Matheson Collection > Gleanings from Irish manuscripts

GLEANINGS FROM IRISH MANUSCRIPTS
The O Tooles, who [of yore] did heavily bestow,
now would not vouchsafe a bright groat-piece —
They so submit to the Englishmen's peace —
for twenty marks' worth of a poem.
The Kavanaghs, once the minstrels' hunting-ground,
Of one of them I have not the least expectation :
A man to purchase a piece of nine verses
I know not — so great is fear of Foreigners.
Blood of the Geraldines, of mighty deeds,
Were I to visit, my payment were unlikely.
Or the O Mores, who ne'er refused a bard,
For a poor trifle of nine verses.
But in the Fifth of Leinster's junior stock —
And more easily thereby I sell my nine verses —
I have been told, and 'tis a certainty.
There is a single root of hospitality. •
He who never bowed to Foreigners' custom,
Hugh mac Shane, of comeliness renowned ;
It is with him I have tried my fortune
With a piece in verses eight or nine.
To the beloved of the bards of Conn's plain,
Hugh Mac Shane, who ne'er merited reproach ;
I am directing my nine verses —
The hound chases its own quarry.
Except Remunn's grandson, who earneth fame,
I know not towards the east or west
One to purchase my verses nine :
If such there be, I know not who he is.
Who.
190