Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The instructions of King Cormac Mac Airt: Tecosca Cormaic (Author: Unknown)

paragraph 7

‘O grandson of Conn, Cormac,’ said Carpre, ‘what were your habits when you were a lad?’ ‘Not hard to tell,’ said Cormac.

    1. I was a listener in woods,
      5] I was a gazer at stars,
      I was blind where secrets were concerned,
      I was silent in a wilderness,
      I was talkative among many,
      I was mild in the mead-hall,
      10] I was stern in battle,
      I was ready to watch,
      I was gentle in friendship,
      I was a physician of the sick,
      I was weak towards the strengthless,
      15] I was strong towards the powerful,
      I never was hard lest I be satirised,
      I never was feeble lest I should have my hair stript off,
      I was not close lest I should be burdensome,
      I was not arrogant though I was wise,
      20] I was not given to promising though I was strong,
      I was not venturesome though I was swift,
      I did not deride old people though I was young,
      I was not boastful though I was a good fighter,
      I would not speak about anyone in his absence,
      25] I would not reproach, but I would praise,
      I would not ask, but I would give,
‘for it is through those habits that the young become old and kingly warriors.’


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