Blair Collection > Practical grammar of the antient Gaelic, or, Language of the Isle of Man, usually called Manks

EDITOR S INTRODUCTION. VH
Cha 'soc eer quoi, agh eermyr tad'yr leeidit ;'
Fer er fer elley geiyrt, myr guoiee trooid doarlish.
As cre'n cooilleen t'ayns soiagh vooar nyn Iheid ?
Dy veaghey er nyn ennal, — goo yn sleih !
Marvanee Iheaystagh, myr y gheay neuhiggyr !
Quoi echey ta resoon veagh blakey lurgh oc ?
Lioroo dy ve Iheamysit te moylley."
Literal translation : —
"* And what is glory, but, the radiance of a name, —
A name ! which, as a vapour, blows unheeded by ?
This is the people's praise, if praise it be.
For what is the people ? An entangled skein, —
A fickle mob, who greatly prize
Things vain and worthless ;
While they contemn what merits veneration,
They praise and they esteem the things they know not.
And whom they praise to-day, they blame to-morrow ;
They know not whom, but just as they are led ;
One following another, as geese through a gap.
And what advantage is in the esteem of such ?
To live upon their breath, — the people's praise !
Poor wavering mortals, as the wind inconstant !
Their blame is commendation."
The language abounds in strong figurative expressions. Of
this the lines above quoted afford an illustration. The following
are additional examples : —
Cassan - ny - greiney.
The footpath of the sun (the zodiac).
Goll twoaie.
The going north (the rainbow, which always appears in or towards the north).
Feallagli ny firrinys.
The people of the truth (the perfect).
Cre-erhee fell dy ycmnoo, te cheet lesh.
Whatsoever he doeth, it comes with him (prospers).
Ny cur dty aigney Ihieu.
Not give thy mind with them (consent not).
Shass er dty cliione hene.
Stand on thy head own (rely on your own understanding).
Bwitclioorys er hene.
Slaughtering on him - self (on his own account).
Goll slieese ny Ihargagh.
Going down the declivity (failing).