Page:Irish minstrelsy, vol 2 - Hardiman.djvu/139

Rh records a contest which took place, about the time of the birth of our Redeemer, between Neide the son of Adhna, and Ferceirtne, file, or the poet, for the Ollamh's (or chief professor's) chair of Ireland. In the Reimsgeul, or Preface, we are informed that the former went to Albain (Scotland) to learn wisdom,— but the word, may be also rendered, knowledge, philosophy, or poetry. Here then are two Irish fragments of early date, which shew that Scotland was anciently, as it is at the present day, distinguished for poetry and philosophy; but it is feared that this notable discovery will be lost on the present professors of the "modern Athens," who, with philosophic pride, proclaim the barbarity of their own Gaelic ancestors, and reject the authority of our Celtic manuscripts.

$5$"My name is Cliona, the beetling side Of the tall rock my home."

Cliona had two habitations, but which of them she alludes to here is doubtful. In this respect, her answers somewhat resembled those of the famous pagan oracles of olden time, and indeed, the whole of her revelation seems cast in the same mould. Even to this day, England's fiat for Irish freedom seems as hopeless as ever.

The Devil and Doctor Martin are generally associated in our native proverbs. Henry the 8th, is sometimes added to make a trio. Indeed, it would be difficult to say which of the three is most generally detested in Ireland, but some are of opinion, that Henry and his immediate descendants, having inflicted more evils on the country than both the others, he seems entitled by way of pre-eminence to the distinguished association which has been rather gratuitously conferred on the great reformer.