Ossian Collection > Dean of Lismore's book

THE DEAN OF LISMORE. 85
My dogs and hounds along thy ridge,
Although to-night the Fenian hill
Is under clerics and their crosiers.
Were the sons of Morn alive,
The priestly order soon must quit ;
You would find yourselves cut up,
Ye men of the spotted crooks.
Were Mac Luy alive,
With his six heroes bold,
Ere you had quitted the hill
You'd find your garments curtailed.
Were the sons of Ceard alive,
Who never hypocrisy knew.
Neither your bells nor crooks
Would in place of their banners be found.
Were the sons of Muin alive,
Who knew no weakness in fight,
Men would not see thy people
So powerful amidst our liills.
Were the sons of black Garry alive.
Or Caoilte, who was ever so brave,
Neither the sounds of bells or priests
Would now be heard in Eath Cruachan.
Were red-haired Eyno alive.
And brave Gaol, son of Eevan,
Thy books would not be so whole,
Oh man, who readest the Bible.
And for all thy hooked crosiers.
Which have travelled over the earth,
Thy staves would be in splinters.
Were only brave Oscar alive.
Thou of the yellow^ garment,
Who sittest so much at thine ease,
'Tis well for thee that Conan is dead,
I "Yellow" was the favourite colour probably as a ineaus of commending
of the Celts. It seems that St. Patrick himself and his cause to the good-will of
adopted it as the clerical colour, very the people.