Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

Buile Suibhne (Author: [unknown])

paragraph 71

the Cleric:

1. Thou art at ease, madman,
   on the top of the yew-branch
   beside my little abode,
   thou hast eaten my watercress.

Suibhne:

2. My life is not one of ease,
   O cleric of Druim Iarainn,
   such is my fear
   that I do not close an eye.
3. If I were to see the men of the world
   coming to me, O man of the bell,
   I would flee from them as fast
   as at the flight of a wren.
4. Alas! that thou art not in my place
   and I a devout cleric,
   so that thy mind might grasp
   that it is not the accomplishment of a madman to be at ease.