THE SONGS OF DEARDRA.

The following beautiful specimens of ancient poetry are selected from a manuscript entitled:

Imčeaċt Dheajrdre, agus Ojde Chlaj ne Ujfneac.

The Adventures of Deardra, and the Death of the Sons of Usna.

Historians place these events about the first century of the Christian æra. Concovar was at that time monarch of Ulla, (now Ulster, or the northern parts of Ireland). At the birth of Deardra it was predicted that she should be the cause of great calamities; but the king, unterrified by the prediction, took her from the care of her father, Macdoil, the chief historian of Ulla, and had, her carefully reared under persons of his own appointment; intending when she should have attained to mature years, to take her as his consort.

Unfortunately for his plans, however, the beautiful Deardra fell in love with Naesa, one of the sons of Usna; and, with the assistance of his brothers, Ainli and Ardan, eloped with him to Alban (Scotland), in the western parts and isles of which, Naesa had considerable property. Here they lived happily, until a messenger arrived, from Concovar, inviting them to return; under the appearance of friendship, but really with a view to their destruction. Deardra dissuaded the youthful heroes from flying to their own ruin; but their generous hearts suspected no treachery, and they complied with the invitation.

With great reluctance Deardra left the shores of Alban; and, during the voyage, sung the following plaintive stanzas; in which the pleasures that were gone, as she too well foreboded, never to return, and the delightful scenes that witnessed the bliss of mutual love, are called to recollection.

i

Jonin ljon an tír ud foss,
Alba cona hjongantnb;
Noċa ttjucy⌁NN AJFDE DE,
Muna DTJOCK⌁nu pe Naoje.

Jonmun Dún fjoda If dúnxjonn,
Jonmun Dún of a cconn,
Jonmun Insprojġjon De.
If jonmun Dún fyʊne.

Cojll cuan, nan ecojll cuan, Már a ttigiod Ajnle is Apdan uajr: fa gajnjo ljom po bjƊ ann,

Agus Naojse ann japċap Albann.

Gleann laojġe, on gleann laojġe,
Do coƊlajnn an mhojrju mjn;
Jafg, If rjon, If faill bruje,
fa hj mo eno a ngleann laojġe.

Gleann measfan, gleann meaffan,
And a cneaṁ, glel agafajn ;
IN DO ZNIMIN Codlad corraċ,
Of an inbir mongaċ meaffan.

Gleann Ejice, on glann Ejċċe,
Ann Do Togay mo ĈEAD TojŜ;
Alajnn fjoƊ ann, ajr ajr nejrġe
bualaż grejne gleann Ejċċe.

Gleann apčaojn, gleann apċaojn,
ba he an gleann dreać Drom caojn,
Noċa ap uallojġe Fear aoje
Na Naoe angleann apčaojn.

Dear

Dear to me that eastern shore. Dear is Alban, Never would I have forsaken

land of delights.

it, had I not come with Naesa.

Dear is Dunfay and Dunfin, and the lofty hill that towers above them. Dear is Inis-drayon, and Dunsaivni.

Coilcuan, Oh Coilcuan! Where Ainli, and where

Ardan came. Happily my days passed with Naesa, in the western parts of Alban.

Glenlee, Oh Glenlee! Amidst thy shady thickets I slept, or feasted with my love in Glenlee.

Glenmessan, Oh Glenmessan! Rich were thy herbs, and bright thy greens. Lulled by the falling stream we reposed, on Inver's banks in Glen

messan.

Gleneich, Oh Gleneich! There my dwelling first was fixed. The woods smile when the rising san casts his rays on Gleneich.

Glenarchon, Oh Glenarchen! Fair is the vale below Dromchon. Sportive as childhood were my hours with Naesa, in the blooming vales of Glenarchon.

Gleann

Gleann da puad, gleann da puaŮ, Mo ejon Do Gać aon fear Dap Dual; If binn guż cuajće ajr čraojb črujm, Ar an mbjnn of gleann da puad.

Jonmun trajġin, H. Tréan Trajġ,
Jonmun virge an ġajnjṁ ġlajn;
Noća dejоcfninn afsde on oir,
Muna Dejocxnnn pе mjonmrn.