Cathal Croibhdhearg agus Muireadhach Albanach mar aon, iar ndul sna bráthribh dóibh, cc.
Form: Deibhidhe
This is probably another poem written from the POV of historical characters, but not actually by them. Cathal Croibhdhearg was a famous king. Muireadhach Albanach Ó Dalaigh was a famous poet. They were contemporaries, and may have been fostered together at some point. Later in life, Muireadhach (who as a poet wasn't supposed to be using weapons) killed Cathal's steward (while the steward was raiding some of M's lord's lands). Muireadhach ended up in exile in Scotland, and did not come back until many years later. He also went on Crusade. Cathal and Muireadhach both became monks at the end of their lives.
This poem supposes that Muireadhach came back to Ireland before Cathal died, and not only reconciled with Cathal but was asked to give him his tonsure. Unfortunately, I am _very_ unsure of my translation of the next to last rann; but it sounds like Muireadhach is mad at Cathal for becoming a monk instead of going on Crusade as a warrior. The last rann (often addressed to a poet's patron, his patron's wife, or his patron saint) is asking Mary for protection in cold lands (the Hebrides, where Muireadhach settled raised a family, and where he returned after his Crusade) and hot ones (the Holy Land).
I hope to put up Muireadhach's actual Crusade poem sometime soon.
"A Mhuireadhaigh, meil do sgín
go mbearram inn don airdRígh;
tabhram go milis ar móid
's ar dhá dtrilis don Tríonnóid."Bearrfa mise do Mhuire
(an bhreath-sa is breath orchraidhe);
do Mhuire bearr an barr-sa,
a dhuine seang súlmhall-sa."Annamh leat, a leaca ghlan,
sgian tar do bharr dod bhearradh;
fá mionca ríoghan bhinn bhog
ag cíoradh a cinn chugad."Gach re n-uair do fhoilcthí dhúinn
is d'Ó Bhriain an bhairr chladhúir,
is do fhoilcinn uair oile
re stuaigh bhfoiltfhinn Bhóraimhe."Do-ninn comhshnámh is ua Chais
ar linntibh fuara Forghais;
ar dteacht i dtír lais ón linn
do-nínn is ua Chais coimhling.An dá sgín-se leath ar leath
do rad dúinn Donnchadh Cairbreach,
níor bh'fhearr dá sgín do sgeanaibh;
bearr go mín, a Mhuireadhaigh.""Meil do chloidheamh, a Chathail
chosnas Banbha mbraon sgathaigh;
ní chuala gan fhachain t'fheirg,
a Chathail chuanna Chroibhdheirg.Díon ar fhuacht 's ar ainteas inn,
a inghean uasal Iaichim;
déana ar gcoimhéad san tír the, a roighéag mhín, a Mhuire.""Muireadhach, [it's] a waste of knife
until I cut in for the High King;
until it's sweet to vow I give
two tresses for the Trinity."I shave myself for Mary --
(my finest [hair?] is depressingly fine.
For Mary, cut my top,
you slender, slow-eyed person."The soul with you, clean cheek,
a knife moves to the top of his haircut
by desire of the king, sweet & pleasant
at combing over decrees."Every hour at the dún's bathhouse,
The O'Brien is the top shoredweller,
and from bathing each hour,
time curling the fair hair of Bóroimhe."Swimming together with Cais' grandson*
at a cool poolhouse on the Forgas; *
at coming inland from the pool,
fighting together with Cais' grandson."Your two knives side by side,
your throw to Donnchadh Cairbreach --
there aren't two knives better for cutting.
Shave that smoothly, Muireadhach.""A waste of [application?], Cathal,
striving for Banba's [obscuring fog?].
I can't listen without cause of anger,
Cathal, warrior Redhand."Protection in cold and in savage heat,
noble daughter of Joachim, *
guard in a hot land,
fine chosen one, Mary."* ua Chais/Cais' grandson: The O'Briens (and a bunch of related families) traced their descent from Cais. As a group, they were called the Dál gCais, or the Dalcassians.
* Forgais/Forgas: The Fergus River.
* a inghean uasal Iaichim/noble daughter of Joachim: Traditionally, the Virgin Mary's parents are named Joachim and Anna.
Stop me before I err again! Mail me your comments at mobrien@dnaco.net
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