¶1] One night I came to Eas Caoille, till the Day of Doom shall I remember it; when the fortress itself shall have perished there shall still remain forever the events of that night, the doings of all (who were present).
¶2] The like of the men whom I found in the polished bright-hued castle, on the shapely benches of the crimson fortress, eye never saw before.
¶3] But few remain of the beloved company whom I found in the bright castle, the death of the four that were within was a grief from which Banbhadid not look to recover.
¶4] I found Maelmora MacSweeny on the central bench of the graceful mansion, a man of generous and pleasant manner, favorite pupil of the schools of Conn's land.
¶5] Dear as life to me was the man I found in that domed castle with its ivory-hilted swords; as I have experienced twice its value of misery from (the loss of) it, the honor I received from him is the worse from its greatness.
¶6] Both pupil and fosterer to the poets of Banbha throughout his days was the chess-king of the Finn; the goal of our emulation, our ready gift, storehouse of the hearts of the learned.
¶7] Our healing herb, our sleep charm, our fruitful branch, our house of treasure; a piece of steel, yet one who never denied any man, most precious offspring of the Grecian Gaels.
¶8] I found beside the son of Maelmurray many men of letters worthy of recompense, while the choicest of every craft in the world were also reclining beside the chief of Derg.
¶9] Till the day of his death the poets of the host of the House of Trim were ever with the chief of Conn's tribe in a gathering large enough for battle or assembly.
¶10] At that time in particular there sat by the warrior of Loch Key—well did their scholarship become them— three of the poets of Té's Hill.
¶11] There was the poet of the Earl of the Burkes, and also by his soft bosom was one of whom the very mention was a surety, the poet of the famous race of Niall.
¶12] There was the poet of the chieftain of the Moy, Mac William Burke of just awards—discouraging in sooth are the changes of the world, that not one of these remains is in itself a sermon.
¶13] Brian O'Donnellan, kindly countenance, poet to the lion of Loughrea; he with the schools as the moon above stars, peace to his gallant, noble form.
¶14] Brian Macnamee, son of Angus, poet to the descendant of Nine-Hostaged Niall; a man whose attainment (?) was the best of his time, he was fit to deliver wisdom's pledge.
¶15] Conor, grandson of O'Huiginn, poet to the lord of Inishkea, almost equal to a prince was the poet, the head of his kindred in worth.
¶16] The three poets that I found by the ruddy, fair-skinned hero—let a trio such as they be found in the land of Banbha!
¶17] With one accord they arise before me from beside the chieftain who was my chieftain: often I think of them in my heart, the utterances of the three drawing tears from my eyes.
¶18] The soothing strains of [...](?) harps, the sweetness of honey, the elation of ale—alas, that he of whom I had them no longer lives—these gave me pleasure.
¶19] For a while after my arrival they drank to me— gentlemen were their attendants—from cups of gold, from goblets of horn.
¶20] When we had gone to our couches of rest to slumber, ere the coming of day, he who lay furthest from me would not admit that to be thus was not a sentence of bondage.
¶21] I lay in the midst of the four, the four forms that were most dear to me, the three comrades who have grieved my heart, and the champion of Magh Meann.
¶22] To the blossom of Tara and his three companions I relate a tale in return for reward; its dearness was a portent of fame for them, golden youth of the north.
¶23] Four treasures endowed with virtue I take from them in payment for my story; that the like of the princely jewels may not be found—is not that enough to color one's tears ?
¶24] As the first award I was allowed I took the dappled steed from the hero of steed-abounding Slieve Gamph, him at whose death hospitality perished.
¶25] The dappled steed that I took from Maelmora— woe is me that I took it—hardly is there its like in the world, a steed surpassing all the steeds of Bregian Banbha.
¶26] From Brian son of Angus I took the choicest hound of Dá Thí's Plain; its excellence was such as to place it above all other hounds, it was one of the choice hounds of the world.
¶27] It had been easier for Brian to renounce one by one all of the treasures of Ireland—wherefore should this not depress my spirit?—than his treasure of a noble handsome hound.
¶28] From Brian son of Owen, ere the fair, rosy, kindly fellow slept, I got as a reward for my story a precious book, a brimming spring of the genuine stream of knowledge.
¶29] The 'Cattle-raids', 'Wooings', 'Destructions' of all the world were in the gift I received, with descriptions of the battles and exploits thereof, it was the flower of the royal books of Ireland.
¶30] Conor gave the magic harp, such a precious jewel as even a king would not bestow; long has that present been a sorrowful inheritance, it was no fitting gift from a poet.
¶31] The harp of the poet of the Burkes will be ever an object of reverence; he from whom it was got is no-more, but it remains in freshness to day.
¶32] Alas for him by whom the givers of these were beloved, since it was destined that he should part from them; men never Fál in the house of election, men who loved to spread their fame.
¶33] Alas for my beloved four, my bed-fellows, my confidants; four stems from a fruitful forest, trees fertile in gifts for us.
¶34] My reason wanders, restless is my mind after that shortlived company; alas for him who remains on earth without them, departing, they have left Brian's Banbha without fruits.
¶35] lt is a heartbreak that the chief of the band which was within should be lacking to us; never before did poet lack the generous gift of his stout heart.
¶36] May God requite Maelmora for the quantity of his wealth that I received; one who bestowed as much as any man gave, the benefactor of all.
¶37] Suave in utterance, stern in resolve, ruthless in deeds, modest in speech; guardian of every man of his kindred, judge, soldier, poet, soothsayer.
¶38] Treasure of contention of the race of Breóghan, winning of their game, defence of their pledge; satisfaction of the hearts of troublesome guests, love of melodious, merry, graceful women.
¶39] Prudent preparation(?), generous disposition, a keeping of word, a breaking of peace; bright countenance from which the eyes could scarce wander, nursing knee of royal rule.
¶40] Solving of problems, posing of counter-problems, Inisfail's anvil of knowledge (?); hate of perpetual ease, love of conflict, surety for the peace and war of all.
¶41] The son of Gormlaidh, a branch above the wood, keen in mind, gentle in response—where is his like for bestowing a troublesome award? sternness and generosity he has in equal parts.
¶42] Though I have been in poverty since he fell, I should be above all the land of Fál (in affluence) if only Maelmora—lime-white skin, countenance of amber— remained.
¶43] The remembrance of what I got from my friend will soon be but an omen of grief; I shall fear lest the greatness of my honor should come to me again in illusion.
¶44] Alas, not many of my comrades remain to me in their own shape; the world has cast me away, sending me travelling afar in solitude.
¶45] Pitiful it is to lack my three comrades, the race of Gormlaidh, from whom the day was short; Banbha, who looked for help from this clan, is now under a cloud of sorrow.