Books and other items printed in Gaelic from 1871 to 1900 > Gaelic bards, and original poems

10
MODERN GAELIC BARDS.
If you only battle it well,
And the sea does not feel that you quail,
She will humble herself in that knowledge,
And her pride to your might will she vail.
Thus confront thy spouse on the land ;
Let her not see thee get weak,
And the chance is she yields in the strife,
Nor such contests will rashly re-seek.
Even so is the mighty deep,
Tho’ fierce frenzy her bosom fills ;
She will yield to your might none the less,
As the King of the Universe wills.
THE INCITEMENT TO ROW TO A SAILING PLACE.
To bring the barge so dark and stately,
Whence we’d sail away;
Thrust out those tough clubs and unyielding,
Polished bare and grey ;
Those oars well made, smooth-waisted,
Firm and light;
That row steadily and boldly
From smooth palm to foam white ;
That send the sea in splashing showers
Aloft unto the sky,
And light the brain-fire bright and flashing,
As when coal sparks fly.
With purpose-like blows of the great heavy weapons,
With a powerful sweep,
Wound the huge swell on the ocean meadow,
Rolling and deep.
With your sharp narrow blades white and slender,
Strike its big breast;