Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/110

 THE LAMENT OF THE OLD WOMAN OF BEARE

The reason why she was called the Old Woman of Beare was that she had fifty foster-children in Beare. She had seven periods of youth one after another, so that every man who had lived with her came to die of old age, and her grandsons and great-grandsons were tribes and races. For a hundred years she wore the veil which Cummin had blessed upon her head. Thereupon old age and infirmity came to her. 'Tis then she said:

Ebb-tide to me as of the sea! Old age causes me reproach. Though I may grieve thereat— Happiness comes out of fat.

I am the Old Woman of Beare, An ever-new smock I used to wear: To-day—such is my mean estate— I wear not even a cast-off smock.

It is riches Ye love, it is not men: In the time when we lived It was men we loved.

Swift chariots, And steeds that carried off the prize,— Their day of plenty has been, A blessing on the King who lent them!

My body with bitterness has dropt Towards the abode we know: When the Son of God deems it time Let Him come to deliver His behest.

My arms when they are seen Are bony and thin: Once they would fondle, They would be round glorious kings.