7) Aliter, " A'f jars."

71

There are fish in the riirer there, and fruit upon the tree (10),

Foliage fin© and green, and blackberries.
Cherries and sloes, apples and damsons.

And fruit a-growing on the top of branches.
The cuckoo he's there, speaking from November to Christmas,

The thrush he's there, the woodcock and the blackbird ;
The fawn is in straights from the hounds in the valleys,

A d the fox in trouble (?) from the Blazers (12).

There are fine open (13) woods there, and smooth-fields accor-
dingly,

There (shine) moon and sun and stars ;
There is rye and rape and wheat a-growing.

There is young green corn and oats that raised an ear.
The/ team-of-six in the spring, and the seeds a-scattering,

And the open-fields torn asunder (by the plough).
Vessels being bored, there he's a cock in them and a key,

And cellars being opened and cleared.

Tables there being laid, and cooks busy attending,

Dishes there and jewels, no matter how dear ;
Decanters, to the top full-filled, upon the board,

With whiskey, with wine, and with negus.
The tankards there, securely-held, and glasses beside them,

And gentlemen drinking one another's healths •
Backgammon being played, and dice being rattled,

And music being performed on strings.

(8) Aliter, "cumblepr Ann, punch Ajur nejjur-"

(9) n* ti-Anc*i|m, S. Agup G. ; "An f&j-cAi," S. ; " FArcA," G.

(10) Aliter : "Walnuts (literally, "foreign nuts") upon trees."

(11) CiifreAt is said to be the cock blackbird, perhaiis it is derived
from ciAf, "black."

(12) The Galway Hunt.

(13) Literally: " Eeady " or "even," i.e. easily travelled.

72

bionn cupc^i c^nr), puileix) ^Y geA^iiA
An Lu«.5<>.n Y ^n La.ca Aguf cAoin-feoil 'n*- 1i-Aice,

Ajup ni6.i]\c-ye6iL ^p coj'ii.c (1) n(>. meife.
An popcAn Y ^n gliom^-c «>n cnut)i.n (2) Y Ml tionn6,c

An bjiAtiAn Y ^n cujiA-bopt) gleufco-.
An liur ^r ^" mea^g^c (3), ^n qioifg ^.y i^n b-i.lUc,

'gu)- An CApcAi]- n^ ce4.ixui5[e6,nn] 6'n bffeAfCA.J

tllnA niMce o-n t)ornd.in le jreilo Aguf pe6,b»f,

Annj-UT) ACA'n be^n -^c6. i]' |'6ile,
pi. locofocA (4) 6.5 CopcAij 56.n c6mnui-6e g^^-n |xopAt»

'S OA pub^tfA tA]\c cimcioU n^, h-ei]\eAnn.

I]- i neyc mbeic cui]H'e4,c 6 tujn*,)' 50 tlowUig

'tlA |~eA.]-Am Y i ^5 t^i^H a]\ luce x)ei]\ce.

cu^sit) me -o'A niol*.^ cloij-fiti i^n pobAlLJ
5ui> f^txs b6ii6e«--p ceAfC6>'p a cpfeicpe.

bionn fe&n]\«kC 6.5 Iaij\ ^.nn, ^Y b^nbj&g cpAin ^nn,

'S boilijcefi-c t,.\\ niMt)in A5 gemmis,
Af All e-y muilno 1 bpAf ac 50 puilib,

t>Ain Agu]' cAoipij 6.5 rafeiwlis.

1 5cuncAf iii&iA fspiob nA b-ujoAin ai|i |Hof,

Ajv n-o6i5 ni ■oeAnpAit) me bpeAj ai|i,
1 gceAiitJA nA 1 gcuige le m6in ty-^xi^" le mun^t)
Cu5 bcAl-Ac'-nA-liAibne An c]iAeb leip

(1) "Ceij-eAc," S., m<j)i tAbdi|(fce«p 50 mmic 1 jConnAicAib 6.

(2) "flon," A. (3) "long* Agur m405<i6," S. ; "me*n546" m

73

Dinner aooording, being prepared and got ready,

There he's turkeys there, pullets and geese,
The little fat lamb, and the duck, and mutton beside it,

And beef on th« fore-front of the dish.
The crab and the lobster, the gurnet and the mackerel,

The salmon and the turbot dished up.
The pike and the meagach, the codfish and the ballach,

And the tortoise (turtle ?) is not wanting at the feast.

(lalk of) the good women of the world with generosity and
excellence,
It is there is the woman of them who is most generous,
If you were to begin at Cork, without stop or stay.

And were to travel round about Ireland.
It is she who would not be weary from August to Christmfts,

Standing and distribuiing to those who ask alms.
Since I have gone to praise her the people should hear
That long shall last the fame of her virtues.

The mar« has a foal there, the sow has a bonham there.

And the milch cow in the morning is lowing,
Asses and mules in the long a;rass (5) to the eye,

Lambs and sheep a-bleating.
In their account, as the authors have written down about it.

Surely I shall tell no lie about it,
In (every) quarter and in (every) province, for good mien and for
courtesy,
Ballinahevna has taken with it the bran.h.

(4) " ■04 T)curi,ix>," S. ; " -DA ■ocei-ofOA 50," A.

(5) Literally : " In a wilderness.'

74

X>o bi mo ReACCuine 6.r\ niei^ne&triA.it, AUD-AigeA-H-

CAC, 6.5ti|-, iiio.]\t)ein n6. ITluiiiinij, tiea.Tii--ppieAt)AC. Coiii

bocc Aguf bi ^^e nio]A cnom ^-e a ce^-nii iiiAm i\oim t)uine

o.]! bic, m6)i iiibeA.5, A-^u-p nion tiioL fe a.cc A.n t)Uine ■00

bi ion-iTiolc&. "Do fji-oil An iiiuinncin Jl^^-^^'o^ '^" U6.in

pn, mA-n ■pA0ibe6.'0A|i 1 n-6.iiTip]A Ipbeit cpi cet>.x> bll^■6-

&T1 ]\oiiT)e fin, ntyc ]iAib A.on ■o]AeAm /^.^i ^n oileAn niof

bA056.bA.15e ni. piobAiju'oe 6.]\ ]'ee>.c]\i>.w, beit)iLe6.t)6ij\it)e,

Aguf lucc-pubAil, 6i]i bioTJAji yo mle 50 lei^i iy]\ CAoib

nA ntjAoine, Aguf bi fe ai\ a gcumAf fgcAlcA -oo

c&bAn\c beo 6 i.ic 50 b-i.ic a^a -put) iia cipe ; Ajuf nuAi)i

buAilcAt) An ■obije 5^1^^^'°^ ^ cpucA in a leiceiw -oe

wuine bocc, b'obc 06 e. "Oeip fiAO guji caic An tleAC-

cuine cjii miofA 1 bppiofun 1 n5*-l-l-i"i "i*l' jeAll a^i

Ab)\An -oo innne fe 1 n-AJAit) nA b-CAjtAife 5aIIioa (l)

Ajuf ni'l Ttie ']\i.xi nAC po]\ e, 6t]\ ca fiof asatti 50 ^lAib

CiA]\]iuit)eAC bocc Ann, 1 n-Ainifi]i An ■6)ioc-f aojaiI, 'oo

cui|ieAt) 1 bppiofun a^i fCAW cf 1 mi Aji fon AbpAin 'oo

JAbAiL All fjiAit) UfAislije, Aguf If cinnce nAc fp6)i-

Ailp-oe An HeAccuif e. "Oo cujA'd e, Ia eile, 1 Iacai^

luifcifAn cSioccAin 1 mbAil-AC-An-fig ^^guf cuatja]!

u'a ceifcmuJAt). Tli fpeAgdf At) An tleAcciiiiAe acc 1

njAe-oeilg. 1f tjoij guf cuig fe beAflA, acc ni mcAf-

Aim 5U)i lAbAip fe e. Cui|\eA-6 pof Af tiiimsceoif , 6i|i

ni ]AAib Aon 5hAet)eil5 Ag An 1uif cif mop fo. buu e ai\

(1) b'^i'oiti juf *'^ r*° *" '■ "^"T '°''* P*-*-"

(2) Perhaps the song of the Ouis da pie, or " Cause a-plead-
mg.

(3) The singer, an O'Brien, was thrown into jail for three
months for singing a harmless enough song, of which the follow-
ing is one verse. It is a wonderful attempt to rhyme in
English after the Irish fashion to the air of "Sighle ni Gaidhre" :

75

Raftery was always very courageous, high-spirited, and inde-
pendent. As poor as he was he never bowed his head before any
man, great or small, and he never praised any one but such as
was praiseworthy. The Gallda or foreign party thought it that
time, just as they thought in Elizabeth's time 300 years before,
that there were no people in the island more dange^^^ls than
strolling pipers, fiddlei's, and travellers of that kind, for these
were altogether on the side of the peojjle, and it was in their
power to carry tidings with them from place to place tHiroughout
the country, and when onco the Gallda law had struck its hook
into any such poor man it fared badly with him. They say
that Baftery spent three months in prison in Galway for a song
which he made against the foroign Church (2), and I think it
quite i^ssiblo, for I know that there was a poor Kerryman (3)
about the time of the great Famine who was thrown into prison
for three months for singing a song on the street of Tralee, and
it is certain that Baftery would not have ))een spared. He was
taken another day before a Justice of the peace in Atlienry, and
they proceeded to question him. Baftery would only answer in
Irisih. No doubt ho understood English, but I do not think that
ho spoke it. An interpreter was sent for, because the great
justice had no Irish. The first question they put to him was,

No misery nor confUsion shall rUin you, dear Patrick,

Your long persecution shall end sUrely next harvest ;

In socious (?) days and blOOming green gardens.

You may taste of her frUits but no bOOrs can do harum.

Be not dismAycd by the Oromwcllian black breed,

They'll vanish like vipers, their fAte is decreed,

No time shall lie spAred them to tAich them the creed,

When surOOndcd by thOUsands of the stOUtest Milaesians,
We'll banish all scO'Underls OUt of these nations !

76

c6A>t) ceifc cuineAt)A.n Aiji, " Ca bpuil cii t)o comnunoe P"
UA •OA ceitl leif A.n bpoc^-l fo — Ca comnuijeA-nn cu,
Aguf CA mbionti cu A.5 Leijed-n 100 1-51C ? tliop fe/^n ^vut)
A|i bic f5d.tiTinA.t) '00 cu\\ i>.\\ Ati Tle^ccuijAe ^.guf
T3'f-pe6.5Aili i"e 6>ti cui|AC le \\ii.nn : —

1 ii-Ot(*n»n<5t< ACAim 'mo fconinui'oe

1 nSiittim Azi, mo tait
1 vCaAtm

Ua ad t)A tine |-eo com 5i>l^f aitimI tiA,6 bfe^'o&itn a gcitu
1 jclo. "Oo tniTiijeikt) Ati |\/i.nn iw-tiAipeA-c yo, ^ocaI &^
focA-l, •oo'ti luifci^' leif An bpe*.];! eile, acc •oo jlAot)
AiriAc An tleAccui|te tiAc i\Aib pAO minijte 1 jceATir;
Aige. IDubMiAC An feiyi^ eile 50 ]iAib; 00 cug An tleAc-
ct5i|ie A iiiionnA nAC ^\Aib. If Annf in lo'feiiMg An clAmpAji
Aguf An A^iguinc iwijA An oa feA^i. "Oo bfif a euro
foijioe o.\\ An luifdf fA ■oeijieAt), Ajuf ciotnAin fe An
beijic ACA Am AC.

tliojA fgAnniiuijcAt) le |i«d a^\ bic e. btii fe ve
meifncAc Aige beAgAn mAg&it) oo •ocAnAiii Anotf Ajuf
A]iif, f A f A5AIAC yein. bhi fCA^^ 1 jCfOfCAcAn 1 n-Aice
Le bAil-loc-ju'AC, Aguf •00 joroeA-o, Aon oioce AiriAin,
OA ceAt> cpAnngAbAifce UA1-6. "Oo lAbAi^i An fAjApc
6'n aIc6i]\ Af An obAif j^AnnA fin, A5 iia-6 50 nibut)
iTi6|\ An fjAnnAil e. IIUAif bi fe Ag lAbAi^ic CU5 fo fA
■oeAfA An KeAccuijie vo beicin fAn 5C]\uinniU56.t), Aguf
■oubAinc f e : "CeA^'t) •oeif cufA, A llAipcepi, leif An
bfCAf vo jolt) An JAbAifce ? "

11

" Where are you living ?" Now this has two meaningg— Where do
you live? or, Where are you resting or idle? Notihing could
frighten Eaftery, and he answered the court in a rann: —

In Oranmore I am living,
In Galway is my house,
In Tuam

The last two lines are not suitable for print. This shameless
rann was interpreted word for word to the magistrate by the
other man, but Baftery shouted out that he had not interpreted
them rightly. The other man said he had ; Raftery swore he
had not ; and then there arose sudh a wrangling and an ai^uing
between the two that the magistrate at last lost his patience and
drove the pair of them out.

He was never terrified at anything, and he was bold enongb
to poke a little fun now and again even at a priest. There Tras a
man in Orostachan, near Loughrea, and two hundred heads (1) of
cabbage were stolen from him one nig^t. The priest spoke fioiri
the altar aibout this ugly business, saying how it was a great
scandal. As he was speaking he observed that Raftery was in
the congregation, and he asked : " What do you say, Raftery, of
the man who stole the cabbage 7"

(1) Literally: "Trees."

78
cuip fuime 1 ^wo beAg "oe'n c'popc, ajv)]- jIa-o-o yi^

A AiM\f, i'OeitiiiTi-l-e

An rA ■o'lt -OA ceau cfiAiiii jAbAircc

go mbu-6 tTi6)i 6 4 cY^T'^e !

■Di. mbeic fiAt) bjiuicce Af peoit

go iiiA^iFA'D fe An pAjiAipce !

6'f ctir*i A xJrAitt, y>o caic

Com FA-OA 1 5CotAirce,

A^\ t^ij cu )<iAm

An oi)ieA-o f in *\t JAbAif ce P

bhi' I'e 'out cuille^T) tio cup teif pn, acc t)o bAc An

bhi ■pA.j&iAC eite, LA, 6.5 tnunA-t) to pAi-pce 'oo 'bM|'-
ce/b-t), 6i|\ 00 bi cigce ^•5Apc6 o-p pt) n*. ci|ie pn «>
■bfA-t) 6 i-A.5<i.i\c t>.]\ bir, 6-5U]' bi 6.n ce-spc 4.5 ■OA.oinib
rpefi6.lc6. Leinb vo bfi-ifce^t) va. mbeir eA5lA.bi>i|'on]\&.
"Oo cuin i>.n I'^jApc ■|'eA.n-li6.c& CMcre AplAith An lle^c-
coipe, AtTi6.1l Aguf ■OA rnbut) pAifce vo bi Ann, a^uj- tio
ihdin fe '66 nA |'OCAit 'oo bi Aige le ]aa'6. -Acc if e
A'DubAipc An ReAccui]Ae: —

b«n*ciin CO A teinb, 5«n coin, ^An ceAnn
jAn uirs*, 5*1 r*^*""> 5*" bfiAon ve'n leAnn,
Cfi connA bAifce •oo b«Aite<i'6 aji x>o isAnn,
aeite 6f I •o'acai^, Ajup cao^i* in •oo niACAi|i,
Asuf '" teitei'o-fo t» bAipceA-6 ni CAinis jiiAin in mo
lAcAif.

(1) The f«h bat was made out of wool. There was not
a oountj^ in Irehuid biit made its own felt b»ta in those days.

(2) LiteniUy:

79

Battery, who thought that the priest was making too mucsh of
a small affair of the kind, cried out : —

Father, I say,

He who ate two hundred heads of cahbage.

That great was his courage I

If they had been boiled with meat

Sure they would satisfy the parish !

Since it is you, father, who have spent

So long in college,

Did you ever read

That much about cabbage 1

Ho was going to add more to this when the priest stopped him.

There was another priest, one day, who was teacihdng him hour
to baptise a child, for there were houses scattered about in that
country far from any priest, and certain people had the right to
baptise children if in danger of death. The priest placed an old
worn-out hat in Baftery's hand, as though it were a child that
wa? ia it, and taught him the words he had to say. But what
Boiftery said was : —

I baptise thee, my child, without bottom or top,
Witfhout water or salt, or of whiskey one drop,
The three waves baptismal I pour on thy top ;
A ram was thy father, a sheep was thy mother (1),
And I neiver am like to baptise such another (2).

I baptise thee, child, without bottom, without head,
Without water, without salt, without a drop of the ale ;
Three waves of baptism hav« been struck on thy head.
A ram was thy fadher, a sheep thy mother.
And your like to baptise never came in my way (before).

80

■Ag pn me>.]\ cuaImx) me &ti |\Ann 6 piob6>i|ie 1 5CotT06.6

ceAnn eile : —

bAtfcim cu, A letnb, 6 toin 50 coAtin
jAti olA, SAti rAjAftc, 5An vuifje, jaii leAtiti,
td'acaiji 'f T)0 mACAtti »i! pei'Dif lioni fajaiI
Aic 'r cu All oLa a ■o'pAp Aji An scaojia 6Ain,
Asur mAi-otp tc piA-otiuife tii'l gnocA aca Ann

Aj; fo c«n-pof eile /siji ; —

bAifcim ill, A leint), jAn AjiAn, jAn biA-o,

1 n-onoiji ■oo'n ccajaiic 'p te ^fAX) 'oo 'Oia,

'Se An c-Ainm •00 beipim o\iz ".SeAn-CAibin LiAr I

A5 I'o Anoip m&-]\ vo mdl A-n tleA-ccuine |-4.56>|ir mt>.\t.
Chui>\.6.m me ^u\\ x>e itiumnciii "OhubflAitige •00 Vt An
■p*.5A.]\c fo. ^]- -0615 6'n 6.b]iAn 50 p&ib f6 'mc f&56.]ic 1
jCillcoiATiAin, An -sice le OjiAniTion, 1 ng^p tio'n aic in
6.]! cuipe6."6 A.n TleA.ccuine yem, 'nd. tJi^ij fin (1) : —

(1) 'Oo bi fe 'nA f A5A)ic pAjt^ij-ce A5 "OttoiceAXi-A-eLAinin. Cujat)
" pAjtAipce CitlcojinAin " aji DtioiceAXj-A-ctAititn An uaih p"- &' ces6

That is how I heard the rann from a piper in the county
Galway, but there is many a version of it. Here la anoth«r :—

I baptise tliee, my child, from bottom to top,
./ithout oil, without priest, or of w'hiskey a drop ;
Your father and mother they cannot be found.
But you are the wool of the sheep on the ground ;
No witness is wanting for this, I'll be bound.

HiOTe is another version: —

In 'honour of God and iShe priest, I mean

To baptise you, your like, child, I never have seen,

And the name that I'll call you is "Grey Ould Oaubeen."

Here now is how Raftery praised a good priest. I heard that
this priest wiaa one of the Delanys (1). Apparently from the sonj;
he was a priest in Eiloornan, near Oranmore, close to the place
where Baitery himself was buried afterwards: —

"OtioideA-o-A-tlAHiiti 6 CAji 6ip fiti.

89

AH u-AtAiii tJittiAtn.

SaojaL f6.t> A5 An leoniAti vo f j^Ap^r&t) An c-6\\,

'S ni led.ii«.nn ]-e acc no]' a ■oAoine,
beAg&n v'i. f-o^ir bo jeobf a in ]'An oeoife,

Ua a ceAfCAi' in ^-An TloirTi caII I'gniobcA.
"Oo cog^TA-o A jlop S n-A bpeACAt) nA floijce

'S CA [a] imceAcc 50 mon le tTlAoi'pe,
'S gup jcaII e Of A|i gcotiiAip 1 5Cill-co|inAin "Oia
"OoninAij

t-e h-Aingiol f A01 clocA ChjiiofCA.

St'ro e An fipetin, 5lAn-dpu1cne^cc nA njAeweAl,

'S cpAnn-feAfCA nii. cL6i)te An niaoij,
A f-Ani&il 1 leijeAn ni jeobfA in t)o neim

*Oa pubAlf a 50 leip Cpioc PooLa.
'Se ceA5A|'5 a beil, 'nA fCAf Am 'nA teine

"Oo jlAnp At) 50 peit) An bocAp,
'S nAC Aoibinn oo'n qicAtj aca pAoi nA fgeic

TTIa cpeiTjeAnn fiAw tleulc An eoLuif.

(1) The Irish pronounce Uilliam (William) like Liam
(Leeam), dropping the first syllable.

(2) This is the metre of the original, except that Ratterv
makes all his rhymes on the O sound, which I have only kept up
in the first half of the verse. His second verse is all on the AK
sound. Whatever vowel he begins a veisie with he keeps it uj

to the end, making in all twelve rhymes upon it. Literally :

Ix>ng life to the lion who would scatter the gold, And he only

83
FATHER LEEAM (1).

He's the priest of the fOld who scatters his gOld,

'Twas the way of the Old Delanys ;
There are few of his mOuld in this country, I^m tOld,

But his name in ROme it is famous.
When lie raises his voice and he pleads in Christ's cause,

He makes sinners to pause, he looks through us ;
He seemed in Kilcorniti tliat Sunday morning

Like an Angel of God sent to us (2).

That is the righteous one, the clean-wheat of the Gaels,

And the standing prop of the clergy surely ;
His like, in learning, you would not get in your course,

If you were to travel altogether the Land of Fodhla (3).
It is the teaching of his mouth, and he standing in his robes (4),

Th*t would clear smootlily the road.
And is it not happy for the flock who are under his shield

If they iolieve the Star of Knowledge (5).

follows the custom of his people ; Few of his sort you would find
in the diocese. His character is written beyond in Home. His
voice would .lift from their sin the hosts, And his going is greatly
with Moses, And sure he is the same before us in Ealcomin an
Sunday, As an angel under the cloak of Christ.

(3) Pronounced "Fola," i.e., Ireland.

(4) Literally : " Shirt."

(5) Or " guiding-star."

84
S^ An c-Ar6.iii '"Limti 6.n ceA.cc6.ine p6.t,

tJo muir)]:eAt) ■ooib ciaH ^5"!" c6mA.i|vle,
'S 50 |'56.p]?A'6 1'e An f A05&I com fAi^ifinj '\- coiii p4.L

ITIajx l&i'Ann|- d-n JHiA-n in y6.r\ bfojiiiAjA.
tlio|\ 0]it)ui5 nA nAoim &cc ceA^vc AJUf ■olije

'S jAn CAi-pge ni. m&oin ■00 c6iiiMne«.tii (1),
A bfACAit) pb ApiAih Agu-pbiot) ye 'n bu]* nwiMJ (2)

Tli belt) A]i An SLiAb pijm ^loni&ib ve.

•A pobAit 50 leiji, c|iei'oi'6 mo fjeAt

TTIah 1-p Aige ACA An beuL I'p cAoine
Ha ceiteAbA]\ (3) nA n-eAn Y ■"*■ ceolcA nA ■oceut)

"Oa feinm fAoi AeweiH nA hoiwce.
1-p e teA^^rAW An -peAtA nAc •oceilg'peAt) '-p nAC
•ocpeij^eATO,

Agup glAnpAioeA]! Ia An cSleibe a CAOipij,
1 bplAiccAf tnliic "Oe 50 ]iAib ■pe 'p ■*■ cpeut),

ITleAfS AbpcAl Af nAoni oa ^CAomAin.

(1) A i6rii4itie, S. (2) Ajur beiTJeAd fe ■61415, S,
'3) Ceiliuti, S., If niA)i pn V464mce4)i 6,

85

It ia Father Leeam who is the generous messenger,

Who would teach them sense and good counsel,
And he would distribute the world as broadly and generously

A« the sun gives its light in the harvest.
The saints nerrei ordained anything but right and law,

And not to be counting up hoards or goods,
All that ye ever saw, and let it be (left) after ye ;

There shall not be before ye one penny of it upon the Moun
tain (4).

0, ye people, altogether, believe ye my story,

For it is he who has a mouth more gentle
Than the warbling of birds, or the music of strings

Being 'played beneath the airs of night.
It is he who would place the seal that would not fly asunder or
desert.

And on the Day of the Mountain (5) his sheep shall be
cleansed ;
In the Heavens of the Son of God may he and his flock be,

Amongst apostles and saints, being sheltered.

(4) " On the Mountain " is an Irish equivalent for " at the
Judgment Day."

(5) The Judgment Day.

86

Ca n*. CA-cuijce ^6 iho^i i ttoia.ij iminc ^'f 6il,

1|- oono. 'n ]iur> h\\6'o no •o'lomuf,
A5 med-tl^t) b^n 65, '-p •oA t)CA.p]A6.in5C w'a Tjqieoiji,

"OAmnuijeo.nn fe mopAn niilce.
An ■oiieA.m a ■beme^^' c^bAHCiv (1) -oo f'liuif A-'f t)o
poic,

t)ei6 p^T) 50 -[roit X)'a CAomeA.'o,
A]\ ti^.o^'b CVinuic n^. ntJeo]; bei-6 6.C6. "ocon,"

'S tTlAC nihui|Aet)'A ^oiiAijinc wiobcii. [^tioib].

peucAgMt) U6.ib (2) |-ub ciuc^A|' 6.n U6.ip,

A mbeiw ^n 56.t) cjiuMt) e^]\ ceut)CMb,
1 gcotiip^. cAol cutii^ng, 56.n c6.]ipAinn nA -puinn

Ace loniA-t) ■OAol (3) ^jtcp peii^ce.
bcTO bun La-i'^b Y bun njpuA.'o (4) com •oub te\y An
ngUA-t,

Aguf pb-fe g^n meAb^n g^n ei]^ceAcc
belt) bu]i jconp in f An uauti aY^^P Icaca cotVi pt^ii

leif An ^'ncAccA a|a cut nA 5|\^'"®'

Se ■oeineA'6 mo vseil, Aju-p cpeToigi'o e,

50 mcAltuAn |i6 t)eAn (5) An fAoJAl-i^o,
'S gun T)uine 5An ceil,l jm-oeAf f Ai^obpeAi- vo yein,

'S nAC leAnAnn a leup 50 tiipeAC.
ITlAoin Ajuf I'con, AingeAt) a^ 6r»

tli'l lonncA acc ceo AmcA'pg •OAOine,
S f^un pile 5An qieoip (6) r\k\[ cnuinmj pijm fOf

"Oo CU5 -OAOib-pe An coiiiAinle ci^ionA.

(1) Pronounced coiicA. (2) peuc aiji-o, MSS.

(3) tJiASAiL, MSS. (4) bi A'ti tAor* 'r ^ "SP"aS. MSS.

(5) no ■oeAn=50 116 -oiAti. (6) Aliter, " rake ■o'peat' ceoil."

(7) i.e., this also means at the Day of Judgment.

(8) Literally : " And the Son of Mary (may He be) to the

8Y

The temptations we too great after play and drink,

Pride and arroganoy are a poor thing ;
Deceiving young women and drawing them from right-conduot

Damns many thousands.
The people who are given to adultery and drunkenness,

They shall yet be bewailing it,

On the side of the Hill of Tears (7) they shall have " Ochone,"

And may the Son of Mary relieve them for it ! (8)

Look from ye, before the hour shall come.

In which the hard gad shall loe upon the hundref^e,
In a thin narrow coffin, without over us or under us,

But a quantity of beetles and of worms.
Ye're blush and ye're countenance shall be as black as the coal,

And ye without feeling, without hearing,
Ye're body in the tomb, and ye're cheek as cold

As the snow is at the back of the sun.

It is the end of my story, and believe ye it.

That this world is deceived very strongly.
And that he is a person without sense who makes richos for
himself

And does not follow his lease ( ?) directly.
Goods and store, silver and gold,

Taere is in them nothing but a mist among people,
And sure he is a rake of a musician (9), who never yet put
together a penny,

Who has j;;ivcn ye the wise counsel I ^

relieving of it (i.t., their cry of ochoac) for them." ' 'o6t6" is pronounced
Biora iu parts of Galway, in some parts of Connaoht T)«p«.

(9) Another version has " a poet without means. This jest
at himself, after all his seriousness, is very characteristic. It ia
meant to mollify anyone who might bo displeased at liis preaching.

88

tlu&ijA bi An tle^ccinite 65 'oo 'bio'6 j^e 50 minic 1
ocij tiion ChilL-Aot)Aiii o.5Uf bi mecf ^5 iiiac«.i)\
fhliAinc CA&fe Aip, oip CU15 p n&c buAC^ill coiccionn
wo bi Ann. Ace ni mA]i pn t)o bhpijix) An cocAipe no
bi in f An C15 nion- "Oo iiiAoi-6 p Aip, jac jneim Ajuf
JAC blogAm [boLgAiti] •00 b'eigin tti CAbAi]\c v6. Tliop
iTiiAn lei, ni. leif nA veAi\bp65AncAib eile, 50 nibeic An
rreAn-iiiAijifcueAi- com ]rA-6bAHAC pn vo peAH-i'eACHAin
TTiAp An UeACCUine. UIiajiIa 50 bj.-UAii\ binijit), An
cocAijie, bAi',nuAiii bi An KeAccuipe bAiicjAguf nuAi)!
CAinig ye Ajii]' 50 CiU-A0i0Ain cuaIaitj ye pn. " Ca'uiI
p cujicA ?" Aji |-e leif An niAi5ifC|\eAf nuAip biooAji Ag
ceACC AiTiAC A]' An ]-eipeAl le ceile. TIU5 An c]'eAn
bcAn-UAfAl e 50 ■oci An uaij. ChuAit) An ReAccuine
A]i A ■6a gluin, bAin ye a Iiaca ■oe, /^.-^uy lAbAin ye An
^Ann yo : —

ITlAoi-oim tu A LeAC

S«ti G)ii5it) tio leijeAti Am&i (1)

JiojijiAis p Ap n-oeod

A^Vf tlAtJllj p AJl vzeAi

Ajuf Anoif * Opijit) 6 ciptA cuf* 1 tipsAtic
C'liiomAC p'oppu'iie ope, Agup cape !

t)o biot) A bAHAtiiAiL cinnce ]:ein Ag An TleAcctJme
1 ^coiiinuite, aju)- nio]i 'byea.]\ e too leo-npAt) bAjiAiiiLA
•OAOine eile gAn iatd x)o liieATJACAin. t3'iiini]' Patjiiaic
O li-Aoi-6, 1 sCIaji Chlonine 1111iui]\ip •0A111, fSeAL beA^

(1) Aliter:—

''mAoiTJim cu A leic

gAti bpijixi vo teigeAn uaic,"

6ip tA6Aipte«p "«*ic " niAp All bcApLa wet j;o nnntc 1 sContiAccAiC;

89

When Baftery was young he used to be often at the Big
House in Killeaden, and Frank Taafe's mother had a wish for
him, because she understood that it was no common boy that
was in him. But not so with iBridget, the cook who was in the
Big House. She grudged him every bite and erery sup she had
to give him. She did not like, nor did the other seryants like,
that the old mistress should be so favourable to a wandering
stroller like Raftery. It chanced that Bridget the cook died at a
time that Baftery was away from home, and when he came back
to Killeaden he heard it. " Where is she buried ?" said he to
the mistress, when they were coming out of the chapel together.
The old lady brought him over to the grave. Biaftery went on
his two knees, took o& his hat, and said this rann: —

I order (2) thee, Flag,

Not to let Bridget out ;

She curtailed our drink.

And she disgraced our house.
And now, Bridget, since thou hast happened beneatih -t}>e

tomb,
Drought eternal on thyself, and thirst 1

Raftery used always to have his own settled opinion, and he
was not » roan that would follow others' opinions without weigh-
ing them. Patrick O h-Aoidh, or Hughes, of Claremorris, told

Atv If boinmon le^c, — teAc, leice, Leic.

(2) tTi4oi-6im is r»ther " I proclaim " or "anaounoe.'' mAoi-oim ope
t-— I grudge it to you.

9d

t>'i CAOib, A.5UI' e 'riA. JA.'pun, & c|iotui5e&f dorti vi>.r\b.
♦511]' bi I'e. bhi feA]\ 6.nn ■oxi.i\ b'^inm Concub^iiA O Lia.-
t)i,in, 1 ng&n ■00 CiLU^-o-oi-in, ^.^u^' bi cpi b^inb Mje le
■oiol. UhiojTi^in ye &|xe6.c 50 CoillceniAC i6.t), i>-'S^X
ceAnnuij fe-^jy eigin ce/^nn 6.ca e>.]\ occ -pgillmib ^guf
je^ll ^e 50 T)ciub]\-i.t) |-e n*. h-occ i-gilline tio Ctiondu-
bo.i|i 1 jcionn cupld. li.. 'O'lmcig mi te^]\€, A-jcf ni bp&i)i
Concub&ijA A.n c-Aingioti. "Oub^ipc |-e ^nrii'in, len-^ tii&c,
f U5An ■00 CA-bA-ipc leif, Aguf ■oul 50 ce^c ah ■ouine feo
&• pAib ^n b^nb Aige, "Oia. 'OotiiriA.iJ, nuAip beic f6 6.5
Aippiotin, Aguf An b^nb vo CAb&i]\c db^ile letp Tlinne
An niAc AiTilAit), Aguf Ap bplleAT) 66, caj-a-o -oiieAni 5A-
■pun -oo Ap An mbocAn, Agui-iAt) A5 caiccaiti cnAipit)e. bi
An KeAccuipe 65 'nA nieAf5. Leig nA buACAiLlit)e eile
vo'n SAj-un An bAnb 00 cioniAinc lei]', acc ni tHAp pn
■Do'n TleAcuui)Ae. g^^^'^'O'o feifCAn aiiiac nA^ ccajac A5ur
r\{>.]\ c6i]A An bAnb x)0 leijeAn AbAile leif, tnA)t nAji b'e
An bAnb ceA-onA t)o bi Ann Anoif, acc bAnb nio)- fCA]!]!
Aguj- niof ]iAni]\A 00 ]:uaiii biAt) Ajuf beAcuJAt) mio)-A,
AH coj'CA'p An ■oume eite. SliAoil ]-e bpeic a]\ An ■pu^An,
ACC i^ic An LiABAnAC 65 uaitd. t-CAn An UeAccui]\e e,
Ajup bi ye ceAcc yu^y letf, 6i]\ iiia bi ye 'nA uaIL yew,
bi pe An JAfCA. tluAip connAijic An buACAill eile pn
00 fcAf ye 50 cium jAn coiiuJAU coip CAOibe An bocAiH,
A^up leig-pe tio'n UeACCuijie ]nc a bfAX) caihi)-, "Oo
fCAf An tleAccuipe Agup cui)\ |-e cluAf ai]i, aju]' nuAi]i
nA|\ cuaIaix) ye vt>.VMX), jlAot) I'e aitiac " liu^ipAip !
hujipAipI" 'O'i-peAjAiiA An iriuc e. CIiuaIai-o pe pn,
]iic ye cuici, yv^ ye a]i An n6pA, Agup nio]i feAp 511)1
cui)\ ye An bAnb aji Aip Aiiij' in yt>.n gcjio Ap a tJCAinig
ye.

91

me a little story about him when he was a gossoon, which prores
bow bold he was. There was a. man in it called Connor Lyden,
near Killeaden, and he had three bonhams (1) to sell. He drove
them into CJoilltemach (2), and a certain man bought one of them
for eight shillings, and promised that he would give Conor the
money in a couple of diays. A month went by, and Conor had
not received the money. He said then to his son to take
sugaun with him and to go to the house of the man who had the
bonham, on a Sunday, when he would be at Mass^ and to bring
the bonham home with him. The son did so, and as he was
returning he met a number of gossoons on the road, and they
pitehing buttons. Young Baftery was amongst them. The other
lads allowed the gossoon to drive the bonham witn him, but not
60 Biafteiy. He cried out that it was neither right nor just to
let the bonham borne with hioi, because it was not the same
bonham that was in it now, but a better and a fatter bonham
wto had received food and nurture for a month at the other
man's expense. He thought to lay hold of the sugan, but young
Lyd©n ran away from him. Baftery followed him, and was
(toming up with him, for if he was blind itself he was very souple.
When the other boy saw that, h© stood silently, without
moving, by the side of the road, and allowed Baftery to run far
past him. Baftery stood up and put an ear on himself (listened
intently), and when he did not hear anything he cried out,
"Hurrish! Hurrish!" The pig ans'wered him. He heard it,
ran to it, seized the rope, and never stopped until he had put the
bonham back in the stye from which it oame.

(1) i.e., "young pigs." (2) This correct spelling of the
present ridiculous " Kiltimagh " ought to be revived.

92

I^A ■6ei]\e&'6 ■oo cApii/^inj a-n Tle^ccuiiiefeAiis'plip^inc

"U2r^ ^5"r ^^ ■*•" ^"°^ ^5 eijiije 5^.1111, o-guf cuipe^-t)
fCA^ibfog&tiCA ;6.5 1nA.iAcu15e6.cc te x)uL 50 tjci 6.ti bA.ile
in6]i le cuille6.t) ■oo c^-biMiic ^.m^c. "O'l^iip 6.n fe6.|ib-
foJATiCA i>.]\ An Tle6.ccunie ce^cc teif. LeiTneA'06.|i a.|i wi.
c<spA.ll «-5«l" 6.1116.(5 leo. C056. C6p*ll "00 bio'd 6.5 ■pjiA.tic
U6-6.^re, 6-5Uf bioo nie^i' mop 6.156 o^i|\6. Sh6.oil 6.ti
fe6iAbj:656.nc6. ■da mbeic 6.n 1166.0^51116 '06.ll, fein, n6.c
p6.ib b6.056.l 6.1^1, m6.li ]i6.C6.'6 6.n "OA CAp^ll le ceile,
6.5U]' beic yb ^b^n 6.ti6ice leif, 6.5Uf tii6i-oi)i lei]' 6.n
Tle6.dcunieni ]-56.r,ni\6c6.-6 |\u-o 6.^1 bic e. '0'inici5e6.T)6p
ni6.]\ fin 6.^1 coi|--6.Ti-6.iii'oe c|iit) 6.n oit)ce, 6.cc 6.p cuttiA
615111 '00 f56ii6.t)6.|i 6 ceile. Uli6.ini5 C6.p6.ll 6.n 1le6.c-
cuijie 50 C6.f6.'6 ob6.tiTi iti ^6.11 iiib6c6.]i, 65UI' e 6.|i 6. li-n-
lu6.C6.f. X\\oi[< pe6.'o -pe cionncoo 1 n-Am, 6.50^ cu6.if) ye
■oe leini 1 bpoll-motiA 6.51*^ bi.iceA'o e. Aji eigin C6.ini5
6.T1 Tle6.ccui|^e fAo^i, 6.cc nio^ (5u6.l6.i'6 me guji 50PCU15-
efi.'o, fein, e. "Oei^A P6.t))i6.i5 O h-Aoit) liom jup b'e fee
6.n c-A'dbAl* V^'v F'*'5 V^ Cill-6.0"oi.iii, oi^a bi fe6|i5 ai'o-
be6.l 6.p 1^^116.110 C6.6.fe nu6.i]i cu6.l6.i'6 fe guji b6.ice6.'6
6. C6.p6.ll b|ie6.5, 6.5111" 11U6.15 I'e 6.n pie bocc 6.|\ f6.'o 6.1'

Clllll-6.0T)6.in.

X)eiii CU1X) 5UIA cum ye 6.btiAn Chill-6.ot)6.in C6.11 eif
•pn, cum pioccAin 'oo 'De6.n6.m le ■pi\6.nc U6.6.ire, 6.5UI'
Ti6.c'0C6.ini5 1*6 pein cui5e leip, acc 5U11 mum yh e w'fCAii
bocc '00 bioio A5 jjAb^il riA cipe ty'^vty A5 ceAiinAC
ceiiiccAC, le n-A iaa-o 'do liiuinncin ad cije moip. Ace
Dein 'OAoine eile 50 tiDeAiinAi'6 ye 5eAll le pie 615111
eile Af 5^Ailliiii (cuAlAro m6 An c-Ainm acc ni cuirii-
nijim Aiji) 50 moljrAD ^6 a conoAe yem moy feA|ip n*

93

In the end he drew upon himself the anger of FranTc Ti»a,fe.
There was a great feast going on at the Big Ilonse, and the
drink was getting scarce, and a servant was sent riding to go
to the town to bring out more. The servant askod Raftery to
oome with him. They leapt upon two horses, and ofi with them,
Choice horses Prank Taafe used to have, and a great regard h4
had for them, bw. The servant thought that even if Rafterj
was blind there wss no fear of him, because the two horses would
go together, anV. he himself would be near him ; and as for
Baftery nothing in the world would daunt him. Aocordingly
they were off at full gallop through the night, but in some way
they separated from one another. Raitery's horse came to a
Budden turning in the road, and it going at its full speed. It
could not turn in time, 'but went of a leap into a boghole and
irag drowned. With difficulty Raftery escaped, but I did not
hear that he was even hurt. Mr. Hughes tells me that this
was the reason of his leaving Killeaden, because Frank Taafe
was dreadfully angry when he heard that his fine horse was
drowned, and he banished the poor poet out of Killeaden alto-
gether.

Some say that it was after this he composed the song of
Killeaden to make peace with Frank Taafe, and that *e did not
come himself to him with it, but taught it to a poor man who
used to be travelling the country, buying rags, that he might
repeat it for the people of the Big House. But others say that
he made a bet with a certain other poet from Galway (I heard
the name, but I forget it) that he would praise his own county

94

TTiotfA-t) ATI fred-p eile CoiroAe tiA. g^-i^^n'ie^ ^Z^V 5"!*
■pAj^AO/s-ji An bpeiceAiTinAf ipi. plijAAnc C^Ape. but) e
An KeAccuiiie ■oo IaTdaii^ a Ab^iAn a|\ ■ozuy, acc nuAip
bi ]'e |\Ait)ce Aije •oo jlAot) An ye(>.]\ eile, Agu]' feA^g
Aip : " tDo cuit) cubAifce leAC, a HAifcei;!, nion f-Ag r*
IMit) A|i bic Tio Cliont)Ae nA 5Ailliiiie," A5Uf nion cug fe
A WAn ]rein UAit) cop a|a bic. T)eip |'iAt) triAp An gceAtinA
50 |iAib t-'nAnc UAA]re An itii-f-AfCA nuAip nAC tjcAinij a
Ainm pein A^^ceAC nioi' ItiAice in fAn Ab]iAn, acc 50)1
conjbuijeAt) aji jciil e 50 ■oci An line t)eiiieAnnAC.
Agu]' nAC nnuj An fleAccuine esquire ai]i, acc 50 ocug
|-e ■pp*'"c CAAfe Ai]\, A]! An nof '^o.evecy.icsc. bhi inncinn
nA SACj-AnAc A]i pubAl An tiAip pn ).-6in 1 gCon'OAe
mbuis-eo, Ajuf T)o fAnncuij PjiAnc put) eigin vo
b'oi|ieAiiinAi5e -d'a ondiji, ■oaja lei^' fein, nA i-eAn-foi]ime
oneAfCA coipe nA ngAe-oeAl. 'Oei]A cuib ^u]\ 6115 yb An
gcAll tio'n f-eA|\ Af ChontiAe nA gAillime. 'Oei]! ctii'o
eile jup t)ubAitic I'elei]' An ReAccuine, "■00 beAp^Ainn
■oeic bpuncA ■ouic, a KAipcejn, acc 50 •ocug cu m'Ainm
A^xeAC coiii C10CAC 1'in."

Ua clu iiion AH An AbjiAn fo 1 5Cont)Ae Tnhuig-eo.
•Oo cuineAt) I'onc beAplA Aip le ■oinne eigm, Agu]-, mo
leun ! iy ifi. •6]\oc-ciilAit) bheAplA ■00 bi |-e A5 An aoi]-
615, ACC ip 1 njAetieilg aca ye A5 nA pAn ■OAOinib,
AgU]' ^y 1 n5Aet)eil5, le congnAiti "Oe, beitieAf re A5

(1) Literally : " My share of trouble with you," a verv
common Irish curse. •'

(2) I was told it was a man named Pat Gurney, of Newtown-
clocher that translated it, but being a tenant of the Blakes of
Tower H.I1 he ^brought that place into his English version The
following 13 the verse about Tower Hill, which I took down
from a man of the MacUermots in Castlebar - "^^

95

better than the other man would praise the county Galway, and
that they left the decision to Frank Taafe. It was Baftery who
first recited his song, and when he had it spoken the other man
called out, and anger on him, "Bad luck to you, Baftery, you
haTe left nothing at all for the county Galway!" (1) and he did
not repeat his own poem. They say also that Frank Taafe was
very dissatisfied because his own name did not come in earlier
in the song, but was kept back till the last line, and because
Eaftery did not call him " Esquire," but just Frank Taafe, after
the Gaelic fashion. The English mind was abroad even at that
time in the county Mayo, and Frank coveted something that was
more suited to his honour, in his own opinion, than the old,
■honest, kindly forms of the Gael. Some even say that he
awarded the wager to the county Galway poet. Others that h«
eaid to Baftery, " I'd give you ten pounds, Baftery, only that you
brought in my name so awkwardly." This song is very famous
in the county Mayo. A sort of English version was made of it
by some one (2), and, alas ! it is in its worthless English dress
the young people have it, but the old people have it in Irish ; and,
with the help of God, it is in Irish everyone ■will have it in future,

Dear knows, like the wind that disperses off vapours.
My heart it does rise and my sperrits do flow.

When I think on Loch Oarra or Oastleburke there benaith it,
Or sweet Tower Hill in the county Mee-o.

Tower Hill is that place that greatly invarious (?)
For secamor, beech, ash, hazel, and dale, etc.

This is a very poor imitation of the original metre, for it has
not Bafteiy'g internal assonantal rhymes.

•6

ti-mte ■oume |-eA.]-c&3 niAH i]' ceAjic aju]' me>.]i if c6^\^
CliUAlAit) mk •o'a jiA-o 50 n-oeACMt) CAilin, &]' Chill-
AOTDAin, 50 ■on &.n c-OileAri 11)1, caihaLL geA^if 6 f-oin, 50
S1CA.50, 6.511]' 50 nibut) 6 «.n ce&t) ^lut) 'oo cuaImx) fi in
yAn jcACMji pn, yeAf 65, •00 bi 1 "t)C|iAm-CA|i/' A5
jaTjaiI 6.b]\Ain Chill-AooAin 106 fein 50 bitin Aguf 50
h-Ant) ! A5 fo Anoi]' ATI c-6.bnAn ^rein : —

Clll-AOt)A111,
no

con*oA6 i1niig-eo.

Anoi]', ceAcc An eAjifiAij, beit) An Ia xjuI 'un fitieAio (i;

A']- CA^i eif nA 'peil-bpij'oe AHodcAX) mo f eol (2),
6 cm]! me in mo ccAnn e, ni ^-coppAi-6 me comce

50 i-eA]-fAn!) me poy 1 Ia^a Chont)A6 mhuij-eo.
1 5ClA)\-cloinne-Tnhuitiii' bei-oeA^- me An ceAt) oiwce,

'S 1 mbAllA TAob fio]- -oe, co-|'6cAf me aj 61,
50 Coillre-mAC ^iacat), 50 n'oeAnpA'o cuAijic mio|'A Ann,

1 byo^uf tiA mile 50 beAl-An-AC-mdi^i '3),

(1) =cum fince. (2) Aliter: cdgFAT) mo ieol. (3) " t)Aite Ati
cije motji" -ouCaiiic Ca-oj O ComnteAin Ajur buo ddijt F'or toifc
«i5e-re.Nrt, iic if b^aL An ac moip aca A5 li-uile xiuitie eiLe.

(4) This verse is translated into the metre of the original,
in the first four verses of ivhioh the eight interlined rhymes are
nil on the letter i, and the four final rhymes in the even lines are on the
letter 6. The whole poem is constructed on the sounds of i (ee), 6 (ae),
and o.

I^iterallv : Now, coming on the spring, the day will be fo?

97

88 is right and proper. I heard it said that a girl from Killeaden
•went out not long ago to tlie New Island (America), to Chicago,
and that the first thing she h^eard in the city was a young man
in a tramcar singing the song of Killeaden in Irish, melodiously
and loudly. Here is the song itself : —

KILLEADEN,

Or
COUNTY MAYO.

Towards tne Eve of St. Brigit the days will be GEOWIlvG (4),

The cock will be CROWING and a home-wind shall blow.
And I never shall stop but shall ever be GOING

Till I find myself ROVING through the county May-o.
The first night in Claremorris I hope to put OVER,

And in Balla BELOW IT the cruiskeens shall flow ;
In Coilltemach then I'll be living in CLOVER,

Near the place where my HOME IS and the House that I know.

stretching (lengthening), And after the Eve of Brigit (ls5 of FM).
ruary) I shall hoist my sail ; Since I have put it into my head I
shall not ever stop, Until I stand below in the middle of the
county Mayo ; In the Plain-of-the-childien-of-Maurice (dare-
morris), I shall be the first night, And in Balla down from it I
shall being drinking ; To Coilltemaoh (" Kiltimagh ") I
shall go until I make a visit of a month there.
Within two miles of the town of the Big House (Killeaden
House?) ; aliter, Ballinamore.

)^A5^'"^ le ll-u■6^cc^ 50 n-ei]\i5e«.nn nio cnoi6e-fe

1Tl6.|i ei|Aige6>nn|' e>.n JA-oc, no m&p i-j^p^^- en ceo
11iiAi]i prill A-imjini a|i Che&nnA. a']' 6.f S't*-'^'-'" W c^^ob
fiof loe

A]\ fgcA-c^c A.' liiile (2) no a.]\ pl«.ine6.t) ITIIUI15-66.
CilL-A.o'OAin &.r\ h^te ^ ■b]:Ai'6.nn ja-c nit) Ann,

Ua ftneA-iAA Y pj'b-c)\6.o'b 6.nn A.'y me6.y {>.]\ 54.C fopc,
'S "DA mbemn-fe mo feA^-Ani 1 5ce&i\c-LA]\ mo -oAoine

'O'lmceocAt) Ati aoi^ -oiom Aguf beinn ^pi]- 65.

bionn qiuicne6.ee ^'f coince, f Af eonn^ 'gu]- lin Ann,

ScAgAl 1 jcpAob Ann, '\\(^r\ pim]\, Agui' ^-eoil,
tucc •oeAncA poicin 5An license •o'a oiol Aim,

moji-UAii'le nA ci|Ae Ann A5 ^im\\z 'y Ag 61.
Ua cu]i Ajuf cueAbAt) Ann, a'v leAfuJAO gAn AoileAc,

1^' lomtJA pn ni-6 Ann nA^t lAbAip me 50 piL (3)
AcAnnA (4) Y mmUue A5 obAiji gAn fgic Ann

"OeAtTiAn cAinc a|i pijm oiof a Ann nA "OATJAit) -o'a foiic.

AO'OAIIl

(1) Alit«r: t)Al,U. (2) SseAc-A-tJA-mile, G.

(3) "OeinceAf "50 poil " 1 ti-i,ic " f oj- " r*" i^M' citndiotl Ctlt-
. nuaitt 61 *n neAdcoipo 1 sComJAe tiA Siilliitie ■Deij(eAt> r^

"f6r.

(4) "At*i*,"G-

{S) The Mile-Bu^h is within a mile of Castlebar. Four of

99

I solemnly aver it, that my heart rises up,

Even as the wind risos or as the mist disperses,
When I think upon Carra and upon Gallon down from it,

Upon the Mile-Bush (5) or upon the Plains of Mayo (6).
Killeaden (is) the village in which everything grows ;

There are hlackberries and raspberries in it, and fruit of
every kind ;
And if I were only to be standing in the middle of my people.

The a^e would go from me and I should be young again.

There he's wheat there and oats, growth of barley and of flax ;

Eye in the ear ( ?) there, bread of flour, and meat ;
People who make " poteen " selling it therewithout a licence,

The great nobles of the country there playing and drinking.
There is planting and plowing there, and top-dressing without
manure ;

There is many a thing there of which I have not sjwken yet,
Kilns and mills working and never resting,

" Sorra " talk there is about a penny of rent nor anything of
the kind.

General Humbert's soldiers were killed there in '98 at the
"Races of Castlebar."

(6) Mr. Hughes tells me that this, which I took to be the
Plauiet or Star of Mayo, means the Plains of Mayo, and nothing
eke. These Plains extend over more than half the parish of
Mayo. The Plains of EUestron are twelve miles off.

100

Ta jac uile f-6)»c A-6niMt> x)i.']\ coiji t)o cup pof Atin,
bionn pc^tnon Y beech Ann, coll, sitibAi]-, t>.'f
fuinnfeog,
box Agu]' cuileAnn, lubAp, beic, Aguf cAopcAn

S AP glAf-ioAip t)'a ntJCAnCAU bAT) long aY c^Ann
fe6il.
An I05WOOT), mAliosAtii, Y J^c ABtnAt) ■o'a -OAoitAfe,

'S An po|A-iTiAiT)e (1) BCAnpAt) 5AC uile gleuj- ceoil
Olcoin (?) 'r rS^Ac jeAl Ann v'i. geAppAt) Y 'o'^
fnoignjCA*
S An cy-lAu Ann •00 •ocAnpAti cif cLeib A-^uy ^o^'o-

Ca An cuAc Y t>.n pnolAc aj ^rpeAjAipc a cede Ann,

ri. An lonwub Y An ceiii|-eAc Ap sup^ oy a gconiAip,
An gulTJ-pnfe, 'n cpeA^Ap, Y ^n Linnec (2) 1 SCAge Ann

An nAOfjAc A5 leitnnij, aY ^n caIa 6'n Tloini,
An c-ioplAC (3) Af AcAill Y An pAC t)ub 6'n gCei^ Ann,

An I'CAbAc A.]- Loc fiipne Y An yui^'oos 6'n tiioin.
'S oi, mbeiccA Ann Ap niAiTJin poim eijiije nA speme,

50 gcloiffeA 5AC feAn aca aj f einm f An " ngpob."

(1) Ay G;; "an c«t<|t& wood," A.; iin tane wood, ni4c tli Cninn-
Uiitn: Se "*n cetporc" (?) x>o 6uAl4i-6 mi|-« nuaip 6i mg 65: Mr,
Cormio Dsmpsey, of New York, tells me olc6it» is sn apple tree in full
blossom.

(2) •'lt»n6m," Q. (3) "DutSAtttc r^r'mn-A'c "lolAjt'-tnatt if
SnAt^A « sCan'OAi tflui5-e6.

(4) Literally : "True-stick." I do not know what is meant

101

Thero is every sort of timber that it were fit to put down there |

There is sicaniore and beeoh in it, hazel, fir, and ash,
Box and holly, yew, birch, and rowan-terry.

And the green-oak, of which is made boat and ship and mast ;
The log-wood, mahogany, and every timber no matter how ex-
pensive,
And the fior-mhaide (?) (4) which would make every musical
instrument ;
Oltoir (?.) and whito hawthorn a-cutting and a-hewing,

And the rod theie that would make basket, creels, and
loda (5).

'i'iitre is the cuokoo and the thrush answering each other there,

The blackbird and the ceirseach hatching over against them.
The goldfinch, the wood-cock, and the linnet in a cage there,

The snipe leaping up, and the swan from Home,
The eagle out of Adiill and tlie raven out of Kesh Corran,

The falcon from Loch Erne and the lark from the bog.
And if yoTi wore to be there in the morning before rise of sun.

Sure you would h&uc every bird of them a-singing in the £:xive.

by it. Other versions give "arra-wood," " tane-wood," "thel-
ford." Mr. Hughes says "tare-wood," i.e., the wood of which
butter barrels were made, which barrels in that country are called
" tares."

(5) An old baskot-maker tells me that cirein is any basket, cir is
about the same as a creel, aud Lo-o is a huge basket containing over ten
Btoue (of potatoes?). The Irish name for a basket-maker is CAOlA-ootji,
which is not i'ouud iu any dictionary.

102

Ca ATI Iai)i Ann 'y An |"eAp]\Ac a bpocAin a ceite,

An ci-ei)-iieAC (1) 'y An ceuccA, An c]\eAbAC Y »-" p°^»
Ha huAin Ann a^ mAioin 50 ^Aippng A5 mefobj,

t)ionn CAOipij a'^ c)ieAT)A aY teAnb A5 An innAOi (2).
tli'l cinneA^, ni'L aicid, ni'L jaIah, ni't eAg Ann^

■dec I'AgAiic aY clei)M5 Ag juToe nA nAOiVi,
Ca mionAin aj 5AbA1^ aY bAinb Ag An gceif Ann,

'S An toitijeAC A5 geimnij A5 c]nAll a^ An ninAoi.

Ua An r-ui]"5e |"An toe, ajuj" AbnACA UoncA,

TIa copACA loeAncAj Y "^ tioncA 1 5c6i]\ (3)
Ua An lii'i]- (4) aY a" b-|ieAC aY ^n eA]'con 'nAlufoe Ann,

An pujiuAn, An iTAO-CAn, An |\unAc, Y ^•^ ]\6r\.
Ci. An b|\At)An Y ^'^ bAllAC nA jcoiiinuitje I'An oitjce Ann,

'S An liubAn A5 cihaU Ann 6'n b):Ai]\)i5e iii6i)\.
An CA]\coi'p Y ^^ ^" gtioniAC Y ^-'i cunAboc ]\iAbAc,

CnuwAin aY i^rS ■*■'!" coiii yAi]ifm5 le tnoin.

Ca An eilic 'y An pA-o Y 5*-c u'te f6]\z " gAem " Ann,

An niAi3At)-)\UAt) ' teminij. An b]ioc Y '^'■' "not bm-oe,
CeotcA nA ngABA^A Y ^'>- b-A-6A)icA •o'a ]'ei-oeAt)

'S te li-eipije nA Jiienie no cogiTA •00 c]\oit)e.
Ca •OAome UAij'le ah eAC^Aib Agu]- ihajicai^ oa
bfCACAinc

A5 pAiJAC c^e nA ceite (5) 50 ocigit) An oit)c'
SoiteA]! 50 niAiwin a]0]- vi. ]\eAbA'6

6t A5 nA ccATJCAib a']' teAbAit) te tuitie.

(1) "An creipcueAC," T)ub«ific |-eii-eAn.

(2) Ca An tine feo te pAJsit 1 n-At)|iAndilJ eite, niAp aca f An
"jCtioici'n PfiAoic" A5iif 1 "ii'Ooifie Ui ftfiiain."

(3) A5 got (i.e., Ag jAbAil) ■oub4i|ic i-ei|-eAn, acc " 1 gcoip " A5 G.

103

There is the mare there and the foal, teside one another,

The team-of-six and the plow, the plowman and the seed,
The lambs there in the morning numerously bleating,

There he's sheep and herds, and the woman has a child.
There is no sickness, no disease, no plague, no death there,

But priests and clerics praying to the saints ;
The goat has kids, the sow has bonhams,

And the milch-cow is lowing as she goes towards the woman.

The water is in the lake, and the rivers filled.

The weirs are constructed, and the nets in working-order,
The pike and the trout and the eel lying there.

The crab and the periwinkle, the mackerel and seal ;
The salmon and the ballach resting there at night,

And the liubhan (little eel, or lamprey ?) voyaging thither from
the great sea ;
The tortoise and the lobster and the grey turbot.

The gurnets and fish are there as plenty as turf.

The fawn and the deer and every kind of game is there.

The red-dog (fox) a-leaping, the badger and the yellow
miol (i.e., the hare).
The music of the hounds, and the horns a-blowing,

And with the rise of the sun you would lift up your heart.
There are gentlemen on steeds and horsemen being tried (6),

Hunting all through other until comes the night,
(Then) cellar until morning again a-rending.

Drink for the hundreds and beds to lie do-wn.

(4) ni iui^SAnn i-'A" ^n Koc**- r° ' 5Conx)Ae norcom«in, cujAtin
j-ii-o "giopoj" Alts Ainm ).-ioti-SAex>eAL«c. tli't An beAjipA fo A5 A.

(5) Sic: G., Acc -oubAitic an ConnlinAC "c]ie plantations."

(6) This may also mean "looking at them."

104

■p^j^titi "oite&ccA '■)' b*.inc)\eckb6.c CAbo.i)i es'y )Aeit)ce6.c

Sli^e bit), {>.']- eMDA-ij, &']' caImti 54.11 cio)-,
Sgol^kiiii-oe boccA. i^gpiob, f50il, ^.gu]' leijeA-nn A-tin,
l/Ucc iAii)A6.CA. (1) nis ve\]\ce Ann, 6.5 CAiiHA-mg 'y aj

CJ116.ll.

Sb^ptiig I'e i>.r\ 'ooiri6.n in cy. li-uile (2) ■oe^i.j-cjieiciiib
Utiug llAifrcein An qi^eb v6 &]\ a bjTACAiX) -pe i\i6m,

Se 'oei)ie6.t> n& c^mce : ^aojaI |-At) eg Pji^nc U&Ajre
Ann
SLiocc Loinnpg (3) nA -perLe iiaji C0151I An yiAtiAC.

A5 yo Ab]iAn •00 jiinne An UeAccviipe A5 inotA'o
cAitin, llAnpAit) DjieAcnAc eigm. SliAoil niij-e 511)1
CAibin Af Cliont)Ae mlnn j-G6 i, •oo coiiniAig 1 n-Aice te
CoittcemAc oi-p ■oei]i ye pern 50 'ocug ye a gjiAt) t)i 50
bog, Agup cugAnn ye Ainni nA LeA^A 1116i|ie (cnocAinin
ACA A]A cut Cije ttloiii CIiiIIaotjaiii) Agup CoilLceniAC
AfceAC j-An AbjiAn, acc •061)1 IIIac Hi ]pinn lioni 50 jiAib
■pi 'nA )'eA)ibp6JAncA A5 5eACA-ni6]i 1 iigAji ■00 'DAil-e-
toc-)iiAbAc, ^5"r 5"!' cAipbcAn pi cmeAlcAp iii6]i tio'n
lleAccuipe A5 nije a cuib catjaij, ic Hi conjbinjeAnn
&n 1leAccui]ie An guc ceAt)nA a)i puTj jac beA]i)'A 6 cii)-
50 ■oeijieAt). Ill cuiceAiin bjnj An jloi]! a)i An licip 6
ACC in pAn jceAT) tcAC-jiAnn. !]• •0615 guji AbjiAn ■o'a
AbjiAnAib coi'Aig e •peo : —

(1) Sie : An ContAnAc, Aic"Lucc lApfiiit) " 45 h-uiLe 46ip eile.

(2) "^nn 5AC uile ■oeAJ-cneifcfb," ah ConLitiAfi. "le 54c uile
Tje45-t)ieu|*tA," G. tnifc x>'Ai|iuij an pocal ni<j)i c«.

(3) Sio : An ConLinac. "SLiocc finfiti SAOt)Ail jLAtp n4)i toingill
An F'^V Cr- "Stiocc r'""r'l' "4 feile," A.; Ajiir if "lAtf j-u-o tjo
duAlAi'O mire e 6 beAt UAoire eile, «cc cuaIait) mi|e 1 gcomnmtje
'nApcoi5ill An fiAxiAC,'' Ajuf ip ■0615 511)1 ceA)ic pn. ni leip -OAtn
CAT) e "nA]( C0151L All piil." tAb4iiite4|i " CAApe " niA|i"CAep"i
mDeAfitA, iriAp " Ca" 1 ngAe-oeiLs.

105

The orphan and the widow get assistance and redemption,

A way to get food and clothes, and land without r-ent ;
Poor soholais get writing and schooling and learning there,
And the people who ask alms aro drawing and Journeying
thither.
It overcame the world for all its good qualities,
And Eaftery has awarded it the branch, over all that he ever
saw ;
Ihe end of the talk is this : Long life to Frank Taafe in it,
The descendant of the Lynch of hospitality, who never spared
the hunt.

Here is ft song that Eaftery composed in praise of a girl,
one Nancy Branach, or Walsh (1). I thought she was
a girl from the cvunty Mayo who lived near Ooilltemach, for
he himself says that he loved her when young, and he brings
in the name of Lis Ard (a small hill at the hack of Killeaden
House) and of Ooilltemach into the song. But Mr. Finn tells me
that she was a servant at Geata-mor, near Loughrea, who
showed great kindness to Ilaftery in washing his clothes, etc.
Eaftery does not keep up the same vowel throughout
each verso from beginning to end in this song. The stress of
the voice falls on the letter " o " only in the first half of the
verse (my translation orf the first verse will show the English
reader the metre). No doubt this is one od his early songs : —

(1) The Irish name Bre«ithnach (pronounced Bran-ach) la
always translated Walsh, or Welsh, in English. Breatnach is
the same as Breatan-ach, i.e., Britain-ish, or Brit-ish. But the
Irish name for Wales is Broatain (Britain) ; hence the trans-
lation of Breatnach into Welsh, or Walsh. All the Irish Walshes
are, no doubt, descended from Welsh ancestiors. I heard an
Irish-speaking woman make a curious pun on this name to Mr.
Walsh, a respected merchant in Tuam. Pleased at some bargain
ghe had nude, she wid, " t1i b|teAtni<: cu Atz b|ie'&5'T)e«& 1''

106

nATis<MO bueAcndC.

CoiiimtiToe&nn c6.iliTi 65 CAob po\- ■oe'n ^e/sc^^ liiop

A ■0CU5 me 50 mo]! (1) mo 5H<3>t> TDi,
Ua <\ 5]iu&t) Ap •66.C n*. poy" (2) tdo t)e6.n]:6t) m6.]\b beo,

A']' 50 iiibj;e4.pp liom lei 56.b6.1l (3) via 1 bpAnjycA-p.
Ui. A cuilponn ].-6.inne6.c ponn ']■ 6. m6.L6)t) c6oL -oe*.]*
■oonn

'S 6. 106. fuil 5t6-i" coiii ci\iiinn be Aipne
Clieigyinn be&n a-')- cl6.nn, «. i"c6ii\, ni. ngloMi'feiN lion

50 Viloppuf (4) no 50 b-tirii&ll lit ITIliAille.

l6.b&i)i I'i liom 50 cIaic, 'I'e •oubd.ijic p, " «. riiile 5)i6.t)

" Diet) poijit) 6.56.t) 50 ■0c6.56.1-6 6.n oiwce,
'S eul6c6.'o le6.c 56.11 ypi-y 50 li-iocc6|\ Clionc6.e Clil&i|\

A'f ii pllpt) iiie 6.)\ mo tii6,c6.i)\ coi-oce,
"06. mbeinn-j'e e>.\\ Slili6.b C6.i|\ii no 6.|i mull&c 6n Le6.^-6.
(^^\\■o (5),

An 6.1c 6.)\ C6.1C nie ce^t) Id. price
1)- cintice 6. cuilponn bini 50 ti-6l)r«,'6 mint) a]\ yMc

1 5CoillceiTi6.c 56.C 6.011 li. 6.0116.15.'

(1) " 50 h-os," C. (2) "pole <s)t -OAC &\i oiji," C.
(3) ''beic <\5 ct Lci," C. (4) 50 li-upaip, MS.

(5) Ilecte " n.\ leAp* A'troe," «j; CiLt-«OT>Ain, 'n *ic « )ih5«-6 €.

(6) Literally : There lives a young girl on the side down
from tlie great gate, To whom I have given my love greatly
(aliter, when young) ; Her cheek is of the colour of the rosas,

107
NANCY WALSH.

A girl beyond comPAEE, a pretty girl lives THERE,

By Geata-mor the FAIR one is dwelling ;
Suclh cheeks, like roses RARE, the dead would rise to STARE,

I'd rather be with HER than in heaven.
Around her forehead brown the hair in curls hangs down,

Grey eyes without a frown, round as berries ;
We'd leave both wife and child, and house and home behind,

Would she come to us — to find us in Erris (6).

She spoke to me softly, 'twas what she said, " 0, thousand loves,

Have patience until comes the night,
And I s'hall elope with thee without delay to the north of the
county Clare,

And I shall not return to my mother for ever.
If I were on Slieve Oarn or on the summit of Lasard,

The place where I spent a hundred days stretched out,
It is certain, white coolun, that we would drink our enough

In Ooilltemaoh every fair day.

whidh would make the dead alive, And sure I would rather bo
going with her than in Paradise ; Her coolun is ringletted and
fair, and hejT forehead slender, handsome, brown, And her two
grey eyes round as a sloe ; I would forsake wife and children,
my store, if you would proceed with me, To Erris or to Umhall
Ui Mhaille.

108

1]' cinnce a ]iuiti-cjAoii6e ua bi:e«>'OfMnn-fe fStAiob pay

5o Tne6.tl].'6.inii mo liiiAti gAii /i,iiipd.f,
'S 50 Le/^ti]:6.inti cu z\\e fli«,b g^n oeoc tiA giteim 'oe'n
bia.t)

t^A mbeit)' po]' 6.5&TI1 50 mbeicoA (12) 1 iToi-n t)«.m.
Ace mile 5I6111 t)o "OhiA, nio)\ caiU me le&c mo ci&lL,

Cit) 5U]\ m^ic «, cii«,it) me «.f, a ci'nlin ^-0,1111106,6,
'S iiA)i jiugikt) Aon pe*.)! ]\i6.m -oo cui)i]reAt) a. Lo-iii o-iii6.|i

U1i6.)\ nAn^-iKij WaI]-1i ii«.c xjciiib)i«.-6 ^]\i-v vt.

l/iwe (13) ve mo i'c6]i ■oa bj-eicpeA ccacc fAti jiw,

bu-6 b-i ]\eAlc i in |-An gceo Ia 5eim|iit),
Ca a yolc Ap t)Ac An 6i]i A5 ccAcc 50 bcAl a b]\65,

50 c)\oilli-eAC, ]-oill]-eAC, yAinnneAC, pllce (14).
Ca a b)iolLAC co)ihac (?), Iaii, aji tjac An ci-uic)iA bAin,

lie iiiA)! beiw' -oii-le cnAiii a)\ cLa]\ A5 pnnce,
'S An gile 1 tiib]iA5Aiio mo 51\A'6 mA)i cubAji cuile aji
qiAij,

Ho An caIa CCACC 6'n j-nAiit, vi>.\\ liom-rA-

(1) "An cu bi' 1 n-oAn x>t.m," C. (2) Sio, C. ; " A teicenj," S.

(3) 'nATjlAoiocift, roiLlrt-Ac, FiteiLreac, painneae, piLLceAC ; C.

(4) C|ioiLLredc is a couimoa word applied to fine Uair, but its exact

109
It is certain, secret-heart, if I were able to write down,

I would coax mj desire without a doubt,
And sure I would follow thee through mountains, without a drink
or bite of food,
If I only knew that thou wouldst be fated for me.
But, a thousand glories be to God, I have not lost my sense by
thee,
Though it was well I escaped from it, O ringletted coolun,
For sure no man was ever bom who would put his hand over
Across Nancy Walsh, who would not give her love.

One glint of my treasure, if you were to see coming on tlhe road.

She were a star through the mist on a winter's day ;
Her hair of the colour of gold coming to the mouth of her shoes.

Exuberant (4), shining, ringletted, twisted.
Her bosom pointed (?) full, of the colour of white sugar,

Or, as it were, ivory dice on a table dancing,
And the brig-htness in the neck of my lore like the foam of a
flood upon a shore,

Or as the swan coming from ite swimming, methought.

signification seems doubtful. CpoitlreAn is a plait of three rushlights
made into one big one, and the adjective may come from this: Others
say it means " trailing."

no

Dbenuf, c'^teij^ g&c nit) 1-5)11015 tlomeii iy]\ 6. gn&oi,

Aguf I0, t-n be^-n le'ji •Oi-lL^.t) Aligui',
Ca]'miojia 00 c^bAinc nt). noiA-ig, iy oub&nic ah fjei-l
■00 b'poji,

" 5° rSl^off Aiue 6. ii6.ib Y^ti Ci\6,oi Le Pajut,"
luno, ceiLe 6.n ^115, ')• 111inenb&, tiu&ip 00 bi,

'S An oiAf Ap Aon oitice C6.b4.111c 1 Iacm^i,
tli ciucfAB A [sJcAilLeAcc j-iof LetlAnfAi-o WAlfh mo
till An,

1 nx)eife, 1 ngile, 1 fgeirii, nA 1 inb]ieA5ACC (1).

"OtiA nibut) liom-|'A An phpAinc 'f ■*■" SpAin, 'f 6'n
cSionnAin nuA]" 50 boinn (2)
Cliiub)iAinn e a|- a beic LeAc fince,
'S 50 mbpeA|iii bom UAic-fe poj; nA a bfuil 1 gceAjiCA
An 6t|i,
Agui" e beic of mo c6itiai|i 'nA milcib,
t)A ngluAipireA liom a fcoip jeobf a ceot Aguf j-pojic,
Inf 5AC bAile bcAg aY moti w'a bpuil j-An piojACCA,
'S ■OA mb6it)inn mo jiig pAoi 'n gciioin 1 gcomAcc An
ceAciiAmAw Seopi'A,
phdp|:Ainn cu jAn bAC gAn cAoijiij,

(1) "An pHAwc 'r ATI ndim, 'f a ftpuiL lennc* 50 coin," 0.

Ill

Venus, after everything that Homer has written of her beautj,

And Id, the woman by whom Argus was blinded,
And to bring Casandra after her, who spoke the tale that was
true,

" That all who were in Troy would be destroyed by Paris " ;
Juno, spouse of the King, and Minerva when she was in it,

And to bring the couple together on one nig'ht,
Their qualities would not compare with Nancy Walsh, my
desire,

In prettiness, brig-htness, beauty, or fineness.

If France and Spain were mine, and from the Shannon to th«
Boyne,
I would give it to be seated by thee.
And sure I would rather have a kiss from thee than all that is
in the Forge-of-Gold (mint),
And it to be before me in its thousands.
If thou were to journey with me, my treasure, thou wouldst get
music and sport
In every town great and small that is in the kingdom,
And if I were a king under a crown, with *he power of George
IV.,
I would wed thee, without cows, without sheep.

(2) AUter : "bpeAJcA," ci An -oA foipm Ann.

112

Sciiuinmug^t) moji t)o fei ^5 C^coilcib Chono^e n^
56-iUiiTie, 1 mbMUoc-]t,Vc. Zi. cuiriine 0,5 n* ye&.n
lo^omib 50 ,,^ib ^ Leicen) ^nn, acc ^5 pn ^n nie^t).
If t>6i5 gup &5 L&it)piu JAt) Um -OhomriAilL Hi Cliono-iLL
00 cnummse/st. e, t-^uy 5U,, Ub^ip n^ CA,nce6ii,it,e ,
n-AS^it) riA nx)noc-t)li5ce SaUoa ^51,,^ , n-^-^<,m n^
noe^ctriuii). 1^ copiuil 51111 in y^n mbL.A-o^in, 1828, ■00
qnuinmse^t) 6, oi]! tje.n &n Re^ccuipe 50 mbeit) long-
ti^t) le ireicpnc ^5 n& TD^oinib a,, oce«.cc bli^briA ^
n^oi-pcm ir 6 pn, ,y v6^■^, nAO)-A,,-pciT). ^u^ip tne ^n
coip i|- peA^f, •oe'n ^bpAii p o'n Ac<Mp CLemenc O IU5-
tiAit), t)o cu^Um e 6 be^ feAti-pp CU15 bLiABna. pern 6
foin. 'Oeni ye 1 nSA-eoeilj rtid.}! le^nAi-: '"Oo bi
AC|\ui5ce oe'n ^bjiAn I'o, 6-nn, 56,6 6.on '^i. cuni6.-6t)6pem
t)0 pei)\ neice m Ue, ■oe bpij a ceoil. U& fe fSHiobcA
TJOceol'tA yeAe lUoitii piT)]i6i5' ^.^u^ gibeAb n&c
bpiil m6\\i>.n oe pnuAincib Aiio-«,i5e&ncAC6. 6.nn, ni'L 50
cinnre /ybpo-n eile y6.r\ nS^eoeilj no y:^n Se>.cyhea.\\l6. a
ceioeAf com m&icletf An 5CJ6L pn. Sin e puiom-buAit)
&n &b]iAin feo." Ua oa Ainni aji <s.n d-bpAn yo : "An
Cio|- CAcoiLceAC," aj;ii)- "C6mc]\uinniU50.o no. 5C6.C01L-
ce«.c 1 mbAiL-Loc-jirAC '' ;—

113

I have not been able to find any proper aooount of the great
gathering that the Catholics of the county Galway had at
Loughrea. The old people remember that there was suc]i a
gaifliering, but that is all. Probably it was to strengthen the
hands of Daniel O'Connell that it was held, and that the
speakers inveighed against the foreign laws and the tithes. It
was apparently convened in the year 1828, for Baftery says that
the people will have a wonder to see, coming on the year twenty-
nine. I got the best version of this song from Father dement
O'ljooney, of Loughrea, who heard it twenty-five years ago from
the mouth of an old man. He speaks of it as follows : — " I'hero
were changes (i.e., other versions) of this song, everyone shaping
it for himself according to the affairs of the day on account of its
music. It is written to the air of ' St. Patrick's Day,' and,
though there are not many elevated thoughts in it, there is
certainly no other song in Irish or in English which goes so well
tj that air. This is the chief virtue of the song." This piece
has two names, the " Catholic Rent " and the " Gathering of

the Catholics in Loughrea." I have translated the first verse into

something like the metre of the original: —

114

All cTos CAroilceAC.

Aictue (1),
116.0 •ocnoi|5e6,nn Ati Aoine ']■ n^c nseille&nn 00

C«.coilcib (2),
Y\a Yte>.)tMC tii bptiijpt) p&T) 54.11 ye.i>.lA n^ h-e^jlA-i^-e,

"Oo ]\e\\\ mis^ ■oub«.ii\c peA.t)6.]\ Y^ ttUigiixt)! ;
Sj^Aiob p&i'coiuni 50 ■ocnic]:^* t-r\ heisti>.c-ye>.,
LS. 5A.C 6.on iiii 50 mbenV quimniuj' my jac b^-ile aca,
A5 Clu^iti-meAl^. bgit) (3) ■oibi)\c a]\ New Lights t>.'y

Orangemen,
'S 1 mbAile-loc-piVc (4)^ 'yei>.-6 lei^e/n-t) /s. iiibeA.t4- t)6ib,
CAilLeMii6.n Clayton c«. Daly ha leAb&it) '5«,inn,
"Oo luce bioblAit) b)\6i5e r\e>. jeilLij^it) |.'eAiXA,

116.C n-uiiil&ije&nn •oo f&j&^ic ni, bnACAi]i.

(1) " Asnu-D," S. and G, (2) CacoLic. (3) " bi -oiaCAttin," S.
(4) "Lot )ie45Ac, 1 leijiiiti 1 mbeAC* 16*016," S.

Literally : On looking into these weathers (times), it is
dangerous for the tribe, Who fast not on Friday and submit not
to Catholics ; The heavens they shall not get without the seal of
the Church, As Peter and his Master have spoken ; Paatorini
wrote that there ivould come this way, A day in each month in
which they would have a meeting in each town ; At Clonmel
there shall he a banishment of New Lights and Orangemen, And
in Loughrea their life was read to them (there is apparently
sonielhir.g wrong here). Since we have lost Clayton we have
Daly in place of liim ; To the people of the false Bibles do
not submit in future, Who never bow to priest or friar.

115

THE OATHOLIO RENT.

On obsenring the SIONS, I see FEAR for the fanatics
Who fast not on FRIDAYS but JEER at the Catholics ;
Success is DENIED them, DEFEAT shall be absolute,

As Peter and JESUS hare spoken.
Wrote PastoREENI, you'll SEE it made manifest,
A rascally MEETING each month in each hamlet. But
Clonmel shall makes PIECES of New Lights (S) and Orangemen,
And Loughrea shall DEFEAT them and BEAT their rascality ;
We have lost our good CLAYTON, but DALY'S as bad for them,

Their Bible's menDACIOUS, we'U SHAME them and
sadd«n them,
We'll give them ('twill PLEASE US) a token.

(5) The New Lights seem to have been some religious sect.
Burns alludes to them in his poem " The Twa Herds, or the Holy
Tulzie." There is a long poem in English on the "New Lights of
Askeaton," written by, I think, a carpenter, after the Irish form
of versification. I found it in Galway. It consisted of eight
verses, of which I here give the first, fifth, and eighth. It is
entirely built upon the ae and o sounds. There are 128 rhymes
on the ae sound and 32 on the o, and no others : —
Ye muses now come AID me in admonishing the PAGANS

The New Lights of ASKEATON, whose FATE I do deplore ;
From innocence and REASON they are led to CONDEMNATION
Their faith they have VIOLATED, the OCCASION of their noe'.
The Mass they have FORSAKEN, their source and RENOVA-
TION,
To free them from DAMNATION and SATAN'S violent yoke ;
The means of their SALVATION at the great accounting
TABLE,
When mountains shall be SHAKEN and NATIONS over-
thrown.

116

Ace cueioigio -oo'n cLein '\- -oo comnA* riA li-C^j^lui^'e
'S "oo'n cfeA-nmoiiv n&oriic*. fg^tiob tiAoih cy^uy d-bfCMl

tlA ti-eili5i-6 An biobl*., no cuicfA-i* ye z\\t>.ynA op|iAit)(l)

Ay cuijit) nAc m^gA-t) 6.n caj- j-o,
to]-Ai5 An f5e6.L fo le UAbAp e>.'y Le C6.]\cuifne,
Seun rl6.nnpA0i a ceile le •opt3i|' aju]' m&lld.cAn,
buu 111 Alt conjAiii Luicep y^o\ C)iAnniep 'f F^-oi LACittie]\
KiT>ly (2) Aguf buli'Ait) Y Se&^An C^ilbin, •opoc-pAC

0]\\\C.,

6 cAilleAmA.]! triAipe (3) c4 bAtpe te SAci^AnAi^,
Ace ciucfAio An La a bpuijjrini pnn -rAfArh in yt>.n
njcAlLA'o

tuj Ciiio|-c -00 peAUAp Y oo'n Pa^a (4).

(1) "Ij bAoJAlAe All c-Actiujd-o e," A. (2) "R4T>meLl," G. & S
(3) ' 6 ftpuiLmit) jAti 11156," O'L. (4) " pe4T)*t' A" P*Pa," S.

■Ihe New Lights' termination is a sad extermination

Abandoned to ruination and despairing of all hope ';
A sad commemoration to constant desolation,

For ever extirpated amongst demons to bemoan.
Without a mitigation or the smallest renovation

From continual vexation and daily reproach,
Bereft of consolation, expelled and renegaded,

To live in reprobation, extermination, and woe.

Ton scientific sages of classical experience

Restrain your imputation, your favour I implore ;
Bereft of true sensation, my intellects do fail me,

117

But trust ye the clergy and the discourse of the Church,

And the holy Beimoa that saintg and apostles hare written for us ;

Do not seek the Bilolo, cr it shall come across you (1),

And, understand ye, that this is no mockery.
This story began with pride and disparagement ;
Henry renounced his spouse through lust and devilment.
Good was the help of Luther to Cranmer and to Latimer,
Eidley and Wolsely and Jack Calvin, ill-luck on them ;
Since we lost Mary (2) the English have the goal.
But the day will come wherein we will get satisfaction in the
promise

That Christ gave to Peter and to the Pope.

(1) This seems to mean, " or it shall trip you up," or " be the
worse for you." Another reading, " it is a dangerous change," or
a "dangerous translation."

(2) Aliter : " Since we are without kingship."

Grammar rules don't aid me, for my learning is but low
J! or had I been dictated by fluent education.

In versification my name you would have known •
By ways and occupation I'm a perambulating tradesman,

Xhose publicans are shaking and bailiffs at the door
Ihere are m tach of the ab<jve verses sixteen vowel rhvmps
upon the sound of "e" (or ae) and four on the sound of ' o " ^Ths
English reader must understand that the composer pro-
nounced Askeaton," "reason," "demons," and "experience " m
the above lines, as " Askaeton," " raeson," " daemons," ' and
eipaenence." "-^"o, ana

118

1nTi]-e6c&it) Tiie I'Se&L 'OAOib a.\\ 6^t>monn Y «-1^ *• acai^i,
O Y'^'o t)o cuip leAn-f5piof a^x gh^-eioeAl ^Y *>r

diAcoitcib,
SliAoiL fiAT) te ceile ;^n ■pine^.tiiMn (1) ^-o vo ■^eiy\\]\e>.'6

TIac gqiionAtin i n-cAjip^c riA i THaiica,
\\\ 5&ine&ni ^'eiuce bun-Aic (2) ^n b^llA yo
-Ca Ciiioi'c fii&n [i^-] lei^ce, i A-enifeACC Le pe^oo.))

ObM)i riAc ioq\ei5pt) Y'i"^cbpleu|-5^Ait) ah CApiiAig f eo,
Sboqiuig An c-Aon niAC t)0 ceuj-Ao aji AtiocAlArii ouinn,
Se ScAmAf, ni bpeug, a X)Y'A5 fiipe Ag tia SACfAtiAig,
■Ace ca'ti CAifbeATiAt) (3) AtiAicete bAile 'gAinti
SAOllim TIAC fADA UAinti ■pAi-A'6.

(1) Sic, O'L.; "plantation," S., and the others.

(2) " Foundation," A. ; " FumjAmei-o," O'L.

(3) Sic, O'L.; " reveUtiou ," S., and the others. Ip corriiuiL jun
cle«ec All R*eccuitie na, kocaI, "plantation," Ajup " foundation,"
agup " revelation " 61)1 if Fu<Mmtie*c iat>.

(4) The Irish 8j)ring oegins February 1.

(5) Baftcry was probably thinking of a folk verse, which runs
thus, iiithily and truly: —

lid

1 shall tell ye a story of Edward and his father,

Since it was they put complete-ruin on the Gael and on Catholics ;

They thought, together, to cut down this vineyard,

Which never withers in Spring (4) or in March.
But not of blown sand is the foundation of this wall ;
Christ, as is read, is beneath it, together with Peter.
A work that shall not fail and that shall not burst is this Bock ;
The One-Son set it up, who was Crucified on earth for us ;
It was James( 5), no lie, who left Ireland to the English,
But we have, near home, the Bevelation,

And I think that not far from us is satisfactioil.

Si ct^eAic Wij S^ArtiAf ■oo 1j4in -ointi 6if e,

to n-A teAt-ftttois 5&IIt)A, f a liAc-bpos gAe-ieAlAi,

Hi iiuttjiAti fe buttle uai'o jia jiei'OceAC,

'S ■o'f A5 fin, pAT) 'f triAipi'o, &ti ■Donuf Ap ^AO'oeAtAib.

i.e. — It wafi the coming of King James that took Ireland from us,
With his one shoe English, and his other shoe Irish ;
He would neither strike a stroke, nor yet make a settlement,
And th«t has left, so long as they exist, misery upon the
Gaels.

120

If y&.Ki6. me A5 eifce&cc le fge^lcMb 6.5 imceAce

An riAoniAt) 16. 'oe^g 50 nibeit) cee^x) pe^pf^. 1 5CUIT)-

CACC (1),
A5 biie&5nu5At)lucc eicij (2) n^c ngeille&nn ■oo rhuipe

A t)'oit A.]i 6. h-ucc ]\i5 nt>. tigjiAf*.
A5 An nibiieiceA.itin6.f -oeiseAnnAC 5l&oi6po.)i (3) g^c

■ouine ACA
belt) jUMf Ajuf ^eibionn Ag luce fei-LA. bpifce Ann,
SeAiiiAf Af SeAfluf A ■o'lompAtj le cubAifce,
A'f Ipbel iiiei]itmeAC (4) f aoi leun in f An monbAi\,
belt) qioniAill Ai\ eill A'f O Tieill of a coinne,
Ace f Aoilitn, niA^ leijccAp, tha frcAOAnn UiIIiaiti imceAcc
TIac feAi^Ait) ye caIaiji le SAiufCAU.

6ip5it)e A t)Aoine Ajuf 5lACAit> nieipeAC

dip feicpt) pb lonjnAt) (5), ccacc bliAt)nA An nAoipcn

An ce t)ubAi)ic An mfiAt) pn ni feAp e gAn ctiigpn

niAp leijCAt) fe gAC U5t)A]l a']- t)ACA,

niop coipBO ihAc gAC-oeil Ap bic clAonAt) ni. pllcAt) (6)

Ace coJA ClAnn mhilit), O CoaUaij, ni clipp-o,

bhi [An] j;unAn[Ac] 'y An "OaIac A5 leijcAt) An

coniniip'ion
SaojaI fAT) A5 "OAn Aot>5An Af Ag Councellor Guthry
pojUfgoc nA bpAO)iAC Aguf A]\ nT)6i5 bob Barcy
luce feolA oit)ce ccAfCA bi A5 eul65 ')- aj imceAcc
'S nio)i leip -ooib An t)0]\uf le nAipe.

(1) " C«AT)nium«ii," O'L.

(2) Sic, O'L.; "ag bfieAtnusao <\fi Intv eijeata " S

(3) "t)Li«5FA,i, bL405FA,i," ,^. and G. bLAox) = xJt4oo

(4) " nie«lUAc," S. (5) "A0I1A-6," ;i. ; " lonsAncAr " O'L

(») "niAji cAinuiT) mic mili-o (sic; nU iiinn* timm ce'aLs," O'L.

121

1 am listening to stories going about,

That on the nineteenth day there shall be a hundred persons in

company,
Confuting the people of perjury who do not give-in to Mary,

Who reared on her lap the King of the Graces.
At the last Judgment each person of them shall be called,
There shall be danger and chains for the people of the broken

seal there,
James and Charles, who turned with mischance,
And Elizabeth the harlot (7), under misery and murmurs ( ?) ;
Cromwell shall be in a leash and O'iTeill over against him,
And I think, as is read, if William can get away.

He will not stand his ground against Sarsfield (8).

Eise up, ye people, and take courage.

For ye shall see a wonder coming on the year of 'twenty-nine (?) ;

He who has spoken all this is not a man without understanding,

For he used to read every author and date.
It were not right for any son of the Gael to twist or turn (9) ,
But the choice one of the sons of Milesius, O'Kelly, shall not fail ;
Gannon and Daly were reading the Commission,
Long life to Dan Egan (10) and to Councillor Guthry,
True flower of the Powers-country, and no doubt Bob Darcy ;
The people who eat meat on Good Friday were stealing away and
departing,

And they could not see the door for shame.

(7) Aliter: "Deceitful Elizabeth."

(8) Tlie idea seems to be that Owen Boe O'Neill and Sarsfield
wiil punish Cromwell and William in the other world

(9) Aliter: "Deceive."

(10) Probably Dan Egan of Limehill, says Mr. Finn. Bob
Darcy was Lord Clanriokarde's agent.

122

Soipm pb A tiAOtne 'f r\t>. bijit) )?«.oi c&iicui)-ne,
TMoLfATO ni6 a coi-oce pb, ^guf tocA-it) ^n cioi' C&coil-

ce^c.
If be&5An Y^n nii oiinAinn fe6i]iLin5 'ytyt] cfeA-coiiAin,

'S tiA cuilLigit) f54nn&tl ti<k riAipe,
If beA5 in f 6.n gciof e, ^'y fAopocAio fe caLmii
An t)e6.cmAt) ni 5L6.ot)p6>p (1) ni«.jt ■oe&nc&foe opp^ib

ccAn^,
belt) ceAjic Aguf 'olije WAOib i ■ocii\ A'f i t)C6.L6.m.
Tli bAojl^c ■oiiinn (5oit)ce com p^t) 'y mD.)\\yet>.\' O Con6>iLL.
Cpeicit) Le ppinne n^ no-oirii A-'f na- h-6.pi-c«-il (2),
'S6 U6>ifce]ii T)o minij Y ^o cui)! pof a.n Aicpip feo
<4i>ei|i 50 mbeit) S^^l-^'b le f An6.ix) (3).

bill 6>n fA056.l biiAiwed-pcA 50 leop 1 nSipinn 1
tJCOfAC An ceiTj-btiAtiAn cu&it) CApfiAinn. but) pop^
TiAiiiiDe t)'A ceiLe e>.n "OLije Aguf n&, X)«>oine. tli gAt) a
f At) gup 1 n-AJAJt) An "Dlige Aguf Ap CAOib nA ntJAoine
vo bi An tleACcuijAe 1 gcomnuroe. X)o bi fCAp Ann, An
UAip pn, vt>.]\ b'Ainni Ancoine O X)aIai5. bhi j-e *nA
fAop At)muit), Aguf t)o bi ye 'nA CAipcin Ap nA buAC-
Aillib bi-nA. Chug t)Uine pAtnuipe 'nA AgAit) gup
fgAOil fe gunnA leip acu niop bpiop t)6, niA)» cpeix) nA
OAoine, Acc go pAib iinpeAf An cAcoppA. Ap leAC-fuiL
vo bi An "OaIac, Agnp t)ubA)pc ]e le4p An bpeAp po in
fAn gciiipc : ''X)a gcAicpnn upcAp Icac, ni. fAoil nAC

(1) "t)li5F.r."S.j •' bUosF^r." G.

(2^ "n* iTAir^inise," O'L.; "*n meAV) vo fspioll CobbettI" A (?)

(3) *' Aveitt 5« mbiiv 6i|Ae pAoi Ian tieim," O'li.

123

1 call ye, ye people, and be not under reproach ;
I shall praise ye for ever if ye pay the Catholic rent,
It is very little on us in the month is a farthing a week,

And do not earn for yourselves scandal or shame.
It is a little ihing in the rent, and it will free the land.
Tithes shall be called for, as used to be done to ye before ;
There shall be right and law for ye in respect to country and

land,
There is no danger of us forever, so long as O'Connell lives (4) ;
Believe ye with truth, the saints and the apostles,
It is Raftery who has explained and put down this recitation,

Who says the foreigners shall be scattered (5).

The world was troubled enough in Ireland at the beginning
of the last century. The Law and the People were the constant
enemies one of the other. There is no need to say that Raftery
was ever against the Law and for the People. There lived a man
at this time called Anthony O'Daly. He was a carpenter, and he
was also a captain of the Whiteboys. A man gave evidence
against him that he had fired a gun at him, but this was not true
for him, as the people believed, but that there was a quarrel be-
tween them. One eye only this O'Daly had, and he said to this man
VI the Court : " If I were to fire a gun at you, don't think that I

(H) This line occurs only in the version given me by Father
Clement O'Looney. I hope Raftery did not compose it.
(5) Or " go down hill."

134

mbuAilpnn cu, mi. z& me t>.]\ le:>.c-ft3il i:6in," ajuj- Anti'
pn ■Dub&ijic ye le^\• &n iTib]\eiceAiTi cui;t34,i]i no ni«.pc x>o
cup ]-UAf Of A. coinne, " A5U]- peuc, fein, mi. bu6.ibm e."
Aji feife&n, 6^\ bi coj*. upc&ip 6.156. 11io)i •oub^.ijic fe
Aon put> eile acc pn. bhi |-Aicciof mop 6.p n*. buAC-
AilLib 50 lei5^eAi6 -pe Ani6.c 6. n-6.inmneAc<i. yem, ^.cc ni
ji^ib b«.05&l ^>.^]\. CligeA'o [ceil5e6.t)] 6, ajuj- cu^&t)
bpeiced.riin6.f cpoccA 6.i)i. "Oo |MnneA6 c6riiiA6. td cguf
cuipe^t) «.n cotiip^. ^p cApc, Aguf tjo cuiped.* e pin 'ni
funoe AH An gcotiijiA Li. b)\ei.5 ^J^'biAeiin, nu^ip bi «.n
jpiAn &5 j-oiLlpuJAt) Aguj' nA he&nlAic 6.5 feinm, asu]-
cu5At) 6 niAjA pn 50 uci Sunae-pnn, 'n aic a^ cuipe^t)
cpoc Yu^Y Le n-A cpocAO. X)o bi An bocAH lin wAoine,
A5 f6ACAinc Ai]\ A5 loul Ann, Aguf do p6ip inAp bi An
CApc A5 pubAl bi pAt) Ag jIaodac Aip Uimnij AnuAf
A5Uf pic leif, AniAC cpiocA yem, c^uy go ]-AbAilp-oip e,
Aguf bi cuit> ve nA j-AijuiupAib tio bi in pAn ngi-pDA nA
n-6ipeAnnAi5ib, Ajup uubAipc pA-o Leif 1 njAe^eils '°^
ntJ^AnpAio ye pin 50 pgAoiLpuip a jcuiti gunnA puAp f An
ppeip Agup nAc iDApbocAt) piAt) Aon Duine. Ace ni teAp-
nAit) pe Aon lAppAit) Ap iniceACc; cuai-6 pe 50 pocAip ^c
t)ci An cpoc Agup cpocA-6 e. TJubAipc pcAn-peAp leip at
mbAincijcApnA Bpegopi, 50 pAib ye A5 cup pACAi* An
Ia pin A5 Sui-Oe-pnn, Agup 50 bpACAini pe An cjiocAt),
fAn mbliA-OAiii, 1820, Agup 50 pAib An lleAcciiipe Ann,
^5"r 5° nt)eA]\nAit) pe Abpin Aip, A5UP gup -bubAipc pe
in pAn 5c6At3 beAppA do bi in pAn AbpAn, " 50 nibut)
riiAic An c)\Ann e nAC leigpeA-O wVon gcAg ni. w'Aon
cpAob d'a pAib Aip, CUIC11T1 Ap li-p." buTi e An ciaU ■do
bi leip pni, 50 nibut) liiAic An SAij-giTieAC An "OaLac
nuAip nip lei5 pe aiuac AinmncACA ha mbuACAilliiie

126

would not hit j'ou, even thcugh I have only one eye." And tlien
he said to the judge to put up an object or mark lefoi-e him, " and
see for yourself if I don't hit it," said he, for he was a choice good
shot. He never said anything else but that. The Boys were
greatly frightened for fear he might let out their names, but
there was no fear of him. He was condemned, and sentence of
hanging was passed against him, A coffin was made for him,
and the coiBn was placed upon a cart, and he himself was put
sitting on th« coffin, on a fine day in April, with the sun shining
and the birds singing, and h« was taken in this way to Seefin,
where a gallows was erected to hang him. The road was full of
people looking at him going there, and as the cart was travelling
they were calling on him to jump down and to run off through

themselves, and that they would save him. And some of th»
soldiers who were in the guard were Irishmen, and they told him
in Irish that if he did so they would fire their guns in the air and
kill nobody. However, he made no attempt to escape, but went
quietly to the gallows and was hanged. An old man told Lady
Gregory that he was planting potatoes that day at Seefin, and
saw the hanging, in the year 1820, and that Eaftery was there
and made a song upon it, and that he said in the first verse that
was in the song, " how he was a good tree that would not let
one bough or one branch of all that was on it fall to the ground."
The meaning that he had in that was — that Daly was a good
hero when he never let out the names of the other Whiteboys,

12G

D&ti eile; com cpuAi* Agui' cuipe&OAH ai]a e. ■^^'SUf '
iToeipeA.* e>.n o.b]iAin no jl^oti fe a]! "OIiia bpeiceAtiinA^'
ce6.]ir t)o TieAnAm ^^i ^.n nibeinc 100 bn&ic 50 li.e&5c6)i-
A.C e, no 'OA ■oaucpAiiQii' pin fAop^ ^uni fego ■ocuicfeAt)
otoj&tcAf A]i A gcuit) cloinne. " A5Uf b'p'oj\ iio e
■peAc lAt) A ^\Aib neA]ic CAlriiAn A-^uy g&bALc&i' ACMny
56.C uile Aic, ci. 'uil fiAt) Anoif? CIiaiIL po-v uile 50
leii\ e, Agu]' An nifeAX) iriAoino AgUf f Ai-Cbpij- 00 bi aca,
■00 fgApA* e, Aguf puAiji An CU1D If m6T)'A gclomn bA]-;
nio]\ fAgAtb Acc beipc aca, aju^ ca ccAnn aca yo 'nA
bjiACAip, 6.5UJ" CA An ceAnn eile 'ha coninui-Oe 1 . . . ,"
"Oo poj-Ati CAilin tfen bunA* yo 50 •ofeijeAnnAC le j-eAj\
t)0 comnui 5 a b^rAt) 6 Sui-6e-pnn, ajuj' -oubAipc ouine
eile leif An iiibAincijeApnA Spegoiu 50 mbut) beAg An
f'Ailce t)0 bi ]\oimpi. 'OpA^rpuij An yee,.]\ fo CAt) yi.i
r\i]\ cuipeAt* iTAilce nio^ V^^W Toimpi, ty^uy yb )\'t)
oubAiiic fiAT) leif, "An cuit) pn ■o'a bunA« no cuai*
com h-AjTO fin, if ciiUAJ nAc nt>eACAi-bfiAT)niof Ain^e,"
Ajiif bii-6 e An ciaII vo bi leif pn, 50 mbut) qiUAJ e
nA]i c^iocat:) lAt) fein ! "TIuaiji cuAlAit) mo fin," aji
feifCAn, "cuimnig me Af ttiaIIacc TlAifcepi, Aguf con-
nAijic m6 50 iiAib eifCACc Ann 50 foill." "OubAijic An
feA]i ceAonA juji cuaIai-0 fe nAf fAf peAf fiAiii 6 foin
Af An mbAll Af cfocA-6 An "OaIac 1 n-CAjcditi.

■puAin me cuit) t)e'n AB]\An t)o f inne An UeAcciiqie
An UAip fin. btii beAjAn ■oe nA beAffAiiiib Ag An
jComAineAC Ajuf fUAif tTlAc Ui lleACCAin tiAi-6 lAt),
Agiir bi cuit) eile aj Seoijife TIIac giollA-An-cloij Aguf
A5 til AC Hi ^loinn. ^^5 fo niAH cui)i mole ceile lAt), acc
If tJOij nAC bfuil Ann acc bio*, 6ip ni'L An fAnn pn

127
as hard as they put it on him. And in the end of the song he
called upon God to pass a right judgment upon the couple who
had betrayed him wrongfully, or if they themselves were to come
safe, then that vengeance might fall upon their children. " And
it was true for him. Look at them Who had lots of land and
holdings in every place, where are they nowl They lost it alto-
gether, and all the goods and riches they had, they were scat-
tered ; and the most of their children died. There were only
left two of them ; one of them is a friar, and the other is living

in ." A girl of this family was lately married to a man

who lived a long way from Seefin, and another man told Lady
Gregory that small was the welcome was before her. This man
inquired why she was not given a better welcome, and what they
said to him was: "Those of her family whe went up that height,
it was a pity that they did not go higher," and the meaning of that
was, that it was a pity they were not hanged themselves. "When
I heard that," said he, " I remembered Raftery's curse, and saw
that it was effectual yet." The same man said that he heard
that grass never grew since upon the spot where Daly was unjustly
hanged. I recovered a portion of the song that Raftery made at
that time. Oomyns had some of the verses, and Owen O'Neachtain
got them from him, and Seoirse Mac Golla an Chloig and Glynn
had others. Here is how I have put them together, but no doubt it
is only a fragment, for that verse upon the tree that never let on«

128

Ann, A|i All gcjA^nn, nA^i leij^ ■o'^on •o'i. cum ge&j cuir-
im &)t ti.)\. tiAC nA'oiiiniA. chacc*.]- An UeAccume &n
" ChogA.'o 5^et)eAl le 5^^^^'^ " '" T*" jce&t) beAjA]'*- !
ri. An i-UAim ceAonA in]' jac beAHj'A Aige; jiinne y'fe jac
Aon A|i An gcuniA c6AT)nA, a^ "6 " i Iah nA lince, Aguf
A]i " m," "n," no "It" i nneijieAf) nA Unce comc|\oni : —

ATiuome o "o^lAiS.

CuAcnonA -Aoine An CheAiTA,

bhi nA 5'^e<iil yAoi mio|\|-A ( 1) aj nA gAitl-,
Coihqiom An lAe 6eAt)nA,

"Oo bi Aon-iiiAC mhuiiAe in I'An gcnAnn.
Ca fuil Le TTIac X)h (2)'5Ani,

'Se mo Leini I a^ gAn niAic a]\ bic ■66 Ann,
'S giin b'e CuUen (i) 'y a ceile

Cti]toc Daly, aY go xjcujait) ■oiol Ann.

Ace A bcAn 65, le m' jiAfe

Cuipim cAj A]\ An mbAile 'nibeiT6m Ann,

AlClD AJUI" CAg A1|l,

A']' 50 n-eijiiji-o An cuile oy a ceAnn,
tli peACAt) A]A bic An inoAt) fin,

A "OliiA jlegit, If 6 juioiin le fonn
A)\ An bfeA^i ■00 c]ioc Daly

'S •o'f^gbAig A JAolcA A5 50I 'f A clAnn.

0) "Merey," Bell. (2) " Suit le long day," Bell.

(3) "Cellin," ad Coimiitioii; " CuUen," Bell.

(4) Literally: " On the evening of the Friday of the Cruci-
fixion, The Gall had the Gaedheal under mercy ( ?) ; On the anni-
versary of the same day, The One-Son of Mary was on til?

129

oi all its branches fall, is not in it. How naturally Baftery
alludes to the "Wars of the Gael with the Gaill " in the first
verse.

My translation in the first verse will give an idea of the metre
of the original. All the verses are made with the same rhymes,
i.«., the internal rhyme on the "ae" sound, the end rhymes on a
vowel followed hy " m," " nn," or " 11 " ;—

ANTHONY O'DALT.

On the eve of Good FRIDAY,

The Gael was LYING, smit by the Gall ;
On the same day, Christ DYING,

Rflse, BUYING the human race from its fall.
God grant REQUITAL I

Li our CRYING there was no use at all ;
Cullen and his WIFE THERE

Took the LIFE THERE of Daly. Elack their fall 1 (4)

But, young woman, while I live

I put death upon the village in which you shall be ;
Disease and death upon it.

And may the flood rise over it.
All that, is no sin at all,

brigjht Qod I this is what I pray, with desire,
Against the man who hanged Daly,

And left his kindred weeping and his children.

tree. I hope in the Son of God ; It is my grief and without any
good for him in it ; (there is something amiss in this verse ; an
alternative reading is : Hoping for a long d«y, i.e., respite, which
makes better sense) And sure it is Cullen and his spouse Who
have hanged Daly. May they give satisfaction for it!

190

5^0 pe6.c6.t) •o'a tei5ce6.]»

50 li-eAg 50 byA^ipfo (?) t>.]\ &n 'one^m.
'S IA.0 An ■oi. S6niiiri

Le t'seini vo focjAUij 6>n pl6.n,
An mefk'o n^c t)|."Ampt) o]\i;«. |'ein

An fs^*-^ ce^a.'onA. 50 bfMpit) &.\\ 0. gclMiin.

6 pne^t) 100 56^56.

'Ci. «.n c-A^^A in a. miii]ic o)- e>.]\ gcionn
Hi l^i'^nn nA hoaIca

AY r\t>. Ii-eif5, ni pf^e^bAnn b.]\ cuinn.
Hi CAgAnn TDHUcn aii An breA]\

AY nA li-eAtilAic, ni lAb|\Ait) 50 btnn,
Le cum A 00 t)iAi5, Daly,

50 1i-eA5 ni ng cohao Af c|\oinn.

AY riUT) e An i^jieAn

tlA^ uttilAij Y ^'*1' 'r^'5 '°° 5'i^il-^»
Ancoine O tiAlMJ (a tllliic "Oe !) (1)

5An b|\ei5 -oobiveAt) AgAinn gAC Am.
Ace •o'cAj ]-e 'nA ghAcueAL liiAic

AgU]' o'Aon feA|\ nio]i clAon fe a ceAnn,
AY 5«]^ ceAnn-mionnAiii eicij

Cbnoc Daly, Agiif neA^ic cloinne JaII.

(1) Sio, Bell ; " Sweet Anthony Daly 411 cf»6Ati ^64(1," An ComAin-

131

Oood is th* rengeance ot GM

To him who could wait for its time,
Every sin (misfortune?) which is read of,

Till death may it watch for the lot of them.
It was the two Shameens (2)

Who by a sdheme made up the plan,
And as much (of my curse) ae shall not watch them

The same, may it w»tch their children.

Since your limbs were laid out

Th« air is in corruption over our head,
The stars do not shine,

And the fish, they leap not on the waves.
There comes no dew on the grass,

And the birds do not sing sweetly,
With grief after you, Daly,

There shall never come fruit upon *he treeR.

And there is the righteous-one 1

Who never humbled himself or bowed to the Galls,
Anthony O'Daly 1 Oh, Son of God I

Whom we used to have (with us) each time without a lie.
But he has died a good Gael,

And to no man has he inclined his head ;
And sure it was the thick oaths of perjury

That have hanged Daly ; thit and the power of the children
of the Gall.

(2) A disparaging diminutire of Sheamus (James).

182
X)&. mbeinn-fe mo clei^eA-c

If T)e«.f ■oo fjpiobf&inn 00 cti6iciie

1 nj;lAti-5h6.et)eil5e aji te^c of t)o ce«-nn,

IITile iy'Y occ ^ceAT)

An fe 'De&5, 'f An ce6.c&n\ 'ha ce^nn,

6 cuiiilmg tTlAc "Oe

gup 6a5 Daly, 1 gCMflcAn Sui*e pnn (l).

^5 P P'of A ge^iiii x>o cum An TleACCume A5 cuji
1 gceilL t>o nA oAoinib com LeigeAncA A5Uf bi fe, Aguf
com mop Aguf bi a eolAr a^ ■oeicib AgUf Ap fCAip nA
"5r^A5*c Aguf nA Tl6mAnAc ! If 10615 50 jtAib cuilleAt)
Ann, Acc mi. bj, ni bfUAijicAf acc An m6AO fo. Ca An
rniofuj* f AT)A fo binn 50 Leop. Af IcAbAp An cf Aoip
cloice vo CAi\|VAin5 me An 510CA fo.

(1) ni't ^^n »A]iA ni. An c^ioifiAi6 Ci«}ir4 A5 G., ni le*c T>e'n
iuijeA-o beAjtrA; Aftc ca ceAnn eite Ai3e nAi vcus me tuAp. Ca pe
mAp leAnAf : —

Ca nA pAipeifi reo f-uAC

A' pAnA6c 50 -ocisi* An l&
lAttjiAim Ajt nij nA nsjiAfCA

50J1 s^^t*!* 50 njAbAi-O AnuAf
50 bpeicf 1* me An Ia

A mbeTO ojtt<A pAfA A*r (itiAis
Af jAi uile niAC mitAf
"OAXi Ofixiuij^ iu Daly £n|< ftt4|>.

188

If I were a cl«rk,

Kindly, light-handed, spirited with a pen,
It is prettily I would write your virtues

In clean Irish on a flag over your head.
One thousand and eight hundred,

And sixteen and four added to it,
From the time the Son of God descended

Until Daly died, at the Castle of Seefin (1).

Here is a short piece that Baftery composed to let the people
understand how learned he was, and how great was his knowledge
of the gods and of the history of the Greeks and Bomans. No
doubt there was more in it, but this is all I found of it. This
long metre is rather musical. I took this piece out of the stone-
cutter's book : —

(1) The following curious epitaph upon this Daly, in
English, I found in old Hessian's common-place book. It is
an inaccurate version of what is inscribed upon his tomb in
Kilreacle, four miles east of Loughrea. It is very bad, but
once the people turned to English they became deteriorated in
almost every way : —

Beneath this speaking slate

Lies Anthony Daly of the Catholic faith,

Who went to meet his God with love and free will

Cki the eight of April, from Seefln Hill.

This great country all well know

That he left his friends in grief and woe ;

His parents, wife, and loving children,

Tom, John, and Denis, in the utmost griof for him.

Let us pray incessant without controul (s'^').

The Lord hare mercy on his soul.

184

An x)',A ■oAn b'Ainm mpiueii.

An 'OiA OA.]! b'<i.inni lupicep If m6|t DO cuic i bpeA.C4>«
leif,
Dhi beA.n Aige inf 56.6 beA-L&c ^.ja d.n C6.lAm ^'f in
f&n Aep,
Tlepciun if yo-n 6 oubn^-w guji fciun*t) tyn li-n me>.]\i).
leif,
TriApf vo bi itif 56.6 c&c m^]! If oo'n cl«.ii6eAiii (1)

An cpiiip A-oein nt>. h-ugo&i]! d.|\ cAice^x) ^.n c-ub6.lt
e&co|i]iA (2)
P^f If 'f niof T)o me-j.Llo-t) e Le belen in f A.n nJl'eig,
ULiffCf A-'f «. cuih^ccA, If te n-o. fcu^im vo me<y\X^v
ffe (3)
Accil6f jeA^iji «.n U^aoi (4) — Aguf ni f aoji * t)'initi5
6-n 5hp6i5.

If lomwA n^oJAcc fUAf wo cuApcMJ Celeme&chuf

Af cdmigcAcc A 6.cA|i bi 1 5coi5Cfiod bf ax) 1 gcein
50 h-ifpionn CU5 f6 cuAipc, ^guf TTlinuf [mop] 00
ce^ngiTiAij leif
Di f6 Ag ce6.)\CA DuLcAin o-guf -oe&pc fe 6.p «> gleuf.
Cheifcni^ fe R^-uimAncuf acc pluco en ppionnfa.
o^Ag&ip 6,
fcAp Aon cfuil x>o t)aIIo.i6 leif, A-n c\\i. cuiplins fe
in f A.n ceib,
Cb^pon t)0 fgAoil fut«. e x)o'n 51ip«'5 ^f ^'f Z° tocac-
&116 f 6,
'S niop Aicin Acc a riiA.tJd.'o e, m&p T)'6.q\Ai5 a fnu^t)

(1) " ClAiihe," MS. (2) •■ Sir eroir fi«T>," MS.

136
THE GOD WHOSE NAME WAS JUPITER.

The God whose name was Jupiter, how many fell in love with him,

He found a wife in every place, on earth and in the air ;
With Neptune, who PRESIDES over TIDES and over ocean-
waves,
And Mars, the god of battle-deeds, appointed for the spear.
The three whom authors TELL US had the JEAIiOUS apple
flung to them,
Paris, who was led away to Greece by Helen fair ;
Ulysses whom th^y MENTION, for INVENTION he was won-
derful ;
Achilles threatened TROY, and, valiant BOY, he perished
there.

Many is the cold kingdom that Telemachus searched

In pursuit of his father, who was in foreign parts, far away ;
To hell he paid a visit, and great Minos met him ;

He was at Vulcan's forge, and he looked at his implements.
Ho questioned Rhadamanthus, but Pluto the prince answered him,

The man of one eye was blinded by him when he descended into
the cave ;
Oharon let him out to them, so that he went to Greece,

And nothing but his dog recogniscnl him, for his apj>earance
and beauty had altered.

(3) " gtm meAlt t"^." ^S. (4) "An Ctioit) 50 caIIa leip," MS.

136
t)e5itiitiA, A-n 65-mn6.oi, (>.]\ 1T0615 Le'p cn&i6A.t) tle^icutef
CencAUji yen h6.x> «. ceAtigm^-is leif, buo cionncAC
Leir e>.n y^eaX,
An leine nime fUd-ijA ^-e CU5 fe & itiile m6.LLACC ■oi,

X)6ice&i6 An ire4.]\ Y"i '^^'^^ liotn e, no if bpe&gA tiub-
M^c Luce leigmn.
An cAinc A.noi)' & X)ubAi)*c tne, ca ujt)^.^ p^p A5 f eo.f-
Aitj teif,
tlome)! Di)t5il, hop&if, t>.-^uy cuiUe^t) ni-ji fSjifob
bpcAj,
Pile A)! bic in f&n gciiige a oe^^if a^ a n-AgAit) U^if-
cejiit),
Casax) fe leAC-beALAi5 Aguf f acaio gobi-n in a be^l.

A5 fo ttiAji t)o iholfe oibfite 111AIC, fAoji Awmuit),
•00 c6mnui5 1 n-UAcCi\p ClionoAe n*. 5&iUiriie. bhiot)
tjtiil m6)t A5 An tlcAccuijie 1 jcoriinuiwe 1 n-oib]iiue
niAit, no 1 bfeAfi cei]\t)e mAic. tli f Aib Aon \\m x>o duiii
feAi\5 Ai]A mAp ■ofoc-obAiji. "Oo CAjipAinj me An
C-Abf An fo Af leAbA^x An cf AOi]i-cloice :—

Dejainra, the young woman ty whom certainly Hercules was de-
stroyed,

A Centaur in the boa-t who met him it was who was guilty
of the deed ;

The poisoned shirt which he got, he gave it a thousand curses,

The man was burned (and I would not wish it), or else it is lies

that learned men 'have spoken.

This talk now that I have uttered, there are authors behind it,

supporting it.

Homer, Virgil, Horace, and more wto never wrote a lie.

And any poet in this province who shall contradict Eaftery,

Let him come half way (to meet him) and a gag shall go into

his mouth (1).

Here is how he praised a good workman, a carpenter, who
lived in the south of the county Galway. Eaftery always liked a,
good workman or a good tradesman. There was nothing that
angered him like bad work. I have taken this song from the
stone-cutter's book : —

(1) i.e., I will gag his mouth, or shut him up, with my
superior verses.

138

se^gAn connoit).

Ua oibniwe fjiopcA r^i&CAJTiAil A5 bdcA]\ CliAifLeAin
UaiLIiui^
Ap riiAic liom coit)c' beic cp^cc Aip, m^p caouiL Ai^e
f AH n)6jAC,
CuiiilooAp (1) e If AilLe 1 n-eAt)Ann glome Af ca)aca,
tliop ceAtigbAig ApiAih a niAijifop opm, 1 ti-Aic Ap
bic 50 foill.
Hi h-iongtiAt) Aip, ATI CAf pti, 00 peiji a jniorii 'if a

CAltcACC, ,/

Ua munAw Aip 6 nAT)uii\, Aguf An c-oitieAC in a pop,
Gifcit) An fjeul mA'f Ait lib, Aguf mineocAX) uAoib Ap

bAll e,
5up oibpiBe Conp6it> ■oo f-ApAij a bfuil 6 ApAinn

50 "Ounmop.

SAfh go loeAf 1 b|:pAniA 1 bfUinneojAib if 6 o'f Aifj-

fCAT*,

"Ooipfe IiaIIa Ap Aille, Aguf a bfoilfCAX) tjo ccac
m6p,
t>Ainifceip A'f paIaix), le tneAbAp a cinn *f a lAiiiie,
Scoigpe A'f uplAp-clAp Aguf A Iah nAji tubAipc me

fOf.

"OlieAnfAW long Ap f Aile, coice Af mAiuiwe pAiriA,
TTluillce pluip A'f pAibe, fe cuipfeAt) 1 5CA01 'f 1
gcoip,
te fifeAl glAn A'f pli-nA a cpiocnuijcAnn gAc Ailge
CoApAnn ffe 5AC AumAt) le ti-AJAit) bi.ix) ■00 cup cum
feoil,

(1) 'DemteAt' " cnmlo'OAt' " ' jConnAttAib, 1 n-Ain " comlu«'DA]i,"

139
JOHN CONBOY.

There's a workman good and GBACEPUL on the road to Castle
TAYLOR,
And it's I would like to PEAISB him, for it's he who loves liie
game;
He never yet was AILING when the glass was on the TABLE,
And he has not got a FAILING that myself at LEAST could
name.
No wonder, what I'm SAYING, for God has made him PLAINLY,

Of honoura:ble NATURE and his people were the same,
Both generous and FAITHFUL, there's no one who can BEAT
him,
Fron here to Aran QUAY, or can COMPETE with him in fame.

It is he who would fit in (literally, " squeeze ") a sash nicely in a
frame, in windows.
Hall doors of beauty, and all that would become a big house,
Banister and rails with the quickness (literally, " feeling ") of hia
head and of his hand,
Stairs and boarded floor, and a lot more I have not mentioned
yet.
He would make a ship on the brine, a cot-boat and the oars,
Flour mills and rape mills, it is he who would set in tune and
order ;
With a clean chisel and plane which finishes every thing-of-
beauty (?)
He frames every timber (necessary) to put a boat a-sailing.

140

Otb^itte cp&tA-ihAit fcuAm& e, no vei^ryy&X) c]ioii" A.'f

An f eot Y no. me>.w\te lu&f gcA, An cflinn, A^suf Ati
fpol,

"Oa fiubiklfA c<s>|ic Ati Cuige til f-eicfeA |:eA)i id'a fopc.

Ca q\ocu5A'6 loiiieAC lAixjip riAc b^ie&g Aci. me ]AAt) leif,

1Ha|\ If ionit)A fCAfi f ATI A1C feo a tit)e6.pnA fe ob&i)\

An cuing ati cLiac 'f An pn&CA, bA|i|\A|iocA, 'guf lAitiie,
CeAcc oo c|\eAbfAi6 bAince, Aguf o'lompocAt) fUAf
An f 6x>,

'S A lAn nA(5 5Ctiiiiini5ini C|iacc Aip, ticAn^AO ye 5&11
bAf CA (P)
fAC Af bjiog t)o'n lAit), Aguf le fLeAcc jac uilefopc,
'Obeji.nf Ati ye 50 feolcA caji]a A'f cai]\c A'f coijxe,
5ac huile ni'6 ve'n cfopc fin, Aguf c6m|\& 00 yee>.\\
bAif.
feAf [liicniAf] leigce fgAoilce e a]\ mAfgAt) no aji

AOnACj

A f Alii All nil f An cif feo, in Af CAfAt) tioin 50 fOilL.
If bcAg A fuim 1 -odosbAf acc CAiceAtii 'f V<>'5aiI 50
gnAoiueAiiiAil,
If lomtA Ia Aguf oi'oce 00 bi me leif A5 oL.

Ul

A timely, clever workman he is, who would make a reel and «
spinning wbeel.
The loom and the rooking-sticks, the weaver's slay and the
ehuttle ;
He would read ^books and news, because he has learning and in-
struction.
If you were to walk round about th« province you would not see
(another) man of his sort.
It is a straight and strong proof that it is no Me I am speaking
of him,
Since it is many a man in this place that he has done work
for;
The swingles and the harrow, and the drag-rake, wheel-
barrow, and hand-barrow,
The plow that would plow fallows, and turn up the sod.

Much more, too, that I cannot think of, he would make without
waste,
A handle and a footrest for the ley (Connaoht spade), and with
neatness, every kind of thing.
He would make cleverly a car and a cart and a coach.

Every thing of the sort, and a coflin for the man of death.
An active, nimble, loose-limbed man is he, at a market or a fair
His like there is not in this country, of all that I have yet met ;
Small is his respect for housekeeping, but to be spending and
earning decently ;
Many ia the day and the night that I was with him a-drinking.

141

A timely, clever workman he is, who would make a reel and a
spinning wheel.
The loom and the rocking-sticks, the weaver's slay and the
shuttle ;
He would read hooks and news, because he has learning and in-
struction.
If you were to walk round about the province you would not see
(another) man of his sort.
It is a straight and strong proof that it is no Me I am speaking
of him.
Since it is many a man in this place that he has done work
for ;
The swingles and the harrow, and the drag-rake, wheel-
barrow, and hand-barrow,
The plow that would plow fallows, and turn up the sod.

Much more, too, that I cannot think of, he would make without

waste,
A handle and a footrest for the loy (Connacht spade), and with
neatness, every kind of thing,
He would make cleverly a car and a cart and a coach.

Every thing of the sort, and a coffin for the man of death.
An active, nimble, loose-limbed man is he, at a market or a fair.
His like there is not in this country, of all that I have yet met ;
Small is his respect for housekeeping, but to be spending and
earning decently ;
Many is the day and the night that I was with him a-drinking.

142

T)a mbei'o' fe fUAf n6.oi n-oroce cia. ■o'^eicpeA.'o lo|t5
\_a-'n] b]i6.om m|\
tn&ii c* ye oALliiiA]! cpion^ ptAiceAmA-il •ouineA.tiiMl
coip,
T16.C ■ft-guf b&ilo Chjiiofc MjA, 6.CA mo coriijiAt) T)eMic& (1),
S«n e A CAille^cc poy v^oth, i>.'y ni ■oe&iiyM'o me
n'lO]' mo.

t)o CU1C mi-At) m6|i Am&c A.)! loc Onb]'en, i 5Cont)&e
no. SMllime, f6.ii nibliA.'OAtTi, 1828. Cbu&it) Aon •omne
■oe&s *-5"r P^^ ^V ^op'o |-ed.n-bAiT> aj An«.c "Ouin no
AnA.c CuMn, i n-einireAcc le CAon^cAib ^ju)" le^\u-o&ib
eite, le loul 50 Vi-6.onAc no. gAillnVie. bhi cimciolL occ
miLceleioiib ^.ca.. Humja t:«.n56.T)A|A 1 b]:oi5]'ea.cc -da
mile ■00 SbAillitJi 'oo cuiji cd.0]i6. aca. a co]- cpe com «.n
b&it), A5UI' cofAig An c-wtj-ge a]\ coacc A^'ceAc goluAC.
nuAip connAi|ici:eAii T)o bi in j^An mbAt) An r-ui^^je aj
jitc AfCCAC, leA5 fe a coca mop Ap An bpoll, Ajuf
b)iui5 fe A cof Ai]i. Ace f inne fe 50 f d Iatoiji e, Aguf
1 n-Aic An poll vo fcopAt) if eAt) finne fe An clAf ■oo
ciomAinc Af f At) Af An mbAt). "Oo lionAt) An hiv lAn
uifge Af An moimio, Aguf cuai-6 fe fiof, Aguf t)'f A5 fe
Aon t)Uine oeAg Af ficit) Aguf tieic gcAoipij Ag cf oit)
leif An uifge. Hi f Aib fiAt) acc fgACAiri seAff d'n
caIahi, acc 'nA AitTit)e6in fin t)o bAiccAtj nAoi nwAoine
■6eA5 ACA, t)Aoine 65A, lucniAf a, lAit)f e. 1 ocof ac mi
neifit) An fojriiAif, mAit)in bpeAJ, ciuin, vo cuAit> An
bAt) 50 coin, A5Uf t>o b<J.iceAf) nA t)Aoine feo. ChuAit)

(1) VA&Aitt &n pile niAji " ■oiAtiCA " &

us

If he were to <be up for nine nights, who would see the signs of a
drop on him?
Because he is sensible, wise, princely, humane, courteous,
Luck and prosperity from Christ upon him! My discourse is
finished.
There is his character (put) down for you, and I 6.hall say
no more.

There happened a great misfortune upon Loch Corrib, in the
county Galway, in the year 1828. Thirty-one people went aboard
of an old boat at Annaghdown, together with sheep and other
things, to go td the fair lif Galway. They had about eight miles
to go. When they came to within two miles of Galway one of
the sheep put its foot through tlie bottom of the boat, and the
water began to come in rapidly. When one of the men who was
in the boat saw the water running in, he laid his overcoat on the
hole, and bruised his foot down on it. But he did it too strongly,
and in place of stopping the hole 'twas what he did— to drive the
plank oul of the boat entirely. The boat was filled with water
in a moment and went down, and left thirty-one people and ten
sheep fighting with the water. They were only a little piece
from land, but in spite of this, nineteen persons of them were
drowned— young, strong, active people. It was in the beginning
of September, on a fine, calm, sunny morning, that the boat Went
to ih& bottom and these people were drowned. The dreadful news

144

A" rse^l c.^■6Ut.l qut) ^n ci|i Ajuf ct»tiiniii5 *
twee s^oil n^ r)ciricioll. "Oo p,,ir n^ corpAin uile

50 r^ib bjion Agu,' se^ri-joL «.,, put) tiA ci,^e, Aguf fei
inncinn ti^ tuo^ome coi^puijce 50 mon le,|- ^n tni-At)
t)o cuic on|i^ coin 1,-obAtin pn. -OubMiir ^n Tle^ccuipe
50 br^-Sr^t) re cuniine 50 h^xlt aji ^n rge^l, Asuf 00
cuip r6 1 U^^y^.h e. -pu^ip „,e ^n cu.t) if mo •oe tiA
^e^]^yA^h yeo 6 ph]x6mp^y O Concub^ip ■00 cuAl^m
lAt) 6 feAn-mn^o, 00 pug^t) , n-dn^c Cu«.,n i pein, ^guf
vo cumnis 5° m^ic ni^,, t)o cu,c ^n ni,-«.t. «.tn^c, ^gu^
bi cuiT) eile t,e ^5 Te^n-T)^ll , ng^p t,o tuAim. bi cum
t)e, oe riieAb^p ^5 ^n sComAti^c m/.|i ^n gce^-on^, ^gur
CA cuit) ve in ^^n r51''biTin ca y^n Ac^oAirii. -Qo cuip
me Le ceile e corn tii^c Agup lo'peAtJAr, ^cc ci. |-e
TtieArSC* 50 mop cpiT) a ceiLe, ^511)- nil &cc buiUe yi
cu&itim 111 r^n e^s^p 00 cui), me a,, tia beAppAib.
CAjAnn be^pr^ no ■06 aca Apce^c p* t,6 p* cuU^■b
eAspAtiiMl, mAp t)o bioiOAp aj t^Aomib eASpAmlA, acc
niop riiAic liom ,At) o'fAsbAil AmAc. 1p cnnce riAc m^p
CA re Anoip t)o CAinis pe 6 beAl a,i UeAcciiipe pein, acc
50 pAib plAcc niop peApp Aip : —

145

went through the country, and their relatives gathered round

them. All the bodies were found, and taken out of the water,
except one. Small wonder that there was grief and piteous
crying throughout the country, and people's minds were greatly
moved at the misfortune which fell upon them so suddenly,
Baftery said that he would leave a remembrance for ever on the
story, and he put it into verses. I got the greater part of these
verses from Frank O'Oonor, who heard them from an old woman,
who was born in Annaghdown herself, and who well remembered
how the misfortune came about, and some more from a blind
man near Tuam. Comyn had some of them by heart, too, audi
there are some of them in the manuscript in the Academy. I put it

together as well as I was able, but it is greatly mixed up, and the
order in which I have placed the verses is only conjectural.
One or two of the verses come in twice under a different dress, as
different people had them, but I did not like to leave them out.
It is certain that it did not come from Eaftery's mouth as it standa
noWj but thai it was more neatly shaped : —

146

AnAc-cuAin.

A]i &n me4.t) tio bi-tcei-t) a|' An6.c-cuo.in,
'S mo cpui-j, /^m«.n6.c 5^6 6.C6.1H 'y iriAC&ip

be^n a'y p«,i]'ce ca 6.' p{.ee>.X) yut.
A U15 n*. n5)\AfCd. ce^p neciii ty'y P(>.yytt>.y

^^{>.]\ bcAg 6.n c-At)b4.cc (?) t)ijinn beijic no. cuiup.
Ace lo. coiii bt\eA5 teij-, ^^.n 56.01c ni hMycet>.c,

l/4.n a' b^iT) ACA &' j'guo.bib.w A.!! pub6.l !

11a]> liiop &n c-iongnM!) o]- c6rii6.i]i no n-oA.oine

A bjreicpnc y'wte e>.]\ cut a gcinn,
SgneAOO-t) esy c6.oine&6 ■oo fg^nnjiocAt) t)6.oine

5nuA5 "o'a ci«.]io.ii) 'y o-n cue^c td'«. ]Aoinn.
bhi bu6.c&ilti6e 656. Ann, cigcAcc en fogiiiAi)!,

X)'i. pneAt) A|i cn6cA]>, 'y vi. T3CAbAi)ic 50 cilL,
'S ju^i b'e j;teuf a bpoi'CA 'oo bi lo'A ■oc6|\Ani,

'S A "OhiA nA 5''0M'^ "^■r '^^P ^" ]reAll!

Annfut) X)iA li-Aoine cLumpeA An CAomeAt)

A5 ceACC 5AC cAob, o-juf speAOAO bo|',
A']' A lAn CA^i oit)ce cpotn cuinfeAC clAOioce

jAn ceo le loeAnAiri aca acc a' I'ineAt) copp.
A "OhiA 'y A Chpioj-CA t)'j:uLAin5 ioobAipc

"Oo ceAnnuij [50] ppeAnnAC An bocc 'y An nocc
50 Pa)1]\ca]" nAomcA 50 tdcujaiji j-Aop leAC

56-c [c)\eACUiii] ■oiob vi-'y cuic ].'aoi An lot.

(1) Literally : If I get health (to finish this song) it is long
there shall be talk, Of all who were drowned at Annaghdown,
And my grief ! on the morrow each father and mother, Wife and
child a-shedding (tears from their) eyes ; O, King of the Graces,
who hast shaped Heaven and Paradise, Were it not small the

147
THE DROWNING OF ANNACH DOON.

If I live to show it, the world shall know it,

Ihe awful drowning at Annach Doon,
L«ft father and mother, and wife and brother,

In a shudder and smother of tears and gloom.
0, King of Graces, accursed the place is,

'Twere no disgrace to us, one or tvro,
But a day so fine, without clouds or wind !

Yet they sank in the tide, a whole boat's crew (1).

Was it not great the wonder, forenent the people.

To see them stretched on the backs of their heads,
Screaming and crying that would terrify people.

Hair a-dishevelling, and the spoil being divided?
There were young boys there on the coming of harvest,

Being stretched on the bier and being taken to tlie churchyard,
And sure it was the materials for their wedding that served for
their wake,

And, God of Glory, is it not great the pity 1

It was on Friday you would hear the keening

Coming on every side, and the clapping of hands together.
And numbers of people, after the night, heavy, weary, overthrown.

With nothing (2) for them to do but to lay-out corpses.
God, and Christ, who suffered as an offering (1),

Who hast purchased truly the poor and the naked.
To holy Paradise, mayest Thou bring free with Thee

Each creature of them who has fallen beneath the lot (3).

Brief (?) to us two or three. But a day so fine as it was, withoul
wind, without rain, To sweep away the full of a boat of theml
(this is what grives us.)

(2) Literally : " Without a fog " (turn) ' to do.

(3) This was explained to me as being the English word
"lot" or "f»te." I first took it to be Loic or " wound."

148

ITIilleAn 5eA]i ^|l A-n lonA-o (i) ceAT)n&

tli-H l^i'Mio peulc Ann Y »i«-|> eii\i5it) jui^n,
"Oo bAiu &n me^-t) ut) 00 cjvi&ll 1 n-einped.cc

50 5*'^l-'"i ^1' A.onAc 50 1110c X)lA.^AT)«.Oin,
tiA p\\ 100 jleuf At) cLiAC '^uy ccacc,

"Oo CfieAbA-o bpeAniiA ^ '00 cpAiceAW pol,
A']' nA mnA t)A i^eiji pn ■00 veAn^At) jac Aon nim,

'OofnioriifAB h]\em aju]- AnAipc caoI.

UAile-clAiii 00 bi AnAice LAithe

tliop leig An c-A-6 •661b a JAbAit An'iof,
bin An OAf com lAioip nAC ■ocu^ fe CAip-oe

"D'Aon liiAC niACAp ioa'|i fusAt) jiiAiii.
TTIunA I'geAl a ceApAt) tioib An Ia yo a mbAi'dce

A Kij nA nJiiAf A nAp bocc An ni-6,
Ace A gCAilleAt) uile gAn loc nA f Aile,

Le I'eAn-bAt) g^AnnA 'f iao lAim le ciji.

A TI15 nA nSl^AfA cjiucAij tleAih a^ pAUpcAf

A'f A "Ohe CIA An CAf tsuinn beipc nA qiiuii
Ace Ia eom bpcAJ pn gAn 5A01C gAn bAi]TeAC,

A5UJ' lAn [An] bAlT) ACA DO T)ul 50 coin.
bhpip An bAt) Agup bAiccAt) nA ■OAoine,

S5AP nA CA0i]\i5 Anonn pAn cpAiii,
A'f A "OVie ! nAc Annpn bi An c-aj\ mdp oeAncA

A]i Aon feA]i ncAj ajuj- occaji mnA (2).

(1) "torSdB rteibe Aft «n nsiooin ( = b«U} c64T)n4," iham vo 6i

149

A titter Wame be on the same place (where they died),

That star may never shine on it and that sun may never rise
on itl
Which has drowned all those who journeyed together

To Galway, to the fair, early a-Thursday.
The men who used to get-ready harrow and plough,

Who used to turn-up fallows and scatter seed,
And the women according, who would make everything,

Who would spin freize and thin linen.

Ballyclare was nigh hand.

But the luck did not suffer them to go up to it ;
Death was so strong that he gave no respite

To a single mother's son of all that were ever born.
Unless it be a thing that was decreed for them, on this day of
their drowning,

King of Graces ! was it not a poor thing I
But to lose them all, without (their being on) lake or brine,

Through a vile old boat, and they close to land 1

King of Graces, who hast created Heaven and Paradise,

And O God I what were the grief (3) to us, two or three,
But on a day so fine, without wind, without rain.

And the full of the boat of them to go to the bottom.
The boat broke and the people were drowned,

The sheep scattered over in the water ;
And God, is it not there the great slaughter was made

Of eleven men and of eight women.

(2) Ci n* 6e«)ir4 j'O *5ur "* ^\" citin 'n« ■okm/; 6'n cj-eAn nin*o
■00 fvi54'6 «5 Ati*fc-c«Ain i fein. (3) Literallay : "Case"

150

bhi i>.yt\\e A'f nii.icpe ^nn, mn* 'juj^ p&ifcit)e,

"Oo piioiiip4.t> b^eit)in tt-'y «.n|iAic [6.nAi|\c] c^ot.
A UhomAi]' Hi CIiacmL, b^. rrioji &n fge^l cii

"Oo ciied.b]:A bp&nnjiA tjo cuipjreA fioL
A'f * ti6.ccA buA.c&iLL t)o dpMCfCAt) \,i.m leA.c,

ITIo leun 'f cu b^itfce 1 n.An6.c-cuAin.

A SeAJAin Ui Cbofg&ip b^ moji &ti f5e6.l cu

Sup feAf cii Api6,m 1 luin^ tia 1 mbAt),
'S A I16.CC6, coifcetm lucniA]A fiub^iL cu

6 LotToun An6.tL 50 ■oci Oe<vt--cnAc;
An U6.i|i ■00 fAoil cu ifni-m x>o tee>.t\i^m

Hug nt). mni. oja ope 'bof &'f caLI,
'S 5U|i f-AOil T)o ttiAicpin t)a mbAicp^e ce&o fe^^p

50 ■ociucf A peiti CUIC1 'b;a>ile flAti.

Obi in&ipe tlic TluAWAin &nn, buinneAn 5le5e6,l,

An c&ilin fpeipcAtiiAil bi Ag^inn yt>.in aic,
gbleuf yi i fein 50 moc *Oi6, CeAt)6.oin

te t)ul cum ^.onAig 6 Chnoc "Oe&lAin,
bbi COCA ui)i]ii ue coja &n 66.10^15

Ci.ipin lace ^'f inbinio b^n',
Ajuf 'o'yAB fi «> mAicjiin bpon^c cjiAiioce

A5 i-eilc n* nve6\\ &pi|- 50 bpi.c.

161

There were fathers and mothers there, women and children,

Crying and calling and shedding tears,
Women accordingly, who would make anything,

Who would spin freize and thin linen.
Thomas O'Cahill, you were the great pity (1) ;

You would plough the fallow-land and you would scatter seed,
And the numbers of boys who used to shake hands nibh you 1

My grief, and you drowned in Annaghdown !

John Cosgair (Cosgrave) you were the great pity

That you ever stood in ship or boat,
And all the vigorous steps you travelled

From London over to Beltra.
When you thought to make a swimming

The young women caught hold of you on this side and that,
And sure your little-mother thought though a hundred men might
be drowned

That yourself (at least) would come home to her safe.

There was Mary Ruane there, a bright young-shoot.

The sky-like girl that we had in the place ;
She dressed herself up, early a- Wednesday,

To go to the fair from Knock Delain.
She had a coat upon her of choice cloth,

A lace cap, and white ribbons,
And she has left her little-mother sorrowful, ruined,

Shedding the tears again for evfr.

(1) Literally: "Story."

152

tofSAt) fteibe Agu^ fgAll^t) cleibe

■A]\ An A1C AH eA5At)A]i, <y'y iiiille«,n qiuAit)
triAH Y lotiTDA cpcAcuiH uY^s fe A5 5eA]\-5ol,

A5 fileAt) Y ^5 eAgcAoin gAc niAitiin tuAin.
tit ■oiogbAit eoLAif 00 cui]\ t) a ocjieoiiA iab

Ace nii-At) iiioH bi |-An sCAi^leAn lluAt),
'Se ctiiocnusAt) ah Abi\Ain gun bAiceAt. m6nAn

"O'fAj AtibAp x)6Ui]'A5 -AnAc-cuAin.

Ag fo AbjiAti 00 ]unne An llcAccuiHe Ag moUt)
mhic Hi CheAlLAis vo comnuij in ]-An UjnAn bAn, i^uy
ACA, r^oiLim, A1C eigin 1 ngA]! vo ChuAim Ua An
c-Ab^An 50 h-iomlAn aji nA gocAnnAib " a " Agu]' "i,"
Acc AtriAin An ]-ei]-eAt> tJeAH^-A, aca aj\ "6" Aguj- "i,"
-^SUf An beAjif A Dei]\eAnnAC, aca aja " e " Aguj- " i " :_

mlliAtn o ceAllAiS.

SoijieAnn 50 b-Apt) An cuac fAn rnA)ic

1 lAf ^n qiiAin bhAin 'y ni rcAUAnn p mi,
Acc^AS remm le fi-ACAr 'iieAj-g louiUeAbAti A'rbUc

AY AS ei,ii§e 50 h-A,it3 1 mbA,ApAib nA scpAob.
111oL,:ai-6 me An c-AHUf 6 f>eAt)Aim a ,iAit)ce (sic)

b'veAiip bom-rA U Ann, nA 1 n-Aic eile, bliAt)Ain,
<Xcc IV VAX) 6 bi ctiAcc Aip 5111, buAili-e CilL-Ai),ne

U 5AC uile voi^c bpeASAcc, tjeij-e '511,- gnAoi.

103

A mauntain-buming and a scalding breast

Be on the place where they expired, and a hard reproach,
For it is many is the creature it has left bitterly-weeping,

Shedding tears, and lamenting each Monday morning.
It was no lack oi knowledge that sent them out of their right-
direction.

But great misfortune that was in Caislean-Nuadh,
And the finishing of the song is— that many were drowned,

Which has left cause of grief to Annach Doon.

Here is a song which Eaftery made in praise of O'Kelly,
who lived in Theean Baun (the White Third), a phce which I
think is somewhere near Tuam. This song is composed altogether
on the vowels a and i (ee), except the sixth verse which is on 6 and i, and
he last which is on £ and i.

(My translation of the first verse shows the metre roughly,
but without observing the same vowel rhyme all through.)

WILLIAM O'KELLY.

The cuckoo will sing when she scents the Spring

And flap with her wing on the trees so high,
For its over the lawn of Treean Baun

When day does dawn that she loves to fly.
I praise its grace and its smiling face.

One day in that place were worth a year ;
It beats Killarney, though that be charming,

All here is garnished with such good cheer.

154

Ca &n eiLic Y *- h-il Ann, An buoc ']- An pa.t hi.n
AnnfuT) 5AC Aon Ia, a']- An cj-eilj 'nA [nJtJiAij,
HeonApT) Ann, \ nA SAjipcA 'y An cotp Le n-A fAlAib,
S ■OAoine iiAi|'le a]' ^ac cee>.]\v Ann Ag bpeAcnu^At)
Ap A fiAn]''.
CapLa b]AeA5A haj'a, a'j- baciiai-o aji j-CAblA,

nunce)Af Ann i-Aiiui5ce ca)\ ei}- x)o beic pA'OAC
Coipce min b^n i mAin]'eAp bpcAJ cIai)!
AcA Le FAgAiL Ann t>A bpAnpAiuip bliA-OAiii.

OoccA, Iah p\Aiioe, •o^eicfeA jac La Ann

A5 C)iiaLL a]\ An A|\iip A poinnceAjt An biAt),
ITi'L BiuLcAt) Le f ajaiL Ag Aon yeo~]\ 50 b]iAC

Ace ceAt) niiLe pAiLce A511]- \\\ix> Le n-A iiia]i.
]:a tloTiLAig bionn bLAc ah nA cpAnnAib a' yi.y Ann,

Uo]\A'6 bA 5nACAC A5U)' meA)- Ap bApH cpAob.
Ca 5AC uiLe y6]\c b]\eAt,Acc Ann, but) liidp An cua]i
fLAince

'S Aon peAp 00 beic Li. Ann, buxS ^at) e aja a j-aosaL.

Ha h-ionAi-o Y "*• 1i-<J'r4>ir'r "^ coiLLce i)-b)\eA5Acc[Aj
Ca An DAip 5LA]' A5 yi-Y Ann coiii T3i|ieAcLe piAgAiL,

UAoi bo 1 gcionn cj\i pAice A5 pic cum a ioaha,
'S ni feic}.-eA pAn bfAj-AC acc bApp a oa 1i-a'6ai)\c.

An cpuicneAcc coiii Ii-ajit) a']' 50 n'oeAnj.-At) p jtaL,
Choiii jcaL Lei|' An gcnAiiii, aY ' fSeinneAti a]- au

gCjlAOlb,

An caLa a]\ An j'nAiii Ann, An Laca a']' a 1i-aL Ann,
An c-uicse )-ua)' Lin Ann, aY e ]-5Aj\CAt) Le h-iAfg.

155

The hind and her brood is there, the badger and the white deer,

Ihere they be, erery day, and the hunt after them ;
Reynard is there, and the shouts and pursuit at his heels,

And gentlemen out of every quarter observing the sport.
Fine racehorses, and steeds in stable,

Hunters there, tired-out after their being hunting ;
Smooth white oats in a fine wooden manger

They have to get, though they should remain for a year.

(As for) the poor, the full of the street of them you would see
there every day,
Journeying towards the dwelling in which food is divided ;
There is lio refusal to be got by any man ever,
But a hundred thousand welcomes and something to distribute
(to him).
At Christmas time there he's blossom on the trees growing there,

A good return continually, and fruit on the top of boughs ;
There is every sort of fineness in it, it were a great presage of
health (to be there),
And any man who would bo a day in it, it were a lengthening
to his life.

The places (round) and the dwellings, and the woods most i^ne,

The green oak is growing there as straight as a rule ;
The cow's calf at the end of three quarters, runs to be mated,

And you would not see in the long growth but the top of in
two horns.
The wheat is 8o high that it would make a hedge.

As white as the bone, and it bursting out from its stalk ;
The swan on the swim there, the duck and her brood there,

There is water up full there, and it swarming with fishes.

156

tA buiosuin (?) 1 5c6ip Atin, &Y poc&it) fi, f^eml 4>nn,
0)iuic Aguj' ^AoixiKt) &5UV cocAinice [6,5] cjmaU,

Tli'L cLi]'e6.'6 6.|i ^-on q-ouc &nn TJAbpAnfAlgoBeo o,tin.
Ace roileAn s^n cotiil^ (1) ^juf 61 6.5 ah r^ogA-l.

e&cpAiD ^Y 1-wcc coiTcite Ag cpiAlt, Ap r^ boicinb
Aguf o. Un T)&oine monA Atin ^5 bjie-icnuj&ti Ap a

XJecAnceii]- 50 leoji t)'A lionA.* a|i n*. boipo &tin
A5 O CeAll&i5 *•" ^ro'^e tti6iii tiA)i (Joigil An p&L.

SbiubAil m6 PoiAclAipge Asup cuAnc6 Cinncf&iU

CopcAij riA tnbAT) Agup p^p go CpAij-li,
D&ticp&ise Y Cill-Aipne, Ajuf [^n] cuige Le jrAriA,

5«r CAic me mo vi-CA. 1 n-Ati«.itin n*. riAom,
1r mop biof cpAcc Atin Ap bhupcAis V ^P tTlhAilLis

An wpe^m n<>.p cuip cai^ 1 gcpuinncAp ApiArti,
Acr Ap UAiple Cpic' fAil aY 6 beic Ap mo Uith

If t)' O CbaLIais ^" tptAin bhAin ■oo beApf Ainn An

CpAob.

Ip ve coJA nA triilepAnp vo CAinig le b-fiibip

O CbaUaij Y a JAolcA, aY «. gcuippt) m6 pop,
O CeAllAi5, O rieill, aY O t)6mnAill 'nA wi,^^,

O CeApbAiU "Ouin 6ile, O ConcubAip aY O bpiAin,
Dili c]>eipe Ap nA SACueAlAib Agup mcAp Ap a pseAt
5«P gnocAig cionAn ppeipioc An cluicce Ap An
bpiAnn,
"Oeip nA h-tJjoAip, mAn UigceAp, nAp fSpiopAt) AmAc
6ipe
50 nwcACAm Uij SeAmAp 1 scleAmnAp Le 'liAni.
(1) " Coiii«lc«f6," MS. '

167

There are brioguiis (7) in order there and pols with meat.

Boiled and roast, and cooks moving-about ;
There is no failing of any kind in it though you were to remain
for ever there,

But cellars without doors and drink for the world.

And numbers of great people there observing the merriment ;
Steeds and people in coaches going on the roads,
1 lenty of decanters being filled on the ta<bles
By O'Kelly of the great heart, who never was sparing of
generosity.

I hare travelled Waterford and the harbours of Kinsale.

Cork of the ships, and westward to Tralee,
Bantry and Killarney and the province downward,

Till I spent my period in Aran of the Saints.
Great he's the talk there about Burkes and Malleys,

The people who never set store in gathering goods ;
But of all the nobility of Innisfail, and it to be in my hand.

It is to O'Kelly of Treean Baun I would give the branch.

It is of the pick of the Milesians who came with Eber

Is O'Kelly and his kindred and all I shall (here) set down ;
O'Kellys, O'Neills and O'Donnells after them,

O'Can-oU of Dun Ely, O'Connor and O'Brien.
There was strength in the Gaels and respect for their history

Until the Five of Spades won the game against the Fenians ;
Authors say, as is written, that Ireland was never destroyed out
and out.

Until King James went into » marriage alliance with William,

158

c&oin &n Tle&crui]ie 50 5e&]\ e. 1p\ie>.^\ me A.n ceAt) iect

ve'n c&oine ]'eo 1 f5)\ibinii An q-Aoip-cloice, A.5U]- ati

le&c loeinit) in ]'6.n Acd.'o&ini. Ij' 0615, 511)1 b'e feo &n

111 6.C til Cl1e6.il/M5 ceAwnd. 00 coir.nmj 1 t>U|ii6.n bi.n,

Acc i:u6.in mfe " C^oine lli CheAllMg Chlu&in-leACAn "

iii6.]i Ainm M]\ 1 jce^nn ve n*. Id-irii-j^gpibmnib. If ■0615

gup b'e 6.n A1C ced-on*. i, oiji ni coj-iiuiil 50 p&ib t)*

11 11116.111 O Ce6.lL6i5 6.nn. 'Oo bi ctmcioll ba pcm •oe

ihutnncip Ui ChcAllMj 6.n U6.i|i pn i jConwAe n&

56.illiiiie 6.511)' 1 5Coni06.e tloj-com&in & )\6ib •ouicci'oe

. b)(eA56. 6.50]- ci5ce iii6)ia 6.C6.. Ca bpuil p6.T) Anoi)-?

■Oo f5pio)-6.i6 16-t) lei)' 6.n "bpeile" 6.5U)' leif 6.n "b).'6.i)iii-

pnge" 00 ihol 6.n tleACcuipe 6511)- nd. bi-qit) eile com

1i-6.)it) pn. Cliui)i 6.inip|i 6.n ■Ojioc-f-Aogd-il •oei]ie6.t) leij-

6.n 5cuit) but) liio 6.C6, i-'6.]\io)\ !

CAOmeAt) 111 CGAllAlg.
11i'l t)i\ucc A]\ CluAin-leAc&n n^ y6A\\

A'f Hi JoinGAnn Ann 6<sn n^ cuac,
U^'n ■ouille x,\5 unteAcc 1 1615

'S r\A c]\Ainn ^nn ^5 ex\5CAom yuACv ;
11i'l 5)iMn n^ soaIac a\\ Ae\\ Aim,

'S ni lAfAnn ^^A uSAlcAin yuAy,
line At) O CcaUaiJ j'ah 50)16,

An TfeA]\ I'oineAiirA feitii bi i'Uaijic.

(1) Literally: "Of the bad life," or "world," i.e., "times."
Ihe common name for the Great Famine year.

(2) Literally : There is no dew on Cloonlahr.n nor grass, And
neither bird nor cuckoo calls there; The foliage is going to the

169
When this O'Kelly died Raftery lamented him bitterly. I
got the first half of this keene in the stone-cutter's manuscript,
and the latter half in the Academy. No doubt this was the same
O'Kelly who lived in Treean fiaun, but I found "Lament for
O'Kelly of Cloonlahan (i.o., of the Broad Meadoiw) written over
it in one of the manuscripts. Probably they w^ere the same place,
for it is not likely there were two William O'Kellys in it. There
were about forty of the Kellys at this time in the county Galway
and the county Roscommon who had fine estates and great houses.
VViiere are they now? They were destroyed by that "generosity"
and open-handed ness that Raftery and the other bards praised
so .'lighly. Alas! the time of the Great Famine (1) put an end
tJ the most of them !

LAMENT FOR O'KELLY.

No dew on Cloonlahan doth FALL,

No cuckoo doth CALL this summer,
The leaves in July grow SMALL,

And the woods are ALL in a shudder.
The sun and the moon APPAL,

And the stars are ALL in a smotlier.
For see, 'neath the funeral PALL,

Lies O'Kelly the TALL, none other (2).

bad, And the trees there are lamenting the cold. There i-i no
sun or moon in the air there, And the stars do not light up, Since
O'Kelly was stretched in the clay, The gentle,mild man who
was courteous.

160

TTlo leun ! tio iy&t teic a\\ \.&\\,

A JioILa n^,\\ C)i^i-6 All q\UA"6<)if,
"Oo fj^pAt) A nglA^At) t)o iim,

"Oo ^MAj^At) luCU fiVn a']~ fUACC.

b^ ru |ion-]'50t yolA ha h-Aice,

Ajtl]' niAllCAC t IaJA Atl C]'lUAlg,

1 •occAC i^eipuin 00 lAfeAineA* 50 Vi-xipt)
AgUf bfeAiiirATi ]:eA]\ hsi]- Af 5UAif.

ni'l lAi's ' 'ocuile ns 1 T3Ci\^ig,

H4 folu]- A\\ tA niAp lilo-O,
nrL zo]\A-t) AS bontiAt) tiA y&\;

'S A]^ letnb ni tAlAnn doc,
nrL CAipte Ai^ bit 1" VAti nsiUn

[1Vi'l] chocaI (?) iU bliit AH All sqiAOib
T)'imCi$ tiA CgaIIaiS Atl C|\iA)ti t)xSin (1)

'Oo liiAitCAt) 00 'Lah ah CiO]'.

le6.56.t) tid. |'e&]AMb bi C|\eun

CL6.nn Ui]'neAC Le '06iHT>ne 6 ru6.ic,
CucuL«.in TTia-H BubAiiic HA i'^SaIha,

"Oo bei)\e6.T) 'y jac c6im CAt-buAn!) (2),
cd.iUeAt) e 6. leitfiix) tie fS^At

tlio]! c<j.iiii5 ■00 IcAn 'riA liUAig
t)iotA'6 1 n-e-6.c-t)]iuiiii \^A 5^^*'^

Agu]' 6 cuipcA-ft cum 615 eogAii RuAt).

1) "Atl iuil 6iin," S.

(2) " C6im cAt buAi'6," S. mire tio liij 6 m^ti c« fuAp.

Ifil

My grief, your swathe to be on tlie ground,

O boy, whom hardness never hurt,
Wlio used to scatter again all thy hand used to receive,

Who used to supply the wandering and the cold.
Thou wast the true flower of the blood of the place.

And the rider in the midst of the multitude ;
In the Sessions House ivho used to speak loud,

And bring the man (doomed to) death out of danger.

There is no fish in flood nor by shore,

Nor light in the day as there used to be ;
There is no fruit swelling and growing.

And to children no breast gives suck.
There is no profit at all in the grain,

Nor crotal nor blossom on the branch,
Sinoe O'Kelly of Treean Baun (3) has depaited.

Who used to forgive to numbers their rent.

Since the men who were powerful were overthrown,
The children of Usnadi by Deirdre in the North,

Cuchulain, as the stories have told,
Who used to gain the victory in every battle »tep.

Since he was lost, such a story

Has iiot come, of misfortune, in a rush.
Not since the Gaels were sold at Aughrim
And since Owen Hoe was put to death.

(3) This in one MS., but in the other " O'Ke'lly of the fair
back-hair,"

162

A'f itiilleA* (1) 6-'f bpon a\^ Ati mb^j
"Oo t^itiig A'f ■o'4|\t>ui$ tiAinn

O CeAllAig |-ni6Att-TnullAi§ riA li-^ice
A inbfo* Aige A l^n 6.]a cuaiuc.

A Aon-iiiic rhuilie b! A'f c4 [Ann]

Sao]! Vi-uile cbAnn ^liAiiii Aon uai)!,
JilliAin biot) AgAib AH l^iiii

A bpLAItCAf nA n5|\AfA fUAf.

'S 6 cl&onA* ClAnn l/ip j'An c|-nAiii

le imeAliCAf nin4, tiiA']' fio|t,
'S 6 CAilleAT) SolAtn TDac "OAibi

"Oo ce&ngAileA* p^ipc A'y cull.
i^inneA* An co]i "oo bi ^p-o,

A'f hA^tee>.■6 cl^nn ^tiAiih a ^iAn,
Tll'op fACAf AOn TT1A|ACAC ^An bpAi^ic

"Oo cuipfCA* cul-bAipe Ap 'Uahi.

"Oa bpeicfe*.* fib ■ppionnfAig a']- blACAig

Uoinjpge A'y "O^lAig a' cigcAcc,
bpunAig, bujACAIg, A'f ^^iti,

PlAt»fA1$ A'f tn^llllg a' flATiAC,

"Oa thfeAt) A gcuniAf Y ^ 5c^il

A5 f eilg 1 rtibAn 'f 1 fliAb
tle-bnAUt) n1 cu^jreA* a fAin

Ha a bjiocAif Af fiigAil 5An 'tiAtn.

I) " b|t*n 4'r mitleAw,"

163

Destruction and grief upon Death,

Which ha« come and hoisted away from u?
O'Kelly, topmost-tlackberry of the place,

To whom numbers used to pay visits.
One-Son of Mary who wast and is,

Sare all the Clan Adam one time,
Mayest Tliou have William in hand

In Heaven of the Graces, above.

Since the Children of Lir were changed in their swimming

By the play of a woman, if true,
And since was lost Solomon, son of David,

Who used to bind friendship and sense ;
Since the Tower was made that was high.

And since Clan Adam were drowned in its track (1),
There was never seen a single horseman in the field

Who would beat Leeam at the goal.

If ye were to see the Frenches and the Blakes,

The Lynches and the Dalys a-coming ;
The Brownes, the Burkes, and the Taafes,

The Persses and the O'Malleys a-hunting.
For all their power and fame,

A-hunting in the open field and mountain,
They would not put Eeynard in danger ( 1)

Nor find out his badger-hole, without Leeam.

164

tllo leun &n |?lfi.it p6.lni&ji &)i ls\\,

'S6 bemeA* 5AC ce^nt* ah cjiAob,
'S 6 cux^t^ni 1116 cuA-ipii^g tdo b^ij'

5«r pix)e liom Is r\A blu-6&in.
IH'l pATi^ic 6 SiontiOvinn 50 qiJiig

Hac mbeicptbe Ann qucc ^p 'Li&tn
Cjunn cofxMiCA fe^iiAib Cin'c' p^il,

'S 6 rsApA* Of Ajit) An pion.

■Oo mol An ncAccOitie, 50 tnoji, sAifsitieAc, o^ti
b'Ainm XWac tit "OomnAlUm, ■00 ^nnne cpoio-'oopn le
ipe^\i v>e nA C^UunAib 1 UcAip lOAOine UAfAl n^ cipe,
Aic eigin 1 ■ocAoib-fotp •oe ConnAccAtb, coif n*. Sion-
nAinne, m^f cuAlAit) me.

nrL fiof AgAm CIA b-e An tDdninAlUnAC fo. "Oo bi
SAifgitieAC mop ConnACCAC Ann, nmcioU An attia fo, Aip
A TJCUjAt) " "OAnAiUe " no "TDAnAUi*" AgUf cuaIai*
me f56Al longAncAc -o's tAOib 6 fcAp WAp b'Ainm tHip-
CAin nuAt) O SiollApn^t, a coiiintiigeAf 1 n-Aice le
muine-beiC 1 jConwAe nA SAilliiiie. "Oo tug feifCAn
" TOAnAlAit) " Ap An ngAifsi-beAC fo, cit) nAC pAib Aon
t)6AplA Aige, Aguf nuAip "otibAipc me teif 50 mbu*
foipm t)6AplA fin, A5 pAfpuit)e -66 cat) 6 An fiop-Ainm
5Ae-6eil5 X)0 bi Aip, ■oubAipc f6 ^up fAOil f 6 50 mbut)
O "OomnAiU no O TDomnAllAin e. m,i'f AtiilAni aca
b'Siwip gup b'e An fCAp cgA-onA Aip a noeApnAi* An
tleAcrijipe An vsn. X)o fgpiob me fiof focAl Ap focAl

166

My grief, the generous prince overthrown (5),

It is he who used to bring from every quarter the branch,
And since I have heard tidings of thy death,

Sure I think every day longer than a year.
There is no hunt from the Shannon to the shore

That people would not be talking about Leeam ;
The protecting tree of the men of the Land of Fail,

It is he who used to scatter publicly the wine.

Kaftery praised greatly a hero called (yDonnelan, who fought
a pugilistic encounter with a man of the Calanans in the presence
of the gentry of the country, some place in the east of Connacht,
beside the Shannon, as I heard.

I do not know who this O'Donnelan was. There was, however,
i great Connacht hero about this time called O'Donnelly, and
about him I heard a wonderful story from a man called Maurteen
Rua O'Gillarna (Forde, in English), who lives near Monivea, in
the county Galway. He called his hero " Donnelly," although ho
had no English, and when I said to him that this was an English
form, and asked him what was the true Irish name, he said that
he thought it was O'Donnell or O'Donnellan. If this is so,
perhaps it was the same man about whom Baicery maie tne poem.
I wrote down the story about this person, word for word from the

166

An rs^^t 1 ■ocAoib &n tume yeo 6 h^Ai ttlic Hi §ioUa]i-
hac, t)o bi mAH t)ub6.ipc me, jAti ^on t)e&pU 6.^ bic,
fi.Stii' CA &n fgea^l com li-Aii-ce^c pn 50 mbut> cpu&g e
jAti A C&bd.i](C Atitifo, Cui)ip-6 fe 1 jcuimne uuinn en

fSCAl 1 T)C&Olb ni&CA, 00 ]\1C1 n-AJAIt) CApAlU Coticu-

^^MS T"5 ^^^'°» ^5"r "o'v^B ■»■" cinneAf longA-ncAc pn
&n "ce&i-nAi«e&n " t,]\ nt>. h-UllcAib. nio]\ ^qiuijcAf
Aon j'ocAl AtiiAin in f^n fs^^t, fo & leAn^p Aca f6
cui^cA fiof 50 •oi]\eAC m^yp ■00 rjiiiobd.]' e 6 be^-L An
t)uine Af gAillim.

S56At ATI "OAtlAlAlti.

1n f An Am a ^lAib "OAnAlAit), An gAifjitfeAc m6]i,
1 mbiioinn a mACA]i, ni ](Aib acc bei]ic An-bocc in a
ACAip Aju]- in A liiACAiii, ni |iAib flige a|i bit aca acc a
n-obAin 6 Ia 50 Ia.

ScAJAn -00 bi a]\ a AtAiji. Cai'aio aji tiuine uaj'aI
e, A|i mAit)in, A^uf &n cuine UAf aI aj loul AmAc aj
p^tiAC, t)eAnnui5 ^-e 00 SeAJAn, Aguf e A5 gAbAil
A^-ceAC A^i An cpiAiT) AH mAiwm.

"AnmeAi'Ann cu, a SeAgAin," a^i fe, "50 mbero
Aon liiAHCAC in |-An 5cuit)eACCA, if i:eA]\]i ni. me pein ?"

"Ui. Y AjAin beAn,'' At)eip SoAjAn, "ca fAn fAice
t)ei]ii-6 te clAinii, vo ficfeAio Icac fein Agu]- le vo

CApAll."

SaoiI An •oume ua^aI, Af An gcAinc AnubAijic

SeAJAn, supTD^oc-iTieAf -00 bi ye 'cAbAi^n Aip. "T)An

pA* [a]i ye] munA feAfAit) cu aji ■do 5I611, cui]\pi'6 mij-e

Af An ToucAij Af fA-o CU. CuipfAii tiiife 1 n-iA]i-

CAi^ie (?).'•

(1) This is a common Irish oath. It has been suggested that
Fiadh, "a deer," is a corruption of fo-Dhia, "good God." Fo is

167

month of Gillarna, who was, as I said, a man without any,
English, and the story is so curious that it were a pity not to giva
it here. It will remind us of the story about Macha, Who ran
against the horses of Conor MacNessa, King of Ulster, and who
kft the wonderful sickness, the " ceasnaidhean," or " childbirth-
debility," on the Ultonians. I have not changed a single word in
the following story, which is given exactly as I wrote it down
from the mouth of the Galway man : —

STORY OF DONNELLY.

At the time that Donnelly, the great hero, was as yet unborn,
ijis father and mother were nothing but a very poor couple, and
had no means of livelihood at all, except their work from day to
day.

Shawn was the name of his father. He met a gentleman
one morning, when the gentleman was going out hunting. He
saluted Shawn as he was going out into the yard in the morning.
" Do you think, Shawn," says he, " that there will be any horse-
man in the company better than myself J"

"I know a woman," said Shawn, "who is within three
months of the birth of her child who would run against yourself
and your horse."

The gentleman thought, from the talk that Shawn had, that
it was a disparaging remark he was giving him. " By thd
Deer," (1) says he, " unless you will stand by your words I'll send
you out of the country altogether. I'll put you" ...(?)

long obsolete. " Dear knows " is a common Anglo-Irishi
e:q>re$sion.

168

"Well, c^ y\ mo ■616.15 f^n iTib6.ile," i>.\\ SeAgo-n,
" If mo be^ti 1," A-oei)! I'e, " ajui" mun& intfiw fi le^c
Z]\S mile fMi mbot^p ^5 ce^cc ^.guj- Ag imte6.cc — pn
^e mile — ■^-jur cu^ a. in 00 f-oioAii 5^11 ce&w ^.g&t) ■oul
copAn-Aipoe, ■6-5U]' ^]•e A5 ^nc com ce6.nn 6.511)' 1)' ].-cit)1]i
lei, ciubjiA-it) (1) mii'e ce^sV) buic t)o 1105* 00 'oeAii&m
o];m jrein.''

"ttlA gni'oeA.nn ctj pti, a Se&gAin," 6,T)ei]\ I'e,
" ciuliiiM'o mij-e ciiig punc*. tiuic, com Iuac ajuj' beit)-
e&f A.ri lUf A ]iicce."

"O'lompuig Sei-gMi &bAile cuije |-ein, 1 jcoinne n^
mni., Aguf •o'innif i^e i>.n ]-^eAiv^ — mi ge^ll 00 bi cupcA
itjin e yem Aguf a iiUi§i]'ci)i.

"Oil*-! 6. SeAg6.in, If m«.it &n fuipeA]! «. beiti ajmo
fein Ajuf AjA-m fein a-nocc, 6 n^-c 'ocug cu ceAt) bo t)ul
A|i A cof-6.ii-AiiTOe ! "

Anoif, cuMt ptsx) 50 ceAc An -buine ti&fAil, ati
bcMi Agup SeAgATi. nuM]i CUA1-0 I'l&X) AfceAC a^i &n
cni^ro cuiji p V5e6.l le f^t) 50 ]i6.bAT)&]i Af ^aJaiI.
CuAit) ATI "ouine ua^a-I aiiiac o-f & cAp^ll Ag m^f cuij-
e&cc, Ajuf X)'pApiiJig -pe Tii An f^ib fi f a]'ca 6.5 ■oul Ag
fit An f AfA. "OubAifc fi leif 50 f Aib.

Cuif pA'o Ainm A\\ An bpAt) 100 f ACAWAoif in f An
mbotAf , 6 n-A mbAile fein, Agu]' nuAi)i fACAOAOif coiii
fAt3A leif An A1C fin, 50 bfillpt)if Afif. CuABAf Ann-
pn AmAC Af An mbocAf, Ajtif An CApAll Aguf An bcAn,
Ajuf buAileAt) buille -oiof A [•061b], AgUf fireA-o&f le
ceile com coiiitf om in f An mbotAf Ajuf nAC bfeA-ofAt)

(1) Xleiji x'MX) ' ciulitiAi^ me " 1 11-iic " bcAjipAi-g me " pAti Tjiicdi*
fin.

169

Well, she s at home, behind me," says Shawn. " She is my
wife," says he ; " and unless she runs three miles on the road
with you, going and coming— and that's six miles— and you to be
trotting without leave to go in a gallop, but she to be running as
tight as she can, I'll give you leave to do your choice thing to
me."

" If you do that, Shawn," says he, " I'll give you five pounds,
as soon as the race will be run."

Shawn turned home to his own house, to his wife, and ho
told her the story— the bet that was made between himself and
his master.

" Ora 1 Shawn," says she ; "it's the fine supper that yourseli
and myself will have to-night, since you did not give him leave
to go in a gallop 1"

Now they went to the gentleman's house, the wife and
Shawn. And when they went into the yard she sent word to say
that they had turned up (2). The gentleman went out, riding on
his horse, and he asked her was she content to go and run the
race. She said she was.

They named then the distance that they were to go on the
road from their own place, and when they should go that far, (they
settled) that they should turn back again. Ihen they went out on
the road, both the horse and the woman, and a blow was struck
for them (3), and they ran together so evenly in the road that

(2) Literally: "were on finding," i.e., to be found.

(3) i.e., a signal given.

170

All CAp^U ni. An bcAll All Uli, Umi], T3'po.$All 4.1, A

cede. TluAi)i cuaoa). in fAn nib6CA]i com |-ada (.^uy
V.ioT)Aii Le T)uL, A5ur nuAi]i o'lompuiseAXJA). Ag rcAcc
AbAiLe, bi ^n beAn ^5 CAinc leij- An niApcAc Agur e aj
ce^cc 1 mbcAl An b6tA.,A. Consbuig ,-1 ctiig rl-«-CA uaiO
AITIAC, A^tir nion inic.g ri tAn pn UAit no 50 xjCAims p-
1 bjroisi-eAcc ceAtp^m^t) miLe T)o'n b^ile— Agt,,' o'mtig
f. .xnnpn u^,-6. " t:),.-u,l cu lonn^nn t)ul nio,- Umpe n^
pn in -00 fot)A,. ? " &,, p,-e " tli'L," a,, ^e. 'Se t>o bi
AIC1 ceAt) Agur T3A pc-.xy yUc noime, ^51.1^ .o'eiing ye in ^
coi-^n-^tH-oe, 1 n-iniceAcc cing monni-o, Agui" ni ii^b 1
n-Am le ceAcc y\u\y lei !

CviAit. I'e AfcoAC Anni'in 61115 ^" ^cac aju]- cuih i^e
CU15 puncA ^niAc cuts So^gAn Agu,- cuig a bcAn. Aguf
boLcibe] AH bit An moArbi Ag An •ouine ua|-aI jioime pn
A]^ SeAjAn, bi mcA,- m6)i a], ^at) Ai^e 'peii- pn ai]., A^ur
AH An iiibeAn. -QiibAiiic ,'6 50 ,iAib cincAl ii,aic lonncA.

lluAiHbi An cUnn aici vo bi p A5 ioiucah, Annpn,
toj ve beAn ScAgAin Agiii' An pAij-ce aixcac 011156 pin[
Ap CAglA riAc b^AijpBii' Aipe liiAic. Congbutg CAipcin
O CeAllAij— Ainm ah uuine ua^aiI— iat), vi bliAWAin,
in I'Aii ceAC Leif ircin. A^iip n«Ain bi An niAc vi. bliA-o'
Ain ■o'AOip Le,5 I'e am liiACAiH AbAile cinci pein, Arur
consbmg ye yeu^ An niAC. UU5 ,-6 rsotl V6, ^^uy tug
1-e irojluim -oo, asiij- bi An iiiac Ag eiiuje yu^y 'nA ^eAn
bpeAJ ; Agu)- nuAip bi ,-6 cinj bliAonA •oeAg -d'aoii' bi
1-6 'nA coJA i-golAipe. Se yv •00 bi [1 5] CAipcin O
CeAllAi5 "buLli," Ain-jreA,i 5Air5it)eAc[cA] mAji
t)eAn^-A. t)i re Ag cAbAipc An linc ahiac leij-, Ag mutiAt)
5Aii-5i-6eAccA ■66 1i-iiiLe CHAenoiiA nuAip cnicfAt) j-e

171

neither the horse nor the woman could get the upper hand one of

the other. When they went on the road as far as they were to

go, and w'hen they turned, coming home, the woman was talking

to the rider, and he a-coming in the mouth of the road. She

kept five yards out from him, and she did not go beyond that

from him until she came to within a quarter of a mile of home.

"Are you able to go any stronger than that, and you trotting 1"

said she. " I am not," said he. It was what she had, a hundred

and forty yards before him, and he rose then in a gallop for the

s.pace of five minutes, and he was not in time to come up with

her I

He went in then to the house, and he sent out fire pounds

to Shawn and to his wife. And whatever regard the gentleman
had before that for Shawn, he had a great regard entirely for him
after that, and for the wife also. He said that there was a good
breed in them.

Then when the child was born he took Shawn's wife and the
(Aild into the house to himself, for fear they might not get good
care. Captain O'Kelly-that was the gentleman's name-kept
them for two years in the house with himself. And when the son
was two years of age he let the mother home to her own houses,
and he kept the son himself. He gave him schooling and
learning, and the son was growing up a fine man, and when he
was fifteen years of age he was a choice good scholar. It is what
Captain O'Kelly was, a bully, that means a great man of valour,
as you would say. He was bringing the son out with him,
teaching him heroism, every evening when he would come homo

172

fr'bd.ile 6'n T501I, 6.5 jrcACA-inn An iToe&npA-t) ye ^My^iv-
e-j-c in&ic i6e. t^i ye ^5 mun&t) " box&U " t)6, 50 I'.&iO
re bli6.t)&in AgM]- I'tce v\o^y, 0.511]' wubAipc ]'e 50 mbut)
coip 166 belt cotii Iait)1]\ lei]' yeui.

An Ia g&b&T)A]i &niAC &]1 ^n b]3«.i]tc bAin aj jrevc-
Ainc 6, ceiLe loubckiiAc C6.i]Dcin O CeALL6,i5 Lei]-— 50
5cui]i].'e-i.-6 I'e ^n p^Kiccio]- cee>.]\T: mji— " m&]A6cAit) (l) nnj-e
cu]'&," 6,t)ei]i ]-e, " no iiid.]\6c6.i-6 cu]-a mi]'e.''

Set^y ism ye&y eile ]ioiiiie, 6,511]- nio]i bu&il ]'6 C&ip-
cin O Ce&lUij, acc bi i^e tj'a co]'Ainc ye\n, n^ji Leij ]-e
■66 Aon ]iut) -oeAii^ii) ^1)1. " Woll, & ]ble6cA, ce [&n cj,oiJ
n&c b].-uil cu lonni-nn T)0)\n 00 c«.bM]ic baih?''

" Well ci. Die," AjA D^nU-Mt), " lonn^nn wojin 00
c^bo-inc ■OUIC, bu«Kilp-6 me i,.no\y cu," A'oeiji ]'e. G-uaiL
T-e T)0]in, /^iji Ann]-)n, Agu]- cuip ]-6 ^n f-uil Am«,c in a
yyon (y^viy in a cLuA]-Aib.

" Well," AT)ei]» CAipcin O CeAU&ig, " U^ tno Cuitj-
I'e "bosAil'' ■og^ncA 50 mAic leoc,'' AT)ei]\ i^e. Uuc i-g
fUA]- -66 Ann]-in n^c ]\Aib y6 lonn&nn Aije.

Inp &n Am |-in, Anoi)-, ni ](Aib b'tVcctiAc Ai\iAm
S^n jAifsiteAc ■uo bi A5 iomcA)i beilce. tug ye Anifj-in
50 b'L'AccLiAc e, Agu]- An 5Ai]'5iTJeAc t)o bi 1 mb'tVc-
cLiAc,bi Ano-cio)- Le yi.^i.^1 Aige 6'n mbAiLe ni6|i. CA)-At)
An 5Ai]-5i-6eAC aja O CeALLAij asii]- "OAnAUit) Ag tjoha]-
cige 61XA, no Aic eijtn, aju]- bi comLuAt)A]i ■oAoine
ua]-aI a5 CAinc le ceile Ann, ]'ei)-eA]i no iiiojij-eii-eAn
ACA. tAinig An 5Ai]'5i'6eAc ]-o An bAile iii6i|\ ciiA|-nA,
A5UI' bi ye aj ia^jaaio Ijac An 61I do bAinc tiiob— we
nA ■oAoinib UAi]-le. An ce nAc t)ciub]\A* ye pigne x>6

(1) ="mAn&oCAi-D."

173

from school, trying would he make a good hero of him. He was
teaching him boxing until he was one and twenty years of age,
and he said that he ought to be as strong as himself.

One day that they went out on the bare field Captain
O'Kelly said to him— that he might put rig5it fear in him— "I'll
either kill you now," says he, " or you'll kill me."

The other man stood before him, and he never struck Captain
O'Kelly, but he was defending himself in such a way that he never
let him do a single thing to him. " Well, you stupid, how is it
you are not able to give me a fist?"

"Well, I am," said Donnelly, "able to give you a fist. "I'll
strike you now," says he. He struck a fist on him then, and he
sent the blood out through his nose and through his ears.

" Well," says Captain O'Kelly, "all my boxing has done well
ty you," says he. He gave it up to him then that he was not able
for him.

Now, at that time, Dublin was never without a fighter who
was carrying a belt. He brought him to Dublin, and the fighter
who was in Dublin he had an over-rent to get from the city. The
fighter met O'Kelly and Donnelly at the door of a house of enter-
tainment or some other place, and there was a company of gentle-
men talking to one another there, six or seven of them. This
fife'hter of the city came past, and he was trying to knock the
price of the drink out of them-out of the gentlemen. He who
would not give him sixpence, the fighter was disparaging and

174

bi AH 5M|-5it)e&c 6.5 c&ice&m "oiioc-thoA]' 6.i|i, A^uf t)'*
liiA-flu J6.t). UAitiis \-e CU15 CMpcin O CeAU^-ij ^Si'l'
t)'iA)\|\ fe &. cult) Ai|A, Aguf tiuliMpc C6.ipcin O Ce6.ll6.15
riAC t)Ciub]i6.t) f e pi5iti '06. '0'inni|' ti*. T)6.oine •00 C^ip-
cin O Ce6.ll6.15 5U|i b'e " bulb " 6.n b6.ile e, ^jup 5611
Aon ^66-115 t>o cu)! 6.111, no 50 tToe6.Ti|.'6.t) i^e ]\ux> 6.f
be6.t6.c.

"TTIa fe pn 'builli' t)'l'6.ccLi6.c, if ]'U6.ii6.c e>.n
b^ile 6 ti6.c bpnb 6.on veAp 6.nn ip ^66.^111 ni e. Ci.
56.inipe t)e bu6.C6.itl 65 6.56111 6.ntipo," Atieip pe, "aju]-
nieAp6.ini n6.c pe6.pp6.i'6 pe m6n6.n C6.ince U6.1t) pin."

'O'pid.ppuig pe t)e 'C)6.n 6,16.1 T) "p6.ib pe p6.pc6. 'pount)'
T)0 beic Aige leip 6.n 'mbulli/" 6.5UP wub^ipc ■06.n6.l6i'6
50 p6.ib, 6CU C6.ipcin O Ce6.lt6.15 T)o C6.b6.ipc ce6.t) t)6.

TluMp conn6.ic 6.n 56.ip5it)e6.c 'O6.n6.t6.1t), ni cug pe
&on rrieAp t)6, p6oit pe n6.c p6.ib 6.nn 6.cc t)uine bo5.

Uu5 C6.ipcin O Ce6.tt6.15 te6.c-c|i6in T)'pion 6.5UP ve
bp6.nnt)6.it) te n'ot "oo 'C)6.n6t6.i'6, Agup oub^ipc teip out
Ani6.c.

U6.ini5 6.n t)A 56.ip5it)e6c 6.m6.c 1 n-6.56.ni 6. ceite
Ap 6.n ci'pAiT), Agup bu6.1t *0An6t6i-6 oopn 6.ip, 6.5UP
tiiop bu6.1t pe 6.n t)6.pn6. t)opn m]\, 6.5UP ni pe6pp6.t) 6.t:
peAp eite teip 6.n T)6.pn6. t)opn t)6.

"An e pin 6.n pe6.p ip pe6.pp 1 nib't'6.cti6.c?" 6.p
'O6.n6.t6.1t).

"U6. pe X)e6.nc6. 6.ni6.c gup b'e," t)ubAipc n6. OAOir^e
eite.

"Weill t)o bu6.itpinn pe6.p «.5«p pice tj'i. pope 1
nt)i6ig 6. ceite, 6.5UP i6.t)T)o ce6.cc in mo t6.c&i]i."

"U6.b6ip pii6.p 6n beitc pin," A.p O Ce6.tt&i5 [teip
<.n "mbutti"].

176

abusing him. He came to Captain O'Kclly and asked his share
ofi him, and Captain O'Kelly said that he would not give him a
penny. The people told Captain O'Kelly then that this was the
bully oi the town, and not to anger him at all, or he might do
something out of the way,

" If that's the bully of Dublin, it's a poor town that has not
some man in it better than he. I liave a gomsha of a young lad
here," says he, " and I think he won't stand much talk from that
fellow."

He then asked Donnelly was he satisfied to have a round with
the bully, and Donnelly said he was — only Captain O'Kelly to
give him leave.

When the fighter saw Donnelly he paid him no heed ; he
t'hought there was nothing in him but a soft person.

Captain O'Kelly gave Donnelly half-a-crown's worth of wine
and brandy to drink, and told him to go out.

The two fighters came out against one another on the street,
and Donnelly struck a fist upon him, but he did not strike the
second fist upon him, for the man would not stand for him for
the second fist.

" Is that the best man in Dublin?" said Donnelly.

" It's made out that he is," said the other people.

" Well, I'd beat one-and-twenty of his sort, after other, only
they to come before me. "

"Give up that belt," says O'Kelly to the bully.

176

" tli 1i-e&i), Acc loniCAin ru pin, e. tli'l Aon me&.y
AgAin M]\ nud.i]v tiAC \\e>.\h ye 6.5 ]:e«.|i no b'fe&)\|i n& 611 !
Sin Anoif &n ce6.t) pio]-«. 56.ii-5i-6eACC6. t)o ninne
X)6.n6.lA.iin Aguf C01-A.15 ]'e, 6 pn d.m4.c, 0.5 cb-b-Miic t)ub-
]-Utn T)o SMi-SiBisib no. z\]\e, 50 i\;i.ib g&c uiLe tuine
buAilce Mge, e.^u\- cu5&-6 j-u-^i- -oo 511)1 b'e ;^n sa-ii'sii)-
CAc n' pe&jip I'^n T)orii6.n e.

A5 yo Anoij' 6.n -oi-n, cibe My a. nxye^ynt^-o 6: —

PAt)TlA15 O T)OniTl^lLAltl.
1 n-UAiji & cpi "Oi* li-Aoine
1 mOellbui •o'yeicped, An c-iongMicu]' (1)
A5 m6ii-u&i)'lib nA-cijie

A5 cnii>.ll A]- 54.C ceAim,
'S no yety ma-y y^y'^oh ne>. n&oiih
but) nt) nAji c6t|i a -oeAnAii),
gA-etnL 6. cii]i Ann (2) cac'

"Oa nibeit)eAt) Aon ceA]ic Le j-'igAiL.

tli bpuAi)! yiAt> yyiAy ni. ymize (?3)

Ace An caLaiti t)0 jcahhaio liiobcA (4) [061b]

X>'yec^c Pai-o yu6.y a]i Cuioj^CA

Agui" 5Uit) ye II15 nA nSjiA]',
fluAm cuAiii An fgeAl le gnioiii

t1iO|l CpAIC A lAli) tlA A CjlOliOe

Ace i-tiA)i heccop in ]-An Uiiaoi

no 5UH pAg 1-e An Laoc a)\ Li

Laii.

(1) "An r-ionsriA-o," C. (2) Ann = "6um "no"cu,)."

(3) " n&\i e«lcA " (?), C ; " KAoiLre," G. ni cuij,im cettdrA|i aca

(4) "Oeiticeip " ■Diobca " no "vwy-A" t n-iiceACAib i cCoritJAe nd
igAiltiihe,

177

" No, but wear it yourself, (bully). I have no respect for it
when it w£j not on a better man than you!"

That now is the first feat of valour that Donnelly performed,
and he began, from that out, giving challenges to the fighters of
the country, until he had every one defeated, and it was given up
to him that he was the best hex'o in the world.

Here now is the poem, whoever it was composed for: —

PATRICK O'DONNELLAN,

At three of the clock on FRIDAY
In Bellview was the out-RISlNG,
Gentry in hundreds RIDING

From half the ISLAND come.
Yet saints have said in WRITING
The action was unRIQHTEOUS,
To set two Gaels a-FIGHTING,

If justice had been done.

They never got respite or . « . . (?)
But to out (mark out) the ground for them :
I'audh (2) looked up towards Christ,

And he prayed to the King of the Graces.
When the story went into action (i.e., when it come to deeds),
His hand did not shake nor his heart,
But like Hector in Troy (he was)

Until he laid the hero on the ground.

(1) Literally : At the hour of three on Friday, In Bellview
you might see the wonder, With the great nobles of the country
Jounieying out of every quarter ; And according as saints have
written, It was a thing which ought not to have been done. To put
Gaels tu a battlf, If there were any right to be had. (2) i.e.. Pat,

178

-dju]' TlA.oife CU1C le 'Oein'0)ie
Agup ]l6.iiibAl 00 ]ieubjr6.r)

A gcAffAitie •66 in ^-mi cj-Lije,
1T1&C Curti6.il,l tio cui]\ n«. ceuticA,
'S CucuLLA-mn 'oo-|Mnne -pleAccA,
lliop rAitiig 6 foin qie 6ininn

Aon i-e6,|\ •00 ]\inn (1) 6, ^niom.

Cun&it)e [bi c]i64.n] n& St'eij^e
'S A 5cu]\ A]A ^^.T) 1 n-einjf-e&cc
•dguf Aclnlle)- inAji leijceA^A

An ye&.]\ le'\\ f^]\io]-(>.i) An C)i&oi,
Hi ciub|i6.t) An c-tib6.ll n* 'n cjiAob Leij'

fgoc nA. foLA 1]' c]ieine

1 5cteA|-Aib luc n^ 1 leimni-6,

CA1C ye (2) a^n i^cacc fo c]ii.

"OiA tuMn 6. CAinij i-j^aIa
CU15 O X)6riinAllAin i^&JAil jieit),
A']- m\\]\ bypeAjp&it) ye An V56*-^

50 nibuAilpt)e A Aintn poy,
Ace cojiuij An b]\Aon jl-An 5^et)il
AY A^ nwoig niop bpii lei]' clAonAt),
TD'eiivi 5 y6 ■oe Igitn

Agu]' [1]' A)\t>] •00 jeir A cnoit)e.

(1) " A -oeAn," S ; " T)0 •6eAnp«-6 sniom," G.

(2) Caic ie = leim re. Caic |'e lot eiiine = leiin pe c*}! lof ^ijine.

179

Since Julius Caesar departed,

And Naoise, who fell through Deirdre,

And Hannibal, who would tear down

Whatever might meet him in the way,
The son of Cumhall, who buried hundreds,
And Cuchullain, who made slaughter,
There did not come since through Ireland

A single man who performed his deeds.

rhe champions of Greece,
And to put them all together.
And Achilles, who is read of.

The man by whom Troy was destroyed ;
Xone (of them) would have brouglit the apple or the branch

away
From the flower of the blood most powerful.
In feats of agility and in leaping,

Since he jumped seven times three.

On Monday there came tidings

To O'Donncllan to get ready.

And that if he would not answer the summons

His name would be struck down.
But the clean drop of the Gael moved (in him).
And surely he disdained flinching ;
He rose of a leap.

And it was high his heart bounded.

Seoicc po c|ii = c)ii05 a^uj- pice.

180

A-6]\eA.c ni&n gpei]' (?) ni]i C]iei5

AgU)- yo6.y \-m>.x) le n-6. C6.oib,
T\\o\\ cni.cc 6.on yeA]\ i>.\\ ]\ei'6ce6.c
-Ace CAl&iii 5e«.)\i\a.-6 oo'n pgijie.
Se ^n ■oei]»e6.t) bi *n ah i'56&t

JuH yAg^.-b C<slnAn ]"io|'.

T)o c]ii^lL 6.fi\iic (2) 'y 6. 5^olc«,,
An ce teig]:eAt) 'Ooccui]> Ceicinj

Ua 1^6 Ann CAiAHAinjce poy (3),
"Oei-p teA.bA^( nA niiLepAn]-,
An c-ATii A "ocAinis llebeH
5«li teo "00 jnocuijeAt) 6i]\e

A bf'AX) f ut oo cupluing C]iio|T,

IIIac CoiLl, TTIac CgAcc, ^ ITIac SI'^'"
A 5cu|i cum bAif i n-einf-e&cc,
"D'A^itDAij blAc Ajtij' I'Senti

In ]-i>.r> Am a)\ b)\i]'eAD a noli^e,
'Lebi\eAcnii5At) g^nnn ^'An 1'56aI pn
T1a|a c]»iiA5 pn DA tiiAC 5*-e-6eAl
"Oo cu]\ oy coinne a ceile

A5 |-eucAinc CIA beic poy.

(1) e-6tii = Byre; " Eyre," G.

" ■OAc A jnuip nio(i iti^'S f^
6 ctmtAijeaTJ blAc tiA I'jeiihe dnn
t1u^i|i cuiLan) |'eipe.\n e
Do fe^f je 11A f AoiVi." — C.

181

fiis countenance, like a flush {?), did not forsake (him),
His colour, his form, or his beauty,
When comes James and Eyre,

And stood by his side.
Ko man there spoke of settlement 1
But to cut the ground for the pair ;
And the end of the story was

That Oallanan was laid low.

From the clean ancestor Gadelus

Flowed his stream (of blood), and his kindred,

Whoever would read Dr. Keating,

It is there drawn down.
According to the Book of the Milesians,
When Heber came,
It was by them Erin was won

Long before Christ descended.

Mac Coin, Mac Ceacht, and Mac Qreine (3),
(On the) putting of them to death together
Blossoms and beauty were exalted

At the time their law (sway) was broken.
To examine closely into the story,
Was it not a pity, two sons of the Gael
To be put over-against one another

To see who would be down?

(2) "Stml^," MS. (3) "Ci |-e in CA)inAi-6 por," S. <V5U|> G. "go
tiFutL pe CA04|iiA r'°r> 'oii&A'f ^ *" ComAitieit.

(3) The three Sovereigns of the Tuatha De Dananns, on the
coming of the Milesians, whose wives gave three names to Ireland,
Eire, Fod'hla, and Banba. Uieir names mean .son of the
Hazel, son of the Plough, and son of the Sun.

182

5o t)cuic].-e6.6 P:>.€ ]-«.n i-l66.cc6.
1)' iTi6]\ ■00 joillye^TJ jAe-Cil

-A5U1" ge&]i]\}.-&i-6e 6- riien'ne6>Cfio]-,
Tli lA-bpocAii cu&c tiA 6o>n,
tit yAyy&t) Luit) n^ ye^\i,
Hi Ap6c6.t) I'u j tU ime6-i\c6.

1l4 me*]' &]! o-n 5C]\<kOtb (1).

'honiei\ t)oL4-bM]\ Bl'eigil',
'S 6.n p^piv, cum ■'^'t') ^ua-ja*,
"Oa nibeinn niA]\ i&t) aji Aon coji

THon bf&'o^ tioni im> i'A0g6.t,
t)eic 'cii|\ l"top A]\ cAinc a.']" C])oic)\ib
A'f &]i fgoc DA. yoto. C]ieine,
"Do bfi^sjvi'^t) bu«.it> i>.\\ cec'OCA.ib

Le ne&]\c aju]' te ^niorh.

"D^ nibeic niAOin ajmii f&n |-A0gAt I'o
'(iefi.iij.'Mnn yp6)\c Cjie 6ininn
l')eic guniiAiti 1110)16. 6-5 ]-en)eAti

Ajiif ceiniice cn^Atii* i'io|',
le i^pouc iii6)i, — c]ioi-6e n* fgiLe
'Oo ceAcc 6 5^-6 ^.n L^e pin,
A5up mite 5t6i)i •oo'n U6 pin

"Oo cug cii 6,bMte p&o|i.

(1) tii an f)e«)ii-A fo Ajvip ah ceann 'nA 'oiaij 4cc <»5 Ail ConiAiti-
P.1C amain, nl ]iaib piaTi in fna rjjtiCunnit.

183

If it were to happen in these doings

That Pat should fall in the slaughter

It is greatly the Gael would have mourned,

And their courage would have been cut down.
No cuckso would speak-out, nor bird ;
No herb would grow, nor grass ;
No sap would ripen, nor blackberries.

Nor fruit upon the bough.

Homer, who spoke Greek,

And the Pope (1) who put English on him ;

If 1 were at all like them

I would not think my life long,
To be setting down the talk and accomplishments
And the flower of the strong blood.
Who would gain victory over hundreds,

With strength and with action.

If I had goods in this world

I would make sport through Ireland ;

Thire would be big guns a-blowiing (2),

And bonfires set down.
With great merriment at the heart of generosity.
Coming (freed) from the danger of that day,
And a thousand glories to Him

Who brought you safe home.

(1) The allusion is to Pope's Homer. Jlaftery could hardly
hi-.vo thought it was the Pontiff who Englished itl

(2) i.e., cannons being fired.

184

Ace 00 ]\&\]\ ni6.^i cuignn S^e'oitge (1)
CiubnAt) beAt6-c ]\eit) t)&oib,

A5U)' 1]' C11116.5 riAC ■OC15 Uotn VSl'io^.
'S& fleACcui)ie, ■oA bfeAop&T!),
"Oo liiotf&t) Pitt) Z]\e 6i)Ae,
Ace com y&^-o t>.yz:e6.c ']- ^\^ tSi^i "ob-m

Sin 6 A c&ite&cc fiop

A5 fo AbpAfi &CA Mi-coiccionncA, 6.5&II&1TI no com-
]\CsX) X)0 \\mne An tleACCtiine it)!]! e}:ein Ajuj^An c-uii^ge-
be&cA. ■puA.i^ me 1 •ocoi'ac e 6 13|i6in)"i6.i" O Conciib6.i|i,
Agiif An'i]' 6'n gComAineikC, ^juf 6 Seoim'e llUc 5'ol-^&
An CI015. Uinne 6,n bAi\t) e ^jtif e 'n*. luit>e cinn 6.5
CillcnioiTA, 1 5Conx)<>.e nA 5*-i^^"iie, ■oe hi>.]\\\ &n 10m-
A]icuix) oil 1 gcotiiluA'OA)) le "ctiiX)eACCA feitii."

cAismmcAn pouAiue leis An uisse-oe^tA.

An pocAine :—
A com]i«.)t)it) "Oiln' 6.]\ CA1C me mo f'&oJAL le&c,

"O&p m'pninn' (2) •00 f A01I me beic cncAixA,
5up b'lomwA pn oitce 100 caic me le^c yince

'S me CAicce &|\ mo CAoib coi]- o-n b&llA.
Al> coiiiAinle nts nioJAccA niop y^o.\\ mij-e hiaiIi Lcac

5u]i ■6615 ru mo Jl'UAj i>.'y mo iiiaIa,
In ]'An oi-6ce "Oia li-Aoine l<s AonAij CiUc|ito)-c&,

1 Suitie-pnn (3) Ag ce&c peAT)Aiii Ui Cahhcaij.

(1) " A6z An ce riAt •oc«ij;eAnti beijil*," aji ^aii Com«ine46,

(2) " '06)1 m-FAi-Diiiin," MS. (3) " SitiFinn," C.

185

But accordiing as I understand Irish (1)

I will gire ye a ready road ;

I would make a poem and verses,

And it is a pity I cannot write.
It is Eaftery, if he were able,
Who would praise Paudh through Ireland,
But as far inward as it is visible to me,

There are his qualities (for you set) down.

Here is a very common song, a dialogue or discourse which
Raftery composed, between himself and the whiskey. I got it
first from Francis O'Conor, and again from Comyns and Seoirse
Mac GioUa an Chloig. The bard composed it when he was lying
sick in Kilcreest, in the county Galway, as the result of too much
drink in the society of a " courteous company" :—

THE DRUNKABD'S DISPUTE WITH THE WHISKEY.

THE DRDKKABD :—

O comrade of SWEETNESS I've spent my best TEAES WITH

I though you were CHEEBFUL and able }
But many's the EVi-NING that, wholly DEFEATEl),

You laid me to SLEEP IN some stable.
The life I am LEADING I find not too CHEEBING,

See 1 you burnt my BEABD ON the table
That night I was FEASTING within in KILCREESTHA,

When I lay like a SHEEP BY the gable.

(1) "But he who does not understand English I shall give
i Im," etc., said Corny n.

18(5

ge&ccniMn 50 ppiAcl&c (1) 1 bpeAnn&it) ']• 1 bpifi^nc^iti

1 10C15 toniAi)- Ui frLomn (2) Ap mo Le^bAit),
•Oo mo jLeuf 5^6 &on omce 'y <i.\\ m6>it)iTi iypy,

— n^n b056.1t) (5) ■O16- coit)ce mo C6>](4>it>!
5e&lL6.tii«.in 5op)ie&nn&6 vo bei)tim 100 C)i'toic

50 riioiuLc6co.i-6 me lo'oL uifje-beACA,
'S 50 bptil po]- A5 6.n f A056.L riAC le t)uil &nti a bim,

Ace le 5HAi") ■00 n A. •oAoniib biof 'tiA &ice.

1)' t)e&]- Ml ^\UT) boL&cr, ]re&)t m^ic ^.juf 5«.b&lc6.i' (4),

Cpmcne&cr Aguf eoniid- le se^nnAt),
mm in ]'A.ti gcoypA., '^uy ceine, C)i4,cn6n6.,

Agu]- witjionn ■o'jreA.p bocMji c^'y be6.l6.15 (5
Leine '-j^uy c6c6 A5 6n Aifnionn "016 X)6riin6i5,

VI6C6. '5111' bjiog^ Y*" bfAipun,
A'f 50 f^oilim-i-e, 611 nooig (6) ju)! peApp pin 50 mop

tla. beic '5 imce6cc 'y 65 6l uip5e-be6CA.

1pliom-p6'ci5 6 iTiinniJAt) ni6pc6ic me mo p6056lle6C

b6ine6V 6n cioc ■oiotii 'mo le6nb,
5up cpeig me mo -0601116, mo WAiiii, t>.'y nio $6olc6,

'S ni peAnp6inn cu 6p c6tii6i)\le n6 li-CAgl^ip'.
"Oo prop Y ^o liiAoin P6056IC6 ']■ 6)1 pocpuigcAti
6pi6m ope,

Agup C6IC e 5&n pgic 65 mn6ib Ie6nn6
ttiA fille6nn cu 6pip i,.'y wo pupp6 beic (7) i-pionc6

tli ciub]i6it> pi6.t> bp6on ■0UIC 6]i mAitJin.

(1) " 50 pei|i»«cl.A6," S.

(2) Sic, niAC Ut ConcuBiif; alitor, Tom Glynn.

(3) " L*5Ai-6," C. (4) tabAince^ti All v-ociL r* '"'f "5o'-'^*r-"
(6) Aliter, r'-'je mAti a)1 b6c«ti Ap beAlAC j " r^i^e b'^eAtiji b. •]

For a week in peril, in piinishrat'nt, in pains,

In the house of Thomas O'Klynn, on my bed,
(My wounds) being dressed every night, and again in the
morning—

(May God never weaken my friend !)
A promise truly do I give to Christ

That I shall renounce the drinking of whiskey,
And sure the world knows that it is not with liking for it I do be,

But with love for the people who are near it.

A nice thing is cattle, good grass, and a holding of land.

Wheat and barley to cut ;
Meal in the chest, and a fire in the evening.

And shelter to offer the traveller (9) ;
A shirt and a coat at Mass on Sunday,

A hat, and shoes in the fashion,
And I think, surely, that that is greatly better

Than to be going and drinking whiskey.

It's I, toOj am able to expound it, because I have spent my life
with you,
Since I was weaned, and I a child ;
Sure I have forsaken my people, my kith and kin.

And I would not deny you, (and follow) the advice of the
Church.
(Take) your store and your worldly goods, and all that was ever
settled upon you.
And spend it without resting with the ale-women,
(Still) if you return again, and your purse to be despoiled,
They will not give you one drop in the morning.

b.," IDac Ui Coniubiip. (6) "i\p tiHAft«)(," Bell; "a^iho," (TIac Ui
CotiiuB.Mii. (7) " Agur AH coij A|iiAm otir," Bell.

(8) "Ajur t;o mbi ■oo pMtip.v," Uell.

(9) Literally : "The man of road and way."

188

An c-uisge-Ue^itA :—

m^^-il-eAt) ! 1]' y^-VA. me A5 eij'ce^cc le^c aj j-geite&r-
&t) b]\eA5 liom,
^5Ui' c&icpt) ine yhn l6.t)*i)\c ye^jx/s,
A'y gup b'toniTi*. pn n^egcxp ^.g lApn^ni (1) ha bciucc

'S 5&ti lu&c Aije le iu'eiluig^ti ^cc a w&llec '2).
An ce qiumnigeA.]' ni>. ce&t)Cii. Le cnuAt)C6.in Y «ic-
ceitle
-A'f nc-c bfltucfMt) A hee>l, 6.5U1- c&]\c &i|i,
Uuicf&ii6 oiBite '116. -beij ^-gu]- |.-e&|\-ciioit)e n&c
ngeiltpo
56.11 beic '5 6L coif 611 cl6iBe no 6.n b6lL6. (3),

IIac cottilu6.t3&]i I'eiiii me 6.]i coiii-cnuinniug^-o 'y 6.)i
&on6c

A5 6.n ce fui-6].'e6.-6 50 p6.-OC6. (?4) poy ^m' Mce.
Tli'L •DUic-|'e Acc t)ic-ceille beic 6.noi]' "oo 1110 i-e6n6.'0

A'y ni cpeiopt) 'oo l'5e6.l 6.cc ye^n me6CC6..
Luce C6i'6cc' 6.Y ]ieutii6 'y me 00 •6e6njr6.'D 6 ]ieir)ce6c

A511]' C6. po)' 6.5 n6. ce6.t)C6ib 6.i)\ ^-eo, ce6.n6.,
'S 50 mbini-i-e 65 n6. lAoie]-, 6.5 1^6.5 6i|tc, 'y 6.5 cleipe,

'S 6.5 niAigij'cm ]\e (5) leige^n 6.5U]- t6.iT)ion.

;i) "Fo'l'I-eABell. (2) " A6 a liiAtUc," Bell.
(3) t4b4iti 411 c-tiirje-beit* 50 5At<r*"i*'L "1 r<^" ^-fie j-eo.
b'eisit OAm Ah-ActtuJA-o. xj6c T)ei|i m -c til ne*iic4in

"C«54nn oi-ope 'n4 'oiais nA6 leAtiAiin v'A t|ieictii&
'S n4C nseilleAtin 4 j-eiTjevB le bAlla,"

189

THE WHISKEY (answering): —
Musha! it's long I'm listening to you shelling lies at me,

An J mj self must speak out in future ;
Sure it's many's the naygur looking for alms (like you),

And without his having the price to ask for me, except his
wallet.
Ho who gathers together hundreds (of pounds) by hardship i.nd
foolishness,
And who will not wet his mouth, and thirst on him.
There will come after him an heir, and a man of heart, who will
not refuse
To be drinking it beside the fence or the wall (6).

Am not I courteous company at a gathering or at a fair

For the man who would sit down shyly (?) beside met
It is only want of sense in you to be now refusing me,

And no man but a poltroon will believe your tale.
People of coughs and phlegm, it is I who could lelieve them.

And the hundreds know this already ;
Sure the ladies have me, the priests, too, and the clergy,

And the masters of learning and of Latin.

(4) Sio. dti neA6cAn&£ ; " peACCA," Bell.

(5) lle=-Le. C4t)di|i An cpoinoific fo pA •oeAtiA.

(6) The whiskey speaks too cynically for print in this line.
I have altere<l it slightly. Raftcry tells him in the next versa
ih^t " he speaks shamelessly " 1

190

An pSC/MUe:—

11lAii-e<^t) ! ■ooc&p (>-^MY 5)1 Ain one i)- cii l«>.b)VA.]' ne^-iii-
riAine&c

A'y m ciub]i^inn-i'e cAiL le6.c com iiiaic one,
"Oo CA1C tiie 1110 viti,. x)i. onice ')• -oi. ti. le&c,

■dgtii' nioi\ jfi-b vo ci-Y 50 no lii&ir vi^m.
X)o -6615 cu cl<>.i\ in'e/b-OMn Aguf b^npA (1) mo tiieAHA

'S A\\ ne>. ce&t)Aib ni peAti&im a te^jAn,
ni'L Aon ye*.)! ]-A.n ]-6.056.l yo ciiimle6cd.ti \\6 je&n le&c

TlAc e A tjU/i.lgu]' n*'*'*i-6*'o^c Y "onoc-led-bi..

An c-uisge-beACxi :—
t!)fuil g^'b^-'oub no ce&n-ouije n6c nt)eAnj.'6.t) oiom
pi.i]\ci'6 ?

I]' me bu6.eMll (2) ^n bAipe in]' g^c beAl6.c,
Ili'L 5]\eApn'6e nA C6.illn'in o'a tjcu^ 6.]iiA.iii n^CATO

11 AC mbe^nnui^eAt) in yen c)-)\ai-o t)6.ni 6.)i in&noin.
tli'L be^n 65 vi. bjieASAcc iiAcnT)eAn).-A\J liom SAipe

An CH6.C 00 toA.5):d.n6e aji An 5cl&]\ me 'n& 1)-Aice,
'S 50 mbim A5 &n bpApA, aj pAjAinc, >]- 6.5 bnAicnib

A']' niop c&in ]ue>^m me acc fe6.|\ nieACCA ^3).

An p6c<Mue:—
■puAip TlAi|'ce|\i j'gn'o'^'^A 1 leAbAji n^ ■06.onnd.cc'

Luce poice 50 nibionn cu td'a meAlLAii
S^n lon-gniotii 100 ■oeAnd.tii no pA]'A-6 in ^An j-AOgAl yo

50 'ocuicp* fiAt) t)AO)\ in yM^ bpcACAti.
1 ]'5onnnA nA 1 moiogA mA cAiUceAji (4) pAp coiuce

*0e bA]\]\ A beic com)iAiT)eAC LeAC-yA,
"Oein bcACA nA nAoiii linn 5U]i CAinc 1', -oubAinc Cnioyc

50 cinnce nAC b)."Aijpt) ye nA yl-o-ici]-.

(1) "bifiti," Bell; "b4)i(iiib," O'Conor. (2) "boiiit," Ik'll; "bualiti,"

191

THE DEUXKAED:—

Musha, trouble and disgust on you! it's you who speak shamo-
lessly,

And I would not give you a character half so good ;
I hare spent my term of two nights and two days with you,

And your case has not gone too well with me.
You have burned my forehead and the tops of my fingers,

And on the strings (of the violin) I cannot lay them ;
There is no man in this world wlio would rub too closely against
you,

But his due will be old clothes and a bad bed !

THE WHISKEY:—

Is there a blacksmith or a tradesman who would not make friends
with me?
I am the lad of the goal in every road ;
There is never shoemaker nor tailor of all who ever gave a stab
(of an awl or needle)
Who would not salute me in the street in the morning.
There is no young woman, however fine,_ who would not laugh with
me
When I would be laid on the table beside her,
And sure the Pojie has me, and the priests and the friars,
And nobody ever dispraised me except a poltroon.

THE DRUNKARD:—

Raftery lias found it written in the Book of Humanity

(About) the people of tippling, that you be deceiving them,
And without making tlieir reparation and satisfaction in f.iis
world

That they shall fall grievously into sin.
In some scunce or some dike if a man be ever lost

Through his being a comrade of yours.
The life of the saints tells us that it is a word what Clirist '1 as
spoken,

That certainly he shall not gain the Hoavens.

An neACCAnac. (3) " -Oor'a," An neAccdtiAii. (4) " CiimiiiLce6|i"Bell,

192

tli'L oe6.nm<^t) &|\ "OomiCAt) biuiii \ jCotroAe thuig-
66 50f6iLt. X)i ye 'n*. Aii'0-f-ei)nii6.m a]( ati gcotro&e
nii-it»AtTiA.il fin 1 inbLi6.t)<Mn n^bVp&nnc&c, AgUfTJO cujn
ye 4k CO]' iy]\ i>.n fiinije-Ani&c coiii chumtS fin 50 mbioio
fe6.]\ nuAt) c]\occA ^150 li-niLe La, bed-^-n^c, 1 gC&ifleAn-
A-b^f fd. i>.\\ pAipc 6.n b6.ile 1)101)1. C& 6.n c|t6.nn &.\\ a.
5C)ioccAit)e lA-o 'ntt. fei>.ye,.m ^nnpin yoy. X)ei\\ y\6.x\ guji
A|\ An 5C)i6.nn ce^tinA. 00 cuoc ]-e a nAtrid-it), tT>6.c W
5e&)iAilc. t)iiif An |\6pA Ajtif CU1C ITl&c Ui Je^fMlc
Aji t^H. X)'foi'5<Ml y6 6. f-uile, •o'f-e^.c f e ha cimcioll,
Aguj' •oiib^mc, " CA me ]'i.bALc«.." "tli'L cu |'AbAlc«.,''
t>.\\ yt>. "OonncAt) bpun, " mi- ci, \\6pe>. eile le fAgML 1
^ConOAe ttluig-Go ! '' Agui' cuod ye b.\\\y e. but) beA5
d.n c-ion^n^i-t) 50 ]\Aib JiiAin Ag n*. ■o&oinib Aip. A5 fo
6>b]\<\n t)0 fU4.ii\ mo C6.)\d. A.n lleAccAnAc 6 befi-L ■ouine
eigin 1 n5«-il-l'iiii. ^i bfu&ifie*.]- acc U4i.ni-i'e«.n 6. t1io)\
cuij\e<\Ti A]iiAm i>.\\ pi>.\pei>.\\ e. 'Deic A.n lom&pcino con-
C6.b6.inc 6.nn. "Oubd-ijic An yo&.\\ fo 5U)i b'e a-n TleAc-
cui|ie 00 f mne e. b'eioip pn, 6.(";c c4 6.m|\«,|' Ann. Aj^
fo An 510CA |'iociiiA]i I'o : —

193

Denis Brown is not forgolten in the county Mayo yet. Ha

was High Sheriff over the unfortunate county in the "Year of
the French," and he put duwn his foot on the rising-out so
vigorously that he used to have a fresh man hanged almost every
day in the square at Castlebar. The tree on which they used to
ba hung if standing there still. They say it was on the same
tree he hanged his enemy Fitzgerald. The rope broke, and
Fitzgerald fell to the ground. He opened his eyes, looked round
Lim, and said " I am saved." "You are nut," said Denis Brown,
"if there is another rope to be had in the county of Mayo!" and
he hanged him again. It was small wonder that the people
detested him. Here is a song that my friend O'Neachtain got
from tha mouth of some men in Galway. I never got it from
anyone but him. It was never placed on paoer. That would
have been too dangerous. This man said that it was Battery who
made it. Perhaps so, but I doubt it. Here is the savage piece:-

194

riA btiACAitli-o bAriA.

A "bonnc&t) b^ttitn ']' •oe6.|' -oo c]i6.icpnn ILm le^c

Aju)- le jitA'o -ouic Acc le )ronn ■oo JA-b^il (l),
Ce&njlocMnti y\i6.y tu le jiopi. cn^ibe,

A5U]' cuinpnn mo " i'pi|\ " in vo bolg iiion.
11ui\ \y lOimoA. bu6.c«.ili in*,ic cui]> cii c:*.|\ f&ile

Ciucf6.f Ano.ll yoy ^'y congn^iii leo,
p&oi cuLcMb ■oe^iAgA *'5"r b&CA>ib li,)-*,

'S belt) 'n ■0]^onl6^ "Pjio-nncAC 6.' ]'einni leo.

A c^Ainn n& m^uilleog (2) tnA qiion •oo blAC-f*.

mo cjie^c nioji ■OA.ingnij ■o'f]\eurii]i6.c6.it),
TIIa-H cAini5 «.n ■oonu]- oi\ni le linn n& bl:r]\Annc&c

'S 6.n c-A.)ini 5^^1''o* 'l> 5^c uile C4k0ib.
Ci6.'n bpig An cWicce peo 50 x)Co.5d.it) 'n SpAinne&c

'S inice6c6.i'6 'n p&^iliAirienc 6 cuiii^cc &n jug,
Seo e 'n inline «. bf.nti5pt)mit) ^'ApA-o

beio An caIaiii bis-n AgAinn aji beAj^i-n ciop'

A5 ceAcc An cpeAfiii)! laeAnpAmAOit) pleuccA

ITlA^ibocAtnuiT) ceAT) Ajup^OA mile b6,
beiB buAilit)e SApAnA le beAjAn geimneAC

A5 ceACC An cpeApuip mS. bionn muit) beo.
belt) tcACAp pAippmg A5 nA jpeApAiG 5^'^'oaIac'

'S ni lApppAmAOit) peipe oppcA niop ItigA ni. c'pom,
belt) bpogA AgAinn-ne jAn tJiA '5A meuBu^At),

'S ni ioppAmAOit) beile niop mo gAn peoil.

(1) tatiani re An pocAt fo mAji " joait."

(2) " A dpAitin ■OU1LI106 " 'outjAiitc An ne*,tCAn&i:

(3) Literally : O Denis Brown, it is nioely I would shake
hands with you, and not out of love for you, but with desire to
take you ; I would tie you high up with a hempen rope, And I

195

THE WHITEBOTS.

If I got your hand, it is I would TAKE IT,

But not to SHAKE IT, Denis Brown,
But to hang you high with a hempen CABLE,

And yoiur feet UNABLE to find the ground.
For its many's the boy who was strong and ABLE

You sent in CHAINS WITH your tyrant frown ;
But they'll come again, with the French flag WAVING,

And the French drums BAVING to strike you down (3).

tree of leaves, if thy bloom has withered,

Alas ! thy roots have not tightened,
Because the misery came on me at the time of the French,

With the English army on every side.
What matters this game, until the Spaniard comes

And Parliament sihall go from under the power of the King ;
This is the house-removal in which we shall find satisfaction.

We shall have the open land for a small rent.

On the coming of the season we shall make a slauf;hter,

We shall kill a hundred and two thousand cows ;
The booleys (cattle-resorts) of England shall (hear) little lowing

Coming on the season, if we be alive.
The Gaelic shoemakers have leather plenty.

And we won't ask a pair (of boots) of them for less than a
crown ;
We shall have boots, and no thanks to them (4),

And we shall not eat « meal any more without meat.

would drive my spear through your big paunch ; For 'tis many's
the good boy you sent across the sea, Who shall yet come over
and help with them. Beneath suits of red and lace hats. And the
French drum shall be playing with them.

(4) Literally : " Witlhout God increasing them," i.e., "in
spite of them," a G«lway idiom.

19(5

A Jonny gibbonf mo ciiij ce-st) ylin Igm:,

If f^-od. ud-im cu in ^a. ngeAH&niAti
b'e -00 cpoiioe j&n ce^lguj^Ti "bi ni6.iii Le ]-U6.i]\ce*)-

A]\ ATI gcnoc ]-o fu&]- CA A)\ gcongriAm ]:6.nn.
Ui, ye t)'A Aiqiij- ■ounin 6 be6.l &n ugD6.ii\

5o loii-git) Ati "j'LtJp" linn nA]i bo-ii-oed-t) a ■6]>eMH,
llluH A ■DCAgA.no cu tie "^lebij:" on)\«.inn i n-6.ini)-i|i
cjiu&Tic&in

1l' mop An cpu&i^ mint) f&oi bA]A)it. gleAnn.

Ci. Jonny Jibbonf Aguf ^)i n-AcMji 1Tl6.ol'^\e

AgUj* lAT) 't)& gc&oiiiunic Am^c ].'Aorn moin,
■p^oi CAfic Y fAoi eAfonoiji, Aguf pu6.cc n«. h-oit)ce,

'S ni'L pu 'n bjiAoin Bvge aca, n^ tiji^m Le n'oL.
tli mA]» pn t)o cLeACCAt)A|i acc pi^eALL nA bi'uigeiNLl

A5131' bojiA ■oiobcA nAC ticitg Ai]\e ■66,
If fij-iiiop m'f Aicciof munA bfuiL [qniAi j] aj To]-a

50 mbeit) fiAt) poy leif, A5Uf cuiLleAt) leo.

Ca fiof A5 An f aojaI nA]i liiAlibiiigeAf cao]ia

In f An oit)ce 'y ni.\\ fpeip me bo,
m^ ZA 1 ntiAn Ajtif 50 n-eifeocA* 'n Ia linn

50 bfiiijpmiio f Af At) in f A ciiif fee jrof,
b]ionnAnn nnnt) CAiiiUf leif An Acai]\ TllAoL')ie

Ajtif bAite'n-iiiAoa' le h-AgAit) a bo
['S ni beit)mit) a coi-6ce A]ii)-t)'Ap n'oibiiic

gAn biATi 5An t)it)eAnn ahiac fA'n liioni] (1).

(1) ni )iAib «ti -OA line feo A5 An re ti'ininp. nii,e -do i.uin wo
cu;n An fiAnn -o'lOmt^nu^Ai).

197

Johnny Gibljons (2), my five hundred farcivc-lls to you,

You are long from mo away in Germany (3) ;
It was your heart, without deoeitfulness, tliat was ever (given) *;o
joyousness,

And now on this hill, ;ibove, we are weak of help.
It is told us from the mouth of the author

That the sloop whose crew was not baptised shall fire at us,
And unless you come for a relief to us in the times of hardship,

We are a great pity, beneath the tops of valleys.

Johnny Gibbons and our Father Miler

Are being protected out upon the hog,
Under thirst, under dishonour, under the cold of the night.

They have not as much as a drop of drinls or a dram to imbibe.
It was not so they were wont (to live), but (to have) the leaving
of leavings,

Ai.d sorrow .o them that gave no attention to it;
And very great is my fear, unless Jesus takes pity,

'ihat they will be down ^by it (or "responsible for it") and
more with them.

The world knows that I never killed a sheep

In the niglit, and that I never houghed a cow ;
If it is fated that the day should prove favourable to ua,

That we may yet get satisfaction in this case.
We bestow Oaimus on Father Miler,

And Ballinweal for his cow ;
(And we shall never again be banished

Without food, without shelter, upon the bog).

(2) A well-known outlaw.

198

A.']' weip 5^c AOti ne6.c n6.c niboit) b]:6.t) beo
Coipne6.ll niAipcm c^ 'ik>, ce<>.nn a|a 6.n c^-ob I'li^

Aguf nieo.f6.iTn ]:ein gu^i Aige i]' coiji.
U^ ce6.t) yei>.\\ 6.c«. cui]! «.« c-6.i)\5e6.t) te ceile

T\i.■^^ geA)i]i [n*.] jreice 6.'f riA^ ic An yeoit,
Ace «. cL6.nn lllo. ^eocA^Ain, mA ca cii i n-6i]iiiiii

nileig 6.11 le6.n-f5pio|' 50 b-1opnuy 1716)1.

A5 fo 6.bp^n 00 fU6.i|i mfe 6'n AcAip CLemetic O
t.tJ5ii6.it) 1 nib6.ile-boc-]ii6.'c. 11i bfUAip me 6.5 ■ouine
£>.]\ bic e 6.6c 6.i5e-'pe6.n. |ru6.in ]'eii'e6n e 6 be6.l |"e6.n-
t)uitie cinicioll cuig bli6-6n6. yiciu 6 foin. A5 fo t^
biii6.cn6. yein 1 nj'fi^etjeilg ■o'a TTiiniU56.-6 uaiti. "Oei)!
■pe: — ""Oo ]iiiine6.i6 6.n c-6b|i^n yo 1 x)C60ib p6t)nui]-e
bj1e6.56.15e vo C65 "V76.cepf ■fi>5«r W6.kepelio 615111, Le
coTi5n6.Th C6.ilin Tni-ceilliue, 6. 11-6.5611) ]-656i)\c i"6ti 6.1c
feo, ■o.5ur CU56.-6 6,n ']f:i6.Dnuii-e ■D|ie6.56c ' 6.n 611
6.b|i6.n. but) x)e luce fe6.t)m6. S6Cf6ii6.i5 •o'i. ii5oi)ice6|i
Potif, "W6.ceji]', 6.5Uf but) ■ouine U6f6.l 1 iiib6ile-n6-
Slu6.g Wo.kepelt), 6.5Uf t)ubi\6.t) 50 t)CU56.t)6i\ iii6]i6.n
6.iH5it) t)o'n C6ilin ]-eo Le cuij^ niiTine6c vo cu]\ 1 n-6.56.1t)
6.TI C|'6.56.ijAC. 'Oubj'6t) 50 nt)e6pn6.t)6|A yo 6]' 6n cnuc
■DO bi 6.06. t)0 n6. C6.coilci5, 6.5U]' cum C6.]\cui|'ne t)o cu)i
6.|\ «> 501161066.111. -Ace C4.i\ ei]^ 6. nt)iccioLL t)o t)e6.n6iii
niop fe6.t)6t)6.|\ 6.on t)io5b6.il 6fi bic tio cuji 6|\ 6n
l'6.56|AC m6.ic. X)o iii6.ui fe 6. bf6t) 'n6 -Oi^it) j-in 6.5
p]iice6L6.t) 50 t)i6.t)6.c t)uci\6.cc6.c 6me6.]'5 n6. nt)6.oine.''

199

There is a lamo bullock below the top of the mountain,

And everyone says that he shall not be long alive ;
Oolonel Martin it is who is the head on that side (of the county),

And I think myself that for him it is just.
There are a hundred men of them put the money together,

Who never cut sinew and who never eat meat (1) ;
But children of Geoghegan, if ye are (still) in Ireland,

Do not allow the destruction (to come) to Erris More.

Here is a song which I got from Father Clement O'Looney of
Loughrea. I never found it with any other person except himself.
He got it from the mouth of an old man about twenty-five years
ago. , Here are his words explaining it to me in Irish. He says :
" This song is made about a false witness which one Waters and
one Wakefield gave, with the help of a silly girl, against a priest
of this lilace, and the song was called 'The False Witness.' It
was one of the English oflicials called ' Police ' that Waters was,
and Wakefield was a gentleman in Ballinasloe, and it was said
that they gave much money to this girl to raise a venemous case
against the priest. It was said that they did this out of the
grudge which they bore the Catholics, and to put an insult on
their religion. But after their doing their utmost they were not
able to inflict any damage on the good priest. He lived a long
time after that, ministering piously and earnestly amongst the
people."

(1) i.e., killed other men's cattle to eat their moat.

soo

A5 yo An c-6.b]i4n. Za 56.C be^iij-A. -oe ce&pc* by
All 5C6.01 ceA'otiA, A^ 116. gocAnn&ib A Agu)- G: —

An f:iAt)nuise tJueASAC.

SAmpoti Iaioi]!, SoIatti A-'-p tJAibi,
"Oo TTieAtl niy mni. iax) uile 50 teip,

1)' lei t)0 ^TAJ&t) Ml CjlAOl 'n& l-A^-AC (1)

1 n-e>.\\ CU1C P)iiAiiiuf 'f ^eocop qie&n.
Le tiA inriAib CAiLleAniA)! Aonju]' &]• A'lbe

Af CuculAinn A15 ■00 f-e&^'p&'o centi.
"Oo BoiccA-o lleiiculef 50 ■oci An cnAtii

A5ti]' ■oaUaio Ajiguf, AX)ei)\ luce leijin.

Sgniob nA nAottii •ouinn 50 lociucfAt) nAtiiAiT)

"Oo 'biiAilfeAX) bAi]ie a n-AJAit) nA njAe-oeAl,
If flop 50 •oCAinig SeA^An Aguf niA)icAin

A]i loinptiigeAt) til At), Agui-gnocAijeAT) "5ATne."
"OiAf com t)on& Leo, WAkepielt) A'f WAcejif

AiciT) A'f ptAij ojif A ! f UA15 A'f leAn !
A'l'wiombuAiii (2) nA h-eAjlAife le coil An pApA

"Oo fAoil pgAnnAil A'f nAijie CAbAipc a]i a]\
gcLein.

Ca An pobAl cn^iBce, Af a l<5.n aj cfiACc ai]i,

An iiiAflug' ^jAAniiA fUAji ceAnn An cpei-o ;
Ace A llig nA nJnAfCA le coil ■00 ITIacaji

UAbAip •ouinn f Af A-6 jAn liioill pAn p^eAl,
An bcAn ni cAinfeAt), pAib CAcugAt) 1 nt)An 01,

A'p CU15 jup 1 bpAH)\CAp 100 tneAllAt) 6Ab,
1)" pAnncuJAt) Aipgit) 00 ]\iniie An cAy po

A'p miopcAp WAce)ip •00 ClAnnAib jAeioeAl.

(1) "A'f If Le 11-A cineAX) cusdii Cji.voi 'm pAnn." An r-AcAiji

201

Here is the song. It ie entirely composed, each verse of it,
in the same manner, ujjon the vowels "a" and "e": —

THE FALSE WITNESS.
Sampson the BIIAVE one, Solomon, DAVID,

Women ENSLAVED them, one and all ;
'Twas they DISABLED the Trojan GKEATNESS,

Made Priam the AGED and Hector fall.
Women made CllAZY Alva and AENAS,

And wrought our BllAVEST Ouohiulain's fail ;
Hercules FAMOUS they burn and SLAY HIM,

And Argus they DAZED, as bards recall.

Ine saints have written for us that there would come an enemy

Who would strike a goal-stroke against the Gael ;
It is true that John and Martin came,

For whom the trump was turned, and the game won.
A couple as bad as they are Wakefield and Waters ;

Disease and plague upon them ! rout and woe 1
And defeat from the Church, with the will of the Pope,

Who thought to bring scandal and shame upon our clergy.

The congregation is tortured, and numbers talking of it,

The disgusting abuse which the head of the ilock received ;
But King of the Graces, l)y Ihc will of Thy Mother,

Give us satisfaction without delay in this case.
The woman (herself) I shall not blame, for whom temptation was
in store.

For understand that (even) in Paradise was Eve deceived ;
It is greed of money that has wrought this case,

And the enmity of Waters to the Clanna Gael.

O Lu5n«i5. (2) t«ti<Miicei)i An foc&L fo m&y " ■oiomu^,"

202

^eic mo c]»oi'6e-fCi5, ^guf ni le h-Ac&|-,
nu6.m cUAlAf c]iAcc &.]\ fee>.]\ Mtne "Oe

ni bpuigpt) fin (l) Apuf tticAfs riA n&em.
UpediAUi'de tn&ic pob^il e ■do pein a CAile

Ay 6]\ ni. e>.\\ fC^CA nfop t)iol (2) ye t>.n cLein
,<Xcc b4f 1 ptACC6.nAf, Af eAfbAix) ne>. nJn^fCA

go tnbuAileAnn fe W&cepf cui|\ ai^i &n bpe&j

Utiil&i^ 6. beAii, 'f weAt) Mcpije c)\i)bceA<!,
A'r CA tiA SlAiifCA le f^JAil 6'n scleip,

UiTiLaIJ f Atl niA1t>in, AgUf pi Atl ATobAjA,

Oip acaTJia jpAfAiiiAtl'f ni'oeAiiAnn Seb)\eA5.
SiiiUAitifo A]A luTJAf, gup le fineAt) a lAiriie

'Oo bpAic 1^6 An c-^iii'o-|ii5, cia An jloip t)o yrein?
"Oo cuiplinj; f An oixxie '5Ainn i l^Ap An f c^blA,

A'r 'o'fulAins An bAf Cjioif' a)> Ap yon 50 Ifeip.

If ci.f fe An cAineA'6 vA nuinn •oolAf ac

Ace 00 bi fe 1 nu^n 'ouinn cpe Anpo (3) jeAp,
LeAgA* o|i|iAinn-ne fe -oe bjiig ubtA 1 bpAf pcAf

A5 ccApAt) -ouinn bAif mA^ geAll Ap 6Ab.
peAtJAH, An c-eAfbAl tio f-feAn a mAijifcip,

X>o fUAip ffe piipioun 5An moill 'f '*■" f j^feAl,
Aguf ffeAC An gABUitJe cui^eAt) 1 jcjiAnn nApAife

50 bfuil ffe 1 bflAiccAf AmcAfj nA nAoni.

(1) " If x>6i6 n( piJcAji " An c-^£ai]1 O lui^nAi-i.

(2) " nioti '6eitl " vut&Attic At) c-4)itAt]i O tdsnAi-o, acc ni ctiisim

ao3

My heart within, started, and not with joy,

When I heard talk a'bont the man-of-God's-oonmmands ;
(When) the seals are drawn to bring into the presence (of God?),

Those shall not receive a dwelling among the saints.
A good guide of the people is he, according to his reputation,

For gold or estate he nerer sold the clergy ;
But a death in want, without the Graces,

May it strike Waters, who put a lie upon him.

Humble thyself, woman, and make a pious repentance,

And the graces are to be had from the clergy ;
l_umble thyself in the morning and shed-tears for the cause,

For God is gracious, and He tells no lie.
Think upon Judas, how with the pointing of his hand

He betrayed the High King — what was the glory to himself 1
Who descended in the night to us in the midst of the stall,

And suffered the death of the Cross for everyone of us.

This disparaging is a case that is for us miserable,

But it was fated for us through bitter misfortune ;
It was laid upon us on account of an apple in Paradise,

Shaping death for us, on Eve's account.
Peter the Apostle, who denied his Master,

He received pardon without delay for his act ;
And behold the thief who was placed upon the tree of the passion,

How he is in Heaven amongst the saints 1

fin. (3) ni'o|i leip •OAm An focAt fo, iHAji r5iiio64-6 6.

CA eolAf A5 ti-uite ■6«ine &n «.ti j-eAti-Abn&n
"beAti All fri|i nuAt)." ftmncAt) e n'loy mo tiA ce&o
Aguf b'eiDiri ni. ti. cew bliAWAn 6 foiti. If f eMi-f'0C6l
I n5Aet>eil5 "cAilliujt Aep^-c," Aguf oeiji be6.n te
e4illn3|A 1 n-Abit^n eile :

n! ■oeife tiom mAji ^e4\ttti4r cu
ni. m^f tvmAf CO tiA bfteA^A.

Agu]' conncAmAH '"^r t)«bAmc An He^ccuine pein :
bu-6 tiiiAn te mriAift 654 beic 1 ni. (1) t«ir

no CAllttli^l AX^ bOp-D 'f A f-OJ-UI)! 1 5061(1,

lll«H ti5e*tit'F'''''° r® '"''^^ coc* no cAbA.

"Oein pAt) 50 •ocAjATiTi ATI i^cAi]! A]\ Aif Ajiif A]\ ATI gcunio.
ceAt)tiA 'tiA |iAib p poitiie pn, Agtif, nuMp mM\i aii
■ReACCtiine, cApl^ guji e^lAij CAillitip eile te intiAoi p\\
pUAW eite, A.iii6,it c4|it4- ce*.X) no ■oa ceAt) bliAt)An poitiie
pn nuAi]i ninneAB An c-AbpAn a]( ticuf, Aguf •oo cum An
HeAccuine An ■oa^a AbjiAn aji An 5cui|-, t>.]\ An bponn
ceA■ono^ leif An ]"eAn-AbpAn. Hi cneit)pnn gu]; Cx\]>Ia
fe ■OA pipib 50 ^Aib An tJApA c^illiup Aguf An ioajaa
beAn An 'p^\ Uua'o Ann, acc 50 bj:iiAip tne An I'gCAt 6m'
cAi\Ait) An TleACCAnAC, mA]\ y»M]\ fei)-eAn e 6 beAL
■omne 1 5ConAm6.)\A. puAiii fe An c-AbjixXn o'n jComAn-
Ac, Aguf bi cult) nAC jiAib Aije-f CAn A5 ITIac Ui 'ptoinn.
Ag I'o An fSeAt '00 bi lei'p An Abp^n mA]A ]:uai]i mi|"e o'n
TleACCAnAC e, in a b|\iAC|AAib fern : —

(1) 1. AnAice teif.

(2) Burns has a song to the old air of " The 'J'ailor fell

205

Kverybody knows the old song of the Red-haired Man's Wife.
It is more than a hundred, or perhaps than two hundred years
old. The "airy tailor" is a proverb in Irish (2), and in another
song a woman says to a tailor :—

I do not think it prettier how you cut (your clotih)
Than how you shape your lies.

And we saw how Baitery himself said :—

shoemaker on a stool, if he were to make only a boot,
Young women would like to be near him.
Or a tailor on a table and his scissors in oxler,
If he only were to cut out a coat or a cape.

Tliey say that history comes back again in tlhe same sihape
that it was before, and so when Eaftery was living it chanced
that another tailor eloped with another wife of another Red-
haired Man, as had happened a hundred or two hundred years
before, when the song was first made, and Raftery composed a,
second song about the matter to the same air as the old song.
I would not have believed that there was reallj a second tailor
and a second Red-haired Man's Wife, except that I got the story
from my friend, Mr. O'Naughton, as he got it himself from the
mouth of a person in Oonnemara. He got the song from Comyn
and the part that Comyn had not got, I got from Gflynn. Here is
the story which went with the song, just as I got it from
Naughton in his own words : —

through the bed, thimbles and a' " to the same efifect : —
" ThereSs some that are dowie I trow wud be fain
To see tlie bit tailor come skippin' agaiji."

206

S56AI An beAn ah pm nuAt).

bi ceAC A.n y\\[ ^um6 a-jui" ce^c acaji 6.n ccwiLm,
p^fcuijre •OA ceiLe, i 5ConT)fi.e rhui5-e6, 'Si a-n ce\\\n
a.gui' Ati cftije mA.|^CA1nt1 ti Ag An bpcAp puAt), aj

CeAtltlAC fCOCAIt), A5Uf '5A tITiiOt Ajlif; AgU)' t)'ei)115

teif 50 rroeAiAnAit) fe f AiobpcAf mop teif An obAip feo,
Acc bi ACAip An cAiUn bocc 50 teop. 'Pa ■oeincA* ceAp
An ceAnnunle-fcocAno 50 mbut) c6ip -bo cup |;aoi, Agup
t)'iApp ffe An injeAn Ap a comApfAin. Sin e 'p*>'b 6'n
gcortiApfAin, Aguf |:aoi feit p^-opAij pinneAii An
cteAthnAf. ["Oo comnuiS CAilliup AnAice Leo].

Seupt) t)o bi f A CAiLliup feAp bpeAJ, leijce, aij;-
loncA, A511P te nieit)ip Agup le piAOAncAp 'o'lmcij Leip 1
ti-oige Agup liopcAil pe. Agup CAp eip oa bliAT)Ain x>o
CAiccAiTi '66 Ag pAijtJiuipeAcc » mbAile beAg 1 gCon-o&e
ttlui5-C6, ■o'caIaij pe AbAile Apip A-5An-piop. 1p cop-
muil 5up mo An jeAn -oo bi A5 An jcAilin Ap An CAillnip
nA Ap Aon 'ouine eile, Agup, cpACAtiiAil 50 leop, bi pe pA
mbAile'i n-Am le beic Ag An jcleAmnAp. 1 n-miccAcc
flA h-oit)ce (ip •oe piubAl. oioce pinneAt) An cLeAtrinAp)
CAip5 An fcAp RuA'o glAine biorAile •oo'n CAilin acc
T)'eici5 p^e i ; Agup rAniAll 'nA ■diaho pin CAipj An
ciiltiiip glAine -oi A5up glAC pi UAio-pcAn i. Cuip pin
euvddAp Ap An bpcAp tluAt* acc niop leig pe Aip gup
gottt p6 Aip, Agup cpiocnuigeAt) t)eAnAni An cleAninAtp.

An cpeAcctriAin ■o'Ap gcionn bi gno A5 An b).^eAp
tluA"6 50 t)Aile-ACA-CtiAC, niAp ip Ann vo cu^a-o pe nA
pcocAit), Agup ccAnnuigeAt) pe eAppAit) eile 'ha n-Aic,
le tJlol Ap Aip Apip Ap put) nA chaic. t)i pe Ia Ag
ceAnnAC pcocAfo 6 peAn-trinAoi Ap An tiibAile, cuplA Ia

»07

STORY OP THE RED-HAIRED MAN'S WIFE.

The Red-haired Man's house, and the house of the girl's
father, were situated close together in the county Mayo. The
trade and livelihood that the Red Man had was buying stockings
and selling them again, and he succeeded in making considerable
riches out of this work, but the girl's father was poor enough.
At last the stocking merchant considered that it was time for him
to settle down, and he asked his neighbour for his daughter.
That was just what his neighbour wanted, »nd on St. Patrick's
Eve the match was made.

(A tailor lived near them.) T^he tailor was a fine, souple,
lively man, and with pleasantry and wildness he went off in hit
youth and enlisted, and, after spending two years in a littld town
in the county Mayo a-soldiering, he deserted again without its
being known. It seems probable that the girl had a greater
liking for the tailor than for anyone else, and early enough he
was at home, in time to be at the match-making. In the course
of the night, for it was at a night-ramble the match was made up,
the Red M*n offered the girl a glass of whiskey, but she declined
it, 'but, a while after that, the tailor offered her a glass, and she
accepted it from him. That raised a doubt in the Red Man, but
he never let on that it preyed on him, and the matoh-making was
completed.

The week after that the Red Man had some business that
was to bring him) to Dublin, for it was there he used to take the
stockings ?nd buy other wares in place of them, to sell these
again through the country. He was one day buying stockings
from an old woman in the village a few days before he was to go

208

I'ul bi ]"e le h-imcoAcc, i^ju]' nifi-]\ i^' lorrou&L Le mnAib
beic CMnce6>c c^b&c, coi'uij p yeo /sg cMnc a^i ati
bpofA-t) Agit)' 6,5 )\At) 50 jiAib i\iiiieuo oj\n6. a|\ y6.t) e
beic &5 cu]i ].-^oi ]-(>. iiibAile 'n<s. ineA-i-g, /s^uj' yo A-guj'
I'ut) eile, " 4.CC," *--oein ^'i, " i'e6,C6.in cu pein A-p &n
c>siLLiu)v.'' YI\q\\ teij, I'eii-eAii t)At)6. ai)\, acc tiubMiic |-e
lei]' ]:ein n&c ^\6.ib 56.^1 6.156 -out 50 b^-ite-ACA-CLi^c,
6,511^' AVI CAilliri]\ i-'d-gbAil yt>. mbMte ; Aguj' ce^p ye vi.
hyei>.X)ya.-i) ye An CAiltui]\ C6.b6.i|\c leip 50 ntjeAtip^.t) I'ln
CU11' TDO. "Oub^inc ]-e A-nnpn le acaiji 6.n c«.ilin 511)1
ce&|'riii5 fed.)! gtic ua.i-6 1 n-einpeA.cc l.eif, A5Ujp 'oubMjir
An C-ACA1]! tcif, An cAilliup iA)\nAit). "O'lAji)!, A5111'
io'eici5 i-eij-eAn 6. "O'lAmi acai)i An CAitin Ann)-in aji
An CAiLLiii]i "oul \.e\y An b]-'eA]i IIuaid, A5UI' cuAit).

CuADAp A]lAOn 50 bAlLe-ACA-CLlAC, ciiiocntiijjeAiOA)! A

115116 Ann A511)' cuAT)An A coi)LAt> in aoii ci-eom]\A AtiiAin
I'An oiijce. A)i mAitnn 50 iiioc, I1U5 An V^'^t' HuAt) aitiac
5U)i joit) An CAiLln'ip a cum Ainjiti uaio f An onoce, Ajti)'
A111AC leif yi, t)ein ha " bpoilio]-." 5*'^*''0 ■*•" CAilLni]i
Acc c)\ucui5 I'e I'A 5Ci'iinc 50 •ocAini5 Luac nA fCocAii)
AgUftuAC An eAUHAit) ■00 ceAnnui5 fe, le ceiLe, A511)'
5U]\ eu5c6i|\ 00 cuijioAt) Ai]\-]'eAn.

S5AO1L0AO AiiiAc Annfin e, acc ■o'lnnij' ah PeA)!
tluAt) Aiinj'in 50 ]iAib An rAiLliu]! 'nA ]"a15T)1u]\, A5U1'
gun eAtui5 ye a)- ah a)uii. 5'^^'*'''^ V^*!' "'*' pi^-iciue
A]\i)' A511)' fA'n 5coi]v fin ciuneAt) 1 bp|iiofun e 50 ceAiin
■OA bliAWAin.

tAini5 An "PeA]! "Riiaii AbAiLo Ajiif pof fe, a51I)-
nuAi)! bi An x>L I'jliAtiAtii 1)^15 A5 An CAiLl,iri)i, CAini5 ye
AbAite, A5ur •o'eALAi5 beAii ai; pp Ruax) Leif, 51XJ 50
PAib bei|ic cLoinne aici Lc ha fOAf. goilL ye feo coiii

2og

away (to Dublin), and, as it is the due of women to be talkative
and gabby, this one began to talk about the marriage, and to say
that they were rejoiced altogether that he was settling himself at
home amongst them, and so on, this thing and that thing, " but,"
says she, "mind yourself of the tailor." He never let on
anything, but he said to himself that there was no "jood his going
to Dublin and leaving the tailor at home, and he thought that if
he could bring the tailor with him this would do the business for
him.

He then said to the girl's father that he wanted a skilful
man to be along with him (to Dublin), and the father said to him
to try the tailor. He tried him, but he refused him. Then the
girl's father (himself) asked the tailor to go witii the Bed Man,
and he went. They departed together to Dublin. They finished
their business together there, and went to sleep at night in the
one room. Early in the morning the Bed Man roared out that
the tailor had stolen all his money from him in the night, and
out with him for the police. The tailor was seized, but he proved
in court that the price (he had got for) the stockings, and the
price of the goods he had bought exactly fitted together, and that
there was a wrong done to him.

He was let go then, but the Bed Man informed that the
t«ilor had been a soldier and had deserted out of tihe army. The
man of the needle was again taken up, and for this crime he was
lent to prison for two years.

The Bed Man came home and married, and when the tailor
had (put) itt his two years he came home (also), and the Bed Man's
%ife eloped with him, allUough shu liad two cliildren by her

210

ni6|t fin A.f A-n b'fe&n tlu^■6 50 ■oci-inij f&o'bdA.n-cfeilte
yii weme^t) A-ijA, 6.5U1' •o'imci5 ye 1 bpA'bMicA.f 1 ntii&ui
^ cinn lAoiriie, A-jUf C6.m6.lt f ut cwlLeA.'o e ni 6.ictie6c6'6
|"fe 6.on ouine, ni. 6.ii)Ain & "be^n pein cAp nin6.oi t>.-\\ bin
eiie.

beAn ATI pM ntJA-o.

Siii6.oini5 5up ceu|-6.t)

Aon tilAC itluine a]i An 5cp&nn,
'S gup 1 bpe6.c6.t) fit 61b'

56.n b]\ei5 •oo pugA.'o finn Ann.
ben6 m6.ll6.cc n6. n6.om

n'i.^ noiAit) mi. imci5e6.nn muit) C6m,
liriiltiij ):e6.i'C6. tjo'n cLei)\

Agiif ni. ci\ei5-fe ■pi6.ice6.f le 5iie6-nn.

A tiuine 56-n m]\'o

TIa cpACC-fA Ap f-eAccm&in ni. aji luAn,

Ho ClUCf Alt) 0]AC 5|tAin

O'n S]\'o II15 6 ■fLAiccAf AntiAf,
beiB A^vpAing o'n mbi.^

In vo Ia^i 'f cu '5 ofnAOil 50 cpuAit),
'S ni. cpeij-fe nA si^AfA

1/6 spi.'o •00 bcAn An ■pi|i TluAt).

(1) Literally : "lie went into wiklness, after his iiead before
him."

211

husband. This preyed so mucli upon the Bed Man that at last
he became light-headed and went wild through the country (1),
and for some time before he died (2) he could not recognise any
person, nor even his own wife beyond any other woman.

THE WIFE OF THE RED-HAmED MAN

The One-Son of MARY

Was NAILED for us on the tree ;
To sin and TEMPTATION

The BAOE has been born since Eve.
The curse of the SAINTS

Shall OHASE us and to us shall cleave.
If, Heaven FORSAKING,

We make good ANGEIiS to grieve.

0, man without heed,

Do not talk of * week or of Monday (3),
Or there shall come disgust on thee

Down from the High King from Heaven.
There shall be a pain from the Death

In thy middle, and thou sighing heavily ;
And forsake not (God's) Gmce

Through love of the Bed-Man's wife.

(2) Literally: "Was lost."

(3) Or "Doomsday."

212

A -0111116 54.11 ceill

SniAoimj ■^u]\ cIa-oii

'S ^»]\ bd-ojl^c e pe&c6.t) 11& T)|\ui| ,
beTo rvi yjie tle^io

ind.)A 'I'e bei-6eA.j" A-jA-t) 111 a.]! t)UAii-,
tlA-c c^iui-j ttluiiie •00 yje^l

'S 5^n ■oo ■|Aei'6ceA.c 6.5 be^n 6.ti |.'in 1Iii6.t6.

Cnic^A-i'd tA'11 c-)'Leibe

'S belli 'n vse^l i-o td'a t6.]()i4.iti5 miiia|-
1 bp^Tinuii-' 6.n R15

t)piiib ti^ lince yoti). (1) 6.\\ {>. jjiu&n'
beit> Luce riA, mi-tijnioni

"D'a iToibipc 50 li-ipiiionn 6 tU6.-0,
'S A ci.itliui]\ no. jA-oire

1-pr)4.o]\ lOcpAf cu beAn An i?!]! HiiA-ft.

Slit) e 'ti Ia lein

A lennp-b tia niAi^ib 6'n UAij,
\)e\'6 t)0 copp Ag riA peipcib

A'f q\ei5p-6 ah Ia^-a-O t)o 5)iiia-0.
belli t)0 cionncA (2) 1 c'eicoAti

50 leip (3) te leijeA* A5 Ati v'-u*'F,
'S tiAC i^eAttCAC All fjeAt (4) -omc

©AtoJATi le boAn An yqi tliiAti (5).

(1) " nA tince bfteij Fottuijte," «ti neAocAMAC. T)'aciiui5 mire
i mA\i CA. (2) Aliter, coiiibaca. (3) Aliter, foLiip-oA.

(4) Aliter, 51110*. (5) A5 fo mAf ca ah beAjif a yo aj G. :

CtucfAfo AH tA lein

A tefiniM'D tiA coipp A)- An UAirii
t-AfFAiio tiA pl^ibce

213

0, man without sense,

Do not forsake the heaven of the elements ;
Eemember that deceitful

And that dangerous is the sin of lust.
Thou shalt be with Nero,

Since it is he t'hou shalt have as reward ;
Is it not >a pity-of-Mary thy case.

And without the Red-Man's wife having power to relieye thee !

The Day of the Mountain (6) shall come.

And tliis story shall be drawn down (7)
In the presence of the King,

On whose countenance are the lines of blood.
The people of ill deeds

Shall be being banished to northern hell.
And, tailor of the wind (i.e., fliglity tailor).

It is dearly thou sihalt pay for the Red-Man's wife.

That is the day of misery,

When the dead shall leap from the tomb ;
The worms shall have thy body.

And the blush shall forsake thy cheek.
Thy transgressions shall (be written) in thy face

Plainly for the crowd to read,
And is it not a treacherous tale for thee

To elope with the wife of the Red-Man.

Ajur pteursF<Mx> cnoic Aguf cBoin.
Cuicpix) riA jieulCA

^ 'S bem xjii CAep com ■ouD leif An tijiiAt
S beix) An caiLUu)! aj boc-teimnij

mu|i A ■Dctiei5(.M-6 re beAn An pijt Uhaij.

(6) i.e., Judgment Day.

(7) i.e., talked a:bout, published abroad,

ai4

If lotn-oo. Ia <>.c)ied.c

A.]\ ei]ii5 p 'ttiac (1) in f6.n ngleo.!!!!,
Le tiA culo>it) (2) bficAg eo.ti6.15

5o.li bpeig, o'f i>- I10.CA A]! 0, ceonii.
Hi cpeitjptin 6'n f 0.050L

tiAC neuLlco. 0. ■o'eipij 'tiA ceonti,
Le 5up fo-nncuig p 'n j-euclo.

'S 5up cpeig'fi 0. fCAji o-Y a clonn

'S iomt)o> pn feipin

5^*1 fepeig 'o'f-0,5 p no. tJioit*,
Co.po.itt Y co.oi]ii5 'i' ceo.ccoit)

'Oo cpeo.bpo.t) c|ie ■ptio.b.
te 0.H150H fo.01 'n fgeot

Hi peiT)i|\ 50 itioippt) p btio.t)o.iti,
"Out ey.' fu0.50.1t feo.in-eo.T)o.i5

Inf 50.C o.on ceoc te co.ittiup no. miot,

lli't popi^A no. miofU|»

no. fnoice T)'o.]i ■6ubo.1t (3) ^e nio.rii,
Hoc mbeit) in 0. to.coiji

An to. ux) co.]ifioin5ce fo. ftiob.
belt) tnottocc Cjiic* P0.1t

rio. f0.1t, o.'-r no.|i f-eicpt) fe "Oio.,
Cu5 b|ii5iT) 6'n t>o. po.ii't)e

'S "o'fi.^ |ro.n o)\]\o. yo\]\ in-^vy pop.

(1) Aliter: ■o'eitiijeAr 5° •"•*■ (2) Aliter: mo cuL«fD, ic
(3) "t)6ii,*it,"-.»64,|,cre. ^

Many is the jjala day

Tihat 8h« arose out (and went) into the valley
In her fine clothes ;

No lie ; and her hat upon her head.
I would not believe from the world

That it was not clouds that *rose in her head,
Through -which she took a fancy for the sLximip

And forsook her husband and h«r children.

jViany is the pretty thing,

No lie, that she has left behind her^
Horses and sheep, and ploughs

That would turn-up-soil through mountain.
With misery at the tale,

It is not possible she shall live a year,
Going sewing old clothes

In every house, with the tailor of the vermin.

There is neither scissors nor tape-measure,

Nor thread that he has ever doubled,
But it shall be in his presence

That day, drawn-up upon the Mountain (4).
The curs3 of the Land of Fail (6) at his heels.

And may he never see (Jod,
VVlio has broug'ht Bridget from her two children,

And has left dispersal on them East and West.

(4) i.e., Judgment Day.

(5) i.e., Ireland, or Inisiail.

2l6

A CAiLliuip CA A]\ y<yn

tn&'y Alt leAC ^eA^-CA feeic buAti,
Ciii]\ Aiyiiiotin X)'a ]\M)

50 ll-Al\T)j AJtlf ^qiCAt) A]1 All UaU

Ctii)\ Aii:)uonn cum "Oe

'S 50 1i-eA5 11A li-iflig ■00 5]iUAit),
tlo ni i-6i]\p'6 ITIac "Oe o)(c

50 Vi-eAg riA €\\ elf •out' yA.n uaij ( )

hejAcuief Iaix)!]! (2)

"Oo ci\A-6At) f Afi ceine le tntiAoi,
LoifgeAt) te lleteti

-An 5]Aei5 Aguf fCApA ha UpAOi.
tuic I'lAt) te "Oei^ioiie

C]ieun-cLAnn Uifnij tia)\ fqiioc,
'S guji cAiLleAt) Cu)»5epuj'
te 1115111 lilAoil-|-eAclAinn ha mfoe.

CAltteAt) te bt All AIT)

ITIac "OAipe 'y CucutAitin cjiUAit),
Aguf 'OiA^imuiT) te 5l'^in"e

A]! A]iT) t)mn gutbAin (3) 6 cuaic.
tluAi); cigeAf j^At) ni6)\

'S e If Doij; 50 teAiiAnn wo fUAcc,
5tAC feAfCA mo coiiiAipte

'S riA coif 15 coit)ce beAn An p\\ tluAt'.

(1) Aliter:

xlguf f iti e 'n receipt te
ill f-AoiiATo 6 pe4C4-6 tiA •0)iiiif'.

(2) Ca *n te«tt|'A j-o A5«r An ce«t«ti a leAnAf 6 G. bi r* 6'n

217

tailor who art wandering,

If thou desirest in future to be steadfast
Get a Mass said

Aloud, and cry to the Lamb.
Send up a Mass to God,

And, until death, lower not thy face (iroui prayer),
Or the Son of God sliall not assist thee

For ever— nor after thy going into the tomb.

Hercules the strong.

He was destroyed in fire by a woman ;
By Helen was burnt

Greece and the men of Troy.
Fell they by Deirdre

The strong sons of Uisneach who never submitted ;
And Turgesius was lost

By the daughter of Maoilsheachlain of Mcath.

By Blanaid was lost

The son of Daire and Cuchulain the hardy.
And Diarmuid by Grainne

On high Ben Gulbain (4) in the North.
When comes a great love,

What is likely is that a cold follows after it ;
Take henceforth my advice,

And pursue not ever the Eed-Man's wife.

SComatnedd 50 •on yeo.

(3) "binn bo|ib," r*n MS.

(4) Ben Borb is an evident mistake for Ben Gulbain, or
Eulben, as it is now erroneously called, a mountain in Sligo.

2l8

Cuig jup le Ti-Aoipe (1)

t)o cld.oiwe^'o ClAtin !/))( in i-«.n ]~tiAiii,
'S 5U|\ le beApcuije^cc ^'y x>]\c>.ome6.cz

X)o ]ur\net>.v (2) t)iob cluiii&c caI^. b^in.
S4.ni]-on te ttiriAoi

CaiLI 6. t\\\^, Y '>• fpiAeAC6.t), ']- is SHU&j;
Ci6. /^n CA01 A T)Ciuc]:a-i-a f ao|i

'S oo beic finest) le be*.n ah fm IliiAii

Oeit) A]\ f-iol|\ui5 6 A'oaiti
■An li. ut) 1 bp^omii]-e o.n tl6.in,

'S gAC T)uine tJO ^ein

1T1«]\ clemeAC 0.5 inn)-inc ^ cuij-'.

56.C pe6.c«.x) d'A nT)eAnc6.]\
"Oul 1 gceiLl Y 1 iiie«.b6.)i oo'n c-|-Liio-5,

'S belt) An CAillnii\ 1 n^eibionn
, ■p^oi beic 'pie le be6.n An 'p\\\ tlu6.t>.

' X)ei|\ UAi).'cei\i pein

I 50 b-eAg nAC niAicpeA]! c.n t))\ui|',

( SoIaiti bi cjieAn

In A lo.ecib, ciii)> p AH gciil.

J 1T1u]i bpuil [spAfAJ A5 IIIac tDe
': Se nio leun, ca [ah] peACAt) |a6 cpuAit),

■ 'S bi An CAilliu]i gAn ceiLl
J An Ia o'caIaij; ye le bcAn An 'p\]\ TluAt).

(1) e&hA, G. (2) y;o titjert^inA-o, G
(3) Literally : "Swimming."

Remember that it was by Eefy

The children of Lir were destroyed in the water (3)
And that by trickery and enchantment

Plumage of white swans was made of them.
Samson by a woman

Lost his power and his activity and his hair ;
And how shouldst thou oome safe,

And thou to be going wifeh the wife of the Red-Man.

All that descended from Adam

'Shall be that day in the presence of the Lamb, ||jl

And every person for himself.

Like a clerk telling his case (4).
Every sin that is done,

Going into the understanding and memory of tihe crowd,
And the tailor shall be in bonds

For his pleading with the wife of the Rod-Maiii

Raftery <himself says

That adultery shall not be forgiven for ever :
Solomon, who was powerful

In his days, it put backwards.
Unless the Son of God have mercy.

It is my grief ! the sin is too hard (to be forgiven),
And the tailor was without sense

The day he eloped with the wife of the Red-Man.

(4) Because each shall bear his own sin written upon hia
forehead. Raftery often alludes to this belief.

220

t1i L &on AbjiAn 5)iAt) tj'a troeAnriMt) mi ne«.cctii|\e
T mo ctu n& bpigtiin Oeu]-Ait). -dg j-o 6,11 cuncA]- t)o
cUAUit) me AH A-obAH An AbiiAin 6'n Acai]\ CLenienc
O lujiiAit), 1 mbAil-loc-Hi'AC, 1 gCotroAe tiA 5AiUime.

""bi bHigoin t)eu|-Ai5 tio Vej-ey, 'nAh-injin x>'yeA.]\
no CAinij^ 50 bAil-loc-ni'Ac le riA rhtiAoi, 6 aic eigin 1
gCoiTOAe ttluig-eo, 6 CAi|~LeAti-A'-bAmiA, •oein pAt). 'Se
An cj-Lije bcACA ■00 bi A5 An bj.-eAn |-o, fiiiocolAiii ■00
■oeAnAtTi cimcioll nA h-eAglAife pA]i]iAifce 1 mbAil-Loc-
Tii'&c. T)o bi binjio A]! Ainip)i, ihah cAilin, 1 -ocij eigm
VAn cvHAit) m6i]i aca Ag ■out o'n CAOib fiAji 50 t)ri An
CAob foi]i, oip ni'L t tnbAil-)Aoc-ni'Ac acc An Aon q-pAit)
AtiiAin, leic Ainutj •oe f pAit)inib bcAgA A5U)-t)'AiceACAib
eileAi^ bpuAc An locA, "Oo ceioeA-o tlAifcein 50 nnnic
t)o'n C15 UT) A |AAib biAijnin Ann, Agu]- bf bpi^oin 'nA
CAIIA10 riiAic •66 1 5c6ihnuii6e, bi p ]rAiLcexMiiAiL pAlriiA)!,
Aguf t)o b'AnnfA leif 1. Acc ■oo binfCAt) j^uAf xin
liiuinnciii uv a pAib bpigit) Leo, aju^ caii ei^ pn cuaix)
I'i A^ceAc 50 C15 niinii-cei]A •da)i ti'Ainm ITIeDlicocc Agu]-
•00 bi I'i 'no. ree.]\hy6^Ar\ZA Anni'in. "Oo AcpuiseAt) An
minirceii\ ^-eo 50 Cill-t)A-luA, ajui- 11U5 p binjnin lei]-
niA|i bexin-cije. A]\ gcldf do 1lAi]:ceiii gup f-Ag biiiguin
An cf eAn-Aic aju)- 50 jiAib p leir An minifceiii, CAinig
bjion Aip, 01)1 bi p 50 nipeAC ca]! 6i]- iniceACCA nuAiji
liAinig nAi).-ce]ii An bAile inoji. CuAit) ^-e A|xeAc 1
T)ceAc bcAg T)o bi A)! CAOib An cnmc ■oo'n a]\v foi|i ve'n
bAile, oy cionn An Ioca, c^uy ^nnj-in t)o vsaoiI ]'e auiac
A ]\vr\ cjioi-oe A5 cAomcAt) binjoe.

221

There is none of the love songs that Eaftery composed moro
famous than Breedyeen Vesey." Here is the account I got of
the making of this song from Father Clement O'Looney, of
Loughrea, in the county Galway.

" Breedyeen Bheusaigh, or Brigit Vesey, was the daughter
of a man who came to Loughrea with his wife from somewhere in
the county Mayo— from Oastlebar, they said. The means of
livelihood that the man had was doing jobs of work-and-attendance
round the parish church in Loughroa. Brigit was on service, as
a servant girl, in some house in the hig street that runs from
west to east, for outside of small lanes and other places besid«
the brink of the loch there is only one street in Loughrea. Baftery
used often to go to that house where Breedyeen was, an J
Breedyetn was a good friend to him always ; she was welcome-
giving and generous, and he liked her. But the family with
whom Brigit was, was bi-oken up, and after that she went into
the house of a minister narnod Medlicott, and she was a servant
there. This minister was changed to Killaloe, and he brought
Breedyeen with him as housekeeper. When Raftery heard that
Breedyeen had left the old place and that she was with the
minister, there came grief on liim, for she was just after departing
when Raftery reached the town. He went into a little house that
was on the side of the hill to the east of the town, above the loch,
and there he lei loose the secret of his heart keening for Brigit,

3S2

" llUi-oip Le bpijit), x)'yM p Leip ad iiniiii coin aji
yeAXi m6|i6.in bLiAtiAn, A^uy ya. teiye {>.■() vo cu&itj yi 50
S6.ci-Anxi, AZ»r If -AiiTipn ■o'eA-5 y\. X)'\ y\ 'tiA CacoiI-
ccAC nuit 1 5c6iiinui-6e. "OeijiceAp yoy 50 n&ib fi &n
1-516.1114.6, &CC 50 iiA-ib fi (ni&ii bioj- cuit) mo]! io'a leift-
fiit)) mi-AOAiiiMl. T)'A b|ti5 pn o-ueip tlMj:ce|ii 50
moe^cA-iTi ^-e 50 ■oci tiA h-Aice&CA. ioccA.n&c6. Le ti-&
li-MUHAi*, Ajui" 5U|\ in pio 00 p^ijA 1-6 i pi. lieiiAeAt), no
go Bctig ]e .db&ile AyrA i.

""Oo bi col-cei).c6.iji -00 t)nijgt)in >yAr\ aic peo wo
duAiTi 50 h-AmepicA j-cacc no occ oe bliAt)AncAib 6
f"oin."

A5 pn An cunc&f t)o yuM]\ me w\^\^^ d'r\ Atb.i]\ O
tusn&it). Ace -oubAinc mo ca^a, fnApcfi-in p. m^-c a
t)Aino, ACii Anoif 1 SAn 'Fli^ricipco, liotii, 511)1 t)eiiiuinnap
CACAPA15 t)o bi An cAilin, Ajup 5U|i lei]> An yA^e>.]\z
pA)i1\i.irce ■00 bi pi Ap Aimpi|\, pul cuAit) pi 50 ce&c An
iiiinipc6ip. fuAi]! 1116 An c-AbjiAn 6'n tusnAc, 6 rh^c a'
X)M\\t>, Agup 6 tiAOinib eile, A5up cui)! me le ceile e
com niAic &5tip 'o'peAt) me.

btiigiT) tjeusAm.

poppAinn b]ii5t)in t)eupAit)

5«>-n c6cA bpoig n^ leme,

A pcoiii mo c]ioit)e -oa mbpeioiji liom.

"Oo ciioip5pinn ouic nAoi tjqiAt .
5^.11 biAt) 5An "oeocgAn Aon cuit)
A)> oitcAn 1 Loc 6ipne,
Ti'por.n me A'p cti beic 1 n-einpeAcc

50 ]\6i-0pimip A]\ 5CAp.

• He apparently took tieurAij to be an adjective, another form o(

"As for Biigiit, she remained with the mirister for many years,
and at last she went to England, and there she died. She wag
always a good Catholic. It is said, moreover, that she was very
handsome, and that she was (as a great many of such handsome
people are) unlucky in life. For that reason Eaftery says that
he went to the lower regions in search of her, and that it was
there he found her at last, until he 'brought her home out of them.

" Breedyeen had a cousin in this place who went to America
eeven or eight years ago."

That is the account that I got aljout her from Father
O'Looney. But my friend Martin P. Ward, who is now in San
Francisco, told me thait Breedyeen was a girl of the Caseys,* and
that it was with the parish priest she was on service before she
went to the mindster. I got the song from Father O'Looney,
from Martin Ward, and from others, and have put it together
here as well as I could : —

BEEEDYEEN VESEY.

SHOELESS, shirtless, GRIEVING,
POODLESS, too, my BBEEDYEEN,
SURELY I'd not LEAVE YOU ;

Nine MEALS I'd fast for you.
Upon Loch Erne's ISLANDS,
No food nor drink BESIDE ME,
But hoping I might FIND YOU,

My OHILDEEN, to be true.

beu)'Ai, " courteous" or "mannerly," and not as the proper name Vesey.

234

A 5)1116.110 A]\ t>At n& 5CAO)\-con
A cu&icin bAin)i ^n q-leibe,
tJo 5e6.ll&-6 ni. x)eA,n b)ie6.56.c

Ace eijiij [Lei|' &n l<i.j
'S 1 n-AitinJeoin (1) vh^e ha. cLeipe
5o •ocogj.-d.inn ct'i mA.]i cetLe,
'S A. X)e, ni.\\ ■oe&p o.n fse&l pn

"Ouine d.5 eulog' le n-A jn&t)

■Oo ijeic mo c|\oit)e le bu&it))\eA'6
A511)' ]'56.nnn6.i-6 ine n«.oi n-u^-ipe
All liiAiioin ij-o -00 CU6-1&1-6 nie

IIa-c )iA.ib cii ]i(5rii6.ni le yAg&il
'S & liA.cc ta |'«-oi f'U6.i]iceA]^
C^in iTiii-e 'i" cu 1 n-UAigiie&f
'S 5aM1 1166.0 6)1 bin •o'a^i jcuiiiDAc (2)

Acn 6.11 ciuiij-gin 'y 6 6]! 6.11 5cl6|
■Qi. b^'AJ^inn 6.ni6.c vo ciiAn^ipg
"06. Toceititei. 50 bonn c)AU6ice

1l6.C6.'6 611 ^5661 ]\6 CjlUAlU 0]1111

II0 Ie6.iiy6inn -oo mo jjiAt),
'S 50 mb'ye6nn liom fince fU6)' le6c
'S 5611 yiimn 6cc y]i6oc &.'y lu6C6i|\
ni. [beic] '5 ei)-ce6cc lei]' 116. cii6C6ib

■Dio)- 6.]i puib6l 65 61)1156 li. (i.e. l6e).

(1) "Ins-oeoin" ■oiitlAipc |-e. tAftdinceAp mA)! fin e 1 meAvon

225

cheek so blush-aboundilig

O b«rry of the mountain,
Thy promises are sounding

For ever in mine ear.
And, spite of clerics frowning,
I'd take you if I found you ;
It's I who would go bounding

To see again my dear.

My heart leapt with trouble,
And I frightened nine times.
That morning that I heard

That you were not to be found before me
And all the days with merriment
That you and I spent in solitude,
Without anyone guarding us

But the jug, and it on the table.
If I could find out news of you,

If you were to go to the foot of the Beek (Croaghpatri^'i);
The story would go very hard with me,

Or I should cling to my love.
And I should rather be stretched beside you.
With nothing under us but heath and rushes.
Than be listening to the cuckoos

Who are moving at the break of day.

ConnAic*, (2) " 'n &\t scu^tAm." O'L.

226

'S e il^b&n rn'oi^riA. 'y flfgA.jcA.oin
5ac iTi6.it)iri tVioc v'i. n-ei]iigiin
A cuit T14. tub 'y r\e>. bpeupl*.

tlAc cu bj t)A.ni 1 rro&n,
'S n1 i6.]\^\y&inn le6.c m&jt pfeijAln
Ace me ey'y cu beic i n-eiri^e6.cc
1 n-4ic icemc (1) 'n i.]\ n-6.on<5.i\

5o le&jy^-inn opr mo Litii (2^.
Seinnpnn ceoL a.]\ ceutDMb
5o binn, le bAjip mo meu|iA,
tueigpnn mni. tiA. li-6i]teA.nn oi\c,

A'f te6.npMnn cu Y^" ci-riAih,
'S ■oi. mbei'oinn 6.m' ]iij, tiA. 5^^156
Ho im' piuonni"*. 6.p tiA. ced.'ocAib
"Oo beu]i]r«.inn I^ua]' mi mfe&.T) pn

"Oo peu^td, An b|iotlA.i5 b^iti.

"Oa b^-eicj.'ei. jAeulc mi eoL^if
'S 1 ceACC 1 mbeAt ah bocAip
"OfeA^AjrA 50 mbu* feo-o uaic

"Oo cog^TAO ce6 A'f ■o]\Aoi'6e6.cc,
A jltoA* "oeApg mA]i n6fAib
'S A, pill m6.p T)|iucc An p6gmA)|i,
A beitin CAnA fib tieA|'

'S A b|\A5A1T) AH ■DAC An AOll.

(1) tAbAi]i£e«t< "615m" m4t» "iceinc" 1 gContiAtcAib Ajtir mAfi
" ii5inc " 1 mutiiAn.

(2) "50 tui*Fi* ojijiAitin bif," O'l.

237

The reason of my moans and my lamentine;
Every early morning that I arise,

cool of the curls and tlie pearls,

Is, that it is not you who were fated for me ;
And I would not ask with you, for a faireen
Anything but you and me to be together
In some place alone.

So that I might lay my hand on thine (thee)

1 would play music upon strings
With the top of my fingers ;

I would forsake all the women of Erin for you,

And I would follow you through the ocean (1).
And if I were King of Greece,
Or a prince over hundreds,
I would give up all that

To the pearl of the white breast.

If you were to see the Star of Knowledge (2)
And she coming in the mouth of the road,
You would say that she was a jewel at a distance

Who would lift mist and enohantittent.
Her countenance red, like the roses,
And her eye like the dew of harvest,
And her thin little raouth, very pretty^

And her neck like the colour of the Kme.

(1) Literally: "In the swimming".

(2) Or "guiding star."

(3) Literally: "From you."

228

t)i A ns cic co]iji6. cfim-cnuinn
rhol tne i4>t) Y "' mop liom,

S i6.t) ce6.pc6. Of c6tii&nA a. cnoit)e,
Ca me 1 mbpon 'y i tiBogpo-ing (1^
rS'opp cu UMm CAp ceopAinn,
Citi If fAt)* 6 fUfi>if tne coniMjile

go tigiopiioc^ A\i mo f A056.I.

UofocAt) fiof 1 mbp^uc-buroe
A'Y pACAt) 50 Loc 6if ne,
SLijexjc 50 bonn Ceife

t)eupf&m me mo fgpiob,
Sit3bAlfA.it> me tTloin-fiile
CopcAig A'y bllltl-6lT)ip
'S ni feAff&iti m& 1 ■oUom-Speim

50 t)cei6 me 50 Upo-igbji .
11»'l gleAnnciln cnoio ns fteibe
XMk bAile-cuAin 'f'^" meo-io pn
tlAC fiubAlfMt) me, m^ fe^'OAim,

'S TiAc DcoipeocAit) me mo miAn,
IDutiA bf4g' me bpigiT) 'fAn me^t) pn
tli't Ag&m le pa6 leice
Ace be&nn&cc flAn A'f ce&t) t)o cun

l/e bLAc tiA fug-c]iAob.

(1) Aliter: "■o6ji4nn"; "a' Bedjt-dAoi," O'L,

9^9
Her two pointed ( J), equal-round breagts,
I praised them, and I oug'ht to,
Standing, making a lamp,

And they sliapen orer «gain«t her heart.
I am in grief and anguish
Since you slipped from me beyond the mearinj;,
Though it is long since I got adyice

That you would shorten my life.

I shall begin down in Breaghwy,

And I shall go to Looh Erne,

And from Sligo to the foot ot Eesh Oorran

I shall take my course ;
I shall walk Moin-Eile (Jog of Allen),
And Cork and Ben Edar (Howth),
And I shall not stand in Tomgraney

Until I go to Tralee.
There is never a hill nor mountain ralley,
Nor harbour town, in all that (country).
That I shall not walk if I can,

And that I shall not search for my desire.
And if I do not find Breed in all that
I have nothing to say to her,
But to send a blessing and a farewell and a hundred

To the blossom of the raspberries.

230

A vseirii, A c]ioi-6e, 'y a bpcAgtA [^)
11i i'5niobyA-6 t)iV5il p^ice,
A DA cic geAl*. bAn«>

^^^A]^ ^n e&l^. zs 6.\\ A.n ocoinn,
A tnAlxM* caoIa, CApjtAnigce,
'S A I'tJil cotii c|\uinn Le <ii)\ne,
A biof 1 5c6iiinuit)e, zs 'y 45^11111,

A5 f Af A\y 'bi>.]\]\ «>n coim (2).
but) iiiitl|"e blfi.]' 6. pdige
ilj, mil ncy mheiyi 'y e ^(eOiDce,
Oa t)eAf A •|-e6.']'Arii 1 Tnb]\0i5

'S A cuilponn ^TAintie^c ponn
'S OA mbemn A'y bl<i.c tid, h-btge
1 tnOiklLo- no 1 nibocol^ (3)
lli yA5pAtii6>oii' 50 t)ei)\exi-0 vdgiiiM)! e,

Ace /:i.5 fp6]»c 'y ^5 oe^nckri) 5i\inn.

■Oei)! inepcu|\i ^\s\{ t)6ig

Ju]! b'e pluco Tjiob «.ti C|'e6t) tei]-,

'S 5Ui\ Ah ioni-66. jAino^Mt) inofiis.

U^ j^b^il lovp 1116 '5UI' i,
1]' 6 Jupice]\ <!. iTiAiJTpcin
A']- cuiAllfAi* me x>'a l4t6.i]\,
Ace yMii^At) 50 10C1 &mA|\6.c

50 leigit) me mo fgic.

(1) " Scetm A cfoi-oe com-bpeAise," OX

(2) "Giop 1 jcoiiinuitie cj'p ^vjainti

114 paj- «)t bdjl HA CIlAOlt)," O'L.

2^1

Her beauty, her heart, and htr fineness
Virgil would not write in a quarter of a year ;
Her two bright white breasts

Like the swan that is upon the wares.
Her brows narrow, drawn,
And her eye as round as a sloe,
Which is always, we know (4),

Growing on the top of the bush.
Sweeter were the taste of her kiss
Than honey of the bees, and it frozen ;
Pretty was her standing in a shoe.

And her coolin was ringletted and fair ;
And if I and the blossom of youth
Were only in Balla or in BoJiola,
We should not leave it till the end of harvest,

But sporting and making merriment.

Mercury says that ihe is certain

That it was Pluto who swept away tihe jewel with hiin.

And there are many great guards

Going between me and her.
Jupiter is their master,
And I shall journey into his presence.
But I shall wait till to-morrow

Until I take my rest.

(3) "1 scilLcAOi no i -oCtiAismofi," O'L.

(4) There is probably something wrong in this line.

232

U4 me cutp^'eAC, bne6it)ce.
Cit) CAiC iiie IcAC mo tposA,
50 fio|\)mn6e ^5 'o6An&m bjioin,

tl? cot)l6.igim neutt loe'n oi<)C ,
'S 6 tug hepcule^ le ^lo-ne&nc
Ce|ibe|iui' ve'n b6cx\)i,
An me&f^rin pb n<\c c6^\\ -b^m

Wo fcop 1)0 LeAn6>mAin yio]-.

Y\io\\ moji lixim congnAm Iaiohi,
111'L me mojt le ChA^ion,
b'6iT)ip -bo m6 b^tA*

"Oa wcisinn in a lion.
VS A h&o 'f A ihAioiwe ^Ama.
50 f1oj\)AUi-6e AnnfUD e>.]\ 5^iit)&.
tli c&itniJeAnn t)i\e&m &n p<ip& lei|-,

Tli jetlle^nn ye t)'a nwlije.
tliop cAb&ii\ 'o&m n& SpAinij
HIa]! ge^ll 6.|\ t)Ainiii05«.in ITl^me,
■Diot) A5 bnug&t) A'l' 6.5 c^)\n6.-6

'S Aj con5bi.1l n& ngftll y\o\-,
Ace ui mAitifeA* Calvin l^ 'cine (1)
CiiomAill, llAnn^iAOi, ^'y 1iy\A]\tA\r\,
"OA l-5|iiobf6.-6 ]'i6.t) fAm c^iit)*.

Hi h-eite6cAi-6e o]Mti pijin.

(1) I.e. " ii. eisin."

^33

1 am tired, sick,

Though I hare used up ni> boots after jrou ;

Everlastingly making grief,

I do not sleep a wink in the night.
And since Hercules with eicessive strength
Carried off Cerberus from the road,
Do ye not think that is right for me also

To follow my lore down below.

I require strong help,

I am not great (on terms) with unaron ;

He might drown me

If I were to come into his net.
His boat and oars
Are constantly there on guard ;
The people of the Pope do not please him.

He does not submit to their law.
No help to me would be the Spaniard,
Because of Queen Mary,
Who used to be bruising and overthrowing

And keeping down the Galls.
But if Calvin were alive, some day,
Cromwell, Henry, or Martin,
They would write for me a card,

And not a penny would be required of me.

234

'Se pluco All piiionti]-A clAnip|i6.c
Sgiob UAini mo g]>d."6 Agu^' m'^nni-ACC
6 petn xxjuf tl6."0AtiiAncu|'

tli co.iii.i'o -OAm An 'ouf,
Oulcxvn bjiuijce Tjoigce
'S A leA.t-coi' b)ii]-ce bpeonoce,
lllinof VAC ■0CU5 (1) cp6cAi|ie,

Ha cpii|-c<i.i$ Ati jA'oui'Oe conic'.
If loimOA &bAinti bAi-bce
Sin A-gu]' concAbAinc cji^nicc,
U6i^\ne6.CAi'6 A5 c^)in*.-(i

XXSU]- ^5 lofgA* A]! 5AC C6,0lb,

Ace C)iiAlL|rAt) o)i)\& AmA]U\c

Agui' 111&11 ABiiiuig ]-i«,T) nio gjiAt) tiAm,

geob^o consnA-tJ lAit)i]\

V\C)-c n-eiteocAiwe o)\m pijin.

P&ncA. pnn nio^; thou ''^^^^

'S CucullMnn <sn l«>oc cjiosauca

Tliji cLi^' 1 5Cd.c A]\i;Mii,
CL^nn Ui^nig t)itb&i]ic 50 leo)! liom
"Oo bMnpe&'o t>.y clMueMii l6c)io>n,
Asu-p lleccoi\ An l^-oc moji-cpuc

•pu&i)! yogluini bi\eo>5 ^'^n Cp&oi.

(1) "t)FU*i)i" tjub^iA-o liom-r<.

335

It is Pluto is the disputatious prince

Who snatched from me my love and my dear;

Himself and Bhadamanthus,

Neither of the two are friends to me.
Vulcan, bruised and iburnt,
With his one foot broken and injured ;
Minos, who gave no mercy,

Do not trust the rogue for ever.
Many is the drowning river (I must encounter)
That, and the ruinous peril.
Thunders overwhelming

And burning on every side ;
But I shall journey towards them to-morrow.
And ii they will not admit my love to me
I shall receive strong help,

So that a penny shall not be required of rae.

The Fenians of Finn I would want,
Oscar, and GoU Mac Moma,
And Cuchulain the valiant hero

Who never failed in battle.
The children of Uisneach, many have told to nie
Who used to strike flame from sword,
And Hector the great-framed hero.

Who found fiiie learning in Troy.

236

CUnnfeA 1 t)Triii n& IvOtje

J^ntorii rixi b].-e6]\6. m6]iA,

An c)iAt toiMigeo.x)A]\ 6.' yc]\6ceyt

Ace 1iipire|\ n\o]\ 1)16)1 -oAm
tw\\ ITIencon ^" T^^'P eolui]- lioni,
T\i.\\ teig /^.tnuj' 1 n-^on h6te>.\\ me
50 t>cu5 tiie &b&iLe bpijit).

As V° ^^^r*'" «o ]unne ^-n UeAccuijie aj inolA-t)
cein^e Ml i'lJeAwOiiA. "Do cuiji ^6 •ouil )ii«.iti 1 b|.e6.]i-
ceiiiwe niAic. t)i ■oa pcio no itiA)i pn ■o'pge&iooniili x\5
obxJii)! 5AC I4 1 nibxMl-Loc-jirAc m^A^\\ bi ^n TleACCui]ie
Atin, Aju)- bu* Mt) t>o fiinne CAUxMg tiA cj)\e. Ili meArMtii
50 bfinl ntof mo nA T^et>.]\ Aiti^in no beijic &nn Anioi'.

AH pgeA'ooin.

TTIolMtn 50 ■oeo A11 c)\Ann AgAiji 'y mi yeoL

'S &n ci-Linn no beiji leigeAn ■oo'n cuhj-a,
An c-uj&im ^'f *■" VP°^ 'V^^ Iaiti-cLaii nion ihoji,

An jApumnA nA punnepi' (1) 'y An cuiuia.
Ua An uy\\hy Le V'^JmI, a gcion a'j- a jcaiI,

'S A-n pSeAtJoip, 1T1ac tfluine ■o'a curinoAc;
'Se duijifeAtS bjiAC bpAJAio a^i feAjiAib 'y aji mnAib,

Inf 5AC beAlAC 'nA gcoolAt) 'y 'nA nt)ui)eAcc.

(1) "An 5«t"" incite," G

(2) Literally : I praise for ever the beam and the loom Ind
the reeds that give the course free-play ; The gears and tlie shuttle
and the hand- board is wanted ( 1), The weaver's beam, the runners

237

You wcwjld hear in the Land-of-Touth
The deeds of the great men,
When they began a-tearing

And cutting down before thom ;
But Jupiter I required,
Who sent Mentor the guide with me.
Who never let me go astray in any road

Until I brought Breed home.

Here is a poem which Baftery made in praise of tiR« trade of
the weaver. He ever loved a good tradesman. There were about
A couple of score of weavers working every day in Loughrea when
Raftery was alive, and it was they who made the clothes of the
country. I do not think there are more than one or two left
now,

THE WHAVEB.

'Tis the staff that I praise, and the loom and its ways,

And the reeds with the threads down-flowing,
The wonderful geers and the hand-board that steers,

And the beam with the runners going.
It's a wonderful tool not worked by a fool ;

God prosper the weaver so knowing!
The neckercliief fine which he weaves, it shall shine

On the bosom of women glowing (2).

and the spinnmg-wheel ; The tools are to be had in love and
fame, And the weaver, may the Son of Mary protect him ; It is he
would put a neckcloth on men and women. In every road, sleenina
and waking. ' •^ *

23^

tli'l biuiirifiiol "OA t>neA5C6> a|\ ciiuinniug' no bAi)\e,

Ap A cAp6.ll, ti&c b]roilLfe6.t) ti, fuici,
PiUin bjiei-s i-px), A-'f *• t)eilc fAoi n-A Ia]i,

•Ribiniti, i\u^F&it), c>.'y gutiA.
A p6-llA.in5 bjiei-j cli-ic Y a mbionn e>.]\ a. bfVA56.1T),

'Se ['n] fedl 00 beqi V^fgAt) n's glutiAib,
'S An fCAp CAP 6if b^if t)A -ocApuJAt) A)\ An jcl^n.

5up Beifiue e ^-jiopcA t)A cun^nAiii.

Am AC Af A Lap x)o cijcAf jac aiIj (1\

An cAppec, An pluio, A'f a" r"!'*'-
An muflin Y An g^ur, feoL loinge 'gu)' b^it),

'S 50 ngleuf Ann fe UAifle nA cui5e.
An ceimbpic 'p a" lAtin, cencep cpoip bAp (2),

'S nA piotJAi* gnit) liAbic A'p gunA,
An ceApAmAp (3) bAn 'p An belbec ip peApp

"OS'lfy CA1C piAITl lAplA nA T)1l3cA.

SpfeApAi* Ap pcol (4) mup nweAnpA* pe acc bpog,

but) miAn le tnniiib 65A bete 1 n^ leip (5),
Tlo ci-illitip Ap b6pt> 'p A pipup 1 gcoip

TTlup ngcApppAt) p6 ACC coca no c^bA.
Tli c^mpeAt) Aon cpopc, ni'L bAinc AgAm •06,

Acc 'pe 'n figeA'o6ip fApAig An pioJACc,
but) niAic e 1 t)ci5 An oil, peAp-CAicce An j-poil,

Ui. ponAp A'p pog 6 Cpiopc Aip.

(1) Aliter, " Att<5e."

(2) Aliter, " kinton crossbar and ceticefi cjiofbiiji,"

(3) Aliter, ''cashmere."

(4) "peap Ajt ceAtin pcoit," C.

239

There is no damsel, however fine, at meeting or hurling -raatcli,

On her horse, that there would not fit her, under her,
A fine high pillion and a belt round her middle,

Eibbons, ruffs, and gown ;
Her fine soft-pliant cloak, and what goes upon her neck,

It is the loom that give« protection to her knees ;
And the man after death being arranged on the board,

Sure he is the nicer for a skirt to help him.

Out of its midst there comes every thing-of-beauty (?),

The carpet, the blanket, the quilt.
The muslin, the gauze, the sail of ship and of boat,

And sure it dresses the nobles of the province ;
The cambric and the lawn, Canton cross-bar.

And the silks that make habit and gown.
The white cashmere and the best velvet

That ever earl or duke wore,

A shoemaker on a stool if he never made but a shoe

Young women would like to be nigh him,
Or a tailor at a table and his scissors in order,

If he only cut out a ooat or a cape (6)
I shall not dispraise any sort, I have no dealing with it.

But it is the weaver surpassed (all in) the kingdom ;
Good was he in the house of drinking, the man who throws the
shuttle,

There is happiness and prosperity from Christ upon him.

(5) =Andice teif, lAirii teif.

(6) Raftery means to insinuate that women like the weaver,
the indoor worker, equally, or more.

240

lli'l pie nA h&\\V) (1) 6'n cSionnA.inn 50 qiAig,

tlA^c leigpt) T116 6.n ^'CA-ncuj- yuto.,
'S mu\\ b).*uil |-e f aic i^\m 6 bu&iL me a.tin Li>m,

6iLe6c6.ni tne beAgi-iiin cungtiAii).
tli'L iy^&m le i\a-6 ty\\ ).'6.« in i-^n gCAf,

Ace A^n buiAn&c ni.)\ c|iocm5 y6 yiunc&c,
A]\if 50 t4 'n bilif coih p&t) 'f '"*-'l'V*R6^l" cL*.nn ^i)&m,

tli liiolyAt) Aon yee>.]\ (2) «>f 6. Tbuicce.

tn^ CA^\]A6.in5 ]e fiA^t bi yee>.]\ 6-]\ An ^-liA-b

X>o to-^yAi) 50 i-giopcA mo pAiiic-^-e,
"Oe ■pliocc Cl-oinne XX\\V 6 co]'6.c «.' cf A.05A1L,

11a^» eicjj ye^n in&iii [^aoi] ci,)\r^ (3).
t>et]nm 06 'n c^i&ob 'f 50 m*.init) ^-e i,

'S 50 bi'dciw "OiA yonu^' a']' At) A1H,
'S 50 'Deithin, A. Suibne, ua lleAccuipe bumeAC uior,

Aguf 6l{.'&it) in)' 5AC b^ile t)o f-lAince.

tluAip bi An tlcAcctiipe Aon Am AiiiAin 1 jCcAp&d-

CCAgAlt, A1C ACa leAC-beAlAI j 1'01|\ t)AlUl0C-)\1A'bAC

Ajuf bfiAWt-tiA-fluAJ, Agu]' cimcioll 061^^0 miLc
CAob fioj' 'o'6AC-t)puim, yuAip y6 At)bAH mAir AbnAin Ay
p6y&.X) DO b! Ann. "Oo bi beipc An-bocc in ]-An aic ^-in,
a6c com bocc ajui' t)0 biooAH, wo ceApA-DA)i 50 bpo]--
rA'6 pAt) te deite. tlio^i jn^tAC, An uai]! I'ln, ■OAOine 00
beir pofCA in ^An ceAinpotL, acc x>o rei-ocAB ah ia5A]ic
50 ceAC An tiuine -('Aitibip te 'nA p(5|-At), ajiii'bo cigcAt)

(1) "]?e4ji ■DAin uA'n concAinn 50 rjij," S.

(2) " ni f j'Cit)FiT> me FeA|i," C.

(3) " IlAfi D-imijieot) A\\ fe4|i Aji bic cJi|ttM," 0,

«4i

There is not a pott nor a bard who makes song from the ShannoQ
to the shore
But I shall let the history (of the weaver) go to them,
And if it be not high (praise) enough, since I have taken a hand
in it,
I shall seek for a very-little help.
I have nothing to say, tliroughout, in the case,

Except that O'Jirien did not prove worthy,
And in future till the day of my death, so long as the clan Adam
shall live,
I shall never praise (4) any man out of his (own) country.

If 'he had (only) drawn westward there was a man on the mountain

Who would quickly take my part.
Of the race of the clan of Milesius from the beginning of th«
world.

Who never refused any man for a quart ;
I give him the branch, and may he live to wear it,

And may God see prosperity and luck upon him.
And surely, O Sweeney, Uaftery is thankful to you,

And will drink in every town your health.

When Baftery was once in Cappaghtagle, a place which is
half-way between Loughrea and Ballinasloe, and about four miles
north of Aughi-im, he got good material for a song out of a
wedding which took place there. There was a very poor couple
in that place, but, as poor as they were, they determined that
they would marry one another. It was npt usual at that time for
people to be married in the churches, but the priest used to go
to the sick man's house to marry him, and the poor man used to

(4) Aliter : " I shall never believe." There is here some local
allusion which I cannot clear up.

242

A'l liA-ile 5)»eAnn 'oo •oe^.nA-tii ■ooib j.-ein a-|- ah bp6]-^t) 1-0,
A^M]' qitiitiTiig p^y-o le ceile, 50 t)ciiini5 p^X) 1 n-6in-
|-e6.cc teif An t&tiMiiAin 50 ce^c 4,n c]-&56.i]\r. tlu6.i]t
bi An beijic Annpn aj ].'6.n&m6.inc tei]- ah f a-ja^ic, cua.i'o
n^ buACAilti-fte 50 ci§-6.n-6it •00 bi a ii-6.ice teo, ajuj'
co^-uij pii.'o 4.5 6t. "Oo bi pe^]\e b6.CAC Anni'in, ^lonip*,,
A5 i&)i]AAit) loeipce, aju]' ctig n& buA.c^.iUi'Oe ticApc Le
n'ol •061b, 50 bpiocfa.-6 pA-o 5ne6.nn &.]•€&.. nio]( b).-At)A
50 ii6,ib &n ctiplA A|i meifge, aju]- tojing ^iat) a^ rjiofo
le ceile, Ajiif A5 buAlAV a ceibe. tliiAin CAinig ah
tAnAiiiAin nuAt)-p6i'CA aiiiac 6 ti j An nj'AgAijic CAp ei^'
An fDOfCA, T)o cnuinnig An c6tiiUiA'0A)\ nA •ocimcioLl, aju)'
■o'yAgACAiA ]'An mbAile iAt), acc mo leun ! ni )iAib Ag An
lAnAiiiAin boicc nuAip CAngAOAH AbAibe acc p]UcAit>
b^iuicce O'SMf i-gA-OAn 50ii^\c le n-A fviip6A]i. t1iiAi)t
cuALAit) An KeAccutjie c]\acc a\\\ yeo, An Ia aii nA
ii)Ai\AC, ■00 bi ye A5 5Ai|u-6e -^vy ]ut An c-ui^-je a|' a
f-uilib, Agtti' nion ^-cAt) ye 50 nweAnnAit) ^-e An vi-n ro
A)\ An inbAnAip

Ua ]i«t) eijm in f An ■oah p a -oeAlui^eAf 6 6'n
jcuio IT tiio id'oIaih An TleAcci'n)ie. Ua I0115 nA ]-eAn-

bgAJlfAlgCACCA pn Aljl A ■OCllgtAjl "1v6llnAlgeACC lit6]l"

Aguf "SfiAtinA '' le yeicpnc yo]' aji nA lincib ]-eo. X)a
ngeA^tiifAi-oe ^lo]- co]A]\-line Ann]-o Ajup Annp-o, ni beic
ACC feAcc no occ pollAi* in]- gAC line ya-n j^cuit) ^y mo
■oe nA ceAC)\AiiinAib, mA^ aca in I'An c]'eAn-beAiirAic-
eAcc. Ua nA lince niof ceAnncA-le-c6ile, nio]- sionnA,
nio]' •oluice nA in i^An jcuno 1]- mo id'a ciiit) t)An. 4z:
ro ^ :—

come to the priest's house. The youths of the village thought to
make fun for themselves out of the wedding, and they gathered
together and came in company, with the couple, to the priest's
house- When the pair were there, waiting for the priest, the
lads went into a tavern that was near them and hegan drinking.
There were a couple of bacachs, or stui-dy beggarmen, there, before
them, asking for alms, and the boys gave them plenty to drink
that they might pick fun out of them. It was not long until the
two were drunk, and they began fighting and beating one another.
When the newly-married pair came out of the priest's house after
being married, the company gathered round them and left them
at home ; but, alas 1 the poor couple when they came home had
culy boiled potatoes and a salt herring for their supper. When
Baftery heard an account of this the next day he was laughing
until the water ran from his eyes, and he never stopped till he
made this poem about the wedding.

There is something in this piece which distinguishes it from
the rest of Baftery's work. There is a mark of the ancient
styles of versification, which were called Great Bannaigheacht and
Seadhna, to be obsei-ved yet in these lines. If an occasional lino
here and there were cut down there would be only seven syllables
Of eight syllables in each line, in the most of the quatrains, just
as in the old versification. The lines are more compact, shorter,
and more condensed than in the most oif his poems. Here is the
»ong:—

«44

bAitifeis All csteA-Ot^in riioni.

'guinea'' itinned.* pu*)' oo'n ceoL,

CU15 puncA &.']• c\\6m ■00 jruAi)* sn ye>.^t>\iv:.

1]' Ann "00 ^5Ap6.i) fi'tj n& h-e6]in6.,

" Ale" ^Y popcep t>-'y my^e-heo-tA,
UeAiii6.i]» ne>. I't-oj (1) b^ j-A.thMl wo

An cji&t bioif &5 61 6 oiiic' 50 umibiii.

\y Ann o'veicyei. An mig-ftuAJ (2) moji,

Pjt 50 le6]i, A]- 65-iiinA t)e&]'A.
If ye&.]\ 5A.n qtofoe n^c te&npxxti tsdib,

t)A 5ea.ll le "fhow'* lAt) out qie 'n mbAile.

t)i biA"6 'gui* t)eoc T>o'n inbcAg Y^o'" itlo)!,
'S 5An 5I-A016AC ni. c6i|\ a]\ cocAijib b)ieACA.

Ace luce cnocAij A|\t)A, bonnecp, bg^be]*]',
Cenconj' (3), ce)mb|iic, ^Y gun^io gcAtA.

Ij' lomoA CAiLin bA^HAiiiAil fpfimeAihAil,
"Oo bi Ann glfiAfCA 1 jclot) 'y 1 bfAipun.

"OAmbeic a cleAiiinAf }\6i5ce 50 mbup ■oca]- An fgCAt
"Oo beic A5 c6iii)>Ai) lei ai> coliiiAt) leApcAn (4).

(1) " TaTar no slo," Hessian.

(2) " ni4fl-«»5." G- ; " moLtAV B.I.A. I edit as above.

(3) Aliter, " Centiah," " kintoas," " cenconp," |'0tic-6A««i^.

(4) " A veh da breagave er coUoo," Hessian.

(5) (Literally : " A feast t^iere was at Shlahaun More (the
t'j^Q of the tovnland )), And many say that it lasted for a week ;

If

«45

THE WEDDING AT SHLAHAUN MOR.

A feast there was at Shlahaun MORE,

It lasted O'ER six days at least there ;
The piper got a guinea's STORE,

A pound and MORE they gave the pries^ there (5).

It was there the price of the barley was scattered,

Ale and porter and usquebagh ;
Tara of the hosts was like it,

When they used to be drinking from night till morning.

It is there you would see the great cavalcade,
Numbers of men and handsome young women ;

He is a man wilhout a heart who would not follow them (6),
They were all as one as a show, going through the village.

There was food and drink, both for small and for great,
Without either call for or running-after speckled (i.e., frieze J)
coats,
But (there were there) only people of high top-knots, bonnet,
and beavers,
Kintons (7), cambric, and bright gowns.

Many is the girl fine and sky-like.
Who was there dressed up in form and fashion,
Whose match, if it were arranged, it were a nice thing (8)
To be conversing with her on the side of a couch.

A guinea was made up for the music. Five pounds and a crown
the priest got."

(6) Or "cling to tbem." .

(7) Some sort of a fabric of the period. It ooouxb in tire
Song of the Weaver. Centon is a variant, also Kentish.

(8) Literally : " Story."

2^6

6at)ai5 cLaih, th-'y boi)\t) vi. jieip pn,
1 troiAi^ 6. ceile bi p&t) te&jc^..

bj\io5uin a')' ceine oi" coinne & ceile,
AY 11V\ine A-Cein ^5 ci>.y:>.t An b)0|\A.

'Oel].- A-Y cliinA, cun]ieen, CA-epoc,

Aguf mojUn jneiqie b^n^ ^Y bpe&CA..

ScAcc x6^]\z yeolc). cujab a)\ bopt) /^nn,

5L6a|-C6. coi^Mgce Of coiiiAi^A An cj-ajaijic.
Illuic-feoiL, ni6.ii\c-f:e6il, cAOin-ieoiL nofCA,

UU)ICA15 56At>6. pua6lT) aY CCApCA.

pACHMt) (1?) uij-je &.]\ pUcAib glgAfCA,

C6. 'uiL An c-cAn nAc bpeicpwe Ann, leAgCA,

Lonuub, leATOog, cueAbA]!, cei|\]'eAc,
CpocAc, nA0]'5AC, a']' peine lACAin.

1 n-Aitnpi\ c6ii'i]A I'ui-oe le ceile,

I'^VS V^JAil jlcAfCA vi>.]\ nt)6i5, niop feAjig,
bpeAC AYtp^oAti, c)'.oi]-5 hiaY |,-eit)i]i,

mA6x)en ]\Ae (2) Ajuf cnu-OAn oeAiig.

UonAbojTO bioti A|i cof AC meii'e,

An lAng, An bpfiAin, An plAf Y *>" bAlLAc.
Cat)05, ]ionnAC, ^'jAOAin ujia,

AY bei« me A5 fiiit le huy Ay mAnjAd.

(1) " Patree Iska," Hessian. " pAictiKtrsa " An pocAl ce«itc.
(2; '* Meadin Be agus crodane," Hes!<ian.

347

There were table-cloths, and talbles according,

One after another they were laid out.
Bright dislies, pewter plates,

And sharp knives to commence carving.
Automatic-spits and fire over against one another.

And Mary Oane twisting the hand-spit,
DeU and china, turreens, teapots.

And many jewels white and speckled.
Seven sorts of meat were brought upon the table,

Dressed and arranged before the priest,
Pork, beef, roast mutton,

Turkeys, geese, pullets, and hens.

Partridges dressed on platters.
Where is the hird might not be seen there, laid.
Blackbird, golden-plover, wood-cock, thrush (3),
Ourlew, snipe, and brace of ducks.

At the time of the feast and sitting together,
To get a fish dressed, no doubt, it yould not vea you (4),

Trout and s.ilmon, codfish if possible,
Maidenray, and red gurnet.

Let a turbot 'be on the front of the dis'h.

The ling, the bream, the plaice, the rockfish.

The haddock, the mackerel, fresh herrings,
And I shall expeot a pike and a pollock.

(3) Or perhaps "blackbird." Some people say this is the
cock, others say it is the hen blackbird.

(4) OLriterally: "It were not a.nger."

246

go bfAJitiAoit) 5AC Aon ni* i ocjUig 'j' ' 5cIat)«.«I
pujici.n, 5I10111AC, oi^xjtitie (1), )-e6ctd.it>,

A'y mA]! yv&\\\ p 56.C &oti ns ^r&5&i« &n cipcoif

Itli&f ^BWf l^ce le 1i-Mf & c6ile,
treA^i Aju]' cfiAT) a' ^iah Y ^' VT^^r"*''"

Ace molMt) Ati cj\&ol!) le bl^c n^ j'geime,
'fi 1 gleAf ^n me&t!) tit), 1TI&ny tofcuf.

C*CAit) pOfCA cugMi «-!« bopt) «.nn,
AIIAT1 bjie^j 56.bAl&c, pon A'f " qiAclmsf,"

Ace A.n c-A* 50 ^Aib t>.\\ &n t)1f t)o pof a*,
VnA\^ If 0|mA -Oxin tit)6ig t)o geobfA An bfi^bAC (2).

t)! " JA]i'' 'f 5AC lAirii, le Ancop l^n,

ITIaii If v^^r 6 A^iAtTi t)o clcxjicc An fAijifinse (3),
puinnfe 'f bpAn-oxMg A'f slAinitte i>.\\ b6]iT),

If lonroA f cf oinf e w'f-eicfeA Ann IcAgCA,

ttum A'f "cAnA^y" 1 gcAnnAib a' Uimnig,
50 le6f tnnA jlfeAfCA A'f " ne^uf '' aca,

tnunA jcMAlAf bf eA5, le ti-6i]ii5e An Iac,
'O'feicfeA cfeAD nAc bf eAwf a* f eAf Arii.

boilAT) 'd'A gCf ApA-6, CeAC IDA )\6lC1U5A'6,

If lonroA " f CAC '' (4) t)0 bi le bAllA,
tofAig •oAihf A, felt) nA ceolcA,

'S nA]i ^\6-bfeA5 ^n fp6]ic t)o beiC 'n^jn-Aice.

(1) " I«ree, seakU," Hessian.

(2) " Orrive feane a freeve [f f'*, was fontid] a brabbach, Hecsian.

(3) Pronounced " *ti <ipf poe.'

249

l!he ta!ble is not halWressed, CVen after all that,

Until we get everything by the shore and the strand,
trabs, lobsters, oysters, shrimps.

And since ehe has got all, do not omit the tortoise-
One and twenty plates beside one another,

A hundred and one men dividing and attending.
But praise ye the branch with the blossom of beauty.

It was »he dressed all that — Mary Loftus.

Wedding cakes were brought upon the table there,
Fine bread with barm, wine and cracklings.

But may the luck be on the pair who were married,
For it is on them, no doubt, you wouldget the brabac* (5)

There was a jar in each hand with a full anker.

For he is a man who ever practised generosity,
Punch and brandy and glasses on the table ;

Many is the lubber you would see overthrown there.
Rum and Canary, leaping in cans,

Plenty of women dressed up, and having negus.
And, unless it's a lie I heard, when the day rose

You would see a hundred who were not able to stand.

Tables being bundled-together, house being readied out,
Many is the seat that was beside the wall ;

The dance began, the music played.
And was it not the very fine sport to be near them.

(4) "Shoade " [i.e. feo-o], Uesaian

(5) Brabach means "gain," or the margin of advarotaKre in n
transacfon. Mr. Pinn recites " ^5 Andy Un " in the ^t liw,
" Anker ' w not an Irish word. ^'

250

A]\ «.n ngjieAtin &]\ f&t) ni tiub&pfA ceo,
5«H ApwAig ^n c-oL 1 fcuAic n* mb&c&c,

■OiAttAl com tiA cl&it)e 50 bot^n tn6]\,
TIac jcluitifeA gleo ajui' i^ufgA* bAC&.

t)i puif (?) riitiA (1) fince &)\ ati ii6t),

Agui" ■OA.tA mo ■6615 50 n&b^'OAH f^l6.c (2),

Ace i^ T)Mh-|"A 'o'ei|ii5 An mi-i-t) m6)i,
■Oo CAill An fpo^c A5U)' me a|\ mo le&bAit).

rii'L pollnA cpo nA bot&n bo,

tlckC 5cluinnpei. gleo Ann a]* pubxil le b6.ll6.,
Ace " Pabaio the Song '' a'v TtlACAnn (?) m6\i (3),

"Oo buAil 50 te6)< A'f T)o miLl Ati b^ile.

■OubMjAC An fe^n liom bi fAn Iacaiji,

5up b'e An pAiBi^iin pAi|\ceAc bi A5 nA bACAi5,
eiiiije j-UAf 5An V51C nA fpif

CtlAllllte f A JAll, AJUf COfUgAt) Ag J^AeATJAt*.

CuAcnonA An Iac fin w'feicfeA 1 n-emfcAcc

jAbcA gbcAf CA nAOl gCCAT) bACAC,

Af AriiAin-riiAC-gceAii^inA, &]• UtiiAlL-lli-ttlAiUe,
Ax tlAccA]! ^\^r} A'f Af Con Am Ap A.

LlCip f A01 feAlA CUAlt> f An " mAil,"

AgtiffiubAl p fiipe 1 n-imccACC fCAccmAin (4),
t)eAiiiAn bACAC ^leiceAiiiAil X)'A jcuaIai-o fjeAl Ai|S

nA]\ 5IAC A gl6Af A'f ■6' CulAlt) gAlfge.

(1) " Pushvra," Hessian, Mr. Hughes says it means " a stout coatte
women beyond 40." (2) " j;iin 6L fiA-o stiedTjam," G. (3) " Paddy Long
«gM M'Qann Mor, G. I read mAtAn. (4) "Himpul sliaughtan," Hessian

35 »

For all the fun (as good as it was), you would not glyo a,
traneen (5)

Until the drink mounted into the pinnacles of the bacachs (6),
The devil a bush there was, nor ditch, as far as Bothar Mor,

That you would not hear the row and the welting of sticks.

There were ctoarse-looking (?) women stretched out on tilie road,

And upon my word but they were dirty ;
But it is to me the great misfortune happened,

Who lost all the sport and me in my bed.

There was never a hole, or stye, or cowshed.
But you would hear the row, going by the wall.

But it was Paddy the Song and Big Mac Gann
Who struck plenty and destroyed the villasi'

The (i.e., a) man that was present told me

That this was the rosary the bacachs had.
To rise up without rest or stop.

To get wattles and to fall to leathering.

On the evening of that day you would see together,
Prepared and dressed up, nine hundred bacachs.

From Abhainn-mac-gCearna and Umhall Ui Mhaill'. ,
From Oughterard and from Connemara-

A letter under seal went into the mail,

And travelled round Ireland for a week ;
The devil a rake of a bacach of all who heard the news

But seized his equipments and his hero's suit.

(5) literally : " A &g."

(6) i.e., "in the heads of the beggarmen" who were outside
the house and came to get something at the feast.

252
CLeic tiAoi T)qioi5e, oineAc, l&noiji,

Coinfn einij- (1), i'C]\ApA &Y "iaLa,
bucLi, CAijine, 'y beilc lii&it leAca-ijt.

6 X)]\o^cet>.v Me>- '\- Miup $6.)Uirii,
[A)i] boicpib -dC&l'SUAc u'f-eicjreA a l«.n,
Aguj- «.nu&f le-^-itiA, c^ob Sleib b&icce (2)

■DeAitiAn cL6.it)e ha p&l 6 Cloc nt, Pai^cc,
Mac |i6.ib &11 l&p oo'n Ce&p &.' cScajmI,

C]\uAc n^ ^xaca, ni. le&c-CAoib beAjitiAnn,
Hac bfejcfei, Ann pAi|'ce, be&n, n& bACAc.

Socpuij pAt) cAmpA oy cotnne a cede,
A'y fUAijt fiAT) ]\kii) Le t)uL ctitn cAtA,

Cac nA bpuHAnn loo b'fUf a a neiiftceAC,
Wa a 5cup 6 ceile Apif 50 itiAmin.

t)i "piccheur,"' "cecclef." pACAit., (3) A'f ihaIaK)
1 mbfiAl n^ nUtoe o'f-eic|reA iAt» cAtcce,

t)i ywl Ap j-muic Af ttiAlAit)e geApjitA C),
A'f A cuAilte i,n-AijiT)e 1 lAim jacS bACAij.

(J) "Coreen »gus erish," Hessian j "cujijieen t*ipir," B.I.A.

(2) *' eiccj*)" G,

(3) This 1 edit pucAi* or pucAi'de of Q. and R.I.A. jrtolt* «n
Clois som«tim»a wrote poc* for p«c*.

(4) " Full er smut ag'is leckna garay." Hessian.

(6) The sugan handles of a creel that pass over the shoulders,
riie "curreen" was the budget carried on the right hip, with a

253

A wattle of nine feet long, straigfht and strong,
A ferule on the top and a spit standing (out of it),

A budget with an urrish (5), a strap and bag,
A buckle made of a nail, and a good leather belt.

They journeyed to us out of every point of the compass.
From Drogheda, and out of the West from Galway ;

On the roads of Ahaacragh you would see a number,
And coming down the slope on the sides of Slieve Bachta.

The devil a ditoh or hedge from Cloch-na-pairce

But was thrown down to Cappaghtagle ;
Nor a rick, nor a stack, nor the side of a gap,

That you would not see in it a child or a woman or a bacacli.

rhey ranged their camps over against one another,

And they got ready to go to 'battle ;
It would have been easier to quiet the Battle of the Sheaves (6)

Than to put them asunder again till morning.

There were pitchers, kettles, packs, and bags.
In the middle of the street you would see them pitched ;

There was blood on snouts, and foreheads cut.
And his wattle on high in the hand of every bacach.

strap over the left shoulder ; the " urrish " is the back-band of the
budget.

(6) A ibattle once fought hy the Fenians, called the "Battle
of the Sheaves," because Conan, liaving slain the first of the enemy,
said to the other Fenians : " I have reaped the first sheaf ; do ye
reap the rest." This, at least, is the story I ortce heard. J havg
nvver seen the name mentioned in literature.

254

1]' Atinpiii •00 cug&t) An "b&ccle" cjiUAit),
t)'t cloi5ne cIuaj'a. a']' BI'UA'S 'o'a i'q\eAC6.ilc,

U)\At cpumnij 6.n fluAJ a.juj' f'CAf p&io V"*r»
b^ concAbMnc c^tuMO a. beit 'n* n-6>)ce.

niAJriA-f triop cjiAC bi fe beo,

Lon^g Ue^riiAi^A 116. ]'l6g yut, pgA-iOA* A be^g&ti,
"Oi. tnbeic ye Anti|-ut) le cu|' o-n jleo,

Ce^t) |:e/s.]\ t)'.A fo^c ni j.-e6.T)p6.'6 fCAfMii.

66.^»cuib qieA.n n* fgio-c iTib]»eAc,

"Oo ^Ainne &r> q\eAC i n-6.ice Ati cuAin (1),

fiA-nnA pnn 'y b. 5C)\uinniu5&-C ^p itat),
Tli cuippe^t) tid. b^CAig i iToiA-ig a gcuil.

CodIaoc, ^humi, Ainle (2), A'f 1lA0i|-e

C65).'6.i6 cio]- 1 n-Aitrif ii\ S^ifje,
5olL niAC tT16|vii*>, An 'OeA]\5 ITlon,

Agu]- UaiIc ni&c C]»e6)n 00 beic 'n^ n-6icp.

Sspioj* n& C|\6.oi "oeic mbliA'onA 'y mi,
Sut) 6 An " fiege " le'|\ cuir nA ^.-ca^a,

Ace A l^ujA* A]\iAiii 'y A mbeA|\f A)\ coitce,
tli peAoyA* fSl'iob a]\ jniotii n^ nibACAC.

Cnoc-An-ilip, bA iti6]\ 6 a caiI,

Ua poy A5 A tAn 50 noeA^nAt) Ann jAij-^e.
Ace ATI c6 bi Ann]'Ut) A'f a CAinig ylsn,

11io]\ bpu leif q\ACCAt) aji Cac CLuAin rAijib.

(1) "An ■oum," G. (2) "AiLLe," .; " ala agu5 neesha," llessian.

(3) i.e., Heroides.

(4) Ouchulain's son.

(5) Th? three ohildron of IJisneqo.h, Ainle is pronounc-ed Aille

255
U is there tlie hard battle was delivered, ;

There were skulls and ears and hair torn ;
When the host gathered together and stood up,

It was desperate danger to he near them.

Manus the Great the time he was alire,

Who burned Tara of the hosts hefore he could be overthrown,
If ho had to be there at the beginning of the conflict, ' J

A hundred men of his sort would not have stood it.

Erkel (3) the Strong of the speckled shields.

Who wrought the spoil beside the harbour,
'J'he Fenians of Finn, and they all to be gathered together.

Would not have made the bacachs retreat.

Conlao<;h (4), Ardan, Ainle, and Naoise (5),

Who used to raise tribute in the time of heroism ;
Gloll, son of Morna, and the Dearg Mor (6),

And Tadlc mac Treoin (7) to be along with them.

The destruction of Troy, ten years and a month,

That was the seige by which the men fell ;
Put all that ever were or shall be born

Would not be able to indite the deeds of the bacaclis.

The Hill of Slaughter (8), great was its fame,

Numbers knew that heroism was performed there ;
But he who was in this battle and came safe out of it

Would not think the Battle of Clontarf deserving of mention.

(Allia).

(6) An Ossianio hero.

(7) TIhe subject of an Ossinnic 'ballad.

(8) Tlie name of an Ossianic poem.

2s6
mile 'juf jnce bi Ann, Ajt Ia]»,

L^n nA piince, bnui5ce, loicce,
Oii\e6.x) eile aca. muccA i>.'y bAit)Ce,

T)o |uc le jTAn^ a]» Cul-&'-coince.

1/6 ti-einige 5i(6ine, la. 6.n n&. riiApAC,

CloifycA muA Ajuv pAijxit)e eg ygne&OAC,

^5 ce6.]'nii56.t> a. gCAif (1) b-y a nniccioll h^y,
A'y S^n i:eA)t le f ajaiI ■o'ioiucoha-O waUcc.

jAUtm fjoile glAoiiAt) (2) &n li. ]"0,

P]A t)o i'AjAil no cuini'eAt) An Aicme (3),
t)»All 'oo'n ci]i jAn ^lije ni. i-theyy,

Ace a' {lie A|\ liinAlb 'I' a' JlUj-JAt) bACA.

CaC t)0 CUgAt) 1 gCjllOC fAll,

■O'i'AJ An AlC A)> bcAJAn bACAC,

Ace iTii|-e ccAp Agu]' ]>inne An wAn,
bA 6 mo pAij — oo belt jAn TOAOAit).

ni mAp |-UT) cjUocnuijeAt) bAtnyei]' GogAin,

tli'L Ia 50 weo nA)( coi^i i tiioLA*,
Ace CAi» eif ptCAjiACA An cSlcAJCAin liloip (4),

teig I'lAt) KAiv^epi An poec jAn \>e6]\ a cotjIau.

(1) "Ceena g«a>e er a nehil bause," Hessiao.

(2) " cuire**," <J-

(3) " A currach an ackna," Hessian ; " zAcrtA, Q.

(4) " An thlehane vore," Hessian.

(5) Literailly: "A calling of the school." Boihar Mor in

2S7
A thousand and twenty tlicre were there on the ground,

The full of the field were hniised and wounded ;
As many more of them were smothered and drowned,

Who ran down the slope of Cul-a-ehoirco.

With the rising sun on the next day

You would hear women and children screaming,
Lamenting their case with a deadly earnestness,

And not a man to be found to carry a wallet.

A proclamation (5) was cried alVnid tihat day,

To get men who would bury the tribe
Who had journeyed to this counJtry without means or cause,

But running after women and welting with sticks.

A battle was waged in the Land of Fail (Ireland)

Which has left the place with but few bacaohs,
But I who composed and made the poem,

My pay was— to be (left) without anything.

It was not so that Owen's marriage was finished,
There's never a day for ever, but it were right to praise it ;

But after all the row and merriment of the Slilahaun Mop 1

They let Euf tery the poet go to sleep without a drop.

this po«m meant the old coach road, half a mile south of Cappagh-
tage.1. Ahhainn-maic-gceama is, I think, a river near ScarifE, in
county Clare. Sliabh Bachta is a mountain in county Clare,
between Looh Cutra and Tulla. Onl-a-choirce, now oaUod
" Oatfield," is north of Cappaghtagel.

buo^'CUJA^t) tiA. nS^eTieAl cum ^eA|T& le 'Ooiiin&ll O
ConAilt, A^guf cum cum6.cc6. n*. ti'OaIac Ajup riA
t)U|Aeinnfe^c 130 b]\ife6.'6 1 gCotiu&e tiA 5*>il-^i''"e. S&oil
ti6. ■OAoitie 50 |AMb &n tJA bun&'o ]'o 'no. n-A^&it) 50 mon
1 gcomnuioe. ^y yo\Jl»yt>.c 6'ti A-bjiAn jrein guji b'e Si)\
SeAgAti "Oe bupcA, (>.]• tHile&c, 1 n-Aice le S'^i^^'*") fo
bi 6.5 fe&fo.m Ap fon n*. n5*-'^*66.l, 6.5 i&]\]i6.it) ■out
Afcea.c 1 b'Pei^" S6.c]'An a^u]- cumij &n Tle«.cct'ii|\e leij-
in f4.n A-bpin |*o : —

AK elecnon ha SAiltittie.

AcA Jumpepi' 50 t)eA.c]A&c iti 56.6 b&ile pAoi buMt^ie*.*
TIa]! tieA.tiA.it) "OiA cpuAij T)o luce bioblAit) bueAj,

bui6 be&5 ACA ptin-ne beic cui)ife6.c ]:6.oi u&l&c,

^5]Aiob 11lA]icAin tuicep 1 mbliA.t)6.in a' fcAcc-'oeA.j.

h-lm^Ae&t) A-n cluice 'f bi Ati muilioc 1 n-u&ccAp

CoriAill Y ^ congnA-m cui]( ce^^nn a^ ad fje^l,
Ace cuipio i^^n 5CA.CA0i|i -Ouinn Sip SeAJ/s,n *0e bupc*.

'S lA.bp6cAi6 ye [50] clu6/^mAil 1 byi-b^p riA.
nJ^-^^SA-l.

lli'l D&Ia^c tiA Cpeinn^eAc o'a bpuil in ^-^n gciiige
T\t>.c gcuip^reA* 1 nouicce 50 gclij-feA* n^ gft.etbil,

Sge&l X)o peip bAp&mtA Ap p^t), a gcuit) ugt)A]i,
Ace 1 t)cpi6.ll TI6, cuipe cu&i-b ce^nn 6.p 6.n p5e6.l.

TIa in&iprinig 'p "OAppo-ijit), nA fpionnpA.ij 'p n*.
bpunAig,
Clif 4>ti t&ni conj&ncA opp& 6.n c-occm^t) ti- 'o6«.5,

U4 ffe le peicpn 1 bpAipe6.p 'p 1 nuAiweAcc,

1 n-6.imfip An cpu^-ocAin 5up pe^p n^ pipein.

259
Here is a forcible song Baftery made inciting the Gaels to
stand by Daniel O'Oonnell and to break down the power of the
Dalys and tlie Trenches in the county Gal way. Tlie people

thought that these two families were always greatly aigainst
them. It is evident from the song itself that it was Sir
John Burke, of Meelick, near Galway, who was standing for the
Gaels and trying to get into Parliament, and Baftery helped him
with this poem :—

GALWAY ELECTION.

The " Jumpers " are mourning 'neath loathing and scorning,

The men of false Bibles in sorrow are seen ;
In their madness and badness they smote us with gladness,

(since Luther wrote words in the year seventeen.
The Diamond came up, when the cards, boys, were shuffled,

But O'Oonnell has ruffled their wigs on the green ;
Let us put Sir John Burke in, for us he'll be working,

We'll choose him, no shirking ! his record is clean.

There's neither Daly nor Trench of all that are in tlie province

Who would not bet their estate that it would fail the Gael ;
Their authors (told) the story according to the opinion of all,

But in trying the case the game came to a head (1).
The Martyns, the D'Arcys, the Trenches, and the Browns,

On the eighteenth day the help failed them ;
It is to be seen in the papers and in the news

(How) in the time of hardship the righteous-ones stood (fast).

(1) Literally ; " These went ahead upon the story."

26o

h{y f&istiiuiiit) re^pTIACA 1 ITIileAc nt. biipcMJ,

1 sCAii-leAn CiUo-cu)l, a'^ i sCorroAi; ttluis-eo,
"Oo fe^f AniAiii c^ld-tTi 1 5cnuAX)C6n 54,0 ctn]'e,

'S ni |id.ib f An scuije «,n c6 ■o'ritiilinjt)!]- x)6.
C'lge&lvriA tiA SMllime t]wm 50 jImi, piincAC,

1 n-e&c'biuiiin 50 cUi-o&tiiAiL 511H cmc aji mi bpon,
gibe ■o'i-eicpeA-C 6 a]> niAnoni Y e niAiib ^Aot'n onucr,

"Oo filpeAw A f-uil OA nibeic innci t)e6p.

t")iA)\niui-o tAigeAD A ■o'lmin An eeAt)-beApc,

A.']- f Aoil I'e inA\\ bfeioin 5° "ibACfAnie lei]- i'aoi,
•D'AHtJutg I'fe cum beALAig leij- beAn tiJeAjinA nA
D|iei)rne

Ajuf CAiLlcA-b nA cdAwcA tiiA^i jeAll A|i An innAoi.
SqAongbow 'f a bunAt) T)e f5io]\A-0 snocuij Q\^\c,

bA iii6]i A|i nA jAeoil 6, acc n! |iAib Ann IcAc-biifj,
5"P fcuAll PITA C)ion)AiU, Uth i-5]AioicA nA pinne

•Oo cutu cum bAif SeAplu]' mAc SeAniAi]-, An 1115.

CAiceA'6 An pnecen-oeji Af cpoin ajuj- wuicce,

Ua jAeoil A]A An gcuinne j-eo pAoi I'SiupfA aj An
■ojieAm
■Oo fSjiiob 1 n-AJAit) rhuipe fUAip snAfA 'gu]- curiiAcc,

'S 1 ti'oil An r-tlAn cubA^ACA pAip b^]' Ap An gCpAnn.
•O'tol llAnpAoi An cpei-oeAm a|i peACAii nA ■opu)|-e

"Oo p4pA n^ W5t)Ai( ni litiilAijeAt) a ceAnn,
Acc woJAlcA)- nA jnocAib Ia ah q-Leibe yi. tiuctAAcr,

A\\ CpAnmep, A]! Dcup, vo ccAnjAil leif Anne.

26l

Steadfast soldiers in Mtcliok were the Burkes,

In the Castle of Killcool and in the county Mayo,
Who always stood by the land in the hardship of every cas«.
And there was not in the province one to whom they would
submit.
The Lord of Galway who fought cleanly and worthily,
In Aughrim illustriously, till he fell upon the sod ;
Whoever might see him in the morning dead under tJie dew,
His eye would shed water if there were a tear in it.

Dermot of Leinster it was who played the first-act.
And he thought it was not possible that he would be stopped
in it ;
He hoisted away with him the wife of the Lord of Breffny,

And hundreds were lost on account of the woman.
Strongbow and his race with one spurt they won Ireland ;
It was a great (blow) to the Gaels, but there was in it only
half-foit©
Until Cromwell met them, the hand that destroyed the Fenians,
And which put to death Charles, son of James the King.

Since the Pretender was thrown out of his crown and estate
The Gaels in this corner (of the island) are being scourged by
the people
Who wrote against Mary who got grace and power,

And who reared the fragrant Lamb who died upon the tree.
Henry sold the faith for the sin of adultery.

To Pope or to author be would not bow his head' ;
But vengeance for his work on the Day of the Mountain with
fervour
On Cranmer, first of aU, who bound (i.e., married) to him
Anne.

262

Ti^eAC&it) P)-1ie|^ t>.^M]- piuinceAt) m^p leijccA.]!,

'S i). Iati eile CAilLeAt) le p4.t)nui|-e b^iei^e,

'OioJA.lcA]' tiA ];etiA 50 i\Mb ^p luce (>.r\ vi. c]\o\tc.

CU15 punc* t>.]- ceAnn j-A.^^ipc ^Y "sumcA'' t>.y o.in
gcteijAe&c,
'O'A'oiiiMJeAT) <b.Ti c-eiT)e cum Pe&T)6.)\ A.'f C]iiofC,

yAcc b^injiioJAn tia. n-ApfcoL •o'oil «.ti jAig, ce^f at)
Ca bpil All ce ■oeAi\].-At) 50 mbeic innci bpig P

<X buACAillit) Dilfe cui'oi5[it)] le ceile

-Ajuf f muAinij aja 6i|\e ca 1 bpAt) 1 rnojioc-cAoi,
jAti ceAtiiiAf, gAti curtiAf, 5An cuibeAj', gAn 6i).-eACC,

A inoince 'p * pleibce le pglAbuijeAcc Cl) ApiAtii.
t)i fiAt) 1 n-eA(;--6puini iiiai\ beic CAoiinj leice

X)'A. puAgA* 6 c6ile jAti ceAnnpo)\c ti^ pij,
Ace t)'ion)pui5 An pocA, ni pAf At) •ouinn Aon iiuo,

5Ati pcAfAiti [le] c6ile 'p riA SACf&nAij 'clAoi-b.

Ca toctd'AC a'p 5aiIIiiti a'p gopc Inn^e 5uAii\e

te peAccniAin 'n^i nwuii^iuJAB 'p iiio]i co-oaiI piAX)
neAll,
Ace ceinccACA lApcA Ajuf put)Ap id'a pgUAbAtI

A5 ipioll 'f A5 UAfAl, te fpour pAoi riA ti5Ae-6it.
Ua geACAit) t)un-pAnt)Ail pAoi i-muic a'p ^aoi UAi5tieAp
A'p riA bi\uni'wicke)i]- buAi-OcA^CA mAp jcaU Ap An
pSeAl,
tlVimpitie 5AC niAi-oin, 50 mocAijmiT) ■otij-gAt)

^Z^V ^A\li.■^t) -o'ty purgAt) in jac ctiinne aj nA
S^eiiil.

;l) "te cedX) F4-0A" |'An MS., <vcc ni cnisim rin.

263

See y© Fisher and Plunket as is road,

Who were drawn asunder without cause or reason,
And many more who were lost by false witness ;
May vengeance according to it he on the .people of the two
hearts.
Five pounds for the head of a priest and a guinea for the clerk,
Who would admit the habit which Peter shaped and Christ ;
But (as for) the Quetn of tho Apostles, who nurtured the King
who was crucified.
Where is the man who mig'ht (venture to) say that there was in
her any power?

Ye faithful boys, help one another,

And think ye upon Ireland, which is long in ill-ease ;
Without authority, without power, without things-fitting, without
ofEect,

Her bogs and her mountains in slavery ever.
They were in Aughrim as it were grey ( 1) sheep,

Being routed from one another without a captain or king ;
But the wheel has turned, and there is no satisfaction for us.

Without standing together and destroying the Sassanachs.

Loughrea and Galway and Gort of Innis Guaire

Are for a week awake and have not slept a wink.
But (with) lighted fires and firing powder (2),

Both low and high with joy-sport aibout the Oael.
The gates of Dunsandle are under clouds and loneliness.

And the Brunswickers are troubled because of the news ;
My request every morning is that we may hear of an awakening,

And oi the Galls being smitten in every corner by the Gael.

(2) Literally: "Powder a-squibbing."

264

If tninic bf Coni06.e tia 56.illime buAit)pi5te 6.5
co^&.t w&oine le ■out A-fcei-c 1 bp«.i]\lim66.Tii, acc if
-dti&iTi bi en oipeA-t) miofs^ij' 6.511]- ■onoc--f-ol& 6.]\ pvhtsV
Aguf CO bi tiU6.i]i cum Ml ReAccuine ^n c-AbjiAn f ua^,
f All mbli6.ti6.in 1833 nuAip ti-inis coja geitie^iiAlc^ aji
t)ille An Tlefoinn. *Oo fe^f Se^m^f O tDAlMj (^n c6eyv
CigeApnA. 'OunfAnoAil) o-^uy 6.n Ci^emnfe^c 6 t!)e&l-6fc-
nA-fliK^ijce m6.11 " Cojiif/' 6.5Ufj,bi Siji Se6.56.n 6 \)n\\c6.
Ajuf S66m6f ■L6.mbe|ic, Ciieije-clApA, 6]-ifon nA Wliigi-.
t«5 An '06.jif6.i5e6.c 6'n j;;Cloc6.n a Ixin x)e b6ice6]i6ib
leif 50 56iUim Aguf cui]ie6t) i6t) 6.11 loifcin 1 oce^c-
bp6.ice rhic Ui "bonnJA-ile, 6.cc cuijie^* 6.n ce6.c aji
l6.f6.t) oy A gcionn 6.511]' t)6ige6.T3 o]i]i6 6. t)i lon5 b^ie^s
fe6lc6., Ions plgipup, 6.5 6.n mbl6,c6c 6 CAii^leAn
Op^in, .6.i]t 6. ■ocu56t) 6.n 00111-6.111. t!)i p 6.11 6.ncoii\e 1
mb^iue OiUnmoin nuAii^ cui]ie6.i6 le ceinit) i A.guf cu6ix)
fi 50 com. U6. 6. puijleAcle feicpnc fof A5 " Poll 6.
Copf 6.111." t)i 6.n Ct6.'06c 1 n56lliiii 6.5 Se6iii6f O
X)a16.15 6-n U6111 pn, 6.cc "o'lompuig n6. b-i6.f56.iiiit)e 'n*
6.5Ait) 6.5UI' cu56'06n 6. 5cuit) b6c6 ■oo'n Whig. Cuiii
pn 6.n oiiie6.D pn weifcinn 65Uf i.'ein5e 6]i 6n n"D6.l6c
5up t)iol j-e 6.n Cl6t)6c le VlAnnp^oi 5ii6cc6n, n6.c
ni6iiie6.nn. ^y m]\ pn 6.C6. 6n Ke6ccuii\e cjiacc nu6.iii
■oeiii i"6 f6.n 6.bii6.n "1 n-6.impii 6n ci\U6i6c6.in bo fe^f
n6. p'ligin," m6.11 C6.niiAin5 p6.t) fe6.ii5 6n ci5e6nn6
C6.liii6n o\\\\e>.. If 6m' C6ii6it) tn6.ici« O pmn c.y On6.n-
itiop 100 1.-U6.111 me 6.n cunc6.f fo, oip cuimni5 fe fein 6.n
co§6.t) fo 50 m6.ic. Tlinne 6n tle6.ccuii\e 6mAc 50 nibuo
fe 6,n 5^ex)e6.l no bi 6 n-6.56.11i 6.n ^aiII A.5U)' 6.n
C6.iciotc6.c -00 bi 6. n-6.56ii) ah piiofCAf cviin 6ni).

265

The county Galway has often been troubled with the elec-
tion of men to Parliament, but there was seldom so much enmity
and ill-feeling going as there was when Baftery made the above
song, in the year 1833 when the general election took place
over the Eeform Bill. James Daly (the first Lord Dunsandle)
and Trench of Ballinasloe stood as Tories, and Sir John Burko
(Of Marble Hill), and James Lambert, of Cregclare, stood for llio
Whigs. Darcy, of C?lifden, brought a number of voters with
him to Galway and they were put to lodge in Donnelly's malt-
house, but the house was set afire over tieir heads and burnt on
them Blake of Orancastle had a fine sailing vesstl, a pleasure
yacht, called The Oorsair. She was at anchor in the Bay of
Oranmore when she was also set on fire and went to the bottom.
Her remains are to be seen yet at the place called Poll-a-Chor-
sair. The Oladagh in Galway was in James Daly's possession at
that time, but the fishermen turned against him and gave their
votes to the Whig. This put so much anger and disgust on
Daly that he stfld the Cladagh to the late Henry Grattan. It is
of this Baftery speaks when he says in the song that "in the
time of hard trial the righteous ones stood fast,'' because they
drew down upon themselves the anger of the landlord. It is
from my friend Mr. Mat. Finn of Oraranore I got this account
of the matter, for he remembers this election well. Baftery
made out that it was the Gael who was against the Gall, and
the Catholic who was against the Protestan t in it.

266

A5 r° *" c-6.fep^n TOO [unne mi tleAccuipe hua-i]!
coj&t) tDotVinALl O ConAilt 'n^. -f-eipue le Coiiw&e Ati
CLai)!. X)o bi ctyt c]AU&i-6 1-oip e ye\n d-gu]' Vepi til 6.0
5eAp&iLc ytyn mbliAWAin, 1829, ^siif cAini^ "Ooiiin^ll

CotiAill Ain&c 1 ti-u&cc6.p. Tlitine eoj&n O Coiiip/M-oe,

1 5Cont)6.e t>.n Cl^ip, Abp^n eile t>.\\ fonn "Sigle Hi
g^wiiA," AH &n ocAit) feo, oc&ix) ■o'pAg, m^H tjuTjaihc
re:—

■D'fis Vep triAC 5e<iii*tlc f<voi cAiicutfne a)i l«)(
xJijiip •Domndt O CetiAiLl i 5cumAnn 'f i 6Ferot<iofcc
/k5«r p6rcA le rno'o leAc, a Si5le tli SA-opi.

nioi\ liie^fA x)o'n tle&ccuipe, Agu]- •o'lAp^A ^e ineifne&c
nu&t) t)o cuH in f/!Kn n5<yet)eo.l, Ajur •o'iiiAt)6.i5 fe
'Oomnii.lL O CotimU in r&n A.'b]\4n yo, le&ri*r:—

bUAlt) HI COtlAlll.
Aci. UUHC&15 «.'r 5re^54-i5 ^5 5^^^'^ '°'^ "^®'^^'

AimveocAi* SAC^AnAij ^Y ■pHAnnco.15 a ceile,

AjjUf l6.i'f&i'6 fii^e te ^.-AobAii lAnn.
Ill'improe o.]» 5o)'a, "Oia 1i-Aoine ceAi'*-*!

n^]i cem me 1 ti-cAg 50 ■ocigi-o aii c-Atn
A nibeit) g^c cmt) aca aj pVMincAti a ceile,

A'l' 50 bvAJiiiAoiu pleipu)! Ai\ " OnAnjemen.''

(1) liiterally : The Turks and Greeks are Seating one another,
4.nd thousands shall be lost on this side and on that ; The
English and the French shall aim at each other, And Ireland

207

Here is the song which Raftery made when Daniel O'Connell
was elected a member of Parliament by the county Clare. He
and Vesey Fitzgerald fought a hard battle for it in the year
1829, and Daniel O'Connell came out on top. Owen O'Curry in
the county Clare made another song to the air of "Sheela ni
Guire " on this occasion, an occasion which ho says left

" Vesey Fitzgerald despised and overthrown,
And Daniel O'Connell in love and pride ( ?>
And wedded in beauty with you,
Sheela ni Guire."

Eaftery also no less endeavoured to put new courage into the
Gael, and esalted O'Connell in the following song: —

O'OOiVifliLL'S VICTORY.
The Greek and the Turk are hard at work,

And shall we, boys, shirk in the common w'eal,
When the French shall smite at the English might,

And Ireland light with a blaze of steel?
Dear God, who suffered fur us on Friday,

May I never die till I see them reel.
The Orangemen in an Irish pen.

We Shall make them then come in to heel (1).

shall light with the edge of blades. My beseeching to Jesus, who
was crucified on Friday (is) Tliat I may never go to death until
the time comes When each side of them shall be leathering the
other, And till we shall get our pleasure of the Orangemen.

268

inA'f po]\ 5«.c &on nit) ui-'p i^jiiiob&t) &]i 6i]iinn,

1)' yi^x>A. i>.n c-eiliU56.t) 130 c^b^ijic cum cinn,
" eniA.ncip6.cion " •00 ce^cc ]:a.oi f'e6.1.o.,

Ce&t) &5 An n5Aet)eA.l Ijeic coiii li-Ajit) le 5'!>''l-L,
X)o i'-A0il n*. ceAT)C6. ncsc t)ciuc|;6.t) An fgcAL I'ln,

50 ■ocof.i.igeAt) fpneucAx") a Inip e>.']' caH,
piiAt)\ G\]\c neijcuiJAt) CA'bA.ip 6.'y ei^'ccAcc,

ITliniA. I'ioccAn bi\(';i5e 6 ni't ■ooca|i Ann.

IpeACAit) Unownlow ti jioniAinn 'nA nAtiiAit),

'11a. ceAnnpo]ic A.)it) of cionn " OnAngemen,"
■Jvun 10111)^1115 A mncinii le coil nA ngjiAi-A,

Le linn An CMy peo beic ccacc cum cinn.
Ua. An c)utcu5A.t) Iai-oi)\ pAn ug^oA)! CAppA-ingce,

5un cAill i~in tnAipe le clipeAiJ 5^^^>
X)eip SiA-oAil A.'p l/A.lAip, O ConAill A.'p 5oi'"i^"»

50 'bpuig'iiii'o pA)"A-6 jAn m6]iA.n mAill'.

1]- pAOA. ^eA-pleAHAiiiAin Icaj^ca aji §Aet)eAt bocc,

'Sg llAnnpA.01 An ceAt)-yeA)i C()]'ai5 An CA.p,
bA liieApA A. cpeicpe 50 mop nA llepot)

"Oo cuip nA. ceA.t)CA. 'p nA milce cum bAip,
TD'ioc pe An pcApAc ■oo peip niAp leijcoA^i,

ITlA'pnit) 50 ngeillpimiT) -00 coiiiiiAO WApt),
Ca. pe 1 ntiA.opbpni'o pA.01 cuppAib jgApA,

'SAn A.1C nA-c pefoip Aon pupcAcc pijAil-

269

If everything that is written about Eire he trne,

It (takes) long to bring tho demand to a head :
Emancipation to come under seal,

Leave for the Oaol to be as high as the Oall.
The hundreds thought that that thing (1 would never come

Until a dispersal should commence on this side and on that J
Eire has (now) found a settlement, help, and hearing.

Unless it be a false peace there is no harm in it.

Behold Brownlow who was an enemy in front of us,

A high captain over the Orangemen,
Bow his mind has changed by the will of the Graces,

While this case was coming to a head.
The strong proof is drawn out in the (book of the) author

That Mary lost that (2), by the failure of the Gall ;
Sliiel and Lawless, O'Oonnell, and (0') Gorman say

That we shall get satisfaction without much delay.

It is long that persecution is laid upon the poor Gael,

Henry was the first who began the case ;
His character was much worse than Herod's,

Who put to dsath the hundreds and the thousands.
He paid for the grazing, according as is read,

If it is a thing that we agree to the discourse of Ward ;
He is in captivity (now) beneath a sharp regimen

In the place whore it is not possible to get relief.

(1) Literally: "Story." (2) This verse is not very clear.

:

270

gloin va Cjuoic o.']- T)o II15 n«. nJl^Af a.,

Ca An CA-np^-ij tAit)i]A nA]\ chy A-^MA-iii,
SaoiI Se^jAn a.'^' TTlA]ir6.in a CAbMHC le ]:i,n6.,

'S cog nA.nn]i6.oi p^ijic teo 1 nge&lL is\\ mriAoi.
C]\iorn^'AiT) An ^-ocAnAn 'f cuicptb An blAC ■66,

uem An LeoriiAn a]i t-A)\ a']" ni -pAnpAUj Ann b]iii;,
triAp ip rAUA 6 •oubjiAt) linn j;o -ociucf At) An Ia jcaL

"Oo f'einnfCA'o An clAipi'eAc ■Oi'nnn 1 mbliA'OAni ap
TIaoi

guntiAit) a'y Iaiiiac a']' ceince cnAiiiA, i

DeiTft AjAinn AniAiiAC, Ajuf ca fe 1 n-Aiii,

piM)( O ConAibl 1)11 Alt) A)i An n Alii Alt),
AipeocAit) blAic a')' belt) nieAj' A]! cjiAinn.

1 5Cont)Ae An CLai]i ca tiAi]'le A'f Aptj-^lAr.^
A5 ciiACAt) lAiii a')' A'S ceAiiAiii gpinn.

Ace bog f A01 An gcAUCA 50 n-olAtn I'lAince
11a lifeAji 6 AHMnn 50 b-1nn)-e Cuinn.

A5 fo AbpAtt eile t)o |Mnne An TleAccuiiie a
n-AgAit) nA njAll Agiij- An UiAJAtcAip "Omne An
iiieAi-i>.iiiAil, niA]i cuAlAf, x)o bi 1 mboA]in.An ni]-c6A}ix).
1]' iroUufAC 6'n Ab^iAn 50 ]iAib ^-e 'nA i:)UACAal b^n no
jiuT) ne'n cy6]\x: pn, Aguf guji ceilgeAt) e Ag An nt)Li5e
SaUoa, Agu)- 5ii]i oibpeAt) e ca|i ^Aile, e,^u]- guji

(1) Alluding to the proi)hecy :

nuAiji tAilleA)- «n Le6mAti 4 neA^c

'S 4n p6c<)ti*n bpPAC A bfiij,
Seinnp-6 All tlAitireiC 50 binn, bitin,

1t)ip 4 ti.04c AJUf A tlAOI.

271

Glory be to ^hrist and to the King of tlie Graces,

The Rock is strong that nevor failed ;
John and Martin thought to bring it down-the-l:ill,

And Henry took part with them on account of a woman.
The thistle shall wither and the blossom shall tall ofi it,
The lion shall he overthrown and no strength shall remain in
him,
lor it is long since it was said that the bright day would come
When the harp would play to us in the year of the Nine (i).

Guns and firing and bonfires

Shall we have to-morrow, and it is time,
Since O'Connell has gained victory over the enemy.

Blossoms shall ripen and there shall be fruit on the trees.
In the county Clare nobility and high chiefs

Are shaking hands and sporting ;

But here with the quart (2) till we drink the health

Of the men from Aran to Inchiquin.

Here is another song that Raftery made against the Galls and
the Government. A very respectable person, as I have heard, was
Barney Richard. It is evident from the song that he was t,
Whiteboy or something of that kind, and that he was oon-

i.e when the lion shall lose his strength and the speckled thistle
itsVigour, the harp shall play, sweetly, sweetly, between the Bight

and the Nine. t. n ua c, 1 ^,\

(2) A comic expression. Literally : Soften (or rock)

under the quart."

272

f-AOiL no. t3/voine giiji i n-e^gccAHC vo ceiljeA-t) e. "Ci.
ie«.c ne'n X>rA.]\\-(>. •oei](eAnn6.c imcijce, Ajuf nion re«.t)
me A- i-'AJd-il. A5 611 TA-on clotce Ajtif aj llld-c Hi |rloinn
■00 pi&in nie «.ti c-Alip^n I'o : —

beAtiriAn uisueAtix).

tug nxs 1i-ti5t)6.iii n&eiiicd. cuncu]' ■oi'iinn y^n \"^e6.l i'o,
50 ■ociucjTA.t) 11U4-15 6-11 5&e-6eAl, 'y 50 mbeic' &n
■oiieAtn te ^'ajaiI,
tlAc ieMi].'A.t) •olije An Aen-triic cuAit) in ]'6.n jcp&nn
■o'a ceuj-At),
An I'on An cine -OAonnA, a^u]" aji uai^ a rni ^An l^.
TTIah ]-5eACAi" An 5AC jjieine, no mA]! cuiplin^eA]' nA
h-eciip]-,

5ac pl^Slj •00 CU1C A^l 615IPC 50 •OCAJAI-O 0|t|tA O'^

h(>.]\]\,
be]\nAn c|\onJe nA -peile, fgoc nA i'oIa ij" cfieine,

A cu)\ A bjTAO Af Gi^inn 'y e neAiii-cionncAc in ya-n

JCAf.

iJiiJlctiij; rlAnniiAOi a ceA-o-beAn A]\ •octij' An
" tlej-oniArion,"
Ua I'juqifAi'o c)iuAit)c jeA^A A|i gAeuil f JAC h-uiLe

A1C,

X>'a nwtijo ni cujrAi* jeilleAt) acc td'a jqiocAti A'p

•OA gCeA'I'A'O,

'S A "OiA nAc ni6]\ An c-ionjAncA]' An poL vo beic Ap
Un !

273

rfeirned by the Gallda law and banislied overseas, but that the
people thought he was unjustly condemned. Half oif the last
verse is wanting, and I could not recover it. It was with the
stone-cutter and Glynn that I got this song : —

BARNEY RICHABD.

Wrote authors most undoubted who truth have never flouted

That the Gaels would yet be routed by a sacrilegious foe,
Desirous to enslave us, and trampling on the Saviour

Who gave His blood to save us one Friday, long ago.
God I may their sun be shaded, may clouds and night assail them,

Eaoh plague of Egypt plague them, and smite them as they go.
See Bernard, nought could save him, the noble, generous, brave
one.

Transported over wave, and he not guilty, as we know.

Since Henry denied his first wife, on the beginning of the
Reformation,
There are hard, sharp scourges (laid) on the Gaels in every
place ;
No submission is given to their law, but to hang them and to
torture them,
And, Oh God I is it not a great wonder the seed to be on the
ground 1

274
Cueioit) ce&mi r\e>. cle\\\e -on V51'''°^ 'r ■°" "^"5 'O"'"'^

50 b|-uil 6.11 sn-J-m 1 nili^nn na- •o6ire no ij- ^pc^g a.
BubAinc n. Se&56.n,
6 ■o'loinp/MJ; cion<kn i-peiinoc ^ ii-AJAit) 'Oonncft.t) Agu)
SeA-m*.!!',
tomA-o &11 cIai\ 1 ii-einv-e&cc e.']- ra. 6ine 6 foin le y&n.

Ci. fuil 6.56.111 le Cn'ioi-c*. 56 Ijyillvit) b6iiinit> isni|xe

11Un I'Sliiob [-otJiinn] p^rcon'ini n&c ^r&OA. tiMnn &ti l6,
50 inbeit) 5^lU1t) ini6.ij;ce vi"f^e jAn ■oinne le n-A
5C60ine6t),
Ace ceince cn6.iii [•oul] poj- ciigMnn 65 l&f6t) yu^i-
50 li-^jit).
U6. 6n •olije 65 CUnriMb mhx) no ojiouij pe6-o6)i
'y C\\ioy€6.,
Ace 6 cor&i5 IUiitiii6.oi 6. jniomAiicA cA CmcioIcms
t>.]\ l^n,
Ace belt) p6.t) yuA.y b.\\\\-ce ca ati fp*.)' a- ^^056]' wiob-

C6.[T)6lb],

A mbeiB " OnMiseinen '' ti'o. i-pion6.t) ty^uy vpitjeotivm
le y^n.
"Se lUnni»6.oi, ]\e^\\ mi>.\\ leijce^yii, 00 j-ociiMg 6)1 jr^w
6.11 f 566.1 -po
Xy'yi.-^ rS^J^V^^'o C]ui6.it) 6.11 g^etiil, no 50 5C6.ic|-e6i)
y\e>.x) ^ fp6.Vi
S 5U1A b'e t)tib6iiic 6.n c-usuaji n^eiiiCA n60iii Seij*!!
^611 " nevel6.cioii,''
gun ■ouine 6-11 be6.56.t1 ceille n&c bf6n}.'6'6 lei]' 611 li.
(l)~Or "gone down the liilj." I cannot think who is meant

275

Believe ye the head of the clergy, who wrote and gave us word
That the grain is in the top of the ear-of-corn, or else it is a lie
St. John has spoken ;
Since the Five of Spades turned against Donnchadh ( ?) and James,
The board was cleared-bare altogether, and Erin is ever since
astray (1).

I have hope in Christ that Bartly may return again,

As Pastorini wrote that the day is not far from us
When the Galls shall 'bo shuffled, and stretched out with no one
to lament them.
But bonfires put down for us, blazing up on high.
The clans of the Milesians have the law that Teter and Christ
ordained.
But since Henry began his acts the Catholics are on the ground.
But they shall be up again, the date is near to them.
In whidh Orangemen shall be being plucked, and spies
scaltterod a'broad.

It is Henry, as is read, who altogether settled this history (i.e.,
who left things the way they are).
Which has left hard scourges on the Gaols until they shall have
spent their allotted-time ;
And surely it is what the holy author St. John, in the Revelation,
said,
That he is a person of little sense who would not wait for the
day.

hj "Donnchadh," a nam usually Anglicised "Denis."

276
nuAi]A ionni'6c&^' '^e>.\\.'i 6. ceiLe mt>.\\ t)'ionn|'6.i5 Cjiom6ilt

tluM^i ci'opt) pt) AH me6.'o \\n cije&t) 5*'<^'0'^ ' •oce«knnc^
A ceite,
A'f pn i ATI u&i^\ tna.']' -poi-oin ^nowocftit) pb An Ia.

«

«

An 5<soc A tToeAj' 50 f-einpt) Ati ce^.]' le neAHC n6.
Sjieine,
AY 50 'ocog^-A.nO 6.y a. 1i-eAt)Ati 4.11 rpi&iu tio cit; cu

CeoL 116. qiuinne 1 n-einipeAcc Ajuf Oupeu]- 6.5 peinm
ceAtJA,
Duo bitine liom tiA &n me<yo pin n* S&Cj'An&ij beic
6.|\ l^p*.

*puAm ni6 coip eite, 6 fom, oe'n ■oin po 6'n ncAirinAd, Ajiir
cuj fetfeAti "bAtptii tlochpoitc " Aifi. CA An Bcatir<» 'oeijieAnnAfi po
4156 tl4t }*■*'* A5«m-J>A : —

"Oa bFt<eA5t""SEA'o b«i|iiii t)teicm, acc, Afi tiTJoi's, n! )(Ai6 bAO^Al Aiji,

inAf 'ri'-*'" '* liiu'iicij) pem.bi ■o'a cpiAJait in fAn JCAr,
*Oa theAt) tu6c «n eicij f uAp aji An ngreen taMo

[A5] mionnuJAX) in j-dn fSe^l P". Y "'''° *"" S**" F'Or ciA'n fit.
O ! A,Citiiorc t)0 f-AftAil ceAT)CA A'f f5oitc iiotnpA An ihuiti tedtcAiJte,

poAiji buAi-6 6 riloitie TI«eriiCA ca aca inf jAt ja-o,
50 ■ocMjAfo cu f\,Ar\ An peijte AbAite fiujAinn F^ie ieile

bAitini Roctifsjic &'f pAC egAn, Ati ■oiAp aca tne 'f ao.

When the (Jails shall attack one another, even as Cromwell

attacked Cliarles,
Or Pompey, Julius Caesar, who drew death and slaughter (with

him),
When ye shall see all that, then let the Gaels come close together

That

is the hour, if it he possible, that ye shall win the day.

. (1)

The south wind, till it shall blow away the heat with the power of
the sun,
And till it shall lift Out of a. face (right away) the swathe that
you see overthrown,
The music of the world altogether, and Orpheus playing harp-
strings.
Sweeter than it all to me would be the English to be over-
thrown.

(1) The first half of this verse I have 'been unable to recover.
I have since got another copy of this song from Owen
O'Naughton, who calls it "Barney Roohfort." It contains the
final verse which I had not got : —

If Barney Blakeney were to have answered, but sure indeed there
was no fear of him (doing that),
Seeing that it was his own people Who were being tried in the
case,
However great the num'ber of perjurers up on the green table
might be.
Making oatli in the matter, and they without knowing why (ha

278

l^u&tji me 6 cionid,nui-6e CAinpi 5C6-iflei.n-A-bA^|<6.,
ye^p ve liiuinnciii "OiApm^'OA, cuio ve t^n eile i>-\\ n&.
"Ilibbonmeti," A5«f fu/^ip me cuilLeA* te 'tia t>i^ig ym
6m' c6>]Awo ATI lle^-cc^nfi-c e>. loub^ijic gu^A b'e &n tle^c-
cuine xjo ]tinne 6. TlfL 6.nn a.cc 510CA be&g bpifce ^guf
nt cintice e gup b'e An Ue^dcuie 00 cum e : —

If fA'OA to f&n An CA]i]<Ai5 s^n plAig,

Hac gcliffeAio 50 b]Uc, Y 'i<>'C bplcAfSfAt),
'S 50 bfuil ciiurugAti te f ajaiI 1 " flevelACion '' tlAom
Se^sAin,

gup b'fe peAtJAjt ■00 le^s An " fount)Acion."
niAp CA c|tAnn in a Ia]^ beipcAf cpocugAt) 'o'a lAn,

5u]\ b'6 Liucei|\ t)o geApp An "plAncACion,"
A'l' nA ** f uckepf " a "o'j:^)', 50 gcpionAit) a mblAC,

'S 50 pAib pbpAt) Ap l^p m^'f f6it)ip.

Ca An UpeinfCAC 50 cpeAn 1 n-AJAit) CLAnnA S^^^caI,

50 TJCugAit) fiAt) lAn a' bioblA,
t)eic BlleAf t)o'n ce nAC ngui-Opro 1T1ac "Oe,

'S nAC ngeillpt) 100 itlACAip CpiopcA.

Oipijlt) VUAf, AgUf fpeAgpAlglt) An UAipj

Ca 'noip A5 ceACC oppAib fA lACAip,
50 pgAOilccAji nA ouAil CA psce 50 'otuc,
lA^'Ati An coinncAlL t)0 filApcAin.

would have s«vod him).
O Christ, \vho liast sared hundreds and has split (opened up)
ibefore thora ilie congealed sea,
Who hiist found victory from Holy Mary, whom they (the
distressed) have in every peril,
Mayest thou bring home to us the pair safely together :

Banioy Bofihfort and I'at l<)gan are the two of whom I am

1 got from a man of the MacDermots, a car-driver ii
Oastlebar, a part of another poem about the Ribbonmen, and I
got more of it afterwards from my friend Mr. Naughton, who
8aid it was Baftery who composed it. It is only a small, broken
fragment, and it is not certain that it is by Raftery : —

THE VVHITEBOYS.

The Bock unbroken of which was spoken

By John in the Revelation
Has long been shrouded in tears and clouded

(St. Peter's own foundation).
Luther cut down with unlovely frown

The trees of our plantation ;
The suckers grew and they were not few

In the valley of the faithful.

Trench is strong against the Clauna Gael

Until they take the full of the Bible (of an oath)
To be faithful to him who shall not pray to the Son of God,

And shall not submit to the Mother of Christ.
Rise ye .up, and answer to the hour

That is now coming upon ye at the present time,
Until the strands (of the rope) be loosened tliat are (now) spun
tightly,

Since the candle was lit for Martin.

speaking.

Baftery calls ihe Reil Sea here " the curdled or congealed sea,"
A very interesting expression, as showing how steeped the blind man
was in the traditionalism of the Gael, for this is the rery
expression used in the Children of Uisneadi for the magic sea
wliich the druid raised round L>eirdre and Naoise. It is evidently
from that saga that ho took the expression.

2^0

Ace 5e<).Ll«.im-]-e -o^oib o-n ce 5eob«.|' ^"0.05*1,

50 bfuigyix) "llibbonnien " iu«.c ^ I'L&ince,
A]\ ]'on 56.C b-uite oit)ce d'a ]i6.b&'06.]\ n*. I'ui-Oe

■p«.oi fioc, fe>.o\ yr\ee>.c€{>., d-'y |-6.ot bi.i)xe6.c.
Cio)' An "Hij ni bei-0 j-'eA^XA le ii'ioc,

'OeActiiuib ni. nit) aji bic ni belt) cn«.cc i>.\\\,
belt) caLaiii 5An (1) UI6.C, A'l' ClAtin*. g&eucAl fUA]'

A5UI' SACf&nAig buAl■6e6.)^CA c)iAii6ce.

A ComAi)-in biio&ciiAig n«.]\ lei5it) "Oia ^'eun ojic,

1|' lonTdA mionii'-eije cug cu le mi.
It)' j-eAfAiii in I'An "inbAHUAC" A5 wuiL let)' ^n n54.iiie(3)

SaoiI ru 50 li-cAg nAC ftfeicfei- An gonc-ypAoic (4).
Itli. cemeAnn cu Ab^ilc I'eACAin x>o j'ttile

A]\ 5)iAin Agup pii5T)A]\ [50 t)ceit) cu p An gcjiej
A'p " ITIollie 1TlA5Ui)iep," i|- Iaioi^ a jcongnAiii (5)

SiAt) i'lublA]' 50 clut)Aiti6. il i5ceA]ic-lA]\ An lAe.

Innpitn-i-e t)Aoib itu\ byAJd-nn i-ib-]-e pAog&l,
50 bpuij^it) "]\ebeliiien '' luAC a flAince

1 IcAbAlt) gAC Olbc' t)0 CA1C piAt) 'nA 1"U)t)e

■pAOl JAOIC, yAOl i-eA]ACAinil, A'p fAOl bAijxeAC.

SeA^Aiti 50 tiliic nA ceit)i-6 Ap jciil

Agup biui'igit) cpe luccgAiTOA
Dii'eAC Agu)- buAit) 50 t)CAj5Ait) 50 luAC,

Agu]' IcAgyAni 111ac "06 a]\ n&iii6.it).

(1) "tl« t««c," -outiAiiic reipean, acc ni tnisnti pn,

(2) mionti'-ei5e = ciie<Mi, T)eA|i5-t)|ie.\5.

(3) "lei)' «n Acm," i)iiljAi]ic )-e. Hi cuijiin ptn.

(4) 'OubAinc An •OiapniAttJOAc liotn suji fj'e An gojir-FtKoic aic
toiVinuine An i|.)i-oe*Ti6)iA, Aic gu)! 6«ic fe An otiieATi pii v'a Aimpfi
■n fAn mbAniini: s" rAoiti.'c'«-6 iiuine nAC nibeic |'e -duL Abdile fofoce.

(5) "Consiuvrii CA Iait)!)!," a)! pAn X)ift|iniAn)eA(i, Aoc ■o'ac|iai5

28l

But I promise ye, whoever of ye shall have life,

Tli«t the Ribbon men shall yet get the price of the health (they
hare lost)
On account of every night that they were sitting up,

Under frost, under snow, and under rain.
There shall not in future be any King's Eent to pay,

Tithes or anything (of the kind) there shall be no talk of ,
Land shall ibe without price and the Clanna Gael shall be up.

And Sasanachs troubled and ruined.

0, Thomaseen Walsh, may God never allow prosperity on you,

Many is the jwrjured oath you have taken the last month,
Standing in the barrack, hoping for the game,

You thought that you would never see Gort Fraoich (6).
But if you go home let your eyes beware of

Shot and powder, till you go beneath clay,
And Molly Maguires, their help is strong.

It is they who walk with-renown in the middle of the day.

I tell ye that if ye live (to see it) (7)

The rebelmen shall yet get the price of their health
In requital of each night that they spent sitting u^i.

Beneath wind, beneath rain, and ibeneath wet.
Stand ye close, do not ye go back.

And break through the guardsmen ;
May betterment and victory come soon,

And the Son of God shall overthrow our enemy.

mire e. lAtJAinieiSp " cotignAni " tnAH " cunii."

(6) The narrator explained tliat the sjiy who lived in Gort
Fraoich had made the police barracks his second home, as though
he should never have to return to his own liouse.

(7) This half verse from MacDermot is substantially the same
as Naughton's, and I have had to repent it.

282

Cigmit) A.noii' 50 t)ci All ni-n i]- pa.it>e AjUf 50 vt\
An lA^i^ACC If mo X)0 jMnne ^n ReACCUi^te 6.5 pUteACC.
ni mo Aguf til lus*- e feo ni. fCAiji se^piv cpunin aja
6)tiinn, Agu)- i cuncA po]- 1 byoium c6m]\«.it» imp e fein
Agu)' feAti-fgeAC ci\ion. 1f lonjAncAc Liom m<y]\ vo
cum t)Uine t)o bt g^n ^aa-o^hc, aju]' e b&itjce 1 iroe^jig-
boccAtiuf ma^]\ ^n HeACCUijie, 6.n ■o^.n pA'OA f o cotii 5i<inn
pn Ajuf 1)' tioiLij A \\i.x) ci. hy\i{y^\^ ye a cuit) eoLAif aj\
•pe&ncu]' Ajuf Ai\ j-eAti-fCAi]! tiA li-fiijieAnn. Oiji tii ^Aib
tyn cuncAf cuj&nn fe a^ tiA feAn-bunnAiinb, Aguf a^i
CU1X) ■oe'n cfeAn-fc<M)\ te f^j^il 1 n-Aon leAb&n, a-^My
If ■0615 5U]\ Ab AH be^l tiA tiwAome ■00 mM\\ An cui-o if
mo ■oe'n cfeAncuf pn, A5 ceAcc AnuAf Aguf e Ajt wa
fgAjAt) 6 t)Uine 50 louine 6'n Aimpn a ^lAib a jcuit)
feAncuit)e fein A5 n^ 5*^^'°®*'^*''^- '^^ ^ bfAX) niof mo
cpAccA in f An T)An fo Af fCAn-fCAip nA h-fiijieAnn mAp
b'l fi lAoim AimpH nA SsAn-JAll nA aca a]\ fCAip nuAix)
nA z\ye 6 Aimpp wa ngAtl AnuAf. Ajuf if fJof-JAet)
caIac An CAilnoeACC e pn, oii\ bA e in f^n cfCAn-
fiiHinn t)0 fUAif nA fseAlcoifi Aguf nA plnje At)bA)i a
jciiiT) fjeAl Aguf A 5CUIT) ■o^n t)o jnAC.

If inncleAccAC An caoi a]\ jleuf An UeACCuife a
f5eAL. ni coj-AijeAnn fo eAccf a Aguf iniceAccA nA
li-6i|\eAnn ro'innpnc Af ■ocuf, Af eAtiAn. CuifcAnn fe
f AobA^i Af Af n-eifCCACC 1 ttcofAC, leif An fge^l X)a
CAOib fein, mA]\ )ioiii)-HAt). If 6 n-A beACA fein, if '0615,
Agtif 6 n-A ftilAing tiiinic fein, 00 CAff Ain5 fe An cii)i-
fiof A|\ An cinle cfom-feAf fCAinne vo tAinij ai|i, Ajvif
A)\ An n'0)\oc-fA)'5A-D x>o fUAif fe A5 bun nA fCAn-
fceice. tii 1i-e Acc An ti. a)i n-A lii&f ac vo tAbAif An
SgeAC Leif nuAif ciig fe a ttiaILacc v>o.

283
■We now come to the longest poem and the greatest effort
which Baftery made in the shape of poetry. This is neither
more nor less than a short, concise history of Ireland, set down
in the form of a conversation between himself and an old withered
hush. I think it wonderful how a person without sight, steeped
in the extremest poverty, like Baftery, composed this long poem
so cleverly, and it is hard to say where he got his knowledge of
the history and ancient-story of Erin. Because the account
which he gives of the ancient families and part of the ancient
history was not to be found in any book, and no doubt it was in
the mouths of the people that the most of this history survived,
coming down and teing filtered from person to person, from the
time when the Gaels had their own historians.

There is a great deal more said in this poem about the ancient
ystory of Ireland as it was before the time of the Normans than
of the more modern history of the country from the time of the
Normans down. And this is a truly Irish characteristic, for it
was out of ancient Erin that both story-tellers and poets usually
found the material for their stories and poems.

It is clever the way in Which Baftery dressed up his story.
He does not begin to tell the adventures and happenings of
Ireland immediately out of a face (i.e., right away). He first
whets our hearing by the story about himself as a preface. It is
fiom his own life, and no doubt his own frequent sufferings, ho
draws the account of the flood of heavy rain that came upon him,
and the bad shelter he got at the foot of the old bush. It is only
on the next day that the bush speaks, when he gives it his curse.

284

pcit) m<y.n ]\oimpAi6 i ■oc^.oib n*. |.-e6.^i)ic/^ine a-^viy n^.
f5eice 6.5U]' A.n riieit) Xj'pulAing ^-e peiti. Ca ■oA ccac-
li&ihd. ■666.5 A>i\ pcit) A5 6.n ]'eAn-f5eic Ag cu)i poy a]i
6iiiinti 6 6,imp]i 116. wCuA.CA'Oe X)A.Ti6nn 50 ce^cc tlAoiiti
pi.T5|\6i5. Ca pee ce^qi^iiiiM eiLe 6.]i f5e6.l n6 h-6ip-
e6.tin 6 te&cc pi.v]\A\^ 50 ■ocug "OiA^imAit) l/Aige^n na.
SAqMriMJ 6.]i 'ocu|' 50 li-6ininn. -Aguj' ca ceitpe ce6.c-
H6.)i)n6. pcit) Af pn 50 ■OCI ^11 ■oeijicAt), 6.5 cup poy t>.\\
6tpinti jri. ]ii6.56.lcA)' 116. S6ci-6n6.c.

■puMji me 6.11 TjAti ]'o A.p t)cuf 6m' CApMt) Uoni6.f
1T1ior)C4jiti, 6 coip 00 ^-gpiob^Ti fioj- cimcioll pice
bLi6i6&ti 6 f-oin 6 lie6.l feAn-TJUine Uoicc V6.]\ bVinni
tlliceAilin O Clgipig t)o bfot) 6.5 5d.b6il cimciolL 116.
cipe 6.5 I6pp6it) loeipce. X)o pinne me comppAit) jpinn
loip 6.n j^cotp ^-eo 6.5U]> via c6ipe6nn6.ib •00 bi 65 6.11
y6.op cloice Ajuf 6.5 1)l6.c Ui |?loinn 100 p6ip me 'ti6.
61615 fin, 65i]f 65 ]-o 6.noi)' 6I1 waii com |-o-lei5ce Ajuf
com h-iomlAti 65tiy \y feiwip liom 6. cup pop tu5 6n
tT1ioi3C6.n6c 6.5UI' T>6.oitie eile " Se6iicuf tia Sgeice '' 6p
6.11 W6.11 yo, 6.CC If e '' C6.ipmipn n6. 856166 '' 6.n c-Ainnt
6.CA 6.ip 1 5Con'06.e fhuige-e6 :

seAiicus (HO cAisimmc) riA sgeice.

rpi>C, fAOl 111511 6f, bi. ■66lil-f6 t6.pl6.,

Ap bopo ^t-cinii (1) 'y e 50 inOp 65 b^ipceAc,

tjpuit) me 6.p te6.c-c6.ob 6.5Uf tii 56.11 6.t)b6.p,

50 bf6-56inn cl6.it)e (2) no com vo ■6e6np6.t) f5AC Tba-m.

(1) t^ftt"!'"'' muinncut fi4 h-A're pti ah r-^ mA\\ 6, »eiti r'^T)
"0-cinn." (2) lAbAifttaAft ad pocAl fo " ctoroe" no "clAma " mA|l
"cUis" (clj). ^ . , - , . , ,-. . .. ,

285

The })oem is divided thus. Tliere are twenty-three quatrains
aa a preface aTioiit the rain, and his bush, and all ho suffered
ihiraself. There are thirty-two quatrains from the old bush,
teJling of Ireland from the time of the Tuatha Dc Dan«nns until
the coming of St Patriok. There are tw«ity more quatrains on th«
history of Ireland from the coming of Patrick until Diirmuid cf
Leinster first brought the English into Ireland, and thero are
twenty-four stanzas from that to the end., telling of Ireland under
tihe rule of the English.

I first B<«t this poem from my friend Thomas O'Meehan,
from a copy written down about twenty years ago
from the mouth of a poor old man, one Mehauleen
O'Oleary, who ised to be going about the country-
looking for alms. I made a close comparison between tliis
version and the copies of the stone mason and Mr. Glynn, that I
got afterwards. And here now is the poem as legible, and as lull
as I was able to set it down. Meehan and others call the poem
" The History of the Bush," but the name it is known by in the
county Mayo is "The Dispute with the Bush " :--

THE HISTOBY OF (or, DISPUTE WITH) THE BUSH.

Once in August an awful deluge.
As I was walking, met me near Headford ;
I drew back quickly, and sought for shelter
From walls or rocks, from trees or hedges (3).

(3) Literally: Of a time, about -August, it was to me it
happened, On the borders of Headford, and it raining greatly ;
I moved aside, and not without cause. Thai I might find some
hedge or bush that would make shelter for mo,

2m

ni biruM]> me Ann, i leAr-CAOib be4.)\n6.n,
Ace I'eAn-^-geA-c cAicce, cjiMcce, cuAnico,

"Optii'o tne I'liici ')• b^. ylnic ^n Aic •o&m.

t)i An ]peA|i]»CAinn 50 T)iAn, aj ceAcr Af jac ceAi\t>A,
•<Xnoi)» Y AniA^, 'f AnuA]' le yAnAf),
A fAniAil ni ^.-eA'D^rAinn CAbAi]\c •ouic, tAiciveAc,
Ace noilleAn lAn beic A5 c]iiAr:]\U5At) jiAibe.

50 ^-eAU^Ac, irpAocriiAn, ]Toi]\nieAihAit, haj^c (1),

IllAJi beiC I'AIJCA'O A]\ 1.UA]', nO AjA1"6 t>-]\ pAf A,

t)i An CA]'5Aiiic Aj ceAcn 'y nA cio]tcA bAitice,

'S inS\\ m^•e An ■oiol r|\UAi5e '-p 1116 1 jcnuA'p 50 c)\Ait)cea

11ai|i a']- ceAC]\AiiiA bi fg AjbAii-reAC,

'S ni ^lAib bpAon (3) nAC ^cuqipeAO niAot i>.]\ capita,

Tli'L iiiuileAtin 'yci^n jci'tige pliiiji no ^lAibe,

TIac 5cui]i^eA-6 |-e a^ pubAl 1 Ia|\ nA tnbAnCA (4).

Tlinn tiie pmuAince, nm nA]i tiAi)\ ■oAin,
^M.\\ b{.'AO e 1110 f'AOJAl, ']- 50 mbut) jeAHH mo CAi)\t)e,
go •ociucfAt) An Toile, a')- beic ■oAoine (5) bAiiice,
'S 50 nibA olc An obAi^i bi a utjiaij nio lAiiiie.

Deic A5 "oeAnAiii pcACAio -OAtii 6 bi 1116 im* pAij-ce,
A5 luAX) mionnA-mon Y ^5 5e^1>l>^* "^ "Si'*!'*-'
"Oul cum Aifpinn ni iA]iii]:Ainn qiAcn Aip (6),
[no] |:Aoipt>in 11ot)Ia5 •o'pAJ^il, no Caj-ja.

(1) "niimeji, G. (2) " 1 jcutr jAti foipinc," G. ; " i jjcjiuAf 5«n
**5'*r." *" nii'o-6tAti*e. mi|'e ■oVcfiuit &n Lir.? m4« aca fuAp.
(3) "b|iAon -oi tiTjeAHtiAiV. r6," MS,

I found nothing there, on one side of a gap, 1 1

But an old bush, worn, shaken, ruined,

On the side of the ditch, and its face hanging dov.nvfards*

I moved under it, and it was a wet place for me.

The rain was powerful, coming out of every quarter,
From east and from west, and down the slope ;
A (better) similitude for it I could not give you at prestiit
Than that it was a full riddle ridaling rape seed.

Angrily, furiously, stormily, desperate.

Like arrows for speed, or one faced for a race,

The rain-sleet was coming and the lands drowned, 1 I

And was not I the object of pity, and me destroyed with hardship?

For one hour and a quarter it was raining.

And there was never a drop (that fell) but would put a heap on a

quart ;
There was never a mill in the province, of flour, or rapeseed,
Tliat it would not set going in the middle of the open field.

I began to think (1)— a thing that was no Shame for me— 1 1 1 1

That my life would not be long, and that my respite was short, ' I f I

That the flood would come and people would be drowned.
And thatibad was the work that was (left) after my hand.

Me to be committing sin since I was a child,
Swearing oaths, and cutting the Graces ;
As for going to Mass, I used not to desire mention of it.
Or obtaining Confession at Christmas or Easter.

(4) "Ajt rtiiit 41) t« up m ntA^iii," An mio-66«nAC,

(5) "An ctone iDAomid," MS.

(>) ' ni jnioinn 40n cij- -oe," G,

'

288

Y\i. "Oeic n--Aicne 00 'bpti'eMi ni gni^inn Aon ciy xyb,
f/soi bni)[eo.-6] mo coiii&in-A, «.)i iit)6i5(l) 5ni-6inn 5«-t|ie,
5ac imi)(c, 56,c oL, &')■ 56.C 6.on |jleA]>AC&.,
"Oa ocAgAt) cufi-jMiA. onm, h'.ox) 1110 L&rii Ann.

"V^A pMTje fl.n c-,5.111 C15 An c<ki|it)e

50 mbeit) mo "■pummon)-" «.nn I'g^iiobcA c^^iitAingce,
Ca nie 1 n-e&i'nA (?2) 'y e>.n c-inneAc j&n ^ajaiI ai]i,
Aj;ui' "cihaI'' 1110 cuipe a)\ pub^l &m*.]\AC'

beic A5 "out I'An A1C n&c nibionn &on ^»ilce Ann,
Uoitii I'Ai-obi)* te>.\\ bocc A(5c pei|\ a gcAileAcc,
An c-oLc ']• An liiAic 6 bi cu no' pAifce,
Siop Le lei^eAt) (3) a^\ c'eAOAn CAiijiAingce.

A\\ Aicjnje ^-muAinijeA)' mA]t ]"o 50 cuAibceAc,

" A "OiA CA i'UA]' A'f gnf-oeAf nA 5P'^r*>

" t"5 1'oIa]' a]> jeAlAig e>.'Y yi-y a]\ f Af ac,

"A ]'ciu)iAi§eA|" An mx»y 'y no cuip SIHAn 1 n-Aint)e."

" €"5 cdnAo &.\\ c|\Ainn Agm' ton5A 6 b^tAt),
"tug nA li-lj-iAAclinj 6 co-|'Aib a nAtriAt),
"tug enqc 'i' eliA]' 50 j^ii^tjin pApucAif,
" 'S ^mne pon ■oe'n tiifge te coiL vo tflACA|i."

" VeAC AnuAf A]i Oile^n pAnpAis
" IIIah •o'if-eAC cu A]i An ngAtJuite a)\ cjiAnn nA PAii'e,
" Tlmn cii 5AC ni-6 -o'a bjruil AgAni jiAicce,
"UAbAip mife teAC Ajuf cum ■pAOJAil lAiriie (4).''

(1) " A^nu," MS.

(2) "Aneije r-e^fn* r * ^'O"**!" ■*" mio-66inA6 ; " ca mi *.n
<ii|-tiA Y 4 c-ioiiAi," G. triipe -oo rSf 'O^ ""^ fOcU m4j« ci fiATi f"*^

Tho breaking of the Ten Oommand'ants I would make nothing of,
At the breaking of them by my neighbour surely I used to laugh ;
Every play and drinking and reveh^
That might come across me, my hand would be in it.

Xo matter how long the time, the day-of-payment arrives,

la which my summons shall be written and drawn out, '

I am at the rib-end (of the web) and no woof to be got,

And the trial oi my case going on to-morrow.

To be going to the place in which there he's no welcome
For the rich beyond the poor, but according to their qualities,
The evil and the good, since the time you were a child,
(Written) down on your face, drawn-out.

I thought <rf repentance in this way, piously :

" God who art above, and performest grace,

" Who hast given light to the moon and growth to plant-life, ,

"Who steerest the sea and hast set the sun on high.

' Who hast brought fruit on trees, and brought ships fr;m

drowning,
"Who didst bring the Israelites from under the feet of their

enemies,
" Who didst bring Enoc and Elias to the Garden oi Paradise,
" And didst make wine of the water at Thy mother's wUl.

"Look down upon the Island of Patrick,

"As thou lookedst on the thief on the tree of the Passion, '

" Thou has done everything, of all I have said,

"Bring me with thee, and to life (on thy right (?)) hand."

(3) "1 bpjiiOMnoA," All mfo-ofiaiiAt.

(4) "aMi pAo^il t&ime," MS. fli t6i]t t)«m f in. Ip mipo b'acjkmc
i ni4ji C4 fo futff.

ago

T)o nitin me piiu^inau56.-6 6.\\\\- a^i bA.ll aih,
50 'bpd.cMt) me ycyn mbiobla. fspiobca. CA-ttnAingce,
5e6.ll&* glo-n t)ii^e6.c 6 Uis n*. nJuc.]-*.
Coiii f&T) b-'y beic ]'cu«.t:-ceA.C6. C6.m nA]\ b6,056.l t)uinn
bACA-i!).

bu6 jeA-ii)! A-n fion jup tA-g An b^ifceAc,

5Hi6.n gup La.]- Agiir 56.0c gup AptJUij,

5u|\ jtUMf me a.p pubA.1 A'f me inuccA., binice,

Jup c&i\p6.in5 me e^y SeAgAti /ygup bi p6tii6.m irAilce.

1]- iomt)A fin CApcA. uipje ■o'f.-.AifS me

mo fsiopcA 50 ■0C1 mo CAb*.,

Cpoc me mo h^CA ftiAf a-p cAipnge,

Aguf cuip fe mo coolAt) me Ap le^buit) bLAcniAp (1).

Iliop bf At)A 50 fACAf mo funoe Apif me
A5 cup mipe Ap ceot, fpopc, aY r^-mpA,
'S Ai( nt)6i5 le bpot) [a'p ceol A'p AoibneAf],
■Oo CAiceAmAp [fein le feun] An oitice pn (2).

Ap n-iompot) CApc x)Am, Ia a^i n-A liiApAc (5)^
SioUa beAg UAim le ciumAp nA 1i-aca (3,)
Slit) mA^» t)ubAipc me A|A ceAcc 1 lACAip
[11a fgeice ceAtinA f aoi a ^lAib me bAit)ce].

" A peAn-pgeACAin gpAnnA fUAgpAim jpAin ope,
" Ha pAib A-coiBce fnuAt) nA btAU ope !
" •p&oi jn'npre OfCAip 50 bfAg cu 100 c.ApnAt),
" t)o[t»'] bpuJA'o Y ■oo[t)'J bpipeAt) Ag opti mop ceApn-
CAn."

(1) " itlin btAcniAfi," MS. (2) teAn«nn -oi line Antifo nAt Cpiiit jio
roileitt: " Atz AS piViunc a^i ni'«n> -oam tii-o r\i.p b'lonsnii), bi

2gi

I began to think again, the moment after,
That I had seen it in the Bible written and drawn out,
A clear straight promise from the King of the Graces,
That as long as there should be the crooked rainbow there was
no fear of our drowning.

Short was the storm tili the rain ceased.

Till up-lit the sun, and till the wind rose.

Till I proceeded to walk, and I smothered, drowned,

Till I drew to Shawn, and for me there was welcome.

Many was the quart of wa^er that I wrang out

From my skirt to my cape,

1 hung my hat up upon a nail.

And he put me to sleep upon a smooth warm bed.

It was not long until I was seen up, again,
MakiniT music, sport, and merriment move quick.
And surely with pride and music and joy,
We ourselves spent with happiness that night.

As I turned back on the morrow
A little way (?) from me, on the brink of the ford,
Here is how I spoke on coming into the presence
(Of the same bush under which I had been drowned).

"You ugly old bush, I denounce you with disgust,
"That neither beauty nor tlossom may ever come on you,
" Under the flail of Oscar may you get the threshing,
"Bruised and broken by a big smithy sledge hammer.

cballenge l,om rA,,,nit, , bpoipm V . bK^ofi*,,," ^n niio-6an4<i-
bi-o FA n& coinniT) U Foajis ai; F*om«ti," G. '-"■'•a'- ,

(3) I havet raiispnspd tbcsn two lines.

I
I ■'

'i

292

" \\)e>.]\ b'olc An aic uo ce^-cc 1 ni. le^c (l),
"Ha lopuiwim jTuc A.5 id.pjiA.1t) fS&ic o]ic,
" tli'L b)\6,on x>'e>.]\ buMl y^oi -oo co-m-fcoc j,]i4nri6.,
"fl&H ]"56.oiL cu o]\iii Le ciuIda]' x>o m^yiy."

sge^t :—

■mi-Y pte tuyty c<>. 6.5 ia.n]»«.i'6 f A]'6.t),
C<J. riii]"e Atiin'O ji6ii)6.c, 4.]a gAjADA.,
1|" t'eA.n6)]i me ci. 6. bp^.t) f An aic ]^eo,
'S nA CAp)i6.i5 nio)' goijie "6^111 Le vo cL6.it)eAiii ze>\\-
p&mgce.

HuAiji bi tiiij-e 65 x)A mbeice^ 1 ni. liom,
but) yojAf t)un; Tjion 6 §aoic Y 6 bAiixcAC,
'Si An 5A0C Am&n t)YA5 m'^SAit) Le f^nATi,
A'l' t)0 f5iuo|- (2j me po)' 6 bAjiji 50 ]'aIaiV7.

An neAdcCnne :—

A fgeACAin liiAifCAc, foclAc (3), blACiiiAHi,

SiiuAt) '511]" yniyf o]ic 6 II15 nA nSl'-^fCA, ^- ;

UbLA, peijinOe, plumAiTL), aY blAii'Cit)e (4\ ,_ .,^ ,

v\5U|' emu ^*'" r'°r *'°'r '^'^ t)Af^A.

An sscaC ;—

CeAt) Ajii]" mile jioitii Am nA h-Aiiico
Uu]* <\5iii" cuociiJAt) in'Aoi]'' ']• mo -OAca,
Ci. mo 6 j'-oin 1111' i'ui-oe I'An aic yo,
'5"r M" lom-OA I'S^aL a bpeAWAiiii c]iacc aiji.

(1) "1 tia leAc = i 115AI1 -ouic." (2) "Slops," O.
(3) llncte : '' iTiAipg foclAij;"

293

"Because a bad pla«e it wns to come near you ,

"Or to move under you, seeking shelter from yon,

" There was never a drop that smote your ugly crooked stump,

" That you did not loose on me down by the verge of your hips.

(THE BUSH SPB AKS).

If you are a poet seeking satisfaction,

Here am I before you on guard,

I am an ancient who am a long time in this place,

And come no nearer to me with your drawn sword.

When I was young if yon had to be in my neightonr'hood,
Shelter from wind and from rain had then been near you,
But it is the wind from the west that has left my countenance

drooping, - '

And has perished me from my summit to my heels.

(RAFTERY ANSWERS).

Hand.some, gracious (?), blossomy bush 1

Beauty and trimness on you from the King of the Graces I

Apides, pears, plums, and damsons on you!

Only put down for me the date of your age.

(THE BUSH).

One hundred and one thousand (years) ibeior« the time of the

Ark,
Was the beginning and creation of my age and date,
I am ever since sitting in this place,
And many is the story that I am able to talk of.

(4) " AValnuts," <mi ni{oi)CAn.<i(';. "l)L4irce" no "bAliifcc " is a
'plum," or according to others a " damson."

294

OccAp x)o t]\M).\X ']' n* milre 00 hMce/yi),

HoA-h, A clATiti, 6. ccile, 'f <s tiiACA-t]!,

Ace AiiiAin 5U|i i-5i\iob 6.11 c-e&fbog ^Aibce&c (f),

PAlOJAAIg.

yuA^AiiiA^ ciiucuJAi) eite a n-AJ&it) «.n cm\- yeo
guji 1 fjiuc riA mbeo'bAib •oo liiMjA pAjicAlon (1),
'TIa f-eA^'Aiii fUAf ]"An bjru&n-toc bAit)ce,
ltlAi)\ i^e bed &rin te coil tiA ng^iAi'A.

"Onuim Uui]ic (2) An uai^i fin b'Aintti •oo'n aic )'eo,
Asuf ni jiAib Ann acc coittce a']' Ka-|-ac,
Coin aHca A'f biioic (3) A5 eipige 1 n-Ai]iT3e,
Ho gup buAil nA P]\ bolg cum poiAclAipge.

togAioAp feitb jAn fCAp A mbApuCA,

CuillCAtJAH fUfA, A'f llinneAOA]! AflAlf,
OioOAfl ^AOI bpot) AgUf l^n ■O'^StAlf

5up fcpioc (4) fiAt) A gctipf A ciitiiAcc a nAiiiAX).

gcAimAUAp ciioinn, ninn, (?5) t^uy yA]'t>.c,

Agiif cuijieAOAji An niojAcc, a]\ nooij, \ bfAinne.

'Outi XJoiiinAill (6) 50 X)poicexxt) ^ca,

Cnoc-boiLg (7) 6 tUAic 50 cu^n Cinn-cfAile.

^5 pAt)AC Ap cnuic Y Ag feilj a|i fleibtib,
bA liiop A ■oceAnn (8) 1 -oceAnncA a ceile,
tlo gup buAileAt) pufA An •o|ieATn n^p nAotiiAtJ,
Sliocc UuAtA "Oe 'OAtiAnn Af cip nA b-Cigipc.

(1) " 1 \-yni no. m*oiLe bi p4|iCAl4n 'nA feArAm," An niiox>6AnAf.

(2) "■Ofioni toitie," An mio-ocande. (3) " CunAilc A'p bjiic," mio-6-
tii.Ai'. (4) " ScjioiccAVAit," An tnio«eAn4C.

295

Eight who went, and the thousands who were drowned,

Noah, his children, his consort, and his mother;

Only that the .... ( J) Bishop had wi-itten

That Partition mac Seara lived on the side of Oroagh Patrick.

We got another proo'f for this matter,

That it was in the stream of the Living, PartHalon lived.

Standing up in the cold drowning lake, I I

He remained alive there by the will of the Graces.

Druim Tuirc (i.e., Wildboar's Hill) was at that time the name

of this place,
And there was nothing in it but woods and wild-growth,
Fierce dogs and badgers rising up.
Until the Firbolg struck Waterford (and landed).

They took possession without a man to hinder them.
They settled down and they built dwellings.
They were proud and full of joy.

That they had stroked their course away from the power of their
enemies

They cut down trees, divisions (?) and wild-growth,

And they ringed round surely the whole kingdom,

From Dun Domhnaill to Drogheda,

And from Cnoc-bhoilg in the north to the Harljour of Kinsale.

Hunting on hills and pursuing game on mountains,

Great was their stoutness when all together.

Until the people who were never hallowed met them.

The race of the Tuatba De Danann from the land of Egypt.

(5) " nisni'D A Iacaiji, stone cutter's MS.

(6) "6 -Oun n& ngALl," .mi mio-ofiinie

(7) "benn boiib," 8. (8) " A zcomnAi,," S.

2q6

ITIife, Sj^e6.cAii Ac-cinn ^i), 100 contUMHc e>.\\ med-o pii,
A'f connM)\c AVI vk f'Ui^j 6,5 ce^cc 'n*. ceile,
Le f^ig-oib CACiiv A.5U1' M]\m 56a]ia,

If ioittCa cii-t 1 n-xStc *. ceile,
*Oo CU5 &n t)^ fUi6.5 c^Ae moin Y ^1*^ fleitcib,
b'e qiiocnugCTi riA cuife &Y ■oeme^-'o ha f5e&,lcA,
5iip CAill n^ pip bolg "Ojiuiin Uui|ac A^t ei^in (2).

Sliocc UuA-cA "Oe "OAn&tin 5^11 cuoiiie ^ayi 'OAonnfi.cu,

til te gnioiii n^ 5&>i|'5e '00 gnit)!]" aoti ]iut),

'S6 p't) -oeip SaIcaih C6.ipll &-']- "Ooccuin Ceicinn,

te 'oio.bluige6.cu cLeAi'ui5eia.cc (3) ^-gur tnionriAib biieige.

tluAip ]:u&|\o.T)6.|i cumACCA c^ini5 leipfj^uof.
An fiol •00 ciiMce^.*, ni cAinig •oe&f Mp,
lliop f'ATi I'liocc Ap bo tid. ol^nti AjA CA-op&ib,
UopAt) A\\ c)i&nTiMb nil iiKsij-e «.]i «.on put).

Cuipce^.^ fiop -ouinn 00 peip mi>.]\ leijceAp,
gup b'e o.n ceAO peAp cpi&Lt ■oo'n cip, J^-t^eUi]-,
PpionnfA. pio5&iiiAil x>e'n frloji-f-uil §6.et)eAl6.c,
"Oe pop no. njnioiti 'p -oe f-iol thilepiup (4). . i . i

TluMp cpi6.ll 6n pig 50 mbp&icpeAt) fe 6ipe,
Tliop ptiiU6.inci5 a. cpoitie 50 nT)e6np6.i-6e fje^l &i]\,
II0 gup beA5&-6 pA.01 An bpeiceAmn6.p 130 t)e6.nMti,
Ace (5) ■oeipeA* n«. cuipe gup CAilleA* 6 pein leip.

(1^ " AtA 6un," S. Some peoide call it Ac-cuini) not At-cinn.

(2) ni'L in ceActidriiA ro *5 An miotcAnAd. (3) " J^leAcuijeAtr," G.

(4) "X>o cui^i pop Ati sniorii sup cpuLt mileri«r»" A" ITIid'ocahaC.

297

1, the Bush of Ath-Cinn (Hoadford) saw all that;
And saw, also, the two armies coming together,
With arrows of battle and sharp weapons,
Blood was out-poured and hundreds died.

Many was the battle in one another's place.
That the two hosts gave throughont bogs and mountains,
But the finishing of the case and the end of the story
Was that the Fir Bolg lost Druim Tuirc (1) with difficulty.

The race of the Tuatha De Danann, without heart, without

humanity,
It was not by deeds or valour they used to accomplish anything ;
It is what the Saltair of (.^ashtil and Dr. Keating say,
That it was with devilment and trickeiry and lying oathis.

When they gained power, there came ruin.
The seed that was scattered there came no ear on it,
There remainixl no progeny with cow, nor wool with sheep,
No fruit on trees nor beauty on anything.

It is set down for us, as is read,

That the first man who voyaged to the country was Gadelus,

A royal prince of the true Gaelic blood,

Of tlie seed of the heroic acts and of the race of Milesius.

When the King voyaged that he might spy Ireland,

His heart never thought that a story would be made of him (2)

Until it was laid on him to make the judgment.

But the end of the case was that he himself was lost by it.

(5) " gtm be T3ei|ie," G. ; " sufi be ctnocnujA-o," An tniOBtinAt
(C1^ Tlie old name of the place where the busli stood.
(7) This perhaps means " would be found out."

I

298

Ace cu&it) yb beo (1) -oo'n Sp-iin aji eij^ni,
llo gup fjniob fe poy a)i ci'i]\]-&ib (2) eineAnn,
"OubMnc A cL^nn, heo.t c^]\ bec-l tei|'j
50 bvuigptii]' cinn ^511^- jruiL t n-ei]\ic.

'0'i,pt)uijeAT)A.ii leo, 1 jcu&l^cc glegcAl,

A5U]' buAile^tjA)! bnu6-c i>.]^ cu&n binn 66-t)Ain (3),

C^HHAing Atiifi,c A gcuiK) Iahha 56611&,

/ASUj' wub^inc tiAC n5lAC).-6.t) bpiob tia 6.011 \\uv.

"OubAipc m^c Ce&cc (4) 50 nibttt) moji &n cajcoi]! (5].
"Oo ceAcc Afce&c A-jAii-pop ■o'^on yc&y,
"Oo out no.01 ■oconin in yt,.n inbe&t&c ce6.T)nA,
A'y -OS. BCA5A.t) Ai\i|- 50 bpuigp'oii' SeiUcA-O.

'O'i.ii'ouijcA'OA.p A 5CU10 yeol, le -otc-ceiUe,
II0 gup pi'gl^-o led.b|\6> opAOiTie&cc' &.'y bueige,
"O'AiiDuij -i-coipm ^^uy yA^\]\^ite qieAiiA,
"Oo tiiuc t)o b^iC 'y '00 h^y^ no^ cei>.vct>..

Acn If be&5 aca. tAinig 'oe bAjip xMi t&e pn,

Ace An me^o 00 cuAib 50 Sp^in le pgeAlAib,

50 noeAimAix) fiAt) yue>.y &n oipeAio ceAtm^x,

•S gup buAile<voAp An •OApo. iuip bpiiAcn& li-gipeAiir (e)

tHop glACAtiAit cAinc (7) bUtJAp tiA bjieASA,
Ace Ag Iav5a-6 'f A.5 5eAi\pAt) le lAnn^ib g^xipA,
Ace yux) i An ttiAiT)in a n-oeApn^t) An ]-leAccA
5ac ccAnnpope xig ce^ce A'f a bunnAt) (8) fein le\y.

(1) " ttii*U A t<is *r'r ■oo'n S.," Ati mio^<iiti46.

(2) *■ Ati ■oltje *'r ^r fieAfic," G.

(3) " A|i ca«nc<viti eitie«nn," 4n niiot)C<in*d.

(4) "ftljc diltc," Ati tnio-6t«nA6.

299

But he cscaip€d aliv« to Spain with difficulty,
Until he wrote down about the condition of Ireland,
His children said, mouth to mouth with him.
That they would get heads and blood in eric.

They hoisted (sails) away, in a bright company,

And they struck the shore at the harbotn: of Binedar,

Tl.ey drew forth their sharp blades,

A..d said that they would not accept a. Ibribe or anything.

Mac Ceacht said that it was a great injustice

To come in without anybody knowing it,

But to go out nine waves distance in the same road.

And if they should come in again they would get submission.

They hoisted their sails with lack of sense,

Until the books of enchantment and lying were opened,

Storm arose and mighty seas.

Which quenched, which drowned, which destroyed the hundreds.

But it was few of them escaped, as the result of that day.

Except as many as went to Spain with tidings.

Until as many more were made up (got together),

And until tlliey struck, for the second time, the shore of Ireland.

They accepted neither talk, flattery nor lies,
But smiting, and cutting with sharp blades.
And that was the morning the slaughter was made,
Every captain coming with his own people.

(5) " An foul play rtti," An niioiiiAnAfi.

(6) -'Paoi 6i|ieAtin," G.

(7) " O^n'ob," Ati tfltotitAnAC.

18) "AriionAin," All niiot)C«n*e; " bunbufi," G. I edit as above.

300

Cinn Aguf cui]ip va ngexjpiuv* i n-einye&cc,
Agu]' jTUit 45 itnccACC 'n4. cuile i^leibe,
Ace yuv e An c&c in 6.p c&ille6.t) n*. c]\ein-p)i,
Ace Ag cpiocnugo.-6 n<\ cui]-e bi An Ia 6.5 ITIiLeijiu]' (1).

CAtllcAt) m&c CuiU, tll&c Ce;s.cc, 'f 1lUc 5iieine
Le l^nn^ib C6.nA, gl^nA, je^HA,
t)i ceAO cAoince A5 «. 'oc)ii ceit,e
TTIaH ^^ VotiLA, bxinb^j, 'y &\]\e.

SgoitceA-OA]! CjieAfnA 1ni]' SiLge (2),
Ace bi feA]> oe'n T)fi' tiiljA CMcnig An fgcAL Lei]',
Giioni li-ebe|\ 'f h-enenion (3) cuj; tmonnAit) cpeAnA
IllunA bfUigireAt) a ceAjic 50 bpuigye^t) •oa bpcAUpAt).

Coi^Aig |-Iat) yetXl a^u]- eijceAiic,
Do wlije nA gceA^vc ni tu5fAi-6e j^eiUeAt),
Cio]icA A'l' cui5i-6e A5 ■ouL €]\'m a ceile,
5"P tog ConniAC ITIac Ai]ic Iaiii le ln-6i|iinn.

Cun\ ]'e niitii'ce ^4) 1 gccAnn a ceile,

'S bi Ainm eile o|\iia piAncA (5) 6ineAnn,

tucc jnioiTi A'f 5<s-if5e, tucc luic Ajuf leimnij,

11^|\ C.U1H ApiAiii A]\ Iaoc ;<icc Aon ye&.]\ (6).

(1) " A5 mitepdtii'," All mio-ocinAfi ; "CL^vin ii«niile,"S. I edit
as above. (2) Thus G ; "eatjA/'S; " peite," «n niio-64iitiAc.

(3) Thus S; "tug f^ n* mi»nnAi-6 Tn6)ta ct<e<MM," in mio-oiinAt.

(4) "SLoijcc 1 Tce«niiC4 A ceile," S.

(5) " ):i«nn<\," G , "piAntiAib," ti; "puncA," *ti ITlio-ocitiii.

301

Heads and bodies being cut, togebher,

And blood flowing in a mountain stTeam,

And that was the battle in Which Ohe strong ones were lost,

But at the finishing of the Matter Milesius won the day.

MacCuill, MacC«»cht, and MacGroine died ,

By blades thin, clean, sharp, f

Their three spouses had cause to keene,
FodWa, Banba, and Eira (7).

They divided Inis Eilge (Ireland) across.

But tliere was one otf the two whom the settlement (8) did not

please.
Between Heljer and Herenion he took strong oatiis.
If he did not got his right that he would get it if he was able.

Tjhere began robbery, treachery, and injustice, :

To the law of the rights no submission would bo given, ' !

Lands and pi"ovinc€8 going through other,
Until Cormac, son of Art, raised a hand to Ireland.

He put together a militia,

And another name for tlhem was The Fenians of Ireland,

I'eople of deeds and valour, people Of activity and leaping,

Who never sent (to attack ?) a hero but a single man. I

(6) Sic, S; " tA\\ lAot Aji Aon neAt," An mi'o-otAnAt.

(7) Pix)nouin«!tl Fola, Bonba, and Aer-ya, from whom; Ireland
derives her names, wives of the s'>n di Hazel, the son of Plougth,
and the son of the Sun.

(8) Literally "Story."

302

TTlAp 'bi goLL in AC TH6]inA 'f a^ i^A^i-lAnn tiomcA,
tAiii \\M^m tiA^A ceip 6 JAifge pijce^t) (1),

Agu]' CotiAti 1116.01 m6.lluij;ce fe^n millce ha ■pginrie.

5oi]AeAtt (2) &Y Of-5A.]\, p6.ol4n Aguf C&oilce,
Aguj' "OiAjATnuit) O TDuibtie 00 c65|:A.t) •on6>oit)eACC6.,
pionn fCAU f e4.]-A *5U]- ceifc ■00 I'g&oileATi (3),
U05A tiA. tigAifjiTieAC x>e CtAinn bAoifgneW,

Clfi-nn 1 "Oi-ib 6. bjTAOt (?5) via iroAome

Aguf 6. cpAOifCAC i^eiti 1 l^iiii ja-c CAoipj,

CAipbpe cnifje^l (6) ha. n-Apm liotiicA.,

Aguf CLfi-ntiA 'Ooimjie (7) &.y Ue&iiiM^A n«. Tlijce^t). . , i

If fum-fA (8) t)o bi'oij' 6.5 ■o6&nAtii pMrifi.
A5 imntc 'f &5 6l, 5AC 16 Y 5<^c oit)ce,

CtOgA.'OA, fglACA, 'f cl&1-6eAmA ^rAobAI)!,

"Oo bit)eA"6 ]:utn-f& &|\ bopt), e>~^\iy coipn liotic*..

, -•] '

A5 pAt)AC A|i cnoc, &.\\ tiioin, Y ai» fleibcib,

A5 t^it A]i bpoic Y A]1 eilcib mA-ol*.,

Ace te mifte (9) n^ gcon 5U|i cAilleAt) iia cuein-pp.

Tn&|i riAC ocugii-iOAtA \^\i>-m do "Oia 5e)UeA.-6,

ConcubA|\ tjo cilitit5 1 5cpoin 'n^. "6615 pn
A5«f n* cujAAiiQ clifce, n*. fig&i^je cpeMi*.
Cl6.nn tJipij, cut)! AlbA. |?aoi ciof le b-6i|Aiiiii,
Aguf cA.ille*.6 6.n cjaiuh, xvh i«6'5, te 'Oeip'ope,

(1) "mAji jeAtL Aji tiijcifi," An mioi)ci.rn.t.

(2) "5e*^*l," All tni9t)CAiiA6. '' CiineAlt 411 ceA|ic.

(3) " PCAtl CIII Ce AJtip JAOtcjlA (?)," Atl tnio-OCAtlAi.

(4) " b'iA« fin nA SAipSfoi* 61 A)i ^c.," An miot)CAnii6. 1 edit as
altove. (5) '• ClincA'OAvb Ajuf a mAot niAit x)Aoine," Ati tni'o'66Ai:AC.

303

Suoh were Goll son of Moma «nd his fine polished 'blade,
A hand which never failed' from the ralour of kings,
Flann and Ainle (10) <A the sharp weapons
And bald cursing Conan the destroying mian of the Fenians.

Goireall and Osgar, Faolan and Oaoilte,

And Diarmuid o Duibhne who used to raise (disperse?) en-
chantment,
Fionn a man of knowledge and one to resolve questions,
The choice of ike heroes of the dann Baoisgne.

Olann ni DaiMi (?) in the people's hedge (?)
And hie own javelin in the hand of every chief,
Cairbre the bright-skinned of the polished weapons.
Ami the O^amiia Doimhre ( ?) out of Tara of the Kings.

It was under me they used to be making merry.
Playing and drinking each day and night,
Helmets, shields, and keen-edged swords
Used to be on the table 'beneath me, and goblets filled.

Hunting on ibills, on turf, on mountains,

Bunning after badgers and hornless hinds.

But with the swiftness af the (hounds the valiant men were lost,

Because they never gave to God submission.

Conchubhar it was who came to the throne after that,

And the expert champions of strong valour.

The children of Uisneaoh, who put Alba (Scotland) under rent to

Ireland,
But surely the three perished' through Deirdre.

(6) " CopAmnA, c^ucdt," *n mioTJCAtiac.

(7) Sic, S. ; " ClineA"Ou4|iAOCf4," *ii niioiiCAnAd;.

(8) " puiimneAC," Ati mio-oc.MiAc. (9) "le miAiti (i.e. me*xi«}i), G.
(10) These names as 'typical Fenians are new to 'me, Naoise's

tiiotlier Ainle is pronounced Al-ya.

1^

304

C65&"6 r"*r '» ' SceilL (1) 'p gciAion^cc
Le beic ^5 6.n ]ii5 mA|A ceite 'y iti6.|\ c^oibceAc,
tjveig fi An cpoin, a cuit) 6t\\ ^SU)- lOAonie,
Aguf lexin yi A^oati, Ai [ti]Le (2), A'y ^^AO^\•e.

CticulAin riA gcle^f, t^iii l3ni]'ce jac beApn6.,

Agtif Coniioit) (3) c6.ilLeAt) lei]- 6.n mb]uiitineAll bL«.c-

riAit) (3),
A c6tTi-oit)e muince bio-0 pt-X) z]\Acc Mji,
^eAjijiAf (4) tn^c Hot)d.it) A'Si'r CoiiaII Ce6.]\n&c.

Sm lA-t) 6.inmne r\&. gcii^iMt) ca me ]\a-6 Lcau,
t)iot) 4.^ cui>.tic«.ib [aj] feAj-^rii jaii-oa,
Ace Coticub6.]\ AiiiAin 6 ci'i)- ad tJACA,
n\o\\ nAOiiiA'o ■oinne 50 'orAinig p&ti]\Ai5.

eAfb^ll be&ntiui5ce c)\i&ll 50 1i-6ininn,
tug An cSACHAmunic t)eATinui§te(5) 1 mbgAL Jac AOinne
^iii'oeA'o An inA]»b beo, 'y An ]:eA)i mAlLingte nAetiiCA,
S ■00 liiuc CoinncAll nA CAmvAige Le n-A fmemeAB.

"Oo CU5 o](T) a']' Aij.-]»ion (6) •00 ]-A5A]\c ']- wo cl6i|ieAC,
A^ur I'lAnugAt) A n-AnAiii fAn cSAC)\Aniuinc tiAemcA,
SeACC gceAt) H01I15 -oo cw\\ ye le ceile
Aguj- bliAOAin 'y cjn yicio ■00 ycw\\ ye Sijie (7).

(1) Sio, G.; " 1 5C01II," All fllio-ofiitiAc ; "1 gciAlL," S.

(2) t/4BAilice«)< Ati c-Aintn feo i scoriinui-oe niAp " AiLle."

S.

(3) " ptAinm," an mio-oCAiiad: ; "cujits," an llliotiCAtiAC.

(4) ■' p.\i|!ip Ttiic moicio," An miox)tAnA6; "):A|i4ir iriAC IloOAm,"
C«BAi|'te«t' peAjiSAp I scothnume iriAji " peAfip ' no " |:e«jiAOip."

(6) "An cpeatimoiti nAomcA," An miotx^AndC.

305

She was reared up in sense and wisdom,
To be a consort and bedfellow of the king,
She forsook the crown, her gold and her people,
And she followed Ardan, Ainle and Naoise (8).

Ouobulain of the feats, the hound that broke every gap,
And Conroidh (9) who perished by the Maiden (Blanid,
His fellow-teacher in learning ■Where used to be talk of,
Fergus imao Eodaidh (10) and Conalll Oearnawh.

Those are the names of the champions I am speaking of, to you,
W^o used to bo at tho hasbourg standiingon guard.
Bxcept Oonchubhar alone, from the beginning of tlio date,
Not one was hallowed, until Patrick oame.

A blessed Apostle who voyaged to Ireland,

Who gave tho Blessed Sacrament into each one's mouth,

Who used to make alive the dead and make holy the man

accursed.
And who quenched the Candle of the Eock by his rod.

Who gave Orders and Mass to priest and cleric.
And the salvation of their souls in the Holy Sacrament ;
Seven hundred churches (11) did he put together.
And one year and three score did he steer Ireland.

(6) " OU 'sup bAirceAX)," G.

(7) G. adds a fifth line : " As tieAiiAm cf otfse titiiiAisee Y 1)411(06."

(8) Pronounced Al-ya amd Neesha. (9) reote, Duruidh (10).
recte EoiBh.

(11) Eoilig means now a churchyard, but Il^aftery uses it
apparently in the sense of church.

3o6

t3j«eAm eile CAinig i 1T01M5 mi fgeil feo,
LoclA.nn6.ig, cm\\ h\se>.m\\et>.'6 i>.'\- {>.m-^i>.]\ (l) {>.\\ 6i|iinrt,
Ui.:n5ef)Uf m&.\\ ceAnnfDOUC op]\& a'^ netAb-t (2),
An ipei>.\\ hA tiie&f a 'oLige AgU]- be6.]-6..

IIaji cmii A.n wlije biTie6.t) aj 6.n bpeipce,
56.C \et>.n 65 ■00 ciucfd.f) cum ye^.^niA.,
II0 ^\6.c6."6 cum poi'C*. te mn6.oi no ceile,
Y\\o\\ lei)' 6. cu)' 6.CC le Cupjej-iU]'.

Tlo 5Ui> vsniolb fnA.oiLfe6.cL6.inn Licip b)ie6.56c

Aguf ce6.cc6.i|ie cuji Lei Le ]'5e6.L6.ib,

Uiin n*. cui)"e 00 ceibc 'y no j'e6.n6.x>,

'S 5UH b'e c]iiocnu56.'6 n6 cui)-e gup c6iLle6.t) Uuiigepiui".

t1u6.i|\ c6.iLLe6.6 6.n ce^nnpopc 'y i04.'ire6.5bi 6.]i6.on Leii',

t)i LocL6.nn6.15 1 f6.in 6.5 llliLepu]-,

56.C wuine 'I' 6. HU6.15 6.\\ T6|ie6.m tujigeii'iuf,

Ho gup )>u6.i5e6.'6 A nt)eii\e6.-6 miiac 6.1" 6ipinn.

Ace beipc 6. t)'f6.n 6.5 piuc6.T) i-5e6.L6. (3)
Cu\\\ 6.n bonn ')■ 6.n CU15 'y 6.n cLuicce n-einj-e6cc,
AY le ye b6.ipc 066.5 ('*) '°° l*^'t' '^''^l* ^-eigned.)!,
An '06.)tn6. U6.i]i 'ye6.-6 rog p6.-o 6i]>e.

Anfo-cio)' c|\U6.i6 6.50)' |'siu|if6.ni 5e6.|i6.
"Oo le6.56.'6 A.nnj'in 6.nu6.)' 6.)i 6ipinn,
bu.^n6.i'6e in)' 56.C ce6.c Le ).'6iccio)' )'5e6L6,
tlo ^lun 56.C xi^c>.y ■00 t)uL (5) 'n6. ceiLe.

(1) "A5 »4An<im binifc 4)t 6i|iinn," in ITlio-oiinAt.

(2) " m^t' fioAnn 'p n\&\\ le&nefi," An miowdAnic.

(3) Bio, An tnio«eAnA<i; G_. has "o'pAn ctiiu|i n4 noiAi^ Aj bAiLl-
1Ut;a'6 rscAtcA." (4) "Se bAfp -oeij," S. (5) " C|ii nA ceile," 9.

307

Arother lot came after this story,

Lodhlannachs (Norsemen) vmho put trouble and misery on Erin ;

Tui;gesius as captain over them, a-tearing,

The man of worst laws and morals.

Was it not crooked the law this serpent used to havel
Every young man who would come to full age (6)
Or would go to marry a woman or consort,
It was not for him she was first, but for Turgesius.

Until Maoilsheadhlainn wrote a false letter

And a messenger was sent with it, with tidings,

(And orders) to conceal and deny the secret of the case,

But it was the end of the matter that Turgesius was lost by it.

Wihen the captain was lost and the twelve that were along with

him,
The Lochlannachs were in peril ( }) from the Milesians ;
Every man in the rout, aiter the people of Turgesius,
Until the last of them was routed out of Ireland.

Except two who remained picking tidings.

Who put the "butt" and the five and the game together (7),

And with sixteen barks, as is read.

For the second time they took Ireland.

A hard over-rent and sharp scourges

Were then laid down upon Erin,

A foreign-soldier in every house for fear of tidings (being toldi

Or the secret-thought of every two coming together.

(6) Or "to strength-of-deeds."

(7) i.e. who having been only five "to the butt," yet worked
from that up to twenty-five in the next deal, and so won tho
game.

i|i

308

tDuAtsu)* eite 1 jce^nn &n vne^x> fin,
UntifA t)e'n o^a beic &|i 56.6 Aen cij,
'S ATI ipei>.\\ tiAC n-iocfAt) e 1 gce&tin gAC feile
t)i An cp]i6n le bAinc oe 6 cLa]i (1) a cAtJAin.

tlo 5up 5IAC b|tiAn b6|\oitiie cnuAige 'o'6i]iinn
t)eic A5 Loct,AnnAi5 f aoi c6mAii\ a •oao|(CA (2),
50 noeACAit) fe yein '-p O ConcubAiji (3) 1 n-einpeAcc,
'S 5U)i cuineAtJAp A gconjnAtii 1 iDceAnncA a cfeile.

PpeAp An tliogACCA fUAf 1 n-einpeAcc,
CujA* j-ocaL nA pAi]ie 1 mbcAt 5AC Aen ncAc,
Luce f A1]ie X)0 CACCAt) AgUf fOip t)0 ffiioeAD (4),

Oiuce fTeile Sah Se^sAin (5) \n\- gAC ceApoA t)'6n\inn.

$LuAifeAt)A|\ 6'n TIluriiAin t)o ]\eii\ ttiAp l^igceAn,
O CeA|AbAiU Y ^ f^UAigce 6 fhoin Gile (6),
CiniieiBig Aj^uf LopcAnAij cpeAnA,
A5»i)' ClAnn ConAWAiiA Af An gCjieACAlAig 51656^1.

O SuiliobAin AniAp Af lA^ttAp (7) 6ijteAnn,
rriopAnAig, bpogAnAij, 5AbcA gleUfCA,
O "OonAbAin nA bpAt), O tTleACAni 'f O beAjtA,
O SeAcnAf Aig 6'n njopc, nAp coiji a ffiAnAii.

O ITJujiBA, O "Ooinn, A'f O pLoinn le ceile,
CACAttAig, Cocl^nAig, Aguf ClAnn Ui Thelit) (?8),
niAC CA|\CAn (9) 6'n fliAb, fCAjt fiAl 5An Aon luce,
O btUAin 'Y O lllupcuJA ojipA niA]\ "le^'oepf.'

(1) " 50 cIaji," i.e. " -oe itaji," An mioviAtijid.

(2) "paoi cuitie -OAofii," G. (3) "O Ctioeu|i," *n mio-biAtiAd.
(4) Alitor, "L«6c fdijie -om teAiz ^^nf tiA |eip At^AtiAl"

I I'

If

m

Anofh'er dnty, in addition to all that,
An ounce of gold to be (for a tribute) on every house,
And the man who would not pay it at the end of every feast day
The nose was to be cut o& him from the middle of his face.

Until Brian Boroimihe took pity on Ireland
At the Loohlannachs having it, for its ruination,
Until he himself and O'Connor went together.
And put their help along with one another.

The kingdom started up all together,

Watchmen to strangle the (Danish), and to blow wisps (of fire)

For watchmen to come, and to blow wisps (of fire)

On the night of St. John's Eve in each corner of Ireland,

They travelled from Munster, as is read,

O'CarroU and his hosts from Moin Eile,

The Kennedys and the powerful Lorcans,

And the clans of the Macnamaras out of bright Cratloe.

O'Sullivan (came) eastward out of the West of Ireland,
Moranis and Brogans armed and dressed,
O'Donovain of the deer, O'Meagher and O'Beare,
O'Shaughnessy from Qort, whom it were not right to refuse (to
meoation).

O'Moore, O'Dunne, and O'Flynn together,

O'Cjthans, Coghlans, and Clan O'Malley (?),

MacCarthan from the mountain, the generous man without a

fault,
O'Brian and O'Murphy over them as leaders.

(B) "1olc*in SeAJAin," aii niio-66An«e. (6) ""Oun pte," S.; " TOun
6ile," G. (7) " 1eec*ii," Ati mio*e4n4.e. (8) " Ctinite muileAits*,"
An mtoviAtiAi J " CtAnn Ui meotoixi," G. ; " clAnn Ajof meloi'Dt"
c6ip eile (9) ' tTlAc Aftf*"" ^" mtoxttin^t

3IO
O 1^6^1156.111, O Ru^i)\c, O Ce^UA-ij, iiA fe^iic6.p,

O ConcubAip (1) Af Stigeo-c, 6.T1 po|\-f-uil $Aei6eAl6.c,
A'f CL&nti tJonncA'o Atiiof 6 bun tia. C6ife.

tn&]\ bi 'Oocd.iAC6.ig, benini5, bpAonAnAig, iy'y Ceicinjf,
1T1&5Uix)iii, 'f THtkC TTlACgMTiAin 665 t^iti le 1i-6i]itmi,
O TJeitl Y O '06mnfi>ill 6 bjiUAC tiA h-fiipne,
56.C f^eAji &C& ce6.cc t n-6.i|\Tn 'f 1 n-eA-oAc.

THaji beic ■pionnAC jioitii SAUA^i A-p cupfA. yleibe
Oi LocL6.nn6.15 1 f Ain 6.5 CL6.inn ttlilepuf (3),
t)i LocL6.nn6.15 1 f 6.in niA)i belt 06-01)1156 Le&C6. (?),
Ap in6.it)in 50 mod, <Xoine 6.n C6AfC6..

[A\\ »ii6.it)in 50 mod, Aoine An C6;AfC6],

Iwiji ^CA nA 5CL1AC A5Uf CuAn t)inn ^AOAin (4),

t)i ■04 miLe ■ocas, T)ei|i "Oocci'nii Ceicin5,

"Oe LocLAnnAij LbajCa 1 scoinne a ceiLe.

An fCAf T)o b'l Ann y nA^i ciiic f An fLcAccA,

ConnAijic ye &.]\ ve b^pfi An Lac pn,

Ace bjiiAn Y ^ cLAnn, bA mop e a n-eA5mAif,

'S 5U)i 1 mbpifeAwCLuAin UAipboo cAiLLcAt) nA cjiempp^

CdAt) bLiAt)An eiLe 1 nwiAis An f56iL ye6

50 T)CU5 mAC II15 LAigcAn, miinA)i cui^ieAt) b|ieA5 aiji,

An beAn 6'n lluAiiiceAc (6), 'o'yS^ hue>.m]\eb.t a|i 5*^*"

eALAib,
A^V]- tA]\)iAin5 SACf AnAi5 6 cuf aji Gi^iinn.

(1) ' O Ctiutuilt," An ni!oxi6An44. (2) " n«)< feun n* gde^it," G.

(3) " As miVcpAiif," MS.

(4) T>etft TIA i>A»t)e binn 6j.Ti4in go minic i n-i.K binn ^A-OAtp,

O'f arrell, O'Rorke, O'Kelly, let it not be denied,
Beillys, Dowds, and mighty Flahertys,
O'Oonor from Sligo of the true Gaelic blood,
And Clan Donogh down from the foot ot Kesh.

As were Doghertieg, Beirnes, Brennans, and Keatings,
Maguire, and MacMahon who raised a hand (to save) Ireland,
O'Neill and O'Donnell from the brink of the Erne,
Each man of them coming in arms and armour.

As it were a foi before a hound, on a mountain course,

The Lochknnachs were at bay at the hands of the children of

Milesius ;
The Lochlannachs were at bay, like rotten sheep.
In the morning early, on the Friday of the Crucifixion.

(In the morning early on the Friday of the Crucifiiion)
Between the Ford of Hurdles and the Harbour of Ben Edair,
There were twelve thousand, says Dr. Keating,
Of Norsemen struck-down over against each other.

The man who was there and who did not fall in the slaughter

Beheld carnage as the result of that day.

But Brian and his children, great was their loss,

For in the Battle of Clontarf the strong men were lost.

It was another hundred years after this story

Until the King of Leinster took, unless lies were put out about

him,
His wife from O'Rorke, which left trouble on the Gaels,
And drew Englishmen for the first time to Ireland.

(5) Ca te«c-]iAnn cilc «nn)'0 «5 «n niioTpdinac tiac -nru^iMtn fuap

"A5 fean ■uo bi Aim 'f nip pAti le rj,eAl-«iB,

If I mb'l'ACliAC iuic cubAipce ah l«e pn " (aliter ai|<).

(6) Sic Q. ; "50 n'oeAjinAi-o R t cocAt ve'i\ Tlu4|ic.v4," M

3ia

1 5ceMin II15 SACf An 6^11115 CijeAjinxj Gipn (?1),
tug f6 "66 A i'OCAl Ajuf mionTi&it) qieutia.
50 ■ociubjAA'o ye fu«.f <y ccApc fein 00 ei|\inti,
Ace f Af a6 tAbAijAc ■00 1 n-ioriAt) (2) mi fjeil pn.

Ce&cc&i]ieAcc (3) •o'lmcig, A'f a'6a|ic A5 ffei^oeAt*,
5«t^ cuipeA'D te ceiLe m6)\i.n c6a'dua,
CiseAptiA Scpongbow o]\\\t>. ttiAji leADA^i.
gup cogAiOAp Cui5e CAigeAti tje'ri ^igiTti pin.

Cjii c^tyX) ATitipn, Aguf cui]i leif 6i|\ic (4),
tlo 50 puj&t) 1 SACfAriA An pjMonnfA ceui^cA, •
[Agur] tTlAprAin Luiccaja t)o cionncAig ha ceAUCA,
"Oo feun An pi-pA 'f An SAcpAimgAt) tlAemcA.

C'fAX) A'f fei •re 1 gconvenc b'olc iaw a beAf a,
A5 fst^iob A'r ^5 CAiipAing IcAb^iA bpeise,
A5 pglAu co]\Aii6 Y <>>5 leAgAt) "ipLAncACionf,"
A5 n6AbA-6 geACAiB bAllAit) Y " TrounTJACionf.''

If lotn^A c6Tii)\A-6 cpuiceAC (?) bjigxijAc (5)^
UA)inAin5[eA'6] atoac aj- An mbioblA g'^eiieAlAc (6),
5ac 'DUine Af A ceAnn A5 piocAt) leijin Ay,
Aj5 •oeAitbuJATi An ceinc 1 ttiuIIac ^n 61C15.

(1) SicM.; "t)|iei;nf6,"G. (2) "1 teAb<if6," G.

(3) Sic G. ; " express," S.

(4) Sio G. ; " cjti ceA-oAt btt«-6;vn a n'oiAij An fj^it fo," M.

(5) ni'l An ceActtAriiA fo aj An mio-otAnAi.

(6) " At Uti *n Ciobt* 5.," G.

3*J

to tih« £ing of England came the Lord of Eisin (I),
Ht gaye liim his word and strong oaths
That he would give up his own right to Ireland,
Only to give him satisfaction for that wrong (1).

A message went forth and a horn a-blowing,

Until many hundreds Trere got together,

Lord Strongbow oyer them for leader,

Until th^ took the proyinee of Leinster in that course.

TJhree hundred years then, put more (2) with it,

Until the cursed (3) prince was born in England,

And Martin Luther, who caused hundreds to transgress (4),

Who denied the Pope and the Holy Sacrament.

So long as he was in a conyent, evil were his morals,
Writing and drawing lying books).

Trespassing on orchards (5) and overthrowing plantations,
Tearing up gates, walls, and foundations,

Many is the hump-backed lying discourse

That was drawn out of the Irislh Bible,

Every man out of his own head, picking learning out of it,

Asserting the right on the top of perjury.

ri) Literally: "Story." "

(2) Literally : " Put eric with it," a curious use of the word
"eric." (3) Literally : "Tortured."

(4) This seems to be the meaning. It may be "who
transgressed (in) hundreds (of things).

(5) Or " spoiling fruit."

3»4

tl1&|i h\ x\n&bApcifCf, Seekejif, Aj^u]- Qii6.kejif,
PpocAj-cum, Sw<J.t)le)i]- (1), Aguf Ppei'bicep»&n|",
In fAti Am pn ni p&ib ci\acc a^ C)tomwettia>nf,
Ho 50 t)C4ini5 C]tom6.it, 6-n yei,.\\ cog 6ipe.

mile 'f CU15 c6At) ■00 |iet)i me>.\\ leigce&n,

n&oi Aj^wf A h-occ vo cup 1 gceAtin tyn riieio ftn,

cuipting C|Aiofc 1 5cot&inii •bAonnA,

tlo gup coi'Atj llAnnpAoi ah Tle^opniACion.

Cu5 (2) A cut DO "btA aY ^'ulcAij ^ ceAti-beAn,
^VgUf pof ye A injeAD yein iiia]i riiriAoi 'p triAji cgile,
LtiiceAp A'f CAfbm ■00 b'Ainm 'oo'n p6i)>e
Do fjAOileAt) An beipc An poc Le ceile (').

t)Ain fe An ceAnn t>i le lAnnxvib gcApA,

A'f ni t)i-fe Aiii/Lin acc 'oe tmlleAt) Igi,

flAp CAtn An t)li5e •00 bi aj An ce pn,

"Oo cuip A bcAn 'f A ingeAn cum bAip 1 n-einpeAcc.

An t)Ainpi05Ain TTlAipe, cuing (4) ha n5Aet)eAl,
An mAtJTjeAn mowAiriAil, tiiAipeAC, b6Af ac,
TleAb p cmm, cpornn, Aguf S^aja,
'SmunA mbeic i CAilleAt) CAppnocAt) fi fpeAriiAc.

eiptbel CAinig 1 gcpoin 'nA ■D6tg fin,

tlAp pof feAp Aguf ni-p cpoifg jAn cgile (5),

Cuip A cul 'f A ■opuiin le cuing nA cleijie,

llo gup cuip fi An pUAIg Ap An ©AglAlf SAet)eAlAig.

(1) " SmAiT)e4itedtiAii3e," M. (2) " tuj re." MSS. (3) Sio (}.
"« r5«oil *n fteijic 1 bpAipc 4 i^ite," M. (4) Sic G. ; " cu," M,

3*5

Such were Anabaptists Seekers, and Quakers,
Protestants, Swadlers, and Presbyterians ;
At IJhat time there was no mention of Oromwellians,
Until Cromwell came, the man who took Ireland.

One thousand and five hundred, as is read,
Nine and eight to be added to all that,
Since Christ came down in a human body
Until Henry began the Eeformation.

Who gave his hack, to God and denied his first wife,
And married his own daughter as wife and consort ;
Luther and Calvin were the names of the pair.
The couple of them used to let loose together the btiok-goat.

He took the head off her with sharp blades,
And not off her alone, but more along with her ;
Waa it not crooked tlie law that this man had.
Who put his wife and daughter to death together !

Queen Mary, the yoke (6) of the Gaels,

^e mannerly, handsome, moral maiden,

She tctre up bushes, trees, and branches.

And if she had not died (7) she would have pulled up the roots.

Elizabeth, who came to the Crown after that,

Was one who never married a man, and yet never fasted from a

consort ;
She turned her >back and her rear to the yoke of the clergy,
Until she put to rout the Gaelic Church.

(5) Sic Q. ; "in tein niji pop peaf 'r "•*f cuip fuAf -oo ceite,"
M. ; cui|( r^^r '°° V'" " ^^ ^^ idiom meaning " to renounce or give up a
thing. (6) Aliter, "the hound." (7) Literally : "Was loi^t."

3i6

SeA.nixjj' X)0 c^iinij i jcvoin 'n*. -6615 fin,
An fCAp b«, me^-pd- wtije n-'^vy hee>.]-ey,
"Oo "otije Sqt&fopT) cug ye ^eiLLeA-o (1)
A5 le&jAn flA>b]A4> A-p mom 'y a]\ fleibcib (2;.

3 nfo^t tiie&f A An c-^CAi^inA An m^c SeA^duf,
■^5 l-e6-5«,n fgitipf Aiiie 50 cpuAit) ftp Siiwin,
Ace nUAiji b'Ail le ■ouine 'y Le "Oia An |-t^6aLa (3),
CaiII f6 A ceAnn Le cionAin SpeiiAioc (4).

mA5un6n\ 'y ITIac TnAtSAihAin coj lAtti le li-6i]iinn,
1 Lont)un x>o bAincAt) An ceAnn ■oe'n peine,
eogAn HuAt) T>o cAini5 1 nwuij An fjeil fed,

IHa^CAC fCAJIAlhAll, bA^IJIAlilAll, bcAf AC.
LtitlhAp, cleAf AC, ■pJgAC, 6Af5A,

tJo fexiin leim IcAC-CAoibe Af CnomwelliAnf,
TitioiceAD (5) nA Siui)te 50 "Oiin f etle (6),
CAipoll niumAn 50 cuAn binn 6AT3Ain (7).

CiLL-oaIua (8) 50 bpuAC 1,0c 5|ieine,

'S An vs cuige TMumAn vo cup le ceile (9),
Ace 5«|i le bsAn tout) 5ol'oen(10) t)o CAilleAt) An
peAjilA

1 gConoAfe CixippAiToe 1 n-iA)icAp 6iiieAnn.

(1) " niop feus re sei'-^ei-o *ec te«54n," etc r*n MS., «ec ni cor-
mfiit 50^ ce«^c pn, tTlipe Tj'otpuij i.

(2) Sio G.; " Aj le^sAn rsi«iir'"Se ctiu^i'oe *nii<»t< 4ji Ctjie," M.

(3) " Atz na*ijt bi»-6 X)e4n le 'Oia 'p te 'OAOintC *ii fsiala," M ;
If neatin-JnitAd " An fS**^* " ' "'Aic " pa rs^*!-* " no " «n rs^«l."

(4) pA*! c. rp-." G

(6) " (J CAt'l'AiS." G. (6) " T)Mn««Uin," M. -

r

James it was who came to the Grown after tiiat,
The man of worst law and morals ;
To the law of Strafford he made submission,
Laying a chain (11) on bog and mountains.

And no worse was the father than the son Charles,

Laying scourges severely on Ireland ;

But when man and God desired the news,

He lost his head through the Five of Spades.

Maguire and MacMaihon raised a hand for Ireland,
In London the heads were taken off tdie pair ;
Owen Roe it was who came after this,
A mAnly, stately, courteous horseman.

Active, wily, jovial, rapid.

Who knocked a side-leap out of the Oromwellians,

From the Bridge of Siuir to Dun Eily,

From Oashel of Munster to the harbour of Binedar.

From Eillaloe to the brink of Loch Qreine

And the two provinces of Munster put together ;

But through the wife of Lord Golden (12) the pearl was lost

In the County of Kerry in the We«ft of Ireland.

(7) " 6 cluAtn-riieAlA 50 t)4ile Se4m4tt"," G.

(8) " 6 tioii ■odmtiAitl," M.

(9) " A]\ nu4[.-niioi5] bi -oti^im t-eif," M.

(10) " Cije^^iiA 5oti-oen," G.

(11) i.e., measuring it for plantation purposes.

(12) Aliter, "Gordon." Gordon is often pronounced "Gore-Jen"
in Connaoht.

3x8
'S6 b&f CoJAin TluAiH 'O'yi-^ bu&ioneAt) e>.]\ JAe-be^LAib,

1T1^|A belt UAtpoit) 6.j\ bcAl fU^OAit) (?) X)S C6>f 54.1)10 ^5

CgiJ.'OCMb,

t)i C^toniAilt Y A ftuMJce f^n HUA15 o^ipA Af 6iiiinn (1).

b^ bu6.it)pe6.t) 6.n c]\At fin, 1 Tiib6«.l &n fojrii&ip,

1 -Oac--6]iuiiii "Oia LuAin ne hi>.]\]\ -sn "OomnAig,

If iomt)A TiiAC S^'^'oit 6. t)'}- 6.5 -pe h]\6n Aip,

5A>n cpACC 6.|A ^n c^KilleAX) 1 iiib|iife«.-0 via bointie (2i

Ace SeAm^|• a' c<i.CA, tn*.iLd.cc "Oe 66,

tu5 ^ ingeAn 00 'l/i6.in in6.)\ iTin«.oi 'f niA^i ceile,

'Se pinn ^n g/yeioeAlAC 5*'^^'o*' 'f <>•" 5^'l't'^'^ S^-eu-

e^lAC,
11u&i)t cum T® '^" 6nuicne&cc 'y 6.n eopn*. c^ie na. ceile,

Upe Th6in-n4.-n5AlL'o& 'fCAt) cpio.LL luce b66.]ilA. (3),
'S 6.5 5eACA-n6.-5ced.t1n (4) 'fe*.* ninne^.'o a fleuccAf,
A5 llucApetl P^ff (^) 'feA.-6 x)iol«.t) nt>. 5Aet)e«.lAi5
<Vh f5illlin (6) A'f l>^6l AtiKkC 6.n pei]ie.

A5 Cillin O 5"AM"5 (') ^' "^ 5*'1-^*- (8) All peAfCA,
tlo 50 t)CAini5 An SMlifcAl^c, c]ioit)e nA feile,
Lets fe leif An cSionnAinn (9) a 5cui-o A)\m a'j- eAX)Ai5,
'S xxt\\ C65 fe t/UimncAC An riiAioin ceAwnA.

(I) ni'L An ce*ili4m* fo Aj; An ITIio-ocinAc.

W "5*" '^I'Ai:^ *)< bic 4)< bpipeA* n« Uoinne," M.

(3) "tt"*LL A me«T)|i.\6c (?)," M.

(4) " 5Ce4p4," M.

(6) " An Rucni4ll*c f AllpA vo xiioL," G.

It was the death of Owen Roe 'left trouble on the Gaels,

Orders and Mass and Church (all) denying,

As it were a ball in the mouth of the onward rush (?) struck-

mercilessly 'by hundreds
Was Cromwell and his hosts in the rout oa them out of Ireland.

That time there was trouble, in the mouth of the harvest.

In Aughrim on Monday, the result of the Sunday ;

Many is the son of a Gael it left grief on,

W-ithout talking of all who were lost at the defeat of the Boyne.

But James of the dirt, the curse of God upon him,
VVlio gave his daughter to William for wife and consort,
Who made the Irish Englisli and the English Irish,
For he put the wheat and the barley through each other.

Through Moin-na-ngallda it was the English-speaking people

marched.
And at the Gate-of-the-Heads the slaughter was made ;
At Ruterell Pass it was the Gaels were sold
For a shilling and sixpence, (paid) out, the pair.

At Killin-O-Guaree the Galls were at a feast.
Until Sarsfield came, the heart of generosity ;
He let (be swept) down with the Shannon their arms and

armour.
And he raised (the siege of) Limerick the same day.

(6) "^|t fsiLLin in cfttujt mAji pu^in me fseAt*," G.

(7) Sic G. ; " J15 siti'n fhAi;oi|ic," M.

(8) SicG.i "tiA 5ae^iL,"M.

(9) Sic G, Ate f5\»ot>Ann j-« " letf At) cuncAtnn," " 'S sup r54oa
pe Ve fill," M,

320

11a bigitie [peAfC^] 5^.11 me)fneA.c [jau] 6i]:eA.cc i^l),
If qietfe le 'Oia. ni. le C]\ortiwelli&n|-,
'S 50 nt>ei|i Sah Se&56.ti (2) in f 6.n " lleveLACioii
An nAoihAU bli6.-6o.in pceAt) 50 itibeic ^.n fgojiLe 5^et)-
eA.LAib (3).

l6.j\]\6.im-fe A]\ ttluipe inf e>.n imi]ic (4) \y geipe
50 n-ionnc6ig 6.n tnuiLioc 1 mull6.c n«. ■ppeipior,
— Sin nid.p cui)i TlAijrceiu fioy a]\ 6i)iinn,
6 fein Y ■ft'i I'geAC&n 1 bpAi]ic Ic ceiLe (5).

^5 fo 6.b|iAn cLuuA.1ii6.1l t)o ^iinne 6.n TleAccui^Ae a]i
CAilin •ocAj", tTlAipe Sc6.nron 615111, no comnuij, mt>.\\
cu^tA.i'o tne, 6.H An gceib 1 ngd-it-Lim. t)i caiI mop 6]»
6.n AbfiAn fo 1 5c6mnuit)e. Hi peioin V jia-6 ^noif cia

m^iRe scAnron.

U^ p6)'Ai6 51656*1 e>.]\ b|\U6.c n*. ceibe

A5Uf bU6.1l fi "Oeiii-oiie le f5eiiTi i,.'y 5n6.oi,
'S t)6. n-*bii6.inn llelen 6.n b6.in]\io56.in §)ie6.56.c

A^i CU1C n6. ce6t)C6. n'i. hi.]\\\ 'ye>.n C]\6.oi.
Zs l6.f AW Af 51I' innci, nei]i' a ceiLe,

If binne a beiLin ni. cuac aji cjiAoiTi,
'S A mem nS A C]\eicj\e ni geobf Ai^e 1 nAen beAii

tJ'eAS An peAptA bi 1 iTibAile-ui-liA5.

(1)^" ni bi5i-6e 5411 meirne4\e 1 bpo£Ai|< A tetle," Q.
(Z) '"OutAi^c nAom SeiJAti," G. ; "S4n lohn," M.

321

Do not ye be in future without courage, without elfectiveness,

God is stronger than Cromwellians ;

And sure St. John says in the Revelation

That in the twenty-ninth year the Irish shall score.

I beseech of Mary with the sharpest beseechingg (?)
(May the diamond turn on top of the spade.

There is how Raftery put down about Ireland :

Himself and the Bush, both joined together.

Here is a famous song that Raftery made on a pretty girl,
on Mary Staunton, who lived, as I have heard, upon the quay in
Galway. This sung had always a great reputation. It is im-
possible to say now at what time it was composed : —

MARY STAUNTON. ;

There's a lovdy POSY lives by the ROADWAY,

DeirJre was NO\\ilERE beside my joy,
Nor Helen who BOASTED of conquests TROJAN,

For wliom was ROASTED the town of Troy.
Her cheeks like ROSES through lilies GROWING,

Her mouth MELODIOUS with songs of glee ;
Such mien and Mo flON were never NOTICED

Since died our POSY was in Ballylee.

(3) '' An cuisej-o bl . p. 50 fipuijeit muit) .t;c<LleA-6," G,

(4) "lmi|ic,"G. (5) "bpAt'l'A * 4eiU," M.

322

*Od. bpeicfe-s ^n fpeinbea^ti A-'f i 5<>bc6. jlewfc*.,

to. h]\ei>.-^ 5|\eine f A-n cvi*A»t), 'fi fiub^vl,
Soluf Ia-i-ca. -sf 6. buoU^-c glfeje^l

•Oo tiubn^.'o lei^ged-f 100 f-e^.^ 5A.ti fuil.
Ci> 5H<i-t> no. gceuocA. 1 Scl*.]! 6. h-e<i.t>a.in,

1]' je^ll ^ i.'ei)CAinc(l) le ^\eulc ty' LuAin,
'S X)A mhe\tee>.-t) p 1 Ti-eitif-e6.cc le Imn n«. nt)6tce

Til fUA^ t)0 t)§nui' "00 b66.f fA.it)e 6.n c-iib6.Ll.

C4 fl. fotc 6.5 c^i-^t) lei flov 50 slim 6.1b,

A5 pUeo.'o Y ■^•S lub6.t) 50 Deal /s b]»65,
1U nt)U6.lc6.ib VB-^rtA., Ye cotii sLd.]- le ■ohucca,

'S no. cuoilvi-Oe a' i~5U6.b6.t) (2) no. ■010.1$ fon tiot).
A'f T"^ 1 ^" ciiilfionn i]- gile miiince

X)o.'v fopgAil T"'!' ^5"r "^'^ nioi]ieo.nn be6,
'S X)0. nibu"6 liom-fo. ouicce on UigeojinA tucon

•O0.H buij mo cui)-e bu-6 liom-]'o. o.n cfeom.

Co. o> cum CAol coilce Y ^ Sl'"^"^ "'*■!' "*• V^V'^^'^

'S o ■oA cic com-ciiuinn o]- coiiioiii o c)\oit)e,
A bn,i5AiT3 0. leo.co Y ^ ciiilin omno, [p.

A'r me.\\ T)iiucc on ^6511101)1 Y^^* bueotnuigeonn
Oiiigil, Ciceiio, no coiiiocc "home)!

rii ciub^ot) 1 5c6im-meor (3) a fseim '|- o gnooi,
tuic me 1 bpeocot) leoc 0. blot no h-dige

'S muno. ocig c« 05 oL liom ni moi^iyeot) int.

^) "A -oi

fix\, mAii tt. A, t.," C. (2) " n4 6Fpe'»-re4in liibii," C.

323

Tf you were to see the Bky-woman and she pr^ared and dressed

Of a fine sunny dsay in the street, and she walking,
And a light kindled out of her shining bosom

That would give sight to the man without an eye.
Tliere is the love of hundreds in th« forehead of her face,

Her appearance is as it were the Star of Monday,
And if she had been in being in the time of the gods

It is not to Venus the apple would have been delivered up.

Her hair is twining with her, down to her knees,

Twisting and curling to the mouth of her shoe.
In scattered strands, as shining (4) as the dew,

And the twists-of-hair sweeping after her up the road.
And there is the coolun brightest and most mannerly

Of all who ever opened eye, or live in life ;
And if I were to have the estate of I>ord Lucan,

By the virtue of my conscience, the jewel would be mine.

Her waist is narrow, chalk-white, and her countenance like tlie
roses.

And her two breasts equal-round over against her heart ;
Her neck and her cheeks and her amber back hair

And it is like the harvest dew she appears.
Virgil, Cicero, or the power of Homer

Would not bring a comparison for her beauty and mien ;
I have fallen into sin (desiring) you, O Blossom of Youth,

And unless you come to drink with me I shall not live a month.

(3) '• 1 j;com*r," C. and G. I edit as above.

(4) " Olas " must apparently be translated tliu».

324

Ag pubA-L no 6.5 -OMii]'*. x>i. h\:e\cyei. />.ti plA-iiiToo.

X)q be^npi. c'6.nn]-^cc (1) -oo blAc na. gcjtAob,
A 5]\UAO C|\e LAf^-b '\- e>. ci\oit)e g&n aitij^^i,

'S n&c li.§AC t>.n ]\ut) ceAnncur4,i[j te n-6.bpolLi).c
iiitn.
C6iiiA.ccA. S&mpfon no AlexAnt)e)\

A.]\ n-oOig, ni f6.nnc6cMnn 1 n-Aic 1110 liiiAn,
'S Ti)U|i bpA$At> cetyv cAince le tl1<iiiie Sc&ncon

Ca me 1 n-Am]>Af 5Ui\ 5e&|\|\ mo j-a-ojaL.

tug p " ni4.;\A '' (2) ■oA.tii 50 nice le pleifii3]t.

l/CAg i-i fft^c (3) ^56111 Agu]- ni 'yt,. gcLuit),
"O'oL ]-i T)eoc onin, b'i q\oit)e no. peile i,

In ]'A\^ ATO A]> ei)(i5 me Le out cum jiubAil.
Oo buAiL me 'LAbAijic iy'y c6m\\ik-6 Lei,

1]' inuince ■o'^-e^.c ]'i o|im, bl^u n* n-ub^LL,
Ace -po b^nnAit) beiLuAoib j^n ^ocaL b)i6i5i!,

5u|\ yS^ me &n cpAob Atci (4) 6 rh<i-i)>e bpiin.

"Oo lAb^in An Tle^ccuipe in I'&n Abp^n |-o a|\ ad
bpof^e SLf'Se.AL bi 1 mb&iLe-ui-LiAj X)o b'i ]-in An
iiiAi5X3eAn ■00 b'AiUe, A-oeip y\i>-X), 00 pugAt) le cc^t)
bLiAWAn 1 n-iA|iCA]A ei)uun. tli'L Aon c]-eAn--ouine ai.
CAob pn xte Cont)x!ke nA SAiLlitiie n^|i cu^LAni cAinc aji
An fpeijibeAn yo, A^uy ia-o-j-ah do connAinc i, ni
f-eit)!)! Leo A f 4.1c moLcA caoaihc -o'a I'jeitii A^»y tj'a

(1) " Antir«," G._ ;/' fancy," C. ; aliter cMcncam. I odii as above.

(2) Sio A. ; " moro," G. ; it is the Enitlish "morrow "

(i) "scoi," A. :

Walking or dancing, if you were to so3 the plant (5),

You would give your alfection to the blossom of the branches,
Her countenance lit-up, and her heart without trouble,

And were it not a lovely thing to be close to her smooth hosom ?
The power of Sampson or of Alexander

Surely I would not envy in place of my desire ;
And if I do not get leave to talk to Mary Staunton,

I am in doubt that my life will be sliort.

She bade me good-morrow early with pleasure,

She set a seat for me, and not in the corner.
She drank a drink on me, she was the heart of generosity,

At the time that I rose up to go on my journey.
I be^'an speaking and conversing ?rith her.

It is mannerly she looked at me, the apple blossom ;
Here is my bail of mouth for you without a word of lie.

That I have left the branch with her away from Mauria Brown.

Eaftery speaks in this song of the Posy Bright who was in
Ballylee. She was the handsomest maiden, they say, who was
born for a hundred years in the West of Ireland. There is no
old man on that side of the county Galway who has not heard
talk of this sky-woman, and, as for those who saw her, they are
not able to praise enough her beauty and her courteous manners.

(4) "50 VCU5 p All jieiin lei." Neither S nor S have these four
lines.

(5) A not uncommon appellation in Iris for a young person.

326

b66.f«-ib IaIja-ca. "Oo coitinuij p i n-6.ice Le 5oi^c-"i"r®"
5uo.ij>e, Aguj'CA jTUijleAc &n nje in i^y mt,.^]\ fi le ^:eic-
]-inc 50 ydi\X ^5 DA-ile-ui-b^ig, b^ite be«.5 *• t)puiLle«.c-
■buii'in tie cijtili ^nn, «.p bjiu&c Aibnebige Aittj-jlopAije
1 mbApunc&cc C)llc6.]ACAn. "Oo bAine4.-6 6-n cuit) if mo
■DC n* cloCAib A]' binn d-jtif CAob-b&LlMb *n ci5e le r\A
5cii]\ 1 ■DCiigr.ib eibe no le bAlL-sib-cloice 'oo cogbAit,
Ajuf 'o'i'Ar "*• rS^*''^* '^S^r '^^ ■oinj-eog*. AmeA^'g ^n
riieiu ■oiob 100 f^gftT), ajii]- ta p6.x> pn yein icce aj n*
5*.bji6.ib, 1 ^iiocc n6.6 byuil 6.on ^-^i' lonncA, i>S^y pi &n
me&w Aci. le |reic)-inc loe'n 41c &.]\ mM]\ tllAijie Hi
li-Ciiiin 'n*. bl&c &5Uj" n* i"5^'"'- 11l4-)> leismio »
"n-Oit)e CLoinne Li]<'' : "^]- AriilA-io p)6.]i&ni6.n tyn bA.ile,
]:a1' folAiii e>.]\ & gcionn, 5<>.n />.cc m&oL-iu\c«. sl^fA- '^5"!'
ooi^ie^iOA ne&nncA Ann, ^An C15, 5*11 come, g&n ciieib.''
"Tli i-AC6.1t> me )\iAiii Aon beAn coiii bjieAJ lei Aguf
nf i'eicfeAT) 50 bi^'AgAni me bA|-," a^i'a ^-CAn-beAn leif
An mbAi,nci5eA]inA Br^SOT"- A'oubAinc fCAn-pjeAXJom
t)o cuimni5 i 50 iiiaic, "but) e TtlAipe Hi h-eit)in An \\\ix>
bA bpcAJA wa'h cuniAt) ]nAiii. 11i biot) comoiicAf bAine
in i'An cip nAC inbeic p Ann, Aguj" gAWAigbAnA uijipi 1
gcoiiinunie. D'iahh Aon peA)i ugAg i le p6|-At) 1 n-Aon
Ia AiiiAin, Acc ni p6]-]:AT!) p fCA]! a|i bic aca. t)i o)\eAm
■o'jreAiiAib 65A 'nA fuiwe A5 61 Aon onSce AiriAin, Agui"
(;]iomAt)A]\ Aj; cAinc Ap ttlAine TI1 h-CnOin, Agu]' tj'eAl-
A15 V^*l* ^^'^ AmAC le loiil 50 bAile-ui-liAJ le n-A ).eic-
caI, acc niiAin CAini5 yb 50 llloin CluAnA tmc y6 in
f An ui]-5e Ajiif KvccAt) 6." X)ubAinc feAn-peA]i eile,
" An fCAji If lArojie bi AgAinn but) e ]m Se^gAn O . . .
y\\t>-i]\ fe hsy o'a bAjip, Ag wul C|ieA]-nA nA 1i-Ab6nn in
l■:^ll oiTJce A5 fuiL le n-A j-eicc^L." X)ubAi|>c ]eAn-beAn

327

She lived near Gort Innse-Guaire, and the remains of the house
in which phe lived are to be yet seen in Ballylee, a little village of
some half-dozen houses on the side of a noisy little river in the
barcny of Kiltartan. The most of the stones have been taisn out
of the gable and side walls of the house, to put into other houses
or to build stone walls of, and whitethorns and briars have grown
amongst those of them there were left, and even these have been
eaten by the i^oats, so that there is no growth in them : and
that is all that is to be seen of the place where -Mary Hynes once
lived in her blossom and beauty. As we read in the Fate
of the children of Lir— " It is thus they found the home, full of
wild-growth and empty before them, nothing but ruined green
ramparts and groves of nettles, without house, without fire,
without tribe."

"I never saw a, woman as handsome as she, and
1 never shall fill I die." said an old man t-o Lady Gregory. An
old fiddler who remembered her well said — "Mary Hynes was the
finest thing that was ever shaped. There usedn't to be a hurling
match in the county that slie wouldn't be at it, and a white dress
on her always. Eleven men asked her in marriage in one single
day, but she would not marry any one of them. There were a
number of young men sitting up drinking one night, and they fell
to talking about Mary Hynes, and a man of them stole away to
go to Ballylee to see her, and when ho came to the Bog of Cloon
he fell into the water and was drowned." Another old man said —

"The strongest man that wo liad, and that Shawn 0' , he got

his death on the head of her, going across the river in the night
hoping to se« her." Another old woman said — "The sun nor the

328

eile, " jii fo.cM-(} An juiaii tu ^n gcAUc 6,011 jiud com
b|ieA5 lei. Conn&iiic itii)-e 1 50 mtnic. t)i c\\o\x><i
citiCALcA AIC1. X)\ me, Li. AiiuMii, ^5 out Ab^iLe c\\\x)
All bpAi)\c pn c/>,lL, ^suj- iiii|-e ciiii\p6.c 50 leop, Agup
CI6. cu)c|:a6 iMiiAc cu^&m acc cu p6]-&e gLege&l ^jup
^"5 r^ 5l«-ine LeAiiin6,ccA vt.m." X)\3'bM]\c pe^n &p
Cmn-riiAp.A, "uei]i li-uile liuine n&c bpuil ^on nuine Le
feiceAL Anoip com I'giAiiiAC lei. t)i SHU/j-j buei-g uippi
o-]\ ti&c ^n 6i|i. t)i pi 'n^ c6.ilin bocc, acc 00 biox) pi
glcApcA li-uile Ia iiiAp An XJoiiniAC, bi pi com j-iiaixa
fin, Agup x)^ ^lACAt) p' 50 biipe no 50 cjiuinniujAti
x)0 biot> n& UAoine A5 pit 1 ihuLIac a ceile le n-A gcuit)
ful ■00 le&5An ttippi. X)\ «■ Un 1 nspAo lei, acc puAip
p bAp Agup i 65, X)uine a|\ bic a mbionn Ab]iAn -oeAncA
^.ip, ni riiAippiii f6 a bpAt). Atieip piA-o.'' b'emip, At>ub-
Aipc j-eAn-bcAn le cApAi-o OAiii-pA, jiip li'iAt) nA lOAOine
mAiCe x>o pug leo i, oip Atieip pi, "tAini5 wAoine Ap 5&0
uile Ai)iT) le nA yeiccAl o-giip b'ei-oip j;o pAib WAOine
&nn t)o •oeApiiiAt) ' bAil 6 "Oia uipju ' -oo pAti."

■p6.pAop ! TOO CU5 ■onine UApAl mop ■do bi in pAn cip
pin 5pAr> t)i. CpeigeAxj i Aj^ttp piuup pi bip 1 mboccAn^^p
r*iiiAll beA5 yvl cAinig ah ijpoc-pAo^Al.

"Oo rspiob mipe An c-AbpAii «o pinne An ReAccuipe
■oi, A5 CillcAncA-n, 6 bcAl Com iip Hi li.eitiin, ^Aetieil-
ceoip bpei-j cli)-ce, A^up peAp-AbpAn mAic, aca pein
56.0IAC lei. tug me An c-Abpin no nopiiiA bopcuic
Ajup cuip pipe in A " Ceol Swe " e. A5 ]-o An c-AbpAn
tiiAii x>o bi f e 6.156 : —

329
inoon never saw anything as iine as she. I often saw her. She
had a kind heart- I wag once going home through that field over
theru, and me tired enough, and who should come out to see me
but the Posy Glegal (Bright Fosy), and she gave me a drink of
new milk." A man from Kinvara said — " Everyone says that
there's no one to be seen now as handsome as she was. Tliere was
iine hair on her of the colour of the gold ; she was a poor girl, hut
slie used always to be every Jay dressed the same as a Sunday, she
was that neat, and if she went to a hurling match or a gathering
the people used to be running on top of other to lay their eyes
on her. There were a number in love with her, but she died and
she young. Anybody who has a song made about them won't live
long, they say." Perhaps, said an old woman to a friend of mine,
it was the good people who took her with them, for, said she,
"people came out of every quarter to see her, and perliaps there
were some there who forgot tn say ' Grod bless her.' "

Alas I a great gentleman who was in that county fell in love
with her. She was left, and died in poverty a short time before
the Famine.

I \Trote down the song which Raftery made for her, at
Kiltartan itself from the mouth of Tommy Hynes, a fine, clever
Irish speaker and a good singer, and who is himself related to
her. Here is the song as he had it :. —

330

m^ine ni li-ei-oin

no

All posAe slegeAt.

TJuL CU15 All -diirjiionn 0*111 le coil ii*. nJpAfC*,

X)o h\ Ml Ia b4i]'ce<kC, &5111" ■o'Aiujuig 5&0C,
C«,]-&'6 6>)i 6.iiini]i liom le c6.oib Cillc6.]icd.in

Ajuf cmc me Iaicjic&c 1 ngiiAt) le iiin&.oi.
LAtiAi]! mfe lei (1^ 50 muince niinld.

'S ■00 ]iein 6. CAile-5.cc Y GAt) TD'yueA^M)! y\,
'S6 t)ubo.i]'C ^-i, " UAipcejii c& ni'inncinn i-ApcA

Agui- jluAi]- 50 Ia lioni 50 bd-il'-ui-li&g (2).''

HuMn F"*''l' ^^ '*'" c&i|n|'5inc' nio)> leij me 4.)( ciinroe 6,

Hinne me SAifie Agu)' geic mo c)ioi<)e,
Hi ]<6.ib le T)ul AjAinn acc cpAj-n*. pAi)ice

'S ni cug mint) (4) ah Ia linn acc 50 com ah cije.
l/CAgAt) cugAinn bo|it) a )iAib glome a'-)' cajica ai)i,

Aju'i' cuilponn ^^AinneAC Le m'Ai]' 'ha ^-ume,
'So wubAinc p, " n.Aij.-ceiii, bi '5 61 ']' ccao yAilce,

Co-'n |"0il6A)* lAit)i]i 1 mbAil'-iii-liAg."

1]' Aoibinn A6]\eAC a]\ CAOib Ati C)l6iV)e

A5 bucAtniiSAt) fiof a)i t)Ail*-ui-liAg,
<\5 I'lubAl I'nA jleAnncAib 'bAinc cno Aguj' j-meAHA,

'S jcaII ceileAbAji (5) eAn Ann le ceolcAib I'l-Oe.
CiA'n bpij fAn nieAt) ]'m v,o bfiigceA IcAjigu]',

A)( bl>St 11A gcjiAeb ACA Ic n-A CAOib,
Ili'L niAic o'a ]-eiinA-6 a'j' ni. ceil A)! Aenne,

'Si Tpei]i nA i^]veine ^.^ur Sl"'^* '"^ cuonoe (6).

(1) Aliter, " le(Mi me ■nice." (2) l4*»l)^ce.^tl «n iic mAji " b<sile-t«ei."
(3) i.e. CMjispinc. (4) lT1iiiT> = rin».
(6) Aliter, "^'|-ccileat>a|i, •}c." l«&Ai|iceA|i cetleAOAt* <^'r "o^*

331

MABY HYNES, or THE POSY BRIGHT.

Going to MasB of m«, God was GRACIOUS,

The day came RAINY and the wind did blow,
And near Kiltartan I met a MAIDEN

Whose love enSLAVED me and left me low.
I spoke to her gently, the courteous MAIDEN^

And gently and GAILY she answered so :
"Come, Raftery, with me, and let me TAKE YOW

To Ballylee, wh^ere I have to ro."

When I got the offer, I did not put ofl (its acceptance),

I laughed, and my heart bounded ;
We had only to go across the field.

And we only 'brough't the day to (the back of the house (7).
There was laid for us a table on which was a glass and quart,

And the ringletted coolun beside me sitting,
'Twas what she said, "Raftery !be drinking, and a hundred
welcomes,

The cellar (8) is strong in Ballylee."

It is lovely and airy on the side of the mountain

Looking down upon Ballylee,
Walking in the grass, picking nuts and blackberries.

The warbling of birds there is all as one as fairy music.
What is the good of all that, till you would get a sight

Of the blossom of the branches who is by its side ;
There is no use in denying it, and conceail it from no one.

She is the sky of the sun and the love of my heart.

ni|i.'' (6) Aliter, "'oo bpeoi-o mo 6noi6e.

(7) i.e., daylight ju^t lasted till they reached the house.

(8) Said to' allude to a great deep pool in the river, near
which the house was.

332

Siub6.lL me Sccf&riA Y '^'i fp^inc Le ceile,

An Sp^in, 6.n Jp^'Si *5"r ^1^ in'Mf AJ^i|^
b](U&c l/oc 5l*eine 50 be«.l n^ Ceibe (1),

'S ni y«.CAi-6 me feipin 6.\\ bic mA)^ i.
"O^ mbeinn-]-e poj-c^ le hli,t n6. h-oige

Cpe Loc ,6.n C6]AA.ic do Le<>.n):6.inn i,
CuATiCA. a.'y c6^'C6.it) 50 piub&ly&inn 6.Y boicpe

A TToi&ij <>.n cpeoi'o-beib.ti (2) ci. 1 mbo.ile-ui-liA5,

'Si tDiiipe til 1)-eit)in (3) ^.n )'c<Sit)-beA.n beul■^c,

0& ■oei'pe mein ^j;")' b'^ille 511^01,
UA ceAt) clei|ie6.c, 'y 6. 5CIIH Le ceiLe,

Aguf C)ii6.n A cueicne ni ^-eAopo-t) fgin'ob.
t)UAiL -pi "Oeinune be b]\exS56.cc (>.']- X)er\\3y,

'S T3A n-o.bn&inn helen le'|\ p5nio|'6.t) An C|io.oi,
Ace ij" 1^5°^ ^^" Sipinn o.]- ucc ^n meiti pn,

An p6j-Ae 51656^.1 ci 1 mbA.il'-ui-Li6.5.

A ]\e&lc6.in o-n c]'oluif Aguf & 51"^i ^" K^S'^^'^MS

A cuilponn 6m)\A Aguf ^ cuit) loe'n ci'^-o^ftt,
An ngLuMi'ireA Lioiii-fA f^-oi com&in e>.n 'Oomn&ij,

Ho 50 nt>e6.n]:6.niAoit) c6iTi«.i]\Le ca nibeit) 4)1 pume.
llion rhon biom ceol •ouic 56.C «.on oit)ce X)6iiinM5,

puinn]-e fy]\ h6\\x> aju)- vi. n-oiyi, port,
AY ■S" 1^15 "*■ 5^01^6 50 ocuinitg (4) ^.n b6cA.]i,

50 b^TAJ me An c-eotAV 50 bAil'-ui-LiAg.

(1) Aliter, " ljeAl-i,t-c^oncaimi. (2) Sic, 1 ti-iic " n» j-eoTj-mnA."

(3) "Marj' Hvnes," <ST)iiliAi|ic Comar O h-enjm, "6t«," aji r^T^*"

lioni, "tiAC -oeiie fin 50 nioji nii 'tniine ni h-Cfoin a ((A'o," <i5«r

333
I trarelled England and France together,

Spain and Greece and back again,
From the brink dl Loch Greine to the Mouth of the Quay,

And I never saw a faireen at all like her.
If I were wed to the Blossom of Youth,

Through Loch an Toraio I would follow her,
Haribours and coasts I would walk, and roads,

A-fter the jewel-woman who ib in Ballylee.

It is Mary Hvnes is the oourleous, stately woman,

Of nicest mien and most lovely appearance ;
Two hundred clerks, and to put them together.

One-third of her accomplishments they could not write.
She beat Deidre for fineness, and Venus,

And if I were to mention Helen by whom Troy was destroyed,
iBnt she is the flower of Ireland on account of all that,

The Posy Bright who is in Ballylee.

Star of Light, Sun of Harvest,

Amber Coolun, (my) share of the world.
Would you proceed with me, against Sunday,
Until we take counsel where shall our sitting be.

1 would not think it much for you, music every Sunday night,
Punch upon the table, and, if you would drink it, win«.

And, King of Glory, may the road dry,
Until I find the way to Ballylee.

h-uite xiuine eile -oi fiAit) An c-Abfiin aca, -otititia-oAti Mary Hynes,45U]<
If •0615 Slip «b e TiubAiiic 4n nedccuijte Fein, ace -o'actKMJ mij-e e.
(4) i.e., 50 Tjcitimi5 no 50 ■ociormAij.

334

Ua be&jifA. eile f&n o-liji^n yo ti&c ]\t>.\h &5 Corner
O h-eit)iti 6-cc fU6.ii\ me 6 fe^.^ eile e. "Oeiji Conii.)- n&d
mbA-ine&tin fe tei)' mi ^bpAti Aguf 50 •ocus^i.nn fe
5]\UA5 t)ub t)o tlUine tli h-efoin, tiuwp bi 511U&5 oiji no
5pu&5 6iii]AA. v\\\\\u ^Y po\\ vo pn, 6.cc ben\im A-n be^jt-
rA Ann fo, 6in if mMC e cibe ]unne 6 :

ZA A v'oic &5 c/sr&ift i6i 6-r ■o^^ "*• r^'^^v-^'

'tlA TOillfe ^iye-5ed.l n«> •01A.15 f 6.n •oi\uor,
An foluf lA.fCA in a b^\oU6.c j^lege&l,

A ■o'f'AS nA. ce^'ocA feA^i 1 ng^l^ii tiub&c.
A biiAJMt) If gile n^ fneACCA feiwce,

If lu cm 6-11 (1) eAwr^iom «. cof «. 6.5 fiub6.l,
A'f mo fig ■oi. mbeinn-fe mt>.\\ luiliuf C/yefAf,

■Oo ce^nfMnn peitce^.c le blic nA. n-ub&.ll.

As fo A-bpAn Aluinn eile 00 fUAi]i me f An tAiii-
fS^iibmn in f An AcAOAim, AmcAfg WAncA An UeACCiinie.
■OubAipc An fsf'tbinn ju^i leif An KeAccuijie k, Aguf
t)-jbAinc rtlAC Ui frmn liom guji innif fCAn-fCAp oe nA
h-Oifims *6 50 jcuaIaii) fe An UeACCuife t)'a gAbAil.
Ua nA bcA^if Aiw com binn fin 50)1 f aoiV m6 50 mbuo
C|iu45 gAn A gctif fiof Annfo cibe pinne iat) :—

(1) U6*itic«4t' *" l'«»<='*^ l" "**'' " I-UFAP-"

335
There is another verse in this song which Tommy Hynes had
not got, but I heard it from another man. Tommy Hynes says
it does not belong to this song, for it gives Mary Hynes black
hair, whereas it was golden or amber hair was on her. That ia
true for him, but I give the verse here whoever made it, for it
is a good one : —

Her hair is a-twisting with her, of the colour of blackberries.

In a moon-white brightness behind her in the dew,
The lamp lit in her bright breast,

Which has left the hundreds of men in sorrowful sickness.
Her bosom brighter than the blown snow,

Active and light her feet in walking ;
And if I were to be a king like Julius Caesar,

I would make a settWemen't with the blossom of the apple-
trees.

Here is anotiher pretty song which I got in the MS. in the
Academy amongst Baftery'g poems. The manuscript said tliat it
was by fiaftery, and Mr. Finn told me that an old man of the
Hessians told him that he heard Baftery singing it. The verses
are so melodious that I thought it a pity not to set them doiro
here, whoever made them : —

33<5

pel git) misueAl-l.

b'Aic liom beAti •o'lnineocd.'o cle*.f 'y nc-c gcLij-peA* &ji

Siub^LfAt) A-i-ce^c te giieAtin 6.]» fei>.]\ 'y ti^c fe6.f|:Ati

lei)' ye>.r\ Cfpdit),
beilin ■oeAf if millfe htcy ni. mil n«. nibe&c|rAOi Cd.11'5.
Cul cpotn, c(y\y, ponn, yAnine&c, B^^f) T' Peigit) ci. me

I]' mine a t)neAC rii. cli3m min je^l 'y n& cubA.]! ti6

ruille AH cyiAig
Cpoi'oe bpeAg glA.]', vo yi.y ni]\ mcAC, m^p eipige*]'

wuileAbA]! 'f blAC.
50 oceio me 1 b]:e6.|\c ca m'inncinn te^c, a peigio a

mile SIiat!),
mo leun 'y mo cpcAc gAti cu 'y me Icac a^ cuAticAib

Ame^AiCA.

A fcoi]! mo cjioiTbe via C)\ei5 "oo miAti acc bpeAcnuij

'I'ceAC I'An gCAf,
TluAiiA ciucfAj" All Cj'lige bei-6 61 Ap pion 'y ni bAoJAl

tjuinn coit)ce b^f.
<\ bld-c riA jqiAob riAC qiUAit) An I'^baI munAb cu c*

TiAm 1 nt)An,
Aji UAifle An q-AoJAil oa mbeinn mo pi j ij' leAC x>q

qiAicfinn Iaiii.

337

PEGGY MITCHELL,

I like a maid who's not afraid, but loves so well a man,
She goes with him, both out and in, and loves him all she can
A mcuth fine, small, and sweet withal as honey in the spring,
And heavy hair flung backward there, 'tis Peggy fair I sing.

Smoother is her countenance tnan smooth white down and than

the froth ot the flood on the shore,
A fine green heart of growth that did ntft wither, (rising) as ths

foliage and H'ossoms rise ;
Until I go into the tomh my mind is with you, Peggy, thousand

loves,
My grief and my destruction that you are not, and I with ywu,

on the harbours of America.

Treasure of my heart, do not forsake thy desire, hut look into the

case.
When the means shall come there shall he drinking of wine and

no danger ot death to us for ever ;
blossom of the branches, is it not a hard story if it he not you

are laid out by fate for me,
Over the no'bility of the world, if I were King, it is with you J

yrould shake hands,

338
"Ois b]ri.56.imi-i-e c&oi no aic le yume ni ]XAt)).-A.inn

50 y^nioli^.inn fio]' le pe&nn ■oe^f cAol "oo cunid. *')' tio

cAil.
liiop ^Aug&i!) jMAtTi 6on 'be&n f&n ci)\ 'oo be^pfAt) u&ic

ATI bi,]i)i,

fSl^io^'ATi &n C)i6.oi iii6.)i ge^lL 6.]\ mnooi, e^'y 6 cuiii-

eAt) "Ofiip'ope cum hi-^y.

CA lonnnAt) 611 oip 1 bpotc 1110 fcoiiv ']-e 6.5 yiy 50

yAinneAC -pionn
50 beA.1 & b|i6i5e coiii jl-Af be ■oeon 'ye pjce o]- a

cioiin (1),
■A blAC ni^ ii-ub6.lt 1]' bjieAjcA I'nuAti na- •ouille6b6|i

X^Ai, ye\t "OiA LuAin 50 TOceitieAm cum ]-iub6l A'f F^*-*^
50 b}:uil ye 1 ii-6m.

Ua b)ieA56cc a'p gilefuil a'j" ciii)le a-'y Iaj-a-o ■oe:,y X)i.
peip,

1 mblAC HA pnne i)' ciiuinne glAife yiJil a']' LeAgAti

beil,
11i bjieAg A|i bit All V5^*^ ^■'^ Anung, dac fCA)! me ca

Af mo ceilL
Le bliAt)6in itToiu gAC Aon Ia I'uilc ']• me aj I'tnuAin-

CAtii A]A blAC riA 5C]i6eb.

^1) " Of UAfnn A cmn," MS., ni ruijim fin,

339
If T were to get a way or a place to sit I would not cease for a

day or a year
Until 1 should write down with a fine thin pen your shape and

your quality ;
There was never born any woman in this country who would take

the sway from you,
Since Troy was destroyed on account of a woman and since

Deirdre was put to death.

The gleam of gold is in the hair of ray treasure, and it growing

ringleited and fair
To the mouth of her shoe, as tright (1) as a tear, and it woven

over her head ;
blossom of the apples, finer in beauty than the foliage of the

tops of the trees,
Get ready on Monday until we go travel, and see that it is time.

There is splendour and brightness, Wood and veins, and a pretty

glow accordingly
In the blossom of whiteness, of roundest and brightest eye, and

set of mouth ;
It is no lie at all the story that is about, that I am a man out of

my senses,
For a year to-day, each day of mirth, and I thinking of the

blossom of the branches.

(1) This must be ihe me.ining of 5l.*r here.

340

ITIo $iiA-6 yk -66 rw niiu 50 neo giu o'yl^ j-iAti mi]-e

cmn
A5 t)66.n4.ni bporn f&oi lu^c &11 oil 00 t/iogb^il 6 boir

cnuinn,
b'fe6.)i)\ bom poj 6 peijni *-ia rnooig 'p beic 1 11-11*15

ne&f liom,
n* fAi-6be6.|- (1) Se6ip|-e jit) bu-6 liioji a le«.c ■oa mbetc

I'e c)\uinn.

"Oo b'&ic liom DoncAt) beic t>.\\ pfl)icep a']' CA.nn6.1t) L^n

oe leAnn,
Puinnj-e a]i bono 6.'y gLoinne 1 jcoiji com yo-n (2) Y^eit

ino pocA ce&nn,
tllo ^]\SX) 'y 1110 fcd|\ beic oy mo coriiAip Ag CAinc 'y A5

coiiijiAO Liom,
If Lei tj'oLf'Ainn Luac nA mbiioj -oa mbeic mo coca 1

ngOALl.

A§ fo Anoif An ■DAii }.vVOA vo |\iiino An KoAcriiipe
nuAi]i bi An clioLepA A5 V5i"°r "*■ nt)Aoine 50 ciuj 1
n-6ipinn. ^y e^'Aicnije llAiycem/' An c-Ainni aca aih
50 coiccionn. Acc gLAotiAim-j-e An "ChoLeiiA IHoju
bu|-" A]! An jccAt) Leic -66 A511]' An " Aiciuge'' A]( An
•OA]AA Leic, oip ni 1 n-Aon beAjij-AijeACC no 1 n-Aon
coiiiAf ACA pAt). ].'iiAi]A me coip -oe'n ■oaii |-o 6m'
CAjiAit) Uomi.]- O tllioxjc^in Agui" coip eiLc t)o ]iinne
Sei5An O CuiLLionAin ]^An mbtiAt)Ain 1838, a^u)- yiiAip

(1) " m^ii i-iu6st i\\" MS., tUlT) 1146 •OCtllSIITI.

341

My lore twice over are the women for ever, although they hare

left me sick,
Making lament over the price of the drink for the loss of its

being gathered ( 1) ;
I would sooner have a kiss from Peggy, surely, and she to bo

in solitude with me,
Then the wealth of King George, though great were the half of

it, if it were to gathered together.

I would like an outpouring to be on porter and cans full of ale,
I'unch on ta'ble and glasses prepared, so long as my pocket should

be stiff (full) ;
My loTO and my treasure to be over against me, talking and

discoursing with me.
It is witli her I would drink the price of my shoes, (even) if my

coat were in ipledge.

Here now is a long poem thatHaftery niade whtii the cholera
was destroying numbers of the people in Irelanl. "Kaftery's
Kepentance '' is the name tliat is commonly on it. But I cOl the
first half the "Cholera .Morbus," and the second hnlf the
"Repentance," for it is not in one versification nor in oiii' iiietra
they are. I irot a copy of this poem from my friend I'humas
O'ilethan, and another copy thai Shawn O'Cr.llcnan wrote in tlie

(2) l«ti«iiiceAii "iom y&-o '' 111411 "c'^v."

342

me cdipe&niK.. eiLe 6 u^^onnb eAjfx^mU, i.^u\- cuip me
le ceile ^o-xi com mt>.it b.^u\' B'freAt) me. Cutp me 6.n
piofA fo 1 5cl6 1 " 111'AbnAiio.ib X)i-i.v4. Cuige Conn^xic,''
tycc ^5 fo 6.]^if e : —

An choleKA iiioubus.

A (1) CHUC4.1S c&l«.m iieo.m &5U|' PAf\pt&|-,
A ■66i]ic "Do CU1-0 fol*. i gciifi-nn ii& pi>il'e,
Si.1ii.ll pnn «.i\ ^n gCholeiii^ Tnonbui' (2).

If lom'OA f A5&J1C beAn-^iiAJj^tcA 'y b)io.c6i]
A5 A56.111C X)6 ; "^ h-e6.ybo)5 'v 0.11 pip*,
Ace b'ei'oiiA 50 n-eii-cp-o An ce i^- ciitie,
Silfe&x) Wa -oeopA Y ^ ciioiT)e beic c^xiiticc

'Se mo cuAipm ']- \]' TjubAC liom q\Acc ai]\,
Suji UAip i veo c^ Aj i«.pnAi'6 vifCA,
5ui-6pmit) A)i p^x) Ap Thmpe thicMp,
Ci v^^rS ^r "^'*- 'V *• r5"-^rV*' c&iiiicingce.

(1) Ci *n " 4" fo 1 n-j,tc "t)0." t«b<iitiie4)i "■oo " m«)i " «" 50
^lo-iritmc. (2) Aliter, " f^o\^ r'"" ° °^^ "° ■*'" ^*r C)i4f6ce.

(3) Aliter, "A'r eArtisS cpiiKeac." (4) Aliter, "feilveAC le mion.

. Note.— Some of the verses in this poem are quite simple and
unadorned. In most of the lines, however, two words occurring
s'bout the middle make vowel-rhyme, or full-rhyme, with one
another, as

Swifter is DEATH than the BREATH of the dying
Or steeds that BACK whose PACE seems flving.
In other verses one word or two words in the middle of the second
line rhyme with one or two other words in the body of the firit
line, as

When SCATTERED shall LIE each LIMB now restless
SHATTEBED and DRY and GRIM and fleshless.
This, though the most usual tour de force in modern Irish poetry,

343

Jear 1838, and I got other copies from rarious people, and I have
put them together here as well as I could. I print-ed this poem in
my "Religious Songs of Connacht," but here it is again : —

THE CHOLERA MORBUS,

Jesus Christ, high Heir of graces, (1)
I'rince of whate'cr in boundless space is,
^lain by men's hand that life might garb us,
Save our land from Cholera Morbus.

Though priests of hope, with nun and friar
And bishop and Pope pray prayers of fire,
Gcd hears the sigh of the meanest-spoken,
Who pours his cry from a heart half-broken.

For sure I know it— a sad confession—
That this is a moment needs intercession,
We haste down-trod, to the Virgin, praying,
Anger's on God, He is scourging, slaying.

occurs more Sparingly than the other, thoueh I have reproduced
it oft«nest in my translation. In addition to this, Raftery uses
another device, one which I have not attempted to imitate in my
version, by making the first 28 lines end, each with the sound of
the long " a," the next 32 lines with the sound of long '• i " (ee)
the next 12 with the sound of "e " (ae), and the next 20 with the
sound of short "a." This is not an uncommon trick of the
modern school of 18th century bards, 'but it is curious to find an
unlettered man like Raftery using it.

(1) Literally : Jesus Christ, and King of the graces. Who
did St creato earth, heaven, and paradise, Who did'st pour Thy
sliare of blood on the tree of the passion. Save us from the
Cholera Mortbus.

Many is the priest, nun, and friar, addressing God, the
bishops and the Pope (with them), but perhaps he will liear him

344

<d. luce An pe^.CA.i'D cuigiti An c^]' ]-o,
■De&nAii) &n Aicpije aca me p^t) lit>,
Oubftipc Cpiofc irein aca l^n t)e s^Af a,
"An c6 'o'lompoc' Lei]^ 50 mbei-O' p6 c^ppCA.''

If friAtiij; A leigjrea-t; a leAf Ap cAi]it)e,

Ap UAC (&) 50 ccnicfAt) An piopcoip (6) jpAnno.

'S A llACCA gpUA^AC UAlbpCAC tJAnA,

A cuip fe fAOi, 'OA CAoile[A] cnAtiiA.

■peuc An ce bi inx)e Iuac lAit>ip,
AlemipeAT) j-gonnfA cLoit)e 'gup beApnA,
t)i Ap cpAcnonA A5 piubfi-l nA ]-pAiT)e,
'S A5 X)v\. pAoi 'n jcpcApoig La'p nA tiiApA

1p mipe A.n t)Ap ha An conn bAicce,

'S nA CAC VA luAice Ap CU]\pA An p4|'A,

A n-AJAit) riA ptuAJ vo bucilpeAt) pe bAipe,

'S ni cuipge Annput) e tia poriiAinn Ap g^ptJA (').

(5) Aliter, " te pascAij- (i.e. ir«ic cio

(6) " Siontoip," G. ; and another copy.

(7) "00 ciiiocnuijcAo 5*6 line 50 -oci feo leip An lici)i A. Cop-
/njeAtin *noir AH ticip "i" tio " io" ca copmuil le i in a fUAim 1
jConriACCAift.

who is nteanest (of men), who would pour his tears, and his heart
to be tortured.

It is my supposition, and it is grievous to me to speak of it,
that this is an hour which is seeking for satisfaction, we v/ill
pray at large to Mary Mother, there is anger on God and his
scourge is drawn. O ^people of sin, understand this case, make

345

Consider and quake, lest devils scorn you,
llepentance ma!ke, as now I warn you.
For Ohrist's words ibe — they are words to cberisli —
"Wlio turns to me shall never perish."

Alas for him who puts off repentance,
Till the Seeker grim come with awful sentence.
The seeker of all, the gaunt grim-greeting,
For man miut fall, and his raunt is fleeting.

The man who topped the highest fences,
Who was not stopped 'by the widest trenches,
Who rode to-day without grief or trouble,
To-morrow the clay upon him they shovel.

Swifter is Death than the breath of tihe dying,
Or steeds who race, whose pace seems flying^^
Against millions he plays, and he flays thera hollow,
He is here, he is there, we despair to follow.

the repentance that I am bidding you, Christ himself has said,
who is full of grace, " that he who would turn to Him would be
saved." Alas for him who would put oif his own good, for fear
that the hateful seeker (death) may come, and all the proud bold
champions he has put beneath him, for all (or despite) the
thinness of his bones.

Look at him who was yesterday swift and strong, who would
leap scunce, ditch and gap, who was in the evening walking the
street, and going under the clay on the morrow. The Death is
fleeter than the wave of drowning, or than any steed however
fast, on the racecourse. He would play a goal against the
tnultitude, and no sooner is he there than he is on guard before

346

111 jre&pn Leif ah Ia ni. lt>.]\ nt>. li-oi-oce, [*'!'»

An cj\AC f«.oite«.)' ne^c n^c iiibitje^nn con bA056.L
Sub 6 cy en nib&LL e>-]\ lc\\ (2) le co.oine&t>.

1f moji DO CU1C leij' i ■ocp^c n*. lotleAnn,
5«.n CMnc no c]\JiCC6.t6 &h ikimpni 'rhAoi]-e,
Ace o'a riiee-t) le ;\i-t) g^c [o.] byo-sco^p fiof leir,
tli h-e CA L&itjtn acc 5)io>1"a CuiofCA.

1)- ■plA'o&it) An bif A c^i\nAf (3) pijce,
P]\ionn|-Ani A]ioa A'f ci5eAiuio.ni cipe,
t)Gin i^e An ni6i\ lei]'. An r-65 'y ah cpionA,
A]i f AfCUSAt) fSoi5' leif o|' cotiiAip nA noAOine.

I]' t)AnA An t)uine nA ah mAc-cij\e,
A liiAjibuijeAf nA Ii-uahi &.]\ f-iubAl nA h-oit)ce,
Ace f^t mo biiom aju]- mo c)\At) j'aojaIca
An c-Am belt cajic, 'y jAn An Aiciiifje ocAncA.

1]' mAips A meAllcA|\ te CACAi5cib An C]-ao5aiL,
A5Uf lAigeA-o An loin a cuipceAp p'oj' leip,
5&n bpis 'n A leu]- ioa mAi)ipeAt) ye mile
Acc mA|i ]'5iop)\f Ati ye &.]\ cuAiiic 'ycy Aif Anir(4}.

^l) "Lu*)ne*c, puA-oeac, lei;;ce, fSAOiLcetc," G.
(2) Aliter, " 4p ctat'." (3) Aliter, "cfe*cAnnr."
(4) ip potlurAt; o" tine r^o 5Uf tAftAtp ill Rea£cui|ie ♦« pocil
fo " Apir" "1*1" "Aiiifce," m,\|i cluinnce*tt 50 minic e 1 5Conii*ftc*i6.

118. He is volatile, rushing, starting, loosed, he does not prefer
to have the day rather than the night, when a person thinks there
is no fear of him, there he is on the sjiot laid low with keening.

Great is the number who fell by him in the time of the
Deluge, not to speak of or mention the period of Moses, but,
however great to mention all who are left low by him, it is not
lie who is strong but the grace of Christ. The Death is a

347

He iit rushing, racing, rapid, riving,
Daily chasing, and hunting nightly,
When man is boldest nor thinks of danger,
He falls on his shoulders, the awful Stranger.

Though many he slew when the deluge opened.
And many, too, in the days of Moses,
Tet in spite of the throng he slays and freezes
Not he who is strong, 'but the grace ol Jesus.

A spoiler grim, he despoils the princes,

Kings against him have no defences ;

He takes through the gate, the young and the aged

He takes the great, and he takes the naked.

The ravening wolf does not so ravin
When he tears the lamb on his midnight travel !
But my grief, my cup of pain, my sentence !
The time to be up— and without repentance.

Earth's joys deceive us — the Devil's purpose —
Till Death shall leave us beneath its surface,
Though we live for a thousand years in clover,
It is passed as an hour, and all is over.

despoiler who heaps( together) kings, high princes, and country
lords, he brings with him the great, the young and the old,
gripping them by (he throat before the people. The person
(Death) is bolder than the son-of-the-coiintry (i.e., wolf), who
slays the lambs, travelling through the night, but the causa of
my grief and my worldy torture (is) the time to be up, and no
repentance made.

Alas for him who is deceived with the temptations of the
world, considering how small the provision buried down with
ihim, with no effect in his lease (of life) if he were to Jive for a
thousand (years) than just as though he slii'ped over (to one) on a

34»

"Oa mbu-6 Le&c-)'a. )'c6]( c'y 6]\ tiA iMje^cc*,
in6.oin [jioj iii6|i Y 56,c i-wobue*.]- ^-xxo^Alca.,
A troi^ij ■00 bAi)' ■oi, liie&t) t)o cueo.tjci. (2),
Hi f-uil le f4.56.1l ^.g^x) 6.CC UAiiii ueAiicA..

Ca tTDeA.c&it) '00 c4.p6.iLt, '00 he>.t, Y 'oo c^-oiinc ?
Ca nt)e4.C4.ii6 <\n c]'e6-o x)o bnJe^Ti 1 ■o'p^.omii)-' ?
■Oo be6.n 'y ■00 cL6.nn x>o bit)e4.i) 'n 6. ]'uit)e Lecc?
Ho ATI clutiic&c min &]w t>.t\\ a inbiteA price?

Ci. rroe^.cAi'o 6.11 bout) 6. n-olc&iTie pon ve?
"Oo ciiijAc, t)o ce6.c, '|- ■00 h6.ll6.1t) mine,
"Oo coiicit), ■o'e6.cn6.i6, 'y t)o cutn6.' poo6,
'S t)0 luce 06.16.0116. tio 5nit)e6t) p6.nii'' tiuic ':*

C6. tit)e6.c6.i'6 "00 bn656. ■|"l,ioc6., 'O6.CC6 ?

II0 6.n ]ie6.Lc t)0 bioo 6.11 C6.oib too V16.C6.?

■Qo cuiT) e6.t)6.i 5 t)6.o]i4. bi oe6.nc6. 1-611 bj:6i]'iun ?

"Oo c6)"6.ni liiop 6.']- X30 cuit) Luce y]ic6)xo>iL ?

11it6.i|A beix)e6|- 100 0116.1116. C)\e n-6. ceiLe,
56.11 fUiL 56.11 ]:e6iL 6)1 6.56i'6 no, gpeine,
C6. nt)e6.C6.it) l6.)'6.'() 110 giLe ■o'eii-o6.iii ?
Ho 611 ctiL 5I6.]' 5nu6i5e bioceA )ieit)ce6.c ?

(2) " Cm 50 mbu-6 mon -oo CAince," 4cc ni coii-puAim pn; "zi.^
eip *ti pufiil- *liiAm 0|ic ni Oiniit -00 vi Ca|1 le fi\l »Cc pipe," G.

visit aud back again- If yours were tht; store or tlie gold of the
kingdom, the goods of the world and all esrthly riches, after your
death however great your flocks, a made grave is the only thing
j'ou have to get. Where have gone your horses, your cattle, your
sheep, where is gone the jewel that used to be in your pri;sei..;e,
your wife and your children, who used to be sitting with you, or
the smooth high downv (couch) on which you used to be stretched.

349

Or had wo the pfohl of tlie olil-time witclu-s,
Or wofiUh untold, and a kingdom's riches,
When Death from our gains to gloom has rolled us,
There only remains a tom'b to hold us.
What then of your folds, your sheep, your cattle.
Your castles, your holds, your golden metal,
Your children loved much, who play beside you.
Your wife and your couch so gay and wide, too I
What then of your halls where guests are laughing,
What then of your balls where wines aro quaffing,
Jlorses in throngs, and drink in cellars,
Men of songs and story-tellers 1

What then of your star, your cap, your feather,
What then of your far-brought Spanish leather,
Your beautiful clothes so bright and shining,
And servants in rows to watch you dining I

Wlien scattered shall lie each limb now restless,
Shattered and dry, and grim, and fleshless.
Where then tie flush and blush and brightness,
And where the liair in powdered whiteness J

f

V. here has gone the table off which wines used to <he drunk !
your court, your horse, and your smooth lulls, your couohos,
your steeds, and your silken suits, and your men of science vvlio
used to make amusement for you. Where have gone your shoea
polished, curled, or the star that used to be on the side of your
hat, your share of expensive clothes made in the fashion, your
great feast, and your share of ailenuants'i When jour bones
shall be through one another, without blood or flesh m the face
of the sun, where is gone the flush and brightness of your
countenance, or the grey back-locks of your hair you used to be
a-iranging'/

Cr

350

belt) -00 clii6,i'os. bo-C&p 56.n meMii4.)> 56.11 ei)-ce6.cc,
S.ocj.'6.ii) T)o 5Uixilne 'p cn^ppa-it) vo jeug*,
belt) t)o t)A f-iiiL 51*1011 54.11 iid.t)4.i\c 5a.11 Leul15^1f,
"Oo bi in t)o ce6.iin 5a.11 ca-niat) 5<xn cLa.ona.t).

Hi b&ilce, fea.|ina.'iiia, ^-noc, iiA C|ieiit)a.,
A liiuinea.!' a.n ci-Li5e 50 pLaicea.)- \')e ibuinn,
Ace Lea.pu5a.t> a)i n-a.iiiiia. ]iein ni'^ii Leigcea-n
A' t)ea.na.ih cno]'5a.i-0 ui\na.i5 ')- oeiiice.

Ai5 t)ul a.' Lui-oe -ouic na. bi-i-c ba.Lb,

V\'a.c t)o gluna. '\- b|\u5 6.11 ca.la.iii,

Cimiini5 a.]! 5a.c nni t)0 lei5 cii na-jia-t) [i.e. ca.nrj,

'S 50 bpiiL cu a.5 C|iia.Ll 50 cUia.in (l) na. ma-nb.

liii)la.i5 t)o'n cLeiji a.5U)' 5eiLL oo'n ea.5la.11-,
l-'iiai]! ciiiiiacc 6 "Oia. na. pea.ca.i-6 iiia.iced.iii,
CoitiiLion a.n ulige ca. t t)cea.mpoLL 1306.06.111,
A'p ni ba.05a.l t)Uic ba.]' a.cc ma.L|ia.ic (2) boAca.

Ip iiia.i]i5 na.c 111ea.bna.15ea.nn cpe a.5iip pa.ioi]i,
'S 51111 ya.it)e a-ji aii ci-6.056.1 po mi no i-e6.cciiia.iii
11a. mile bbia.ija.in 6.5 Ci\6.nn na. be6.ca.
1 n5a.iiit)in pamica.!!- no a.5 bout) na- n-Abpca-l.

(1) "5" r''"*5 "* mi]\b " m&]\ puiine*!- e 6'n mio^fiaiAt.
Aliter, "iti rLuig." (2) =nuUi)ic^

Your ears shall be deaf irithout feeling crheering, your shoulders
shall stiffcn-iip, and your limbs shall gather (contract), your two
clear eyes (shall be) without sight or vision, which were in your
head without twist or turn.

It IS not towns, lands, stock, nor herds, which teach us the
way to the Heaven of God, but the amending of our souls
according as is read, making fasting, prayer, and alms. On

351

Your ears that moulder no sound shall quicken,
Your limbs shall gather, your shoulder stiffen.
The eye in your head, of sight the token,
Its fire is dead, its light is broken.

Not proud abode, nor land, nor riches,

Can teach the road to Heaven's blisses.

Our souls wo must care, as God has taught us.

With fa&ting and prayeor to Christ who bought us

Betake you to these, with care and sighing,
And bend your knees in prayer and crying,
Remeiulier your foe and death's black shadow
Remember you go to the Dead Men's uieadovr.

To church and clergy make due submission,
For their'g in mercy is sin's remission.
Fulfil each thing in the law of Peter,
Then Death shall bring but existence sweeter.

Prayer should we seek, and for prayer go hunger,
For a single week in this world is longer
Than a thousand years where tlie Tree of Life is,
Where in God's garden no fear nor strife is.

^oing to lie down of you, do not be dumb, bend vour knees and
bruise the ground, remember each tiling which you let by you
(neglected), and that you are journeying to the meadow of the
dead. Submit to the clergy and bow to the church which has got
power from God to forgive si^.s, fulfil the law which is in the
Church of Peter, and there is no danger for you of death but an
exchange of life.

Alas for him who does not reiiiem-ber creed and iprayer for
sure longer in this world is a montli or a week than a thousand
years at the Tree of Life, in (ne Garden of Paiadise, or at the

O

352

'H A1C & mblonn n&oiiti 'n 6. -puitie AJUf AbpcMl
t)i &]i An cf&056.l fo '5 leAfuJA'O a)i mbcAC^s.

Hion fd-tincAij An cuoi-oe ']- nion fmuAin 6.n pe^CAC
A)i tiieAt) 6.n cf oli-i]' (l) Aci. 'f n* flAicif'
A5 eifce&cc le ceoL Ajti)- ^jieAnn j^n ce^lj (2),
A5 feiceAtii nA gLoijie 511]' 1 '5^ ]:-|ieA5&i)AC.

Luce eimj' 1 n-^inT)e, ^xi-CA 'y ■ouicce,
UiucpAii!) pAt) jed.)!)! 1 nTDeijieAti n*. ciiife,
.S6.n A n-Mciiige •oeA.ncA bem j'iat) b]\uigce,
AnioAi'5 luce ).-eille, poice 'y ■oyiuye.

An feAH A p^nncMJed.]' niAOin a']- CAl&iii,
'S nAC moe^nAnn cjuiAg •oo'n ce bio]- ^TAtAiii,
hem ye y\oy 'y ni mtytt i «. le^bA,
JiofCAn p6.ca1- 6.IH, ]:uAcc ^'y cycb-isX).

lluAiji ciucfA]- Cuiojx e>.\\ CAOib An cSleibe^
S c)\uinne6cAi-6 ye cuige An cmetiAonnA,
beiti -00 gnioinA]iCA pgjiiobcA a]\ ■o'euBAn,
A'i" An yetyy le o'Aip lonn^n a leijce.

(1) Aliter, " a|1 ah pot-ap pot'T""""^-" (2) Alitor, " rpofic Agup Aicip."

table of the Apostles. Alas for him w'ho sells the kingdom of the
heavens, the abode of God who is in three persons, the place
T/here saints and apostles are sitting who were (once') in this world
amending our life. The heart never coveted, and the sinner
never conceived the amount of satisfaction, hat is in tihe heavens,
listening to music and mirth without deceit, attending on glory,
and it answering.

353

The heaTen of Uiss, and of Christ's diFinitj
God's kingdom is, with the Blessed Trinitj,
Alas for who sells it. Saints there are biding,
Who made life fairer when here residing.

jSo sinful mind oan imagine, even,
The joys he shall find in his home in heaven.
There music and story, and mirth, surround them.
Waiting for glory with glory round them.

The estated sort wiho scoff at small things,
They shall come short at the end of all things,
In fetters, for want of a due repentance,
The traitor's, adulterer's, drunkard's sentence.

The man who for dhares of this earth is greedy.
Who never cares for the dearth of the need^
Bad is the hed he is boldly making,
— <jrnaBhing of teeth, and cold and quaking,

Christ takes Bis place on the judgment mountain.
To gather the race of men around Him,
Writ shall eacih deed be upon your faces,
That neighbooirs can read your worst disiraces.

The people who rise high, of estate and landed-property, they
shall come short at the end of the case, without their repentance
made, they shall be bruised amongst tiie people of treachery, of
drunkenness, of adultery. "Hie man who covets goods, and
land, and who shows no pity for him who is empty, h-e shall be
down, and his bed is not good, gnashing of teeth on him, cold
and quaking. When CSmst shall oome on the side of the
mountain, and diall gather to Him the human race, your deeds
shall be written upon your fac^ and the man beside you able to
read them.

/-)

354

'S riAC 5ctO|74.n6 (1) CAinc 6 fe6.]i ici. c|\eine,
bjveiceisiii ni. yiiunne bei-6e6.|' '5 i.^. 'bfe6.cd.iiic,
*Sn c-^on true Ioi'a, lo'-f-ulAiiig & ceu|-6.-0.

l-'ofjlocAit) iy|iionn 'y ylAite^f 1 n-einipe&cc,

Agu]' vnuc|.-Ai-6[e6.ii] folAf nty je&lMJe 'f ri&

5i:eine (2),
"S 6.n me&t) 0. jiuj^^t) 6 ctAUCA-ije^t) &n C84.t) f'e<5.|i,
bsni p6.t) t 5cuit)e<i,cc of c6m6>ip 6. ceiLe.

llu&ip fOfgloc&f 'O10. Le^b^t^ &' ctincMf,
^.Ngui" ■pgi.co.ti 4>.n ceifc 6. bei'oeA.f '54 ioniC4.|i,
I]- 6.n-ni6p 6.n g/s-jA mi iti6.ic 0. we&nc^p,
"OiuLc^Mg oil pe&ccti fi-guf eifc Liom-ffl.(3).

A5 5"0, m&ii cueiTitm, xDei-peAt) ^.n ce6.-o 6&in, no
b'eit>i]A 50 b|'uit cum ne C6.)Llce, oip nt ciMocnuj^ti
friA-fCA 6 yeo. betnim «.n t)«>)i6. oAn cnnfo, p«.oi Ainn>
A.n " <)kiciiige."

(2; "Soluf 5eiLac >r 51'""." MS.

(3} " n.>c mof a" mAti in ctie*6 * tioinnceat'

"OtutCAlg ■OOn peACA'D ASUfUmpATO," G.

That is the court that will not accept lies, and that will not
listen to the tailk of any man, liowever powerful. (It is) thfr
Judge of Truth who shall be trying us, the One-Son Jesus, v/lio
enfiered His crueifixioo. Heaven and iwOl slhall open together,
and the light of the moon and of the sun shall 'be quenched,.

355
'Tis a court of state that no lies can darken,
To the speech of the great it will not hearken,
Our crimes shall seize us, the judge shall try us,
The One-Son Jesus, \rh6 suffered by us.

Then heaven shaU open, and hell shall open
(The sun and the moon in darkness gropinjf),
And the men of the world, since man's creation,
Shall there be hurled from every nation.

And Cod shall open His book b^ore ua.
The mirror of righteousness shining o'er us.
Each scrap of goodness that day how preciou* '.
brothers, let sin no more enmesh us 1

Here is, I believe, the end of th« first poem, or perhaps soma
of it is lost, for this is not a well-turned ending. I shall noir
give the other poem called "Raftery's Repentance " : —

and all who were bom since the first man was created, they shaU
be together in one another's presence. When God shall of>en the
Book of Account, and the Mirror of Right (it is) who shall be
bearing it, very great is the advantage the good which is done (on
earth ( ?), refuse sin and listen to me.

(I ean hardly believe that this last verse with its lame and
impotent and unmusical conclusion can be correct, unless indeed
it is meant as the prologue to the "repentance" whioii follows, b

•nd which Raftery after the words "listen to me" may have
Btruck up, accompanying himself, as old people say he did, on i is
violin.)

350

Aitni$e An neACnciue

'S A cuipe^f CAf (1) 1 bpe&CAti 4.n liba^tL,

[0] fg^ACAOAim 0]AC AtlOU" Y O]- Alit),

O »f le T)o st^Af A c4 mfe aj j-uiL (2),

Ui. tne 1 n-AOif, A'f t)0 cpion mo bl«.c,

If lomtA lA tne aj nul atiiuj',
"Oo CU1C me i bpe^cAt) 6.noif daoi tiC]\o.c (3 ,

Ace C4T1A St^AfA a.p Iaiiii &n Uo-in.

■UiAin b1 me 65 b'oLc i6.t> mo cp6ice,
buti m6y> mo fpeif 1 fcLeip 'y 1 n-eAcpAtin,

D'^pe^iiii liom 50 moil Ag imipc 'f aj 61
Ap mAit)in '0(5mn«.i5 ha c|\iaII cum Aif]iinn.

Tliop b'feA|At\ liom fui-oe 'r Aice CAilin 615
tiA Le mriAOi poj-CA A5 ceili-oeACc CAmAtL,

"Oo miontiAib mojiA 130 bi me CAb^pcA
Oiguf -opuif no poice niop leig me c«pm

PeACAt) ATI ubAilL, mo c|iAii Y mo Leun !

If e milL An f aojaL mA^i jeAll Ajt beinc
A'f 6'f coi]A An cpAOf ACA mife fiof,

ITlunA bf6it\pt) fofA Aji m'AriAni bocc

(1) " nij( tuif cAp." G' (2) Aliter, " z& me [ajj putji,"

(3) AUter, " op cionn naoi 6f«4c," [Bpeaj] ''tipei,], ii<ic licuisim.
muAnAb 6 = "niore than nine fathome deep."

(1) Laterally : O King who art in heavea and who createdsrt
Adam, and who payest regard to the sin of the afyple, I scream to
Thee again and aloud, for it is Thy grace that I hope for. I am
in age, and my bloom has withered, many a day am I going
astray, I have fallen into sin '^ore than nine fathoms (deep), but

357
IIA?TE3T'3 REPEXTAJfOE.

King of Heaven -who didst create

The min who ate of that sad tree,
To thee I cry, oh turn thy fac«,

Show heavenly grace this day to me. (I)

Though shed be now our bloom of youth,

And though in truth our sense be dull,
Though fallen in sin and shame I am,

Yet God the Lamb is merciful.

When I was young my ways were evil,

Caught by th« devil I went astray ;
On sacred mornings I sought not Mass,

But I sought, alas ! to drink and play.

Married or single, grave or gay.

Each m her way was loved by me,
i shunned not the senses sinful sway,

I s:hunned not the body's mastery.

From the sin of the apple, the crime of two,

Our virtues are ferw, our lusts run free.
For my riotous *ppetite Christ alone

From his mercy's throne can pardon me.

the graces are m tlie hand of the Lamb.

When I was young, evil were my accomplishments, great was
my delight in quarrels and rows. I greatly preferred playing or
drinking on a Sunday morning to goin^g to Mass. I did not like
better to sit beside a young girl than by a married woman on a
rambling-visit awhile. To great oaths (I was) given, and lustful-
ness and drunkenness, 1 did not let (pass) me by. 'The sin of the
apple, my destruction and my grief I it is that which destroyed,
the world on account of two. Since gluttony is a crime I am
down (fallen) unless Jesus shall hare mercy on my poor soul.

35a

1]- opm, y^pAO-p ! zi. r\e>. coi^e^^cA. mon^,
Ace oiulcocA-t) •ooib inA itim|aiiii Cii.m6.Ll,

5a.c niT) bu&il 6.nUA.f (1) -sji mo column yo]-,
<3, Rij 116. gloijie 'guf r:i.|\|vc6.i5 m'6.ri6.m.

'O'gA.lAis A.n L4 A'f nio^i 665 m6 6.n ]pAl,

tlo 5U^ ice4.-6 (2) &n hi.]\^ 6.rn a^ cut|i cu iouil(3),

Ace 6. Ait>'0-lii5 ^" Ceipc, A-noif pfeit) mo c-ir,
A'f le ]~\\ut n& n5|\A-pi\ ^rliuc mo fuil.

1f le ■00 51^<j■■^■^ 'oo jL^n cu TD&i-iie,

A'-p f&on cu "Oi-ibit) ■00 |Mtine a.u ^iciiije,

Do ctig cti 1ll6.oii-e flAti 6'n iiib^cc^io,

'S ci. cpocuJA-t) Iaioii^ ^up f6.o]\ cu &n 56.t>uit)e«.

ni&|\ If pe6.c6.c me iiac iToeA.|An6. fc6]i,

Ha ■pol.Af mo-p ■oo "Oi^. r\i>. TDuine,
Acc fxjc mo bpoin ci. mo coipe6.co. noth&m,

X\]&.\\ feoiL m6 &11 fcoAt) i-\\ 6.11 nig&p i]- fUiiDe

A II15 riA. Jl-oipe ci. l^-n ■oe gpAfA,
'S cti innne beoip A.'f pon ■oe'n uif5e,

Le be^jATi 6^|i<kin 00 ^ia]! cu «.n flu&B,
Oc ! ]:|Ae6.f06.il yoip 6.5^1- flAiiAi j mife.

(1) Aliter, "tetj 546 nfo." (2) "Loii," Connelly and G.

(3) "0 4tc 50 bun," ACC ni'l *n corii-p«4im cei|ic Aunpin ; "50
cpiotiA'D *n hit^f o *^= 50 5^"'"." ■00 fein on itlioTieAr.Ais agur G.

(4) Alitei '"S A Cp'or^ C)i6c4iiii5 cif'-ptA'S "I're-'

It 13 on me, alas 1 that the gr«at crimes are, but I shall reject
them li I li^^e tor a while (longer), 'teat down everything upon
my bodT ret, King of Glory, but save my soul. The day has
stolen away, and I Iwtve not raised the hedge, until the crop in

359
Ah, manj a crime has indeed been mine.

But grant to me time to repent th« whole,
Still torture my 'body, and bruise it sorel.T,

Tliou King of Glory, but f»Te the soul.

The day is now passed, yet the fence not mad«.
The crop is betrayed, with its guardian by

King of the Bight forgive my case,
With the tears of grace bedew mine e,ve.

In the flood of Thy grace was Mary laved,

And Darid was saved upon due repentance,
And Moses was brought through the drowning sea,

—0 Christ upon me pass gracious sentence.

For 1 am a sinner who set no store
By hody lore, by (3hrist or Mary ;

1 rushed my bark through the wildest sea.
With the sails set free, unwise, unwarr.

King of Glory, O Lord divine,

Who madest wine of the common water
Who thousands h«st fed with a little bread.

Must I be led to the pen of slaughter !

which Thou delightedst was eaten. But, High Kmg of i.ia "

Right, settle my case, and with the flood of graces wet mine eye.

It was by Thy graces Thou didst cleanse Man^ and didst save

David who made repentance, and Thou brouightest Moses safe

from drowning, and, Merciful Chnst, rescue me. For I am .i

smner who never made a store, or (gave) great satisfaction lo God

or to Mai7, but, cause of my grief ! my crimes are before me,

since I sailed my scud upon the longest finger (?).

O King of Glory, who art full of grace, it was Thou who madesi
beoir and wine of the water ; with a little bread Thou didst
provide for the multitude, Oh, attend to, help, and save me.

360

<3iY '°° o-^L^cAt), niAp ■00 bi ci3 uiii6.ll,
Cuipim cuimpit) (1) rti'd-no-niA ^n t)0 rS*^^,
^i'l' 6.]A uAi^i mo bAif ni. cAb^nt v^m cut.

C. b^ini^ioJAiTi pi-iiiiCAir, TOAtAin «.'f niA.ij'oeA.rr,
Ss^t^sn r\i>. n57\Af a., Ainge&L A.'f tiAom,

CuiiMTTi cof^inc Tn'An6.in<k o-p 'oo vaiiti,

0> rhuipe i\& ■oiuLc«.i5 me, Y b6i-6 ni6 f Aop (2).

Hotr ci. me i n-&oif 'x «-p bpuA.^ An biif,
'S If 5e6.pp An fp&r 50 t)c6i5[iffl] 1 n-tiip,

C^cc If ireA^iii 50 ■oeipeAnnAC ni. 50 bpi-t,
Agui- i:uA5]\Aim pAipc Ajt Rig n^. n'OuL

If cuAilte ja-n triAtc m6 1 gcomnfiAll f Ail (3),
no If cofiTiuiL le bA-o mfe a caiLI a fciup,

•Oo bi\ifp-6e AfceAC a n-AgAii6cApt\Ai5'f^''^rr^'5(^)
S 00 ber-OeA* t)A bACAW 'fnA conncAib fUAp' (5).

A !of A CfiofC A ftiAip biif "OiA h-Aoine,

A -o'eif tj Af tf Atin t)o P15 jAn Locc,
Hac cu CU5 An cfbgele Aicpige tio ligAnAm,

'S riAC beA^ An fmUAineAt) tjo pinncAf of c !

(1) " Cuimjini) " i sConnafccAift, « n-iic " comAitice," .^. •oiTJiotin.

(2) Aliter, " coj mo p.ufC ogtir CA me fAOtt."

(3) " ip cuAitte coti me i ti-eAt)*n Fa'L,,' G.

(4) =pinip5e, " 4p tjioac n* r^fi," Connelly.

(5) " l3ei oeao '54 bicat) 'p A iAitlFe** a ftiAiri " ; aliter, '' ^eoX. "
liiter, " ri"'>*l- " ; ""^r -D'ACiiotj me An tine le corriFUum -oo ■oeAnAm.'"

Jesus Christ, who didst suffer the passion, and, wastiburied because
1 liuu wast humble, I place the shelter of my soul under Thy
protection, and at the hour of my death turn not Thy back upon

me. , . ,

Queen o£ Paradise, mother and maiden, mirror of graces.

Jesus Christ — to the Father's will
SabmissiTe still — who wast dead and buried j

1 place Myself in Thy gracious hands

Kr© to unknown lands my soul be ferry'd.

Queen of Paradise, mother, maiden,
Mirror of graces, angel and saint,

1 lay my soul at thy feet, grief-laden,
And I make to Mary my humble plaint.

Now since I am come to the brink of death
And my latest breath must soon be drawn,

May heaven, though late, be my aim and mark
From day till dark, and from dark till dawn.

I am left like a stick in a 'broken gap,
Or a helmless ship on a sunless shore.

Where the ruining billows pursue its track.
While the cliSs of death frown black before.

Jesus Christ, who hast died for men,
And hast risen again without stain or sgot,

Unto those who have sought it Thou showest the
Ah, why in my day have I sought it not !

angel and saint, I place the protection of my soul in they hand,
Mary refuse me not, and I shall be saved.

Now I am in age, and on the brink of the death, and short
18 lihe time till I go into the ground, but better is late than never,
and I appeal for kindness to (or perliaps " I proclaim that I am
on the side of '') the King of the elements.

I am a worthless wattle in a corner of a hedge, or I am like
a .boat that has lost its rudder, that would be beaten in against a
rock in the ocean, and that would be a-drownmg in the cold
waves. Jesus Christ, who didst die on a Friday, and didst rise
again as a faultless King, was it not Tiiou who gavest me the way
to make repentance, and was it not l*Hle that I thought about

18

362

T)o c<ipl«. 6.\f, •ocu]- rrile, Y occ Kceut),
An pee 50 beocc, 1 jce^-nn ah ■oo-'oei.j,
O'n />.tn cuiplinj CuiofC ■oo ^leub A.n gee.c&i'o,
50 nci /sn bli^kOAin a> ntied.pn6.it) He&ccuipe «.n
Aicpije.

Ag fo 6.b]iAn eile t)o jiinne 6.n TleA.ccui)Ae 4.p An
tiii'5e-be<5.T«.. Seoinfe 111 &c giol-l-A ^n Cloij Aguf 6
tilAC Ui ^Lotnn vo yu«.iiie&f e. b'eit))]A n«.c be6.l4.c
Acc Dd.llA but) c6t]\ 100 beic in f«.n ce&t) line, acc if
jri^H I'm puAineA.^ e : —

All pouAiiie A5 rnolA"0 An iiisge-beAtiX

Ag Cjii^ll 50 h-Aorid-c beolL^c -otym

'S 1110 COf 6.]! li.]A 6.11 boCAip,

CugAt) me 50 ng 'Le6.l6.15 6.ixe6c
50 bfo>g6.inn 6.nii neoc 6.n ■ooiiiti-|' (1),

" 'Oenipi-i '' •00 liiiiin 6n be6l6.c •06m,

1)- e tio bu6iL 6.n bAiiuLle,

11l6.]i b\ e yein 6n p]ie6.b6.ine,
116.C t)cpei5i:e6.t) be6.n 6.11 6]-t)6.

(1) '"Doccuin -Dofiur," Bell.

(2) Mr. Meehan's copy ends with the following curious verses,
which Tvould seem to show that li-aftery got his ^oem translated
into English hy a man named Kelly, to" give it a wider vogue. I
print the verses exactly as they stand. They may serve to show
the difficulty of transliterating badly-written and half-phonetic
Irish such as we find in many manuscripts of the last sixty years.

te ciuocnutAT) ^mi iitiju je •] ! beic fo teijce
C« CeiliX) pelcic (?) 1 aicitujat) 50 beu^il*.
le bua-6 biiipei (?) jfiAf-^ '^S'"C cpocAi|ie
belt A5 5AC ■Duine 5L«C4i6 Ji comAijile

JiiiCe •oonCA'D ]'.^t:u)in -j AOitieAT)

•Don re ■0<>p6AC -do cinne "OAOineA'O

TlA ■ooii beipc xiy.J54-o Ail 4t)ii5ce fin oeuncA-o

1 cui|!:m-j'A an Acccuitijnvo aji lofA Ctiiofca. Amen.

One thoTigand eigtt hundred years of the jears,
And tirenty and tirelre, amid joys and fears,
Hare passed since Christ burst hell's gates and defences,
To the year when Raftery made this Bep«ntance (2).

Here is another song ivhich Baftery made in praise of
whis'key. It was from Seoirse Mac Giolla-an-Ohloig and from
Glynn that I got it. Perhaps it is not Bealach, but 'Balla, that
should he in the first line, hut that is how I got it : —

THE DRUNKABD EN PRAISE OF WHISKET.

To Ballagh Fair while joulmeying,

With all the road hefore us,
It was brave Lally took me in

To drink a deoch-an-doruis (3).
'Twas Dempsey showed me where was he,
He struck the barrel airily ;
He is a lad of gallantry,

I'll praise him with a cshorus.

G. has the folloTving version of this second verse. It omits th«
first one.

gui^e 'OoiTitiAis &i.iit\tn A'f Aome

50 "oceit) A ■ocAijiOe "oo'n cinne •oAoniiA

Se ainm n& cAtnce a t)'fa5 me rSf'®'^*'*

Atcafn^e UAipce)ii-6 ajv lor* Cjii'orca,
i.e., The Prayer of Sunday, Saturday and Friday, May it go to
the profit of the human race. The name of the talk I have left
■writt-en is " The Bequest of Baftery to Jesus Christ."

(3) i.e., "a door-drink" or "stirrup-cup," pronounced "d'ugh
in dhurrish," i.e., "ugh" with the sound of "d" slender before
i_t^ _^

Thee? There first happened one thousand and eight hundred
(years), and twenty exactly, in addition to twelve, from the time
that Christ descended who hurst the gates, until the year when
Raftery made the "Repentance."

364
5o tit)iuLcM5 ATI r6.o5o.L ■oo'n i^in5e6.t)

■piigf Alt) me •' bAcctiU]' '' b^-ifcce mji

"Oo cionfg&il pion a'^ popceii.
[tli'L] eAjipATO A|i bic com (1) be&nnuijce leip,
Aon feA.|i Afii^i-ni X)i,']\ te^jMb tei'p,
IliojA b'feA.itp lei-p fince 6.|i leA-bMr;,

tli. C6.icce 6.p CAOib (2) ^n bofiMp.

Tlion fA-CAf piAtii & TTiAi ji^pcip,
Tlion fi.f fe cpiT) «.n CxilA-m

A Leicense 'oe gpAinne.
'Se beA|Af6.t> cjioiiie -oo'n p]ie6.bA.i)\e,
Ajuj- bAinne cic' •oo'n b6.nAlc]iA,
A'f 'oo cuip^re^t) i 'ociuin *ri c]\e«.54.i]'.i

ni-jt C6.1C •6a pi5in te |ii,ice.

■peocAti (?) 'o'^i.JAit &.\\ mAiioin •06,

Tli'l ^AU^o A]A bic coiii (3) bpe^kj let}',
ll" niAic -00 i\A.cA'6 glome tie

"Oo •ouine beic' :>.]• a fl^mce.
"Ouine A.\\ bic "oo blA^^^At) •oe,
lliop b^oJAt fUAcc no (4) ca,]'acc •00,
'S t)A •ocugpAi^oe bjAAon -oo'n CAillij •oe,
X>o yxtyetyii fi ■ouic |\<k]'A.

1 "At A," Boll, <»5ur lAlSAiticeAti "ioA" 50 mmic 1 sCoiiTi^e
Rorcomiin Ajaf i gConv^e ttluij-eo niAp "«6*," i.e., "a-6o.'"

365

Until the world refuses money,

May his pocket never be empty 1
I shall leave the name of Bacchus christened on him,

Who began wine and porter.
There is no ware so blessed as it,
Any man who was ever overthrown by it,
He would not like any better to be stretched 'by it on a Ibed

Than to be thrown by it on the side of the road.

The juice of the grey barley 1

Never has been seen its master ;
There never grew up through the gronnd

Such a grain as it.
It is it would give heart to the gallant,
And milk to the nurse,
And would put in tune the miser

Who never spent twopence for the last quarter..

To a get a dram ( ?) of it in the morning.

There i« nothing so fine as it ;
It is well a glass of it would suit

A person who would be out of his bealth.
Any person who would taste it,
There was no fear of cold or cough for him,
And if a drop of it were given to the old iwoman

She would run a race for you.

i2) " A|i eul.c<soi6," M.S. (3) "xii^, Bell.
(4) " puAtc miUx) no CATAiz," Bell.

366

Ui- uifge-be&CA. ^5 C15 'l/eA-ll^-it),
'S tiiop 1i-61ai6 ]M6.ni a lii^ijifctp,
If be^s A-ci. A-p ATI ngloine tie,
Cit) 5u^ mop ij' pu ^n ci-pcA..
Zi. ATI "be All If feile fAippnse Aije,
50 bfeiciT) An cip •pAojAl ^at)' aici,
'Si a ■ocApfAt) — " SeAf a HAifcef it)
50 imbLAi^Ait) cu ■oe m' ' cai^tdiaI,' "

"Oo cpiAlt me A^ Father Callaghan^

bA -pAijiptig pAl An ^ic pn,
"bi "Oillon Ann Aguf jAochjAin

Aguf O CeAllAij, cpoi-oe nA pAif ce.
An -pAogAt ni -puopfAX) An ccaciaaia pn
Ace A5 lionAt) punch Ajuf clAipeit) fUA]-,
5u|\ i-AgbAis pAt) pnce TlAii:ce]\it)

"Oa l-A Ap A CA0b-A-n-A1Ht)e.

Hi mi|-e AiriAin -oo teAjAt) leif

6 peACAij 6Ab 1 bpAppcAf,
If lom'OA feAii '00 CAil.leA'6 leif

O'n Am AH ■oAtld.'o Apguf .
munA mbeic' gup cleAf [cA] eAt>|AAinn e (1)
'S gup bAin f e lompoc Af ppeAbAipe,
go ■oenhm Ajtif 50 ■oeApbcA

"Oo pnpnn pof le nAipe.

(1) Aliter, " Aftc jup jteAcai-oe e Aci eA-ofi&iTin."

(2) O. has -another verse which Mac Oiolla-an-Ohloig had not
got. It runs aa follows. It is the fourth verse in G. : —

Siuti&it me CuAim 4'r t)eJ.nnA6oiti,

COtiCAij <i'r Cinn-CfAile,
1]> fAOA c&ti mi. 1 tigdiLLim,

ASof 6i me i n'Oiioite&t) Aii,

£67

There is whiskey in Lally's house,

And its master (3) was never drunk ;
It is little it costs, a glass of it,

Though the quart of it is worth mu«h.
He has the wife most generous and liberal,
May the country see long life to her ;
It is she who would say, " Stand, Eaftery,

Until you taste of my cordial 1"

I journeyed to Father Oallaghan's,

That was a generous, liberal place ;
Dillon was there, and G-eoghegan,

And O'Kelly, heart of friendship.
The world would not stop those four,
But filling up punch and claret.
Until they loft Eaftery stretched

Two days upside down.

It is not I alone who was overthrown by it,

Since Ere sinned in Paradise,
Many is the man who was lost hy it

From the time Argus was ibiinded.
Only that it is a trick (or way) that is amongst us (4),
And that it has often knocked a turn out of a gallant,
Most surely and certainly

I would stretch myself down for very shame.

Le Finmne beitmii 5fcAtlA'6 ■oooiB,

nio|' reaiit" »A tii *5 cij ttldCiLd
50 scutpiT) Ctiiopc Atl C-A'O AIJI.

(3) i.e., better whiskey than it.

(4) Aliter : Only that it (whiskey) is a wrestler who is
amongst us.

368

"Oo tug me &on i^\)]\in -066.5 ^f P'^^'^ ro'ori AJioif,
•oe tiA. h-^bfiAn^ib tDo ^iinne au tlctt.ccm^ie, ^-guf cuijt
■nie fiof Tge^kl a te^-CA com m^ic Agup b'^cat) me.

Ace ci. monAti eile le ti'mripnc 1 ■ocA.oi'b aji bple,
^b^r ^^ mopAn -oe fDioj-Aib eile 100 cum ye fein, no &ca
le^jti^ A.i|i, Le cuji iiop 50 voil. A5 to Ainmnei>.<A n4>
n-AbiiAn eile i^eo •00 ]ieip m^n cnuitinig mife irif ja-c
Aon A1C lA-o. If e An ce^nn if fuitie aca "■piAt)Ac
SeAJAin t)n6.t)6.i5," vi.r\ yc^vo. vo ]tinne fe i>.]\ f-eA]!-
niAld., SeAJAn a bufcA eijin, -00 bi fein nA fopc pie.
LeijeAnn nAi):ce]yi aiji 5ii|\ qiuinnis 'o*oine UAifLe

ContlACCA AgUf A gCUI-O gAIOAH leO, le SeAJAn bjlAWAC

100 fUAgAio, mA|t ponnAc, C]ie ei)\inn, Aguf cuijie^nn fe
I iof nA h-AiceACA cpe a)i f UAi5eAt> e Aj^uf nA ■OAOine
-00 1AUA15 e. Ua "CnocAn pAobAip" ai]\ A-ocugAnn t)AOine
€ile "iitiA rit CACAin/' Ag moLA-6 Aire, Aguf nA mnA
UAifletjo coiiinuij Aimiin. If AbjiAn "beAl-At-SApcA,"
Ag molAti .dice eile. 1f e "ah icAC-bAile," An nut)
ccA-onA. 1]' AbfAn "bAile-loc-iMAbAc,'' no bAil-loc-
fiAC mt,]\ lAbAifteAji e, -oo finne fe Af feAf CAbAijme
•00 bAin A tiACA -66 Ajuf ■o'ltiiin cleAf ai|\, cum Ab)Uiri
•DO piocAt) Af. If AbfAn ''Seoinin bAii," A5 tooIao p^i-
ceifoe. Ca "Peigi-o bUc nA Sseitiie," aj moUt)
cAitin. Seo cpi cinn eile "puincfci An cSeijiioTjAnAij,"
"SeAgAn O bfAnAin," Ajuf ".An 5f6o,fA:t)e." ''"OiAf-
poif eACC llAipcefi leif An 'OeAn," pn Abf An vo finne
An neACCuine Aguf e Ag AjAif c leif An f AgAfc -00
cuif bf eiccAmnAf Aicjiige cpuAit) Aif. "ITiaidac TTIa]*-
cuif m CAlUin," pn T)An t30 finne fe cof muil leif ah
jceAnn eile ai^ SeAJAn bpAioAC. " If Vatja 6 Cui)ieA-6
fiof," pn t)An AS SfiopigAt) nA sCacoiIccac cum

369

I have given up to this thirty-one songs of the songs of
Baiftery, that he made, or tihait are ascribed to Mm, and I hiaiv*
set down the story of his life as well aa I have been able.

But there is much more to tell about our poet, and there iu«

many other pieces ir'hich he composed or which are aacrilbed to

him, to be yet set down. Here are the names of these other

songs as I collected them in eyery place I could. The longest of

them is the "Hunt of Shawn Bradach," or "John the Thief," a

long poem which he made about a man with a bag, a certain

John Burke, who was himself a sort of a poet. Baftery pretends

that the gentry of (Jonnacht gathered with their hounds to

hunt Shawn Bradach like a fox through Ireland, and he describe*

the places through which he was routed and the people who

ronted him. The "Onooan Faobhair," or Edged Hill, whidh

some people call " Una O'Kane," is a song in praise of a place

and of the lady who lived there. "Beal-ath-gartha " is a song

in praise of another place. " Onocan an Eannaigh " is the same.

•Lavailly" is the same. " Baile-Looh-Eiabhaoh," or Loughrea,

is a song which he made about the man of a pUblichouse wlio

played a trick on him and took his hat from him to pick a song

out of him. "Shoneen Ban," or "Fair-haired Johnny," is a song in

praise of » tradesman. Here are thret others :

"Sheridam's Plansty," "John O'Brennan," and "The
Shoemiaker." Baftery'g Dispute with the Dean " is a song
which Baftery made arguing with a priest who put a hard
penance on him. "The Hunt of Mark O Oallan," or Callinan,
is a poem like the other one which he made on Shawn Bradach.
" It is a Long Time Since it was Set Down " is a poem spurring

370
fe^fCA 50 •oAinjionn v\,vit le d6ite. "An CtSifoi

Plfel-O,'' pti "OATl eile AH At! put) CCA.'Otl^, 6.5 bpofcugA*

ntt. 5Con6.cc6.c cum con5nA.n1 ■00 CA.bA.ipc t)0 r a TTIutih-
ne6.CAib jj>5 cpoiiQ a n-AJAit) n*. n'Oe^.cniui'O 00 beiproif
■DO nA niinifC6mib g^^^'O*- "Oo cuip m6 An nA AbpAn |X)
1 jclo im' t)AncAib "OiA-bA Cuige Conn^dc. " AgAllAiti
UAi].xetr. teif An nib«.i'," if e feo An ■oAn no pinne fe
nuAip Winig, niAp fAOil ffe, An biif cuise in f An oi-bde,
tnA]A cui|\ mfe -piof ceAnA.

Ua cuiLLcAt) iflAp An gcfeAwnA le n'mnpnc 1 T)CAOib
beACA An TleAccuine 1 nSAillini 6 t)eAf, Aguf 1 'OCAOib
tiA gCAltiAnAC, Aguf 1 ■OCAOib nA n-impeAfi,!! t)0 bio*
eocojipA. tH't A1C nA aca|i AgAtn T)6ib Anoif, acc
b'eiwp 50 bpttpw mft opfA UAip feigin eile.

If miAti liom Anoif mo buit)eACAf no cAbAijAC t)o'n
"frueeniAn SeAccitiAineAtriAit'' 'oo cuif tiA h-AbpAin feo
1 gclo. If leif nA plACAib no fUAif me UACA-fAti
Aci. mk Ag cuf An IcAbAip feo 1 geld. ^AgfAi* m6
Anoif ftA.n Aguf bcAnnACC Ag luce lei5ce Abf An An
UeACCuipe,

(CRioC;

371
the Catholics to stand fast and firm together. "The Oauae
a-pleading" is another poem on the same subject, urging the
Connacht men to help the men of Mnnster in their fight against
the tithes, which they used to pay the "foreign ministers." I
printed these last two poems in my Religious Songs of Oonnacht.
"Baftery's Dialogue with the Death" is the poem which he made
when Death came to him, as he thought, at night, as I have
already desorihed.

There is also more to be told albout his life in South Galway,
and about the Oallans or Callinans, and the disputes that used
to be between them. I have no place nor space for them now,
but perhaps I may retom to them some other time.

I desire to give my thanks to the Weekly Freeman, which
has printed these songs. It is from their plates I prin* this
book. I shall here leave farewell and blessing with th« readers
of the Poems of Raftery.

(The End.)

40 triire UiMf cetii ad pie.

60 C&oine »)i Comif O "OaIai^.

80 b^tf ceAV SeAn-(iiiibin []i&nn].

82 An z Aiiiin Uitlidin.

88 A\i tt^iiji-o [tiAtin].

96 Con'oi^ rhvii5-e6, no, Cill-.Aoviin.

106 n<itir*i'6 bf'*'**"*^'

114 An Ci'or Cdcoitce*6.

128 Ancoine O lOAtdij.

134 An "OiA T>A'ti 6'Ainm Inpiceft.

146 AnAi Cu«in.

152 UitliAm O CeAttAij.

158 c«oine Afi UitttAm O Ce^ltAi^.

166 S56AL df TiAnAtai*.

176 p*t)|iAis O 'DomnAttain.

184 Cairmilic «n poz&i^e \.e'f An Uifge-beAtA.

194 r\A \3aAtAt\.Ux>e tiine..

200 An fia-onuipe bfA^AgAC.

206 SgfiAt At* be^iin *" f^'1' tin**.

210 bean An f^iji W-UA'A.

222 bfiij'oi'n beAfAtJ.

236 An pjei'ooif.

244 bAinpeir An cSleA-otAtn ttldift.

258 " eleccion " ha gAiLlim*.

264 buAi'6 Ui 6«nnAiLL.

272 beAftnAn nirc^AjiT).

278 HA bu<i6Ailti'De bAHA [Ab]iin eite].

284 SeAnAuf nA S^eiie

320 niAiiie ScAncon.

330 iTlAiiie nt h-eix)in no An pd Ae gti^eAt.

336 peijiTi lYIifceatl,,

342 An CholetiA motibuf.

356 Aitiiije An ReAdcuife.

362 An p6cAt]te A5 molA'6 Uifse-beACA.

NOTES.

The exigencies of printing these poems from week to week, and the
getting, as a rule, only one revise of the paged copy, has left some mis-
prints in the text, the most important of which, and of other mistakes, I
shall try to correct in the following notes, in which also I embody some
observations and information which have come to me since I first
published the text in the Weekly Freeman. I desire to thank in particular
my friend Dr. Henry and my friend Mr. John Glynn for the great help
they have given me in these notes, and also Mr. Mat Finn of Oranmore,
e65Ari 6 neAicAin, and all the other persons who so kindly helped me.

P. 2, 1. 9, for "cloc" read "cto6." L. 12 for " bedj reim " read
"6eA5 feim." L. 16, for " -oa " read "-da."

P. 4, 1. 5, for " ti'e " read " b'e ; " for " conn " read " coinn." L. 13, the
Irish for Dublin is t)Aile-^tA-CtiAt, which it would be best to write in
full, but it is pronounced by good speakers t)Aile-.Ac-CtiAt as here
written, but much more usually b'LAt-Ctidt.

P. 6, 1. 2, I have aspirated after the preposition Ap, following O'Donovan,
who writes «p multAc Ati cije — grammar, p. 282 — and Keating, who
writes a^ itiei'o. But the almost universal usage in the spoken
language seems to be not to aspirate after it, and I do not intend to do
so, in future. L. 7, beroeAr is the relative form, but some Connacht
speakers use it ungrammatically as here. The proper form here would
bebionn.

P. 8, 1. 8, for " picix) " here, and in similar locutions throughout this book,
read "fiieA-o," which is the genitive of pice "20." We should
write CU15 At))iAiTi yi ceA-o, but CU15 AbjiAn &\i picfo. L. 15, read
"•oAn " for "TJAflCAib." L. 14, I lost two more days after that in a
hunt for the same book, the numbers on the back having been so in-
distinct that it had been replaced on a wrong shelf. It is a great
grievance that the Academy will not catalogue its M.SS. I lost four
days over this book alone on account of it.

P. 10, 1. 17, for " rs*"^* " read " fjeice."

P. 12, 1. I, Citt AOTJAin is Ctlt tiAt)Ain on O'Donovan's map of Hy-
Fiachra, but I have seen and been in the little bee-hive hut there ascribed
to St. Aidan. I have usually aspirated broad xi in the gen. after the
article, but it is much better, and, indeed, almost universally, un
aspirated after the letter n . In Central Connacht n& fCAn x)Aoine is
pronounced as if written riA fSAn tiAoini, but this is, as Dr. Henry has
pointed out to me, not a case of aspiration but a coalition of letters
the n and -o coalescing in one sound, as ce*T>nA is pronounced c^Anna,
or as AiLiie is pronounced Aitte. L. 2, this was a mistake of mine

u.

NOTES.

Thady Conlan is not a herd but a well-to-do and highly respectable
farmer, a tenant, I think, of the MacManuses, and a good Irish
speaker. I wish we had more like him. L. 4, read " co^dt) " for
"tosAX)." L. 5, read "AriAiS" for "AtiAC."

P. 18, 1. 4. Clare-Galway is called in Irish b<iite-«ti-(>tAi«, and was
anciently known, according to Mr. Glynn, as CtJt<-*"-'DiAliAa.

P. 16, 1. 24, for "Arxii|t" read " acaji."

P. 18, 1. 12, for " ctei6e " read " cteire."

P. 20, 1. 8, for "riA TiA" read "tiA." L. 15, for " fiAinrA " read
••pAmrA. L. 16, eoJAn 6 11eAct;Ain thinks that rsol^A may be
meant for rs^'^l-e, which in Connemara means "a long awkward
fellow." mjis really the dat. of p\, and tiiot the gen., but it has long
been used for all cases, and I see no use in inflecting it when the
pronounciation does not vary.

P. 24, 1. 13, pAoi t)Ai)-ceA6 seems to be always used, not pAoi BAircir
though bAifCBAfi is a fem. noun.

P. 26, 1.26, for "■oeijeAtinAc" and "beApriA" read "■oeiteAtitiAe" and
"tbeA^inA."

P. 28, 1. 12, for "t)'6" read " b'e." L. 14, coipce is often aspirated after
cuft. A5 cvp feACA, not j-baca {i.e., freezing) seems to be always said
in W. Connacht. ■'

P. 30, 1. 10, better bunA-6 with one n, as it probably comes from the root
btiii. L. 30, it is much more likely, as SeAJAti triAc frlointi has since
pointed out to me, that the name is really 6 lleAccAbjtA, pronounced,
of course, 6 HeAccutiA. He tells me it occurs twice in Duald
Mac Firbis's "Genealogies of Hy-Fiachra." I find the name
neAccAb|tA occurs'seven or eight times in the "Four Masters," but
always as a Christian name, and never later than the tenth century
I think it would have been better to have written always An lleAcc-
AbtiAc, or Art neAecujiAC, and not the An 1leA(bcui|ie, which I have
heard in Roscommon.

P. 32, 1. I, for ••■opAs " read "-o'fas. L. 15, 16, for "ctAoroce" and
"lomtACAn read "tlAOfoce" and "tomtACAii." L. 22, -co b'reAtcH
is a very usual locution in this sense, but, according to Dr Henry it
is, strictly speaking, a superlative, and ni b'^eApii should be used I
have not, however, observed this distinction being made in the snoken
language of Central Connacht. ^

P. 34, 1. 12. InConnachtwhenamasc. noun and adj , come together governed
by a preposition in the dat. case, the initial of the adj. is not usually
aspirated. But an exception seems to be made after the preposition
iti followed by the pronoun a. Thus we say ■oo'ti pile m6« teir An
bpU m6,i, &c., but CA r^ 'riA pile riiott. Hence the m of m6ft would
be better aspirated here. L. 18, read "niAti Ati tn:Aoir,» though in
some places, especially in Ulster, the 5 is not eclipsed but aspirated
L. I, 19, tnuitie-Aii-ttieA'OA, "the shrubbery of the mead" is the

NOTES. lU.

proper form of this name according to Mr. Glynn. L. 22, for "a
conX.A'o" read "Ato-olA-6."

P. 38, 1. 14, for "50 tiAtti" read "tiAc 11A1^"; Ani'pAf usually takes a
negative after it. L. 23, for " but> e " better read " bu* 1," "ceAtijA "
being fem. Yet, "if 6 mo bA^iAniAit," "if e fin An Ate," "fin e ah
CA01," are almost universally used in Connacht, though in Arran they
say ni hi fiti An tAoi. L. 29, Raftery had two children, a son and a
daughter. The daughter, Mr. Glynn tells me, was going about in the
neighbourhood of Loughrea up to jo years ago.

P. 40, 1. 4, for " ftteAstiA* " read " bpneAsiiAT)." L. 6, " 1 jcoif Atit)" is pro-
bably a corruption of op aii-o, with, perhaps, the prep, aj before it.
L. 21, for "ceAnjAi-o" read "teAnjAi'D."

P. 44, 1. 18, and 28, for "c|tofoe" read "ctto-oA," though I have heard the
other also.

P. 47, 1. 4, for " I heard my father saying," read "I heard him telling my
father."

P. 48, 1. 26, for "•o'eijii5" read "•o'eifiij."

P. 52, 1. 13, for "6(tviinnut5" read "c-puintiij," and for "■06" read "-oe."

P. 54. 1. 3. for "cuottjij" read "tt'^tuij." L. 20, for "cion-fiocAiti" read
"c1otiti-cfiocAi|i." L. 13 — according to Mr. Glynn, ctat-otjiie should
be spelt cutAi5-tiAt, "pronounced with the accent on the second
syllable of rulAij. It is," he says, "an instance of Munster pronun-
ciation on this side of the border line of the province, from which
Tillyra Castle is not far distant." The usual form of the Anglicised
Tully is cutAt, a feminine word with gen. rutfcA. But there is also,
I believe, another form, An cutAij, gen. tiA cuLa£. If this is so. then
TuUyra should be in Irish cutAij-tiAt, = Hillock-rath. In Irish the
name is pronounced cut-Atj;iiA (tul-lyra).

P. 56, 1. 1, see note to p. 28, 1. 23, for "rhic tl! 'D1&IA15 An rrAoif-ctoice,"
better read "itlic Ui liiALAij, An pAO^i-ctoice. Apposition of cases in
such sentences, which used to be common, is scarcely used now. L.
24, for " jAe-oeil^" read " ^Ae-oeit^e." 5Aex)eit5 would appear
to be a substantive, meaning " Irish-language," and " teAtjA-p
SAe'Ditje would be a book of Irish-language, i.e., an Irish book.
But the Scotch apparently make Giidhlig, which is their form of the
word, an adjective, and always write Leabhar Giidhlig, = a Gaelic
book. In Galway, the word for the Irish language is not gAe-oeils,
but gAe'ceitje in all cases.

P. 60, 1. 4, 6 n-A is generally said for 6 a ; the n can in this case only be
euphonic.

P. 65, Note. — For"CAirteAn teAin X)6&r" read, according to Mr. Mat
Finn, "CorAn tiAim 'Oe6f," i.e., William Joyce's path.

P. 71, 1. 8, for "in trouble" read "cornered." There is also a verb,
rAitintj, used in Connemara — f iinnij Anoif i, = corner him now.

IV. NOTES.

P. 74, 1. 3, for "■ouitie" read "■ouine." The «oim is often pronounced
^oinie, which is followed by aspiration. L. i8, fioifiAin is usually
a feminine noun, but for " Justice of the Peace " I have never heard it
otherwise than in the text. I remember hearing of an old woman
who brought her master into Court to complain of the treatment he
gave her, which she said was "male upon praties and salt upon that,
Aiqur A luircif An cfiotcAin (not na fioccana) ca-q e 'n rope
thratementis that?" L. 22, "bu-6 e," better "bu-6 i," but see note to
p. 38.

P. 76, 1. 2, for "comnuijeAnn" read "^coriinuijeATin," 1. zi. James
Cloonan, who was a shopkeeper in Athenry, brother of Darby Cloonan
of Leacht, in whose father's house Raftery died, told Mr. Glynn about
ten years ago that the cabbage incident happened in the parish of
Carrowbane or Lickerrig, in Loughrea barony. The cabbage was
stolen from a Protestant resident, and the Priest, a Father Barney
Burke, was very angry about it. Dissatisfied with Raftery's im-
promptu, he said peevishly, "ti! aj t^ijeAt) Ajt jAbAirce bio-6 fiTit)."

P. 82, 1. II, for "All tiTJOij" read "aji n-ootj."

P. 88, 1. II, for "5T) " read "50."

P. 90, read " Ati ■ouine " for " An -ouine." See note to p. 12, 1. i.

P. 92, 1. 10, read " An ■oa " for " An -OA." See last note. This is the usual
practice, but there are a few places where the x> is eclipsed even after
the An. L. 13, for a|i coif-An-Ai^xie " read " 'nA jcof-An-AiU'oe."
L. 14, f5A^ 6 and fjAfi te are both used in Connacht.

P. 100, 1. 9. Mr. Glynn also says that otcoiji is an apple tree. He adds,
"it is the name of a place, " Oldtore," in the parish of Donaghpatrick,
Barony of Clare. CofimAC "OAit O ComAin, when asked why he ceased
composing songs, said —

n! 't AjAinn Anoif
Ace cott cuitionn 'f ■o|ii)',
"O'lmtis An olcoiji,

meaning that the gentry (the Burkes of Carrantriala, near Dunmore,
etc.,) were gone." L. 17. In most parts of Connacht they would say
6'n mom, not 6'n mom, treating the m as though it were an eclipsing
letter, as in such words as 6'n mbjiis, on mbeific. In Ulster 6'n m6in
would I think be used.

P. 102, 1. II, for "An bjiBAC " read "An bjieAC."

P. 104, 1. 15, tiof, gen. teAfA, is properly masculine. O. I. lepr, gen.
tiff. 'There is a celebrated air called ponA An teAf a. Coneys, in his
dictionary, makes it a fem. word. I think I have heard it used both
ways. Raftery, in p. 106, makes it masc, hence my note there is wrong.

P. 105. Note. — In Waterford I have heard the name Walsh called, I
think, bio^cnA6, but, the Walshes collectively, called as in Connacht
tiA tJpeAtnAij.

NOTES. V.

P. io6. The Irish for "her two eyes" appears to vary somewhat, either
A ■OA fuit, which is the usage I am most familiar with, and which
appears the most distinctive, since neither the -oi nor the putt is
aspirated, or a -oa fuit. In Munster, Ibeheve, they invert the aspira-
tions and say & •6a f uit. The following adjective is usually in the
plural, jlAfA would be better than jlAf.

P. no, 1. 14, ceAficA is the usual Connacht pronunciation of ceAp'ocA, the
correct dat. of which should be ceAjcocAin.

P. 112, 1. I, for "peA-o" read "peAT)." L. 13, for "picro" read "pi6eAx>"
or "Afificix)." Mr. John Glynn, of Tuam, has since very kindly
furnished me with the following interesting note about the occasion
of this poem of Raftery's, which is so curious and valuable as a piece
of forgotten history that I print in in extmso. The account, may, or
may not, be coloured by the prejudices or exigencies of the times, but
at all events it throws a vivid light on Raftery's poem, and for that
reason chiefly I give it here.

" CfuintiiuJAX) ttioji 1 mtJAile toe' iii'ac" (p. 112, lines i, 2, 3). On the
19th of October, 1824, a meeting of the County Galway subscribers of
the Hibernian Bible Society, to which Protestants and Catholics had
been indiscriminately invited, was held in the Quarter Sessions House,
Loughrea, the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Le Poer Trench,
occupying the chair. The report of the Committee for the preceding
year having been read and moved for adoption, Rev. Peter Daly,
Catholic priest of Galway, rose to address the meeting, whereupon the
chairman interposed saying that persons who were not members of the
Society had no right to take part in the proceedings. Father Daly
pleaded, in support of his claim to speak, that the principles of his
Church had been assailed, and that the Roman Catholic clergy and
laity had been invited to the meeting. Dr. Trench continuing obstinate,
the Roman Catholic clergy retired from the Courthouse. Great
uproar ensuing during which cries of " turn out the bayonets" were
heard, and, at last, finding they had no choice. Dr. Trench and his
friends withdrew, egress for flight being easily afforded them.
Thereupon a Protestant barrister, a Mr. Guthrie, was voted to the
chair, and the following resolutions were passed ; —

" 1st Resolution— Moved by Robert Power, Esq., and seconded by
Matthew St. George, of Kilcolgan, Esq. ; —

" Resolved— That a great number of the Catholic clergy, and the
laity oi different persuasions, of the County of Galway, attended this
day at the Courthouse, in pursuance of a circular letter of invitation.

"2nd Resolution — Moved by Daniel McNevin, Esq., and seconded
by Robert D'Arcy, of Woodville, Esq. ; —

" Resolved — That the Protestant Archbishop of Tuam having taken
the chair, two Protestant clergymen delivers their sentiments, and
were heard with great attention by the meeting, but after the Rev.
Mr. Daly, a Roman Catholic clergyman, having presented himself to

VI

NOTES.

the meeting, the Archbishop declared that he came there predetermined
not to hear him ; and Mr. Guthrie, a Protestant gentleman, having
then presented himself, the Archbishop declared he woiild not hear
him, or any other person who was not a member of the Bible Society,
and by his order and example procured many of the members of the
Bible Society to keep up a most indecent clamour for the avowed
purpose of stifling the voices of any persons who might differ in senti-
ments from the Archbishop ; and, at length, his conduct having become
so outrageous, even in the opinion of some of his own party, that a very
general call was heard to appoint another chairman, upon which he
declared he would remain there for a month to carry his own object
into effect ; but, after a considerable time occupied in clamour, excited
by himself, he vacated the chair and left the meeting. Wherefore we
view with di'gust and indignation the arbitrary conduct of the Arch-
bishop.

"3rd Resolution — Moved by D. McNevin. Esq., and seconded by
Matthew St. George, Esq. : —

" Resolved— That we look with indignation and horror at the intro-
duction of a military party of the loth Hussars into a public assembly
of such a nature with drawn swords, countenanced by the Protestant
Archbishop of Tuam to intimidate, or, perhaps, to massacre, the
Roman Catholic clergy and laity who have been insidiously invited to
this house, and who came with the hope of expressing their sentiments
and promoting any rational measure calculated to improve the morals
and condition of society ; and, at the same time, we cannot withhold
from the military our approbation of their peaceable and orderly con-
duct, nothwithstanding the intemperance and bad example of the Arch-
bishop.

"4th Resolution— Moved by Matthew St. George, Esq., and
seconded by Robert Power, Esq. : —

" Resolved — That a Committee be nominated to prepare an address
to the Government on the improper introduction of the military in this
assembly, and to use such other means as may appear best calculated
to prevent a recurrence of such conduct ; and that such address be the
address of this meeting.

" A Committee was then appointed.

" 5th Resolution — Moved by Daniel McNevin, Esq., and seconded
by the Rev. Mr. Gill :—

" Resolved — That from the accounts which have reached us from
various parts of Ireland, regarding the Hibernian Bible Society, and
particularly from the manifestation v/e have this day witnessed,
adverse to our principles, we are decidedly of opinion, that the
system which insists on the indiscriminate perusal of the Scriptures,
has for its declared object the proselytism of the poor, and that we,
therefore, cannot co-operate with, or countenance any such measures
of the Bible Society.

NOTES. Vll.

"6th Resolution — Moved by the Rev. Mr. Gannon, and seconded
by J. Nicholson, Esq. : —

" Resolved — That, being thoroughly convinced of the great advan
tage to be derived from the blessings of a moral and religious education
to the poor of this country, we shall continue to promote, by every
means in our power, so desirable an object."

P. 114, 1- 13- This, says Mr. Glynn, was the Rev. Peter Daly, P.P. of
Galway, who in his day took a prominent part in the affairs of the
town. L. 10. Mr. Glynn told me that when he was a boy he saw
this song of the " New Lights " printed and sold as a street ballad.

P. n8, 1. 7, for " A-einpeA6c " read "n-6inFeA6c."

P. 120, 1. 2. This was the I gth of October, 1824. L. 20, " An juriAnAi,"

ncte " &n '5 ^lontiAnAi." According to Mr. Glynn, he was the Rev.

Mr. Gannon. L. 22. "OAn AoTjAjAin, should be, says Mr. Glynn,

Dan Nevin or MacNevin. Bob Darcy was Robert D'Arcy, of Wood-

ville.

P. 124, 1. 28, for " jeAj " read " 5615," and for " e^iAoft " read " citAoift."

P. 125. Mr. Mat Finn tells me : "my father often told me that he was
going to Galway to market, which was on Saturday, when he met the
cavalcade at Merlin Parke with Anthony Daly, sitting on his coffin on
the car. I was on the Hill of Seefin myself two years ago. The holes
where the posts of the derrick were, are plainly to be seen yet, and the
place between them, for whatever reason, is as bare of grass as the
palm of my hand. Daly is buried in Kilreacle, four miles eaist of
Loughrea, with a flag that was intended to be laid over his grave
erected at his head. ... It is now nearly sixty years since I
rubbed up that flag and read it. As far as my recollection goes, it
runs thus : " Underneath this speaking slate | lies Anthony Daly of
merciless fate, | v/ho parted this life by good free will | in 1820 on
Seefin Hill." It says, later on : " In Dunsandle my Hukey (sic) fell,"
... As for Raftery's curse, that is potent. After the banging,

planted a wood to screen Daly's house from his.

It looked like a guilty conscience."

P. 132, 1. 4, recte " Ap teic," but tcAC is what I found.

P. 134. CeA^irA. See note to p. no.

P. 136, 1. 5, for "•DoiteAX)" read "-oiijeAio."

P. 138, 1. 6, better eA-OAn.

P. 140, 1. 2, "ruijtne" is a more usual form than "cu^oa" in Connacht.
L. i6, and " f eAc " is more used than " pAc."

P. 144, last line. Some people would write ni b'^eAfiji after the past
tense, but this, though more grammatical, is not, so far as my obser-
vation goes, at all usual. L. 13, for •' meAbA^i " read " tneA6Am."

P. 146, 1. 1. James Costello, now aged seventy years, and living at Fiar-
acha, the next parish to AnAt CuAtn, told Mr. Glynn that it was not

Vlll. NOTES.

Raftery, but a man named Sweeny who composed this song. I have
always heard it ascribed to Raftery. Sweeney was a native of AnAc
CDAtn, and wrote several poems, none of which I have got.
P. 146, 1. 8, read "cAbitr " (importance) for "c-i-obAtc," but Mr. Glynn
tells me "ah c-«-6t)Afi " is the word he heard. L. 15, for "cjiocAti "
read " c\f6cAf."

P. 148, 1. 19, for "5doii" read "540c," as gAn takes the accusative. In
some cases it seems to aspirate, in others not. It appears always to
aspirate in Connacht in the phrase 5AT1 riiAic jAti ttiaoin. L. 9.
bAile-ctAiji, ncte t)Aile-An-clAiti, is the Irish name of the place known
in English as Claregalway. L. 16. Mr. Glynn tells me that there
should be another stanza here, giving the name of the man who owned
the boat, SeAJAti O nuiT)eA<iAin. He heard this verse sung by an old
man named Noone, in the Tuam Workhouse, about two years ago,
who died soon after. I never heard it. L. 20, for "■out " read "■out."

P. 150, 1. 9, for " SeA5Aiti " read "SeAJAn ; " Sbasau o CopjA))! was th^
hero of this tragedy. He saved two women, and was returning fo^
the third when he was drowned. The following graphic narrative o^
the drowning I wrote down exactly, as follows, from the mouth o^
my friend, ComAp O mio'ocAin ; —

AtitiA ni Oift'n X)0 b'Aitim •oo ■oeititfiup ■oo liiAtAip m'ACAp
Pa^ojiais mio-ocAiu. Ca j-i CAiltce te nmciott occ mbtiA-oAnA
■oeAj. t)i f! tx>-\p CU15 A^uf j-e btiA-oAtirA Of ciotin ceA^o nuAi^t
j:uAi|i fi bA)\ t)i p fAn tnbA'o ah t* pn -] cuAtAi-6 me An f5eut 50
irntiic 6 n-A beAt fem. ■OubAi^tc ft tiom 50 -iiAib niAitin otiiA
[LAbAift niA|t "oIIa" e] aici, -o'a caCahic te ■oiot a^i An mAttjA^o.
nuAi|i cuAi-6 An bA-n AfreAC fAti ngeAjinA-o 1 ii-Aice te tniontoc 1
'^FO'rS^-^cr ceAC-pArriA-o mite -66 — ceAnn ■oe riA CAot^ij a 61 tnj-An

mbA^O, CUI^I p A COf AniAC tp'\X> Atl JCtAH A bi Afl CAOlB An bAfO, 1

bAiti fi An nAipici'n ■oo bi rAfc Af Ati muir,eAt, -j fitine fi cnAp ■oe
te n-A cufi AfceAc fAn bpott. tluAif bi fi Aj ciin ati cnAip AfceAt
fAti bpott cui^ f! ATI ctA)i AmAc A|t fA'o. A\\ An bpuince boife
rof A15 ATI bAT> a' tionA^o. tof A15 nA CAOi-pij a' fTiAm, -\ iia fi^t A'f
nA mnA bf etc a^i a ceite. SnAiii cuix) ■oe nA f if AfceAC 50 ■oci An
moinpeAf. SmuAmci^ tne, Af ftpe, Af mo mAitin ottiA, -j caic me
AmAt e A5 ffon An bAi-o, mfAn uifge, -j ^Ab me fetn AmAC ■] fut-o
me Af An otnA (sic). fluAif Cf umm^eA^o nA tjAoine 1 jceAnn a ceite
iemeA-6 ati bA^o fAoi 'n uifje An CAob fin, -| nuAif nucATOif An
CAob eite bio^D An rAob fin A5 ■out fiof, ^mAnncA ■o'eifij ffon An
bAi-o coin h-Afo 5Uf fAoit me 50 n-imceocA-o mo liiAtA ottA fAOi
mo cof Alb, teif An ff uc. Act: niof fjAOit me mo jf eim Af ff on
An bAi^D, 1 tonsbAij "Oia mo liiAtA otnA jAn imceAcc, te mo fAbAil.
t)i An bA'D -out fiof 1 fuAf Af tuAfjATi. ConnAic me Ann fin Jacky
Ui (sic) COfjAftA A5 cofuijeACc infAU uifje te beifc liinA, -j
cAf f Ainj fiA-o fiof e, 1 ni f*cAii!i me UAfo fin AmAC e, 50 bf acato
me 'nA cof pAn e. ConnAic me Ann pn bA'D A5 ceAic Af ftliontoc,
bA^o lomf Aim, 1 165 fiA^o Af An uifje me fein -j An mittin otnA.

NOTES. IX.

61 AH triAitirp otnA A5 •out fiof 50 x)i'tteAC tiuAin t6^i.r>&\\ Af An
uifje mi, •] 6einii bAi-oce memeAt [manA mbeit] pn. lii Jacky Ui
CorSAjttA c' f eif beijic mtiA cAbAmc AfceAc 50 -oci Ati b^iuAi, ■] bi
AD CAili'n A bi fe F^iti te porA-o itirAti uirse, t tiuAi^i JAb fe aitiac
An r|i(otTiA'D aAi|i te n-A f AbAit tiiaj bei^ic itinii aiji I cAtntAins fiA'o
f iof 6.

L. 12, for "ton'oun" read "tomoun," and for " tJeAt-r^t ac " read
" t)6At-cftA5." L. 20. " Ctioc An "oeAtAiti," recte " Cnoc-An-iDAttAin,"
known in English as Fair Hill a place within the bounds of the City
of Galway, where, Mr. Glynn tells me, a fair has been held annually
since 1613.
P. 152, 1. II, for "aic" read "1 n-Aic." There is a CfiiAn bin in the
Parish of Kilaan, Barony of Kilconnell, in tli ttlAine, which is the
O'Kelly's country. This is, probably, the Cf'An bin of the song.
There is another C|tiAn bAn near Tuam, but Mr. Glynn tells me there
is no trace of an O' Kelly ever having lived there.

P. 154. A "OA h-A'OAinc. See note to p. 106.

P. 156, 1. 17, for " tfiAin " read "CtitAin."

P. 158, 1. 8. Aic, though a fem. noun, takes often, like bA|iAmAit, the
masculine pronoun e. See note to p. 38. L. 6. There is a CtuAn-
tcACAn in ihe Parish of Killoran, Barony of Longford, in Galway,
in the O'Kelly country, which is, probably, the place meant.

P. 160, 1. 14. SeAtAn rriAC frtoinn says that cfiorAt is the kernel of a nut ;
and quotes Collins' line — Ca mo t^toi'oe nA c^orAt end — in the
soliloquy on Timoleague Abbey. L. 17. ^eA^iAib is here an irregular
nom. plural|for pT- ^° Connemara, peA^tAib is the voc. plural, 'OiA
■oAoib 'feA-pAtb = "good morning, men," is common. L. 18, for
" UifneAc" better read " Uifni5," but it was UifneAc I got.

P. 162, for " ctAnn " read " ctAnn " ; " h-uite" is '6 uite ie jac «ite. L-
23, for " j-Ain " read "r'*'"'^' " '^"^ ^^^ '^o'^ '° P- 7'-

P. 164, 1. 23, for "jAe-oeitj " read " gAe-oeitse," and see note to p. 56.

P. 166,1. 10, for "-ouine Af JAittim " read "■oume Af 5Aittim." L. 20,
for " mbiiT) " read " mbei-o." L. 26, for " caBaiiic " read " tAbAi|(c,"
as if a " ■o' A " were omitted. L. 28, for " cui|ifa-6 " read " cuipp*."

P. 168, 1. 2, for " ir " read " ir i."

P. 170, 1. i8, for "as" read "a."

P. 176, 1. 2. "Oo b'feAjit'- See note to p. 144. L. 3, for " piofA " read
" pioi-A," and for " 6 f'n " " 6 pn." L. 7. "Oo b'f eAjif would be more
grammatical, but I give the exact words as I heard them. L. 11.
Bellview, according to Mr. Glynn, or Lissareaghawn, is in the parish
of Kiltormer, Barony of Longford, in Galway. L. 18. "jTuitce,"
according to him, is a common word in the Tuam district, meaning
" ease : " Sp^r nA fuitce means " time or ease."

NOTES.

^- ?; tiir " Nn.^"'^"A^'"""T- '^ "C«««U.n«.» L. 24, for "jeif • read

hS a?ta1nt^ hu f ""/^Z" ^'^^"^ F° ^1^'' = '^« ^^X^ t^at it means he
nad attained his twenty-first year, and quotes a proverb-" n A c«i

^' '^i:«e.'; "It^/rh^*" ^-°'.r" "^y" *! ^°''<1 is probably "5^!^," not

bifSdT'F^' ni^-rfj^n.r,^;:^'"'"'""'^''"" f™- '^« ^^'°' t^«

^' 'b«J^" o^l"?,!!' P'-f^bly meant here either for ruj-CAtm^^n = straw-
thtr;,,A '^^^?'''*°''^'r''¥P''^''''>'- L-'S- SeiJAn m^c tto.t,n says
that rpopc IS fern, in the Tuam district, nom. rpo^^^z, gen, rpa.^ce.

' ' hou Jtf 7?„^''5^"J^'"'- ?^°'"" ^^r '' "^^s ^' Sui-oe-Finn he was in the
tWs^ni ^h tl ,1"^^ ^^^'""' ^^^ "'' ^^°'"'' i° the second verse of
Glvn^ fn'ril """" ^'-°'""- ^^^ ''°"'« ^^ P°'"'«d °<»' '° Mr.
Mr Tlvnn ';f^u ^^^"^ ^^° '^^^" '^^ ^as in that district. L. 25.

mr. Uynn says he has never heard anything else than " CeA<b i)i.^r^A,x:
m<ic C^iicA/' which he translates " Paddy Carr's house." ^'"'''""5

^" 'tpDMto'^^ ^'^"" tells me he has heard this curious word fm^ca
llftfJl .;::ii::rr ^ So-te .n.5..^ b,«, r,e .om.t,c. route

P- 190. 1. 5. for "■o^ca" read "■oaca."

P- 194. 1. 3. for " te sfiA-o " read, of course, "ni le r:nix,." L. 20 for
^^^eTwi read "se-mneAc." L. 22. Mr. Gl^L iells me that
Speur«t)e SAe-DeAtAt meant a maker of brogues for common people,
ana st'eafat-oe 5Attt>A, one who made boots for the gentry.

^' '^o^'J' 'i. "^^f ^ y*,^ °"^ '^"s''° ""^ ^^y Gibbons who joined the French,
and, after the defeat of Ballinamuck, fled to the island of Innisbofin
wnere, being an excellent scholar, he supported himself by teaching
«e was eventually murdered. I have the keene composed for him
I have been unable to make out who Father Miler was. L. 2s iii6in
see note to p. 100. *

P. aoo. 1. 10, read " ooijeA* " for "■ootceA-o." L. 15, read " rtificuiteA*."
L.. 22, read " Cfiei-o."

•P. 204. UuA-6 does not seem to be inflected in the gen. masculine,
certainly not by eoJAn 6 tlcAccAin, from whom I heard this story
nor by any of the many people I have heard sing "beAii An px' l^v^X)-''

P. 206. 1. 25, for "cteAiiitiAir" read "cleAtjinAir." L. 29, for "cuAit"
read " ruAice."

P. 208, 1. 3. Both " jiimeA-o " and " jiimeA-o " are used in Galway.
P. 210. Mr. Glynn, the Town Clerk of Tuam, has supplied me with the
following interesting note :—

^n'^'^^f" '^" f^ir Ru-i* " (page 210. 1. 6). John Burke, a stonemason,
ana a lamous old j-eAiiAcui-oe, who was a native of C«Air An t)Aintie.
in the parish of Cummer, near Tuam, and from whom I wrote down

NOTES. Xi.

this song in 1873, told me that having several times heard a coxcomb
of a country tailor sing " beAti An ^ifi nuA-o " (as given in Dr. Hyde's
"Love Songs of Connacht"), Raftery asked him at last if the " Red-
haired Man" had said anything. The tailor replied that he didn't
know. "Well, he did," said Raftery," and here it is" (reciting the
song as on page 210). The tailor implored of him to stop, and
ofifered him a drink by way of a bribe. " Oh," answered Raftery,
"I never commenced anything that I wouldn't finish," and so he
gave out the whole song."

P. 212, 1. 14, for "tuA-6" read "ttiAi-6."

P. 214, I. 7, for " fAntic<si5 " read "fAtiticu;t." L. 15, for "^tiAJAit"
read "puAJAil,." L. 18. SeiJAti tTlAc ptointi says that the proper
word here is not -do ■oobAit.but -do ■6iomAit = " wasted."

P. 222, 1. 25. Both "jAti 61A-6" and " jAti bi4-6" are used in Con-
nacht. See note to p. 148.

P. 234, 1. 7, for " c^ioftAifte " read "ciiocAitie." L. 16. Mr. Mat Finn
says that the way he heard this line was — " a jeoBAf ! jAti bui-oeAtAr."

P. 238, 1. 9. Mr. Glynn says the proper word here is Ai«5e, which means
"a thing of use," L. 18, for "inA" read "inT)Ait." L. 23, for
"itiAit " read "riiAic."

P. 240, I 1 1, for " rLiocc " read "f tiocc." L. 18. Dr. Henry thinks that
it)iti, efoip (or, as it is in Roscommon, eA-OAji) only aspirates when it
means both one and the other ; "i-oip -oub Aguf bin," "both black
and white," and that it does not aspirate when it means " between."
But I have never been able to find this distinction observed. L. 20,
for " ri'or " read " fiA^i."

P. 241, I. 23, for " north " read " west."

P. 244. "Shlahawn-More." On the Ordinance map this name is spelt
Slihawnmore. This townland, Mr. Glynn tells me, is in the parish of
Killallaghtan, Barony of Kilconnell. There is near it a " Slihawnbeg."
He suggests that the word may be a contraction of SoileACAn, a place
where sallys or osiers grow. In the Baronies of Clare and Dunmore,
the same name is further contracted to Sylaun ! L. 21, cotriiA-6 or
cotbA, pronounced cotuA, means "the side of a bed." This b or m
in the] middle of words has the sound of an u, an important fact,
whjch no grammar or dictionary, so far as I know, has ever pointed
out. Thus, CALthAnA, the gen. of CAtAm in central Connacht, is pro-
nounced " CAliinA," meAtibAiL "meAtiuiL," AtibAti "AftuAfi," cofmAit
" cofuit " — whence the later and erroneous spelling, which many
people have adopted of coriiiuit.

P. 246, 1. 6. for " biofiA " better read " bcA^^A." L. 8, " 5t<e>-6e," not
"Slieicne" should be the word here, accordmg to SeAJAn tTlAc
■ptoinn. He says it is a word common in Mid-Galway, meaning
earthenware of every description.

P. 250, 1. 5, SeAJAn rriAC ^Loinn agrees with the Mr. Hughes about the

Xli. NOTES.

meaning of p«if-tieAii, " beATi aca no-AofCA te teAtiU ■oo fteit aici."
There is a proverb about " puif-fteAti a bpuil yeoit uipjii."

P. 252, for "-ocuoije" read "cfioijce." L. 12, for "nA" read "no."
L. 15, SeAJAn triAc f^Loinn says there is a legend told in the barony
of Clare about a cac ha bpuriAnri fought near Cnoc-meA-OA, in that
barony.

P. 254. Zpi-t, Dr. Henry has pointed out to me, more usually takes the
oblique tense of the verb, and tiuAm the direct, i.e. c«ac iiAib fe,
" when he was," but nuAiji bi fe. L. 21, caiL being feminine, one
would expect i, but this is how I got it, and eojAn O r\eAcrAin tells
me that this is how he heard it also. See note to p. 38.

P. 256, 1. 16, better i for e, but see last note.

P. 285, 1. 12, for "-oeACttAc" read " -oeACiiAi." L. 14, for "beit" read

"belt."
P.|^26o, for "xi'umtuij'oir" read " a ti-utTitt)i5t)ir-"
P. 262, 1. II. 6i|ie is often used as a dat. (in Old Irish iye), and even

quite incorrectly, as a gen.

L. 22, for " ngAe-oit " read " gAe-oit."

P. 264, 1. 3, for "AriAtri " read " AnriAm." L. 21, a\\ An n"OAtAC is more
usual in Munster, Aft An "OitAc in Connacht.

P. 266, 1. 6, for " i^onn " read " f onn."

P. 268, 1. 3, for "cBACc" read "reAcc." L. 20, for "ceAnnpofc" read
"ceAnnpofic." L. 22. According to my friend Mr. Glynn, Thomas
Ward, a Yorkshireman, born in 1652, wrote a poem in four cantos on
" England's Reformation from the time of King Henry the Eight to
the end of Gates' plot," which was widely read in Raftery's time, and
to which he here alludes.

P. 270, 1. 21, "bAn," better "bin," see note to p. 34. L. 22, " nxjtije,"
see note to p. 264. tettg (pronounced in Connacht tlij) An -otije e,
would be a better idiom.

P. 273. Barney Rochford is the name of the hero of this song, not
Richard.

P. 274. gAtlAib is the dat., put here for the nom. see note to p. 160.

P. 276, 1. 3, for " Afi " read " A-jt." L. 4, for "ci-ofi-o" read " ci-ovit)." I
recovered half the missing stanza since from Matt Finn, but not the
whole —

t)eAnnA)-6 -00 cu)i 1 njeibionn
meAfs Hottentots a'^ neagars
5An feAji A ctiuAij' n-empeAcc teif
Ac-c Egan Asup R15 nA nst'^rc
P. 278, 1. 17. The C-peinreAc is, of course, the Archbishop of Tuam.
The family, rightly or wrongly, appears to have got a bad name in

NOTES. xiii.

old times as proselytizers. Here is a savage epitaph on one of them —
I got it from SeijAn m4c pLoinn : —

'Siu-o CU5A16 AtiALL e,
"OeAtiiAn ATI 6ont(Ain,
t)oji tiTjiot -oe teAiiAti
te 6uft to.

■p|iex)e])tc Cfiench

tlA tniAf 'f tiA miOfCAn,

puAC tlA iriApt)

'S 5|tAin nA tnb '6,

'noir 6 cAfilA e 'n A 6o|<pAn,
jAti r«5 5An i-uijceATi,

Ca f e '5 A ■665,

1)6111 teAc tniOfCAti
Sior CU15 ftuLcAti,

CulJipeAf bAfCAlt

te ti-A coin.

P. 280, 1. 7. The reading cAtAiii 'nA tuAC is quite right, according to Mr.
Glynn, and means " land at its value," i.e., at a fair rent. L. 16. for
"ctu-oAtriA it" read " ctu-OAriiAit." L. 17. In Connemara they
would say triA pAJAriTi pt.

P. 282, 1. 10, for "butitiAX)Aib " read " butiA-oAib." L. 19, for "ba e in
j-An," read " be 'f-*"." ^^^ ^or " e fin " read " 1 fin."

P. 284, 1 & 2. 9, for "ftci-o" read "a|i fidfo." L. 2, for " f eAtiticAitine "
read "feAfcAnnA" or " f eApcAtnne." L. 14. This mi(SeAititi used
to partly make his livelihood by journeying from place to place and
reciting Raftery's and other poems. Mr. Glynn told me he used to
hear him reciting Raftery's Repentance (see page 356) in theCathedral
Road in Tuam on Sundays. He was a native of Moycullen, and his
real name was Michael Connolly, but having spent many years as
parish clerk at Claregalway, he was always known under the name of
mtteAitin Ct^ifBAi. The poor fellow was found dead about ten
years ago on the roadside, near the school-house of Ballinderry,?parish
of Cummer. beAtinAtc "Oe te n-A AriAm !

P. 286, 1. II. ctAfjAttic is another form of this word In Connemara
sleet is ptififneAficA, pronounced like fteit-fneAficA. L. 16. Mr.
Glynn says that ffut, not fiubAt, is the correct reading. It is the
word always used In the Tuam district for working or going on
with something, as ca me Af fput (working) o iriAi-oiti 50 cjiAcnon*.
L. 22. A^ jeAjifA-o tiA nJfAjiA (literally "cutting the graces") means
blaspheming. A5 jeAf f a-6 iof a, etc., means the same thing.

P. 288, 1. a, btiif, according to Mr. Glynn, is quite right, and the line
means "at my neighbour's loss I used to laugh." L. 7. Glynn

XIV.

NOTES.

explained this line to rae as follows ; To weave a piece of cloth, two
balls of thread, equal in weight, are procured. The thread in each
ball should also be equal in length, which is seldom the case. When
the thread of one falls short of that of the other, the want is called
Afiid, J «., Af ftiAc, " out of thread," or tAftiAi-o j'"*i'*» "want of
thread." It was the woof-ball (Raftery himself) that ran short in thii
case. L. 24. Mr. Glynn says he got a MS. in the year 1863 from
one Michael Spelman, near Loughrea, which was written down from
Raftery's own mouth, and this line ran — CAbAifi tntre teAC «5«r An
f I'ot 'A-6«itTi — which is evidently correct. L. 5, for " caitiT)e " read
" tAi-ifoe," and for " f ommonf " read " fummonj'." L. 32, for
"^lAifcce " read " iii.i-6ce."

P. 289, for " I would " read " I used to," these, however, are both used in
about the same sense in Hibernian English.

p. 290, 1. 4, perhaps fcuAJ. CuAt^-ceACA is the common word. I have
also heard cuAij cbaca. In Connemara they say boj-ceACA, boj
rhyming to English " cow." L. 6, for "bAifceAt " read "bAifceAc."
SeAJATi tllAc fMoinn says that An fion should be Atin fin, "then."
L. 14, for 50 FACAf "jtif pActAf " would be said in Connemara.

p. 292, 1. I, for "6' " read "b' "; for "tiA" read "ti-oiit." L. 11, id. L. 14'
Glynn says that fiors is correct here, and that it means "made
channels or tracks " down its sides. SiofjA'O means " lockspitting."
L. 16, fofiVAc = " discreet," says Mr. Glynn.

P. 294, nA mbeo-DAib, corrupt for tiA mbeo. Mr. Mat Finn says th
correct word as he heard it is rr"^ "■* mAott(e). L. 16, for " ACAif "
read "ACAf." L. 3. Glynn says jAibteAc should probably be
ciiAibteA6, "pious," which would make sense.

P. 296, 1., for "At-i:nn" read "Ac-cinn." Mr. Glynn says his versions
all read .dcA-con. The bush is also, he says, called " Sjeitin t)AiLe
«i "OdAnAttAiTi," or the Little Bush cf Ballydonnellan. There are
two townlands of this name, one in the barony of Clare, the other
in that of Kilconnell. Part of a castle built by an ancestor of the
O'Donnellans in the year 936 is still standing in this last one. A
man named Fahy, of Dnniry parish told Glynn that it was in this
same townland, in the Parish of Killallaghtan, that the bush was.
My own opinion is that Rafteiy varied the locality of the bush from
time to time according to the part of the country in which he found
himself, and this is also Mat Finn's view.

P. 304, 1. 8. for "com-oroe" read " dom-oi-oe," and for "bio-o" read
"a mbioi)."

P- 305,1. 5, for "hound" read "hand." L. 17, for "rod" read ";nod."

P. 306, 1. 14, for "fAin " read " riinn."

P. 309, 1. 10, II, read ' ' The watchword waB given into every one's month
to strangle the watchers [«'.«., the Danish Guards], and to blow wisps"
[of fire, for a signal].

NOTES. XT.

P. 310, for " StA" read " St." but that is how I found it.

P. 312, I. II. This eioTincAij is, as Dr. Henry has pointed out to mci
undoubtedly a mistake for tionncAiJ, " turned " or "perverted."

P. 318. 1. 8, for "a ■opis " better read " Ati faj," but I found it as above.

P. 324, 1. 15, for "muince" read "muince." L. 21, for "6itiinti" read
" 6iiteAnti ". The Mary Brown spoken of here was celebrated in a
poem by Raftery's rival, Patsy Calanan, which I took down from a
blind piper. I have been told that she was afterwards the mother
of Frank Hugh O'Donnell, at one time M.P. for the boroueh of
Galway.

P. 326. I. 19, for "i" read "1." L. 29. bA tA.tJtie would be more
grammatical, but the other form is common.

P. 3*7. •• '7. fo' " fiddler " read " weaver."

P. 330. 1. 24, better 50 6F«'5*eA- L. 19, There is a large swallow-hole
close to the house where the Ballylee river is sucked down, and
passes underground on its way to Kinvara. This hole was called An
SoiUAtt, and hence Raftery's verse.

P. 332. 1. IS. for " 6it«itin " read " 6ijieAfln."

P. 334. 1- "• One would expect perhaps n(or site, but I find the other
form used just as often.

P. 336, 1. 4, read f'tiftAtf a-6.

P- 338, 1- 15, read j-iutJAit.

P. 340, 1. 24. This SeA^Ati O CttittionAin was a second cousin of my
friend, Sei^An tTlAc •ftoinn, who tells m« that when he first saw his
MS. it was a large book, but being constantly lent, and undergoing
the hardships attendant on " lAfAct m. n-tArAtc," It Rradually shed
its pages, until scarcely a hundred of them were left. He was bom at
CAirteAti t>i]i'6e tAitiiiAij (the yellow Castle of Tavnagh, see my
story of CobAjj 'Oeitte An T)omAin), and died in the United States
about twenty-five years ago. He was something of a poet himself,
but I have not seen any of his compositions. The CAirteAti was built
by the Clanrickard Burkes.

P. 356, 1. I, read ReA^cuifie.

P. 358, 1. 16. This line, according to Glynn, runs in all the versions he
had ever heard or seen— "m4t< leij me An rsojt aji Ati mei)i if pui-oe,"
1./., " I let my score go on the longest finger?' To " put a thing on the
long finger " is a common expression both in Irish and Hibernian
English, for postponing or procrastinating about a thing.

P. 362, note 2. SeiJAn ITIac frLoinn tells me that the name of the man
who translated the " Repentance " was Keely not Kelly. The two
poems which I call the "Cholera Morbus" and the "Repentance,"
but which, according to nearly all the evidence, were originally looked
upon as one piece, were printed with Keely's translation either in

XVI.

NOTES.

Raftery's own lifetime or very soon after his death, and sold as a
hymn. The Irish verses in my note, p. 362, were appended to it,
and it is said that Raftery was exceedingly angry at Keely having the
audacity to couple his name with Raftery's own. SeiJAti tTIAc •plointi
has a printed copy of this poem with the date 1844 on it in writing.
Mr. Mat Finn agrees that I did quite right in separating these
poems, and adds — " I was told that the late Dr. MacHale of Tuam
said that if Raftery was sinning all his life this poem, and ' arrhie
an bas' (sic) was enough to save him."

P. 362, 1. 12. Mat Finn thinks Ballagh is a mistake for Gallagh, the
Irish name for Castleblakeny, but Mr. Glynn says eAiiAc-cAtA is
the proper word — a townland in the parish of Clonfert, barony of
Longford. L. 15. Glynn says ■ooccun TjeoitAf, "the curing drop,"
as he ttanslates it, is the right word here, but I do not know the
expression.

P. 364, lines 17, 19, 22, for "Al>tiAii" read "Afti^An e."

P. 368, 1. 17. The word is "feotAn," according to Sea SAtitTlAC fMoinn
and means "a gust or whiff [of the smell]."

[C1l1o6.]