Anonymous Irish

A Complete Account of the Various Colonizations of Ireland as Delivered by the Sage Fintan

SHOULD any enquire about Eirinn, It is I who can tell him the truth, Concerning the deeds of each daring Invader, since Time was a youth. First Cassir, Bith’s venturesome daughter, Came here o’er the Eastern Sea; And fifty fair damsels she brought her— To solace her warriors three. Bith died at the foot of his mountain, And Ladra on top of his height; And Cassir by Boyle’s limpid fountain, Ere rushed down the Flood in its might. For a year, while the waters encumber The Earth, at Tul-Tunna of strength, I slept, none enjoyed such sweet slumber As that which I woke from at length. When Partholan came to the island, From Greece, in the Eastern land, I welcomed him gaily to my land, And feasted the whole of his band. Again, when Death seized on the strangers, I roamed the land, merry and free, Both careless and fearless of dangers, Till blithe Nemid came o’er the sea. The Firbolgs and roving Fir-Gallians,         25 Came next like the waves in their flow; The Fir-Dennans arrived in battalions, And landed in Erris—Mayo. Then came the wise Tuatha-de-Danann, Concealed in black clouds from their foe; I feasted with them near the Shannon, Though that was a long time ago. After them came the Children of Milé, From Spain, o’er the Southern waves: I lived with the tribes as their Filea         35 And chanted the deeds of their braves. Time ne’er my existence could wither, From Death’s grasp I always was freed: Till Patrick, the Christian, came hither To spread the Redeemer’s pure creed. My name it is Fintan, the Fair-man, Of Bochra, the son, you must know it; I lived through the Flood in my lair, man, I am now an illustrious poet.