| P‰eabann anuaŠ go fuad‰a¥ fío¥ma‰ | 357 | Then fiercely jumped up a grey old dodger |
| Seanduine Šua‰a¥ iŠ fuada¥ niµe fé, | 358 | There was fire in the eyes of that greasy codger |
| A ¢aill a‰ luaŠca« iŠ luaŠ anáile ai‰, | 359 | His limbs were shaking, his breathing wild |
| D‰a³an iŠ duaiŠ a‰ fuaid a ¥náµa. | 360 | It was clear that he was thoroughly riled. |
| Ba «‰eóil an ‰a«a‰c go deiµin don ¥úi‰t é | 361 | He glared at the court with a look inflamed |
| A‰ bó‰d ’n-a ÷ai«¢Še im éiŠtea¥t du¢ai‰t Šé:— | 362 | And, in my hearing, he then declaimed:— |
| Do¥a‰ iŠ dío³¢áil iŠ Šío‰¥‰á« cléi¢ o‰t | 363 | I wish you naught but damage and hurt |
| A ÷oice le míŠtaid, a šíol gá¢a iŠ déa‰ca, | 364 | You miserable hussy, descended from dirt |
| IŠ dó÷ na¥ iongantuŠ laigea¥t na g‰éine | 365 | I suppose it’s no wonder the sun is weak |
| IŠ fóŠ ga¥ tiubaiŠt da‰ im÷i³ a‰ Éi‰e, | 366 | And that Ireland’s lot is unbelievably bleak |
| Ma‰ µea÷ ga¥ cea‰t gan ‰ea¥t gan dli³e againn, | 367 | Our rights are gone, the law’s a laugh |
| Á‰ mba ¢í blea¥t gan la¥t gan laoi³ aca, | 368 | Our cows, once fertile, without milk or calf. |
| IŠ dá dtaga« níoŠ mó de µó‰Šc‰ioŠ tío‰÷a | 369 | It’s no great surprise about the country’s woes |
| IŠ ga¥ faiŠion dá nó«a¥t a‰ ´ói‰ ’Š a‰ Shíle. | 370 | With Mór and Síle sporting the latest clothes. |
| A ÷oice gan ¥‰í¥ na¥ cuiµin le táinte | 371 | You’re an absolute transcendental bitch |
| OlcuŠ na Šíol‰a¥ daoine ó dtángaiŠ, | 372 | Everyone knows you were born in a ditch |
| Gan focal le maoi«eaµ ag do šinŠea‰ g‰ánna | 373 | Your ugly ancestors can’t boast of their blood |
| A¥t lopai³ gan ¢‰í³, lu¥t mí‰e iŠ mála. | 374 | They’re aimless louts, sprung from the mud. |
| IŠ ai÷nid dúinne an Šnaµai‰e iŠ a÷ai‰ duit, | 375 | Everyone knows your father’s a creep |
| Gan ¥a‰aid gan ¥lú gan ¥úil gan ai‰gead, | 376 | Without friends or fame, common and cheap |
| ’N-a leibide lia÷ gan ¥iall gan µúinea«, | 377 | A grey old yo-yo with no erudition |
| Gan µeidi‰ gan µiaŠ gan ¢ia« gan anlann, | 378 | Without cup or bowl, racked with malnutrition, |
| Gan faice a‰ a «‰oim iŠ a ¥a¢ail gan ¥óta, | 379 | Not a stitch on his back, no coat on his body |
| A¥t gad a‰ a ¥oim iŠ a ¢onn gan ¢‰óga. | 380 | A súgán for a belt, his footwear shoddy. |
| C‰eidi« a «aoine, «á ndíoltai«e a‰ aona¥ | 381 | Believe me, people, if he was sold at the fair |
| EiŠean ’Š a ¢ui«ean ta‰ éiŠ íoc ga¥ éileaµ, | 382 | Of all of his debts he couldn’t take care |
| Da‰ colainn na naoiµ ba« dí¥eall mua‰ dó | 383 | By the saints who are holy, ’twould make the news |
| Pota mai÷ di³e len’ ±ui«la¥ d’±uaŠcailt. | 384 | If he then could afford a bottle of booze. |
| Na¥ mua‰ an t-ó¢a¥t ’Š an gleó i meaŠc daoine | 385 | It’s a cause of merriment, both loud and deep |
| T‰uahgai‰e ’et šó‰t gan ¢ó gan ¥aoi‰i³, | 386 | That a reject like you, with no cows or sheep |
| Búclaí it ¢‰óga iŠ clóicín Šíoda o‰t, | 387 | Sports buckles on your shoes, a fancy silk frock |
| IŠ cia‰Šúi‰ póca ag gó¢áil na gaoi÷e o‰t! | 388 | And a protecting scarf the wind to block. |
| Do «allaiŠ an Šao³al go léi‰ let ÷ai«¢Še, | 389 | You dazzle the whole world with your face |
| ’S iŠ ai÷nid dam féin tu i dtao¢ le coife | 390 | But I know for a fact you’re for a bloody disgrace. |
| IŠ deacai‰ «am la¢ai‰t, do lom iŠ léi‰ «am, | 391 | Your mendacity’s so clear, it’s hard to address |
| IŠ fada do «‰oim gan ¥a¢ai‰ ón léine; | 392 | Your back is a stranger to a decent dress |
| IŠ to³a d‰o¥duine do ÷uigfea« ’n-a gá¢a ÷u | 393 | But that deficiency, no one believes |
| IŠ fea¢uŠ do ‰uffa let µuin¥ilte cáim‰ic. | 394 | It’s hidden with ruffs and cambric sleeves. |
| Tá canafaŠ Šao‰ ¥um Š‰aod go ¢áŠta | 395 | Canvas as a waist binder is low in price |
| IŠ ca ¢fioŠ don tŠao³al na¥ ŠtayŠ é ’ot ±áŠca«? | 396 | And maybe it’s stays that’s the flattening device. |
| Feiceann an tí‰ o‰t f‰ínŠe iŠ fáinne | 397 | The world spies your rings and fringes of gauze |
| IŠ ceileann do laíµne g‰íŠ iŠ gága. | 398 | While your gloves cover up the dirt on your paws. |
| A¥t ai÷‰iŠ a‰ bó‰d, nó inneóŠad féin é,— | 399 | But tell the court, or I myself will reveal,— |
| An fada nበól tu deói‰ let ¢éile? | 400 | How long since you’ve had a drink with your meal |
| A ¥ona‰tai³ ¢oi¥t na gcoŠ gan ionla«, | 401 | You miserable slob with the dirty feet |
| Dó¥aŠ it ¥o‰p le BuckŠ gan anlann! | 402 | Unseasoned Bucks aren’t much of a treat |
| IŠ fui‰iŠ da‰ liúm dod ¥úl ¢ei÷ tai«¢Šea¥, | 403 | It’s plain to me why you should hang your head |
| Do ¥onna‰c lem šúile an ¥úil ’n-a lui³eann tu; | 404 | I saw with my own eyes where you make your bed |
| Ga‰¢ ná mín ní Šíntea‰ fút ann, | 405 | With no sheet beneath you, either fine or rough |
| Ba‰‰a¥ ná líon dበŠníoµa« le tú‰na, | 406 | Spun on a wheel from even the coarsest stuff |
| A¥t mata ’n-a Šmui‰t gan ¥uilt gan ¥lúda«, | 407 | But a dirty mat without a quilt or a spread |
| Deal¢ gan luid gan ¹luid gan tŠúŠa, | 408 | Without a blanket or comforter to cover the bed. |
| I gcoµa‰ bo÷áin gan áit ¥um Šui«e ann | 409 | Your cabin is without a place for a seat |
| A¥t Šú³ Šileáin iŠ púŠca« aníoŠ ann, | 410 | Dripping soot from above; oozing mud from beneath |
| Fia«aile ag tea¥t go f‰aŠ gan ¥oimŠe | 411 | Rank weeds flourishing in profusion galore |
| IŠ ‰ian na gcea‰c ai‰ t‰aŠna Šc‰íob÷a, | 412 | And chicken tracks scratched across the floor |
| Lag ina «‰om iŠ na ga¢la ag lúba« | 413 | The roofline sagging; the gables leaning |
| IŠ claga‰na¥ «onn go t‰om ag túi‰lint. | 414 | The brown rain pouring down through the ceiling. |
| A ¥umainn na ¢fái«! na¥ á‰d do la¢ai‰ Ší! | 415 | O company of seers, how loud she does shout |
| GuŠtala¥ gál¢a gá‰÷a ga¢ann Ší | 416 | A blustery braggart who goes about |
| I nda÷ai¢ i gcói‰ ’Š i gclócaí Šíoda, | 417 | In colourful clothes and silken cloaks |
| Fai‰e go deó a‰u! fóill, cበf‰ío÷ é? | 418 | It is certain the money didn’t come from her folks. |
| Ai÷‰iŠ cá ¢fa³ai‰ an ‰a«a‰c Šeo µaoi«eann tu, | 419 | From where the look of which you crow |
| IŠ ai÷‰iŠ cበ÷uill tu an lea«b gan ¢‰í³ Šeo; | 420 | And how did you earn the necessary dough; |
| IŠ deacai‰ a šui«eaµ gu‰ f‰ío÷ go cói‰ iad— | 421 | It’s hard to believe it’s from an honest stroke |
| IŠ gai‰id ó ¢íŠ gan Šíol an o‰lai³. | 422 | It’s not long since you were totally broke |
| Ai÷‰iŠ ca ¢fuai‰ tu lua¥ an húda, | 423 | Where did you get the price of the hoods |
| IŠ ai÷‰iŠ cá ¢fuai‰ tu lua¥ do ³úna, | 424 | Tell us how you came by the expensive duds. |
| A¥t leagaimid uainn ca‰ ³luaiŠ an cóta, | 425 | I won’t make the cost of your coat my affair |
| IŠ ai÷‰iŠ cá ¢fuai‰ tu lua¥ na mb‰óga. | 426 | But how could you afford the fancy footwear? |
| A Aoi¢eal ¥eanuŠa¥ ¥a‰÷anna¥ ¥oµa¥ta¥, | 427 | O Aoibheall, peerless, kindly queen |
| Gui«im ÷ú, gai‰im ÷u, f‰eagai‰ iŠ fói‰ me, | 428 | I beg you, call on you, please intervene |
| IŠ fío‰ gu‰ feaŠa¥ me fa‰ai‰í Fódla | 429 | I know that all in Ireland who reach man’s estate |
| Sui«te g‰eamui³÷e ag Šladai«÷e ’en tŠó‰t Šo. | 430 | Is firmly hooked by such a reprobate |
| Da‰ láiµ mo ¥a‰ad! iŠ ai÷nid dam coµu‰Ša | 431 | One of my friends who lives up the road |
| Láiµ le baile agam, gai‰id do ¥oµga‰, | 432 | Not very far from my own abode |
| Bua¥aill Šoineannta Š‰uimile Šónnta¥ | 433 | Among the nicest boys you ever spied |
| A‰ buailea« duine aca ¥uige ma‰ nó¥a‰. | 434 | Was snared into taking one as his bride |
| IŠ Šea‰¢ lem ¥‰oi«e nuai‰ ¥ím im ‰a«a‰c í— | 435 | It pains my heart to see her around |
| A g‰adam, a c‰ío¥, a poimp ’Š a taihd¢Še; | 436 | Her hauteur, her pomp, her stuck-up frown |
| Seal¢a¥ bó aici iŠ eó‰na ag fአdi, | 437 | Cattle in her possession, her barley growing |
| Ai‰gead póca iŠ ó‰ ’di‰ láµa aici. | 438 | Money in her pocket and gold overflowing. |
| Do ¥onnai‰c me indé í a‰ ÷ao¢ na Š‰áide, | 439 | I saw her yesterday on the side of the street |
| IŠ cumuŠa¥ t‰éan an léi‰e mná í, | 440 | She was a large woman, in no way petite; |
| Malfai‰e máŠa¥ mága¥ magµail, | 441 | She shook her huge hips in a taunting way |
| Ma‰¢ le cámuŠ lán de ladµuŠ, | 442 | With as much impertinence as she could display |
| Ma‰’ea¥ gu‰ claon liom éad do µúŠcailt, | 443 | Were it not that I am the soul of discretion |
| Scannal do Šcéi« ná Šcéalta Šc‰úda«, | 444 | Unwilling to comment on any transgression |
| Do b’±ui‰iŠ dam innŠin c‰uinn ma‰ ¥uala | 445 | I could easily tell what I’ve heard told |
| An ¥uma n-a mbío« Ší Š‰aoillte Šuai«te, | 446 | How she carried on as a harlot bold |
| S‰acai÷e a‰ lበiŠ gái‰ ’n-a tim¥eall, | 447 | Stretched on the floor, causing a hullabaloo |
| S‰ai÷te a‰ an Š‰áid nó i Štábla Šínte. | 448 | In the street or the stable, her clothing askew. |
| Mai‰fid a táŠc iŠ t‰á¥tfa‰ ¥oi«¥e | 449 | Her story will live, she’ll be the subject of lore |
| A‰ µa‰÷ana a‰ ¥áil ’Š a‰ ³ái‰ a gníoµa‰÷a | 450 | She will be spoken of for evermore |
| In Ui¢ B‰eacáin an a‰áin ’Š an ±íona, | 451 | In Ibrickane of the bread and wine |
| I dTí‰ ´a¥láin na mbánta míne, | 452 | In Tirmaclane of the meadows so fine |
| Ag íŠle iŠ ቊa ´áinŠe iŠ ÍnŠe, | 453 | By Manishmore’s and Ennis’ lowly and quality |
| ¤ill ¡‰eacáin, an ¤lái‰ iŠ ¤uin¥e, | 454 | In Killbracken, in Quin, and in Clareabbey |
| Ag connŠai³ ainµi«e ׉ead‰ai³e an ¹ón‰a | 455 | In Tradree of the beans where there are wild young fellows |
| IŠ fonnŠai³e fala¥ai«e ¤‰eatlai³e an ¥o‰da. | 456 | And in Cratlea where outlaws hang from the gallows |
| Fai‰e, ba ¥laon í, ta‰ éiŠ a ndu¢ai‰t me | 457 | Now, look, that’s all in the past, I know |
| ²lacfainn gu‰ Šao‰ í fé n-a cionta | 458 | And I might be willing to let it all go |
| A¥t bei‰im don ¹lái³ í lá ma‰ ¥ím í | 459 | But the other day I saw her on her ass |
| Leagai÷e láiµ le Gá‰uŠ Šínte, | 460 | Outside of Garus lying on the grass |
| Cai÷te a‰ an ‰ód gan ó‰la¥ fúi÷i | 461 | Spread on the ground without a stitch, so bare, |
| Ag g‰amaiŠc na móna a‰ ¢ói÷‰i¢ ¦u¢«oi‰e. | 462 | With a bogman from Doora in the County Clare. |
| M’iongantaŠ ann oŠ ceann mo ¥éille | 463 | It's a wonder to me, past all comprehension |
| IŠ c‰i÷im go fann le Šcann‰a« an Šcéil Šeo,— | 464 | Just to think of it fills me with hypertension,— |
| IŠe ¢ei÷ Šeang nuai‰ ÷eann ga¥ éinne í | 465 | After fornicating with all, I just don’know |
| IŠ d‰uidim le clann nuai‰ šanntui³ féin í. | 466 | How she didn’t conceive till she wished it so. |
| IŠ mó‰ ’n-a g‰áŠa é ag ‰á« na mb‰ia÷a‰, | 467 | It’s saying a lot for the power of the word |
| Nóimeant Špአnío‰ ³á¢a le hia‰‰ai« | 468 | That not a minute of unnecessary delay was incurred |
| Ó léaga« a‰ bó‰d oŠ coµai‰ na coinnle | 469 | From the reading before the candles bright |
| An tEgo VoŠ Šeo d’o‰dai³ ÍoŠa | 470 | Of the Ego Vos of the marriage rite |
| Gu‰ šéid Ší la¥t go blea¥t ’n-a cío¥a | 471 | Her breasts were bursting with milk, I swear |
| A¥t naoi mí bea¥t iŠ Šea¥tµain cinnte! | 472 | After nine months with just a week to spare! |
| | | |
| B‰ea÷ain gu‰ bao³al don té tá Šcaoilte | 473 | It’s the greatest peril to the single and sane |
| Ceangal go héag fé ÷ao¢ den ¥uing Šeo, | 474 | To be tied till death to the ball and chain, |
| I Šeal¢ ga¥ Šao÷, iŠ éad dá šua÷a«— | 475 | In the grip of misfortune, jealousy rife, |
| In aiŠce, mo léan! mo léa³an ní ¢fuai‰eaŠ, | 476 | As I learned for myself at a terrible price. |
| IŠ feaŠa¥ «on tao¢ Šo ’en tŠaol ma‰ ¢í mé | 477 | Everyone round here knows how I used be, |
| Sealad dem ‰éim ’Š dem lae÷i¢ ‰oiµe Šeo, | 478 | When I was single and gloriously free, |
| Lei÷eada¥ láidi‰ lán de šai«¢‰eaŠ, | 479 | An important man, much wealth I did own |
| EiŠteaŠ le fá³ail iŠ fáilte im ÷ea³la¥, | 480 | My door was wide open, my table did groan |
| Ca‰aid i gcúi‰t iŠ congna« dli³e agam, | 481 | A friend at court and the law on my side |
| CeannuŠ iŠ clú aguŠ coµa‰ Ša Šaoi÷e, | 482 | Dominion and fame, with seers as my guide. |
| Ta÷a¥ im ¥aínt iŠ Šuim iŠ éifea¥t, | 483 | My words with wit and wisdom teemed |
| Talaµ iŠ maoin ag Šui«eaµ mo ¥éille! | 484 | All the land and wealth of which I dreamed |
| M’aigne Šío¥ iŠ m’intinn ŠáŠta— | 485 | My mind at ease, my brain without strife— |
| ¤ailleaŠ le mnaoi mo ¢‰í³ ’Š mo šláinte! | 486 | I lost it all when I married my wife! |
| Ba ÷aitneaµa¥ lea¢ai‰ an c‰o¢ai‰e mná í, | 487 | She was a pleasant and graceful strip of a lass |
| ¡í ŠeaŠaµ iŠ com iŠ ca¢ail iŠ cnáµa aici, | 488 | Her posture and presence betokened class |
| CaŠa« ’n-a cúl go búcla¥ t‰ílŠea¥, | 489 | The toss of her head showed off ringlets and curls |
| LaŠa« ’n-a gnúiŠ go lonn‰a¥ ŠoillŠea¥, | 490 | And the sheen on her cheeks fairly glowed like pearls, |
| Cuma na hóige ui‰÷i iŠ Šó³ ’n-a gái‰e, | 491 | She had the vitality of youth and a smile of bliss |
| IŠ cui‰ea« ’n-a cló ¥un póige iŠ fáilte! | 492 | And all her demeanour invited a kiss. |
| A¥t ¥‰ea÷aŠ le fonn gan ¥onn gan ¥ái‰de | 493 | I shook with desire, my mind did reel |
| Ó ¢ai÷eaŠ go bonn go ta¢a‰÷a i ng‰á« «i. | 494 | I fell besottedly in love, head over heel. |
| IŠ dea‰¢ gan do¢ta a‰ doµan gu‰ dío³altuŠ | 495 | It’s certain, no doubt, it was retribution |
| Dana‰«a donn dom ÷a¢ai‰t a‰ m’aiµleaŠ | 496 | For all my bad actions, my dissolution |
| D’±ea‰÷ainn go t‰om a‰ ¢onn mo ³níoµa‰÷a | 497 | Which fell with a vengeance for my transgression |
| Ó Fhlai÷eaŠ le fonn do lom do líon me. | 498 | From heaven above with cruel repression. |
| Do Šna«ma« go Šui«te Šnai«m na cléi‰e, | 499 | The clergy tied us tightly with the knot |
| IŠ ceangla« Šinn i gcuing le ¥éile, | 500 | In a damnable yoke we were firmly caught, |
| ²lanaŠ gan ¥inntea¥t Šuim ga¥ éileaµ | 501 | I cleared all the debts without demur or delay |
| ¡aineaŠ le baoiŠ gan ³aoiŠ an lae Šin. | 502 | From the extravagant folly of that fateful day |
| Co÷‰om go leó‰, nío‰ ¥ói‰ me ¥áinea«— | 503 | Give me due credit, I was able to treat |
| StopaŠ an gleó ¢í ag cóip na Š‰áide, | 504 | All of the rabble who came in from the street |
| Bacai³ go léi‰, ¢í an cléi‰ea¥ ŠáŠta, | 505 | Beggars all, the clerics were sated |
| An Šaga‰t ‰ó¢ui«ea¥ iŠ b’éidi‰ fá÷ leiŠ! | 506 | The priest was delighted at how he was feted. |
| LaŠama‰ tói‰Ší iŠ coµu‰Šain c‰uinn ann, | 507 | With torches lit, the neighbours around |
| Leaga« a‰ bó‰dai¢ mó‰¥uid bí« ¥u³ainn | 508 | The table with all sort of foodstuffs was crowned |
| Claga‰na¥ ¥eóil iŠ ól gan ¥oimŠe, | 509 | The music was mighty, much drink was imbibed |
| IŠ ¥ai÷eada‰ cóiŠi‰ µó‰ta¥ µaoi«tea¥. | 510 | It was a bash on a scale that can’t be described. |
| Mo «í÷ gan eaŠbai« nበta¥ta« le bia« me | 511 | But the day I was baptised I wish I had died |
| An oi«¥e baiŠtea« nó aŠ Šan gu‰ ia‰‰aŠ | 512 | Or some day since then before I had tried |
| Sínea« a‰ leabain le hainniŠ do liai÷ me | 513 | To bed with a trollop who turned me gray |
| ’S do Šcaoil le gealai³ gan ¥a‰aid gan ¥iall mé. | 514 | Deprived me of friends, caused my mind to decay. |
| ’S é táŠc do ³eó¢ainn ag óg ’Š ag aoŠta | 515 | But then I was warned by the young and the old |
| Gu‰ ¢‰eallán Špói‰t ag ól ’Š ag glae«a¥ í | 516 | That she was a drunkard and a constant scold |
| I mbo÷áin óŠta iŠ bói‰d á bpléaŠca«, | 517 | With the rabble in sheebeens she was wont to mingle |
| A‰ lበ’n-a lóiŠte ag póŠta iŠ aonta. | 518 | And lay on the floor with the married and single |
| Do b’±ada dá meilt a teiŠt ’Š a tuai‰iŠc | 519 | It took a while before her name was destroyed |
| Do b’±ada gu‰ ¥‰eid me a ¢eag ná a µua‰ de, | 520 | The stories about her I long could avoid |
| Do b’eagla¥ le ga¥ bei‰t dá gcuala é | 521 | Everyone kept mum who knew the situation |
| Go ‰a¥ainn im ¹eilt im ³eilt gan tuai‰iŠc. | 522 | Afraid I would vanish, naked, in extreme agitation. |
| FóŠ ní ³éillfinn, cao¥ ma‰ ¢í me, | 523 | I would not listen, too blind to see |
| Do ³ló‰ gan éifea¥t éinne µaoi« é; | 524 | To the few who ineffectively told me; |
| A¥t maga« nó g‰eim gan fei«m gan ¥éill | 525 | I believed they were only slagging the groom |
| Gu‰ ai÷‰iŠ a b‰oinn dam deiµin ga¥ Šcéil! | 526 | Until the whole story was told by her womb. |
| Nío‰ ¥ú‰Šaí leaµuiŠ ná du‰dam b‰éige é, | 527 | It was not a prank or idle prattle |
| Ná du¢aii‰t bean liom go ndu¢‰a« léi÷i é | 528 | Or a woman engaging in tittle-tattle |
| A¥t la¢ai‰ an ¢ea‰t i gcea‰t ’Š in éifea¥t— | 529 | But the deed itself spoke loud and clearly |
| Do ¢‰onn Ší mac a¢fad ‰oiµ ‰é «am! | 530 | She gave me a son who was way too early! |
| Mo Šcann‰a« Šcéil gan féi÷ dem ¥‰oi«e ai‰— | 531 | God almighty, I nearly died of fright |
| Clann dá dtéa«aµ dam ta‰ éiŠ na hoi«¥e! | 532 | To find a family at the end of that night! |
| Cullóid anfa¥ ainigi«e Šcólta,— | 533 | There was a mighty commotion around the house |
| Bunóc ceangailte iŠ bean an tí b‰eói«te, | 534 | With a swaddled child and a retching spouse, |
| PoŠóid leagai÷e a‰ Šmea¥aidí teo acu | 535 | A draught of medicine on the coals being warmed |
| Cuinneog ¢ainne dá g‰eada« le fó‰Ša | 536 | A can full of cream was being forcefully churned |
| IŠ mulla¥ a‰ lánµiaŠ bán¢ia« iŠ Šiúic‰e | 537 | A dish heaped high with sugar and goody |
| Ag Mui‰inn Ní ¤áimliai÷ báinliai³ an ¥‰úca | 538 | For the greedy midwife, Muireann Ní Cháimlia |
| ¡i coiŠte c‰uinnui³÷e ag tuillea« dem ¥oµu‰Šain | 539 | A group of my other neighbours were gathered |
| CoiŠ na teine aguŠ ŠioŠa‰na¥ «aµŠa. | 540 | Beside the fire where they quietly whispered. |
| Scaoilid coga‰ i ¢foguŠ dom éiŠtea¥t:— | 541 | One of them said, loud enough to hear:— |
| Míle mola« le SoluŠ na SoillŠe! | 542 | “Praise be to the stars that shine so clear, |
| Bío« na¥ bailea¥ a d’aibi³ an ¥‰é Šeo | 543 | Even though the nipper didn’t wait for the clock |
| Do-¥ímŠe an t-a÷ai‰ ’n-a šeaŠaµ ’n-a ¥éadfa«. | 544 | He looks like he’s a chip cut off the old block. |
| A ¢feiceann tú, a Sha«¢ ’‰ú, lui³eaµ a ³éaga! | 545 | Don’t you see now, Saive, how the kid is the image |
| A «eil¢ gan d‰a³an a ¢aill ’Š a µéa‰a! | 546 | Of the old man’s form, his limbs and his visage! |
| CumuŠ na láµ ba dána dói‰ne! | 547 | The cut of his hands and those bold fists |
| Cuma na gcnáµ iŠ fአna feóla. | 548 | And look at those legs and arms and wrists.” |
| Do ¥eapada‰ c‰uinn gu‰ šíol‰ui³ an dú¥aŠ | 549 | They pondered long on the child’s supposed lineage |
| MaiŠe mo ³naoi aguŠ ío‰ mo ³núiŠe, | 550 | How he looked like me, inherited my image |
| Feillea« mo š‰ón’ iŠ glón‰a« m’éadain, | 551 | The shape of my nose and how my brow glowed |
| DeiŠe mo ¥ló, mo šnó« aguŠ m’±éa¥ain, | 552 | The elegant form which on him I bestowed |
| Leaga« mo šúl iŠ go fiú mo ³ái‰e | 553 | The lay of my eyes and even my grin |
| ’S aŠ-Šan do šiu¢ail ó ¥úl go Šáil é. | 554 | How he was my very picture from head to shin. |
| Aµa‰c ná ‰a«a‰c ní ¢fa³ainn den ¥‰éice,— | 555 | Of course, not hide nor hair did I see of the pup,— |
| IŠ bailea¥ gan lei³eaŠ do µeillfea« gao÷ é!— | 556 | They said the draughts would screw him up!— |
| Ag cuidea¥ta an tea³lai³ i ¢fei«il mo ¥ao¥ta, | 557 | The crowd in the house kept him out of my sight |
| Siolla« dá la³ad di leáfai«e an c‰éatúi‰! | 558 | With their claim that the air would harm the mite. |
| Do la¢‰aŠ ga‰g ’Š do ÷ag‰aŠ ÍoŠa, | 559 | By this time I was mad and breathing fire |
| IŠ Štollta ga‰¢ do ¢ag‰aŠ g‰íoŠa¥, | 560 | I told them the consequences would be dire |
| D’±óg‰aŠ fea‰g le hain¢fioŠ caínte, | 561 | I thundered, I stormed, I blustered, I swore |
| ’S iŠ dó÷ gu‰ ¥‰ea÷ada‰ caillea¥a an ti³e ‰oµam. | 562 | Till the women of the house could stand it no more. |
| De leiŠce an a¥‰ainn leagada‰ ¥u³am é,— | 563 | They brought me the boy to settle me down,— |
| Bei‰ go hai‰ea¥ ai‰, Šea¥ain ná b‰úi³ é, | 564 | “Take him gently, don’t shake him around |
| IŠ fui‰iŠ a šuai÷ea«, luaiŠc go ‰éi« é, | 565 | He’s easily hurt; he’s close to dying |
| Tu‰‰aing do fuai‰ Ší ‰uaig ‰oiµ ‰é é; | 566 | Don’t pick him up, leave him lying |
| Sea¥ain ná faiŠc é, fág ’n-a lui³e é, | 567 | Since she had a fall that brought on his birth |
| IŠ gai‰id an bአ’do, iŠ gea‰‰ do ‰a³ai« Šé; | 568 | He’s close to death, not too long for this earth |
| Dá mai‰ea« go lá idi‰ láµa ’n-a ¥ló | 569 | We hope he’ll survive till the morning at least |
| ’S an Šaga‰t a‰ fá³ail nío‰¢ ±ea‰‰ a ¢ei÷ beó. | 570 | When we’ll have a chance to call the priest.” |
| Do ¢aineaŠ an tŠnai«m dá ¥oiµ‰ea¥ cuµdai³ | 571 | I loosened the confining bands and set him free |
| IŠ ¢‰ea÷ain me c‰uinn é Šínte a‰ ³lúin liom, | 572 | I looked at him carefully there on my knee |
| A Muai‰ea¥ d’ai‰i³ me ta÷aca¥ tonnda é, | 573 | My God, I saw he was full of vim and vigour |
| Fuai‰ me fea‰ga¥ fea‰‰ada¥ lúi÷ea¥ | 574 | And he looked like he had a healthy figure |
| Láidi‰ lea÷an mo lean¢ ’n-a ³uailni¢, | 575 | The baby’s shoulders were stout, I declare, |
| Sála daingeana iŠ an-¥uid g‰uaige ai‰! | 576 | He was firm in the feet, had a fine head of hair! |
| CluaŠa c‰uinni³÷e iŠ ingne fáŠta, | 577 | Well-formed ears and nails that were long |
| ¤‰ua«da‰ a uilleanna a ¥‰oi¢ ’Š a ¥náµa, | 578 | His hands, his wrists and his elbows were strong |
| D’aibi³ a šúile iŠ fiú a ¹ollái‰í, | 579 | His eyes and his nostrils were both healthily wide |
| ’S d’ai‰i³ me a ³lúine lu÷µa‰ láidi‰. | 580 | I could see from his knees he’d have a powerful stride. |
| Coileán cumuŠa¥ cuiŠleanna¥ có‰a¥ | 581 | In short and in closing, it’s all I can say |
| Folláin fuinneaµa¥ fulaingea¥ feólµa‰. | 582 | That he was as fine a child as you’d see any day. |
| Sc‰eadaim go há‰d le gái‰ na tí‰e | 583 | O Aoibheall, I beg you on behalf of my race |
| IŠ leagaim dot lá÷ai‰ cአna ndaoine, | 584 | I place before you the people’s case |
| B‰ea÷ain go caoin, iŠ bí t‰uai³µéilea¥, | 585 | Judge us kindly, show us mercy |
| Beannai¢ a gcinn iŠ Šuim a gcéille; | 586 | We’ve little sense but much jealousy |
| A÷a‰‰ui³ an dli³e Šeo ¥uing na cléi‰e | 587 | Change this law of the clergy’s yoke |
| IŠ ainic an ¢ui«ean nበf‰ío÷ Šan ³éi¢eann. | 588 | And allow his freedom to the unmarried bloke. |
| Má lagui³ an Šíol‰a¥ díonmah‰ daonna | 589 | If the population is on the wane |
| I dtalaµ da÷aoi¢eann ±ío‰³laiŠ Éi‰eann, | 590 | In Ireland’s green and fertile terrain, |
| IŠ fui‰iŠ an tí‰ d’ai÷líona« ’e lao¥‰a | 591 | Her race of warriors could be reborn yet |
| D’ui‰eaŠ¢a eangai³e gan ¢‰í³ gan éifea¥t,— | 592 | Absent the inanity of the marriage net,— |
| Ca ¢fuil an gá¢a le gái‰ na bainŠe, | 593 | Why do we need those nuptial traditions |
| Cá‰ta biotáille iŠ pá³a lu¥t Šeinnte, | 594 | Paying for liqour and for musicians |
| Sumai³ a‰ bó‰d go fóiŠea¥ tai«¢Šea¥, | 595 | Idlers eating all of your food |
| Gluga‰ iŠ gleó aca iŠ ól dá šai³da«, | 596 | Guzzling your malt till thoroughly stewed. |
| Ó d’aibi³ an t-a«¢a‰ do ¢‰onn Mac Dé | 597 | When the Mother of God first conceived |
| Gan Šaga‰t a‰ doµan dá dta¢ai‰t dá ¥éile; | 598 | No priestly blessing was received. |
| IŠ lea÷anµa‰ láidi‰ lánµea‰ léadµa‰ | 599 | Many who are strong and altogether fine |
| Fai‰Šing le fa³áil an t-álµa¥ Šao‰ Šo. | 600 | Sprang from an illegitimate line |
| IŠ minic do-¥ímŠe b‰ío³µa‰ bó‰‰÷a | 601 | For love is a lustier sire than creed |
| CumuŠa¥ líonta i gc‰oi«e ’Š i gcói‰ iad; | 602 | And produces a healthier, heartier breed |
| C‰éim ní ±eicim ná daille ná caoi¥e | 603 | The deaf or dumb or lame or blind |
| I léim a‰ lei÷‰e dበhoilea« ó µnaoi a‰ bi÷; | 604 | Among love children you generally won’t find; |
| IŠ mó ’Š iŠ mi‰e, ’Š iŠ teinne ’Š iŠ t‰éine | 605 | They are stronger and faster, more right in the head |
| A gcló ’Š a gcliŠtea¥t ná dliŠteanai³ éinne. | 606 | Than many begotten in a married bed. |
| IŠ fui‰iŠ a luai«imŠe d’±uaŠcailt go Šui«te | 607 | I brought with me the proof of my stand |
| IŠ duine aca an uai‰ Šeo a‰ fuaid an ti³e agam! | 608 | I have here with me one of that band! |
| A ¢feiceann tu ÷all go ceannŠa ciúin é! | 609 | Do you see him there, so quiet and polite? |
| DeiŠi³ anall i dteannta an ¢úi‰d é. | 610 | Bring him here so we can see him right. |
| B‰ea÷ain go c‰uinn é, bío« gu‰ab óg é | 611 | Look at him carefully, though he’s a youth |
| IŠ dea‰¢÷a Šui«te an píoŠa feola é, | 612 | You will see indeed that I tell the truth |
| IŠ p‰eabai‰e i dtoi‰t i gco‰p ’Š i gcnáµ é | 613 | He’s a comely boy in form so grand |
| Ca ¢fuil a lo¥t i gcoiŠ nó i láiµ «e? | 614 | Can you see a flaw in his foot or hand? |
| Ní Šei‰gea¥ fann ná Šeanda¥ feóŠa¥, | 615 | He wasn’t sired by a sap with consumption |
| Leibide cam nó gandal geóiŠea¥, | 616 | A worthless tramp, a gander without gumption |
| Meall gan ¥uma ná Šuma¥ gan Šínea« é | 617 | A formless lump who’s riddled with cancer |
| A¥t lannŠa cumuŠa¥ buinneaµa¥ b‰ío³µa‰. | 618 | But a lively, powerful, active lancer. |
| Ní deacai‰ a µeaŠ na¥ Šp‰eaŠ gan ¢‰í³ | 619 | It would be such a farce to tie for life |
| ¡ea« ceangailte a‰ naŠc a‰ teaŠc ag mnaoi, | 620 | This sire of his to only one wife |
| Gan ¥náµ gan ¥umuŠ gan ¥uma gan ¥om, | 621 | Shapeless, spineless, waistless, sexless |
| Gan ³‰á« gan ¥umann gan fuinneaµ gan fonn, | 622 | Friendless, mindless, loveless, listless |
| Do Šcaipfea« i mb‰oinn d’éanµai³‰e mná | 623 | To use his seed for only one womb |
| Le cata¥uŠ d‰a³ain an g‰oi«‰e ¢‰eá³ | 624 | When he could be in many a bedroom. |
| Ma‰ ¥ui‰eann Šé i ¢fei«m gan µoill gan ¢‰éig | 625 | This young lad proves without a lie |
| Le cumuŠ a ¢aill ’Š le lui³eaµ a ³éag | 626 | With his goodly arms and shapely thigh |
| Gu‰ c‰o¢ai‰e é c‰o÷a« go co÷‰om gan ¥áime | 627 | That he’s a sapling who was the upshot |
| Le fonn na fola iŠ le fo÷‰am na Šláinte. | 628 | Of a fevered coupling when the blood was hot. |
| LeiŠ-Šin ná hia‰‰Še a ‰ia³ain ‰éiltea¥ | 629 | So please don’t subject millions, O Queen of the Sky |
| Meillea« mei‰iad le ‰ia³ail gan éifea¥t! | 630 | To a stupid rule with which they must comply |
| Scaoil ’o ¥odla« gan ¥o¥all gan ¥oiµ‰ea¥ | 631 | Awake to a life without a bond or chain |
| Síol an ¢odai³ ’Š an µogall±uil µaoi«tea¥, | 632 | The country’s people, both mighty and plain |
| Scaoil fá ¥éile de ‰éi‰ nádú‰a | 633 | Allow them to be naturally combined |
| An Šíol¢a¥ Šéad ’Š an b‰aon lábú‰÷a, | 634 | Couples from the peasantry and the refined. |
| Fógai‰ go féiltea¥ t‰é Šna tío‰÷a | 635 | Throughout the land may a new rule unfold |
| D’óg iŠ d’aoŠta Šao‰÷oil Šíol‰ai«. | 636 | Of sexual freedom for young and for old. |
| Cui‰fi« an dli³e Šeo gaoiŠ i nGae«lai¢, | 637 | This new law will make the Irish proud, |
| ’S tiocfai« an b‰í³ ma‰ ¢í ’n-a lao¥ai¢, | 638 | The new race will once again be endowed |
| Ceapfai« Šé com iŠ d‰om iŠ doi‰ne | 639 | With all the prowess of the heroes of old, |
| Ag fea‰ai¢ an doµain ma‰ ²oll mac Mói‰ne, | 640 | The likes of Goll mac Móirne the bold. |
| Gealfai« an Špéi‰, bei« éiŠc i líonta, | 641 | The sky will brighten, the fish will bite |
| IŠ talaµ an tŠléi¢e go léi‰ fé lui¢na, | 642 | The mountainy land will bloom with no blight |
| Fi‰ iŠ mná go b‰á¥ dá µaoi«¥ain, | 643 | Men and women will sing your praise |
| Ag Šeinnm do ¥áil le gai‰duŠ aoi¢niŠ. | 644 | And in joyful celebration their voices raise. |
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Dei‰ea« le Cuid a T‰í
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End of Part Three
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A‰ A³ai« go Cuid a Cea÷ai‰
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On To Part Four
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