arewell eastward to Alba from me,Pleasant was the sight of its harbour and vales,
With Uisnech's sons pursuing the chase,
'Twas delightful to be on the slopes of the hills.
Trans. Rev. Alexander Cameron
arewell eastward to Alba from me,
Pleasant was the sight of its harbour and vales,
With Uisnech's sons pursuing the chase,
'Twas delightful to be on the slopes of the hills.
It happened that the nobles of Alba were drinking,
And Uisnech's sons who love deserved ;
To the daughter of the Earl of Dun-Treor
Naoise gave a kiss unknown.
He sent to her [a frisking drove]
A wild hind and a fawn at its foot ;
And he went to her on a visit
As he returned from the host of Inverness.
When I did hear of this
My head filled full of jealousy :
I went in a curach on the wave,
'Twas the same to me to live or die.
They pursued me out to sea —
Aindle and Ardan, who spoke not falsehood ;
They turned me with them back —
Two who would to a hundred give fight.
Naesi gave his word in truth —
Thrice he swore upon his arms —
That he would not cause me grief
Until he should go to the host of the dead.
(Then) gave that maid from Dun-Treor
Her solemn word and wanton vow,
That so long as Naesi lived
She would not wed a man.
Alas ! were she to hear this night
That Naesi is under a shroud of clay,
She assuredly would weep,
And I would weep with her sevenfold.
'Tis not strange that I have love
For the coast of Alba of smooth ways ;
Safe was my love among them —
Mine were its horses and its gold.
Farewell eastward to Alba from me.
Sources : Rev. Alexander Cameron, Reliquiae Celticae vol. 1
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