‘O grandson of Conn, Cormac,’ said Carpre, ‘how do you
distinguish the race of Adam?’
‘Not hard to tell,’ said Cormac. ‘I distinguish them all, both
men, women, sons, and daughters.’
5]
‘How is that?’ said Carpre.
- Every steadfast person is wise,
every generous person is righteous,
every patient person is persevering,
every studious person is learned,
10] every one who loves his kindred is gentle,
every healthy person is joyous,
every sleek person is sleepy,
every boor is crabbed,
every athlete is dull-witted,
15] every madcap is a laughing-stock,
every serf is morose,
every indigent person is proud,
every uninformed person is quarrelsome,
every ignoramus is shameless,
20] every timorous person is apprehensive,
every infirm person is candid,
every ill-favoured person is given to fostering,
every anxious person is timid,
every timorous person is cautious,
25] every timid person is ruthless,
every indigent person is fraudulent,
every contentious person is a frequenter of meetings,
every satiated person is fond of dogs,
every lover likes a dainty bed,
30] every wealthy person is fond of jewels,
every freeman is broad-tracked,
every genial person is generous,
every satirical person is ... ,
every horseman is nimble,
35] every falsehood is bitter,
everything true is sweet,
skilful women are honey-mouthed,
bad women are given to try sting,
ill-met are their sons, woe to him who has them!