Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 4

A' Mhuilcartach. 155
Ochd ciad conair mheangain ; (21)
Ochd ciad mion do ionndrainn ;
Ochd ciad gearr-fhaltach, gruaidh-dhearg ;
Ochd ciad Ian clogaid d'en or dhearg ;
Cied gheibheadh iad sin, cha tilleadh iad gus am faigheadh
iad —
Ceann Oscair, Oisein, 's Fhinn,
Ghoil, agus Choi rill.
" Gearraidh sibh 'ur teann-leum thar nui'r,
Ar neb fanaidh sibh ri'r 11-aimhleas ;
An long a 's mo a thug sibh thar muir,
Le goinealadh,
Ma tha a dh'fhuil 'n'ur collainnibh,
Snamhaidh i air 'ur dromannaibh.'"
Sin 'nuair a thug iad an latha mbr agus ro-mhbr —
Latha catha Beinn-Eadainn,
Far am bu lionar ceann 'ga chromadh,
Agus muineal 'ga mhaoladh.
Cha deachaidh aon riamh as,
Ach leth-chiad fear,
'Chaidh mar thriall srutha gu sail',
'S gaoir-chatha 'gan iomain.
Notes.
(i) Reciters are not agreed as to this being the purpose for
which the Fians were. Some (and this is the most rational of the
realistic explanations) say they were a body of hunters that fol-
lowed the chase both in Ireland and Scotland. As to their having
a separate kingdom, tradition makes no mention.
(2) More correctly " Cup of Virtues", or precious cup.
(3) Caogadis explained in dictionaries as meaning fifty. It was
explained by the person from whom this portion within brackets
was heard, that the number who put their backs to the door was
nine times nine ; and there are other confirmations of an explana-