A Celtic Miscellany by Various

Author:Various
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2008-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

159. You Are Whiter than the Swan

… You are whiter than the swan on the swampy lake, you are whiter than the white sea-gull of the stream, you are whiter than the snow on the lofty peaks, you are whiter than the love of the angels of Heaven.

You are the lovely red rowan that calms the wrath and anger of all men, like a wave of the sea from flood to ebb, like a wave of the sea from ebb to flood…

Scottish Gaelic; from a traditional folk charm.

160. At the Battle of Magh Mucraimhe

… Moreover, the air above them was black meanwhile with devils waiting for the wretched souls, to drag them to Hell. There were no angels there, except only two, and they were above the head of Art wherever he went in the army, because of the just character of that rightful prince. Then either of the two armies made for the other. Fierce was the onslaught they made on either side. Bitter sights were seen there – the white fog of chalk and lime going up to the clouds from the shields and targes1 as they were struck with the edges of swords and the points of spears and arrows, which were skilfully parried by the heroes; the beating and shattering of the bosses, as they were belaboured with swords and stones; the noise of the pelting weapons; the gushing and shedding of blood and gore from the limbs of the champions and the sides of the warriors…

Irish; author unknown; ninth-tenth century.

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