This was probably written about 1613, as a reply to Aodh Ó Domhnaill. He was either the young son of Rudhraighe, who was the brother of Aodh Ruadh, or the son of Cathbharr. Either way, the boy was living in exile after the Flight of the Earls.
Ionmhuin sgríbhionn sgaoiltear sunn,
mór mbeadhgadh do bhean asam;
saor, a Dhé, ar aithleónadh inn!
aithbheódhadh é dhom inntinn.Dá mairdís a bhfaca féin
d'uaislibh Gaoidhiol Guirt ríghNéill,
do bheith fáth faoilti don dreim
i dtráth sgaoilti don sgríbheinn.An oidhche tánuig tar tuinn,
bíodh nách biadh 'na Ua Domhnaill
díol é gách moirne da mhéad, bíodh ar an gCoimdhe a choimhéad!Aodh Ó Domhnaill -- gá dám dhó?
gan d'aois sunn acht seacht mbliadhno,
damhna mo ríogh, robháidh liom,
sgoláir rod-sgríobh, a sgríobhionn.
Ionmhuin.Dear little one, a piece of loose-tongued writing here
surprised great starts out of me --
"We're free, God, from another hurt for us!"*
putting new life into him (my spirit).If I myself remain to see
you ennobling the Gael-field of King Niall,
the graceful reason will be your striving --
your piece of writing in the time of flexible limbs.The evening's end toward the wave --
[Even] if it were that you weren't O'Donnell --
he is worthy of all love, however much --
may the Lord protect him until the meeting!Aodh O'Donnell -- what ails us?
[Writing] without the rest, only seven years [old],
My king's heir [is] -- great love with me --
A learner who writes well, oh piece of writing.
Dear little one.* Gaoidhiol Guirt ríghNéill/the Gael-field of King Niall: presumably, Ireland. King Niall is probably Niall of the Nine Hostages.
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