Long do I feel my lying here,
My health to me is a stranger;
Fain would I pay my health’s full price,
Were mine the numerous spoils.
A spoil of white-haired, heavy cows,
A spoil of cows for drink or feasting,
I’d give besides the heavy bull,
If for my cure I had the price.
The herds and flocks of Mannanan,[217]
The sword and horn of Mac Cumhail,
The trumpet of Manallan[218] I’d give,
And the quiver of Cuchullin,
Ir, Evir, and Eireamon,[219]
And were I to possess them,
The harp of Curcheoil,[220] which hid men’s grief,
The shield of the King of Golnor.[221]
Lomond’s[222] ship of greatest fame,
Had I it upon the strand,
All I’ve seen I’d freely give,
Ere as now I’d long remain.
Long to me appears the coming
Of Alexander Mac Intosh,
That my disease he might drive away,
And thus I might no longer lie.
Long.
[216] The Editor has not been able to identify the author of this
poetical complaint. During the existence of baronies, with their
bailies or local judges, the number of barons or baron bailies in the
Highlands must have been large. Of this class was most likely our poet.
[217] An ancient Celtic hero, from whom the Isle of Man takes its name,
as well as the district in Scotland called Slamannan.
[218] The Editor has not been able to obtain any account of this
person. There is a contraction over the second _a_ in the MS., which
makes the reading doubtful.
[219] The three sons of Milidh of Spain, from whom the Milesian races
are descended, according to Celtic story.
[220] The Editor can give no account of these names. The traditions
respecting them seem to have perished.
[221] The Editor can give no account of these names. The traditions
respecting them seem to have perished.
[222] A famous Celtic hero, from whom Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond are
said to derive their names.