Teia Tephi

1:1 Tephi, born in the House of the High Ones - (Pharez - Princes of Zion,
Zion loved of God, - home of the House of the "I AM", our Lord),
Daughter (descendant) of David, shepherd in Judah, - (Tribe of the Lion)
Queen over Bethel (the Stone) and Dan, - where they be scattered abroad.
1:2 Is not the Word made sure? - We are spread forth in alien places (Jas. 1:1).
Fire that was kindled in wrath - burns to the uttermost Hell.
Cry in the night oh Judah. - Thy wise men covered their faces.
Howl for thy young lions slain, - princes led captive to Bel (Babylon).
I, only I am left, - to cry to the uttermost region, -
Of the far off isles to the West (Jer. 31:9-10), - home of the remnant of Dan (Eire),
Sown as a thistle on earth is Jacob/Israel, - the names of us legion.
The Hebrew language fails, - shall not be spoken by [the] Man (ch. 11:3; 30(2); 31).
Isaac is plowed in his furrows, - before the Lord in this season
Water the "tender plant", - "Twig of the loftiest shoot."
How is the "Cedar" left bare - in its boughs was corruption and treason,
Crown of it bended to Baal (idolatry), - serpents devouring its root.
Rest for the flock of the Lord - was not found in the shade of the "Cedar".
Broken it lies. It burns. - Yea, as a thorn beneath a pot.
Kidlings are seething therein - shot down by the archers of Kedar (Darkness).
Foemen are warmed thereby, - fire of its furnace is hot.
Children of Edom dance, - yea, leap in the Place which is Holy.
Bethlehem boweth in chains, - trodden as clay in the mire.
How are our walls broken down, - that the pride of our mighty is lowly.
Yea we wander amid stones, - deserts of thistle and briar.
1:3 I, that am old was young [then], - but my heart ran down into water,
Hearing battle and strife, - terror riseth by night,
Princes and warriors stricken, - fallen like sheep unto slaughter;
Women's wails in the streets, - outside the clamour of fight.
How are the nobles fallen! - Yea, they were strong, they were ruddy,
Fat with the firstlings of flocks, - strong with the strength of the vine.
Now are they white with famine, - their garments of purple are bloody;
Meat, is the flesh of our children. - Blood of our people is wine (Jer. 19:9).
These were as water spilled - on the ground before Nebuchadnezzar (c. 588 B.C.)
Drops that the dogs licked up. - Have they not gathered and fled.
Leaving the women and babes, - Chaldaeans should slaughter at pleasure.
I that was babe of the kings - trembled alone by my bed.
1:4 Yet one came thither unchid, to the place of the women he passed,
Feared by king Zedekiah and hated; Jeremiah's hour had come at the last.
In the room of the sire, the Prophet, the prisoner (Jer. 32 & 37) none would heed
Came through the wasted harvest to gather the "chosen seed" (Jer. 40).
Sternly he bade me to follow. I dared not look in his face
As he led me by secret ways to a cave beneath The Holiest Place.
Here was my one sure hold, and I dreaded it not for the dark,
But I knew the fear of the Lord, I knew that His Holy Ark (of The Covenant)
Was near and I trembled for these, and I ate the water and bread
Of affliction full three days wherein I dwelt as the dead,
Till I heard the voice of Baruch smite from the opened roof,
"The foe is gone from the gates, and the path of our way made smooth."
Then forth in the veil of smoke from the ashes wherein she weeps
We passed through the walls of Zion, her palaces fallen in heaps.
Look, cry aloud for she slumbers, - dreaming a dream that awakes not;
Weep, tear thy garments in shame, - ashes and dust on thy head.
Yea, though the wilderness howl, - yet the voice of Jerusalem speaks not;
Mourn for her, exiles, mourn, - none break the rest of her dead!
Where is the House of the Lord? - Desolation and mourning and sorrow!
Where is the place of the king? - Torrent-gash sun-scorched and brown.
River of rocks, burnt bones! - There the lizard shall see him the morrow,
Scorpions find them a place, - conies make nests for their own.
2:1 My children remember Zion. Moreover I bid you to mark
That the Word of the Lord is Holy, though His purpose therein be dark.
Ye know how we came unto Mizpah, and trusted in peace to dwell
With the servant of God that was slain there (Jer. 41:2). It needs not of this to tell;
But of this my sons take heed (1 Sam. 7:3), shall not your hearts understand
How the Prophet of Zion prayed that our steps might be stayed in the land?
Shall ye not read in His Book (Jeremiah) of the hope of our rest undone
Of Ishmael's fraud (Jer. 41), of the tumult and fight, and of Shaphan's son
And how we went into Egypt (Jer. 42 & 43)?
2:2 Nay, Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh - Israel: Gen. 48:16) shall long be blind,
An ox (unicorn) that sleepeth at "midnight", and Judah couched (Gen. 49:9) as a hind.
The lion hath fled from his lair. The ox (unicorn - Deut. 33:17) hath wandered astray
Till the dawn of the East be red, and the night of the North be grey.
In the "Night" shall no man know them, or the "Signs" that be left [them] to show
Where the Shepherd keepeth the ox (unicorn), whilst the lion is couched full low.
Not by the banks of Jordan, NOT on the Holy Hill [but in Engelland - see 11 (3)]
Are Ephraim's feet, until his furrows be ploughed unto Yahweh's (God's) Will.
Bethlehem's field is empty. The Shepherd (Messiah) follows astray.
Hear ye my words, oh my sons, for "the isles (Brit-ish)" shall await "The Day".
Tephi, I was but weak, a little thing in men's eyes,
A "tender twig of the Cedar", yet sheltered by Prophecies (Eze. 17:22).
The Prophet of God revealed this. Is not His Word made plain?
He came to "root and destroy". He went forth to "plant again" (Jer. 1:10).
In our fields (Judaea) he found no "Vineyard", on our pastures a wasted soil.
No place for the shade of "Cedars", no depth of the earth for "Oil".
Till the Land be fed with the Goim, and the tale of their slaughters told (Zec. 14:12-16; Eze. 39)
The days (to Armageddon) shall be slowly numbered, and the hope of the hills wax old.
2:3 I was led as a slave into Egypt, as a captive to pharaoh's hand
For the will of the son of Kareah (Johanan) rested still on our band,
But the heart of pharaoh was softened. He gave us a resting place.
As daughters we stood before him, and the Prophet of God found grace
To lead us unto Tahpanhes, henceforth amongst men to be
"Jehudia", "House of the Daughter of Judah", mindful of me
Unto the Ending of Days.
2:4 Therein a space was our rest
Till Baruch the scribe found tidings out of the Isles of the West
That the ways unto Tarshish were open, the ships of Javan afar,
And vessels of Tyre went forth on the left of the merchant's star,
From the tongue of the sea to Melcarth's porch (Gibraltar) of the setting sun,
Whence Northward and West they sailed till the Island of Towers was won,
On its righthand Breogan and Eber (Iberia), on its left that water whose bound
Is the Promise of God, wherein His purpose shall yet be found (Gen. 48:19).
2:5 Then the Prophet prophesied greatly of Wrath and of WOE to come
Upon Mizraim's king and people, and all that made Cush (Ethiopia) their home.
Weak and poor shall it be. Three kings shall come from the East
Nimrod (Babylon), Madai (Medes) and Elam (Persia) to break down the sacred beast.
Javan and Chittim thereafter from the islands shall issue forth
To rule the rivers of Egypt and bear their spoils to the North.
Turkey and Rome shall rule over these with an "iron" yoke
Till the Gateway of Heaven be opened, and the fetters of "death" be broke;
Though the Prince of Peace be born, and be lifted on high to reign
On the holy Hills; for Sheba and Dedan shall overflow,
And across the broad Euphrates the (crescent) moon shall arise in woe;
As blood (red) shall it shine from the world's high roof to its Western Gate,
A crescent that never filleth, and the Star of Peace (David's) shall it hate
Till the "Night" be well-nigh ended; and ships come out of the West
Whose mouths are as stinging serpents, and fires are within their breast;
Yet the angels of God are with them. The Rolls of The Law they bear (Rev. 11:3-5),
The spirit of peace is with them, and the promise of peace they share (Eze. 13).
Then Egypt shall be as water. Yet now shall the Nations rise,
And the Books be opened upon them, yea, even in all men's eyes.
By the Wrath (trouble) and the Promise to Jacob, his sons be purged of their guilt,
The Ways of The King be open (Isa. 43); and that House of our God be built
That shall never henceforth be shaken (Dan. 2:44-45). These things be graved and set
In the lime, by the kilns of pharaoh. Their place shall be hidden yet.
Therewith is my story written, and carved on stone by the scribes
Are secrets of things which shall be, and the names of eleven tribes
At the End of their "days appointed" (Rev. 11:3), but Judah goes thither and fro
As a stricken lion in the pit (Jews) till The Hour of the Final WOE (7th Trumpet - Rev. 11:15, 18-19).
3:1 My sisters ye mourned not for Zion, though short was your day and sad,
Ye loved the fleshpots of Egypt, and marvelled my soul was glad
That the time of our voyage drew nearer. Ye longed with her gods to stay,
And the Angel of Death drew sword and both were slain in a day.
Then the servants of idols bound ye, in aloes and spice and myrrh,
And we laid you amongst the heathen, but not in their sepulchre.
Baruch hath written your names on the wood, and over either face
Skilled workmen moulded the gold where ye wait in your resting place.
I might not weep. Ye had sinned. Upon Egypt's sin was your love;
And the cry of the man of God drew down His Wrath from above.
3:2 Now a ship drew near into haven, a ship from the far-off seas,
Whose pilot was child of the Danites, whose sails had filled to the breeze
In the boundless river of God. Returned from the storehouse of tin,
It had weathered the sea of storms, and the waters that rage therein.
Her tin she sold to the founders of brazen (bronze) vessels, and lead
That was cast in bolts for the slingers; with many tires for the head
Of the locks that I knew too well, of the tresses that shimmer fire
Which flickers before men's eyes and fills their hearts with desire;
And amber from wizard lands at whose dread the Lochlann mocks
When he sails his hidebound boat through the sea of the floating rocks,
Whence monsters with horns arise to behold the sun lie red
On the lap of the sea by night, nor reigns he at noon overhead.
Swiftly they loaded the ship with the good things out of the land,
Rich garments, and potter's vessels, and arms for a chieftain's band,
And beads of glass for the women, and oil and almonds and spice,
And gold of the cunning workmen, and food with their merchandise;
Till we escaped in the night from pharaoh, but hid in the field that day
Whilst the hand of the Lord held back the watchmen that barred our way.
3:3 We were five that rode upon asses, and five by the mules they led
Whereon were the things brought forth from the House of the Lord when we fled:
The (Bethel) Stone of Jacob our father, The Seat wherein Yahweh ("I AM") dwells
Upon sacred things whereof the Book of the Prophet (Moses) tells;
And the Signs of my father David, on whom the Promise was stayed
Bright as the crown of the dawn, deep as the midnight shade,
Strong as the Purpose of God when He fashioned the land from the sea,
A hope for the sons of Adam, that the chosen of Him should be
A king over men for ever; yea, UNTIL the Lord's Own "Day" (Eze. 21:27)
When the "earth" shall be broken in dust, and the "sea" shall vanish away.
Upon me was that Promise fallen. For me was the Prophet's toil.
He had "signed" me with David's Signet, "anointed mine head with oil".
He had set mine hands to the harp; he had bidden me hold the spear;
The buckler was girt to my bosom, and Baruch and he drew near
To set my feet upon Bethel, The Stone that is seen this day
That my seed may rest upon it wherever it is borne away,
And its Promise be sure beneath them, strong to uphold their throne.
Though the builders cast it aside, it shall never be left alone.
These things we did at Tahpanhes ere we fled to the haven of ships,
And the Spirit of God came on me; His Promise rose to my lips.
I spoke, and I bade go forward, and the sons of the Lord obeyed,
And the Prophet of God bowed down, and this was the song that I made.
3:4 As a seed in a desert amongst thorns - I am fallen. I am blown by the wind.
In thy garden, in thy pleasant field, beloved, - Is no water, is no rest that I may find (in the Promised Land).
Bel (Babylon) hath broken down thy cisterns and thy founts, - Esau (Edom-Idumaea) cast his sum upon thee in thy woe.
Mizraim's (Egypt's) night is as a darkness to be felt, - Follow ye with me the "sun" (Throne of David - Ps. 89:36) wherever it go.
Follow after, follow after, my beloved, - Follow after by the pathways of the deep.
Leave the cloud of midnight thick upon this land. - Go before the sun that riseth out of sleep.
Plant me far upon the far green hills (Brit-ish Isles). - Ye have poured a Living Oil (of Understanding) into my heart,
The waters of the sea shall girt me round, - As the armour of the shield when I depart.
My children hearken to an holy harp, - As a certain Sign of Promise this [harp] shall be.
The spear (Trident) within my right hand will I keep, - As the sceptre of the billows of the sea;
And the lion of my signet is a Sign, - Yea he roareth unto them that dwell afar,
And the name of God engraved therein shall cry, - In the "darkness" as a Light and Guiding Star.
4:1 On a moonless night and a cloudy we shipped and we passed away
In the veils of the Lord from Egypt. The breath of His mouth was our stay
Three weeks in our sails to westward. Thus favour was in the eyes
Of the men of the ship upon us, and I talked with our pilot wise,
Buchi the son of Helek, whose marvellous words were truth.
He had gathered in many waters, an old man now from his youth,
Who in boats of Dan and Javan had raised up sails as a boy
For the sons of some that Ulysses son of Liart brought back from Troy.
I heard of the painted talking birds in gardens with fruits of gold;
And fish islands spouting fountains; and one terrible tale he told
Of a giant that dwelt amongst trees, and descending rended in twain
Three Miledhs that sought him with buckler and spear, but in fight were slain.
In his hairy hands were they twisted, yea, as a stalk that is bent
On the myrtle ere it be gathered, so were they broken and rent.
Thus we came to Kirjath Hadtho (Carthage), and moored at the long fair wharf
Whence Ham and his camels athirst seek the tree-built homes of the dwarf,
And beheld the Bozrah (Byrsa - enclosure) above it, yet set not our feet therein,
For Canaan, Phut (Africa) and Lubim (Libyans) be wholly bound unto sin;
And Buchi spoke of their princes, and how when a Shophet died,
His wives were brought to his burning, his slaves to be crucified;
Of Ashtaroth (Ishtar-Easter) and of Tanith, queen harlots of cruel name
Whom the Phoeni brought from the East ere into their land they came,
And of Baal whom Yahweh hateth. He (Baal) dwelleth amongst you still.
Ye sons of Erin (Eire), I know ye. I know that your hands work ill.
Root up the groves from among you. Cast down his seats on the tors.
His fires are destroyers of gladness, his feasting my soul abhors.
4:2 Hear ye, hear ye, that which he spoke, the Prophet of God (Jeremiah)
When he stood betwixt Baruch and Buchi and stretched on that land his rod.
"Baal shall be broken," he said, "yet he shall rise as the sun,
Red and gold is his rising. Swiftly his course he shall run,
Unto the isles of the West, unto the uttermost sea (Atlantic),
Unto the land of the Sikels (Sikhs) surely his border shall be.
Nemidh kneeleth his camel, fat is he waxen, and full.
The wealth of many 'waters' hath swollen the hide of the bull.
A son is born him in season. Yea, as a tiger's whelp (Eno. 59:7),
To the West doth he leap, to the North, to the South. There is none that may help.
By his teeth are men slain, in his claws they are rent, and the chief of his prey
Are the cubs of the wolf (Rome) who mourns (Rev. 18:7) not, but ever croucheth at bay.
In the blood of her cubs he (Tiberius) is sick, he is blind, he is drunken, he falls.
Hear it, ye gods of the heathen. Hear it, ye far stretching walls.
The wrath of the she-wolf (Rome) is sated. Your place is spread as a plain.
Your altars of blood are cast down. Your fires unto Baal are vain.
The Tusci (Tuscany) and Rome burn you. Their host is come out of the North,
As on Nimrod and Assur and Edom and Tyre, the curse hath gone forth,
Thy sons shall be few and scattered, thy daughters carried to shame,
Thy walls (Carthage) be broken for ever, thy temples set to the flame."
4:3 The West was blood as he spoke. The sky was black on the land,
The blast of a furnace sped from the trackless ocean of sand
Bearing the wrath of Baal, and smote on the Prophet's mouth,
But the Hand of the Lord was with us to turn our way from the South.
Our sails were rent, and the men of the vessel cursed us by names
Of their gods, but feared the Prophet who called out of heaven its flames,
Fire and hailstones and thunders, and hills from the tossing sea;
But I stood beside him and feared not, for helpers of heaven were we.
Seven days did I stand beside him with Buchi the pilot of Dan,
And the eyes of the Phoeni hated, yet hoped in the wave-worn man
And the child and the Prophet only; for Baruch kept watch below
By the Stone (Jacob's) and prayed upon it to comfort my women's woe.
Whither we went we knew not, yet Buchi stood by the helm,
Whilst the waves sped hungry after, but dared not to overwhelm
The Prophet of God, and the Daughter of Hope who stood by his side,
That the name of the Lord might stand, and His Promise be magnified.
But the Phoeni bowed down and blessed us when now on the seventh day
The sea was at Sabbath stillness, and we entered a little bay
By the mouth of an unknown river that ran from East to West (Tiber),
And lay tawny beside the shore where we anchored and lay at rest.
5:1 Then the men consulted together, and marvelled upon that spot,
And Boedan the son of Buchi was chosen of them by lot
To lead our skiff to the shore, and find from the folk thereby
What hap had fallen upon us, and where our course should lie.
Now Boedan brought us a man that they caught in a bushy field,
On his head a brazen helmet, on his left arm a broad round shield,
At his thigh a short stiff falchion (sword). His feet were mired in the clay
Of the marsh where Boedan traced him, and caught and brought him away.
Now the man bent not before us, but gazed with a steadfast eye
On our engines of war and weapons, and spoke no word of reply
Unto Buchi who spoke all tongues, till the gaze of the Prophet fell
Upon him compelling and silent, and then he spoke full well
In a tongue that the Sicans use. "I come from the she-wolf's hold
Nigh at hand on the river (Tiber), to seek a sheep of my fold.
I am very wroth, ye Phoeni. I am wroth with the son of Dan.
I am wroth with all amongst ye save this damsel and aged man.
Save for these I had not spoken. AVOID ye the she wolf's lair (Rome).
Of the hill of the great Dayfather (Sun-god - Vatican Hill) I say unto you, beware.
If your course be West, sail westward; where, I want not to know,
For the door of Janus is wide wherever I have will to go.
If I find ye, be ye heedful. My sword blade is short and strong,
And my shield as a wall before me. Bind me not with a thong,
Lest wolves in pack be upon ye. Julius hath many mates
That snarl in the lair, but howl as one from the towers and gates."
5:2 The Servant of God stood silent, and gazed in that strong man's face
With eyes like star-filled sapphires as he spoke of his name and place,
Then bade his thongs be severed, that each before each might stand
Eye upon eye; and we parted ourselves upon either hand
As the Prophet lifted his gaze to call down blessing and curse
Unto kindreds and peoples and times, unto better hap and to worse,
Whilst that chief stood silent, proud, in his eye the forward gleam
Of a shield on a wall that holdeth the sun with a steadfast beam.
"Thou art set in the 'Night' to watch (ch. 31). The towers of thy watch are seven (Rev. 17:9, 18).
As a strong man armed thou shootest thine arrows at highest heaven.
Did I not see thee afar by the Bozrah with long built walls.
Thou bendest three spears beneath it, upon the latest it falls (Rev. 17 & 18).
Thy swords are many and strong, thy quiver is wide and full,
Thy shafts are swiftly sped over all the plain of the bull.
Javan and Chittim (Cyprus) are pierced; Eber and Phut are low;
Lud and Aram are stricken before the strength of thy bow.
Mizraim is thine, and the half of Gomer's bands, and the Gaul.
All shall be given thy prey because thou hast cast down Baal.
On the silver wall (Dover) of the islands thy farthest hunting shall be,
Ere the packs of the wolf are stayed by the dams of the stormy sea.
War is thy birthright, war is thy joy [1(3) above], and warfare thy bane (Romans).
Peace shall be very near thee, and under thee Peace (Jesus) be slain
In the street of The Holy City. Brass and 'iron' and clay (Dan. 2:32-34)
Thou standest, and shalt be broken, thy watchtowers be for a prey (Rev. 17:16)
To the beasts of the field, and the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air.
Thine helm is parted asunder, the crown of thy head left bare (Rev. 13:3)
To the winds of the East and the North (NE). Out of Magog, Gomer, and Tur
With biting hail thou art driven, thy sword blade hath lost its spur
In the lap of thy wives, in the fullness of feasts, in the slavehood of power,
In thy fetters of gold thou art lost; yet there cometh a later hour (Rev. 13:3)
When swordless thou risest again (Vatican) with a woman's cunning device
Of tongue and snares of the eye (Idols; Icons; etc.) the souls of men to entice.
In the Name thou hatest at heart (God), thou callest the nations afar.
The words in thy mouth are honey, but as wormwood thine actions are (Rev. 17:5).
This also long will I bear till the goats be set from the sheep (Matt. 25:32-33 & 2 Thess. 2:7-12),
For I set thee a Watch of the Night, and this by My Watch shalt thou keep." (2 Esd. 11:39)
5:3 These things Jeremiah spoke to Julius and bade him take to heart
The blessing and cursing (of Rome) mingled, and gave him grace to depart
Ere we sailed between mighty islands, both kept of a savage folk,
Now the Southward sells sons unto Egypt, but the Northerners brook no yoke.
Here the Prophet foretold how in Latter Days an eagle would fly
From his eyrie amongst the mountains which lifted heads against the sky,
Swift at the swarming of Gomer, but lacking strength to endure.
Unstable, his beak be dipped in the prey with a hold unsure.
6:1 In short space we drew unto Eber (Iberia), a land of mountain and vale.
Purple and gold were its hills, and the Prophet took up his tale.
"Thou art [become] servant to Baal, oh Heber; servant of Him (God) that shall slay
The leopard of Baal and his bull. Thy strength is taken away
Before the wind of the North, before the wind of the South
Until GAD and Tarshish arise to rend the bit from Spain's mouth
Swift upon wheels they roam, yea, wheeling, follow the course
Of the sun in his fields afar. They are each as a swift red horse
Wanton therein for a while. In their hearts is a Satanic thought
Lusting for things set apart, how low shall their lust be brought.
They are halt in their northward leap to the whitewalled tower of the sea (England).
Its warders shall overtake them, and great shall their assault be."
6:2 Then drifting in calms to southward, we drew towards the Pen of the Cape
Of the Rock that keepeth the sea-gate and weareth a lion's shape (Gibraltar)
And watcheth both Phut (Africa) and Eber (Iberia), and inward keepeth the sea,
And outward the endless waters that storm it eternally (the Atlantic - Sura 52:6).
In kingly strength it arises hoary and huge, the crown
Of the pilot's hope who gazes. Thither the ships go down
And may not avoid the watchmen. Narrow the sea-gates are (Matt. 7:13-14),
And Javan and Tarshish stand where Canaan holdeth the bar.
Their peddlers must barter hardly with those from the outer deep
For ivory, apes and gold and tin, with grain and wool of the sheep;
For Canaan found her pathways and hid them from men's desire,
And the spoils of all outer peoples have builded the Fanes (Sura 52:4) of Tyre
Which shall fall, even now are falling (Eze. 27). The daughter of Zidon is low.
Is her assault not recorded, her nakedness, shame, and woe (Eze. 26)?
6:3 Yet here was her mother her bondslave, cleansing her Gate of the West
[The Fane] 'Neath the Pen of the foot of Eber, and receiving therein her guest;
For a strong caer Zidon builded, and called it by Melcarth's (Neptune's) name,
And GAD and Simeon were with her when into that cape we came
Under Elier the son of Ziza, who had knelt at Melcarth's shrine,
But was circumcised in his fathers, and cursed not the Name Divine (YHWH),
And knew the teaching of Moses, and ruled by The Book of The Law,
And yearned unto Jacob/Israel and David and that which their souls foresaw.
Six months he had mourned for Zion, but now in the seventh moon
He wept by the wall of his Caer from the dawning of day till noon.
His youth had been bloody and headstrong. His age was [now] silent and wise.
And the men of Zidon obeyed him, and great he was in their eyes.
Now at noon he prayed unto Zion (1 ki. 8:29-30; Sura 2:144), and far on the eastern sky
Rose our sail. Then the son of Ziza cried with a joyful cry,
For the Spirit of God was with him, "Prepare we a feast this day.
Six months was my fast appointed, but now it is lifted away.
My ashes are cleansed, pour forth a precious oil for mine head.
Set jewels upon my fingers to greet one sent from the dead.
My purple cloak shall be on me, my gems upon either ear,
My bracelets of gold, my breastplate of gold are meet to appear
In the eyes of those that bring tidings. Yea, yonder behold the wings
Of a dove, in whose mouth was planted the 'branch' (Deut. 33:20) of mighty kings,
And watered by blood, and pruned that henceforward it send forth shoots
Till its Crown be lifted to heaven (Eze. 21:27) and Earth be filled with its roots."
6:4 Three hours ere set of the sun we came to the strong-built wall,
Then the Prophet of God cried forth, and Elier came at his call,
And knelt on the ground and answered of all that he had prepared,
How his heart had leaped within him, and now as a wand lay bared
And stripped in our sight; and his sons knelt by him on either hand,
That the Man of God might bless them as he set his feet on their land.
But he craved my blessing also, that chieftain (Elier) hoary and grim,
So I set my palm to his forehead, and cried on the Name of Him (YHWH)
Who had chosen me out of Jesse, and lifted me from the grave,
And out of the house of pharaoh, and led me upon the wave,
For a blessing on this man also, his sons, and his fortified town (Isa. 33:16).
"Hail," I said, "to The Rock that shall never be overthrown
By the sea, but shall stand its warder, a keeper of many ways
To guard the treasures of ocean; and unto this town be praise.
Though its name (Melcarth) be abomination, yet here is a shelter found,
And space for our feet to tread on, that weary long for the ground,
And welcome from tongues that are near our own, and an open heart
To hear The Cause of our coming, and bless us ere we depart.
Upon Elier God send blessing! Yea, as a lofty tree
Be his fourscore years an hundred to hold the Gate of the Sea.
His sons are many beside him. I bless them now, that they know
That when floods arise, the 'mountains' are open wherein to go,
And hide and issue for prey or vengeance in flood or field.
They shall plough them both in the 'Springtime', and both shall a harvest yield.
This is the blessing of Tephi." Then he and his sons arose
And cried my name, but their lips spoke strangely, and might not close
On its sound, for, "Teia, Teia, Teia," these GADites cried,
And, "Teia, Teia, Teia," the voice of their Rock replied.
7:1 Now some that bore Melcarth's idol tarried to carry him about,
And high by his wall they set him, and named his name with a shout,
But the voice of the Rock replied not, their crying was shrill and small.
Then Simon the son of Elier shook his spear at the wall,
A sign for the keeping of silence; and some that stood by the shrine
And looked for an omen, knowing the Voice said their Rock was mine,
Strove against the priests until Melcarth falling was broken in twain,
The image (idol) which Canaan brought from the uttermost eastern main,
And sent forth again to be with her sons, the toilers in ships (Eze. 27:26),
That the name of their god might endure and be spoken by many lips.
A cubit (20.25") he was in stature, and shapeless unto the crown
Of his head, but arms beside him in the likeness of man hung down.
In his right hand a golden TRIDENT was set for the rule of the sea,
And Elier bade it be plucked away, and be given to me.
7:2 Then said he, "No more Caer Melcarth, Caer Teia this place is named.
Our Rock hath shouted thy name. Therein shall its walls be famed,
Whilst the seed of David endures," but God's Prophet answered him, "Nay,
This too shall be broken in pieces, its stones be carried away.
Not once nor twice shall this be, by the land, by the seas, by the Strait
Shall the spoilers come with engines [of war] to storm the Tower of the Gate;
But at 'eve' returneth the damsel that holdeth the Trident spear;
A flaming wheel is her buckler, on all the isles is her fear,
And my daughter's sons are with her. Hail to the thunder and smoke
Of the ships which outdo the thunder, of her OXen brought to the yoke (ch. 11:3)
To plough (Lu. 9:62) her by sea and by land a field for the harvests of Peace.
From islands of iron she goeth to gather the world's increase.
Yea, islands of strength are the wheels of her chariot, her steeds shall not tire,
The storm is silent before them, their neighing is hailstones and fire (Rev. 11:5).
Her peace is with winds and waters and clouds to lead her alone
Over every ocean wherein the might of her Trident is known.
To the hill-top of hope, to the Holy Hill. Weep, weep no more (Rev. 21:4)
When the daughter of Zion (Teia) sits in the Gate. From the shore to the shore
Her name is heard in the echoing Rock, her voice in the cave (St. Michael's).
Her young lions draw to her side (Isa. 43), though the fowls of the 'mountains' rave.
Where the 'eagles' gather together (Matt. 24:28), is a lion in the narrow way.
He herdeth the kine (Eno. 89:47) before me, and setteth himself at bay,
If at 'Dawn' (ch. 31) the 'eagles' hover, and the prey that is in their beak
Causeth their wings to tarry, their eyries be far to seek (Job 39:27-30; 2 Esd. 12)
When the lion springeth upon them. Not yet, oh my daughter, not yet
Is thy seat on the Lion of the Gate, but let not thy soul forget."
7:3 Three months beside The Rock we abode, and here it befell
That the seamen of Tyre returned, and we knew how this hap was well,
For they murmured at Melcarth's fall, and therefore an evil thought
Arose in their hearts to slay us; taking that which we brought
Out of Egypt, the jewels of pharaoh, which Sebnet his servant gave
When pharaoh named me his [adopted] daughter. These we cared not to save,
But the Things of the Lord were precious. These things a slave, with a kiss,
Drew from the lips of a seaman, and Elier heard of this
And brought our goods from the vessel, and bade its sailors be gone,
Though the Prophet told it to him how that ship would sink as a stone.
7:4 Which thing hath surely happened, for at the next eventide
When Baruch the scribe sat with us, his eyelids were opened wide,
And he said, "The Lord stands by me. My spirit is in His hand,
He slayeth Tyre in deep waters. He saveth me by the land.
He holdeth me in a dark place." And then he tottered and fell,
And went to the house of our fathers with David my sire to dwell,
Moses and Jacob/Israel with them; an old man withered and hoar,
Whose eyes wept blood over Zion, the tale of his years fourscore.
We buried him by Caer Teia, and there in the lisping tongue
Of its folk men prayed above him, whilst songs of the grave were sung
By me and my women duly. On that same night at the morn
To the wife of Simon Ben Elier a fair man-child was born,
And they named him Baruch from him, this child is amongst you still.
Simon Breach ye name him. In our speech this is good and ill,
As of one that is striped and spotted, but fierce though his angers be
His name (Baruch) shall be known in the "latter-days" for his faith to me.
8:1 Two months we took much counsel to find us a further aid (ship)
For our journey beyond the sea-porch, but at last a pact was made
With a Merchant who came out of Lud, but in Canaan, Dor was his birth,
And he traded in many waters to all the ends of the Earth.
Aine, a daughter of Dan was the mother of Necbal. She knew
Where Dan lay coiled as a serpent; watching all birds as they flew,
Naming those that passed to Eire when Winter was over and spent.
But she joyed in the surety of Dan, his salvation sealed by the deep,
Where in grasses and long green rushes the broods of the serpent creep
To sting the horse with its rider (Gen. 49:17), the Unicorn and the Lion and Lamb
Until all be gathered together in The Promise to Abraham (ch. 11:3 and Gen. 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; 49:10, 22-24; Acts 3:25; Gal. 3:8, 16).
She aided us much with Necbal, who bade his warriors await
A ship of the isles of Elissa that sought to steer by the Gate (Gen. 22:17),
For the Phoeni brook no rivals to hamper their merchant's mart.
The weaker come not anigh, the stronger they bid depart,
Or fight for the way in the narrow porch. So the warriors of Dor
And of Rhodes took that ship of the Greeks, and to Necbal's store
Her riches were brought, yet brave and fierce were the men of her crew
Ere Achaeas and Aias her captains the bands of the Phoeni slew.
I beheld the body of Aias, a mighty hero and strong,
His spear was stayed to his wrist by its plaitings of leather thong.
His greaves were of brass, and his helm was brass, and his full-moon shield
Was pictured with tales of his sires that had harried the Ilian (Trojan) field,
Chiefs of the Merchants, and princes of Dan in his islands, and lords
Of the men of Argos and Chittim (Cyprus), and captains that went by the fords
To the parts about Inis Colcha for fleeces and golden dust,
And fair-haired bondslaves whose fathers will sell their daughters to lust.
Thou wast shapely in death brave Aias, and crisp the curls of thine head.
Thy feet and thy hands were little, yet thine arm was mighty to shed
The blood that had drenched thy sword-blade when thou heldest thy ship alone,
Till caught in the nets of the miledhs (warriors) at last thou wast overthrown.
8:2 Now the Prophet said, "Out of Javan and Tyrus a ram shall rise,
To storm the 'Gates of the Sun' (Isa. 45:1-3) in the Golden-house (Dan. 2:38) of the Skies.
Even now is born God's servant to Madai (Media). Him shall He bless
to the height of a moon whose splendour shall weaken yet not be less (Dan. 2:39).
By him (Cyrus) shall Bel be broken (539 B.C.), with Mizraim, Lud and Tyre,
But the ram of Elissa shall tread him, the two-horned ram, in mire (Dan. 8:20-21).
He breaketh the walls before him (332 B.C.), he butteth the farthest East.
The Holy Hill shall know him. He setteth foot on the beast (Babylon - Rev. 16:10),
Upon Egypt, over Elam and Assur he goeth abroad at will.
The Burmah beholds his horsemen. The roof of the world sits still.
He is feared in Hinda and Ganga, and on to their utmost isle
As none that hath come before him. Yet, behold, in a moment's while
He is ended and gone (323 B.C.). The place of his ending holds not his fame,
But the place of his rest shall be famous, and ever dwell in his name.
The wise shall write him a story, the cunning picture his deed.
His pride is a garnered treasure whereon shall the ages feed.
Magog and Gog (Eze. 38; Sura 18:94) adore him. Shushan claimeth his right,
But the ram of Helle (Alexander) is set in the sky as her beacon-light."
8:3 Now Necbal plundered the corpses, and lent us the strong-built boat,
Building great stones within her that upright and strong she should float,
For rowers we had not as yet, and trusted but to the sail
To lead, and the stones within, to steady us into the gale,
If the winds should beat upon us, and wild seahorses outcurl
Their manes on the plain, but Gadites and Fomorcs (sea-rovers) we had to furl
Our sail in such hap from Elier, who, blessing us, bade farewell,
Sending Simon his son with his babe and wife to guide us and to tell
The shallows, and count the headlands as we sought from the western bay
Of the Gate, North-West by the sun, where the island of turrets lay,
Near the mines of bright iron and copper, and the wind of the South-West still
Blew soft on our sail, so thither no hap of our voyage was ill.
9:1 Now we came unto Ith to Tarshish, a miledh of war was he,
A fierce sea king that ever had joyed in the stormy sea.
The crash of the prows in battle, and coast towns given to flame;
But for Elier's sake he loved us when unto his courts we came.
He gave us slaves of the Nemidh (sons of heaven), lusty, freckled and strong,
To fill the bank of the oarsmen, and bend their backs unto song;
And he made them a song to swing to as onward we went our way,
And I wrote that song before him, and helped them to learn its sway.
9:2 "To the star, to the star, to the star, do we row, at the eve, in the dawn, through the day,
Seven moons, seven nights do we sit as we go, by the coast of the hills on our way.
To the East, to the right, sixty hours swing the oars, to the cape of the firebearing Pen,
From its tower is our travail to come by the shores, whereon Net of the Stones hath his den.
We are swift, we are strong, for the seas are alone, and the hills of the wave builded high,
And the sea-god hath made him a place for a throne, and the Thunder his camp in the sky.
By the cahirs of Net, by the stones which he built, are the streams where our weary may drink.
If his men give us hurt unto Ith is their guilt, and their names in his nostrils shall stink.
To the West, to the North, to the East by the heads, out of Caerned count forty and four
Till our way goeth North by the coast where it leads, past the woods of the wolf and the boar.
Wait the sun lest the sea-witch draw cloud to her hand, with the moon on our stern must we row.
Whilst the eyes of the watchmen await on a land, as a blue mist, as blood or as snow.
He is blue where he watches the storehouse of tin. If his beard we may pluck, he shall smile.
To the house of the bond-slaves of Ith we go in to Elatha, and rest us awhile."
9:3 Now Ith regarded my singing, and grace in his eyes I found,
And he said, "I have mourned my son, who has fled beyond the bound
Of Eber and Gad and Breogan, perchance he hath passed away,
But I would that Lughaidh (Levi) were with me, and thou wert his bride this day.
My sons are not few, but Lughaidh's mate should be far to seek.
He was first in arms and in leechcraft, first in the stithy's reek,
First in counsel or pastime, and first would he be in pride,
So he brooked no king above him, and forth he went from my side.
Yet my heart is weary for him, and never hath yearned again
As it yearneth to thee my daughter; and glad I were if the twain
Could meet if indeed he liveth. Thou art little, but thou art wise,
Thy words unto men are few, but queenly their message lies
In the hearts of slaves thereafter. Now, therefore my daughter plead
With my son where'er he greets thee, and his ears shall give good heed."
9:4 Now the Nemidh and Fomorcs sang, setting their backs to the oar
Many days till they swung together, and the chief of the rowers swore
That with such he feared no evil. So we went from the Fortress of Ith
Well stored with garments and trinkets, and many a gift therewith,
Brooches, armlets and rings in caskets of ivory,
With mirrors of bronze and combs of shells of beasts of the sea;
For the hand of Ith was open, if wide, uncomely and red,
And he loved the message of Elier, whilst Simon his son had wed
His nigh of kin, who remained with her husband behind when we went;
And I gave unto Ith three gems to witness my soul's content,
Blue, green and tawny, of Egypt; and the Prophet said, "Let the blue
That is always before thee lead thee to seek the gift that is new.
Lo, the mine of emeralds is deep. This, therefore, shall be thy seal
Of a mining far in the deep, in green forests of Ar Brazeel (Brazil).
In the tawny stone, behold it, thy path is set to the South,
And the tawny sands poured seawards from many a river's mouth.
Thy wealth is in this, in the yellow sands, in the shipmen's trade,
In the tawny lands there is none to make thy Breogans afraid."
So spake he to Ith at our parting, and sad are our hearts to go
By the side of the deep-hued hills, whilst the Fomorcs and Nemidh row
To their song, but the sea song cheers us; and so we pass without hap
To the Firepen flaming northwards that watcheth on Eber's cap.
There, casting the Pen behind us, we flee for the North in fear,
For the sea-snakes coil beneath us until we may hardly steer,
And our galley is tossed up endwise, and some of our oars are broke,
And some break hearts of our Nemidh, and white are my womenfolk;
But I sing them the Psalms of David, and how he escaped from Saul
When the Lord his God stood by him; and raised his feet on the wall
When the might of man availed not. Whilst the Prophet readeth his scroll
And recketh not of the stormwind, nor heedeth the water's roll,
For the Word of the Lord is in him. In a noon that is black like night
He beholdeth the heavens open. His face is a shining light.
Then Buchi breaketh the pole of the helm, and we may not steer,
And he clings to the mast beside us, and heareth our holy cheer
As we go unholpen of man; but the mighty hand of the Lord
Is with us, and far before us the signs of His grace outpoured.
The seamen's marks have failed in the storm, and the watchmen dream
We are lost in plains of the ocean where never the seabirds scream,
And no life save of sea beasts liveth; but Buchi, the wise man, told
Of one who had sought Ar Brazeel, and its city whose towers are gold,
And came on that island westward, and stored his ship and returned,
And after six months found Tarshish, a bearer of thoughts that burned
In his bosom whilst he hid them; for a pestilence found his crew
And strewed their bones upon ocean, and all save himself it slew;
Whilst himself died little after, leaving with Buchi his thought.
Therefore Buchi enquired upon us if now that island be sought,
When our oars were mended and manned, but the Servant of God forbade,
And counted us yet four days wherein our souls should be sad.
Commending us prayer and fasting. Then, therefore by night I prayed,
And by day I heartened my women in God, and was not afraid.
Now, storm was yet on the fifth day but lessened, and looking forth
In the cloud methought that there gathered a darker cloud from the North,
And enquired of the son of Helek, who shaped as an arch his hand,
And gazing, gave thanks unto Heaven that brought us in sight of land.
Then we saw it as isles and a wrathful cape, for ragged and grey
The rocks ran down to the sea, and shewed us no entrance way.
Whilst our helm was broke, but the Lord of the sky commanded the wind
To save us out of their teeth in a haven that lay behind,
Where a Pen arose to the East, and a marvel of God in that Pen,
For the Storehouse of Ith stood there, and the place of Elatha's men.
More swift than by any road that our pilot had steered,
To the land of tin were we come, yea, even unto his beard.
10:1 Blessed were we in the Lord when the traders of Ith came out,
And learning our message towards them, raised his name with a shout
And brought us into their houses beneath the Pen of the wood,
Slaying an ox and seething its flesh in pots for our food,
And baking fish with corn and herbs that grew in their garth
Beneath the strong steep Pen whereon was builded a rath (hill-fort),
Defender of lead and tin, and black stones out of their mines,
Both that which burneth as wood, and that which glitters and shines
Betwixt the breasts of their damsels. To the mines were our Nemidh sent
To toil three years for their master, nor thus were they ill content,
For we gave them a promise from Ith, that after three years should come
A ship out of Kirjath Hadtho (Carthage), and bear them unto their home
Where the eye of day is clear on the rocks without cloud to blind,
And the dates are sweet in the mouth where the bowman seeketh the hind.
10:2 Then Elatha (Wisdom) the kinsman of Ith gave counsel to rest awhile
Till swift boats be sent to Eriu to question the men of that isle
Where the princes of Dan abode, and chiefly to Jochad, the son
Of Duach, him that their landsmen had chosen as Heremon (High king)
Whose fathers came out of Japho (Joppa) wherein they were held too strait
By the kings of Gath and of Eckron, and spreading their sails to fate
Drew their swords unto kingship in Chittim (Cyprus), Rhodan, and Lud,
And ruled Ar Kadesh, and mingled the stream of the chosen blood
In many a mountain torrent, on many a peopled coast
Ere they lighted on green Eriu, a little, a noble host,
Which fought the cause of the landsmen. This fame, and their names herein
The Prophet foreknew of the Dan-ites, the furthest of Jacob's kin.
With these he would leave on the sun's path the twig of the lofty tree,
The small green bough of the olive (Ps. 52:8; Jer. 11:16), in the midst of the deep to be
Even yet in Abraham's bosom, the home of his sons afar
Who replenish their strength in the isles, ere they gather to seek the star
Of Isaac and Jacob their fathers, when Israel filled the earth
With joy in the sound of his coming, and music and songs of mirth.
10:3 Five weeks we abode at Pensauel till the men of the land returned
With tidings whereat the Prophet rejoiced, and my spirit burned.
At Pen Edair (Howth) they heard of peace, how Eriu yearned for the choice
Of a guard against evil rulers, and the aire cried with one voice
Upon Jochad (Eochaidh), the son of Duach, a prince over the tribe of Dan,
A champion wise and mighty, and sprung of that chosen clan (Zarah-Judah)
Which had captained miledhs in Javan, and their hosts throughout Eber led.
This prince had been sought for of many, yet stayed in his prime unwed,
For the ollamhs that watched the stars to the twilight whereon he was born
Beheld ere the sun's arising a moon with a slender horn
Ascend from the sea before him, to lead his light out of sleep;
And they set on the babe a vow that the strength of the man should keep,
To hold himself from the stars, till a moon in the eastern sky
Should shine in the dark and lead him, yea, even when noon was high.
For that moon abided near him till over him clouds were grey,
And at eventide was seen ere the sun was hidden away.
Now there went by the men of Elatha as a token to Pen Edair
The slender horns of silver, the clasp I was wont to wear
On my veil in the house of my fathers. The daughters of kings were known
By such from old days before me, and my sire upon David's Throne
Had fastened the clasp upon me, when they brought me first to his sight,
Though, "Tephi," he cried in anger, and in me had little delight.
This token the Prophet bade me loose from the folds of my veil
And send as the horns wherewith he should harry the priests of Baal;
For he sent a fiery message forth by Elatha's men
Who told it the chiefs of Eriu, and they that dwelt by the Pen
Of Edair (Howth) scoffed at its hearing, taking the tale for a jest
To be told in the near assembly where the war chiefs gathered at rest,
But when Jochad the Prince had heard it, he straightway rose from his seat
And cried, "It is twilight still, but the day shall be soon complete.
Ye have doubted the dawn, ye chiefs of Canaan, Eber and Finn,
But the moon on the furthest deeps hath reached the Island of Tin
To shine full soon o'er Pen Edair. Her shadow cometh before.
At her rising the fomorians shall flee and the men of Eriu adore.
Bring in these men out of Albion, and bid the ollamhs unroll
The message they bring with the token from him that hath writ us a scroll."
Then were called the men of Elatha, and unto the Warrior's Hill (Tara)
They came with the scroll of the Prophet, and none spoke kindly or ill
Whilst Sri the son of Ezru, an ollamh skilled in the speech
Of Zion, Nemidh and Breogan, held forth his hand unto each
And took from the one my token, and bowed to the Holy Name
On the Prophet's scroll, and sought it of his fellow that with him came,
And read its words in men's ears. Great was the import thereof,
For the Lord had spoken therein. Now the last of His word was love,
But wrath was in the beginning, which the chiefs waxed wrathful to hear,
And murmurs arose in their midst both of anger and scorn and fear.
"Ho, ye that dwell in the rushes, - Ho, ye that walk by the sea,
Afar, in the clear-walled island, - Ye have whored and are sundered from Me.
Ye are set upon idols greatly, - Your feet are clayed in the mire,
Ye are fat with the flesh forbidden! - Your foreheads swell with desire.
As swine ye rush on each other, - Your prayers are evil before Me,
Ye are long cast out from Zion. - Ye gore as an unclean beast.
My soul abhorreth your feast. - Your feet were the first to flee.
Ye have spawned in Javan and Nemidh, - Your seed is lost in the sea.
Jacob is wasted in Eber, - Yea, as a wine that is spilt.
The poison of asps is in you, - Have I not known your guilt?
The glory of Zion was yours, - Ye first have hastened her fall.
Weep for your sins, ye faithless, - Weep not My Temple's wall.
For, now I dwell not in houses (churches, etc.), - Only with men I dwell
(in their hearts and minds).
Hearken now to My message, - Hear it and heed it well.
I call and ye shall not hearken. - I cry, and ye will not heed.
The blessing of Abraham liveth. - I sow you with David's seed.
A little seed unto ages. - Ye shall tread it under your feet.
It shall sleep amidst your tumults. - It shall slumber in cold and heat.
My burden on Eriu is broken against you, the thing I crave
Is a name forgot, and a secret place [for The Ark], and a far-off grave.
My name (Jeremiah) I have left in Egypt [at Tanis]. Unto an hiding place
I bring the treasures of Yahweh that He shutteth from every face
Till His season. Not [given] unto Dan are these, but I bring therewith
The daughter of David, daughter of Pharaoh, daughter of Ith,
A fount that Yahweh hath cleansed, anointed of Him from birth,
Heiress of tribes and peoples scattered o'er all the earth.
The furthest isles are her portion, the sea is hers as her dower.
Her sons shall rule in Eriu, her sons' sons reign unto power;
Till her child that shall be, gather the flock of David anew (JAH - Mal. 4).
His head is crowned with the Sun. His feet are wet with the dew
As he leadeth them in the morning. This also ye may not learn:
Ye are blind, but a ring in the snout, is plain that ye all discern.
Behold her silvern crescent which marketh the daughter of kings.
A king that wrought evil (Zedekiah), gave it. Moreover, bracelets and rings
Be hers of Tarshish from Ith of the Breogan out of his hold
Wherein ye barter your herds and harvest for treasures of gold.
He is greater than ye, yet the seed of Judah hath known a sire
Higher than Ith, for Misraim (Egypt) bows to its lord's desire;
And he gave to his daughter Tephi royal garments that shine
As sunset, and are as the rainbow with jewels out of the mine.
Who is he that sitteth amongst you shall raise his eyes to their hem.
The queen of the Gates and Nile cometh out of Jerusalem
As a sweet fruit ripened in Winter. Hither with her the Stone,
The Stone of the Kingdom (Bethel) cometh. It shall not be left alone
Henceforth of her sons for ever. I bid ye prepare her a home
Wherein all shall be meet and ready that the feet of the queen shall come,
Yet ask not of me. I am left in Egypt a pillar to be
Unto days and lands and peoples, when the Lord bears witness in me.
I stand a sower, a ploughman. My God hath set me to plant.
I shall not fail in His time. His hand hath holpen my want.
A builder, I set one-Stone; as a husbandman, a seed;
But the Stone is the dwelling of Him from Whose hand shall the nations feed,
And thereon shall rest His Chosen (Christ) whose kingdom is East and West,
Whereupon the sun shall wander and find no place for his rest
Of the night, but day endureth. Heed ye this work, and mark,
At the end of days it is clear. It is dim in the Veils of The Ark.
This also may not be broken, though men shall hide it away.
It standeth on Earth for EVER, and ruleth the Night and Day."
These things read Sri in their hearing, and silence dwelt for a space.
The hearts of the warriors held them, and each man sat in his place
A dreamer of far-off places, and pondered on hidden things,
And thrones and kindreds and seasons and sons that should reign as kings;
But the children of Baal were angered, and Tuirbhi was first to speak,
The chief of the Tyrian craftsmen. "What came ye hither to seek,
Ye men of Elatha, the scourge of the fomorcs, the shipman of Dan,
And foster-father to Jochad? I know the wiles that ye plan!
Elatha's mines are empty. His smelters handle the spear.
His sails are gathered together that Eriu may dwell in fear.
Ye are come as spies before him. Answer ye to his boast,
That the men of Eriu be gathered to greet him on every coast,
Though Ith out of Eber help him, and Elier out of the Gate (Gibraltar).
If Egypt indeed be with him, it is long that his host must wait.
But come ye many or few our firbolgs have little fear
Whilst Tuirbhi watcheth his anvils to furnish each with a spear.
By Caiseal the stones are strong that are piled upon Breogan's wall,
And the crag of Edair (Howth) is steep whereupon it is ill to fall.
Our gold is stored in the mosses, our oxen hidden away,
Are ill to hunt in the mountains, and few shall be for a prey.
Though he send the chief of his Miledh, surely we will not stir;
Though he send his champion to Jochad, ill shall it be with Ir.
For Ir, his captain of strength, the wild boar rooteth a grave.
If he come to the land of Eriu, his ships shall burn on the wave
Though Jochad his brother help him." Thus Tuirbhi spake and was still,
And Elatha's men stood silent, nor answered they good or ill.
But the bard of Jochad endured not. Ethan, Muiroideach's son,
A youth, but a mighty singer that ever the oak-wreath won.
In wrath he arose, and sang against Tuirbhi a song of might
Till his brow set red in his bosom and his heart was closed from the light.
"Hear ye, hear ye, ye princes. - Hear ye, the son of the smith.
Stand in the blast of the bellows, - Be ye all shaken therewith.
Give your nose to the pincers, - So doth he lengthen it out.
Crafty the rings of Tuirbhi, - Gaily they hang in the snout.
Bowed in the back is Tuirbhi. - Are ye not all the weight?
Doth not he squeal beneath it? - Doth not a beldame prate?
She is blind beneath her forelocks. - Is she not sore afraid?
Shall Ir at his coming take her? - Shall he choose the smith as a maid?
Let laughter be upon Tuirbhi, - Go clothe his brawn with a smock.
Clip his bristles to smoothness, - lest the men of Elatha mock.
Those that have brought good-tidings, - See in the hand of Sri.
A slender silvern crescent. - The Moon of the East is nigh.
Her horns are peace and riches. - Set as an elfin queen
She saileth her boat in heaven. - Her rounded fullness hath been
Before and it shall be after. - She hideth yet for a space
From Eriu in her chamber, - He findeth her hidden place.
He rejoiceth in her beauty. - Robe Eriu like a king.
Set purple and gold upon him. - May a sun arise to fling
His mantle of gold about her, - his fires in her slender form,
That her months be duly rounded, - That new stars in the sky be born.
She hath gems to teach the springtime, - veils to shelter the heat.
Gold for the Autumn harvest, - Her light in Winter is sweet,
Fair on the snow she glistens. - We dream of that which may be.
Our hearts are where she riseth, - In isles of the Eastern sea,
In mighty cities and temples, - In stories of ancient days,
In visions of kings and heroes, - With priests amidst songs of praise.
Go forth to meet her, my soul. - My beloved is very fair;
She is white, she hath eyes as stars, - The night is set in her hair;
She hath rainbows in all her garments, - She hath dewdrops about her throat.
Her hands are slender lilies, - Her voice hath the cushat's note.
Her lips are as winter berries, - Her foot hath a mouse's fall.
Where she cometh joy awaketh, - He riseth to festival.
Three mighty kings are her sires - No king's son sits at her side.
She cometh a queen to Eriu, - A queen and a chosen bride,
Eriu shareth her birthright, - The flower of its greenest sod
Shall blossom here in our midst, - And grow to the Land of God."
Then the chiefs of green Eriu rose up from their seats to throng
To the place of Ethan, and raised him aloft and bore him along
On a shield and shouted and crowned him, for seldom such tongue was heard
As Ethan's, strong as a stormwind, clear as a morning bird
Was his voice, and his touch on the harpstrings light, like a fountain's play,
A ripple of running music that chimed with the voice alway.
Oft have I heard, and loved it. Ah me, that a bard be slain
By the coward deed of a churl, for a witch-wife light and vain.
Each chief gave then a guerdon which matched with the giver's state.
First Balor, grandson of Net, flung down twelve pounds by weight,
Red gold in torcs and armlets. Heavy his herdsmen's toil.
Then Crimthann lord of Pen Edair gave him an ocean spoil
Of goblets and horns of silver, and Nuadh of Usna's keep
Gave gold and horns of a seabeast brought from the northern deep,
And the chiefs of the merchants gave him a breastplate of well-wrought gold,
With an ivory chessplay carved by cunning men to the mould
Of kings with their chiefs and firbolgs. Such bard gift ne'er hath been gained
As Ethan's, a hundred warriors plucked their cloaks till it rained
A shower of their flashing brooches; but Jochad his lord came late,
Yet foremost, for Jochad was proud. His gold was little of weight,
He had not oppressed his yeomen, yet he gave unto Ethan's hand
A gift which was more than Balor's, and worth the half of his land,
A brooch of red gold which wizards of Tursis had sprinkled o'er
With a golden sand by magic, and out of their hidden lore
Had heaped it in flowers and bosses, and marvellous stems of fern
Where the eye was 'wildered in choice, and scarce had strength to discern;
Yet the whole was a sun in glory. Now, once that glory was seen
With Helen fairest of women (Helen of Troy), she that was set as a queen
O'er Elissa in fair Ar Galish, and fled to a further shore
To carry the curse of Javan, and leave her tale evermore
In the mouths of bards and singers. Now Jochad's sires out of Troy
Won this when the city had fallen, a treasure without alloy
In the eyes of all fair women, a spell compelling the eyes,
A gift beyond price more precious than aught that the merchant buys.
Then Ethan cried, "With a bardgift, lo, I am made a prince.
Such hansels may not be handled, mine eyes at their brightness wince.
Cover them all lest they blind me. Let them be carried away.
Let these be earnest of Eriu that the moon no more shall delay,
But hasten her speedy rising." Then the chieftains shouted loud,
"Let us see the moon of the morning. The edge of whose silver cloud
Hath touched upon Albion. Seek it. Ye men of Elatha speed
With the greetings of green Eriu to welcome the Chosen Seed
Of the Daogdoe (Davidic), kings of Moriah, that Holy City of fate,
Moriah Fail of our fathers. She mourneth its fallen state.
Both in Egypt she mourned, and in Breogan, but tell her that warm shall be
The hearth that is lit in Eriu, the greenest isle of the sea."
11:1 So these men came joyful to Albion, and poured their tale in our ears,
How their hearts were low at Pen Edair, and heavy at Crimthann's jeers,
And sunken at Tuirbhi's boasting; but how from the side of a chief
Clearbrowed as the dawn sprung a youth who had given their souls relief,
Heaping out wealth upon them. Then they brought the bardgift they bore
From the chiefs and Ethan, and showed it. Now behold, the first of their store
Was the wondergift of Jochad. Mine eyes grew blinded thereon
And Elatha took, and laid it on my breast in place of the stone
Of pharaoh, a sky of turquoise that swam betwixt golden wings,
A precious gift and an holy, and meet for daughters of kings,
Chosen of God and His servant, for the Lord had shapen its thought
In its maker. Where graven idols of beasts have made Him of naught.
His thought shall behold their ashes, and the wings of His spirit fly
Before men's souls in their blindness to name Him eternally.
So I changed the place of my jewels, my moon I set on my brow,
And the turquoise lay at my throat where it wideneth out below;
But the 'Sun of Helen' (of Troy) I planted deeply upon my breast.
There it shall gleam in my sidhe (tomb), and lighten the gloom of my rest.
11:2 Then Elatha spake with the Man of God, and called upon Bres,
His firstborn, the stay of his age, that now was his strength to press
The presses of Eriu and Albion, and thrice had been unto Ith,
To Tarshish, and once to Caer Teia (Gib.) and bade him unfold the myth
Of the bards upon Jochad's cradle, for the twain were nurtured as one.
When the father of Jochad fell, his babe and his only son
Shared couch and cover and breast with Bres in the Fort of the Horn
Of Albion. So Bres well-skilled in that legend of mystic morn
Gave forth its tale in our hearing, and I treasured it in my heart,
Ere Elatha gathered his vessels and gave us speed to depart.
11:3 Now Elatha communed much with the Prophet, and wept and grieved
Upon Zion (at Mara-Zion) greatly, but read the Promise and greatly believed
The blessing of Jacob on Joseph and Judah, beholding the day
When Ephraim's kiss should bind them, and sin be taken away (Gen. 49:10, 24):
And he learned by his packmen where Ephraim tarried now by the path
Out of Hara, Haber and Halah, wherein the Lord in His wrath
Had set him amidst the Madai (Medes), and how by Kir he had fled
Through the children of Heth to the (Caucasian) mountains, and crossed by the watershed (Dariel Gorge Pass)
To the summer land Defroban, and built him a temple there,
For the Lord in the pastures of Kief, and now the name which they bare
Was Asirgard (Asgard), City of God, that the God of Moses therein
Might keep him from Heth and Magog, and purge him away from his sin.
Now Elatha blessed the Lord beholding how David should await
The kiss of Joseph whose ploughing tarrieth long in the Gate.
The Engel (ish) is slow and heavy and loves by the river mead,
To lie in the sun by day, and rise at morning to feed,
But hateth the yoke and the plough, for the field wherein she would lie,
Where the lion is in the Gate. Yet the Engel (ish) shall draw anigh
For the ploughing, and Harvest (Matt. 13:30) shall whiten slowly up from the blade
When the boughs of the planted cedar are over his head for shade.
11:4 Of these things Elatha communed much with the Prophet and bade,
That the lioness cub of Judah be with such pomp arrayed,
As the power in his hand might furnish to pass to that seagirt isle (Eire),
Wherein is the sapling (Tephi) planted to suck the dews for awhile,
Ere it grow of strength to return to the land of the strong free breeze,
And increase on its northern mountains, and spread to its narrow seas.
By its shores of grey-blue granite, its shores of blood and of snow,
By all walls of its fertile garden, fenced of the sea shall it grow.
Therefore he painted his vessels, and set them with snowy sails,
And bound green wreaths to their foreheads, and out of his merchant bales
Brought scarlet (red) and white and blue to flutter upon the mast
And stripe their sterns with a rainbow to oaken planking made fast.
Then men of the silvery lsle of Vect (Wight) he chose for our band,
An island of many havens that lieth under that land;
And mixed folk out of the Domnan that dwell where the tors are red,
Mighty men of the sea, fire-hearted, wary of head;
And fisherfolk from the Horn, the Beard of the Promised Isle (2 Sam.
7:10; Isa. 41:1,8; 49:1,12; Jer. 31:7, 9-10; Jer. 3:18; Hos. 11:10;
12:1 or, to summarise:- the far off isles North and West [North-West]
of Palestine),
A mixed folk also whose maidens hark to the merchant's wile,
Till the blood of Zidon and Israel toileth amidst the veins
Of the rocks wherefrom the princes of the Tyrians suck their gains;
And fomorcs of Khumru (Wales) North till then reachest the furthest Pen
Of Lochland (Scotland), returning again by coasts of mountain and fen
To the narrow seas of Albion by the shore of the silver wall (Dover),
And pass by the Island of Vect (Wight) again to Elatha's hall.
A hundred ships had Elatha, and he gathered fifty and three
With chosen men as their pilots, to make a convoy for me,
And the wealth of Egypt and Tarshish and that which Eriu gave,
That my sailing be spoken of many, my path be sure on the wave,
And Eriu have fear and joy at my coming. Two thousand and five
Were the living souls of our navy. "A gallant swarm for the hive
Of a queen well stored with honey." Thus Bres of the miledh spake;
And his father answered again, right glad for his firstborn's sake
(The son that Delbaeth's daughter bare him in Maoth Seein
When she loved his youth ere she fled with the sea-king to be his queen),
"To thee be the hiving of her," and, Bres being merry, cried back,
"How may I store the honey with all the wasps in its track?
Thou knowest our wasps of Eriu." Whereat Elatha replied,
"The Lord shall harbour the queen-bee. Be thou but found on His side
And His sweetness shall surely bless thee." Such answer more grave than gay
Had Bres from his father Elatha before we went on our way.
With the summer breeze behind us. We journeyed first to the North
Beside the lands of the Khumru (Wales) which deep in the sea jut forth,
Till we came to their Holy Island, and were blessed of their ancient bards
Who sang to their harps the night of our resting, but afterwards
With a clear East wind ere dawn we went by a path that lay
To the West, and brought us swiftly in sight of the fairest bay
Whereupon I had looked. By Edair (Howth) our anchors and stones we cast,
And the firbolgs (Belgae) of Crimthann swam with ropes to steady us fast;
And Crimthann came with his captains and stood to watch on the strand
And shouted, and many bards sang welcomes of Eriu's land.
12:1 Then looked I for Ethan and knew him, for his voice was sweetest of all;
But his lord I might not know 'midst the chiefs out of Crimthann's hall,
Twelve warriors strong, but I liked not themselves in their cloaks of red:
So I deemed the master of Ethan a dullard, and bowed my head,
And wrapped his sun in my mantle, ere smiling I raised one hand
To my women, whilst out of the ship I was carried in haste to land
By Ethan the bard, green-mantled; and another that, clad as he,
Placed his harp on the pebbles, ran singing still through the sea,
And raised up his arms imploring, till my women lifted me out
To the seat they made with their mantles. Nor did I tremble or doubt
For their tread was steady and sure; and I smiled to him to the right,
For his brow was clear and steadfast, his eyes were joyous and bright;
And so by the bards of Eriu I was borne through the shallow sea,
And this was beginning of joy and pain in the heart of three.
I had not smiled upon Ethan though rich with his gift I came,
And his was the highest voice of the bards that had cried my name.
Tall and agile he was, but little he stood beside
The bard with the crisp curled locks whose gaze was open and wide
Out of frank blue eyes that feared not, and chanted lofty and loud
In their chorus: "Teffia Teia," and struck his harp with a proud
Long sweep of the strong white fingers. His song ran into my blood,
And its voice is long remembered, as a lonely tower in a flood.

12:2 "My heart hath waited for thee, Teia,
My heart hath waited for thee long.
Though Egypt's sun adore thee, Teia,
My heart is as a hearth more strong.
It shall hold thee, help thee, keep thee, Teia,
It shall love thee from this first bright day,
In its radiance fold thee, steep thee, Teia,
When it flashes in the snowstorms far away.
Green Eriu smiles to meet thee Teffia, Teia.
Her bards are come to greet thee, Teffia, Teia.
With the homage of her love
That thy crescent smiles above
In the mirrors of the bay.
My soul is yearning to thee, Teia.
My hands are yearning towards thee now.
Though Tarshish and Pensauel woo thee, Teia.
Eriu shall not cloud thy brow.
It shall fold thee, feed thee, fill thee, Teia.
It shall stay thee where the white waves leap,
In thy weeping it shall still thee, Teia,
In thy midnight it shall watch thy couch of sleep.
Its reverence shall be on thee Teffia, Teia,
As a hallowed light upon thee Teffia, Teia.
As the glory of the morn
Shines upon thy crescent horn
O'er the emeralds of the deep."

They ceased ere they reached the land, and lo, the hem of my vest
Had fallen out of my hand, and the sun that lay on my breast
Flashed in their eyes, and they started apart; but the stronger bore
My form in his arms one moment, and set me as light on the shore
As I might lay down some blossom, sweet-scented, which tenderwise
My lips had touched ere I set it more far to gladden mine eyes.
13:1 Now the chiefs of Howth and Ath Cliath (Dublin) cried my name from their lips,
And a seaman's shouting rolled like thunder around the ships
In the speech of the mingled peoples, but, "Teia," was most their shout
As it was beneath the Rock of the Gate (Gibraltar). Then girded about
By a throng of bright-eyed women, green-tuniced and wreathed with green
I was raised aloft on a seat, and carried like Egypt's queen
By chieftains in double rank past Edair's piteous tomb,
(Edair, Eglaeth's daughter, that died in her husband's doom.)
Up the steeps of the Pen to the Cahir of Crimthann, chief of the fights,
Thereafter for and against me in things that the Lord requites.
He and his chiefs went before us clearing with spears our road,
Their helmets starry with sunset, red suns in the locks which flowed
Far down on their crimson garments. Mine eyes were dazzled with these,
And I turned and looked behind me, and found contentment and ease
Amidst them that followed after, and foremost with golden hair
Broad brow and clear bright vision, I saw the harper that bear
Me out of my ship, and by him strode Ethan agile and dark,
With a flame of fire on his cheek, and fire in the eager spark
Of his flashing eyes upon me. Of the bards there came fourscore
In green; then a chosen band of Elatha's men from the shore
Came next in their varied raiment, the purples of them that sold
The Tyrian wares, and scarlet and azure, whilst ruddy gold
Gleamed in their belts and brooches, flashed from their helms of brass
Like a marsh-flower mead. Behind them followed a mingled mass
Of folk that wore scanty garments waving aloft in their hands
Fair wreaths and branches of oak trees, or fluttered on sticks gay strands
Of woollens in tattered ribbons, as bright as a barley field
When it whiteneth unto harvest and the husbandman guesseth its yield.
13:2 Such was my state at my coming. My daughters, if ye set store
To hear of a woman's presence, and the garments your mother wore
At her welcome; -- little of stature, and slender of limb was I,
Being white, not red of my colour, like a stalk of nodding rye.
Upon midnight braids of my hair did my silver crescent shine.
My throat's thin ivory column poised 'twixt the wings divine
About pharaoh's wide blue heaven; whilst the Sun of Helen beneath
Took roses of rosy sunset. On the hems of my veil a wreath
Was broidered with gold, and wings of shining insects whose name
I knew not, sea-blue below, but lit with an emerald flame;
Which veil was long and fragile, as spun out of gossamer
By fairy looms of the dawn; and this was the gift of Ir
Who had brought it out of Caer Hayo, and said, "In a furthest land
Of the East, witch-women wrought it in caves with a moistened hand,
And withered their eyes in working its whiteness, whiter than wool
Or fairest linens of Egypt." Where this veil had been folded full
To my form, I fastened and bound it with a serpent about my waist
Of fine gold, very precious. Now in that girdle was placed
A sprig of a herb of Eriu (Shamrock), three-headed on every stem.
Cendrige, my people call it, and much it is loved of them,
As the charm of their fair green island. This those bore forth in their hand
That brought me on cloaks through the ripples, and set my feet on the land.
Now this had been placed by the foremost, the bard on my right hand side,
But I knew not the charm was with me till I found it at eventide
When I couched in the booth by the fortress. Next morrow at early dawn
When my women arrayed me for journey, I saw it, and refusing to scorn
A bard that had given such welcome, set it again to the clasp
Of my serpent ere Bres came thither, and lifting me light in his grasp
Placed me high on a jennet, snowy, wild-eyed and still,
But therewith tall and stately, and so we paced down the hill
And out through the fair green grasses, with Bres still near at my side,
And his cohort of captains by him wherewith he was wont to ride,
And the bards behind us on ponies that sat with their harps to play
And move us with mirth and music while we went on our way.
Now Ethan was ever foremost, and sweetest of all was his song;
But I looked in vain for his fellow, with purpose that held no wrong,
Of repaying his charm with a golden ring, but I found him not,
Marvelling wherefore he tarried; yet my cendrige was not forgot
When we came by an easy journey next morn unto Crofinn's croft (Tara),
Where at the land was assembled, for there the grasses were soft,
And many horses might pasture, with cattle and flocks for meat.
Here the chiefs of Eriu had portioned themselves their seat
On the banks round the Croft of Crofinn, and there each set him a booth,
And they met on its central greensward where the level was clean and smooth
For choice and converse amongst them upon Eriu's hap and its weal,
In a three weeks' truce wherein the tongue was lord of the steel
Throughout all coasts of the island. Now this truce was for two days yet,
When one short hour after dawn, through meadows that still lay wet
With the dews I came to the croft as a queen with my following,
For unto that day the island had never bowed to one king,
Though high chiefs ruled in Uisneach; Caiseal and fair Emain (Navan),
And in many duns and cathirs fortressed in forest or plain
Or on hilltops. Each tall landmark crowned with their strongholds stood,
And the lords did that within them that seemed in their OWN eyes good (Deut. 12:8).
Now the cry of the land was bitter, for most of the chiefs wrought ill
On their landsmen as on their foemen, and each by his strong-walled hill
Held cattle plundered of either, until the forces which cling
In clanship were severed amongst them, and the aires cried for a king
To hush their feuds and to pluck the husbandmen from the mire,
And the bards of the land were with them to yield them their heart's desire;
But the priests of the gods against them. Yet some of the priests that knew
The God of the Hebrews helped them; but these were a chosen few,
And the priests of the heathen many, well skilled in the ancient lore
Of Criden and Baal and Samen and many an idol more
Whom their fathers knew in Canaan, and the June morn filled with heat
When I heard their trumpets blow as the priests came forward to greet
Her that was hid in The Temple; yea, in its inmost shrine
Was held with the Graven Tablets, and The Scrolls of The Law Divine.
These that came in white garments. These with a frenzied tread
That whirled upon sun-wise circles! Had not my spirit bled
Before such in the house of David? How might I greet them here?
I was weak, the Might of the Lord prevailed over my fear,
And I rode in His wrath against them.
13:3 "Ho, ye that have eyes to see,
Ho, ye that have ears to hear with, keep silence at sight of me,
And my voice from the Lord," I cried, "for Baal is broken of Bel,
The twain shall be broken together. They sink to the nethermost hell.
A flame hath descended on Zion. God sweepeth with wings of fire
The House of His habitation. He sendeth hail upon Tyre.
Zidon and Gath are broken, Ephraim led away,
Samaria lieth fallen, and is as an heap this day
Because men whored with idols. Shall idols come forth to greet
Her that the Lord hath kept, that dwelt by His Mercy Seat.
Your dances and fires He hateth. Behold, the face of the Lord
Is a sun that shineth in darkness, His tongue is a flaming sword,
Let Criden and Baal be broken, devourers, and blind of sight
And empty of help for all that sink in the womb of night.
Yet the great or little prevails not when God ariseth in wrath,
With a pebble-stone from the brook He layeth the might of Gath."
13:4 E'en at my word a pebble sang by mine ear and smote
Through the open mouth of Criden, and broke his head from his throat,
And his breast was shattered also. Swift on my own swift speech
Was Ethan's deed upon Criden, for all that the Prophets teach
Was known by Ethan, our Hebrew speech, and our father's deed.
He smote as my father David. The Lord had answered my need.
Now the image he smote was hollow, and held in a secret hold
The gifts of the blind and foolish, their rings and the stars of gold
Which the priests said went to his dwelling, but now his falling revealed
From the hiding place of his belly, and scattered o'er all the field,
And all were amazed and angered; and men called out upon Sri
The son of Ezru their wisest, to interpret my word, and why
Their idol was shattered before it, for silent amongst the band
Stood Ethan, and none beheld when the stone flew forth from his hand,
Their eyes being set upon me; and wherefore that image fell
When my wrath was laid upon it, not they that bear it might tell.
Then Sri the son of Ezru, a lover of better things,
Set forth my speech in their tongue, and the strifes of our former kings,
How Saul the mighty had fallen when idols led him astray,
And how from the house of David God's curse was taken away
For a space, but was sealed thereafter. Now the priests were angry that heard,
But the common people listened, and many hearked to his word,
And some of the chiefs and the most of the bards. Amongst them a cry,
"Daouda, Daouda hath smote him," arose at the words of Sri,
Telling how David had smitten whilst yet a youth with the flock
The giant (Goliath), mighty in war, with a stone of the brook, a rock
The cornerstone of his house: and the shouting, "Daouda," grew,
When he told how the Lord of Hosts descended in flame anew
On the Seat that He brought from Kirjath-jearim to set in Jerusalem,
The Ark, the Holy of Holies, which went with the tents of Shem
When Israel came out of Egypt. Sore were the priests of Baal,
But the people cried out against them, and praised me that heard this tale,
So their wrath kept silence before me, and turning they went again
Till we passed the banks of Crofinn, and entered the little plain
Wherein the chieftains assembled. An hundred princes and eight
Of Eriu waited my coming; each with his proper state,
His druid and bard and champion; and all stood there on their feet
Save I, who with Bres at my bridle, rode forth on the sward to greet
The lords of the High Assembly, who hailed me, child of their isle,
And queen of the house of their fathers, and so without thought of guile
I unveiled my face before them, and spake to them gentlewise
My thanks for their greeting and favour, but that which shone in the eyes
Of many chilled me before them; so icy were they in pride. I rode
Before Sri, and Bres and Ethan, to enter the fair abode (Rath Grainne)
Which these had built for my coming, whitewood, well carven in scrolls
Of serpents, whose hinder part in an endless ribbon unrolls.
Its door was a woollen curtain of green with a scarlet hem,
And Sri on its lintel fastened the name of Jerusalem (Tara)
Writ in Hebrew in brazen letters, and set on its posts a sign
That none but the maids might enter the booth which was named as mine.
Therein I rested at noonday, and ate in the failing light,
But had little sleep thereafter, and watched the most of the night:
For the looks of the priests misliked me, and the hungry eyes of the men
Of Eriu searched upon me, as eyes of wolves in their den,
Till my heart was water within me, troubled and sore afraid.
Then long in the long night watches to the Lord of Zion I prayed
To deliver my soul from evil, my limbs and breast from the grip
Of a wolf, and the High One heard me, and caused my foot not to slip.
14:1 Yet my troubles that night endured, and I longed for the Prophet's aid,
For I loved him e'en as I feared him, as an infant standeth afraid
Of a father strong and silent, yet knoweth his help shall come
From thence if the wild beasts fright him, or robbers seek to his home.
My sons, ye enquire of the Prophet. This sure word I bid ye to know,
Mark well the way of the chosen, but seek not whither they go.
Pause on their word and ponder though at times ye may not mark
Their message. The eyes of the holy behold a light in the dark
Oh Tohu and Hinnom wherein their path hath been set to go
Through night. On their heads are ashes. Their garments are rent in woe.
Lamentation is with them and terror, till the terror be overpast,
For they grope after God in Tohu till they find Him and hold Him fast.
I dwell not now on the thing which shall in this book be told,
How hereafter dimly mine eyes should the Friend of the Lord behold.
He sought not pleasure of greetings, or tables of wine and meat,
Or to listen to mirth or music, or to sit in the highest seat,
Or behold me in marriage garments: but set his feet in the way
Of the Lord where'er He led him. This only therefore I say,
That when we had left Pensauel, drawn nigh to the land of Gwent,
He parted his ships from amongst us, and none knew whither he went
With the sacred things of The Temple, and none may utter their tale,
For his sailors were men of Ham, the last whom The Temple Veil
Shall leave in the dark; and these that sailed on the western track
With the Prophet passed into night, and ne'er out of night came back.
Of the sacred things I know not. The Lord says not to discern
The place of His habitation (Mercy Seat), whereunto my sons shall yearn
In the days that dawn hereafter; but lo, ye have seen the Stone,
The Stone of the Corner remaineth. It shall not be left alone,
When Jacob knoweth his birthright therein shall his boasting lie,
And in many lands and islands my seed shall have praise thereby.
There was one beside the Prophet mine eyes were fain to have seen.
The morn that I came to Crofinn, I watched for the cloak of green,
And the strong straight bard that wore it, as one looks for a trusted friend
Amongst strangers. Perchance he guessed not. Perchance he might not attend.
14:2 On the morrow came Bres with Sri to lead me forth to the ring
Wherein were the chiefs assembled to hear men cry for a king,
But each man envied his fellow, and each with an angered mood
Had answered the bards and aires that spake for the common-good.
My place was set me amongst them, a seat upon Jacob's Stone
(Gen. 28:17-22 - Bethel / Lia Fail / Stone of Destiny)
Drawn thither by two white heifers, and draped around as a throne
With a golden cloth of Zidon. Now, as I was set thereon
A cloud drew back in the sky and upon me the bright sun shone,
So folk marvelled of me and this sunshine, and thus it was foolish talk
That I held the sun at my bidding, setting paths for the clouds to walk
At my will, and I own I had joy, for I cast on the Lord my prayer
In the night, and now in the day He had lightened my load of care.
Now this same day was an high day, the topmost peak of the year
Is the night that follows after, when angels and souls appear
Unto many, yet here the druids had mingled its boons with harms,
And setting their hearts on women, delude them with evil charms.
14:3 A feast being set to Baal, his priests drew nigh ere the noon
With a message brought from his altar that the king be appointed soon
As this one day was propitious. The bow of their god they brought,
That by this an arrow sent sunwards should name the king of his thought,
So we all drew off a little to the banks and stood to see
How the highpriest bound his eyes, and drew the bow from his knee
Where he lay supine, and the shaft sped upwards to seek the sun,
But an East wind struck upon it ere the height of its flight was won
And bore it beyond the circle where it fell full nigh to the ranks
Of Balor, lord of the Islands, where he watched with his men on the banks,
And his firbolgs shouted for Balor, but the priests were troubled thereby,
For their spells were within the circle; so another quest of the sky
Was made, and it touched the circle, where nearly it struck down Bres
In whom was a hope of Eriu that ever grew less and less,
For when Nuadh was maimed in battle, men held that his strength was stayed
From rule of the miledh of Dan, and a pact unto Bres was made
That he should be named chief captain, if so he would save the land
From fomorians (pirates) coming by sea, and chiefs of the scattered band
Of firbolgs (Simeonites) in Man and Arran, so this for that time was done.
But he gathered Eriu's tribute, yet gave its gifts unto none,
Neither called he feastings nor music. His heart was empty and bare,
Though the strength of his limbs, and his beauty of face, and his golden hair
Snared foolish matrons and maidens. Yea, deep in his heart was guile,
And women loved and men hated his presence throughout the isle.
Now the arrow struck through his cloak, and pinned it unto the ring
A handbreadth from Nuadh's high seat, and many acclaimed him king,
That was chief of the miledh of Eriu; but the priests had marvel thereat
If the shaft were within the circle. Moreover, the place where he sat
Was apart, and the shafts of Baal were counted not to the man
But rather the Beth of his Ensign. Moreover, they loved not Dan,
Of whom was his mother, and whom he spake for in Nuadh's room;
Whose hand was severed by Sreng the son of Sennchan, whose doom
Thereafter the scribes have written. Now Diancecht, wisest in art,
Had moulded a hand in clay wherefrom might be hurled a dart;
And Creidna, the cunning smith, in silver fashioned the same,
So now the hand of Nuadh flashed with a starry flame
As he rode amongst his miledh, and many that loved him well
Sware that the seat of Nuadh was grazed when the arrow fell.
15:1 Now the priests and chiefs of the land debated a threefold choice
And a doubtful, striving greatly, till Sri with a mighty voice
Cried, till they heard. "Not yet is the curse of this kingdom stayed.
The sins we have sinned to Baal shall yet at our gates be laid.
His arrow hath pointed Bres, it hath fastened his garment's hem,
In the folds of his cloak shall Canaan set fires in the booths of Shem."
These things cried Sri the silent, ere shaping his theme anew,
He said, "The arrows of Baal seek sunset or fall askew.
Seek we shafts that are truer. Is there not in our midst the Bow
Of Strength; the shafts of the mighty? Where Dan goeth to and fro
The bow of his judge is with him, it dwelleth amongst us here.
The merchants of Gath and Japho (Joppa) draw back at its name of fear.
Have we never a champion of Dan who may string its strength to His Will?
Is the spirit of Samson weak to speed the shafts of it still?"
Then Ethdan the son of Boethlam thrust through the ranks of Dan.
Of all the sons of the island this was the broadest man
Of shoulder and girth of limb, if somewhat slow of his feet.
He called for the Bow of the Mighty, and straining back from my seat
He bent it. Mighty the string wherewith that bow must be strung.
A finger of sinew to armbreadth of yew, but at last it sprung
To the cleft with a stroke like an axe when it striketh an oaken beam,
Whilst the flesh upon Ethdan's arms sank like waves on a stream.
Then swift to the circle's centre he sped him and laid him down,
Setting his feet to the yew-mast. In a moment the shaft had flown
Straight into air till we lost it, and then in a little space
Straight out of heaven it descended like a beam of the sun on the place
That was mine, the Stone of Israel (Bethel), yet hurt not the Stone at all,
For the head's soft gold spread forth a sun at the arrow's fall
On the grey-white Pillar of Jacob; and joy upon all men came
When they saw the altar of Bethel (Lia Fail) alight with that golden flame:
And the priests of the gods bowed down, and covered each man his face;
And the chiefs of Eriu moved in wonder before that place;
And little they spake, but set me thereon; and lo, I had grace to speak
In their tongue, and my heart was great, though my voice was little and weak.
"Ye Chiefs of this island, hear me. The might of the Lord is known
In shadow, but light is rising, and grace to a handmaid shown
Who watched and prayed in the darkness. He leadeth her by His ford
To sit in a fair green pasture (Eire) with sheepfolds and oxen stored.
A shepherd was David my father. God gave him a charge to keep
Which he brake not, to feed His cattle and sever the goats from the sheep (Matt. 25:32).
Me, that am David's daughter, He maketh a shepherdess
Who amongst the sheep of Eriu shall know none greater or less.
The sun that descended hither shall be as a Light Divine
Whereby to search in your pastures, and know my sheep from the swine,
For the unclean beast is with you." Then Sri that stood at my side,
Passed up the banks and turning, to all the people he cried,
"The Queen of the East hath spoken. Is there one her word to gainsay?
Let him dwell with the swine, for God hath sent us a queen this day."
Then Tuirbhi the smith sprang forward to catch at Sri by the arm,
But Sri smote straight upon him and wrought him a deed of harm,
For he fell by the banks on his ankle, and his craftsmen bore him away,
And his leeches bound him badly, and lame he went from that day.
15:2 Then Ethdan the son of Boethlam, cried, "There were arrows three
With the Bow of Strength, and the first hath sped; but I ask of ye
That be wise, shall I speed these others? The one hath a silver head,
But the other is somewhat crooked and beareth a bolt of lead."
Then the priests drew nigh giving counsel, and the most spake well of the thing,
So we left the plain as aforetime, and forth from the mighty string
The second shaft flew upwards until it was scarce discerned.
Like a star it glanced on the cloud, and then unto earth returned,
Smiting an oaken settle which no man had used that morn
But sideways lay on the ground, and grazed it, and cleft a horn
Of silver therein, and smote into earth, and a question rose
Of that seat but no man claimed it, its chieftain was not of those
That sat in that day's assembly, and pain sank into my heart
At that long carved cleft of silver, which stabbed with a sudden smart.
15:3 Now Ethdan fitted again the crooked shaft to the bow
Which sped on a snake's path outwards, like a hawk when it striketh low
But swiftly above the gazers, till the Pillar of Baal it found
And struck the gilded sun 'twixt the idol's horns to the ground,
Bearing it into mire in the place of the swine behind,
Wherein they lie to this day. If ye search, ye shall surely find.
Now when they beheld this token many priests of the idol fled,
Through revilings amidst the people, and tore their wreaths from their head,
Gashing the flesh of their bosoms, and hid themselves; but a few
Remained in the ring with Ethdan. Then Sri that was wise and true,
Though his knee had bended to Baal, cried out on the Lord for Aid,
Forgiveness, Counsel and Blessing, and a psalm of repentance he made
Which the bards took up in chorus, singing it hither and fro
From the priests to the kneeling harpers, who sung to a music low.
"We walked in clouds of the night. - Our eyes are opened by Thee.
We look unto heaven and see. - Yea, we awaken to Light.
Thou knowest our blindness, oh God. - Let Thy forgiveness prevail.
Sorely our sin we bewail. - Let not Thy spirit record.
We are troubled of heart in Thy presence, oh God. -- Yea troubled sore.
Thine angels vex us, Thy holy people abhor. - We are struck with Thy rod.
Thou sendest us consolation. - Therefore Most High we give praise.
Thou hast chosen a day of the days. - Thou sendest a queen to this nation.
Thou, Lord, art a Righteous King. - Out of heaven Thou givest favour.
Let our song be of sweet savour. - Lord, in Thy praise we sing."
16:1 Now even whilst they sung a cry rose round about
The shrine of Baal, the commons made a mighty shout,
Hauling at ropes and girdles till the lofty pillar crushed
The turf, and for a breathspace the sound thereafter hushed.
But Baal avenged not aught, men seeking each a stone
Wherewith to bury Baal, whose resting place is known
Beside my house at Teamur. Then Sri and many more
Gazed nearly on the furrow which the second arrow tore
In the oaken seat, and Ethan who departed for a space
Drew thither, and one asked him was not this his chieftain's place,
And on that question Ethan raised to mine a face of flame
Till my brow was veiled before him finding searching prayer and shame
In the gaze he set upon me ere he answered to them, "Ay,
This is Jochad's seat and hitherto my songs were heard thereby."
Then Sri questioned further wherefore did the Heremon eschew
To be with them on this high day, and the brow of Ethan grew
Pale and red as he gave answer, "'Tis the third day since some cause
Which I know not drew him homewards from Pen Edair." At his pause
Fell my veil, and full upon him was my gaze, and well I knew
That if truth he spoke, it shamed him in some thought not wholly true.
Though I spake not, he gave answer in a sudden word and swift,
"Read his secret. Thou dost know it." Then my veil I did uplift
Once again, for blood ran tingling over breast and cheek and brow,
And a spirit quickened in me which I had not known ere now,
Some strange gladness half an anguish shook my bosom till I swayed
Like to fall, but Sri upheld me and he set me in the shade
Of the arched highseat of Jochad whereupon the arrow fell.
16:2 There I rested till a voice out of the distance seemed to swell
Drawing nearer. "Jochad, Jochad," but as in a trance I lay,
And mine eyes were blind and misty, till a sudden golden ray
Fell upon them with a sparkle and a light to overwhelm
Every mist. Blue-grey eyes and fearless gazed beneath a golden helm!
So my soul's sun dawned upon me, and I rose up from my seat,
Whilst the sun bowed down beneath me plucked a shamrock by my feet.
White I stood as stands a statue when he touched the new plucked leaf
To the withered at my girdle, kneeling still, but still the chief
Of my stature, and the crescent which upon my brow had rest
Was beneath the leaf he gathered when he set it in his crest.
Stark he knelt in homage pleading to my crescent where I stood
Icy cold, till some strange Summer thawed away my Winter mood.
Weak I grew and blind and dizzy in that newborn Summer drouth,
And my hands stayed on his shoulders, and my lips just passed his mouth,
And a cry was all about us in the dancing shapes around,
"Moon and Sun are met together, and this place is holy ground (Tara)."
16:3 My bridegroom, my chosen, my strong one, in whom my soul had delight,
My feet were by thine, my hand was in thine, as they led us to plight
Our faith by the Stone. My heart was thy heart, My will was thy will,
When Sri and the priests spake with us, and bade our souls to fulfill
The vow of the lips by vow of the soul and swear with the Soul in accord,
In sight of the people and priests and scribes that stood to record
Our oath of faith with people and priests and chiefs, as a pair
That God made first in the land, to have it in heedfull care
And seek not ourselves but Eire (Deut. 12:8, 17:14-20). The words of that sacred oath
Were mine, but I know the Spirit of God had fallen on both
For His day of days; being joyous thereat in a waking dream
Wherein all faces and garments danced in one sunny stream
Of eddying light, one only resting stalwart and tall,
For though many great chiefs were round us he stood the first of them all.
After that oath I stood calmer, and watched with a careful eye,
When the oldest priest of Eriu set in the hands of Sri
A vessel of alabaster that once in the Promised Land,
Was shapen and graved with the Names of God by its maker's hand.
Its oil had been pressed from the harvest of the garden o'er Kedron's Brook;
Whereon mine eyes in childhood from my window were wont to look;
Being perfumed with nard and cassia, most precious. Then Sri drew near
To anoint me, but I stood up on my Stone, and said without fear:
"On this Stone I am set for ever. In Egypt anointed queen
Of the Hebrews. My throne in Jesse hath come to these hills so green
For a little space, ere it wander, but wheresoever it roam
Jesse shall seek and find it, until he come to his home
In the City of David wherein his sons shall rule upon earth,
When the House of the Lord be builded with praise and blessing and mirth."
16:4 Then Sri, being moved, forbade that my husband's seat be with mine,
And prophesied of us saying: "This shall be kept for thy line
And for thee; but he that is by thee standeth on Eriu's sward.
It is his by birth, and hereafter, this island shall name him lord
Of its people to be their leader, and shape their counsel in war:
But thou, of Isaac's children, art the guide and the crescent star,
Wherein thy children shall shine, till the full round circle shall beam
Of that orb wherewith the moon at her first appearing doth teem.
He that is Chosen amongst us, he shall be great in thee,
And thy sons that shall be after. Is not his lot to be
A father of thrones and kingdoms? This is the name he shall bear.
In the tongue of this people his title is Eochaidh Ollothair (All father),
Eochaidh, Sire of the Great Ones; these sons of the land which is great
Magh Mor, or of Og, the holy, that they learn of their own estate,
And yearn to the Promise (ch. 8:1), and David bless them if this they know
That holiness unto the Lord is their greatness wherein to grow."
Thus then spake Sri, whose silence to God was on all men's tongue,
For the mouths of them that knew him, since in Ezru's house he was young.
Ezru that fled out of Ghor, when Asshur came with his bands (c. 722 B.C.),
And ere he came unto Emain (Navan) taught wisdom in many lands:
But the mouth of his son was shut till his spirit, nurtured of prayer,
Spake with the Spirit of God Which worketh in stones and air,
And whispers by reedy waters, and moves in the mountain's shade,
And knoweth the inward parts, and wherefore man's soul is afraid.
Now men marvelled much upon Sri, having feared him and called him wise
And wary, but said that he feared neither spirit nor prophecies,
Having taught as the scribes from rods, and the teachers from ancient rules,
Being learned in many tongues, and chief of the poet's schools,
Fearless but scant of speech, and though wisdom dwelt with his word,
To this day his voice was silent when men spake the praise of the Lord.
I beheld the people's wonder, and looked upon Sri and knew
The mantle I oft had seen, and his word as a Prophet true.
And was glad in the Lord as my helper, Whose word should be held of me
As His Who had led me from Egypt and helped my paths in the sea.
17:1 Now soon my heart contracted, for a damsel stately and fair,
Broad-browed, full-eyed, and gracious beneath the crown of her hair,
Large-limbed and nobly shapen, tall to a chieftain's height,
Drew from the throngs before us, and now with a queenly right
Took my bridegroom's head in her palms and kissed him upon the lips.
Whilst cold went through me which passed from heart unto finger tips;
But my husband smiled, and said, "My queen, yet thy servant's bride,
Behold the chief of thine handmaids, my sister Maistiv, whose pride
Is Dan, Achaia and Eriu, who in her give fealty to thee
Of the silver stem of Jesse, the golden flower of his tree (the Cedar)."
Thus shamed I my doubt with blushes, and we kissed, and were ever knit
Though golden and dark, as sisters, unlike, yet never a whit
Sundered in our unlikeness; and Maistiv knelt at my side
And told me that which gladdened my summer of heart at that tide.
But three days since as she wandered with one of her maidens near
In the bowers of the woods by Mullagh, thinking to have no fear
Through the sacred days of assembly, lo, Bennan the son of Kain
A foster servant of Balor's with seven men of his train
Drew round her and led her with them; but her maid that was nigh had seen
From the hazel brake their doing, and slipped from the leafy screen
To ride in haste to Pen Edair. Then, straightly upon her word
Had Jochad taken his breastplate and girt himself with his sword
And leapt to his horse's saddle with three that he had thereby,
Who galloped the trail she told of, all day till the midnight sky
Was sprinkled with stars, and came to the spot where Bennan stayed
His course with the setting sun, and three of his train were laid
Before them upon their onset, and one as he fled away
Was stung by an arrow, but Jochad sought not further to slay.
Setting her safe on his horse, which weary, carried them back
Unto Mullagh, her house, but scanty of patience was he till their track
Was eastwards in haste to Crofinn, whereat much wonder had been,
But now she wondered a sister had drawn him away from his queen.
17:2 "Ay, sister," said Jochad, "a wonder, and much had I longed to remain
If I had not brother or friend, but much I dwelt on these twain,
Ethan and Bres my brother. In these I might cast out fear
Lest the queen lacked fitting service, or my watch of her light be near."
Then he turned upon Bres and Ethan and held out a hand to each,
And the first grasped forth at the hand, but Ethan slipped 'neath its reach
And knelt till it touched his head ere he kissed it with downcast face.
Then smiled my husband in chiding, and raised him up in his place
And kindly questioned his gaze, and said, "Is it well that thou
The chiefest bard of Eriu to a yeoman of Eriu bow?
Thou castest down and thou raisest up. Our glory in death
Is left to the bards that fill our ghosts with undying breath
To rehearse our deeds to our children. Oh poet, make us a lay
As glad as this hour is joyous, upraised as our hearts this day."
Then Ethan said, "My lord and my king, my spirit was dead and mute.
I was cast in the mire till thy coming. I have broken the strings of my lute.
I have sinned and done great evil, and how may thy servant sing?"
And my bridegroom frowned, but I took from my finger my golden ring
Fired with a heart of ruby, and said, "If a poet know
His evil, he eateth Knowledge, and knoweth of good also.
I give thee a bane of serpents. Take this as a charm to part
Thy soul from venom, such magic is stored in my ruby heart."
He set my gift to his lips, and never a harp he took
But music out of their parting poured like a running brook
As he sang the Bridesong of Crofinn, glad as that hour was glad
Are its words, and its fame is with him, but at whiles his eyes drooped sad
On earth; then, lifting again, they brightened clear at my sight,
And turned on my bridegroom also, and were honest and filled with Light.
17:3 "What shall I sing thee, my mistress, my queen?
What may I bring thee?
Heart's blood I would wring thee, were this not too mean.
Thou hast bid me to sing, my master, my lord.
From thy servant, oh, king,
Take this, the queen's ring, it is all of my hoard.
This ring had its heart, of the Lord, the Most High.
By its magic of art
It shall throne thee apart in the midst of the sky.
Thy place under heaven is near by her seat,
From dawn unto even
Thy foeman forgiven, shall kneel at thy feet.
The Lord, the Bestower, give gladness to thee.
Betwixt higher and lower, He builds thee, His tower,
For this isle of the sea,
Whose lowly shall love thee, whose lofty bow down,
Whose priesthood approve thee,
Yet this gem set above thee shall be thy renown.
To thine honour give heed, and thy manhood with man,
Being noble in deed
Being chosen in seed, being princely with Dan.
Yet the light of thine eye, thy knowledge, thy truth,
Are faint in the sky
When thy moon rideth high o'er the bosom of youth.
The magic she maketh is silvern and pure.
From the heart that she breaketh
A spirit awaketh with strength to endure.
Receive this, my king, with sweet spirits well stored.
The Queen's heart, her ring,
Save the lays that I sing, it is all of my hoard."
17:4 We heard, and Jochad (Eochaidh) rejoicing, gave him his finger ring
Golden, with fair bright pearls such as men of the Sgiath bring
To our north coast; yea, and I gave him no jewel or golden gem
But the olive twig my fingers had plucked by Jerusalem
To keep my heart in remembrance. So fled the cloudlet away
That in all the light of Summer had shadowed my joy that day.
Then the priests went sun-wise round us thrice, and chanted a charm
To stay our steps by each other, and fence us from outer harm,
But I know that we needed naught in our circle of hearts complete.
So went we in to the feast, where I sat in the highest seat
Betwixt my husband and Maistiv; and Ethan sang to the guests,
And Sri gave blessing upon us before we went to our rests.
18:1 At the dawn we heard how Balor of the western islands had fled
By the Slope of the Chariots homeward. I had heard his horse's tread
And his wheels of iron ere dawn, and marvelled of what might move
With that sound and quaked in the dark, but the bridegroom spake words of love
Which builded my heart in strength, and spake of those things that I
Might work in this land of the ocean, if the God of my sires was nigh
Unto me as to Moses in Egypt. And thus in this far off strand
My heart might be cheered within me with sight of the Promised Land.
He had heard the songs of Zion, and the common folk in prayer,
Named its name as a charm, and knelt with their faces there (1 ki. 8:38; 2 Chron. 6:26),
Not sunwise as the priests did; and his spirit was sorely grieved
When I told him of Zion's fall, and greatly his heart believed
In the Lord, and he prayed that idols might forth from our land be cast,
And joy return to Moriah, and its sorrow be overpast.
18:2 When we went from our booth at the morn, I was led to a little hill (Tara)
By the banks, whereon was my seat; that before the people, my will
Might be seen and known of many, and Eriu learn my word.
Which Sri, son of Eschmun the scribe was set by me to record,
With Aci, son of Alghuba, as herald to shout my choice,
Or proclaim my goings before me; for his was a mighty voice.
In warfare or peace, save Ethdan, was no man broader than he,
And these twain I set together for truth and service to me,
With En, and with Sri, and with Ogma, my husband's champion and friend,
My almost brother, for these were faithful unto the end,
And helpful in my beginning; also Nuadh, the brave old man,
Who all the days of his youth was chief of the host of Dan,
And led the miledh of Eriu, ere his hand was smitten in fight;
Being first to kneel at my feet; and that old man's eyes were bright
And his strength not yet abated. He spake as a man of war,
That his knees were stiffened with age before men, but queens led far
And their followers never wearied; so, smiling, I give him thanks
For himself and his band of Danites, and a cheer went up from their ranks.
Many a chief came after, and Crimthann came with the rest,
And Bres, and my husband also. It irked me much that his quest
Was to sit in my sight before me, yet ill example had been,
If one alone unquestioned might break the state of the queen
Being set in judgment on all men. Full soon my judgments began,
For a chieftain of Crimthann's came with claims on a husbandman
Whose few sheep wandered astray, and ate three days of his land
Ere the aire found them. Then Crimthann standing forth from his band
Claimed the sheep for the grass; but I said, "The flock and the field
Have titles, but know ye not that each hath its proper yield.
Take ye three fleeces then, but leave the air his sheep."
Then e'en Crimthann laughed aloud, and sware that my laws were deep,
And fleeces should go for the grass. So Aci shouted aloud
This judgment, and praise and laughter arose in the mingled crowd.
18:3 Then a weighty matter beset me whereat I was ill at ease,
Baring my thought unto God, yea, even as on my knees.
A bard of the land stood forward, and bidding the chiefs regard
His song, he chanted, "The rights and due rewards of a bard,"
And rehearsed, "the rights and duties and proper state of a chief,"
And then, "the customs of Eriu in all that regards a thief.
And the shames that await a niggard." Lastly he spake the grief
Of Eriu in yielding tributes to save her shores from her foes
Without, and within her taxings, and her burden of heavy woes
From the chief's fierce guards and firbolgs. "Our miledh," he sang, "we keep
As sheep-dogs to guard our pasture, neither sheep to feed with the sheep,
Nor mongrels with chieftain's mongrels who snap at the lambs in fold.
But these watch-dogs bark in the sun, or snap upon flies, grown old,
But Bres, their leader is watchful, he setteth his ships by the beach.
His jaws are ever open, he sucketh the tax like a leech.
He storeth gold in his chamber, even in every house
Of Bres is a treasure chamber, but therein never a mouse,
For the tables of Bres are empty. I passed by a house of Bres
Who sat in a broidered garment, and toyed in his wantonness
Amongst the locks of his damsels. His arms were laden with rings
Of Eriu's gold. Then sang I his wealth, and the mighty things
That he wrought in fight with the Firbolgs; after Edlai and Turild were slain;
And Nuadh wounded of Sreng might hardly the fight maintain,
How he slew Mac Erc, and drove the Firbolgs, and compassed about
Strong Sreng, till he gave him pledges. This land hath never in doubt
The strength or beauty of Bres. By land and by sea we know
Men fear him and women love him. Why then is his glory low?
Save unto foolish maidens the welcome of Bres is cold.
Save for his own attiring the garments of Bres are old.
Save on his shipmen's armour he spendeth little of gold.
At his door is a couch of purple. His guest is set on the sward,
At his door the blind and the lame unto prayer find scant reward.
On his door are bars of iron wherewith he guardeth his hoard.
In his house is neither music nor laughter nor sound of feast.
In his house a fierce hound snarleth but never another beast.
In his house is neither aire, nor chieftain, nor scribe, nor priest.
On his hearth is one small fire, it roasteth a little food.
By his hearth a stout wench turns it, and the smell of the meat is good.
By his hearth one trencher is warm though he burneth but little wood.
In his cave are rusty cauldrons that his mother once filled with ale.
In his cave are rotting mead-vats, for his bees and his honey fail.
In his cave is a broken pitcher, and the whey in that pitcher stale.
In his closet are wines of Chittim which even as rubies shine.
In his closet wine of Tarshish like molten gold of the mine.
In his closet are precious vessels, and one was brimming with wine.
For the bard a fragment of bone! For the bard the pitcher of whey!
For the bard a seat on a stone! For the bard a hovel of clay!
From the bard sour whey, picked bone, cold stone, for a prince this day!!"
19 Now cast I mine eyes towards Jochad who hearkened to Cairbre's song
In sorrow, for greatly he loved his fellow that did this wrong,
And therefore answered me not, nor spake when voices arose
Crying for him and Nuadh. Then watching these matters close
My God gave help. Though I yearned that Jochad might lead, I knew
His will was not to the spear, and only with need he drew
The sword from its sheath in battle. Moreover, meseemed that I
Was little advised of these things, lacking strength to descry
Wherein I might choose; and therefore I watched long time their debate,
Till it rose in stormwinds of fury and howled in tempests of hate.
Then shook I the chain of silence, bidding Aci proclaim my peace;
And he with a voice of thunder compelled their strivings to cease,
And aiding the son of Eschmun set forth stones on the ground,
Whereon the names of the captains of all the hundreds were found;
Yet Jochad's was set not with them, and this was done by my will;
For Jochad answered my glance with a brow untroubled and still.
Then the throng passed by before me, and each man carried a stone,
Laying it as I ordered, but choice was with him alone
Of the wand whereby he should cast it. The heap about Nuadh grew
Till it capped the name which was written, but the castings for Bres were few,
And Ogma; Ethdan and Aci had each a mound to his name,
And stones were given by some unto champions of lesser fame;
But Crimthann plucked forth his staff, nor would he cast his stone,
Saying he loved not to lead another band than his own;
And Balor's men were away; therefore his lot was bare,
And the Breogan down in the South in that council had scorned to share,
Saying they held their coasts, and payed neither tax nor tythe,
Having armour and spears for all men, and hoping therewith to thrive;
So their princes came not to Crofinn. Little need was to count
The stones, but the son of Eschmun reckoned a sure amount,
Four hundred and six unto Nuadh, to Bres but fifty and three.
Then darkness fell upon Bres, and fiercely he cried on me,
"Thou shalt dearly rue thy castings," and in answer I was not slack.
"The queen casts lots for no man." But the cloud hung heavy, and black
As he turned to his booth and left us, and Jochad my husband went
And reasoned therein, but left him in silence and ill content,
And that night he rode to Pen Edair; and this was beginning of all
The strife that arose thereafter, and of many a brave man's fall.
Yet my soul rejoiced over Nuadh, to witness the patient man
Who braved wounds and neglect in silence ride forth at head of his clan,
Waving his keen bright spear aloft, in one shining hand,
And bearing high in the other the mace of his old command
Amidst the shouts of the miledh; and he rode by my seat to cry,
"O, queen, we are thine for ever. We die in thy name, Tephi."
Then my heart rose up as a queen's, and I spake, "Nay, not with the rod,
Or the spear will I rule this island, but reign in the Strength of God."
Oh, mad are my people's shoutings. Their hearts are carried away.
In love of my folk thenceforward I travail both night and day.
20:1 When the Days of Assembly ended, we went unto fair Emain
Where Nuadh entertained us, and so by river and plain
Through the North. A hundred chosen men as our guards he sent,
And fifty warriors of Dan, who with helms to their horsemanes bent
And sharp stiff spears before, were strongest arrows of fight,
For the steeds that were under these sped each like a shaft in flight.
Then turned we again towards Mullagh where Maistiv would have us stay;
But e'en as we went from the North a little space on our way
A thing befell which was evil, and showed the wrongs of my land,
For Tethra the fomorc champion lurked with a savage band
Of firbolgs in hills by the sea, and nought were we told of this
For the coastmen helped the fomorcs, though knowing the farms should miss
Many sheep and oxen and swine. Now Ethan, going apart
To assuage his soul with silence in some sudden blackness of heart,
Which oft-times came upon him and drove him forth to the field,
By these firbolgs was carried captive. Sore was he loathe to yield,
But swordless and lone on the mountain; and all of us angered sore
At that word. Then bade I our miledh to search the hills and restore
Our bard to our train; but Jochad ever wary and brave
Said, "Nay, yon hills and their quagmires would be many a miledh's grave
Hunting these goats amongst them. These shaggy firbolgs will hide,
Each with his pouch of stones at his waist on the mountain side,
Where the horsemen may not seek him, and the footman climbeth aloft
Till he comes to some mossgreen hollow where the footing is foul and soft.
Then cometh a stone from a crag, and its hurler creepeth away,
Whilst the miledh if he be scatheless is stayed by water and clay.
Myself shall seek after Ethan." Then cried I against him; but, still
Yet strongly, of right he spake. At the last, I gave him my will
That he went, though my heart was heavy. In a mantle of green went he,
Barefoot with his harp before him, and his garments scarce to his knee
As a harper goeth unarmoured, and therefore unhurt of men,
Alone in the heart of the mountains to seek these wolves in their den.
20:2 Now Jochad had skill of their customs, and knew their wont was to feast
On the stolen mountain cattle, and sleep like the savage beast
'Neath the sky, but had meat in plenty, and song was sweet in their ear;
And if these had taken Ethan, it was that they longed to hear
The magic of Ethan's singing, but Ethan was wroth and stayed
Both his tongue and harp, and sware no music of his should be played
Before swine; thus the men were angry, and surely had sold him forth
To go as a slave with Tethra to serve some chief of the North.
Now their track was followed by Jochad till he came to a pasture wild
Where Tethra was with the firbolgs, both man and woman and child,
And they set their meats before him, and soon he arose to play,
Playing the gentraith swiftly till their heels were frolic and gay,
And they drank and danced to the gentraith till after the sun was set.
Then he changed the string of his playing, and the wildmen's eyes were wet
At the plaintive sorrow of goltraiths, most mournful his harp and slow
Whilst he chanted the dirge of Clidna and many a tale of woe
Till the eyes of them all grew heavy, and further they might not weep,
So low he murmured the swantraith and soothed their souls into sleep;
Then gently playing he stirred, and murmuring still, untied
The bonds of Ethan and left them, and played down the valley side
Till swift on the moor they departed, and came to us ere the morn,
Ethan silent and shamed, but like a thrush from the thorn
Was the homeward whistle of Jochad. Now all the hours of the night
I had sorrowed upon and blamed them, but an hour ere dawning of light
I heard the whistle of Jochad, and stood in the door of my tent
And railed at my early waking, till Ethan followed my bent
And we three had mirth together. Then said Ethan, "Queen, mistress mine,
Ye be like and unlike together, but in likeness ye are divine,
And holy in all unlikeness: being pure, ye are merry of heart.
Ye are both too proud and humble of one that lacks soul to depart;
Who is proud where ye are humble, and humbled where ye are proud,
And pardoned, lacks grace to crawl as a worm for a grace allowed."
21:1 So came we to Maistiv to Mullagh. She made us a merry cheer.
Her brow was open and happy. Her eyes were steadfast and clear,
Yet often they fell upon Ethan, and as she sat by her warps
With her needle painting blossoms she loved the voice of the harp
On the flowery banks beside her. This thing in mine eyes seemed good,
For many moods had Ethan, and his was a noble blood
Of the princes of Dan, yet lower; whilst Maistiv lofty and pure
Was a queen to rule all moods of man, from a height secure:
But there came a guest unto Maistiv, a Canaanite from the South,
Grisbane, daughter of Richis. A poppy bloomed in her mouth,
Her eyes danced sapphire sparkles. A Baal-fire gleamed in her hair
Of ruby and gold and amber, for the woman was very fair,
Skilled in the twisting of tiaras or stringing gems for the neck,
And her own was white as hawthorn. On her snowy arms no speck
Was discerned on their round whiteness; but evil of heart was she,
And skilled in unholy cunning, knowing the fruit of the tree
Which is harmful, and herbs that are deadly, and fashioning charms thereof
To slay the spirit of man or kindle his soul to love.
Long time was this witch betrothed to the son of Eocho Taebfhada; Daire by name;
But chose for her sport to tarry, and still unwed to remain,
Casting her nets on champions. Upon Ethan now was her cast,
With spells to draw him beside her. Therefore it pleased her at last
To send him a tryst in the beechwood; yet, I know not if he were weak
And minded to Grisbane's kisses, but she doubted not he would seek
Her tryst, and herself went thither. Now chanced it by luckless hap
I was weary within that even, and cast my shreds from my lap
Whereon had been Maistiv's lessons, and called her forth to the wood
Where she walked in her height beside me until in a path we stood
Of soft grass amidst the hazels. There I was minded to stay
Whilst Maistiv plucking the filberts slowly went on her way
Down the green glade before me, most lovely and tall and fair,
With all the flame of the sunset, alight in her golden hair,
When I hear a voice beside her, "My love thou art come full late."
Then a sudden cry and a speech upraised in anger and hate,
"He sends Bennan's leman to mock me, but ne'er shalt thou mock again.
Who mocketh at Richis' daughter hath blindness, foulness and pain."
Then one screamed, and I ran in terror, and low on the mossy ground
Lay Maistiv, lay my sister, but blemish of blood was not found
Upon her, though deathly anguish furrowed her broad white brow
And a darkened juice oozed slowly 'twixt the close-shut lids below
Wherewith the skin was purpled. So sank I down at the spot
Deeming her slain, but she moved and said to me, "Touch me not
Lest the poison work upon thee. Bring water," she whispered low,
And my mind flew swift in circles, debating hither and fro
To stay or leave her defenceless, but quickly I kissed her lips,
And praying quitted her side, to slip as a fawn that slips
Through the brake till I found the open, and chanced upon Ethan near,
Who free and glad at a mark was tossing his hunting spear.
Swiftly I told our hap and returned. As a hound that flees
At the stag, sped Ethan for water, and found us, and on his knees
He bathed the poison from Maistiv in silence. A woman's skill
Was in the fingers of Ethan, yet I feared that the hurt should kill,
For Maistiv spake not and stirred not, nor might we move her to quaff
From the vessel of clear spring water. Then was a mocking laugh
Beside us. "Never again shall thy leman behold the day,
Or smile in thy smiles for ever. Too skilled was my mother's way
Of mixing her charms to fail me." Then Ethan rose to his feet
Raising the pitcher aloft, and hurled it down till it beat
Full on the face of Grisbane, surely a weight like lead,
At his knee she kneeled and stumbled. At his feet she fell down dead.
21:2 Yes, blind, ever blind thereafter, unto the end of her days,
Yet cheerful therewithal winning great affection and praise.
Where she might not broider her flowers she practised a cunning craft
Of her own with a fish-hook straightened, and raised up her face and laughed
When I praised her taste in the colours. My children loved her and clung
Round her knees for kisses and stories. Many tears both of old and young
Water the flowers o'er Maistiv. -- Of Ethan an eric fine
Was claimed by Richis of Breogan, a merchant who drew forth wine
And armour and vessels from Tarshish; but message I sent him back
That Grisbane had sought her slaying, and well for her none was slack
To answer such a woman's prayer which saved herself from the stake;
For scarce would I have pardoned Grisbane even for Maistiv's sake,
Who prayed me towards softer answer. Our Ethan was soft with her
And gentle to all her teachings, but he brooked not any spur,
Scarcely my touch thereafter, oft hiding himself afar,
At times returning with songs which stirred up men's hearts to war,
At times returning with dirges he sang with a face like death,
At whiles with riddles the priesthood debated with angry breath.
Much did my heart lean towards him. Were I not set as queen
With Jochad my love, by Maistiv my chosen portion had been
When I saw him lying before her with the dews of grief in his eye.
And the Lord that knoweth the heart, hereafter shall tell me why.
22 Now came ill tidings to Mullagh, for Bres in Elatha's Hall
Sought aid, but his father heard him and helped not his son at all,
Beholding his firstborn angered, yet causeless in ill content,
For Bres came unto his presence, and thus their discourses went.
Said Elatha, "Welcome, oh Bres, but wherefore now art thou come
When charge of the miledhs of Eriu forbiddeth thee long to roam?"
"I have left them, I plundered their gold, and now in the mire they rout
In fury and hunger for roots, and are eager to cast me out."
"My son, the good of a man is naught by the good of a land.
I have sucked the fruit of the soil, but fain again would I stand
On the necks of the men I hated, and set their houses to flame.
My son, thou speakest before me the words of an open shame,
Be sure of this, that a kingdom never again shall plight
To an unjust seeker the faith betrayed of one that had right."
So Bres flung out from his father then hurried into the North
And gathered the barks of the Fomorians that through all the islands go forth,
And summoned the Scythians and Galls (Welsh), and sent forth men to the West
Unto Balor, Indech and Bennan, with gold to help in the quest
Of their coastmen, hillmen and fomorians. These promised him certain aid,
And Corrgen only of Aileach refused the askings he made.
Crimthann answered him not, as always his custom had been
Unto men, but sent me a script wherein he named me as queen,
And wrote, "Thou hast builded a throne if its base be the nobles' will,
But mind thee that over his serfs the Chief is the chieftain still.
Bid me to fight with a chief, I will answer then at thy call.
But I wrestle not with my swineherds, nor throw with cooks for a fall."
So I sent him a message back, "To the queen is thy word made plain,
And she biddeth thee keep thy house against king-thieves of the main,
Which is no ill service to Eriu, nor unbefitting a chief."
Then came a captain of his from his keep with an answer brief,
"I obey," and Jochad approved me; but chiefly he set his care
On Bregia. Before this day the Breogan had little share
In the deeds of the regions northwards. Strong were their men and tall,
Their weapons mighty and many, their cashels fenced with a wall,
Whilst their traders rich within them drew together as one.
Now Jochad feared that in Grisbane the hope of their peace was gone.
If their spears were against us Nuadh should be but a feeble strength;
Therefore we called him from Emain (Navan) and heard these matters at length;
And he spake of his miledh unpaid, save his own band the most were lax
To practise, and many escaped; whilst Bres had handled the tax
Withholding their food and armour, and now few taxes were paid
For the miledh, but many to Baal, the people waxing afraid
At cursings of priests, and rumours of war; yet the tax of gold
Was paid to the Fomorians, but failed their thievish vessels to hold.
These had harried the coast of the North, and pillaged the island of Mod.
Where they burned the house of Ogma, and beat his men with a rod,
Whilst they set them to bind his timbers fair into many a raft,
And bore them away to Lochland each at the heels of his craft.
Nuadh, though fieryhearted, told us no braggart's lies.
He longed as a steed for battle, but yet was wary and wise.
Braggarts came thither to us, and most of the common folk
And farmers believed that I by spells might lighten their yoke.
I know that the Lord is mighty with little or great to find
An aid, but as queen mine office was all my people to bind
In one, not kindle their strifes; so leaned I on Nuadh's word
And on Sri and my husband Jochad, and sware I would lift no sword
If other resource there might be. Much weighty discourse we had.
The land being vexed with tumult, the hearts of the rulers bad.
Now mostly we feared that Breogan might set themselves to our harm,
Then said I before them all, "I have neither spells nor a charm
To blast like the witches of Breogan; yet ye have heard the fall
Of Ai. If God be with us, the shields of the coastmen's wall
Shall fall at my word." Then Jochad and Sri beheld me and saw
How my heart had hidden purpose, and my will unto these was law.
23:1 Next morn departed Nuadh to summon the chiefs of the host
To Emain, and nigh to our gate came a heathen bard with a boast
How Balor was drawn unto Bres, and those would make me a feast
Unto every unclean bird and to every noisome beast;
And my miledh were little to peck at and few should be left alive.
"The horses of Balor a thousand, his chariots one hundred and five,
The men of his hills five thousand, four from his septs in the plain.
Of the miledh of Bregia three thousand draw nigh from the southern main,
And Crimthann shall be behind thee with the war-wolves of Pen Edair
That are never slack to their hunting. Yea, surely they shall not spare."
Now, save that fighting in battle a bard is sacred of men,
Surely an arrow had sped from our fences and slain him then,
But Ethan was angered, and ran from the watchgate, and cried his name,
"Ho, Dala, called son of Cliath, that knows not his mother's shame,
Called also son of the swineherd, called also son of the groom,
It seems in Carnamatirech thou findest but little room.
Outcast by Bennan the swine. Nay, that is wrong indeed.
Though he rout thee away from his trough, I fling thee food for the need
Of thy mouth, three mouths in gaping, of thy teeth ill-ordered but great,
That thy paunch which sags before thee may rise up in high estate.
May it fill thy hunger, oh Dala, and stay the edge of that note
Of famine above the hoarseness of crows which dwells in thy throat
When thou singest the praise of Bennan." Therewith an apple he sped,
Large but of early Summer, and smote the mouth in the head
Of Dala, the son of Cliath, and brake the half of his teeth,
Parting his jaws usunder, whilst blood ran streaming beneath.
He might not answer to Ethan, but staggering, turned him back
And shamed by scorn of our grooms, with tottering limbs and slack
Passed down the path to the meadows. I heard the sound of their cheer,
And leaving my maidens alone, to the guard at our gate drawn near,
And beholding him driven away, enquired of wherefore he went,
And saw him fall on his face as he drew to a broad-stretched tent
Some stranger had pitched at morn, but none came forth to his aid;
So I took a vessel of water, and ran, and was not afraid.
Then Ethan and Sri ran after, but I waved them back from the field,
And came on its sward to Dala, and down by his body I kneeled,
And brake the fruit from his jaws, and cleansed them of blood, and poured
A wine of the South therein that was given by Ith the lord
Of Tarshish, sunlight and honey. Then after a space he woke,
But his eyes were troubled and weary and never a word he spoke.
23:2 Still bathed I his front with water when I sensed behind me the tread
Of one that came from the tent, so pausing I raised my head
And saw one mighty of stature, the plates of whose greaves were gilt,
The sheath of whose sword shone rubies, and hung from a golden hilt,
The breadth of whose breast was spacious, and scaled with an armour of gold,
Dark-bearded, yet white and ruddy, with features of princely mould;
And he spake, "Do elves of Eriu go forth in her fields by day
To work their charms, and draw the soul from the lips and slay?
So would I be slain if thou willest, but what is that potent charm
Wherewith thou hast restored him? Wouldst thou work him a further harm?"
Then smiling I said, "No charm, but wine I poured in his mouth
To help him out of his swoon. In vines of the warmer South
Was it grown of the best of the land, for in Gadesh the men of Ith
The lord of Breogan and Eber have vines and are rich therewith."
Then that mighty chief was stirred, and took my phial to his hand
And said, "Yea, this is of Gadesh. What knowest thou of that land,
If woman not spirit thou art? for never such sight I ween,
Before the tent of Lughaidh (Levi) as thee and thy garb was seen."
Then joyous I said, "Oh Lughaidh, art thou the son of the soul
Of him that named me his daughter, who, brooking no chief's control,
Went out with thine own five vessels to seek thee a home, and build
Thee a house wherein to rule. Thy father heard thou wast killed
On the seas, and mourned, and told me thy tale. Why then art thou here?
I was but his child by choice; but thou his true son shouldst cheer
The eyes and ears of his age." "If thou art my sister," he said,
"I seem to hear and see the voice of one that is dead,
My mother, but set that by. I am here to speak with the folk
Whom Jochad brings from the middens and hovels and stables and yoke,
To find there some champion. I sailed upon many seas till I found
A people of Breogan. There, I drew my ships to the ground
To reign as a prince amongst them, and though I love not the chiefs
Of the inland clans, they are fellows. I share not a bard's beliefs
That men be equal, and seek to see if my equal they find
In Ogma, or Ethdan, slaves of the fomorians time out of mind,
Or in Jochad, strong though men speak him, or perchance in one of his serfs
That dips in his chief's own basin a paw well dyed in the turfs.
Thus sped I before my Breogan, and now wilt thou pass with me
If thy sick man be helped, with my challenge; and soon forsooth thou shalt see
And praise thy brother as victor." Then seeing that Dala rose
And departed, I went with Lughaidh, and spake at his arm drawn close,
Towards the ditch we digged on the hilltop, and when Ethan and Sri would lay
Themselves in our path, I raised my hand till they went away.
Then Lughaidh raised up his voice and shouted, "Oh, heremon,
Called from thy farmer folk, wouldst thou speak with a chief alone?
Some call thee a sheep-dog only, some speak thee a clumsy bear.
I fain would know thee a lion, if not, flee forth as a hare
From Lughaidh, whose spear is mighty; from Lughaidh, whose miledh shall stand
As a wall of brass before thee, and break the strength of thy band
Ere it fall to the wolves of Balor, the swine of the central plain
And the mountain bulls that bellow with Bennan the son of Kain."
23:3 Then saw I a golden helmet gleam by our fence of stake.
A light leap over the trench made Jochad, but naught he spake,
Coming down the slopes to meet us, whilst I saw the hurdles start
And tips of a score of arrows wait eager for Lughaidh's heart.
Naught but a cloudless wonder dwelt on my husband's face,
As with words of happy greeting he came to our resting place.
"Thou hast greeted the queen, by thine armour I know thou hast titles and fame,
By sea and land, but neither thy father's house nor thy name.
Thou must be a champion of Breogan, those ancient seamen and brave,
Sons of the sons of them that rule on the ocean wave
Far southward into the sunlands." Then spake I, "Lo, I am here
To bring thee my brother, Lughaidh, the son of my father dear,
The old man I loved in Tarshish when I dwelt in his house awhile,
Who gave me the men that brought me unto thee and thy fair green isle.
Now my brother bringeth me Breogan." Then deep in his beard low laughed
Strong Lughaidh and said, "More deadly hath been the magic I quaffed
Than his whose teeth had been broken. But now I see thee aright
For a lion, I have my longing, and hail thee a lord of fight
Who shall shame no man as his captain, and Balor is none of mine,
Though he may perchance excel me in strength to wrestle with wine,
And Bres may win at the chess-play. I bow to thy queen great righ
And thy helm with her ruby above it. Thy man henceforward am I."
Then Jochad embraced him and said, "My queen, my mistress, my bride,
This day thou art champion of war, the chiefest strength of our side."
And Lughaidh laughed, "It is little thy queen hath conquered in me;
But the daughter of Ith may call the sons of the sons of the sea,
And win back a loyal answer. Fair queen, so haughty and small,
Say wilt thou travel with me to set on thy crown the wall
Of the Breogan towns of the South to keep thee here on thy hill?"
Then Jochad was grave, but I smiled, and he spake not against my will
When I followed Lughaidh afoot, till he set me on Enbarr his steed
And went by my side five furlongs. Now whither our road should lead
I had guessed. O'er a rough rock's shoulder we climbed and below us stood
The miledh of Bregia camping, betwixt that cliff and a wood.
At Lughaidh's shouting they turned and knew him and drew anigh
Whilst he spake of me to his men, for that crag was set too high
For my speech to pass to their ears, but high on the topmost stone
I stood a few paces above him, and a thought I had made my own
Was this. The Trident of gold I had from the Pen of the Gate (Gibraltar)
Should be known of these with the twiceforked spears. By a happy fate
I had seen my maidens bearing it forth in my house that day,
And chosen this for a rod, and a weapon to be my stay
When I went down the field to Dala. Now I raised it on high
That its threefold fangs of gold might lighten against the sky;
And the miledh hailed their standard, for many a grandson of Tyre
Knew in what temple shone in the god's hand such dart of fire,
And great was the shouting then, though some of the folk were wroth,
Till there came division amongst them, and part of their band drew forth
With Richis to go unto Balor, but more than the half turned back
And passed by the crag, and followed where Lughaidh pointed their track.
Two hours had I gone from Mullagh, when again I might discern
Once more the eyes through the wattles that waited on my return,
For none might pass through the trench save Jochad gave them command.
I that departed with one, returned with an armoured band,
Twelve hundred and three and fifty, whilst some stole thither by night
Until Breogan stood fourteen hundred, a wall to hearten our fight;
With Lughaidh the stone of their corner, the prow of the thorny hedge
That should brush the horsemen asunder, as a swan that stirreth the sedge.
24:1 At the dawn I said, "Let us carry to Nuadh the Breogan aid,
That his soul be uplifted with us, and his miledh be not dismayed
By tidings both North and South." So I and my husband led
With Lughaidh, and Ogma tarried a space behind at the head
Of our folk and the men of Bregia. Then, passing on without fear
We saw on our path a greybeard most noble of horse and gear
Who came in the way before us; and now, behold, it was Ith,
And he fell on the neck of Lughaidh, and great was our joy therewith.
Beholding his son he wept; and gave to the Lord great praise
That his eyes found light to behold him, before the darkness of days.
Tidings had come out of Bregia that his son was living as yet,
Thereupon he made no tarrying, but quickly his course was set
To see if that word were true; and now, than his hope more swift,
His son had kneeled for his pardon. Then both did their gaze uplift
To my face, and he kissed me also, and blessed me of heaven that his son
Was found, and had counsel by me, and bade him his course to run
'Neath the eyes of his daughter Tephi, enquiring much of our war.
Then said he, "Ye call me, Ith Cian, the 'light that liveth afar,'
In this land where my ships come often, but soon shall ye see me near.
I am not too weak in mine age to handle the sword and spear.
I speed and return with succours. One hour with ye I remain:
Then back unto Edair's harbour to summons the ships of Spain.
In a month hence abide my coming. My going shall not be long.
My ships shall be very many, their engines and armour strong."
He heeded not for our chiding. "Nay, I have seen my son
My very son, Lughaidh, in right. My journey is wellnigh run.
Let me strike one stroke against Balor. He also is mighty, yet old.
His seawolves have oft sped southwards to harry sheep of my fold."
Thus spake he, and would not tarry; yet scarce had he left our sight,
Riding full swiftly to Edair (Howth), when now at entrance of night
Three champions of Tyre drew nigh, and though the even was dim
They guessed of Ith by his riding, and their riding was known unto him,
For he drove them forth out of Eber, being proud that no man might stand
Of the chiefs of Eber before them, and haughty in all the land;
Yet valiant and strong and wealthy. Now these were sworn unto hate
Of the lord of Tarshish, therefore he turned himself by the gate
Of a farmstead amongst the cattle, but the eldest man of the three
Beheld him and followed after, and beat him down on his knee
Whilst his brothers slew him with stones, and after they builded a heap
Of the stones above Ith Cian, and trusted their deed would sleep:
But ye know, and therefore I write not, the tale that the bards shall tell
To the sons of men for ever, how these princes of Canaan fell
'Neath the burdens of Lughaidh upon them. Though greatly they strove therewith,
They were laid at the last 'neath the stones whereunder they buried Ith.
We knew not this on that night, yet deemed that Ith was no more
When his succours came not from Tarshish, knowing the love he bore
To his daughter and son, and his wrath against Balor, Indech and Bres.
24:2 Yet this night we guessed not his doom, and went without heaviness;
And the next day drew unto Emain (Navan Fort) riding thither full fast
Before our people, and Lughaidh swore that a jest to last
Should be in our coming thither. So went he afoot to the hall,
His brightness veiled by a cloak. Now there stood two guardians tall
And haughty by Nuadh's threshold, and these men bade him to stay
Until his errand was told them. Then said he humbly, "I pray,
Doth Nuadh require a wheelwright?" and the porters answered him, "Nay,
We have Luchta, the son of Lomhaid." Then asked he again, "I pray
Your favour, wants he a smith?" and the porters again said, "Nay,
Our smith is the thrice-skilled Colum." Then bolder he spoke, "I pray
Lack ye here for a champion?" and loudly the men cried, "Nay,
Great Ogma cometh and Ethdan." Then sweetly he sung, "I pray,
Want ye my songs as a harper?" and proudly they answered, "Nay,
For Ethan comes oft to our tables." So, solemn, he asked, "I pray,
Have ye preachers and pious amongst you?" and scornful they spake him, "Ay,
The wisdom of Sri, the preaching of Mathgen." So laughed he, "I pray,
Are cupbearer's near to your lord?" They answered in mocking, "Ay,
Dathi leads twelve clad in crimson." Then, formal, he questioned, "Pray,
Be there scribes or recorders with them?" Whereupon they answered him, "Ay,
Many scribes under En son of Eschmun." So, last he said, "I beseech
Your mercy in asking, hath Nuadh provided a skillful leech?"
One laughed and the other yawned. "The chief of that craft have we,
With son and daughter beside him, wellnigh as skillful as he."
Then Lughaidh cast cloak, and shouted, "Go, Kamal the son of Knees
And Hamal son of Formality, ask thy master, of these
Which man may do every service?" Right swiftly these lackeys sped
At his chiding, and Nuadh heard them, and came to the gate and led
The "man of all crafts" to his table, where laughter and mirth we found
To greet us upon our coming, whilst gaily that jest went round.
24:3 Now as we sat at our meat, there came nine men with demand
That the tributes set by the fomorians be given into their hand;
And spake with threats in their mouths that the taxings be swiftly made,
Bidding us hear that thereafter a double-tax should be paid,
If Balor and Tethra should tarry, or Indech should stay his oars
That he sent unto Losken-lomu, to bring with speed to our shores
His barekneed kermes from the North. Then stood I before these men
And said, "The Shepherd of Israel keepeth wolves from the pen,
His flock shall be tythed of no man." Then Lughaidh arose in wrath
And falling swift on the seafolk, with the spearstaff he drove them forth,
To return unto Indech and Balor. But all hearts gathered to me,
For my labour was fallen upon me, and my travail for victory.
25:1 Old Nuadh's heart rose up as a man of war to cheer
Our hearts, a steed that snuffeth and knoweth the battle near,
And we planned our secret council that was held on a Sabbath day,
For our righteousness is with the Lord in our toiling as when we pray.
In a hidden hold we made it, of the chosen of all our land,
And greatly the people marvelled of the deed which thereat was planned,
Wherefore men call it my marvel, for all men marvelled to see
How God spake forth in Eriu by the Spirit He set on me.
Now after a while, I bade that each man speak of the gift
He would give unto God and Eriu the burdens thereof to uplift.
Then Mathgen the wise said, "I and the priests through the hills seek aid,"
And Figol son of Manoah, "Oft on my knees I have prayed
Amongst the men of the woodlands, and surely these know me well,
And will seek at my bidding to Tephi to fight against the powers of hell."
Bright Dathi said, "I am known by many a river and lake
To the aires and shepherds, and these will surely come for my sake."
And Lughaidh, "Of Breogan, my strength, I issue forth with my spear,
'The Destroyer', with Perez the Mede its lightnings were seen with fear.
None such hath been known in Eriu. 'Tis a flame of thrice-tempered steel."
Now many spake of their will for the good of the land to deal.
Gabhran (Goibniu) the smith saying, "Never shall freedman of Eriu want
For spearheads or bolts or javelins till the coals of my forge be scant."
And Luchtna, "For Gabhran's spearheads such shafts will I surely make,
As shall fill each outstretched hand, and not one of my shafts shall break."
And Creidne, "Of every spear which Gabhran and Luchtna's skill
Shall fashion, the heads shall cleave, for my rivetting is not ill."
Last, Jochad said, "Ye have promised each and all as a king
Yet myself is the queen's first servant, and therefore myself I bring."
Then Lughaidh smiled and he said, "The serfdom of all is seen
In their mouths, but what wage for labour shall be to thy slaves, oh, queen?"
Then answered I at that asking, "Little my need of a slave,
But free service to this my kingdom." And thereon I made them a stave.
"Not upon slaves are my gifts poured out.
Strong olive, anointed and digged about,
Mine oils are sovran o'er weakness and doubt."
25:2 We determined that Lughaidh should pass with his Breogan homeward and West
And Jochad be with me at Tailtea, whereto I should gather the quest
Of all the lands of my province, and also throughout the soil
Of Eriu send men to gather from hills, fields, pastures and toil,
Loyal folk but skilless in warfare. Yet Jochad had heed of all,
And taught them and gave them arms; and their women and babes would fall
At my feet, and pray me to lift the curse of the robber-bands
That issued out of the cashels, and harried the farmers' lands
Till they lacked the oxen to plough with, and often they failed to eat
The very seed they had planted, for oft these carried the wheat.
In my tears I promised their asking, and gave them of that I had,
Grown little now by my spendings, but the souls of my poor were glad,
Till some called me not, "Teia", but, "Dea", and save that they dwelt with the clods
I had needs reproved them more sharply, for I love not that names of gods
Be given to men; and after, such rebuke was often my need
In chiding this foolish people, but my preaching hath little heed.
Ogma went from us Northeast, and passing a space inland
He drew us a noble succour of men of war to his band,
And passed unto Ailech to Corrgenn, and thus in a six weeks' space
We had gathered Eriu amongst us, and drew towards the trysting-place.
Where Balor and Bres should find us, and where should be held that fight
Which should darken the clouds of Eriu or fill its dwellings with Light.
One thing unknown of my husband I did, for I feared to fall
Therein. We heard how a bridge betwixt the isles of the Gall (Wales)
And Eriu (Eire) was wellnigh built by boats going hither and fro
With Scythians and Firbolgs in thousands, for Indech had not been slow
Of help unto Bres, nor Tethra, nor Omna nor Bagma the chiefs
Of the fomorcs, to bring with ships these bands of savage reliefs
Unto Balor. Then sent I word to Elatha the father of Bres
That the host of his son grew mighty. His honour grew less and less,
Bringing wild Firbolgs to plunder a kingdom which once his arm
Was strong to defend against them. So I told my husband my charm
Had been woven to weaken Indech, and surely my soul spake true,
For Elatha sent many vessels to harass that pirate crew,
And the isles of the Scythians and Firbolgs, till lastly these feared to come,
Whilst many that came already went back to defend their home.
26:1 We were first, one week ere Samhain in the trysting by Unna's stream.
In the early dawn thereafter, my husband told me his dream:
How I stood o'er the Pool of Unna one foot on his own green land (Eire),
But the other firm on a lion that slept on a fair bright strand. (Gibraltar)
Nine braids of my locks spread forth, and lo, the first of a three
Was wavy and many tangled in all the isles of the sea (The Commonwealth).
Now the second was thick and braided on a broad land wealthy and fair
In the West (U.S.A.), but that tress was severed, and cities grew from each hair,
That lay on that noble pasture. Then the third tress spread to the North
In a great land buried in snows, which melted till streams gushed forth
Amidst oceans of golden cornland (Canada). Then he spake of the second three,
How a thin hair, strongly braided, upheld the weight of the sea (Gibraltar),
And a second stirred by a westwind flew to a golden hill (Moriah).
Whilst its fellow gave shelter from heat o'er realms stretching beyond it still.
Of the third three, all went South, and one was spread over Lud (Africa)
And Phut, but the other twain flew out o'er an endless flood
Unto, the endings of earth, and there they fastened their hold
Upon mighty desert places in the heart of whose stones was gold (Australasia).
Now on every tress of the nine were golden cymbals which spoke
In the ears of the lion's cubs which lay at my foot: but he woke
Ere ever his dream was ended. Yet he watched four eagles draw
Towards the lion to blind his eyeballs, and the lion opened his maw
And roared in face of the eagles. Then started he full awake.
That dream might I ne'er interpret, yet my soul is glad for its sake.
26:2 Yet the roaring was of young lions, for Lughaidh and Ogma were there
With their force before the daybreak, and surely they did not spare
To roar as lions in their coming. Thus was our host complete,
And Nuadh went forth before us, and ordered a battle-seat
On the green slope stretched before us. Noble was now that host,
And valiant, but little of number before the chiefs of the coast,
With their swarming Firbolgs and shipmen. Now each side ordered its fence,
And we parleyed, and set the battle of the forces for five days thence.
Upon Samhain's Day which they chose, for this was a feast unto Baal,
But my Rock of Defence was sure. His [phallic] pillars of little avail.
26:3 Now the plain by the stream of Unna was level and broad and green,
Till the rising fences of Balor on a further hill might be seen,
Whence shoutings came to our ears, and champions out of his side
Came forth in the field and mocked us, and I would not any replied.
Yet often they went; and some were victors, and some men fell.
I might scarce forbid such strivings; but this thing I knew right well,
That such are not for a leader in whom a nation is lost,
So laid my gesa (command) on Lughaidh and Ethdan at every cost
To bide in their booths with Jochad. Nuadh secure might ride,
For the chief of a host is sacred till his battle be ordered wide.
That first day were many combats of lesser men, and a car
Of Ochtriall son of Indech we took with his craisechs of war,
When he went to stop the springs to our front, for the streamlet ran
Too near to their slings for our sutlers. Also division began
Of these, and the spears which Gabhran and Creidne and Luchtna made,
Each with its well-poised shaft, and rivets, and bright keen blade,
Till the foe had heed of that forest, and at even, one that we knew
Came from them and went amongst us, for the stream of his life he drew
From a captain of Dan, though his mother was even a Canaanite,
In whom a chief of the fomorians long time had his heart's delight.
And saw where Gabhran the smith was casting the ruddy spears,
And Creidne plying his hammers, and Luchtna shaping the wood,
The three great craftsmen of Eriu, and the work of their hands right good
And speedy; whilst Tuirbhi, crippled, wrought at his forges ill,
Though had he been strong in his prime, our Gabhran, his pupil, still
Was his master in skill and swiftness. Then the spy to Tuirbhi went back,
And told him we cast ten spears unto his one, and his arm was slack;
So Ochtriall, grieved for his craisechs, moved him to seek our camp,
And find if sods might be gathered the fires of our forge to damp;
And he took a spear of a woman who ground it upon a wheel,
And hurled it swiftly on Gabhran, thinking thereby to steal
Supply of our weapons from us; but the spear that went by his back
Tore but the flesh of the smith, so Gabhran sped on his track,
Drawing the head from his side, and hurled an avenging stroke.
May all traitors perish like Ruadan, whose breastbone and back were broke.
27:1 Tethra, the sea-king, came next day in the midst to deride
Both Jochad and Ethdan, but Ogma went for them on our side,
Falling swiftly upon him, and beat him back to their fence again.
Had Tethra not fled from Ogma, surely he then were slain,
Having lost his sword behind him. That sword was heavy and keen,
Its hilts well guarded, and Ogma bore it back to the queen,
Saying, "Ormai, its name is well known." Now graved on the blade were lines
Straight, or sloped in their groupings; therefore I asked their designs.
Then Ogma said, "These be names of champions that Tethra slew
With Ormai in former days, and each is a record true
Of the sixteen feats that be graven." Sri also approved him of this,
Reading forth the champion's titles. Then out spoke Ogma, "I wis,
It is well that a name remains of a miledh and of his deed.
If I fall, no man shall know my resting save such a screed
Be set on the stone that marks me." Surely so it was done
With grief on the headstone of Ogma that day when our fight was won.
27:2 On the first three days flowed balsams, on the fourth a river of grief.
Out of their gate at morning shone bright the arms of a chief
Which blazed in the Autumn sunrise. A figure of princely mould,
Whose spears were iron of Tarshish, his buckler of beaten gold,
And his helmet and breastplate likewise. Then all men knew him for Bres,
Who came before us and spake, and his words were of bitterness.
"How long did I herd the swine, that now amongst wolves be found,
Whilst the swineherd Nuadh lay sick, when Ogma crouched like a hound
For my scraps, and Jochad was mine ere ever he gave his heart
Unto piglings routing for roots, and a woman bade me depart.
With none of these will I fight, for these were my servants all;
But lo, I behold with swineherds a champion slender and tall,
And meseems, well skilled in his saddle, who ne'er hath been dog of mine.
I will fight with him if he listeth, and the light of his courage shine
As bright as doth Canbarr his helmet." Then Lughaidh grew mad for fight,
Till I angered and claimed my gesa, his champions holding him tight,
Yubor, Seibar, and Eru, whilst they bade him remember Spain
And the oath he made to his sire, and how he had right to reign
If his father indeed had perished. Still, sore was his mood to go
Till in the midst of our chiding, we heard a murmur run low
Of wonderment round our trenches, and setting mine eyes to the fence
I beheld how Ethan the poet like an arrow of war sped thence,
With shaft and sword, but unarmoured, whilst Bres in the open field
Laid low his spear for encounter, and eyed him above his shield.
Now the shaft which Ethan carried was heavy and sharp and thick.
Through the golden shield he hurled it, and leaping thereafter quick
On the spearshaft bore the shield to the ground with his proper weight,
And saving that Bres fell with it, surely then had his fate
Been death by the hand of Ethan, and Jochad cried, "'Tis a feat
Most worthy a great war-champion," and Lughaidh answered in heat,
"Such feat had never been mine. Nay, I knew not this of my sires."
Whilst Ethan smote with the sword on the helm with its jewelled fires
Which gleamed on the sward beneath him and shore away half its crest,
Then raising his hand again he smote it against the breast,
Wounding above the mantle, but his blade on the buckle broke;
Whilst Bres, being mighty, arose, and struck him down with the stroke
Of his spearshaft laid to the neck, whilst we shuddered as Ethan fell;
But Bres set his shield above him, and we trusted all should be well,
When Bennan, that came by stealth from their fences to watch that strife,
Thrust under the shield his spear. Then Ethan, leaving his life,
Set eyes on Bennan and knew him and said, "With me there is bliss,
But the giver thereof I bless not, for love was not in thy kiss."
Thus died he, and Bres was moody in shame, but naught he spake
Striding in wrath from Bennan. Then, for God and my kingdom's sake,
I bade Aci son of Alghuba go swift to the son of Kain,
And command him into my judgment, and swiftly return again.
He ran, and he came on Bennan, and caught him round by the waist
Lifting him high though he fought in the arms which his girth enlaced,
Until Aci strode in our trenches. No blood in that strife was shed,
But ere Bennan was thrown before me, the soul from his black lips fled,
And he went to the Lord of Judgments. Aci returned with his corpse,
Having message from God and his queen, he wrought it with mighty force.
Oh great was our mourning for Ethan, but holy our joy likewise.
We laid on his brow in the sidhe a champion's helm as his prize,
Whose badge was my spray of Olive. There they dwell with his dust
Beside the waters of Unna, but his glory shall never rust.
28:1 On that day we arose ere dawn, and the heaven was black with cloud
As we mustered our men on the hillslope, but of surety my heart was proud
Whilst they sung the warsong I made them. "The Kings Arise Unto Fight."
Marching so strongly and proudly mine eyes grew wet with the sight;
For the most part had been but yeomen and herdsmen out of the field,
Not men of war from their youth, nor feared I that such would yield
To the knives and stones of the Scythians, but dreaded the long-stretched wall
Of the coast-folk guarded in armour, and the force of the men not small.
For their Firbolgs, I feared them little. The horsemen of Dan should sweep
From our flank and ride amongst them, and slay and drive them like sheep,
And the plain was too rough and soft for chariots. I recked not of these,
But their strength with Balor and Indech and Bres and the men of the seas,
In three lines like a thorny fence. The first, low couched to his shield,
Till a rampart of bronze and hides stretched endless across the field,
With strong thorns of death before it, whilst they that behind it stood
Bare javelins very many, which sprouted thick as a wood.
Upon these were cords of leather to the end that being cast
They are not lost in the hurling, but unto the wrist bound fast,
To be drawn again to the seafolk. Lastly, with slings and darts
Stood their slaves to aid their forefront. So now with the thought that starts
Unbid to the lips, I ordered my Breogan to shorten the line,
But the fourth of our foes already, till the ranks of their men were nine,
And break them upon the centre. This Nuadh and Lughaidh approved,
As Nuadh rode out to the right, and down on their left-hand moved
With the horses of Dan and his miledh. The left was my husband's place
With the multitude of our people, to carry them face to face
Through the swarming Scythians and Firbolgs, before Breogan upon their right.
Right royal he rode with his people, and cheered their hearts for the fight.
At the centre Lughaidh rode round his column his spear in his hand
Singing, "Arotroi Cath Comartan." Then hurling his ninefold band
On their triple line it parted. So scattered their swarm and brake
In surges upon his phalanx, but our shield-wall it might not shake;
And there was Ochtriall the leader of the fomorcs of Uan slain,
And the might of Omna and Bagna their champions wasted in vain.
There Lughaidh struck down Loch Lethglass a mighty warrior in strife
Where he lay on the ground unsworded, and Lughaidh gave him his life.
28:2 But our right-hand had nowise prospered. Brave were the men and true
Of the miledh that followed Nuadh, but their ranks were wasted and few;
Their horsemen stayed by the clayfields. Thus, or ever they drew anear
To the line of Balor, in places where no man might thrust with the spear,
Rushed Firbolgs swiftly upon them, and hurled forth darts and were fled;
So that many were wounded amongst them, and three captains of hundreds dead,
Ere they came to the wall of Balor. Then Nuadh, though old, was rash,
Beholding his ancient foeman, and went out swiftly to dash
Upon him ere any might stay him; so, shouting his name, rode in
On the line and brake it asunder, and thought by that deed to win
The fight against Balor and slay him, hurling with mighty force
The one of his spears, which wandering, pierced but the head of a horse
Before the chariot of Balor. Then his second javelin he threw.
On the brazen shield of Balor, raised slantwise, it glanced askew,
Smiting Cannan, brother of Bennan. Then, grasping strongly his last,
Rode Nuadh to strike down Balor; but even now as he past
One smote the heels of his horse, and rearing upwards it fell,
Whilst Balor forth from his chariot leapt in the hate of hell
With an iron craisech, and slew him. Then fiercely forward his men
He drave on the miledh of Eriu (Eire), who weary came from the fen
And, sad with the falling of Nuadh, slow and sullen drew back,
Until Indech curving his men from the left-hand horn in attack
Beside them, many were slain; and Indech, passing behind,
Drew forth in the field with hope our camp unguarded to find.
Therein was his greed reproved, for Ogma, with chosen guards
Of the Danites, was set to keep me. Moreover, the scribes and bards
Had each one a champion's spear. E'en the priests that came with us to pray,
And the cooks sang, "Afraigid Rig Don Cath", on that mighty day;
With neatherds, swineherds, and boys who each had darts in his hand.
So great had been Gabhran's zeal that these looked like a warrior band
Behind the stakes we had planted. Thus, Indech halted anear
To behold, and Ogma, the loved one of Eochaidh, couching his spear,
Rode forth with a troop against him, and Indech stooping his head,
Rode also, till piercing each other, those champions fell down dead;
And a great cry rose from our fences; but on the horsemen of Dan
Rode o'er their fallen leader, and each one slew him a man
Of the fomorcs, and over our fence came trooping the carles with spears,
Till the hearts of the men of Indech being smitten with idle fears
They fled to their ships from the battle; yet our need was sore on the right,
Where the men of Dan, with the miledh, stood back unto back to fight
As a rock that wastes by the sea-wave, till bringing the central wedge
Of our fight, bright Lughaidh appeared beside them to set the edge
Of the Breogan sword on the fomorcs, and sweeping as chaff their slaves,
Parted that sea which girt them as a vessel parteth the waves.
Then, taking a keen-edged stone, a champion stone, for his sling,
He sent it amidst their chariots, and smote down Balor their king,
For it struck and went out behind him. Then riding on in his wrath
He spake with his spear unto many, bidding the soul fly forth,
To do service still unto Balor.
28:3 Meanwhile mine only delight
And terror had been that day to gaze on our left-hand fight,
Where I saw the throngs go steady, with one crest moving o'er all,
The tallest and brightest there. Ah me, if that crest shall fall!
Now, in midst of the plain, sore is that host beset.
The Firbolg flood is around it. That helm is not stooping yet.
See, for a moment it bends. Behold there cometh a troop
Barekneed. These be Loshken's kin. He rideth head of the group.
His plaid flies wide from his brooches. He beareth a mighty brand.
His fosters with targets are by him to aid him on either hand.
Is it Aci that smiteth his fosters? I see but the shining crest
Stoop twice and Loshken is fallen. Deep is the wound is the breast
Of Loshken-lomu Mac Lomglain, who carried his barekneed kermes (red)
Out of Sgiath north unto Scetna, where the northernmost ocean churns
Upon rocks that are white with seafowl. Now are the white knees spray
Before Eochaidh and Aci riding, and swiftly it dies away
As they hammer the bronze of Breogan. Behold, it bends with the strain.
Yea, shout with joy, it is broken. Nay, it is mended again.
Eriu is slow going backward, yet steady from rank to rank.
There cometh a host of horsemen, and driveth upon the flank.
Yea, Bres with his horsemen rideth. Surely now shall they flee.
Let my prayer be pure with the Lord Who hath holpen me on the sea.
Yea, though the hail pass over. Yea, though the billows roll,
The Lord is the Stone of my corner, the strong defence of my soul.
Great are their shoutings and strivings, great is the clashing of swords.
The heathen are mighty and many; their leaders are chosen lords;
But that helm goes hither and thither, as a flying star o'er the strife.
It brightens the heart of our battle. It flashes where men yield life
For God and for Eriu and me. The grasses are stained with gore,
But that heaving ceases. Oh sternly doth Eriu flow once more
Against the bulwarks of Breogan. Lesser is now their band,
Yet more swift and fierce than aforetime. Who at this hour may withstand
These trusting in God and their captain, these lifting a crushing wrong
Which bowed the necks of their fathers. Needs must that their will be strong
To buy with their blood this battle. Here Richis, the proud man, fights,
By Tuiren the son of Malek. The lofty, my champion smites;
And Tuiren is slain by Aci; but the horsemen again draw near.
By the left they pass behind us, and now they ride on the rear.
Scarce do they smite our hindmost, ere Ethdan cometh at speed
With horsemen of Dan behind him. He helpeth our sorest need.
They be many, and Dan but few, yet Dan hath made him a track
Betwixt the foe and our footmen. Not one of my own turns back
To look on Sodom behind him. Each presses on to the mark
Where the gleaming golden helmet is set as a guiding spark.
28:4 It is even, lo, they are yielding. Yea, they have called me a witch;
But I know the distant slaughter. I hear their cries in the ditch
That lieth before their fences. My soul may no longer stay.
I mount the white steed of Eochaidh. Full swiftly I ride away
With tears and blessings behind me. Now Eochaidh and Lughaidh form
Their force to a single band in the field for the final storm,
As I find the son of Alghuba, and bid him proclaim that now
The queen brings word from The Lord that all who have need shall bow
Before her and take her ransoms. This message therefore he cried;
But over the speartopped fence no voice of a man replied.
Then, knowing many should fall ere ever its fruits were won,
And grieved in my heart thereof, I carry my horse alone
Nigh up to the trench and speak, and awe is on those within
From The Lord, for they deem that I alone in His strength shall win
The gates of their fence, so they hear, and these were the words that I said.
"Is there any wounded within? Is there any man sore bested?
I have leeches to tend his hurts. I have succours to help his heart.
Moreover, if any would go, I give him grace to depart
Unharmed if he go in peace to his land; or, if of mine own,
I bid him kneel unto David, and seek his grace of my throne."
Then heard I voices within, and after a space spake Bres.
"Oh queen, which lot were my portion? I would not add less to less,
But more unto more. As yet, my spearmen are more than thine.
We have strength in our fence. On our spears the sun with the morn shall shine.
Yet, if thou holdest thy word, I promise that never more
Shall the taxings made for the miledh go forth from thine island shore."
"Is this the gift of a champion that would not grow less and less?"
I said, "Such gifts, not his own, shall not be worthy of Bres.
Go seek Elatha, thy father. Go spend the rest of thy days
In ridding the seas of robbers. Thus win thee a champion's praise,
That thy name be increased with blessing, and sink no more 'neath a curse.
There be good and evil before thee. Why set thy hand to the worse?"
Then Tethra chided with Bres, and said, "We be overthrown.
Why should we longer bide? The half of my men are flown,
And Tuirbhi our smith is wounded. Let us take the message she gives.
Now Balor and Indech are slain, what man should vouch for our lives?
Whilst small hope is ours of a booty." Yet think I that he moved not Bres,
For he answered me alone. Then up spake Bres, "Behold, I am less and less,
Yet fain would be more and more. Therefore, oh queen, I will go
In the name of thy Stone hereafter; seeking thy grace with woe
For all I have sought with evil." Then said I, "Peace unto thee,
That the blessings of wise Elatha shall rest betwixt thee and me."
Then back ride I to my folk whilst swiftly the sky grew gray,
Bidding all return to the fence, where I sank at close of that day,
Being faint, but thankful of heart; and none enquired of my deed,
Yet men of the fomorcs told it; and mighty then was the meed
Of my praise, though some of the miledh fain had plundered the foe,
And murmured that after his binding, I loosed him and let him go.
Yet our spoils were great in the field, for Uan Cendach, their scribe,
Came forth at the morn, and he named us the names out of every tribe,
Of kings and chiefs that had fallen. Of kings were forty and two,
And of chief men very many, whilst these on our side were few,
Save that Nuadh and Ogma lay dead. Five thousand sixty and three
Was his counting of all their slain. Whilst the tale which was brought to me
By En the son of Eschmun was sixteen hundred and five,
Nigh the half of whom were miledh. These seek not for God to strive,
But for gold and crowns and pillage. Having neither child nor wife,
Such lust as steeds after battle, and take a life for a life.
Therefore I bade the priests uplift in men's ears a song
Of the things which under The Lord should unto the queen belong.

28:5 "Peace to heaven.
Heaven to earth.
Earth under heaven.
A strength for all peoples.

I would not behold in a wide realm, dear to me:-

Shame of sisters.
Brothers unbridled,
Seedless Summer,
Or plains unpastured.
Captives kingless,
Wise men witless,
Preachers prayerless,
Or any uncleanness.
Rulers unrighteous,
Unjust judges,
Rich men robbers,
Or strong men spoiling.
Undutiful daughters,
Strengthless soldiers.
Betrayers of truth,
And workers of wickedness,
Such will I shame."

29:1 In the midst of mourning, my pride had fall, being led astray.
The Lord had lifted me up. The Lord should cast me away,
Till my pride was humbled before Him. My husband, my lover, my friend,
How great that morn was thy strength; how near that eve was thine end.
I sat in my judgement place, and my soul was lifted to see
The widow of Balor draw nigh to ask a grace at my knee,
Cethlenn, of evil mouth. Men builded her husband's heap,
And she prayed her burial with him. Then said I, "Ye hold too cheap
My word from the Lord against Baal. Behold, his burnings shall cease.
I will break the horns of his altars, that so my people have peace."
Then leapt she upon my side, upraising a little knife,
And thrusting it down upon me, thought to have had my life;
But Eochaidh, springing upon her, lifted her hand, and tore
The blade from her grasp, but in struggle, it fell and scratched him sore
By the foot. Then I bade men take her and carry her over sea;
And thereafter had will to slay her, yet Eochaidh let this not be.
He said how his hurt was little, thus had I comfort awhile;
But turning my face on my lord for counsel, I saw the smile
Die out of his face, and he staggered, for poison was in that wound,
And his eyes were darkened before me, and he stretched himself on the ground.
29:2 Six months my watchings endured, and my sorrow and toil were great,
Ere Diancecht, the mighty healer, cured him, yet not to the state
Wherein he had strength before. Of his limb he was ever lame.
Yet his hurt was healed of The Lord to bring him a righteous fame,
For he read in the Wisdom of God, and drew the learned in schools,
And taught the scribes till they marvelled. Moreover he set the rules
Of the three year meetings (Deut. 16) at Crofinn, where that chamber ample and round
Is builded, wherein I will stretch me until my bones shall be found,
Whensoe'er my White Champion seek me. There will I dwell alone,
Whilst this land that I builded up, by its idols is overthrown,
And the workings of evil amongst ye. The heathen shall swarm with the waves,
To seek the tombs of my children, and wash them out of their graves.
Ernmais (Jeremiah) and Figol and Elier have counselled of this with me.
My tomb shall rest with my people. Their "Wailing-Place" shall it be
For all that repent them of sin. Of Ernmais the Lord was the eyes,
Yet Eochaidh had many visions, and therefore men called him (also) wise
"Ollam Fothla" the sage of our island, a title whereby he is known
Unto many tribes and peoples the furthest from Eriu's throne.
29:3 In the Springtide, glad at his healing, we journeyed out to the West,
With Eochaidh borne on a litter, and he made his chiefest request
That the miledh be given to Lughaidh, who went not back unto Spain,
But set his hand upon mine, and sware with me to remain,
My brother, my champion, my servant. Right well hath he kept his word,
Cleansing the woods of robbers, and striking down with the sword
All pirates that harried our shores; with the vessels of Bres as his aid,
Our hamlets and homesteads had rest, and our women walked unafraid.
But now, he would go against Crimthann, and therein I answered him, "Nay,
His faith was broken with David. The Lord is a Lion in his way."
This was beheld of many, for Crimthann had kept the shore,
And guarded our eastward rear to keep by the oath he swore;
Yet brake it in working evil, riding for spoil at his will.
His mighty men even now were set beside Usna's hill;
And there, as he hunted the woods, my complaint was heard by The Lord;
For Crimthann, the mighty champion, fell not down by the sword
But stoned unto death by swineherds. He had cast forth his hunting spear,
And rode alone in the birchgroves to follow a wounded deer,
Which fell near the plundered swinepens. Then when in his wrath he came
Where the famished swineherds stripped it, they rose, and he died in shame.
Then set I his men with the miledh, and Lughaidh had toil with these,
But, as master of all endeavours, he drew these wolves round his knees,
Till they fawned as they fawned not on Crimthann, licking the palms of his hand
For the feastings at Lughaidh's table, and his praise which was great in the land.
30:1 At my fortress three months I rested, and a strong man-child I bear
To my husband, my firstborn, Aedh; now my infant was very fair,
Till I loved him more than my land, and my heart was severed from God.
The Lord that gave him hath taken. I am sore chastised with His rod.
Yet the morn that I carried my firstborn forth 'neath the summer sky,
How sweet were all scents and sounds, and how lovely my land did lie,
For the field was rosy before me that once was mantled with green;
And Maistiu, clapping her hands, said, "Praise be to thee great queen,
For thou spreadest fair carpets in Eriu, thy carpets out of the East
Whereon her children walk softly, her cattle make gladdest feast."
In wonder I said, "What mean ye?" She answered, "That seed of thine
Thou plantedst last year with care, behold it before thee shine
Where it spreadeth on all the field. Thereon do thy oxen feed.
It shall grow beside all rivers, for we call it our Rigan's (queen's) seed."
Now other seeds that I brought from the ships had been saved alive.
In my garden of Tailtea (Teltown) I set them, and some had the strength to thrive,
Whilst many withered and died. Yet that linenseed, with a flower
Like the heavens, was much increased, till men said that the richest dower;
Which Tephi brought to the land; was seed that I plucked by the way
When I went through the grasses from Egypt. The Lord was my Rock (Deut. 32:4) and my stay
When little I guessed His purpose. Few things are yet to be told.
My body is worn and wasted, though by days and by years not old,
With long service in aid of this people, in strivings and sorrows oft.
Though my love stood by me to ease me, behold my couch was not soft.
Our Judgements and Laws and Teachings, are they not writ in the Book
Of En the scribe and his son, wherein he that hath skill may look.
My psalms are laid with the priests. My songs do the harpers sing.
May my heartsongs bring cheer to many, my psalms find grace with The King,
When I have rest after toiling. Yet one deed The Lord hath known,
And two most dear, but in part. This sin of my soul will I own
Ere I rest in the hope of Jacob. (That Joseph/Ephraim shall reign)
30:2 Ye know how I loved my son,
My firstborn, believing that he should be mine anointed-one,
Returning in glory to Zion, nay, spake my hope unto all.
As he dwelt right fair on my bosom. Ah, why must my soul recall
His tomb. I will seek him to aid him. -- When Ainge my daughter came,
I gave her a foster-mother, which thing was often my shame.
Though she loved me, soon she left me, for a husband that deals not well
With my Prince, and hath spoiled the trapdams he set in the stream to swell
Its course ere it passeth seawards; and cares not fresh farms to win
From the wolf and the bear, and the bringing of sheep and of oxen in.
Were he not grandson of Nuadh mine anger had been more sore. --
Why do I shrink and wander? God bids me eat to the core
The apple of Sodom I planted. -- My third babe lay at my side,
Strong and sturdy and fair, yet little in him was my pride.
I remembered not how I mourned after love in the house of my sire.
My firstborn alone I cherished, till a message went forth as fire
From The Lord. My first born strove in evil rage with the queen,
Who chastised not his froward angers; whilst Aengus I had not seen,
But left him in Maistiu's sunhouse, who ever sung by his bed.
Then went I thither and found my blind sister with bended head,
Threading a sign on the breast of the babe, and I asked her thereof,
For that mark I knew not. She said, "Many righteous his sign shall love,
For deep in the still night watches I heard, as it were a voice
Of one old, compelling mine heart, which said, 'Oh virgin, thy choice
With God is seen of His eyes. He giveth into thy hand
His token of blessing and sorrow, that thy soul may understand
In the dark, and believe His glory. Moreover, it shall be set
As a sign on the child thou lovest. Though his sorrow cometh not yet,
Nor his blessing till times appointed. Take this in thine hands to hold,
Setting lips thereon that it bless thee. Let thy fingers veil it with gold,
For a sign unto nations and times that The Branch shall ever abide,
Which out of a double thorn is parted on either side (a Cross),
As the crops of the Vine I planted'." Then knew I of whom she spake,
And thought of my firstborn, and chideth sore in my wrath for his sake,
Then, seizing the four-thorned charm which Maistiu had bound with gold,
I broke from my babe its strings, and deep in my garment's fold
Bore it swift to his brother; but the lad in an evil mood
Flung it on earth before him, setting his feet on the wood,
Which pierced his heel, and he angered, and set his teeth to my wrist,
For The Serpent arose up in him. Then lo, ere ever I wist
That any man came, one spake, and said, "Wilt thou strive with God?
Thou art even a foolish daughter. Thou settest thy back to the rod.
Thou hast robbed one child of his blessing. Thou hast brought his fellow a curse.
Thou knowest The Serpent's with him. Thou makest the venom worse.
That which thou sparedst to slay, shall sting even him and thee
In that day when he doeth great evil. Then truly thy mourning shall be,
That long time hast not wept for Zion. Thou art proud in thine OWN estate.
Thine eyes shall be pools of salt, thine affliction be very great.
This fourfold thorn shall tear thee. To thy sister make plain thy sin.
David shall come not to Zion till pardon by this he win,
And he findeth One pure of heart, and perfect before the Lord,
And patient beneath these thorns His City is not restored."
Now I lay down under his feet, but saw him turning to go,
Whether spirit or man I know not, but he bore the mark on his brow
Of that sign (thorns), and it shone above me as I lay on my face and wept
Long time, whilst Aedh had fled. Then back to Maistiu I crept
With sorrow bound to my heart, and wept on her breast and prayed;
And at morn I bade that a Wall (Teamur) by the door of my house (ch. 32) be made,
Whereon ye have seen me weep over Zion through every fast.
Nigh twenty years have I wept, but my weepings are overpast;
For I go unto Him that made me. Yet, weep ye my children still.
Weep not your mother, but weep over Zion by my burial hill.
Tea Mur, my wall, ye shall call it; but David's Lord must ye know
If your feet would carry you backwards to conquer His Final Woe (7th Angel; Rev. 11:14-15).
I give you words of remembrance, see that the same ye bind
On your foreheads to save ye from idols, and treasure them in your mind.
"Captivity, Bonds, Destruction." Keep these, being mindful of me,
And this fair isle (Eire) shall be safe from every robber by sea.
Yet these ye will NOT remember. I see the ships in the bay,
when brother slayeth his brother. Again, I behold the day
When the Son of Sorrow brings sorrow. Then cometh the bull to gore (Eno. 89:47).
Then my Rock is set upon him. Behold, I may speak no more.
My secret sin is upon me, yet sought I its burden might be
Lifted away from my son, and the whole be laid upon me.
Ah me, is it three years only? It is longer than all my life
Since Corrgenn came from his hold to bide near us, bringing his wife,
A brother's daughter to Grisbane, and like as the twain were twins.
Then our hearth had little honour, and two were slain in their sins.
An eric was proffered before us, as for the son of a queen,
But Eochaidh judged that this island were an eric all too mean
For me, and for David's heir, if slain in an idle strife.
Yet The Lord of David slew him. Let Corrgenn deal with his wife,
And that other corpse alone. Betwixt him and The Lord these lay;
And my soul bowed down unto Eochaidh and rose not to say him, "Nay."
Therefore Corrgenn bear both unto Ailech, and no man went by his side,
And of shame and his toil he turned his face to the wall and died,
Leaving his lands and people, and the care of that place to me,
So went I forth with my servant Gabhran and Imcheal to see
The grave, and raised up a tomb as they build in the land of the Greek,
A rounded chamber of stone that climbeth up to a peak
In circles of flags as it narrows, the most fair in this land and alone
Upon Ailech my sins are heavy, and heaped to a pillar of stone.
There mine eyes were pools of salt, and also Eochaidh and ye
And the men and babes of my people were one in their grief with me.


31 A lamentation of Tephi wherein she giveth instruction. To be sung to the harp upon the two thousand four hundred and eighty-fourth day (1950):-

O, my child, O, Aedh my firstborn, and O, Aedh my firstborn child,

That lay small and warm on my heart and looked in mine eyes and smiled

As a flame thou hast seared my breast, and wert by a flame beguiled.

O, fair was my strong son Aedh, and O Aedh, my strength, was fair.

The skies were seen in his eyes. The sun was set in his hair.

The Mighty hath slain my son. I mourn, yet He might not spare.

O, mine eyes are rivers of tears, and O, rivers of tears are my eyes.

I sat in the seat of folly. I walked not amongst the wise.

I sowed a seed of destruction. Its fruits are foulness and lies.

O, let evil be upon Canaan, and O, upon Canaan be every ill.

Why hale ye their women hither, that are harlots on every hill,

That are brazen in dances to Baal, that are wanton in all their will?

O, hear me, my chosen, my husband, and O, my husband, my chosen, hear.

I have erred and have done great evil. My burden is heavy to bear.

This mocking was mine not thine. Yet my shame hath been thine to share.

O, heed me Aengus, my son, and O, Aengus, my son, take heed.

Thy brother is black in the pit. He stinks as a rotten reed.

Thou barest the branch of blessing. Thy Stone is chosen for seed.

Yet I know thee, O, Aengus, my son, and O, Aengus, my son, I know

Thy pomp and thy pride of heart. Thy flame burneth on and fro (Deut. 17:20).

It flashes fire in the sky. Its light is sunken and low.

I divine thee, O Aengus, my son, and, O Aengus, my son, I divine

Thy spirit unscarred by the thorns. Thou shalt seek only the gold of that sign (the cross).

Thy heart is not with the High One (Deut. 17:14-20). With sinners thou sittest at wine.

I behold thy grave, O, my son, and thy grave, O, my son, I behold.

Thy grave-mound is glorious and great. Thou graspest there on thy gold,

Yet the heathen shall find thy hoard ere the hill of thy height wax old.

O, thy treasure is heaped upon earth, and O, with earth is thy treasure-heap.

Thou art e'en as the kings of Egypt. Thou sinkest down in thy sleep.

But thieves shall find thee therein, and the snail and the slow worm creep.

Thy toiling is waste, O Aengus, and, O Aengus, waste is thy toil.

Thy masons build thee a mansion. The spoiler shall make it a spoil,

For thy zeal is not unto Zion, nor thine heart anointed with oil.

O, may the Bright Reign come by thee, and O may my White King come.

His sheep He leadeth in spirit. He rebuketh them lest they roam.

He blesseth their lambs in His Bosom. They hear Him at "Eve" and go Home.

O, hear ye the Promise of Israel, and O, Israel, this promise hear.

Let your watchmen know of the "Night". Let them count when the stars grow clear.

Let them strongly shout in the Gate (Gibraltar - Isa. 42:11) if a presage of "Dawn" appear.

O, rest ye your faith upon David, and O on David let fealty rest.

In righteous judgments He rideth. His wise men gaze from the West.

His house on the hill-tops is holy. His Symbols shine on His Breast.

O, He rides as a King in Glory, and O, in glory my King doth ride.

The nations are scattered beneath Him. In their eyries the eagles hide.

As a lion He leaps in His strength. What man shall His might abide?

O, springs gush out by the Hill, and O, from the Hill there gush forth springs.

O'er the path of his chosen people, the vessels bear wealth unto kings.

The ships of the sea pass over. The waters are white with their wings.

O, broad is the stream of Jordan, and O, Jordan thy streams are broad.

The seas have set thee in might. No steed shall swim by thy ford,

Where the House of the High One is builded, the Holy House of the Lord.

O, now I depart in peace, and O, peace is my part as I go.

I have lived the days of my life. I have joyed and wandered in woe.

I am feeble and fain would rest, from my travelling to and fro.

But O, that day I am fain to behold, and O, I fain would behold that day.

Raise up the stones from my sidhe. Cleanse ye my bones from the clay.

Let me see the Son of my Strength, for my spirit shall be his stay.

32 Written by Garbh Cliach, the Recorder, the son of En.
Now the rest of the acts of Teffia, and how her sunhouse was made
At Tailtea, the beams of its rafters with wings of bright birds o'erlaid,
And its hurdles snow under Summer, so that men's eyes were blind
Beholding, and how its porches with plates of silver were lined;
And her purple couches within; and her crowns and bracelets of gold,
That often she gave to the bards; and the things which her shipmen sold
In her mart; and the peace and joy of her land; and her two fair sons,
Aengus the frank and Cermad; and the many cashels and duns
She set for defence of the sea-coast; and the mighty forests she cleared;
And her wide ensample to all men; and the grace that in her appeared
Before kings and sages and lowly (for of all men her speech was known
As a dew that falleth from heaven, and holy before God's Throne,
Yet was troubled in many sorrows alike of bondsman and free;)
And how in Crofinn a house was built that her rest might be
Beside the Assemblies of Eriu to soften their judgments still,
And stay their sharpness of strife 'neath the shade of the Great Queen's hill;
And how she had many champions and bards and sages and priests;
And how men wise in The Lord came from afar to her feasts;
And how many kings sent greetings; and how she was mourned for and wept
Through the whole green isle of Eriu, and women came where she slept,
Yea, e'en from the utmost islands to shed on her sidhe their tears,
And planted their flowers about it; -- It needs not that aught appears
In the books of the scribe, for all is written large on the heart
Of Eriu, although she oft told presage her name should depart
From our lips for a season, if these by her psalms be not purified;
And that if men failed of her trust, her blessing should be denied;
Yet, know we well that her blessing shall never be taken away,
Nor her face be forever hidden, although it be veiled for a day.
So also the Heremon liveth, though under his stones he lie
On the hills o'er the lake, his glory and honour shall never die
Of bard and champion and teacher and lifter of burdens sore (Matt. 23:4),
Which against the might of his word the hands of his sons restore;
Till the Firbolgs toil, as in Egypt our fathers were wont to toil,
On the tombs that they build by Boyne, filling their pouches with soil
To heap on the secret chambers wherein these would build their home
At the last; and thither surely their bones with the curse shall come
Of our loved one and not her blessing. Also men have much grief
Against Ethdan, grandson of Nuadh, whom the unwise chose as their chief
Of the miledh after Lughaidh, for he taxeth the land of its yields
Beyond the strength of the aire, and letteth the woods on their fields;
And save that Ainge, his wife, is loved of the people still,
As the child of our Ollamh Fodhla, some surely had wrought him ill.
Though the bards sing many complaints, the princes repent no whit,
Therefore Garbh, the son of En the son of Eschmun, hath writ
These words in this book against them. For our evils will never cease,
Till the Word of Tephi prevail, and her last and her foremost was, "Peace."
Peace unto God in heaven. Let God shine thence upon earth,
And the Branch shall anoint you with oils of blessing and praise and mirth.

Sith co Nem ------ Peace with Heaven
Nem co Doman -- Heaven with Earth
Doman fo Nim --- Earth under "The Light"
Nert hi cach. ------ Strength in Everyone.

A cup very full,
Full of honey;
Mead in abundance
Summer in Winter.....
Peace up to Heaven....

JAH