LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE POEMS
IN THE COURTSHIP OF FERB
I
A din raised by the wind, dreadful the alarm! . . .
Certain is the warning, the man shall triumph!
A spear through Gerg !
The cast of the spear of the charioteer through the loins
of the king, a deed with poison.
Blood shall drip from the shoulders of the men.
Spear against spear!
The shield shall roar from heavy blows dealt by white
hands.
Corpses shall be in the bed of the cairn. Men shall die!
Death of the son of the king from the lance of the king!
sharp deeds shall be (done).
High memorial over the stubborn bodies, melancholy
the tale!
Badb shall destroy them, wild strength shall be (shown),
it is a breach in the power of Maev,
Murders in abundance, rout of the army!
Sorrowful is the din of the wind!
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