Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/91



When we used to go to the gathering with Echu's
 * son,

Yellow as a bright primrose was the hair upon the
 * head of Cairenn's son.

Well hast thou spoken, dear son. A bondmaid
 * should be given thee

For the sake of the hair which thou hast likened
 * to the colour of the crown of the primrose.

Eyelashes black, delicate, equal in beauty, and
 * dark eyebrows—

The crown of the woad, a bright hyacinth, that
 * was the colour of his pupils.

The colour of his cheeks at all seasons, even and
 * symmetrical:

The fox-glove, the blood of a calf—a feast without
 * a flaw! the crown of the forest in May.

His white teeth, his red lips that never reproved in
 * anger—

His shape like a fiery blaze overtopping the
 * warriors of Erin.