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Preabann seanfhear anuas le freagra a thabhairt ar an ógbhean. Deir sé gur ar shaol mígheanmnaí na mná óga féin an milleán go bhfuil siad i gcruachás.
Cuireann sé síos ar a phósadh féin agus faoi mar a bhí an bhrídeach torrach ó fhear eile i ngan fhios dó.
(Dá ainneoin sin, molann sé leanaí tabhartha go hard níos déanaí mar chuid den impí aige ar Aoibheal deireadh a chur leis an bpósadh.)
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Up jumps an old man to answer the young woman. He blames the dissolute life of young women for the predicament in which they find themselves.
He recounts the circumstances of his own marriage at the time of which and unknown to him, his bride was pregnant by another.
(In spite of this cuckoldry, he later praises bastards highly as part of his plea to Aoibheal to end the institution of marriage.) |
Preabann anuas go fuadrach fíochmar 357 Then fiercely jumped up a grey old dodger Seanduine suarach is fuadach nimhe faoi, 358 There was fire in the eyes of that greasy codger A bhaill ar luascadh is luas anáile air, 359 His limbs were shaking, his breathing wild Draighean is duais ar fud a chnámha. 360 It was clear that he was thoroughly riled. Ba dhearóil an radharc go deimhin don chúirt é 361 He glared at the court with a look inflamed Ar bord ina thaibhse im éisteacht dúirt sé:— 362 And, in my hearing, he then declaimed:— Dochair is díobháil is síorchrá cléibhe ort 363 I wish you naught but damage and hurt A thoice le místaid, a shíol gábha is déirce, 364 You miserable hussy, descended from dirt Is dóigh nach iontas laigeacht na gréine 365 I suppose it’s no wonder the sun is weak Is fós gach tubaist dar imigh ar Éire, 366 And that Ireland’s lot is unbelievably bleak Mar mheath gach ceart gan reacht gan dlí againn, 367 Our rights are gone, the law’s a laugh Ár mba bhí bleacht gan lacht gan laonna acu, 368 Our cows, once fertile, without milk or calf. Is dá dtagadh níos mó de mhórscrios tíortha 369 It’s no great surprise about the country’s woes Is gach faisean dá nuacht ar Mhóir is ar Shíle. 370 With Mór and Síle sporting the latest clothes.
Seanduine suarach is fuadach nimhe faoi
| A thoice gan chríoch nach cuimhin le táinte | 371 | You’re an absolute transcendental bitch |
| Olcas na síolrach daoine ó dtángais, | 372 | Everyone knows you were born in a ditch |
| Gan focal le maíomh ag do shinsear gránna | 373 | Your ugly ancestors can’t boast of their blood |
| Ach lopaigh gan bhrí, lucht míre is mála. | 374 | They’re aimless louts, sprung from the mud. |
| Is aithnid dúinne an snamhaire is athair duit, | 375 | Everyone knows your father’s a creep |
| Gan chara gan chlú gan chúl gan airgead, | 376 | Without friends or fame, common and cheap |
| Ina leibide liath gan chiall gan mhúineadh, | 377 | A grey old yo-yo with no erudition |
| Gan mheadar gan mhias gan bhia gan anlann, | 378 | Without cup or bowl, racked with malnutrition, |
| Gan faic ar a dhroim is a chabhail gan chóta, | 379 | Not a stitch his back, no coat on his body |
| Ach gad ar a choim is a bhonn gan bhróga. | 380 | A súgán for a belt, his footwear shoddy. |
| Creidigí, a dhaoine, dá ndíoltaí ar aonach | 381 | Believe me, people, if he was sold at the fair |
| Eisean is a bhuíon tar éis íoc gach éileamh, | 382 | Of all of his debts he couldn’t take care |
| Dar colainn na naoimh ba dícheall mór dó | 383 | By the saints who are holy, ’twould make the news |
| Pota maith dí lena fhuíollach d’fhuascailt. | 384 | If he then could afford a bottle of booze. |
| Nach mór an t-ábhacht is an gleo i measc daoine | 385 | It’s a cause of merriment, both loud and deep |
| Truaire de do shórt gan bhó gan chaoirigh, | 386 | That a reject like you, with no cows or sheep |
| Búclaí i do bhróga is clóicín síoda ort, | 387 | Sports buckles on your shoes, a fancy silk frock |
| Is ciarsúir póca ag gabháil na gaoithe ort! | 388 | And a protecting scarf the wind to block. |
| Do dhallais an saol go léir le do thaibhse, | 389 | You dazzle the whole world with your face |
| Is is aithnid dom féin tú i dtaobh le coife | 390 | But I know for a fact you’re for a bloody disgrace. |
| Is deacair dom labhairt, do lom is léir dhom, | 391 | Your mendacity’s so clear, it’s hard to address |
| Is fada do dhroim gan chabhair ón léine; | 392 | Your back is a stranger to a decent dress |
| Is togha drochduine do thuigfeadh ina gá thú | 393 | But that deficiency, no one believes |
| Is feabhas do rufa le do mhuinchille cáimric. | 394 | It’s hidden with ruffs and cambric sleeves. |
| Tá canbhás saor chun sraod go bhásta | 395 | Canvas as a waist binder is low in price |
| Is cá bhfios don tsaol nach stays é do do fháscadh? | 396 | And maybe it’s stays that’s the flattening device. |
| Feiceann an tír ort frínse is fáinne | 397 | The world spies your rings and fringes of gauze |
| Is ceileann do laímhne gríos is gága. | 398 | While your gloves cover up the dirt on your paws. |
| Ach aithris ar bord, nó inseoidh mé féin é,— | 399 | But tell the court, or I myself will reveal,— |
| An fada nár ól tú deoir le do bhéile? | 400 | How long since you’ve had a drink with your meal |
| A chonnartaigh bhoicht na gcos gan ionladh, | 401 | You miserable slob with the dirty feet |
| Dóchas id chorp le Bucks gan anlann | 402 | Unseasoned Bucks aren’t much of a treat |
| Is furasta dar liom dod chúl bheith taibhseach, | 403 | It’s plain to me why you should hang your head |
| Do chonnac lem shúile an chúil ina luíonn tú; | 404 | I saw with my own eyes where you make your bed |
| Garbh nó mín ní síntear fút ann, | 405 | With no sheet beneath you, either fine or rough |
| Barrach nó líon dár sníomhadh le tuirne, | 406 | Spun on a wheel from even the coarsest stuff |
| Ach mata ina smoirt gan chuilt gan chlúdach, | 407 | But a dirty mat without a quilt or a spread |
| Dealbh gan luid gan phluid gan tsúsa, | 408 | Without a blanket or comforter to cover the bed. |
| I gcomhar botháin gan áit chun suí ann | 409 | Your cabin is without a place for a seat |
| Ach súiche sileáin is púscadh aníos ann, | 410 | Dripping soot from above; oozing mud from beneath |
| Fiaile ag teacht go fras gan chuimse | 411 | Rank weeds flourishing in profusion galore |
| Is rian na gcearc air trasna scríobtha, | 412 | And chicken tracks scratched across the floor |
| Lag ina dhroim is na gabhla ag lúbadh | 413 | The roofline sagging; the gables leaning |
| Is clagarnach dhonn go trom ag tuirlingt. | 414 | The brown rain pouring down through the ceiling. |
| A chumainn na bhfáidhithe! nach ard do labhair sí! | 415 | O company of seers, how loud she does shout |
| Gustalach gálbha gárthach gabhann sí | 416 | A blustery braggart who goes about |
| I ndathanna i gcóir is i gclócaí síoda, | 417 | In colourful clothes and silken cloaks |
| Faire go deo orthu! fóill, cár fríth é? | 418 | It is certain the money didn’t come from her folks. |
| Aithris cá bhfuair tú an radharc seo mhaíonn tú, | 419 | From where the look of which you crow |
| Is aithris cár thuill tú an leadhb gan bhrí seo; | 420 | And how did you earn the necessary dough; |
| Is deacair a shuíomh gur fríth go cóir iad— | 421 | It’s hard to believe it’s from an honest stroke |
| Is gairid ó bhí tú gan síol an orlaigh. | 422 | It’s not long since you were totally broke |
| Aithris cá bhfuair tú luach na húda, | 423 | Where did you get the price of the hoods |
| Is aithris cá bhfuair tú luach do ghúna, | 424 | Tell us how you came by the expensive duds. |
| Ach leagaimid uainn cár ghluais an cóta, | 425 | I won’t make the cost of your coat my affair |
| Is aithris cá bhfuair tú luach na mbróga. | 426 | But how could you afford the fancy footwear? |
| A Aoibheal cheanasach charthannach chumhachtach, | 427 | O Aoibheal, peerless, kindly queen |
| Guím thú, gairim thú, freagair is fóir mé, | 428 | I beg you, call on you, please intervene |
| Is fíor gur feasach mé forairí Fóla | 429 | I know that all in Ireland who reach man’s estate |
| Suite greamaithe ag sladaithe den tsórt seo. | 430 | Is firmly hooked by such a reprobate |
| Dar láimh mo chara! is aithnid dom comharsa | 431 | One of my friends who lives up the road |
| Láimh le baile agam, gairid do chóngar, | 432 | Not very far from my own abode |
| Buachaill soineanta sruimile saonta | 433 | Among the nicest boys you ever spied |
| Ar buaileadh duine acu chuige mar nuachar. | 434 | Was snared into taking one as his bride |
| Is searbh lem chroí nuair a fheicim im radharc í— | 435 | It pains my heart to see her around |
| A gradam, a críoch, a poimp is a taibhse; | 436 | Her hauteur, her pomp, her stuck-up frown |
| Sealbhach bó aici is eorna ag fás di, | 437 | Cattle in her possession, her barley growing |
| Airgead póca is ór idir lámha aici. | 438 | Money in her pocket and gold overflowing. |
| Do chonnaic mé inné í ar thaobh na sráide, | 439 | I saw her yesterday on the side of the street |
| Is cumasach tréan an léire mná í, | 440 | She was a large woman, in no way petite; |
| Malpaire másach mágach magúil, | 441 | She shook her huge hips in a taunting way |
| Marbh le cámas lán de ladús, | 442 | With as much impertinence as she could display |
| Murach gur claon liom éad do mhúscailt, | 443 | Were it not that I am the soul of discretion |
| Scannal do scéith nó scéalta scrúdú, | 444 | Unwilling to comment on any transgression |
| Do b’fhuras dom insint cruinn mar chuala | 445 | I could easily tell what I’ve heard told |
| An chuma na mbíodh sí sraoillte suaite, | 446 | How she carried on as a harlot bold |
| Sractha ar lár is gáir ina timpeall, | 447 | Stretched on the floor, causing a hullabaloo |
| Sraite ar an sráid nó i stábla sínte. | 448 | In the street or the stable, her clothing askew. |
| Mairfidh a tásc is tráchtfar choíche | 449 | Her story will live, she’ll be the subject of lore |
| Ar mharthain ar cháil is ar gháir a gníomhartha | 450 | She will be spoken of for evermore |
| In Uí Bhreacáin an aráin is an fhíona, | 451 | In Ibrickane of the bread and wine |
| I dTír Mhachláin na mbánta míne, | 452 | In Tirmaclane of the meadows so fine |
| Ag ísle is ársa Mháinse is Ínse, | 453 | By Manishmore’s and Ennis’ lowly and quality |
| Chill Bhreacáin, an Chláir is Chuinche, | 454 | In Killbracken, in Quin, and in Clareabbey |
| Ag connsaigh ainmhícheThreadraí an phónra | 455 | In Tradree of the beans where there are wild young fellows |
| Is fonsaí falchaí Chreatlaighe an chorda. | 456 | And in Cratlea where outlaws hang from the gallows |
| Faire, ba chlaon í, tar éis a ndúirt mé | 457 | Now, look, that’s all in the past, I know |
| Ghlacfainn gur saor í faoi na cionta | 458 | And I might be willing to let it all go |
| Ach beirim don phláigh í lá mar chím í | 459 | But the other day I saw her on her ass |
| Leagaithe láimh le Gárus sínte, | 460 | Outside of Garus lying on the grass |
| Caite ar an ród gan orlach fuithi | 461 | Spread on the ground without a stitch, so bare, |
| Ag gramasc na móna ar bhóithre Dhubhdhoire. | 462 | With a bogman from Doora in the County Clare. |
| M’iontas ann os ceann mo chéille | 463 | It's a wonder to me, past all comprehension |
| Is crithim go fann le scanradh an scéil seo,— | 464 | Just to think of it fills me with hypertension,— |
| Ise bheith seang nuair theann gach éinne í | 465 | After fornicating with all, I just don’know |
| Is druidim le clann nuair shanntaigh féin í. | 466 | How she didn’t conceive till she wished it so. |
| Is mór ina grása é ag rá na mbriathar, | 467 | It’s saying a lot for the power of the word |
| Nóiméad de spás níor ghá le hiarraidh | 468 | That not a minute of unnecessary delay was incurred |
| Ó léadh ar bord os comhair na coinnle | 469 | From the reading before the candles bright |
| An tEgo Vos seo d’ordaigh Íosa | 470 | Of the Ego Vos of the marriage rite |
| Gur shéid sí lacht go bleacht ina cíocha | 471 | Her breasts were bursting with milk, I swear |
| Ach naoi mí beacht is seachtain go cinnte! | 472 | After nine months with just a week to spare! |
| Breathain gur bhaol don té tá scaoilte | 473 | It’s the greatest peril to the single and sane |
| Ceangal go héag faoi thaobh den chuing seo, | 474 | To be tied till death to the ball and chain, |
| I sealbh gach saoth, is éad dá shuathadh— | 475 | In the grip of misfortune, jealousy rife, |
| In aisce, mo léan! mo léann ní bhfuaireas, | 476 | As I learned for myself at a terrible price. |
| Is feasach don taobh seo den tsaol mar bhí mé | 477 | Everyone round here knows how I used be, |
| Sealad dem réim is dem laethanta roimhe seo, | 478 | When I was single and gloriously free, |
| Leitheadach láidir lán de shaibhreas, | 479 | An important man, much wealth I did own |
| Feisteas le fáil is fáilte im theaghlach, | 480 | My door was wide open, my table did groan |
| Cara i gcúirt is cúnamh dlí agam, | 481 | A friend at court and the law on my side |
| Ceannas is clú agus comhar sa saoithe, | 482 | Dominion and fame, with seers as my guide. |
| Tathach im chaint is suim is éifeacht, | 483 | My words with wit and wisdom teemed |
| Talamh is maoin ag suíomh mo chéille! | 484 | All the land and wealth of which I dreamed |
| M’aigne sítheach is m’intinn sásta— | 485 | My mind at ease, my brain without strife— |
| Chailleas le bean mo bhrí is mo shláinte! | 486 | I lost it all when I married my wife! |
| Ba thaitneamhach leabhair an crobhaire mná í, | 487 | She was a pleasant and graceful strip of a lass |
| Bhí seasamh is com is cabhail is cnámha aici, | 488 | Her posture and presence betokened class |
| Casadh ina cúl go búclach trilseach, | 489 | The toss of her head showed off ringlets and curls |
| Lasadh ina gnúis go lonrach soilseach, | 490 | And the sheen on her cheeks fairly glowed like pearls, |
| Cuma na hóige uirthi is só ina gáire, | 491 | She had the vitality of youth and a smile of bliss |
| Is cuireadh ina cló chun póige is fáilte! | 492 | And all her demeanour invited a kiss. |
| Ach chreathas le fonn gan chonn gan chairde | 493 | I shook with desire, my mind did reel |
| Ó bhaithis go bonn go tabhartha i ngrá dhi. | 494 | I fell besottedly in love, head over heel. |
| Is dearbh gan dabht ar domhan gur díoltas | 495 | It’s certain, no doubt, it was retribution |
| Danartha donn dom thabhairt ar m’aimhleas | 496 | For all my bad actions, my dissolution |
| D’fhearthainn go trom ar bhonn mo ghníomhartha | 497 | Which fell with a vengeance for my transgression |
| Ó Fhlaitheas le fonn do lom do líon mé. | 498 | From heaven above with cruel repression. |
| Do snaidhmeadh go suite snaidhm na cléire, | 499 | The clergy tied us tightly with the knot |
| Is ceangladh sinn i gcuing le chéile, | 500 | In a damnable yoke we were firmly caught, |
| Ghlanas gan chinnteacht suim gach éileamh | 501 | I cleared all the debts without demur or delay |
| Bhaineas le baois gan ghaois an lae sin. | 502 | From the extravagant folly of that fateful day |
| Cothrom go leor, níor chóir mé a cháineadh— | 503 | Give me due credit, I was able to treat |
| Stopas an gleo bhí ag cóip na sráide, | 504 | All of the rabble who came in from the street |
| Bacaigh go léir, bhí an cléireach sásta, | 505 | Beggars all, the clerics were sated |
| An sagart róbhuíoch is b’fhéidir fáth leis! | 506 | The priest was delighted at how he was feted. |
| Lasamar tóirsí is comharsana go cruinn ann, | 507 | With torches lit, the neighbours around |
| Leagadh ar boird mórchuid bia chugainn | 508 | The table with all sort of foodstuffs was crowned |
| Clagarnach cheoil is ól gan chuimse, | 509 | The music was mighty, much drink was imbibed |
| Is chaitheadar cóisir mhórtach mhaoiteach. | 510 | It was a bash on a scale that can’t be described. |
| Mo dhíth gan easpa nár tachtadh le bia mé | 511 | But the day I was baptised I wish I had died |
| An oíche baisteadh nó as sin gur iarras | 512 | Or some day since then before I had tried |
| Síneadh ar leaba le hainnis do liath mé | 513 | To bed with a trollop who turned me gray |
| Is do scaoil le gealaigh gan chara gan chiall mé. | 514 | Deprived me of friends, caused my mind to decay. |
| Is é tásc do gheobhainn ag óg is ag aosta | 515 | But then I was warned by the young and the old |
| Gur bhreallán spóirt ag ól is ag glaoch í | 516 | That she was a drunkard and a constant scold |
| I mbotháin ósta is boird á bpléascadh, | 517 | With the rabble in sheebeens she was wont to mingle |
| Ar lár ina lóiste ag pósta is aonta. | 518 | And lay on the floor with the married and single |
| Do b’fhada dá meilt a teist is a tuairisc | 519 | It took a while before her name was destroyed |
| Do b’fhada gur chreid mé a bheag nó a mhór de, | 520 | The stories about her I long could avoid |
| Do b’eaglach le gach beirt dá gcuala é | 521 | Everyone kept mum who knew the situation |
| Go rachainn im pheilt im gheilt gan tuairisc. | 522 | Afraid I would vanish, naked, in extreme agitation. |
| Fós ní ghéillfinn, caoch mar bhí mé, | 523 | I would not listen, too blind to see |
| Do ghlór gan éifeacht éinne mhaoidh é; | 524 | To the few who ineffectively told me; |
| Ach magadh nó greim gan feidhm gan chéill | 525 | I believed they were only slagging the groom |
| Gur aithris a broinn dom deimhin gach scéil! | 526 | Until the whole story was told by her womb. |
| Níor chúrsaí leamhais ná durdam bréige é, | 527 | It was not a prank or idle prattle |
| Ná dúirt bean liom go ndúradh léi é | 528 | Or a woman engaging in tittle-tattle |
| Ach labhair an bheart i gceart is in éifeacht— | 529 | But the deed itself spoke loud and clearly |
| Do bhronn sí mac i bhfad roimh ré dom! | 530 | She gave me a son who was way too early! |
| Mo scanradh scéil gan féith dem chroí air— | 531 | God almighty, I nearly died of fright |
| Clann dá dtéamh dom tar éis na hoíche! | 532 | To find a family at the end of that night! |
| Callóid anfach ainigí scólta,— | 533 | There was a mighty commotion around the house |
| Bunóc ceangailte is bean an tí breoite, | 534 | With a swaddled child and a retching spouse, |
| Posóid leagaithe ar smeachóidí teo acu | 535 | A draught of medicine on the coals being warmed |
| Cuinneog bhainne dá greadadh le fórsa | 536 | A can full of cream was being forcefully churned |
| Is mullach ar lánmhias bánbhia is siúicre | 537 | A dish heaped high with sugar and goody |
| Ag Muirinn Ní Cháimliaith báinliaigh an chrúca | 538 | For the greedy midwife, Muireann Ní Cháimlia |
| Bhi coiste cruinnithe ag tuilleadh dem chomharsain | 539 | A group of my other neighbours were gathered |
| Cois na tine agus siosarnach dhamhsa. | 540 | Beside the fire where they quietly whispered. |
Coiste cruinnithe ag tuilleadh dem chomharsain
| Scaoileann siad cogar i bhfogas dom éisteacht:— | 541 | One of them said, loud enough to hear:— |
| Míle moladh le Solas na Soilse! | 542 | “Praise be to the stars that shine so clear, |
| Bíodh nach baileach a d’aibigh an chré seo | 543 | Even though the nipper didn’t wait for the clock |
| Feicimse an t-athair ina sheasamh ina chéadfa. | 544 | He looks like he’s a chip cut off the old block. |
| A bhfeiceann tú, a Shadhbh arú, luigheamh a ghéaga! | 545 | Don’t you see now, Saiv, how the kid is the image |
| A dheilbh gan draighean a bhaill is a mhéara! | 546 | Of the old man’s form, his limbs and his visage! |
| Cumas na lámh ba dána dóirne! | 547 | The cut of his hands and those bold fists |
| Cuma na gcnámh is fás na feola. | 548 | And look at those legs and arms and wrists.” |
| Do cheapadar cruinn gur shíolraigh an dúchas | 549 | They pondered long on the child’s supposed lineage |
| Maise mo ghné agus íor mo ghnúise, | 550 | How he looked like me, inherited my image |
| Filleadh mo shróine is glónra m’éadain, | 551 | The shape of my nose and how my brow glowed |
| Deise mo chló, mo shnua agus m’fhéachana, | 552 | The elegant form which on him I bestowed |
| Leagadh mo shúl is go fiú mo gháire | 553 | The lay of my eyes and even my grin |
| Is as-sin do shiúil ó chúl go sáil é. | 554 | How he was my very picture from head to shin. |
| Amharc nó radharc ní bhfaghainn den chréice,— | 555 | Of course, not hide nor hair did I see of the pup,— |
| Is baileach gan leigheas do mhillfeadh gaoth é!— | 556 | They said the draughts would screw him up!— |
| Ag cuideachta an teaghlaigh i bhfeighil mo chaochta, | 557 | The crowd in the house kept him out of my sight |
| Siolla dá laghad di leáfaidh an créatúir! | 558 | With their claim that the air would harm the mite. |
| Do labhras garg is do thagras Íosa, | 559 | By this time I was mad and breathing fire |
| Is stollta garbh do bhagras gríosach, | 560 | I told them the consequences would be dire |
| D’fhógras fearg le hainbhios cainte, | 561 | I thundered, I stormed, I blustered, I swore |
| Is is dóigh gur chreathadar cailleacha an tí romham. | 562 | Till the women of the house could stand it no more. |
| De leisce an achrainn leagadar chugam é,— | 563 | They brought me the boy to settle me down,— |
| Beir go haireach air, seachain ná brú é, | 564 | “Take him gently, don’t shake him around |
| Is fuiris a shuaitheadh, luaisc go réidh é, | 565 | He’s easily hurt; he’s close to dying |
| Turraing do fuair sí ruaig roimh ré é; | 566 | Don’t pick him up, leave him lying |
| Seachain nó faisc é, fág ina luí é, | 567 | Since she had a fall that brought on his birth |
| Is gairid an bás do, is gearr do raghaidh sé; | 568 | He’s close to death, not too long for this earth |
| Dá maireadh go lá idir lámha ina chló | 569 | We hope he’ll survive till the morning at least |
| Is an sagart ar fáil níorbh fhearr a bheith beo. | 570 | When we’ll have a chance to call the priest.” |
| Do bhaineas an tsnaidhm dá chuibhreach cumhdaigh | 571 | I loosened the confining bands and set him free |
| Is bhreathain mé cruinn é sínte ar ghlúin liom, | 572 | I looked at him carefully there on my knee |
| A Muaireach d’airigh mé tathagach tamhanda é, | 573 | My God, I saw he was full of vim and vigour |
| Fuair mé feargach fearradach lúitheach | 574 | And he looked like he had a healthy figure |
| Láidir leathan mo leanbh ina ghuaillí, | 575 | The baby’s shoulders were stout, I declare, |
| Sála daingeana is an-chuid gruaige air! | 576 | He was firm in the feet, had a fine head of hair! |
| Cluasa cruinnithe is ingne fásta, | 577 | Well-formed ears and nails that were long |
| Chruadhdar a uillinneacha a chroibh is a chnámha, | 578 | His hands, his wrists and his elbows were strong |
| D’aibigh a shúile is fiú a pholláirí, | 579 | His eyes and his nostrils were both healthily wide |
| Is d’airigh mé a ghlúine lúfar láidir. | 580 | I could see from his knees he’d have a powerful stride. |
| Coileán cumasach cuisleach cóiriúil | 581 | In short and in closing, it’s all I can say |
| Folláin fuinneamhach fulaingeach feolmhar. | 582 | That he was as fine a child as you’d see any day. |
| Screadaim go hard le gáir na tíre | 583 | O Aoibheal, I beg you on behalf of my race |
| Is leagaim dod láthair cás na ndaoine, | 584 | I place before you the people’s case |
| Breathain go caoin, is bí truamhéileach, | 585 | Judge us kindly, show us mercy |
| Beanna a gcinn is suim a gcéille; | 586 | We’ve little sense but much jealousy |
| Athraigh an dlí seo, cuing na cléire | 587 | Change this law, the clergy’s yoke |
| Is ainic an bhuíon nár fuarthas sa ngéibheann. | 588 | And allow his freedom to the unmarried bloke. |
| Má lagaigh an síolrach díonmahr daonna | 589 | If the population is on the wane |
| I dtalamh dath-aoibheann fhíorghlais Éireann, | 590 | In Ireland’s green and fertile terrain, |
| Is furasta an tír d’aithlíonadh le laochra | 591 | Her race of warriors could be reborn yet |
| D’uireasa eangaí gan bhrí gan éifeacht,— | 592 | Absent the inanity of the marriage net,— |
| Cá bhfuil an gá le gáir na bainse, | 593 | Why do we need those nuptial traditions |
| Cárta biotáille is pá lucht seinnte, | 594 | Paying for liqour and for musicians |
| Somacháin ar bord go fóiseach taibhseach, | 595 | Idlers eating all of your food |
| Glugar is gleo acu is ól dá shaighdeadh, | 596 | Guzzling your malt till thoroughly stewed, |
| Ó d’aibigh an t-ábhar do bhronn Mac Dé | 597 | Since heaven's gift of life is always seeded |
| Gan sagart ar domhain dá dtabhairt dá chéile? | 598 | With no earthly priest being in anyway needed? |
| Is leathanmhar láidir lánmhear léadmhar | 599 | Many who are strong and altogether fine |
| Fairsing le fáil an t-álmhach saor seo. | 600 | Sprang from an illegitimate line |
| Is minic a fheicimse bríomhar borrtha | 601 | For love is a lustier sire than creed |
| Cumasach líonta i gcroí is i gcóir iad; | 602 | And produces a healthier, heartier breed |
| Creim ní fheicim nó daille nó caoiche | 603 | The deaf or dumb or lame or blind |
| I léim ar leithre dár hoileadh ó bhean ar bith; | 604 | Among love children you generally won’t find; |
| Is mó is is mire, is is teinne is is tréine | 605 | They are stronger and faster, more right in the head |
| A gcló is a gclisteacht ná dlisteanaigh éinne. | 606 | Than many begotten in a married bed. |
| Is furasta a luaimse d’fhuascailt go suite | 607 | I brought with me the proof of my stand |
| Is duine acu an uair seo ar fud an tí agam! | 608 | I have here with me one of that band! |
| A bhfeiceann tú thall go ceansa ciúin é! | 609 | Do you see him there, so quiet and polite? |
| Deisigh anall i dteannta an bhoird é. | 610 | Bring him here so we can see him right. |
| Breathain go cruinn é, bíodh gurab óg é | 611 | Look at him carefully, though he’s a youth |
| Is dearfa suite an píosa feola é, | 612 | You will see indeed that I tell the truth |
| Is preabaire i dtoirt i gcorp is i gcnámh é | 613 | He’s a comely boy in form so grand |
| Cá bhfuil a locht i gcos nó i lámh de? | 614 | Can you see a flaw in his foot or hand? |
| Ní seargach fann ná seandach feosach, | 615 | He wasn’t sired by a sap with consumption |
| Leibide cam nó gandal geoiseach, | 616 | A worthless tramp, a gander without gumption |
| Meall gan chuma nó sumach gan síneadh é | 617 | A formless lump who’s riddled with cancer |
| Ach lansa cumasach buinneamhach bríomhar. | 618 | But a lively, powerful, active lancer. |
| Ní deacair a mheas nach spreas gan bhrí | 619 | It would be such a farce to tie for life |
| Bheadh ceangailte ar nasc ar tasc ag bean, | 620 | This sire of his to only one wife |
| Gan chnámh gan chumas gan chuma gan chom, | 621 | Shapeless, spineless, waistless, sexless |
| Gan ghrá gan chumann gan fuinneamh gan fonn, | 622 | Friendless, mindless, loveless, listless |
| Do scaipfeadh i mbronn d’aon mhaighre mná | 623 | To use his seed for only one womb |
| Le catachas draighin an graíre bhreá | 624 | When he could be in many a bedroom. |
| Mar chuireann sé i bhfeidhm gan mhoill gan bhréig | 625 | This young lad proves without a lie |
| Le cumas a bhaill is le luigheamh a ghéag | 626 | With his goodly arms and shapely thigh |
| Gur crobhaire é cruthaíodh go cothrom gan cháim | 627 | That he’s a sapling who was the upshot |
| Le fonn na fola is le fothram na sláinte. | 628 | Of a fevered coupling when the blood was hot. |
| Leis-sin ná hiarrse a ríon réilteach | 629 | So please don’t subject millions, O Queen of the Sky |
| Milleadh meiriad le riail gan éifeacht! | 630 | To a stupid rule with which they must comply |
| Scaoil ó chodladh gan chochall gan chuibhreach | 631 | Awake to a life without a bond or chain |
| Síol an bhodaigh is an mhogall-fhuil mhaoiteach, | 632 | The country’s people, both mighty and plain |
| Scaoil fá chéile de réir nádúra | 633 | Allow them to be naturally combined |
| An síolbhach séad is an braon lábúrtha, | 634 | Couples from the peasantry and the refined. |
| Fógair go féiltiúil trí na tíortha | 635 | Throughout the land may a new rule unfold |
| D’óg is d’aosta saorthoil síolraigh. | 636 | Of sexual freedom for young and for old. |
| Cuirfidh an dlí seo gaois sa nGaeil, | 637 | This new law will make the Irish proud, |
| Is tiocfaidh an brí mar bhí ina laochra, | 638 | The new race will once again be endowed |
| Ceapfaidh sé com is droim is doirne | 639 | With all the prowess of the heroes of old, |
| Ag fir an domhain mar Gholl mac Móirne, | 640 | The likes of Goll mac Móirne the bold. |
| Gealfaidh an spéir, beidh éisc i líonta, | 641 | The sky will brighten, the fish will bite |
| Is talamh an tsléibhe go léir faoi luibhne, | 642 | The mountainy land will bloom with no blight |
| Fir is mná go brách dá mhaíomh, | 643 | Men and women will sing your praise |
| Ag seinnm do cháil le gairdeas aoibhnis. | 644 | And in joyful celebration their voices raise. |