The Celtic Riddle

THE SONG OF AMAIRGEN

Ic tabairt a choisse dessi i nHerind asbert Amairgen Glúngel mac Miled in laídseo sís:

As he placed his right foot on Ireland Amairgen of the White Knee recited this poem:

Am gáeth i mmuir

I am the sea-swell

Am tonn trethain,

The furious wave

Am fúaimm mara

The roar of the sea

Am dam secht ndrenn

A stag of seven slaughters

Am séig i n-aill

A hawk above the cliff

Am dér gréne

A ray of the sun

Am caín lubae

The beauty of a plant

Am tore ar gàil

A boar enraged

Am hé i llind

A salmon in a pool

Am loch i mmaig

A lake in a plain

Am brí dánae

A flame of valor

Am gae i fodb feras fechtu

A piercing spear waging war

Am dé delbas do chin codnu

A god that fashions heroes for a lord

Cóich é no-d-gleith clochur sléibe

He who clears the mountain paths

Cía ón co-ta-gair áesa éscai

He who describes the moon's advance

Cía dú i llaig funiud gréne

And the place where the sun sets

Cía beir búar o thig Temrach

Who drives cattle off from Tara

Cía búar tethrach tibis cech dáin

That fine herd touches each skill

Cía dé delbas fáebru áine

A god that fashions weapons of glory

Commus caínte Cáinte gáeth

An able poet. Wise am I.

(Translation: Dr. Harry Roe)