| DO'BHÉARAM SEAL RE SAOBHNÓS ... | I'LL SPEND A WHILE IN FOLLY ... |
| Laoiseach Mac an Bhaird | trans. Michael Smith - from Irish |
Do'bhéaram seal re saobhnós, ní bhiam re baothghlór banda; na mná dhíobh ba díol tola ní hiad a-nosa is annsa. Acht gidh iad na mná sgiamhdha is mó iarrthat le fearaibh, isí an bhean díobh badh Gráinne badh sáimhe liom im leabaidh. Agam dá mbeadh an bhantracht, mná Alban is mná Sagsan, do b'fhearr liom beagán páirte ón mnaoi is Gráinne dá bhfaca. Bheith gan choirce gan chruithneacht beag do thuigeas gur bh'easbhaidh; ní ionnta do bhí ar gcáisne, acht bheith gan Ghráinne is eagail. Níor cheist oram dá ndéineadh goid nó éigean ó dtiocfainn; mo mhallacht ar m'fhear páirte nár fhágaibh Gráinnne im iothlainn. Bean is Gráinne don bhantracht, bheith 'na hannsa ni shéanfam; tug sí mo chiall ar claochlódh, - seal re saobhnós do-bhéaram! | I'll spend a while in folly, woman's vanity disallow; women I once desired are not pleasing to me now. Though women who are fair are most desired by men, her whose name is Gráinne I'd want most in my bed. If all of Scotland's women, or of England's, could be mine, a little love from Gráinne I'd choose from all I've seen. The lack of corn and wheat I never thought much want; I little cared for them, but dreaded Gráinne's loss. No matter, robbed of all; nor violence, if I live; but curst be my companion stole Gráinne from my barn. Of all the country's women, Gráinne's most desired; my mind she has befuddled, in folly I'll spend a while. |
Trans. Copyright © Michael Smith 2007