Suibhne
- A year to last night
have I been among the gloom of branches,
between flood and ebb,
without covering around me.- Without a pillow beneath my head,
among the fair children of men;
there is peril to us, O God,
without sword, without spear.- Without the company of women;
save brooklime of warrior-bands—
a pure fresh meal—
watercress is our desire.- Without a foray with a king,
I am alone in my home,
without glorious reavings,
without friends, without music.- Without sleep, alas!
let the truth be told,
without aid for a long time,
hard is my lot.
- Without a house right full,
without the converse of generous men,
without the title of king,
without drink, without food.- Alas that I have been parted here
from my mighty, armed host,
a bitter madman in the glen,
bereft of sense and reason.- Without being on a kingly circuit,
but rushing along every path;
that is the great madness,
King of Heaven of saints.- Without accomplished musicians,
without the converse of women,
without bestowing treasures;
it has caused my death, O revered Christ.- Though I be as I am to-night,
there was a time
when my strength was not feeble
over a land that was not bad.- On splendid steeds,
in life without sorrow,
in my auspicious kingship
I was a good, great king.- After that, to be as I am
through selling Thee, O revered Christ!
a poor wretch am I, without power,
in the Glen of bright Bolcan.
- The hawthorn that is not soft-topped
has subdued me, has pierced me;
the brown thorn-bush
has nigh caused my death.- The battle of Congal with fame,
to us it was doubly piteous;
on Tuesday was the rout;
more numerous were our dead than our living.- A-wandering in truth,
though I was noble and gentle,
I have been sad and wretched
a year to last night.