¶1] Hasten to us, O Calvach, advance across the darkly-eddying sea; thou goal of the poets of Conn's territory, come to us at the first message.
¶2] Thou kindly-faced son of Donnell, this message we send to thee, let it be a pressing business for thee, let it not be delayed over a jest.
¶3] Many fresh tidings have we for thy smiling, brown-lashed countenance, thou king of Eine's grassy plain, which were a fit reason for haste.
¶4] The men of London, the warriors of Scotland are contending together, thou chief of the noble host of Síoth Truim, in one compact mass about us.
¶5] From fear of foray none, from the Shannon to the river of Sligo, O sparkling, heavy-pented, straightly-glancing eye, can sleep for one hour at a stretch.
¶6] Lest the others complain of thee, array thyself, come to our help, give to this district an opportunity of repose, have they not said enough?
¶7] Hasten thee, thou son of Mór, great is the reason for unrest, thou defending arm of the folds of Conn[...]24
¶8] [gap: extent: entire stanza]
¶9] The athletic feats of their champions, the courageous spirit of their youths, the shining, smooth, white skin of their women, the agreeable speech of their men of letters.
¶10] Headstrong children plundering hives, hawks in pursuit of birds; graceful stags bounding from height to height, ships, and hounds contending in speed.
¶11] Journeying over the slopes of Loch Gill; the produce of the stream of Sligo; nuts coming upon the white, thickly-growing hazel-trees about their border ditches.
¶12] The coupled mansion, with its golden goblets, precious treasures, red satin garments, bright, square, smooth battlements [...]25
¶13] Let not the excellence of their ale, or their quilts, or their charmed, stout, smooth ramparts cause thee to linger, Calvach O'Conor.
¶14] Let not the warriors of Carbury's swan-flecked waters, the noble clans of Síol Murray, beguile thee amongst them, thou hand ungentle on the iron of spear-shafts.
¶15] Away from them take, for another while, in a propitious hour and time, an unhesitating step against the foreigner, thou graceful stem from Conchobhar's, plain.
¶16] [gap: extent: two lines]26 thou slender-lipped hero of Bearnas.
¶17] Thou appletree from Paradise, thou precious, softly-worded jewel, thou hindrance of the suffering of Conn's race, thou art able to guard us.
¶18] If thy coming to us be heard of, O clustering locks, foeman will not dare to look from on high at the borders of this fair country from which one must go.
¶19] Were I not urging (?) thee, I would censure thy bright face concerning this dispute with thy fair cheek, in the white houses of Sligo's host.
¶20] Understand moreover, were I not dissatisfied with thy bright, steady glance, thy soft, white skin, thy supple form, I would not (?) forgive thee what thou hast done.
¶21] From the danger that I might reprove thee, rightly are thy censurers and [...]27 giving thanks that we are at odds.