Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/85

 THE SONG OF CREDE, DAUGHTER OF GUARE

In the battle of Aidne, Crede, the daughter of King Guare of Aidne, beheld Dinertach of the Hy Fidgenti, who had come to the help of Guare, with seventeen wounds upon his breast. Then she fell in love with him. He died, and was buried in the cemetery of Colman's Church.

These are arrows that murder sleep At every hour in the bitter-cold night: Pangs of love throughout the day For the company of the man from Roiny.

Great love of a man from another land Has come to me beyond all else: It has taken my bloom, no colour is left, It does not let me rest.

Sweeter than songs was his speech, Save holy adoration of Heaven's King; He was a glorious flame, no boastful word fell from
 * his lips,

A slender mate for a maid's side.

When I was a child I was bashful, I was not given to going to trysts: Since I have come to a wayward age, My wantonness has beguiled me.

I have every good with Guare, The King of cold Aidne: But my mind has fallen away from my people To the meadow at Irluachair.

There is chanting in the meadow of glorious Aidne Around the sides of Colman's Church: Glorious flame, now sunk into the grave— Dinertach was his name.