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Cúi‰t an ´ea«on Oi«¥e—The Midnight Court le/by B‰ian Me‰‰iman |
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| D’éi‰i³ an µánla a‰ ¢a‰‰ a bínŠe, | 855 | The day was dawning out in the street, |
| ’S do šoillŠi’ an lá Šan áit ’n-a tim¥eall, | 856 | As Aoibheal rose up from her seat |
| B’áluinn óg a cló ’Š a caoind‰ea¥, | 857 | She had a youthful glow on her form and face |
| B’á‰d a gló‰ ba ¢eó iŠ ba ¢ío«ga¥. | 858 | Her voice was strong and full of grace |
| D’±áiŠc a dói‰ne iŠ d’o‰dui³ deiµnea¥ | 859 | She clasped her hands and with vehemence |
| Báille a‰ bó‰d ag fógai‰t Silence. | 860 | Instructed the bailiff to order Silence |
| Adu¢ai‰t a béal ¢í ag Šéidea« ŠoillŠe,— | 861 | The whole of the court gradually grew quiet |
| An ¥úi‰t go léi‰ go faon ag éiŠtea¥t:— | 862 | And she spoke these words in a voice so bright— |
| Do-³ei¢imŠe dí‰ea¥ b‰í³ ¥un buai«te | 863 | I find lot’s of merit in the case you bring |
| ’S fei«m it ¥aínt-Še a ¢‰ídea¥ ¢ua‰÷a. | 864 | It was a hell of a speech, you poor young thing. |
| ¤ím, ’Š iŠ dói³ gu‰ dói³te an ‰a«a‰c liom, | 865 | I see, and it’s a sight that’s certainly grave, |
| Síol‰a¥ Ó‰±lai÷ ´ói‰e iŠ ´ei«¢e, | 866 | That the descendants of Orla, Mór and Meave |
| An Šeifteói‰ caol ’Š an c‰éatúi‰ cla«a‰÷a, | 867 | Are now sly connivers and spineless creatures |
| An ceiŠteói‰ claon ’Š an déi‰ceói‰ doi³ea‰÷a, | 868 | Creepy characters and poor alms-seekers |
| Sú³ na tái‰e iŠ tál na coimŠe | 869 | The lowliest of the low and the fairly well off |
| Ag Šúil le Šá‰±uil Šáµ na Šaoi÷e. | 870 | Desperately coveting the bloodlines of the toff. |
| A¥táimid ma‰ dli³e do ¢éi÷e | 871 | These are the laws that will govern from this date: |
| An Šea¥t fó ÷‰í gan ¥oiµ‰ea¥ céile | 872 | One: He who reaches twenty-one without a mate |
| Do ÷a‰‰aing a‰ ¥eann go teann gan t‰uai³e | 873 | Shall be dragged off by the hair of his head |
| ’S a ¥eangal don ¥‰ann Šo i dteannta an tuama. | 874 | And tied to a tree there among the dead |
| Bainigi«e lom de a ¥o¢ail ’Š a ¥óta, | 875 | His coat to be taken and he be made to strip |
| ’S feannaigi«e a «‰om ’Š a ¥om le có‰da. | 876 | And the daylights beaten out of him with a whip. |
| An ¥uid aca ÷a‰la bái«te i mblia«nta | 877 | Two: Those of the men who are old and sick |
| ’S ¥eileaŠ go tái‰ an tái‰nge tia‰pa, | 878 | Who shamelessly failed to use their prick |
| ¤ui‰eaŠ amu³a gan Šu¢¥uŠ d’éinne | 879 | And wasted the best years of their youth |
| Buile na hú÷a iŠ lú÷ a ngéaga, | 880 | Without giving pleasure however minute |
| Do µeilleaŠ a gcáil iŠ fa³áil a‰ µnaoi aca | 881 | With women willing, they could have had a spree |
| Ag fei÷eaµ gan fá÷ a‰ ¢a‰‰ na c‰aoi¢e, | 882 | But hung round like Mad Sweeney in the tree |
| Fágaim fúi¢-Še tionnŠcal páiŠe | 883 | The design of their torture to you I entrust, |
| A µná na dúile dú¢a« le dálguŠ; | 884 | You women of dashed and disappointed lust; |
| Ceapaigi«e fí‰niµ teinte iŠ tai‰ngi¢, | 885 | Use female ingenuity to plan the details |
| Cai÷igi«e Šmaointe iŠ inntlea¥t µná leiŠ, | 886 | Of a hell of fire and a rack of nails |
| Cui‰i« ¢u‰ gcoµai‰le i gcoµa‰ le ¥éile, | 887 | Put your heads together and stay the course |
| ’S tugaimŠe coµa¥ta an fó‰Ša «éanaµ. | 888 | I’ill give you the power to put it in force |
| Do-¢ei‰im gan Špአdí¢ páiŠ na gcianta¥,— | 889 | You are free to punish the old men at will |
| ’S beag liom bአgan ba‰‰³oin pian dói¢. | 890 | In their case, I don’t care if you torture or kill. |
| Ní ¥ui‰imŠe i ¢fá÷ de ¢a‰‰ mo ¥aínte | 891 | In my commission to you, I don’t mind |
| An foi‰¢÷ea¥ fálta cáŠlag claoi«te, | 892 | How you treat the oldsters, blighted and blind |
| An ga¢al gan go÷a ná an gola gan geall šuilt, | 893 | With their bony bodies and grimacing grins |
| An toll gan to‰a« ná an to‰ma¥ fallŠa, | 894 | Their lifeless lions and scabrous skins. |
| A¥t léig÷a‰ an óige i gcói‰ ¥um Šíol‰ai« | 895 | Three: If the young go about the job of copulation |
| ’S déanfa an Šó‰t Šo clóca iŠ díon dói¢. | 896 | Then my law will protect them from condemnation. |
| ’S minic a do-¥ímŠe ‰innŠi³ ¢ao÷a | 897 | I’m grateful when I see working men, sometimes poor |
| Ag tuitim le ti³eaŠ, iŠ bímŠe bui«ea¥ dío¢, | 898 | Labouring so hard you’d think they’d faint for sure |
| Ga¢÷a le mná de lá aguŠ d’oi«¥e | 899 | Affectionate with their wives by day and by night |
| Ag coŠnaµ a gcáil ’Š a‰ Šcái÷ a ngníoµa‰÷a; | 900 | Protecting their good name with all their might |
| Ag ŠeaŠaµ ’n-a ¢fei«il iŠ ¢fei«m go fálta, | 901 | Standing by their side because it is right |
| A n-ainm a‰ ¥lann iŠ ¢einnŠe ŠáŠta. | 902 | To see these guys with kids would be such a delight |
| Do ¥uala Šiolla iŠ do cui‰ea« i ¢áŠta é— | 903 | Four: I heard a rumour that I’ve kept under wraps— |
| IŠ fua÷ liom boineanna¥ iomada¥ ‰ái«tea¥— | 904 | I can’t stand women who can’t close their traps— |
| La¢ai‰ go ‰éi« iŠ glaei« go híŠeal, | 905 | Don’t be too loud in spreading it around |
| BoŠ a‰ do ¢éal, iŠ bao³al ¢ei÷ caíntea¥! | 906 | Button the lip, safer to stay underground! |
| Sea¥ain go fóill na coµa¥tai³ íogµai‰ | 907 | Don’t push it too hard with the bishops yet |
| ’S cai÷fe Šiad póŠa« fóŠ pé ¥ífeaŠ. | 908 | That they’ll soon be married is a pretty safe bet. |
| Tiocfai« an lá le lán¥éad coµai‰le | 909 | The day will come if you’re quiet diplomats |
| ’S cui‰fi« an Pápa láµ na gcoµa¥t ai‰, | 910 | When the Pope will issue the necessary diktats |
| Sui«fe an ¥uidea¥ta a‰ ÷ubaiŠt na tí‰e, | 911 | A commission will examine the country’s state |
| IŠ Šcaoilfa‰ ¥ugai¢ faoi u‰¥all coiµ‰i³ | 912 | And there’ll be released to you, free to mate, |
| Fia«ntuŠ fola aguŠ fo÷‰am na feóla | 913 | Priests with fire in their blood and pulsing flesh |
| IŠ mian ¢u‰ dtoile na Štollai‰í teó Šo. | 914 | And the pick of these heart-throbs will fall into your mesh. |
| Éanduine eile da‰ hoilea« ó µnaoi a‰ bi÷— | 915 | Five: Anyone else who is of woman born |
| Léi³i« a ndei‰im iŠ feicim do ¢ío«ga; | 916 | Read him the riot act if he doesn’t reform |
| A‰ šli³e mo ¥umuiŠ ná fulaing i gcaoi a‰ bi÷ | 917 | Don’t have anything to do with sons of bitches |
| S‰aoill gan u‰‰aim ná Mui‰inn i mb‰íŠte, | 918 | Slovens without honour or Muireanns in britches |
| A¥t leanaid Šan tói‰ na feoi«ti³ lia÷a | 919 | And Six: Keep on the track of the old greybeards |
| IŠ glanaigi«e Fódla ón Šó‰t Šeo fia«aile! | 920 | And be sure to clear Ireland of all such weeds. |
| Cai÷fe me gluaiŠea¥t uai¢ ¥un Šiu¢ail, | 921 | That’s it, I must get going, I’ve appointments to keep, |
| IŠ fada mo ¥uai‰t-Še a‰ ±uaid na Muµan; | 922 | Many a mile to go before I sleep |
| An tu‰uŠ tá ‰óµam ní ±o³nann moill do, | 923 | The journey before me won’t brook delay |
| IŠ iomad den ³nó anŠo fóŠ gan éiŠtea¥t. | 924 | Unfinished business here will wait a new day |
| CaŠfa me a‰íŠ ’Š iŠ fío‰ nᥠfáiltea¥ | 925 | I’ll be back, which to some is not good news |
| D’±ea‰ai¢ na¥ díon me ÷i³ea¥t don áit Šeo; | 926 | Those to whom I give the blues; |
| An ¥uid aca atá go tái‰ n-a Šmaointe, | 927 | Who burnish their reputations when they spread |
| Fui‰eann na¥ fulái‰ leó a gcáil ¢ei÷ Šínte, | 928 | Stories about girls they’ve had in bed |
| ´aoi«eaŠ le fo÷‰am a gco÷‰om a‰ ¢éi÷e, | 929 | Who noisily boast having their way with maids |
| ¤ífe an pobul a gcogai‰ ’Š a Šméide. | 930 | So the public will judge them dashing blades |
| ’S taitneaµa¥ leó ’Š iŠ dó÷ gu‰ lao¥uŠ | 931 | It gives these poltroons such a rush to the head |
| Scannal na hóige póŠta iŠ aonta, | 932 | To scandalize the young, both single and wed |
| Mian a dtoile ní Špo‰ann a gcionta, | 933 | Their motives are not out of concupiscence |
| B‰éantuŠ fola ná bo‰‰a« na d‰úiŠe, | 934 | The desires of the flesh or crazed tumescence |
| Taitneaµ don ³níoµ ná fío¥ na féi÷e | 935 | The pleasure of the act or fire in the veins |
| A¥t maga« na mílte, maooi«eaµ a n-éa¥ta. | 936 | But the notoriety that their conduct attains. |
| Ní Šaínnt dá Šó³ ¢ei‰ beó na céadta | 937 | It’s not pursuing enjoyment that excites their senses |
| A¥t caínt iŠ gleó aguŠ mó‰tuŠ lao¥uiŠ, | 938 | But the general hullabaloo caused by their offences. |
| MuŠta‰ iŠ á¢a¥t iŠ ‰áig gan ‰ia³ail, | 939 | Of course, it’s all ostentation, exhibitionism and show |
| ’S a gcumuŠ go tlá÷ gan tál gan t‰iall, | 940 | With no more justification than that a chicken should crow |
| Go tuiŠealea¥ t቉lag táµ ’n-a n-iall, | 941 | Stumbling, bumbling, impotent, cold |
| ’S cu÷a¥ le gá¢a a‰ a µná ’n a ndiai«. | 942 | They couldn’t arouse a woman for silver or gold. |
| Glacfad me go ‰éi« an méid Šeo lái÷‰ea¥, | 943 | I’d deal with these miscreants right now, right here |
| Cai÷fe me géillea« ’o µéid mo ¹‰áinnea¥, | 944 | But I’m out of time, have to pack my gear |
| Cui‰fe me an ¢ui«ean Šo i gcuing ’Š in u³aim | 945 | I’ll throw the lot of them in the hoosegow |
| Nuai‰ ÷iocfa me a‰íŠ Šan mí Šeo ¥u³ainn. | 946 | When I come back here a month from now. |
| Do b‰ea÷ain me c‰uinn an ‰í³¢ean ‰éiltea¥, | 947 | I had observed Aoibheal closely through the night |
| ’S do lagui³ mo ¥‰oi«e le linn ¢ei÷ ‰éi« «i, | 948 | When she finished, I began to feel very uptight |
| D’ai‰i³ me dáŠa¥t ³‰ánµa‰ éigin | 949 | I experienced a profound fit of agitation |
| IŠ pai‰i÷iŠ ¢áiŠ im ¥náµa ’Š im ¥éadfa«; | 950 | My body paralyzed, my mind in consternation |
| ¤onnai‰c me an tí‰ ’Š an ti³eaŠ a‰ luaŠca«, | 951 | I thought that the ground and the building were shaking |
| IŠ fuinneaµ a caínte ag ‰innce im ¥luaŠa. | 952 | And with the import of her words, I was also quaking. |
| Tagann an bíoma bío«ga¥ báille, | 953 | The giant bailiff woman strides across the hall |
| IŠ lea÷ain mo lí÷e a‰ šínea« a láiµe; | 954 | When she stuck out that paw, I thought I’d fall. |
| ×a‰‰aing a‰ ¥luaiŠ go Štuaca¥ Štó‰÷a | 955 | She angrily grabbed me by the lug |
| St‰acai÷e ŠuaŠ léi a‰ ua¥ta‰ bói‰d me. | 956 | And to the front of the room, I was drug. |
| P‰eabann an ¢áb Šo ¥‰ái« an t-aonta, | 957 | There was the babe who was bummed at her fate |
| G‰eadann a láµa ’Š iŠ á‰d do léim Ší. | 958 | She clapped her hands, and jumping up straight |
| IŠ aibi« adu¢ai‰t—A ¥‰úŠta ¥‰íona | 959 | She fiercely said: You old bag of slime |
| IŠ fada me ag Šúil let ¥úlŠa ¥ío‰a«, | 960 | I’ve had my eye on you for a very long time |
| IŠ minic do Šlui³eaµ ÷u, a ¥‰oi«e gan daonna¥t, | 961 | It’s often I urged you, you heartless carrion |
| IŠ mi÷id duit Št‰íoca« ’o «lí na mbéi÷e. | 962 | That it was time for you to think of marrying. |
| CoŠaint cá ¢fá³ai« tu in a³ai« na cúiŠe? | 963 | Who will speak for you against the indictment? |
| Focal nío‰ ÷uill tu a lea«b gan lúi÷¥liŠ. | 964 | You don’t merit one word, you indolent serpent |
| Ca ¢fuil do šao÷a‰ Šao‰ le Šui«µ¥an? | 965 | Where is the proof of your amorous labours? |
| Ca ¢fuil na béi÷e bui«ea¥ det ³níoµa‰÷a? | 966 | Where are the women who appreciate your favours? |
| B‰ea÷ainŠe a ¢aill Šeo a µai³dean µao‰«a,— | 967 | Let’s examine him carefully, O Royal Lady, |
| Ainiµ ní ¢fa³aimŠe µeill a‰ ¢éi÷e é; | 968 | We won’t find on him a disabling malady |
| B‰ea÷ain go c‰uinn a ³naoi ’Š a ³éaga | 969 | Give him a once-over, thorough and complete |
| Ó ¢ai÷eaŠ a ¥inn go boinnn a ¥aol¥oŠ. | 970 | From the top of his head to the soles of his feet. |
| Bío« gu‰ab ainiµea¥ anµí¥úm÷a é | 971 | Grant you he’s no maiden’s prayer |
| ¤ímŠe ceangailte a ¢a‰‰a gan diúlta« | 972 | But all the essential bits are there. |
| A ³ile ní ³‰á«fainn, b’±ea‰‰ liom bui«e é, | 973 | He’s too pale for me; I’d prefer him brown, |
| IŠ cuma na gcnáµ—ní ¥áinfinn ¥oi«¥e | 974 | About the cut of his physique—well, I don’t frown |
| Duine mbea« d‰onn ’n-a «‰om iŠ fána«— | 975 | On people who have a hump on their back— |
| IŠ minic Šin to³a fi‰ c‰omšlinneána¥; | 976 | It’s often the one with a bod out of whack |
| Ba µinic Šin gamba¥ lannŠa gníoµa¥ | 977 | Who is most proficient at wielding the lance |
| IŠ ioŠcada cam ag Št‰ompa ¢‰ío³µa‰. | 978 | And bandy legs don't tell what’s in the pants. |
| IŠ fái÷i¢ foili³÷ea¥ ui‰eaŠ¢a¥ éigin | 979 | Is there a secret nefarious plan |
| D’±ág an doi‰¢÷ea¥ foi‰¢÷e in aonta, | 980 | That keeps unmarried this aging man |
| IŠ méid a ¥eana idi‰ µai÷i¢ na tí‰e,— | 981 | Given how he’s liked by the lords of the barony |
| A ‰éim le Šealad i gca‰aduŠ daoine, | 982 | And how he lives with other classes in harmony, |
| Seinnm a‰ ¥eólta Špó‰t iŠ aoi¢neaŠ | 983 | His single state lets him sport and play |
| Imi‰t ’Š ól a‰ ¢ó‰d an Šaoi÷e, | 984 | Lets him eat and drink and romp all day |
| I gcoµai‰ na fui‰inne fuinea« aŠ féile, | 985 | In the quality’s company to dawdle and tarry |
| An Šnaµai‰e a‰ b’±ui‰iŠ dom u‰‰aim-Še géillea«. | 986 | This shirker who could easily marry |
| IŠ tai«¢Šea¥ taitneaµa¥ tai‰¢ea¥ t‰éi÷ea¥ | 987 | Merryman seems a name for a merry man |
| Mei«‰ea¥ meanmna¥ a ainm ’Š iŠ ae‰a¥. | 988 | But, in your case, I must say it just doesn’t scan |
| Ainµi«e ’et šó‰t nío‰ o‰dui³ an Tia‰na,— | 989 | A creature like you is not in God’s design |
| Geanmnai«e fóŠ i gcoµga‰ liai÷e! | 990 | A gray-haired virgin is not at all divine |
| C‰ea÷aim go bonn le fonn do «ao‰÷a, | 991 | I’m dying to get you in my grip |
| IŠ gai‰id an ¥a¢ai‰ do la¢a‰÷a bao÷a, | 992 | Your quick lip won’t let you give me the slip |
| IŠ coi‰ mó« iŠ dí‰ea¥ Šui«te it éadan— | 993 | Your crime is stamped in the lines on your forehead— |
| Dei¥ fó ÷‰í gan coiµ‰ea¥ céile. | 994 | That you are age thirty and still not wed. |
| ÉiŠti³ lium-Ša a ¥lú na ¢foi«nnea¥, | 995 | Listen to me, O fellow sufferers |
| Fa³aimŠe congna« i gcúiŠ na mai³dne; | 996 | This guy is one among those who torture us |
| An c‰á« ’Š an dúla« µú¥ gan ¢‰í³ me, | 997 | The sorrow that has burdened me down, |
| A µná na múi‰ne, iŠ ‰ún liom íoc ai‰. | 998 | Girls, I want to take it out on this clown. |
| Congnai« dei‰im li¢, bei‰i« ai‰, tóg é, | 999 | Help me, I ask you, grab the dope; |
| A Úna goi‰im ÷u ’Š fa³ «am có‰da; | 1000 | Úna, hurry, fetch me a rope |
| Ca ¢fuil tu, a Áine, ná bí a‰ ia‰‰ai«! | 1001 | Anne, where are you, don’t get lost |
| CeangailŠe, a ´ái‰e, a láµa a‰ dtao¢ ÷ia‰ de! | 1002 | Mary, tie his hands to the post |
| A ´ui‰inn, a ´ea«¢, a Sha«¢ ’Š a Shíle, | 1003 | Muireann, Meave, Shiela and Saive |
| Cui‰i« i ¢fei«m le doi³ea‰÷ai¢ díog‰aiŠ | 1004 | Feel free, go ahead, and skin him alive |
| Ba‰‰ ga¥ Šcóla d’o‰dui³ an tŠí«¢ean, | 1005 | As the fairy lady authorized last night, |
| Bái÷i« Ša ¢feóil ga¥ có‰da Šnai«mea¥, | 1006 | Knot the rope good and tight |
| ToµaiŠ go fial na pianta iŠ c‰uai«e | 1007 | Be generous with the pain that you deal out |
| Le tóin ’Š le tia‰pa ¡‰iain, gan t‰ua³ a‰ bi÷; | 1008 | To the ass of Brian, the heartless lout; |
| Tóg na láµa iŠ a‰dui³ an Šciúi‰Še, | 1009 | Raise your hands high and lay on the whip |
| ’S Šómpla Šáµ é a µná na múi‰ne! | 1010 | Use elbow grease to give it some zip |
| Gea‰‰aigi«e doiµin, nío‰ ÷uill Šé fá¢a‰! | 1011 | He deserves no less, cut him deep with each blow |
| Baini« an lea«b ó ‰inn go Šáil de! | 1012 | Flay him evenly from head to toe |
| CloiŠtea‰ a ¥ling i gc‰ío¥ai¢ Éi¢i‰ | 1013 | Let the crack of the whip be heard throughout Ireland |
| ’S c‰i÷ea« a gc‰oi«e ’Šna c‰íontai³ aonta. | 1014 | Put the fear of God in the unmarried band. |
| IŠ ciallµa‰ cea‰t an t-a¥t é, Šaoilim, | 1015 | This new legislation is such a blast |
| Blia«ain an ai¥t Šeo iŠ cea‰t a Šc‰ío¢a« «úinn:— | 1016 | We have to record the year it was passed:— |
| Réi«ti³, ceil, nó goid de Šceiµle | 1017 | Figure: one thousand less one hundred and ten |
| Céad iŠ dei¥ fé lei÷ aŠ míle, | 1018 | Leaves eight hundred and ninety which when |
| Dúbail cea‰t an f‰eaŠtal fui«lai³, | 1019 | Doubled gives the year Seventeen Eighty |
| IŠ ÷úi‰ling Mac an tŠea¥tµain ‰oiµe-Šin. | 1020 | From which we’ll date Year One of our history. |
| Glacann Ší a peann ’Š mo ¥eann-Ša Šuai«te | 1021 | As she grabbed a pen my head did hang |
| A‰ eagla m’±eannta iŠ Šcann‰a« an ¢uailte; | 1022 | In terror of more torture from that gang; |
| An fea« do ¢í Ší ag Šc‰ío¢a« an dáta | 1023 | While she was writing down the date |
| IŠ mai÷i¢ an ti³e aici Šui«te a‰ gá‰dain, | 1024 | Which the court members round her could corroborate |
| Do Šca‰aŠ lem néill, do ‰éi«eaŠ mo šúile, | 1025 | I woke from my sleep, my pit of despair |
| ’S do ¹‰eabaŠ de léim ón bpéin ’om «úiŠea¥t! | 1026 | And realized with relief—it was just a nightmare. |
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 This task of editing and translating was completed on February 27, 1998. I bid farewell to the work and wish it well on its journey around the wide world. |
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