| IŠ deiµin go ¢feaca me a‰ laŠa« le tói‰Ši¢ | 139 | For sure, I saw there ablaze with light |
| An tea³la¥ taitneaµa¥ maiŠeaµa¥ mó‰ta¥ | 140 | What seemed like a stately mansion bright |
| SoillŠea¥ ŠeaŠµa¥ lannµail lóm‰a¥ | 141 | Sparkling, spacious, tapestried, |
| Tai«¢Šea¥ ta÷aca¥ daingean dea³«ói‰Šea¥, | 142 | Spectral, sturdy, brilliant indeed |
| ¤onnai‰c me an tŠí«¢ean µíonla ¢éaŠa¥ | 143 | I spied Aoibheall, the fairy wench |
| ¤umuiŠ ’n-a Šui«e a‰ ¢ínŠe an tŠao‰¥i‰t | 144 | Seated on the judge’s bench |
| ¤onnai‰c me gá‰da láidi‰ luaimnea¥ | 145 | I saw a strong and nimble guard |
| Iomada¥ ቉÷a¥ t቉aing÷e ŠuaŠ léi, | 146 | Numerously gathered round their ward; |
| ¤onnai‰c me lái÷‰ea¥ lántea¥ líonta | 147 | I saw a household that was jammed |
| Ó µulla¥ go lበde µná iŠ de «aoine, | 148 | With men and women inside it crammed. |
| ¤onnai‰c me Špéi‰¢ean µao‰hda µall‰uiŠc | 149 | Then came forward a majestic cailín |
| ´iliŠ¢og ¢éaltaiŠ µéa‰lag µeallta¥ | 150 | She was soft and comely, of gentle mien |
| ×ai÷neaµa¥ šáŠta ÷ácla¥ ±ionn | 151 | With tumbling tresses framing her face |
| ’N-a ŠeaŠaµ in ái‰de a‰ ¥lበna mionn. | 152 | As on the stand she took her place. |
| ¡í a g‰uaig léi Šcaoilte ŠíoŠ go Šlaoda¥ | 153 | Her hair was loose and flowing free |
| IŠ buai‰eaµ Šui«te fío‰ ’n-a féa¥aint, | 154 | But her face was the picture of misery |
| Fuinneaµ ’n-a ‰a«a‰c iŠ fa³ai‰t ’n-a Šúile | 155 | Her eyes were fierce and filled with hate |
| IŠ fiu¥a« le d‰a³an uilc ai³niŠ fú÷a; | 156 | And she worked herself to such a state |
| A caínt dá coŠc le loŠca« cléi¢e; | 157 | That she moaned and heaved and sobbed and sighed |
| Gan gíog ’n-a toŠt a¥t to¥t dá t‰ao¥a«, | 158 | But couldn’t speak though hard she tried. |
| Do b’±ui‰iŠ a ‰á nu‰ bአba« ‰o³a léi | 159 | You could see from the flood of tears she shed |
| IŠ tuile gan tlአag tál go t‰om léi,— | 160 | That she’d much prefer if she were dead |
| ’N-a ŠeaŠaµ a‰ lበan ¥lái‰ ’n-a Šai³ead | 161 | Than being on the floor facing the stands |
| ’S í ag g‰eada« na láµ iŠ ag fáŠca« a la³a‰. | 162 | Kneading her fists and wringing her hands. |
| An uai‰ do ³oil Ší folcaí fío¥µa‰ | 163 | After her protracted jags of crying |
| IŠ d’±uaŠcail oŠnaí go÷aí caínte | 164 | She cleared her throat, with much sighing |
| D’im÷i³ an Šmúit iŠ d’iompai³ Šnó« ui‰÷i | 165 | The gloom lifted from her tear-stained cheek, |
| ×io‰mui³ Ší a gnúiŠ iŠ du¢ai‰t ma‰ ’neóŠad:— | 166 | She dried her eyes and started to speak:— |
| | | |
| “Míle fáilte iŠ gai‰deaŠ cléi¢ ‰oµat, | 167 | A thousand welcomes, we guarantee |
| A Aoi¢eall, a ±ái«¢ean ቊa on Léi÷¥‰aig, | 168 | O Aoibheall, venerable queen of Craiglea, |
| A ŠoillŠe an lae iŠ a ‰ae gan ¥oimŠe, | 169 | Light of the day, Ray of the sun |
| A šai¢‰eaŠ šao³alta i ngéi¢inn daoi‰Še | 170 | Worldly wealth for the hard-put-upon |
| A ¥eannuŠa¥ ¢ua«a¥ ó šluai³te an aoi¢niŠ, | 171 | Conquering commander of the hosts of the blessed |
| Ba eaŠnaµ c‰uai« ÷u i dTua«µain iŠ i dTí‰ Lui‰c; | 172 | In Thomond and Tír Lorc you were sorely missed; |
| ’S é túiŠ mo ¥áiŠ iŠ fá÷ mo ¥aointe | 173 | The crux of my case, the cause of my woe |
| CúiŠ do ¥‰ái« me iŠ d’±ág me claoi«te | 174 | The ache that has plagued me and laid me low |
| ¡ain dem ÷‰eói‰ me iŠ šeóil gan ¥iall me, | 175 | What knocked me sideways and struck me dumb |
| IŠ ¥ai÷ ma‰ ¥eó me dóite i bpianta,— | 176 | Caused a searing pain that left me numb,— |
| Na Šluai³te im÷i³eann gan ¥‰í¥ gan ¥aoµna« | 177 | The finest of maidens wandering around |
| A‰ ±uaid an tŠaoi³il Šeó d’±ío‰Šcoi÷ béi÷e | 178 | Without hope of a husband, a shilling or pound, |
| ’N-a gcaillea¥a du¢a gan cuµda¥ céile | 179 | Despondent young things without help of a mate |
| Cai÷te gan clú gan cionnta claon¢ea‰t. | 180 | Innocently barred from the matrimonial state. |
| IŠ ai÷nid dam féin Šan méid Šeó šiu¢laŠ | 181 | I know these maidens whereof I speak |
| Bean aguŠ céad nበµéin leó a «iúlta« | 182 | One hundred and one for whom prospects are bleak |
| IŠ miŠe in a meaŠc mo ¥‰ea¥ ma‰ táimŠe | 183 | I list myself among these wrecks: |
| D’im÷i³ im Špaid gan fea‰ gan ¹áiŠte. | 184 | I got my gender but I get no sex |
| Mo «o¥a‰ mo «ó³a« mo ¢‰ón ma‰ ¢íom | 185 | At my time of life, ’tis depressing and cold |
| Gan Šo¥a‰ gan Šó³ gan Šeóid gan Ší÷, | 186 | Doing without luxuries, jewels and gold, |
| Go doil¢i‰ duai¢Šea¥ dua«µa‰ dí÷ea¥ | 187 | Gloomy and cheerless is my plight |
| Gan codla« gan Šuan gan Šuai‰ceaŠ oi«¥e, | 188 | Unable to sleep through the pleasureless night, |
| A¥t maŠlai÷e i mbuai‰t gan ŠuaiµneaŠ Šínte | 189 | But tossed with worry lying there |
| A‰ leabain leaµ±ua‰ dበŠua÷a« ag Šmaointe. | 190 | On a chilly bed, alone not a pair. |
| A ¥ái« na Ca‰‰aige b‰ea÷ain go bío«ga¥ | 191 | O Lady of Craiglea, you must assess |
| Mná na Banba in anac‰a Šui«te, | 192 | The extent of Irish women’s distress, |
| A‰ nóŠ má leanaid na fea‰ai¢ dá ¢fuada‰ | 193 | How, if the men continue with their ways, |
| Ó¥, mo laga‰! a¥t cai÷famna a ¢fuada¥. | 194 | Alas, women will have to make the plays |
| ’S é am nu‰ µéin leó céile ¹óŠa« | 195 | By the time the men are disposed to wed |
| An t-am nu‰ «éi‰c le héinne gó¢áil leó! | 196 | They’re no longer worth our while to bed |
| An t-am nበ¢’fiú ¢ei÷ fú÷a Šínte— | 197 | And it’ll be no fun to lie below |
| Na Šeandai³ ÷onnda šúi³te ¥laoi«te. | 198 | Those old men who are so weak and slow. |
| Dá dtuitea« ama¥ le teaŠ na hóige | 199 | Even if, with a young man’s fire, |
| Duine fén Šea¥t a‰ ÷ea¥t féaŠóige | 200 | One in seven of the beardless were to desire |
| Ceangal le mnaoi, ní míntaiŠ ÷o³fi«— | 201 | To mate with a lass of his own age |
| ×aitneaµa¥ šui«te ’e šíol ná d’±o³luim, | 202 | He wouldn’t choose the noble or sage |
| Cló«eaŠ ¥aoin nó míonla µánla | 203 | With an hour-glass figure and a knockout face |
| A mb’eól di Šui«e ná ti³ea¥t do lá÷ai‰, | 204 | One who can carry herself with grace |
| A¥t doineannta¥ o«a‰ nó donn doil³eaŠa¥ | 205 | But an icy, cheerless, catty bitch |
| Do ¥‰uinni³ le do³‰aing ca¢ai‰ nᥠcui¢e «i! | 206 | Who used all her guile to make herself rich. |
| | | |
| ’S é ¥‰á mo ¥‰oi«e iŠ do Šcaoil gan ¥éill me | 207 | It’s the scourge of my heart and a pain in my head |
| ’S d’±ág mo Šmaointe iŠ m’intinn t‰ao¥ta | 208 | And fills my thoughts with a sense of dread |
| T‰ái³te tinn ma‰ taoim, go t‰éi÷lag, | 209 | It’s what has made me sad and sighing |
| C‰ái³te claoi«te ag caoi« iŠ ag géa‰³ol,— | 210 | Totally wasted with all this crying,— |
| Nuai‰ ¥ím p‰eabai‰e calma c‰oi«µail | 211 | When I see a lad who’s brave and cool |
| Fuad‰a¥ fea‰µail ba‰‰µail b‰íoµa‰ | 212 | Who is virile, vigorous and strong as a mule |
| Stuam«a feaŠa¥ ŠeaŠµa¥ Šaoi÷µail | 213 | Who is steadfast, skillful, bright as a pin |
| G‰uai««eaŠ g‰eannaµa‰ geanµail gnaoi«µail, | 214 | Fresh-faced, funny, with a ready grin |
| Nó bua¥aill baŠtalla¥ bea¥anta b‰óig«eaŠ | 215 | Or a boy who is frisky, frolicky, fun |
| C‰uai«¥ea‰t ceanuŠa¥ ceapai÷e có‰a¥ | 216 | With a well-built body, second to none |
| Buai«te ceannui³÷e ceangailte póŠta | 217 | Beaten, bought, bound unawares |
| Ag fuaid ag cailli³ ag aimid nó ag óinµid, | 218 | By a hussy who’s extremely light upstairs |
| Nó ag Šuai‰le Šala¥ de ¥aile gan tionnŠcal, | 219 | Or a slovenly slattern, a workless wench |
| Stuaicea¥ Štailicea¥ ai÷iŠea¥ Štannca¥ | 220 | Who’d make you gag with her noisome stench |
| Suaitea¥ Šodala¥ focla¥ fái«µail | 221 | A prating, prattling, babbling bag |
| Cua‰da¥ codlata¥ goi‰gea¥ g‰áinµail. | 222 | An indolent, irritable, horrible hag. |
| Mo ¥‰ea¥ iŠ mo lot! Tá molt mí¢éaŠa¥, | 223 | My God, I hear that an ill-mannered mare |
| Caile na gcoŠ iŠ folt gan ‰éi«tea¥, | 224 | With unshod feet and uncombed hair |
| Dá ceangal ano¥t ’Š é loiŠc go léi‰ me, | 225 | Is to be hitched tonight which I find really grating; |
| IŠ ca ¢fuil mo lo¥t nᥠdto³fa«e ‰éimpi? | 226 | What’s wrong with me that I’m left here waiting? |
| C‰éad an t-a«¢a‰ ná ta¢a‰fai«e g‰á« «am | 227 | What is the reason that no one loves me |
| IŠ mé ¥oµ lea¢ai‰, ¥oµ mo«µail ¥oµ b‰ea³ Šo? | 228 | And I so lissome, so svelt and so lovely? |
| IŠ deaŠ mo ¢éal, mo «éid ’Š mo ³ái‰e, | 229 | My lips so red are made to be kissed |
| IŠ geal mo ³né, iŠ tá m’éadan tlá÷ taiŠ, | 230 | My face so bright it cannot be missed |
| IŠ glaŠ mo Šúil,tá m’ú‰la Šcáinnea¥ | 231 | My eyes are green, my locks are flowing |
| Ba¥alla¥ búcla¥ cúpla¥ fáinnea¥, | 232 | Curly and plaited and healthily glowing |
| Mo leaca iŠ mo ³úiŠ gan Šmúit gan Šmá¥all | 233 | My forehead and cheeks are without zits or boils |
| Ta‰‰aing÷e cum÷a lonn‰a¥ Šcá÷µa‰ | 234 | A porcelain complexion that nothing spoils. |
| Mo ¹íop, mo ¢‰á³aid, mo láµa, mo µéa‰a, | 235 | My neck, my breast, my hand, my finger |
| Ag Šío‰¢‰ei÷ ba‰‰ na háilne ó ¥éile. | 236 | Each would make a young lad linger. |
| Féa¥ mo ¥om! na¥ lea¢ai‰ mo ¥náµa, | 237 | Look at my waist, my fine bone frame |
| Ní’l me lom ná c‰om ná Štága¥, | 238 | I’m not crooked or hunched or lame |
| Seo toll iŠ coŠa iŠ colann na¥ nበliom, | 239 | A butt, a foot, a figure to impress |
| ’S an to³a go Šocai‰ fé ¥ove‰ ná t‰á¥taim. | 240 | I’ll not go into what’s beneath my dress. |
| Ní Šuai‰tle caile ná Š‰eangai‰e mná me | 241 | I’m not a hussy, nor yet a drip |
| A¥t Štuai‰e cailce tá taitneaµa¥ b‰ea³ deaŠ, | 242 | But a delicate beauty with lots of zip, |
| Ní Š‰aoill ná Šlaid ná luid gan fáŠca« | 243 | Not a slovenly, slatternly pig |
| Ná ŠmíŠte dui‰c gan Šult gan ŠáŠaµ, | 244 | Nor a joyless boorish prig. |
| LóiŠtea¥ lo¢÷a ná toice gan éifea¥t, | 245 | Not a lazy laggard with no clout |
| A¥t óig¢ean Šco÷÷a ¥oµ to³÷a ’Š iŠ féidi‰. | 246 | But a choice young woman well turned out |
| Dá mbeinnŠe Šilte ma‰ tuillea« dem ¥oµu‰Šain, | 247 | If I were as worthless as some of my neighbours |
| Lea«ba¥ lioŠta gan tuiŠgin gan eóluŠ, | 248 | A tiresome tramp who never labours |
| Gan ‰a«a‰c, gan ³liocuŠ in imi‰t mo ¥ó‰a¥, | 249 | In the ways of the world without foresight or flair |
| Mo ÷‰ei³id! cበµiŠde me ‰i÷ in éadó¥uŠ? | 250 | What would it matter if I fell into despair? |
| Ní ±eaca÷aŠ fóŠ me i gcoµga‰ daoine, | 251 | But it has never been on people’s tongue |
| Ag fai‰e ná ag tó‰‰aµ óg ná c‰íona, | 252 | That, at wake or funeral for old or young, |
| A‰ µa¥ai‰e an ¢ái‰e an ‰áiŠ ná na ‰innce, | 253 | In the hall for the dances or at the race track |
| I ¢fa‰‰a« na dtáinte a‰ bánta líonta, | 254 | On the hurling pitch among the pack |
| A¥t ga¢÷a go Šáµ gan ¥áim a‰ doµan | 255 | I wasn’t dressed from head to toe |
| I gculai÷e šáŠta ó ¢a‰‰ go bonn. | 256 | In a tasty costume fit for a show. |
| Bei« a ¥ea‰t im ¥úl de ¹úda‰ fillte, | 257 | My hair is powdered to a T |
| Sta‰¥ iŠ Štiúi‰ i gcúl mo ¥oife, | 258 | My starched cap riding jauntily |
| Húda geal gan ceal ‰ibíní | 259 | My bright-hued hood with ribbons galore |
| Gúna b‰eac ’Š a ¥ea‰t ‰uffaí leiŠ; | 260 | A polka dress with a ruffled pinafore |
| IŠ annaµ go b‰á¥ gan fáŠáil ae‰a¥ | 261 | And I’m seldom without it, except in bed, |
| ×aitneaµa¥ ¢‰eá³ lem ¥eá‰dán c‰ao‰ag, | 262 | My cardinal cloak of deepest red. |
| IŠ aniomda luí¢na c‰aoi¢a iŠ éanlai÷ | 263 | My striped cambric apron is fit for a queen |
| A‰ m’ ap‰ún Šíoga¥ ‰ío³«a¥ camb‰ic; | 264 | Embroidered with a plant and animal scene |
| Sála cum÷a cuµanga có‰a¥ | 265 | Stiletto heels attached with screws |
| Á‰da Šleaµaine a‰ Šc‰ew fém ¢‰óga, | 266 | Give a lift to my fashionable shoes |
| Búclaí iŠ fáinní iŠ láiµne Šíoda, | 267 | Gloves of silk and buckles and rings |
| FonnŠaí p‰áiŠlí iŠ láŠaí daoi‰a. | 268 | These are a few of my favourite things. |
| Sea¥ain, ná Šaoil nu‰ Šceinntea¥ Šcá÷µa‰, | 269 | But beware, don’t think I’m loose a screw |
| Aimid gan ³aoiŠ nó naoinda¥ nái‰ea¥ | 270 | A witless fool or quaking ingenue |
| Eagla¥ uaignea¥ ualla¥ ±ia«ain me, | 271 | Who’s timorous, lonesome, whimpering, weak |
| Gealta¥ gan ³uaiŠ gan Štuaim gan téaga‰; | 272 | A simpering, cowering, beaten-down freak. |
| I ¢fala¥ ní ‰a³ainnŠe ó ‰a«a‰c na gcéadta, | 273 | I will not go and hide from the crowd, |
| IŠ ceannuŠa¥ tai«¢Šea¥ m’a³ai« aguŠ m’éadan, | 274 | For my face is imperious, noble and proud |
| IŠ dea‰¢÷a ¢ím dom šío‰÷eŠbeána« | 275 | And I can assure you I’m always displayed |
| A‰ µa¥ai‰e µín ga¥ fío‰iomána, | 276 | On the level pitch where games are played |
| Ag ‰innce, ag bái‰e, ‰áŠ iŠ ‰adai‰ea¥t, | 277 | At dances, races and masquerades |
| Teinte cnáµ iŠ ‰áfla iŠ ‰agai‰ne, | 278 | Round bonfires, at raffles and parades |
| Ag aona¥ ma‰ga« iŠ Aif‰eann Doµnai³, | 279 | At Sunday Mass and in market squares |
| Ag éileaµ b‰ea÷nui³÷e, ag aµa‰c ga¥ to³a fi‰. | 280 | Sashaying before males, inviting their stares. |
| ¤ai÷eaŠ mo ¥iall le fia«a¥ gan éifea¥t, | 281 | But I’m at my wits end in the mating mart |
| ¦allada‰ ‰iaµ me, d’ia«da‰ m’ae ionnam. | 282 | I’ve nothing to show for it but a broken heart. |
| Ta‰ éiŠ mo ¥umainn, mo ÷u‰‰aing, mo ³‰á« dói¢, | 283 | After all that effort, after all my flirtation |
| Ta‰ éiŠ a‰ ±ulaing me d’iomada c‰á«nuiŠ, | 284 | After all I’ve suffered in aggravation |
| Ta‰ éiŠ a‰ ¥ailleaŠ le cai÷eaµ na Šcálaí, | 285 | After all the times my fortune was read |
| Béi÷e bal¢a iŠ caillea¥a cá‰taí. | 286 | By toothless prognosticators looking ahead |
| Ní’l cleaŠ dá mb’ ±éidi‰ léa³aµ ná t‰á¥t ai‰ | 287 | There’s not a stroke that can still amaze, |
| Le tea¥t na ‰ae nó ta‰ éiŠ ¢ei÷ lán di, | 288 | From the waxing moon to its waning phase |
| Um Inid ná um Shaµain ná a‰ šiu¢al na blia«na | 289 | From Shrove Tuesday to All Saints Night, |
| Ná tuigim gu‰ leaµaŠ ¢ei÷ ag Šúil le ciall aŠ. | 290 | By making sense of my dispiriting plight. |
| Nío‰ ¢’áil liom codla« go Šocai‰ éanuai‰ dío¢ | 291 | I could never sleep peacefully in my bed |
| Gan lán mo Štoca de ÷o‰÷ai¢ fém ¥luaŠa, | 292 | Without a sockful of fruit under my head; |
| IŠ deiµin nበ¢’obai‰ liom t‰oŠca« le c‰ái¢÷ea¥t, | 293 | ’Twas surely no bother to devoutly fast, |
| IŠ g‰eim nó blogam ní šlogainn t‰í t‰á÷a, | 294 | Three canonical hours between each repast; |
| In a³ai« an tŠ‰o÷a do ÷omainn mo léine, | 295 | Against the current I’d wash my clothes |
| Ag Šúil t‰ím ¥odla« le coga‰ óm ¥éile, | 296 | In the hopes that a bachelor would propose. |
| IŠ minic do ¥uai« me ag Šcuaba« an Šta/ca, | 297 | Often I would go and sweep out the byre |
| Ingne iŠ g‰uaig fe/n luai÷³‰íoŠ d’±ágainn, | 298 | And my nails and hair I would throw in the fire; |
| ¤ui‰inn an tŠúiŠt faoi ¥úl na ³ai¢le, | 299 | The flail I’d hide in the gable’s shade |
| ¤ui‰inn an ‰aµan go ciúin fe/n a«ai‰t ¥u³am, | 300 | By the head of my bed I’d place the spade |
| ¤ui‰inn an ¥oigi/ol i gcillín na hái÷e, | 301 | I would put my distaff in the lime kiln |
| ¤ui‰inn mo ¥ei‰tlín i dteine aoil ´ic Rá³naill, | 302 | I’d secrete my yarn-ball in Reynolds’ mill |
| ¤ui‰inn an ‰oŠ a‰ ¥o‰p na Š‰áide | 303 | I’d scatter seed on the crown of the street |
| ¤ui‰inn Šan tŠop ¥u³am to‰ gabáiŠte. | 304 | I’d stick a cabbage beneath the sheet. |
| Ní’l cleaŠ aca Šiúd dá ndu¢‰aŠ lái÷‰ea¥ | 305 | From my recital it’s clear I don’t miss a trick |
| Ná hag‰ainn congna« an deaµain ’Š a ¢‰á÷a‰, | 306 | To see if I could get help from Old Nick |
| ’S é fá÷ mo Šcéil go léi‰ ’Š a ¢‰í «uit | 307 | But the end of my story, the result of my tale |
| Ma‰ táim gan ¥éile ta‰ éiŠ mo «í¥ill, | 308 | In spite of my efforts I’ve still got no male. |
| Fá÷ mo šean¥uŠ’ ±ada, mo ¹ian¥‰ea¥, | 309 | And what’s really painful and makes me gasp |
| Táim in a¥‰ann «aingean na mblia«nta, | 310 | Is how firmly I’m in the calendar’s grasp; |
| Ag ta‰‰aing go t‰éan a‰ lae÷i¢ liai÷e | 311 | With grey old age rushing towards me undaunted |
| IŠ eagal liom éag gan éinne ’om ia‰‰ai«. | 312 | I’m terrified I’ll die alone and unwanted. |
| A ¹éa‰la ó ¹a‰‰÷aŠ Šc‰eadaim iŠ glae«im o‰t, | 313 | Pearl of Paradise, please hear my prayers |
| Éi‰ic m’anma o‰t, ait¥im ÷u iŠ éi³im o‰t, | 314 | Have mercy, I beg you, and lighten my cares |
| Sea¥ain ná Šcaoil me im š‰aoill gan a/i‰d | 315 | Be sure not to leave me a ne’er-to-be wife |
| Nó im ¥ailli³ gan ¥‰í¥ gan ¢‰í³ gan ¢lái÷, | 316 | With a mateless, meaningless, loveless life |
| Gan ¥a‰aid gan ¥loinn gan ¥oim gan ¥a/i‰de | 317 | Without friends or family, a roof o’er my head |
| A‰ ÷ealla¥a d‰a³ain gan fei«m gan fáilte. | 318 | Depending on strangers for my daily bread. |
| Da‰ a fuil uimpe teinte iŠ to/i‰nea¥! | 319 | By the thunder and the lightning in the sky |
| Dalla« me Šui«te maoi«te im óinµid, | 320 | It proves me a fool, my life gone awry |
| Seal¢ ga¥ Šó³a ag ‰o/³a ga¥ díu³a, | 321 | That, in front of my face, Ireland’s biggest bitches |
| ’S ag ainni¢ na Fódla oŠ coµai‰ mo šúl. | 322 | Are wallowing in wealth and reveling in riches |
| Tá Šuma¥ ag Sai«¢ go Šai«¢i‰ Šo/µa¥, | 323 | Saive snared a sucker with silver to spare |
| Mui‰inn i mei«i‰ iŠ a ha³ai« a‰ a no/¥a‰, | 324 | Muireann makes merry in her lover’s lair |
| Mó‰ iŠ Mai‰Šile i macnuŠ mú¥ta, | 325 | Mór and Mairsile wench wantonly |
| IŠ mó‰¥uid magai« o‰÷a ag fa¥naid fúm-Ša; | 326 | And all of them make a mockery of me |
| IŠ giodama¥ Šáµ í Sláinge, iŠ Síle | 327 | Slaney and Shiela sparkle and glitter |
| SiŠile iŠ Áine iŠ ál ’n-a dtim¥eall, | 328 | Cecily and Anne each have their litter |
| Tuillea« ma‰ táid de µnái¢ na tí‰e | 329 | There are others like them throughout the land |
| IŠ miŠe ma‰ táim gan tál gan tŠíol‰a¥. | 330 | While milkless and childless before you I stand. |
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| IŠ fada gan fei«m iŠ foi«nne «aµŠa é, | 331 | I’ve been powerless but patient for far too long |
| Laga‰ ’om lea³a« ’Š mo lei³eaŠ im ¥oµa¥ta | 332 | I can overcome my weakness and right this wrong: |
| Maille le lui/¢na díblí d‰eói³te | 333 | Potions from dried-up herbs I’ll wring |
| IŠ a‰÷anna d‰aoi«ea¥ta ¥laoi«feaŠ fóŠ dam | 334 | Over which magic incantations I’ll sing. |
| Bua¥aill deaŠ nó gaŠ galánta | 335 | That should snare a strapping young chap |
| ¡uai«feaŠ cea‰t a šea‰c ’Š a ³‰á« «am. | 336 | Whom, in a web of love, I will trap. |
| Do ¥onnai‰c me go leó‰ den tŠó‰t dá «éanaµ | 337 | ’Tis many I have seen who play this game |
| IŠ ¥ui‰finn i gcói‰ na coµga‰ ¥éadna; | 338 | Watch out! I’m about to do the same |
| IŠ daingean an congna« ag dúbailt daoine | 339 | It’s a great help for coupling, so they allege |
| G‰eamanna d’ú¢la iŠ púda‰ luí¢na, | 340 | To mix crushed apples and powdered veg |
| Magai‰lín mei«‰a¥, meill na mbualtai¢, | 341 | The purple orchid is an aphrodisiac |
| Tai÷igín tai«¢Šea¥, toill na tuai‰te, | 342 | With mandrake’s root I will attack |
| Mealla« na minnŠea¥, clai«eaµ na mbonnŠa¥, | 343 | And other plants that I cannot name |
| An cumainnín bui«e iŠ an d‰aoi«ea¥t ¥um d‰úiŠe. | 344 | I’ll use with great relish in this ballgame |
| Duillea¢a‰ dói³te a‰ nóŠ gu‰ ‰ún é, | 345 | There’s the top secret about leaves that are burned |
| IŠ tuillea« «en tŠó‰t nᥠcói‰ a µúinea«. | 346 | And other like intrigues that cannot be learned. |
| Do b’iongantuŠ mó‰ i dTua«µain le ¥éile | 347 | You know it took all Thomond by surprise |
| An ¢‰uinhgeal Šo ÷uaŠ ag bua«¥an céile; | 348 | When a certain old nobody caught her prize |
| IŠ d’iniŠ Ší daµŠa, a‰ ndói³, t‰í ‰ún, | 349 | She told me how—in confidence, indeed— |
| Um Inid ’Š í póŠta ó ¢o/‰d na Saµna | 350 | That from Shrove to Samhain (when to wed he agreed) |
| Nበi¢ iŠ nበól a¥t an feói÷na¥ fionn | 351 | She had drunk no wine nor ate no bread |
| IŠ cuilli¢ na móna dói³te a‰ lionn. | 352 | But lived on a diet of burnt spiders instead. |
| IŠ fada me ag foi«nnea«, fa³aimŠe fuaŠcailt, | 353 | So, I’ve long been waiting; I’m changing my fate |
| Sea¥ain a‰ µoill me, Šai³ead ¥um luaiŠ é; | 354 | Don’t try to stop me, when I’m out of the gate. |
| Muna ¢fuil lei³eaŠ dom ÷‰ei³id id ¥uai‰t-Še | 355 | If, from your visit, a resolution doesn’t appear |
| Cui‰fe me fa³ai‰t i ¢fei«m má’Š c‰uai« «am. | 356 | Then it’s on to Plan B and I’m outta here. |
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Dei‰ea« le Cuid a Dó |
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End of Part Two
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A‰ A³ai« go Cuid a T‰í
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On To Part Three
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