Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/91

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A DIRGE FOR KING NIALL OF THE NINE HOSTAGES (+ a.d. 405)

Tuirn son of Torna

When we used to go to the gathering with Echu's[1]
son,
Yellow as a bright primrose was the hair upon the
head of Cairenn's[2] son.

Torna

Well hast thou spoken, dear son. A bondmaid
should be given thee
For the sake of the hair which thou hast likened
to the colour of the crown of the primrose.

Eyelashes black, delicate, equal in beauty, and
dark eyebrows—
The crown of the woad, a bright hyacinth, that
was the colour of his pupils.

Tuirn son of Torna

The colour of his cheeks at all seasons, even and
symmetrical:
The fox-glove, the blood of a calf—a feast without
a flaw! the crown of the forest in May.

Torna

His white teeth, his red lips that never reproved in
anger—
His shape like a fiery blaze overtopping the
warriors of Erin.


  1. Niall's father.
  2. Niall's mother.

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