Ériu/Volume 2/Duties of a Husbandman

by anon

THE DUTIES OF A HUSBANDMAN

23. N. 10, p. 87

1. Dia mba trebthach, ba trebor,  ba fūarrach fri cāch;
  ba fāilidh fri hóigedu,^[1]  cia tīsat gach trāth.

2. In duil is Crīst cech ōigi,^[2]  aslondath nī dis,
  ferr umla, ferr āilgena,  ferr eslabra fris.

3. Ba dechmadach prīmedach,  do brīathar bad^[3] fír,
  nī farcba nī ar do chúl^[4]  do dliged ind Rīgh.

4. A ndoberó ar Dīa  do thriun nō do thrūagh,
  sech nī maithe nī māide,  dāigh fogēba^[5] a luach.

5. Figell, āine, ernaigthe,^[6]  almsan tan nosgēne,
  nīb ar adbchloss do dōinib,^[7]  ba ar Dīa gacha ndēne.

Translation

1. If thou art a husbandman, be prudent, be benign unto all; bid guests welcome, though they should come at every hour.

2. Since every guest is Christ,—no trifling saying! better is humility, better gentleness, better liberality towards him.

3. Pay tithes and first-fruit, let thy word be true, neglect nothing^[8] of the law of the King.

4. What thou givest for God's sake to the strong or weak, . . . do not boast, for thou wilt get its reward.

5. When thou performest vigil, fasting, prayer, alms, let it not be for glory before men, let it be for God whatsoever thou do.

KUNO MEYER

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1. haidedu
2. oedeg
3. bat
4. cul
5. fogebu
6. ernaigedi
7. doene
8. Literally, 'leave nothing behind thee.'