III. Do-chonnaic mé teaghlach Finn


MS p. 31

A houdir ossan mcfinna etc

[1.]    Di chonna mee tylyt finn is ner vai tylyt teme trea
         Aggis di chona mee scheve di vontir i’ nir i’ nea

[2.]    Di choa mee tylyt art far lar vat doa binni
        Far is farre ne agga mee di choa maa tylyt finn

[3.]    Dane vaga mir a choa mee chonā mcy’lai fa ynna
        Owcht is merk na vagga ea di choek mai tylyt finn

[4.]    Goym ree ni Iyġ not gi olk ȝa vil er mo chinni
        Gin seirra marrome o faynna dyt chonna ma <.> tylyt finn

Di chonna mee tylyt

Restored text:

A h-ughdar Oisēan mac Finn etc. 1.     Do-chonna[ic] mé teaghlach Finn,
           is nīorbh é teaghlach tim tréith,
       agus do-chonna[ic] mé sibh
           do mhuinntir an fhir a ndé.    (4)

2.     Do-chonna[ic] mé teaghlach Airt,
           fear lērbh ait duana binn;
       fear as fearr ní fhaca mé;
           do-chonna[ic] mé teaghlach Finn.    (8)

3.     Dán bhfaicthea mar a chonna[ic] mé
           <Conán> mac an Léith fā fhionn;     
        uch, is mairg nā bhfaca é!

           Do-chonnaic mé teaghlach Finn.    (12)

4.     Guidhim Rígh na <h-iocht[a]> [a]nocht,
           ga[ch] olc dhā bhfuil air mo chinn,
       gun saora m’ anam ō phéin;
           do-chonna[ic] mé teaghlach Finn.    (16)

Do-chonna[ic] mé teaghlach

Translation:

The author of this is Oiséan son of Fionn etc.

1. I saw the household of Fionn, and it was no weak, feeble band; and yesterday I saw those others of you who belong to that man’s company.

2. I saw the family of Art, a man who delighted in sweet songs; I never saw a better fellow; I saw the household of Fionn.

3. If only you had seen, just as I saw, <Conán> son of Liath <who was grey-haired>; pity the one who has not seen him! I saw the household of Fionn.

4. I pray to the King <of mercy> tonight for every sin that is mine, that he may save my soul from torment; I saw the household of Fionn.