Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Buile Suibhne (Author: [unknown])

paragraph 35

He emerged then from the tree lightly and nimbly, and went on his way until he reached the old tree at Ros Earcain. (For he had three dwellings in his own country in which he was wont to reside, viz.: Teach mic Ninnedha, Cluain Creamha, and Ros Earcain). Thereafter for a fortnight and a month he tarried in the yew-tree without being perceived; but at length his place and dwelling were discovered, and the nobles of Dal Araidhe took counsel as to who should go to seize him. Everyone said that it was Loingseachan who


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should be sent. Loingseachan undertook the task, and he went along until he came to the yew in which Suibhne was, whereupon he beheld the madman on the branch above him. ‘Sad is it, Suibhne,’ said he, ‘that your last plight should be thus, without food, without drink, without raiment, like any bird of the air, after having been in garments of silk and satin on splendid steeds from foreign lands with matchless bridles; with you were women gentle and comely, likewise many youths and hounds and goodly folk of every art; many hosts, many and diverse nobles and chiefs, and young lords, and landholders and hospitallers were at your command. Many cups and goblets and carved buffalo horns for pleasant-flavoured and enjoyable liquors were yours also. Sad is it for you to be in that wise like unto any miserable bird going from wilderness to wilderness.’ ‘Cease now, Loingseachan,’ said Suibhne; ‘that is what was destined for us; but have you tidings for me of my country?’ ‘I have in sooth,’ said Loingseachan, ‘for your father is dead.’ ‘That has seized me ...’ said he. ‘Your mother is also dead,’ said the young man. ‘Now all pity for me is at an end,’ said he. ‘Dead is your brother,’ said Loingseachan. ‘Gaping is my side on that account,’ said Suibhne. ‘Dead is your daughter,’ said Loingseachan. ‘The heart's needle is an only daughter,’ said Suibhne. ‘Dead is your son who used to call you ‘daddy’,’ said Loingseachan. ‘True,’ said he, ‘that is the drop (?) which brings a man to the ground;’ whereupon they, even Loingseachan and Suibhne, uttered this lay between them: