| Preabann anuas go fuadrach fíochmar | 357 | Then fiercely jumped up a grey old dodger |
| Seanduine suarach is fuadach nimhe fé, | 358 | There was fire in the eyes of that greasy codger |
| A bhaill ar luascadh is luas anáile air, | 359 | His limbs were shaking, his breathing wild |
| Draghan is duais ar fuaid a chnámha. | 360 | It was clear that he was thoroughly riled. |
| Ba dhreóil an radharc go deimhin don chúirt é | 361 | He glared at the court with a look inflamed |
| Ar bórd ’n-a thaidhbhse im éisteacht dubhairt sé:— | 362 | And, in my hearing, he then declaimed:— |
| Dochar is díoghbháil is síorchrádh cléibh ort | 363 | I wish you naught but damage and hurt |
| A thoice le místaid, a shíol gábha is déarca, | 364 | You miserable hussy, descended from dirt |
| Is dóth nach iongantus laigeacht na gréine | 365 | I suppose it’s no wonder the sun is weak |
| Is fós gach tiubaist dar imthigh ar Éire, | 366 | And that Ireland’s lot is unbelievably bleak |
| Mar mheath gach ceart gan reacht gan dlighe againn, | 367 | Our rights are gone, the law’s a laugh |
| Ár mba bhí bleacht gan lacht gan laoigh aca, | 368 | Our cows, once fertile, without milk or calf. |
| Is dá dtagadh níos mó de mhórscrios tíortha | 369 | It’s no great surprise about the country’s woes |
| Is gach faision dá nódhacht ar Mhóir ’s ar Shíle. | 370 | With Mór and Síle sporting the latest clothes. |
| A thoice gan chrích nach cuimhin le táinte | 371 | You’re an absolute transcendental bitch |
| Olcus na síolrach daoine ó dtángais, | 372 | Everyone knows you were born in a ditch |
| Gan focal le maoidheamh ag do shinsear gránna | 373 | Your ugly ancestors can’t boast of their blood |
| Acht lopaigh gan bhrígh, lucht míre is mála. | 374 | They’re aimless louts, sprung from the mud. |
| Is aithnid dúinne an snamhaire is athair duit, | 375 | Everyone knows your father’s a creep |
| Gan charaid gan chlú gan chúil gan airgead, | 376 | Without friends or fame, common and cheap |
| ’N-a leibide liath gan chiall gan mhúineadh, | 377 | A grey old yo-yo with no erudition |
| Gan mheidir gan mhias gan bhiadh gan anlann, | 378 | Without cup or bowl, racked with malnutrition, |
| Gan faice ar a dhroim is a chabhail gan chóta, | 379 | Not a stitch on his back, no coat on his body |
| Acht gad ar a choim is a bhonn gan bhróga. | 380 | A súgán for a belt, his footwear shoddy. |
| Creididh a dhaoine, dhá ndíoltaidhe ar aonach | 381 | Believe me, people, if he was sold at the fair |
| Eisean ’s a bhuidhean tar éis íoc gach éileamh, | 382 | Of all of his debts he couldn’t take care |
| Dar colainn na naoimh badh dícheall muar dó | 383 | By the saints who are holy, ’twould make the news |
| Pota maith dighe len’ fhuidhlach d’fhuascailt. | 384 | If he then could afford a bottle of booze. |
| Nach muar an t-óbhacht ’s an gleó i measc daoine | 385 | It’s a cause of merriment, both loud and deep |
| Truahgaire ’et shórt gan bhó gan chaoirigh, | 386 | That a reject like you, with no cows or sheep |
| Búclaí it bhróga is clóicín síoda ort, | 387 | Sports buckles on your shoes, a fancy silk frock |
| Is ciarsúir póca ag góbháil na gaoithe ort! | 388 | And a protecting scarf the wind to block. |
| Do dhallais an saoghal go léir let thaidhbhse, | 389 | You dazzle the whole world with your face |
| ’S is aithnid dam féin tu i dtaobh le coife | 390 | But I know for a fact you’re for a bloody disgrace. |
| Is deacair dham labhairt, do lom is léir dham, | 391 | Your mendacity’s so clear, it’s hard to address |
| Is fada do dhroim gan chabhair ón léine; | 392 | Your back is a stranger to a decent dress |
| Is togha drochduine do thuigfeadh ’n-a gábha thu | 393 | But that deficiency, no one believes |
| Is feabhus do ruffa let mhuinchilte cáimric. | 394 | It’s hidden with ruffs and cambric sleeves. |
| Tá canafas saor chum sraod go bhásta | 395 | Canvas as a waist binder is low in price |
| Is ca bhfios don tsaoghal nach stays é ’ot fháscadh? | 396 | And maybe it’s stays that’s the flattening device. |
| Feiceann an tír ort frínse is fáinne | 397 | The world spies your rings and fringes of gauze |
| Is ceileann do laímhne grís is gága. | 398 | While your gloves cover up the dirt on your paws. |
| Acht aithris ar bórd, nó inneósad féin é,— | 399 | But tell the court, or I myself will reveal,— |
| An fada nár ól tu deóir let bhéile? | 400 | How long since you’ve had a drink with your meal |
| A chonartaigh bhoicht na gcos gan ionladh, | 401 | You miserable slob with the dirty feet |
| Dóchas it chorp le Bucks gan anlann! | 402 | Unseasoned Bucks aren’t much of a treat |
| Is fuiris dar liúm dod chúl bheith taidhbhseach, | 403 | It’s plain to me why you should hang your head |
| Do chonnarc lem shúile an chúil ’n-a luigheann tu; | 404 | I saw with my own eyes where you make your bed |
| Garbh ná mín ní síntear fút ann, | 405 | With no sheet beneath you, either fine or rough |
| Barrach ná líon dár sníomhadh le túrna, | 406 | Spun on a wheel from even the coarsest stuff |
| Acht mata ’n-a smuirt gan chuilt gan chlúdadh, | 407 | But a dirty mat without a quilt or a spread |
| Dealbh gan luid gan phluid gan tsúsa, | 408 | Without a blanket or comforter to cover the bed. |
| I gcomhar botháin gan áit chum suidhe ann | 409 | Your cabin is without a place for a seat |
| Acht súgh sileáin is púscadh aníos ann, | 410 | Dripping soot from above; oozing mud from beneath |
| Fiadhaile ag teacht go fras gan choimse | 411 | Rank weeds flourishing in profusion galore |
| Is rian na gcearc air trasna scríobtha, | 412 | And chicken tracks scratched across the floor |
| Lag ina dhrom is na gabhla ag lúbadh | 413 | The roofline sagging; the gables leaning |
| Is clagarnach dhonn go trom ag túirlint. | 414 | The brown rain pouring down through the ceiling. |
| A chumainn na bhfáidh! nach árd do labhair sí! | 415 | O company of seers, how loud she does shout |
| Gustalach gálbha gártha gabhann sí | 416 | A blustery braggart who goes about |
| I ndathaibh i gcóir ’s i gclócaí síoda, | 417 | In colourful clothes and silken cloaks |
| Faire go deó aru! fóill, cár fríoth é? | 418 | It is certain the money didn’t come from her folks. |
| Aithris cá bhfaghair an radharc seo mhaoidheann tu, | 419 | From where the look of which you crow |
| Is aithris cár thuill tu an leadhb gan bhrígh seo; | 420 | And how did you earn the necessary dough; |
| Is deacair a shuidheamh gur fríoth go cóir iad— | 421 | It’s hard to believe it’s from an honest stroke |
| Is gairid ó bhís gan síol an orlaigh. | 422 | It’s not long since you were totally broke |
| Aithris ca bhfuair tu luach an húda, | 423 | Where did you get the price of the hoods |
| Is aithris cá bhfuair tu luach do ghúna, | 424 | Tell us how you came by the expensive duds. |
| Acht leagaimid uainn car ghluais an cóta, | 425 | I won’t make the cost of your coat my affair |
| Is aithris cá bhfuair tu luach na mbróga. | 426 | But how could you afford the fancy footwear? |
| A Aoibheal cheanusach charthannach chomhachtach, | 427 | O Aoibheall, peerless, kindly queen |
| Guidhim thú, gairim thu, freagair is fóir me, | 428 | I beg you, call on you, please intervene |
| Is fíor gur feasach me farairí Fódla | 429 | I know that all in Ireland who reach man’s estate |
| Suidhte greamuighthe ag sladaidhthe ’en tsórt so. | 430 | Is firmly hooked by such a reprobate |
| Dar láimh mo charad! is aithnid dam comhursa | 431 | One of my friends who lives up the road |
| Láimh le baile agam, gairid do chomhgar, | 432 | Not very far from my own abode |
| Buachaill soineannta sruimile sónntach | 433 | Among the nicest boys you ever spied |
| Ar buaileadh duine aca chuige mar nóchar. | 434 | Was snared into taking one as his bride |
| Is searbh lem chroidhe nuair chím im radharc í— | 435 | It pains my heart to see her around |
| A gradam, a críoch, a poimp ’s a taihdbhse; | 436 | Her hauteur, her pomp, her stuck-up frown |
| Sealbhach bó aici is eórna ag fás di, | 437 | Cattle in her possession, her barley growing |
| Airgead póca is ór ’dir lámha aici. | 438 | Money in her pocket and gold overflowing. |
| Do chonnairc me indé í ar thaobh na sráide, | 439 | I saw her yesterday on the side of the street |
| Is cumusach tréan an léire mná í, | 440 | She was a large woman, in no way petite; |
| Malfaire másach mágach magmhail, | 441 | She shook her huge hips in a taunting way |
| Marbh le cámus lán de ladmhus, | 442 | With as much impertinence as she could display |
| Mar’each gur claon liom éad do mhúscailt, | 443 | Were it not that I am the soul of discretion |
| Scannal do scéidh ná scéalta scrúdadh, | 444 | Unwilling to comment on any transgression |
| Do b’fhuiris dam innsin cruinn mar chuala | 445 | I could easily tell what I’ve heard told |
| An chuma n-a mbíodh sí sraoillte suaidhte, | 446 | How she carried on as a harlot bold |
| Sracaithe ar lár is gáir ’n-a timcheall, | 447 | Stretched on the floor, causing a hullabaloo |
| Sraithte ar an sráid nó i stábla sínte. | 448 | In the street or the stable, her clothing askew. |
| Mairfid a tásc is tráchtfar choidhche | 449 | Her story will live, she’ll be the subject of lore |
| Ar mharthana ar cháil ’s ar gháir a gníomhartha | 450 | She will be spoken of for evermore |
| In Uibh Breacáin an aráin ’s an fhíona, | 451 | In Ibrickane of the bread and wine |
| I dTír Mhachláin na mbánta míne, | 452 | In Tirmaclane of the meadows so fine |
| Ag ísle is ársa Mháinse is Ínse, | 453 | By Manishmore’s and Ennis’ lowly and quality |
| Chill Bhreacáin, an Chláir is Chuinche, | 454 | In Killbracken, in Quin, and in Clareabbey |
| Ag connsaigh ainmhidhe Threadraighe an phónra | 455 | In Tradree of the beans where there are wild young fellows |
| Is fonnsaighe falachaidhe Chreatlaighe an chorda. | 456 | And in Cratlea where outlaws hang from the gallows |
| Faire, ba chlaon í, tar éis a ndubhairt me | 457 | Now, look, that’s all in the past, I know |
| Ghlacfainn gur saor í fé n-a cionta | 458 | And I might be willing to let it all go |
| Acht beirim don phláigh í lá mar chím í | 459 | But the other day I saw her on her ass |
| Leagaithe láimh le Gárus sínte, | 460 | Outside of Garus lying on the grass |
| Caithte ar an ród gan órlach fúithi | 461 | Spread on the ground without a stitch, so bare, |
| Ag gramaisc na móna ar bhóithribh Dhubhdhoire. | 462 | With a bogman from Doora in the County Clare. |
| M’iongantas ann os ceann mo chéille | 463 | It's a wonder to me, past all comprehension |
| Is crithim go fann le scannradh an scéil seo,— | 464 | Just to think of it fills me with hypertension,— |
| Ise bheith seang nuair theann gach éinne í | 465 | After fornicating with all, I just don’know |
| Is druidim le clann nuair shanntuigh féin í. | 466 | How she didn’t conceive till she wished it so. |
| Is mór ’n-a grása é ag rádh na mbriathar, | 467 | It’s saying a lot for the power of the word |
| Nóimeant spás níor ghábha le hiarraidh | 468 | That not a minute of unnecessary delay was incurred |
| Ó léagadh ar bórd os comhair na coinnle | 469 | From the reading before the candles bright |
| An tEgo Vos seo d’ordaigh Íosa | 470 | Of the Ego Vos of the marriage rite |
| Gur shéid sí lacht go bleacht ’n-a cíocha | 471 | Her breasts were bursting with milk, I swear |
| Acht naoi mí beacht is seachtmhain cinnte! | 472 | After nine months with just a week to spare! |
| | | |
| Breathain gur baoghal don té tá scaoilte | 473 | It’s the greatest peril to the single and sane |
| Ceangal go héag fé thaobh den chuing seo, | 474 | To be tied till death to the ball and chain, |
| I sealbh gach saoth, is éad dá shuathadh— | 475 | In the grip of misfortune, jealousy rife, |
| In aisce, mo léan! mo léaghan ní bhfuaireas, | 476 | As I learned for myself at a terrible price. |
| Is feasach dhon taobh so ’en tsaol mar bhí mé | 477 | Everyone round here knows how I used be, |
| Sealad dem réim ’s dem laethibh roimhe seo, | 478 | When I was single and gloriously free, |
| Leitheadach láidir lán de shaidhbhreas, | 479 | An important man, much wealth I did own |
| Eisteas le fághail is fáilte im theaghlach, | 480 | My door was wide open, my table did groan |
| Caraid i gcúirt is congnadh dlighe agam, | 481 | A friend at court and the law on my side |
| Ceannus is clú agus comhar sa saoithe, | 482 | Dominion and fame, with seers as my guide. |
| Tathach im chaínt is suim is éifeacht, | 483 | My words with wit and wisdom teemed |
| Talamh is maoin ag suidheamh mo chéille! | 484 | All the land and wealth of which I dreamed |
| M’aigne síoch is m’intinn sásta— | 485 | My mind at ease, my brain without strife— |
| Chailleas le mnaoi mo bhrígh ’s mo shláinte! | 486 | I lost it all when I married my wife! |
| Ba thaitneamhach leabhair an crobhaire mná í, | 487 | She was a pleasant and graceful strip of a lass |
| Bhí seasamh is com is cabhail is cnámha aici, | 488 | Her posture and presence betokened class |
| Casadh ’n-a cúl go búclach trílseach, | 489 | The toss of her head showed off ringlets and curls |
| Lasadh ’n-a gnúis go lonnrach soillseach, | 490 | And the sheen on her cheeks fairly glowed like pearls, |
| Cuma na hóige uirthi is sógh ’n-a gáire, | 491 | She had the vitality of youth and a smile of bliss |
| Is cuireadh ’n-a cló chun póige is fáilte! | 492 | And all her demeanour invited a kiss. |
| Acht chreathas le fonn gan chonn gan cháirde | 493 | I shook with desire, my mind did reel |
| Ó bhaitheas go bonn go tabhartha i ngrádh dhi. | 494 | I fell besottedly in love, head over heel. |
| Is dearbh gan dobhta ar domhan gur díoghaltus | 495 | It’s certain, no doubt, it was retribution |
| Danardha donn dom thabhairt ar m’aimhleas | 496 | For all my bad actions, my dissolution |
| D’fhearthainn go trom ar bhonn mo ghníomhartha | 497 | Which fell with a vengeance for my transgression |
| Ó Fhlaitheas le fonn do lom do líon me. | 498 | From heaven above with cruel repression. |
| Do snadhmadh go suidhte snaidhm na cléire, | 499 | The clergy tied us tightly with the knot |
| Is ceangladh sinn i gcuing le chéile, | 500 | In a damnable yoke we were firmly caught, |
| Ghlanas gan chinnteacht suim gach éileamh | 501 | I cleared all the debts without demur or delay |
| Bhaineas le baois gan ghaois an lae sin. | 502 | From the extravagant folly of that fateful day |
| Cothrom go leór, níor chóir me cháineadh— | 503 | Give me due credit, I was able to treat |
| Stopas an gleó bhí ag cóip na sráide, | 504 | All of the rabble who came in from the street |
| Bacaigh go léir, bhí an cléireach sásta, | 505 | Beggars all, the clerics were sated |
| An sagart róbhuidheach is b’éidir fáth leis! | 506 | The priest was delighted at how he was feted. |
| Lasamar tóirsí is comhursain cruinn ann, | 507 | With torches lit, the neighbours around |
| Leagadh ar bórdaibh mórchuid bídh chughainn | 508 | The table with all sort of foodstuffs was crowned |
| Clagarnach cheóil is ól gan choimse, | 509 | The music was mighty, much drink was imbibed |
| Is chaitheadar cóisir mhórtach mhaoidhteach. | 510 | It was a bash on a scale that can’t be described. |
| Mo dhíth gan easbaidh nár tachtadh le biadh me | 511 | But the day I was baptised I wish I had died |
| An oidhche baisteadh nó as san gur iarras | 512 | Or some day since then before I had tried |
| Síneadh ar leabain le hainnis do liaith me | 513 | To bed with a trollop who turned me gray |
| ’S do scaoil le gealaigh gan charaid gan chiall mé. | 514 | Deprived me of friends, caused my mind to decay. |
| ’S é tásc do gheóbhainn ag óg ’s ag aosta | 515 | But then I was warned by the young and the old |
| Gur bhreallán spóirt ag ól ’s ag glaedhach í | 516 | That she was a drunkard and a constant scold |
| I mbotháin ósta is bóird á bpléascadh, | 517 | With the rabble in sheebeens she was wont to mingle |
| Ar lár ’n-a lóiste ag pósta is aonta. | 518 | And lay on the floor with the married and single |
| Do b’fhada dá meilt a teist ’s a tuairisc | 519 | It took a while before her name was destroyed |
| Do b’fhada gur chreid me a bheag ná a mhuar de, | 520 | The stories about her I long could avoid |
| Do b’eaglach le gach beirt dá gcuala é | 521 | Everyone kept mum who knew the situation |
| Go rachainn im pheilt im gheilt gan tuairisc. | 522 | Afraid I would vanish, naked, in extreme agitation. |
| Fós ní ghéillfinn, caoch mar bhí me, | 523 | I would not listen, too blind to see |
| Do ghlór gan éifeacht éinne mhaoidh é; | 524 | To the few who ineffectively told me; |
| Acht magadh nó greim gan feidhm gan chéill | 525 | I believed they were only slagging the groom |
| Gur aithris a broinn dam deimhin gach scéil! | 526 | Until the whole story was told by her womb. |
| Níor chúrsaí leamhuis ná durdam bréige é, | 527 | It was not a prank or idle prattle |
| Ná dubhaiirt bean liom go ndubhradh léithi é | 528 | Or a woman engaging in tittle-tattle |
| Acht labhair an bheart i gceart ’s in éifeacht— | 529 | But the deed itself spoke loud and clearly |
| Do bhronn sí mac abhfad roimh ré dham! | 530 | She gave me a son who was way too early! |
| Mo scannradh scéil gan féith dem chroidhe air— | 531 | God almighty, I nearly died of fright |
| Clann dá dtéadhamh dam tar éis na hoidhche! | 532 | To find a family at the end of that night! |
| Cullóid anfach ainigidhe scólta,— | 533 | There was a mighty commotion around the house |
| Bunóc ceangailte is bean an tí breóidhte, | 534 | With a swaddled child and a retching spouse, |
| Posóid leagaithe ar smeachaidí teo acu | 535 | A draught of medicine on the coals being warmed |
| Cuinneog bhainne dá greadadh le fórsa | 536 | A can full of cream was being forcefully churned |
| Is mullach ar lánmhias bánbhiadh is siúicre | 537 | A dish heaped high with sugar and goody |
| Ag Muirinn Ní Cháimliaith báinliaigh an chrúca | 538 | For the greedy midwife, Muireann Ní Cháimlia |
| Bhi coiste cruinnuighthe ag tuilleadh dem chomhursain | 539 | A group of my other neighbours were gathered |
| Cois na teine agus siosarnach dhamhsa. | 540 | Beside the fire where they quietly whispered. |
| Scaoilid cogar i bhfogus dom éisteacht:— | 541 | One of them said, loud enough to hear:— |
| Míle moladh le Solus na Soillse! | 542 | “Praise be to the stars that shine so clear, |
| Bíodh nach baileach a d’aibigh an chré seo | 543 | Even though the nipper didn’t wait for the clock |
| Do-chímse an t-athair ’n-a sheasamh ’n-a chéadfadh. | 544 | He looks like he’s a chip cut off the old block. |
| A bhfeiceann tú, a Shadhbh ’rú, luigheamh a ghéaga! | 545 | Don’t you see now, Saive, how the kid is the image |
| A dheilbh gan draghan a bhaill ’s a mhéara! | 546 | Of the old man’s form, his limbs and his visage! |
| Cumus na lámh ba dána dóirne! | 547 | The cut of his hands and those bold fists |
| Cuma na gcnámh is fás na feóla. | 548 | And look at those legs and arms and wrists.” |
| Do cheapadar cruinn gur shíolruigh an dúchas | 549 | They pondered long on the child’s supposed lineage |
| Maise mo ghnaoi agus íor mo ghnúise, | 550 | How he looked like me, inherited my image |
| Feilleadh mo shrón’ is glónradh m’éadain, | 551 | The shape of my nose and how my brow glowed |
| Deise mo chló, mo shnódh agus m’fhéachain, | 552 | The elegant form which on him I bestowed |
| Leagadh mo shúl is go fiú mo gháire | 553 | The lay of my eyes and even my grin |
| ’S as-san do shiubhail ó chúl go sáil é. | 554 | How he was my very picture from head to shin. |
| Amharc ná radharc ní bhfaghainn den chréice,— | 555 | Of course, not hide nor hair did I see of the pup,— |
| Is baileach gan leigheas do mheillfeadh gaoth é!— | 556 | They said the draughts would screw him up!— |
| Ag cuideachta an teaghlaigh i bhfeidhil mo chaochta, | 557 | The crowd in the house kept him out of my sight |
| Siolladh dá laghad di leáfaidhe an créatúir! | 558 | With their claim that the air would harm the mite. |
| Do labhras garg ’s do thagras Íosa, | 559 | By this time I was mad and breathing fire |
| Is stollta garbh do bhagras gríosach, | 560 | I told them the consequences would be dire |
| D’fhógras fearg le hainbhfios caínte, | 561 | I thundered, I stormed, I blustered, I swore |
| ’S is dóth gur chreathadar cailleacha an tighe romham. | 562 | Till the women of the house could stand it no more. |
| De leisce an achrainn leagadar chugham é,— | 563 | They brought me the boy to settle me down,— |
| Beir go haireach air, seachain ná brúigh é, | 564 | “Take him gently, don’t shake him around |
| Is fuiris a shuaitheadh, luaisc go réidh é, | 565 | He’s easily hurt; he’s close to dying |
| Turraing do fuair sí ruaig roimh ré é; | 566 | Don’t pick him up, leave him lying |
| Seachain ná faisc é, fág ’n-a luighe é, | 567 | Since she had a fall that brought on his birth |
| Is gairid an bás ’do, is gearr do raghaidh sé; | 568 | He’s close to death, not too long for this earth |
| Dá maireadh go lá idir lámha ’n-a chló | 569 | We hope he’ll survive till the morning at least |
| ’S an sagart ar fághail níorbh fhearr a bheith beó. | 570 | When we’ll have a chance to call the priest.” |
| Do bhaineas an tsnaidhm dá choimhreach cumhdaigh | 571 | I loosened the confining bands and set him free |
| Is bhreathain me cruinn é sínte ar ghlúin liom, | 572 | I looked at him carefully there on my knee |
| A Muaireach d’airigh me tathacach tonnda é, | 573 | My God, I saw he was full of vim and vigour |
| Fuair me feargach fearradach lúitheach | 574 | And he looked like he had a healthy figure |
| Láidir leathan mo leanbh ’n-a ghuailnibh, | 575 | The baby’s shoulders were stout, I declare, |
| Sála daingeana is an-chuid gruaige air! | 576 | He was firm in the feet, had a fine head of hair! |
| Cluasa cruinnighthe is ingne fásta, | 577 | Well-formed ears and nails that were long |
| Chruadhdar a uilleanna a chroibh ’s a chnámha, | 578 | His hands, his wrists and his elbows were strong |
| D’aibigh a shúile is fiú a pholláirí, | 579 | His eyes and his nostrils were both healthily wide |
| ’S d’airigh me a ghlúine luthmhar láidir. | 580 | I could see from his knees he’d have a powerful stride. |
| Coileán cumusach cuisleannach córach | 581 | In short and in closing, it’s all I can say |
| Folláin fuinneamhach fulaingeach feólmhar. | 582 | That he was as fine a child as you’d see any day. |
| Screadaim go hárd le gáir na tíre | 583 | O Aoibheall, I beg you on behalf of my race |
| Is leagaim dot láthair cás na ndaoine, | 584 | I place before you the people’s case |
| Breathain go caoin, is bí truaighmhéileach, | 585 | Judge us kindly, show us mercy |
| Beannaibh a gcinn is suim a gcéille; | 586 | We’ve little sense but much jealousy |
| Atharruigh an dlighe seo chuing na cléire | 587 | Change this law of the clergy’s yoke |
| Is ainic an bhuidhean nár fríoth san ghéibheann. | 588 | And allow his freedom to the unmarried bloke. |
| Má laguigh an síolrach díonmahr daonna | 589 | If the population is on the wane |
| I dtalamh dathaoibheann fhíorghlais Éireann, | 590 | In Ireland’s green and fertile terrain, |
| Is fuiris an tír d’aithlíonadh ’e laochra | 591 | Her race of warriors could be reborn yet |
| D’uireasbha eangaighe gan bhrígh gan éifeacht,— | 592 | Absent the inanity of the marriage net,— |
| Ca bhfuil an gábha le gáir na bainse, | 593 | Why do we need those nuptial traditions |
| Cárta biotáille is págha lucht seinnte, | 594 | Paying for liqour and for musicians |
| Sumaigh ar bórd go fóiseach taidhbhseach, | 595 | Idlers eating all of your food |
| Glugar is gleó aca is ól dá shaighdadh, | 596 | Guzzling your malt till thoroughly stewed. |
| Ó d’aibigh an t-adhbhar do bhronn Mac Dé | 597 | When the Mother of God first conceived |
| Gan sagart ar domhan dá dtabhairt dá chéile; | 598 | No priestly blessing was received. |
| Is leathanmhar láidir lánmhear léadmhar | 599 | Many who are strong and altogether fine |
| Fairsing le fagháil an t-álmhach saor so. | 600 | Sprang from an illegitimate line |
| Is minic do-chímse bríoghmhar bórrtha | 601 | For love is a lustier sire than creed |
| Cumusach líonta i gcroidhe ’s i gcóir iad; | 602 | And produces a healthier, heartier breed |
| Créim ní fheicim ná daille ná caoiche | 603 | The deaf or dumb or lame or blind |
| I léim ar leithre dár hoileadh ó mhnaoi ar bith; | 604 | Among love children you generally won’t find; |
| Is mó ’s is mire, ’s is teinne ’s is tréine | 605 | They are stronger and faster, more right in the head |
| A gcló ’s a gclisteacht ná dlisteanaigh éinne. | 606 | Than many begotten in a married bed. |
| Is fuiris a luaidhimse d’fhuascailt go suidhte | 607 | I brought with me the proof of my stand |
| Is duine aca an uair seo ar fuaid an tighe agam! | 608 | I have here with me one of that band! |
| A bhfeiceann tu thall go ceannsa ciúin é! | 609 | Do you see him there, so quiet and polite? |
| Deisigh anall i dteannta an bhúird é. | 610 | Bring him here so we can see him right. |
| Breathain go cruinn é, bíodh gurab óg é | 611 | Look at him carefully, though he’s a youth |
| Is dearbhtha suidhte an píosa feola é, | 612 | You will see indeed that I tell the truth |
| Is preabaire i dtoirt i gcorp ’s i gcnámh é | 613 | He’s a comely boy in form so grand |
| Ca bhfuil a locht i gcois nó i láimh dhe? | 614 | Can you see a flaw in his foot or hand? |
| Ní seirgeach fann ná seandach feósach, | 615 | He wasn’t sired by a sap with consumption |
| Leibide cam nó gandal geóiseach, | 616 | A worthless tramp, a gander without gumption |
| Meall gan chuma ná sumach gan síneadh é | 617 | A formless lump who’s riddled with cancer |
| Acht lannsa cumusach buinneamhach bríoghmhar. | 618 | But a lively, powerful, active lancer. |
| Ní deacair a mheas nach spreas gan bhrígh | 619 | It would be such a farce to tie for life |
| Bheadh ceangailte ar nasc ar teasc ag mnaoi, | 620 | This sire of his to only one wife |
| Gan chnámh gan chumus gan chuma gan chom, | 621 | Shapeless, spineless, waistless, sexless |
| Gan ghrádh gan chumann gan fuinneamh gan fonn, | 622 | Friendless, mindless, loveless, listless |
| Do scaipfeadh i mbroinn d’éanmhaighre mná | 623 | To use his seed for only one womb |
| Le catachus draghain an groidhre bhreágh | 624 | When he could be in many a bedroom. |
| Mar chuireann sé i bhfeidhm gan mhoill gan bhréig | 625 | This young lad proves without a lie |
| Le cumus a bhaill ’s le luigheamh a ghéag | 626 | With his goodly arms and shapely thigh |
| Gur crobhaire é crothadh go cothrom gan cháime | 627 | That he’s a sapling who was the upshot |
| Le fonn na fola is le fothram na sláinte. | 628 | Of a fevered coupling when the blood was hot. |
| Leis-sin ná hiarrse a riaghain réilteach | 629 | So please don’t subject millions, O Queen of the Sky |
| Meilleadh meiriad le riaghail gan éifeacht! | 630 | To a stupid rule with which they must comply |
| Scaoil ’o chodladh gan chochall gan choimhreach | 631 | Awake to a life without a bond or chain |
| Síol an bhodaigh ’s an mhogallfhuil mhaoidhteach, | 632 | The country’s people, both mighty and plain |
| Scaoil fá chéile de réir nádúra | 633 | Allow them to be naturally combined |
| An síolbhach séad ’s an braon lábúrtha, | 634 | Couples from the peasantry and the refined. |
| Fógair go féilteach tré sna tíortha | 635 | Throughout the land may a new rule unfold |
| D’óg is d’aosta saorthoil síolraidh. | 636 | Of sexual freedom for young and for old. |
| Cuirfidh an dlighe seo gaois i nGaedhlaibh, | 637 | This new law will make the Irish proud, |
| ’S tiocfaidh an brígh mar bhí ’n-a laochaibh, | 638 | The new race will once again be endowed |
| Ceapfaidh sé com is drom is doirne | 639 | With all the prowess of the heroes of old, |
| Ag fearaibh an domhain mar Gholl mac Móirne, | 640 | The likes of Goll mac Móirne the bold. |
| Gealfaidh an spéir, beidh éisc i líonta, | 641 | The sky will brighten, the fish will bite |
| Is talamh an tsléibhe go léir fé luibhna, | 642 | The mountainy land will bloom with no blight |
| Fir is mná go brách dá mhaoidhchain, | 643 | Men and women will sing your praise |
| Ag seinnm do cháil le gairdus aoibhnis. | 644 | And in joyful celebration their voices raise. |
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Deireadh do Chuid a Trí
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End of Part Three
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Ar Aghaidh go Cuid a Ceathair
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On To Part Four
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