Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/33

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With him where his bloody bed is thou wilt find
eight men:
Though we thought them feeble, the leavings of
the weapon of Mughirne's son.

Not feebly fights Falvey the Red; the play of his
spear-strings withers the host;
Ferchorb of radiant body leapt upon the field and
dealt seven murderous blows.

Front to front twelve warriors stood against me
in mutual fight:
Not one of them all remains that I did not leave
in slaughter.

Then we two exchanged spears, I and Alill,
Eoghan's son:
We both perished—O the fierceness of those stout
thrusts!
We fell by each other though it was senseless: it
was the encounter of two heroes.

Do not await the terror of night on the battle-field
among the slain warriors:
One should not hold converse with ghosts! betake
thee home, carry my spoils with thee!

Every one will tell thee that mine was not the
raiment of a churl:
A crimson cloak and a white tunic, a belt of silver,
no paltry work!

My five-edged spear, a murderous lance, whose
slaughters have been many;
A shield with five circles and a boss of bronze, by
which they used to swear binding oaths.


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