| |
| SHOULD any enquire about Eirinn, | |
| It is I who can tell him the truth, | |
| Concerning the deeds of each daring | |
| Invader, since Time was a youth. | |
| |
| First Cassir, Bith’s venturesome daughter, | 5 |
| Came here o’er the Eastern Sea; | |
| And fifty fair damsels she brought her— | |
| To solace her warriors three. | |
| |
| Bith died at the foot of his mountain, | |
| And Ladra on top of his height; | 10 |
| And Cassir by Boyle’s limpid fountain, | |
| Ere rushed down the Flood in its might. | |
| |
| For a year, while the waters encumber | |
| The Earth, at Tul-Tunna of strength, | |
| I slept, none enjoyed such sweet slumber | 15 |
| As that which I woke from at length. | |
| |
| When Partholan came to the island, | |
| From Greece, in the Eastern land, | |
| I welcomed him gaily to my land, | |
| And feasted the whole of his band. | 20 |
| |
| Again, when Death seized on the strangers, | |
| I roamed the land, merry and free, | |
| Both careless and fearless of dangers, | |
| Till blithe Nemid came o’er the sea. | |
| |
| The Firbolgs and roving Fir-Gallians, | 25 |
| Came next like the waves in their flow; | |
| The Fir-Dennans arrived in battalions, | |
| And landed in Erris—Mayo. | |
| |
| Then came the wise Tuatha-de-Danann, | |
| Concealed in black clouds from their foe; | 30 |
| I feasted with them near the Shannon, | |
| Though that was a long time ago. | |
| |
| After them came the Children of Milé, | |
| From Spain, o’er the Southern waves: | |
| I lived with the tribes as their Filea | 35 |
| And chanted the deeds of their braves. | |
| |
| Time ne’er my existence could wither, | |
| From Death’s grasp I always was freed: | |
| Till Patrick, the Christian, came hither | |
| To spread the Redeemer’s pure creed. | 40 |
| |
| My name it is Fintan, the Fair-man, | |
| Of Bochra, the son, you must know it; | |
| I lived through the Flood in my lair, man, | |
| I am now an illustrious poet. | |
| |
