The Lay of the Great Fool

DEER AND HOUND--From a stone at Kirriemuir.--Sculptured Stones of Scotland, Pl. xlvi. See Stanza 15.

THE LAY OF THE GREAT FOOL.

1--BARD.

TALE of wonder that was heard without lie,
Of the idiot to whom hosts yield,
A haughty son who yields not to arms,
Whose name was the mighty fool.

2*

The might of the world he had seized
In his hands, and it was no rude deed.
It was not the strength of his blade or his shield,
But that the mightiest was in his grasp.

On his falling on a hidden glen,
Wherein he never before had staid,
Of loveliest strath and grass and plain
And sound of the waves 'gainst each bright stone. (See 5.)

p. 169

ELK.--From a stone in the churchyard of Meigle.--Sculptured Stones of Scotland, Pl. lxxii. See note (2).

Air tachairt a'n gleann diomhair dhò
Anns nach robh e fos roimh riamh,
A b' ailte srath a's fear a's fonn,
Fuain nan tonn ri slios gach leug. (Gairloch 4.)

p. 170

3*

Lasting long ere we had come,
Many a chief is beneath his sway;
Another little tale I'd tell,
But it there discerned, and it is strange.

4†

A day when the mighty fool
Was in Lochlan's bounds in a magic cloud,
Himself and one beauteous dame,
As a woman he beauty sufficed.

5

Meeting in a vast shore-glen,
As a rose ever growing through it,
Floods, and strife, and grass, and sound,
Roar of waves on shore of sea.

6--GILVEEN.

"There was seen," said Gilveen young,
"A gruagach of the yellowest cloak in the way,
A new coloured vessel in his grasp, ¹
Like to a cup in which was drink."

7†--FOOL.

It was then that the great hero spoke,
"Is it an empty flower I see?
It is, when greatest is my thirst,
That it's coming were best for health."

8--GILVEEN.

"An earnest entreaty I make to thee,
Drink not his draught, take not his food,
Till thou knowest what is the glen
Wherein thou wert, never before."

p. 171

3*

A leantuin fad air dhuine teachd
’S iomadh ceud a tha fu 'smachd;
Sgeul beag eile dh' innsean ann
Tuigear thall 's gu bheil e ait.

4†

Latha do'n Amadan mhor,
An criochan Lochlann fo cheo draodh,--
E fhein agus aona mhaca mna;
Bu leoir a h-ailleachd mar mhnai.

5

Tachairt an gleann diomhair, ròdh,
Mar ròs fas roimhe riamh,
Sionan, streubh, a's feur, a's fonn,
Stoirm nan tonn ri stios na léi.

6

"Chunnacas," arsa Gilmhin og,
"Gruagach 'san ròd a's buidh brot,
Soitheach ur, daite 'na dorn ¹
Coltach ri corn am biodh deoch.

7†

Sin 'n uair labhair Macabh mor,
"An e ròs fòs ( 190-1) tha mi a reir?
’San uair a's motha mo thart,
’S gu'm b' fhearr a theachd gu beatha."

8

"Achanaich a dh' iarram's art,
Na ol a dheoch 's na gabh a bhiadh,
Gu fiosraich gu dé 'n gleann
Nach robh thu ann roimhe riamh."

p. 172

9†--GRUAGACH.

After that had been spoken to him,
Out spoke the Gruagach of the Cup,
"Be not downcast stalwart youth,
Be merry and quaff thy draught."

10--BARD.

In the like commune with him
Out spoke he, and it was no wise speech.
He gave a haughty clashing dart,
And there was no drop in the cup but he drank.

11

Away went the Gruagach of the Cup
Unlucky was the cup to drink,
The two legs down from the knee
Were wanting to the mighty fool.

12--GILVEEN.

Then it was young Gilveen spoke,
"Great is this woe has befallen thee,
Scarce are thy friends in the great world
Unliked by them is thy want of feet. ¹

13--FOOL.

"Hist! now thou Gilveen young,
Cease thy woe and be thou still,
No leg shall be under one in the land,
Or I myself will get my two feet."

14†--BARD.

There they wended the pair,
The woman and the hero of heaviest tread,
Swifter was he on his two knees
Than six at their swiftness of foot.

p. 173

9†

An deigh sin fhoclachadh dhò
Gu 'n do bheannaich gruagach a' chuirn,
"Na bi dubhach oglaich mhoir
Bi subhuch a's ol do dheoch."

10

Air a' chomain chiadhna dhó,
Labhair esan 's cha b' e 'ghloir ghlic;
Thug e sitheadh bruaisgneach borb,
’S cha robh braon 's a' chorn nach d' ibh.

11

Gu. 'n d' imich gruagach a' chuirn,
Neo-bhuadhach a' chuirn ri ol;
An da chois, fo'n ghluin-shios,
Bha 'dhith an Amadain mhoir.

12

’Sin 'n uair labhair Gilmhin og,
"’S mor am bron seo thainig ort,
’S tearc do charaid 'san domhan mhor,
’S ni neo-oil leo thu 'bhith gun chois." ¹

13

"Uist a nis a Ghilmhin og,
Sguir ad' bhron, a's bi nad' thosd;
Cha bhi cas fo fhear as tir
Neo gheibh mi fhin mo dha chois."

14†

Dh' imich iad an siud 'nan dis,
A bhean 'san laoch bu truime trosd;
Bu luaithe esan air a dha ghluin
Na seisear air luathas an cos.

p. 174

15

They heard the hunt in the glen,
The voice of the hound and music sweet,
Rapidly chasing the elk ( 190-2)
On the moorland that suited best.

16

On the moorland that suited best
Was seen the deer from the mountains wild,
The red cared and very white hound
Keenly baying upon his track.

17

Swiftly he gave a dart,
That sudden cast with his keen blade,
There was driven by force of the hero's hand
The spear through the deer's two sides.

18--FOOL.

They caught hold of the white stag-hound,
And out of hand put him on leash.
"Be there making music by me,
Till one come after thee from the chase."

19--BARD.

There was seen descending a glen
A Gruagach in full splendour of gold,
Hand on blade on his left side,
And his two spears and his shield in his grasp.

20

Certes they asked a tale from him,
Or what road the stranger used.
* They took an alternate tale about
* What was the land where they used to be.

p. 175

15

Chual iad an fhaghaid 's a' ghleann
Guth gadhair ann a 's binn ceol
A' ruith na h-eilid gu than
Air an fhireach a b' fhearr doigh.

16

Air an fhireach a b' fhearr doigh,
Chunnacas fiadh o bheannaibh borb,
’S gadhar cluas-dearg gle gheal
A' tabhann gu geur 'na lorg.

17

Thug esan sitheadh gu grad;
An urchair chlis ud le lann geur;
Thártadh, le neart lamh an laoich,
An t-sleagh roimh dha thaobh an Fheidh.

18

Bheir iad air a' ghadhar bhán,
’S air a laimh gu 'n chuir air eill.
"Bi tu agam deanadh ciuil
Gu 'n d' thig fear o 'n iuil a' d' deigh."

19

Chunnacas a' tearnadh le gleann
Gruagach ann lan dearsadh òir
Lamh air lann air a thaobh cli,
'S a dha shleagh 's a sgiath 'na dhorn.

20

Dh' fhoighneachd iad sgeul deth gu beachd,
Na co 'n ròd a chleachd an aoidh?
* Gabh iad sgeula dheth mu seach,
* Ciod i n' tir a'n do chleachd a bhi.

p. 176

21--GRUAGACH.

"Ridire Corcair is my name,
And on each spot I have victory won.
I am the Gruagach of the white stag-hound
That has fallen into thine hand."

22--FOOL.

"Thou Gruagach of the handsomest mien,
I will give thee assurance of this
That Gruagach of the white stag-hound
Shall not henceforth be said to thee.

23.

"Will't not suffice thee, mighty son,
A make-weight or two to be in the scale?
As the whole of the hunt is beneath thy power
To leave the white stag-hound with me.

24--GRUAGACH.

"It is I, indeed, who made the hunt,
As the idiot is wrathful and fierce,
Whichever one is of strongest hand,
His be the white stag-hound and the deer."

25 ¹

"Since my stag-hound has fallen to thee,
And thy feet are awanting,
Food and clothing take thy desire
I would give that to thee and thy wife.

26--GILVEEN.

"Accept that, said Gilveen young,
And give the white stag-hound to him,"
"I'll give him, and a speckled hound,
And if it pleased thee, a greater thing."

p. 177

21

"Ridire Corcair b'e m' ainm,
’S air gach ball gu 'n d' thug mi buaidh.
’S mise gruagach a' ghadhair bhàn
A tharladh ann an laimh thu;"

22

"A Ghruagach ud a 's ailne dealbh
Bheir mise 'dhearbhadh sin duit,
Nach bi gruagach gadhair bain
As an seo ri ràdh riut."

23

"Nach fhoghainn leatsa 'Mhice mhoir
Leatrom no dha 'bhith 'san roinn,
’S an t-seilg uile 'bhith fo d' bhinn,
’S an gadhar bàn a leiginn leam."

24

"’S mise sin a rinn an t-seilg;
Mar tha'n t-Amadan garg, dian;
'S ge b' e neach a's treise lamh
'S leis an gadhar bàn 's am fiadh."

25

"’S o tharlladh mo ghadhar ort,
Agus do chosan gu d' dhìth,
Biadh a's aodach, gabh d'a reir,
Bheirinn dhuit fhein 's do d' mhnaoi.

26

"Gabh siud," arsa Gilmhin og,
’S an gadhar bán a thoirt dhó."
"Bheiream agus gadhar breac,
’S na' b' aill leat na bu mhó."

p. 178

27--BAIRD.

Then wended they on the three,
Under the guidance of the man.
He raised in the hollows of his shield
The sling-shaft ( 190-3), and the woman, and the deer.

28

Then was seen, appearing aside,
A still city filled with the glitter of gold,
And there was no hue that eye hath seen
That was not in plenty the court within.

29--FOOL.

Then asked the mighty fool,
"What was the city of gold by the way,
Of noblest form and most beauteous mien.
Shall I find out from whence it came?"

30--GRUAGACH.

"Gold Yellow City is its name,
From Mount Modest and glens of gloom," ¹
And there are in it of guileful men,
But I only and my single dame.

31†

"Yonder glen that thou camest through,
Full of glamour it is always,
But little it has taught to me
But to behold the worth of my dame.

32†

"A young wife that I found in the tower,
The sight of an eye no better was,
Whiter than very snow is her form,
Gentle her eye and her teeth like a flower."

p. 179

27

Dh' imich iad, an sin 'nan triuir,
Anns an iuil a rin am fear;
Thog e 'n crannagaibh a sgiath
An crann-tabhuill, 's am fiadh, 's a' bhean.

28

Chunnacas a' tighinn ri taobh
Cathair chaomh 's lan dearsadh oir
’S cha robh dath a chunnaic suil
Nach robh anns a' chuirt na 's leoir.

29

Dh' fhoighneachd an t-Amadan mor,
"Co i 'chathair oir, ri 'h-iuil,
A's breagh cruth 's is ailne dreach?
'S am faigh mi mach co dheth a tùs?"

30

"’Chathair orbhuidh gu 'm b' e 'h-ainm
O Dhun Tuirbh 's o ghleannta Smol,
’S cha 'n 'eil innt' a dh'fhearaibh fòil
Ach mise fòs a's m' aona bhean. ¹

31

"An gleann sin roimh d' thainig thu trid
Lan de dhraodhachd tha e 'ghnath;
’S beag a dh' fhaoghluim e dhomh fhein
Ach 'bhith 'g amharc beus mo mhná.

32†

"Bean og a fhuair mi 'san tur
Nach robh amhare sùl na b' fhearr;
’S gile na gach sneachd a corp,
’S mall a rosg, 's a deud mar bhlath."

p. 180

33 *--LADY.

The dame of exceeding beauty blessed
The Gruagach so lovely and brown.
"Who is the lady stately and young,
Or the big man thou hast yielded to?"

34 *--GRUAGACH.

"The mighty Fool is his name,
And his wife is the young Fairfine;
The men of the world are at his beck,
And the yielding to him was mine."

35 *--LADY.

"I think marvellous what thou say'st,"
So said the young Fairfine;
"If the men of the world are at his beck,
That he'd let his legs go with them."

36 *--GRUAGACH.

"I'll give thee my word, oh dame,
That the men of the world are at his beck
And were it not glamour of Comain cross,
He'd not let his legs go with them."

37

"And now that I may go to the chase,
To the ruddy mountains and glens of gloom,
Do thou watch, my brother of love,
My house, my wife, and my store of gold!

38

"So long as I am without,
Do thou nor slumber or droop thy head.
Let never a man within
Or a man out, if one come in."

p. 181

33*

Bheannaich a bhean a b' fhearr snuagh
Do na Gruagach aluinn donn.
"Co macan steud gheal og
No 'm fear mor d'an d' thug thu geill?"

34*

"An t-amadan mor gur e ainm.
’S a Gheilbhinn og gur i 'bhean
Fir an domhain tha gu 'mhein
’S mise fein gu'n gheill da."

35*

"’S ioghnadh leam na tha thu ag radh,"
’Se labhair a Gheilbhinn og;
"Fir an domhain gu bheil gu' mhein
’S gu leigeadh e a chasan leo."

36*

"Bheir mise mo bhriathra' bhean
Fir an domhain gu bheil gu mhein;
’S mar b' e druidheachd Chomain chrois
Cha leigeadh e a chasan leò."

37

Gu'n d' theid mise 'nis a shealg
A bheanntai dearg 's a ghleanntai smol;
Mathaich thusa, 'bhrathair ghraidh,
Mo theach, 's mo mhnai, 's mo chuid oir.

38

Cho fad 's gu'm bi mise muigh
Na deansa lochd 's na crom do cheann
Na leig duin' idir a steach;
Na duine 'mach ma thig ann.'

p. 182

39--BARD.

They went to the chase the three,
The dog, and the Gruagach, and the white stag-hound.
The two fair ones and the great son
Stayed waiting within the city of gold.

40--FOOL.

Then outspoke the hero large,
"Gilveen young, here at my head,
A heavy sleep is enticing me.
We did not yield up in the glen."

41 *--BARD.

He was not long in his sleep
A Gruagach came in from the way,
And gave a kiss to the Gruagach's dame,
And the lady was not ill pleased that he came.

42†--BARD AND GILVEEN.

The young wife sat beneath his head;
In her mien she pictured a sun,
And said she to the stalwart youth,
"Thou hast slumbered, but not for thy good.

43

"Thou hast slumbered, but not for thy good.
There came a mighty warrior in
And gave a kiss to the Gruagach dame;
Unlucky it is that the stranger came."

44--BARD.

Up rose the mighty fool,
To the doorway went he,
Never struck blacksmith, tinker, or wright
A door more strongly than the angry wight.

p. 183

39

Dh' imich iad a shealg 'nan triuir
An cu, 's an gruagach, 's an gadhar bán;
An dithis ban 's am macabh mor
Dh' fhan 's a' chathair oir ri h-iuil.

40

Sin do labhair Macabh mor,
"Ghilmhin og seo aig mo cheann
Tha 'n cadal trom 'gam bhuaireadh;
Ni 'n òbamaid suas 's a' ghleann."

41*

Cha b' fhada bha e na shuain
Thainig Gruagach a' ròd a steach
’S do bhean a Ghruagaich thug e pog
’S cha b' fhuathach leis an oigh a theachd.

42†

Gu'n shuidh an og-bhean fo 'cheann
Mac samhlaih dealbha i ri grein;
’S thuirt i ris an oglach mhor,
"Rinn thu suaimhneas, 's cha b' e t' fheum.

43

"Rinn thu suaimhneas, 's cha b' e t' fheum,
Thainig gaisgeach treun a steach,
’S do 'n mhnaoi Ghruagaich thug e pog;
’S neo-bhuadhach an aoidh a theachd."

44

Dh' eiricn an t-Amadan mor;
Thun an doruis a ghabh e.
Cha d' bhuail gobha, ceard, na saor,
Comhla, 's treise na 'n laoch borb.

p. 184

45 *--FOOL.

"Unless I were sound enough
He had not come in from the road,
Till comes the Gruagach of the golden doon,
With my will he goes not out."

46--GRUAGACH.

Up rose the warrior straight and brown,
And the arms were seized by grasp.
"Leave the doorway, stalwart youth,
Thou art there instead of right."

47†--FOOL.

Thus answered the warrior great
To the hero of the firm speech,
"Till he comes, the Gruagach who is out,
Thou shalt he in or thy head."

48*

"Still will I give my vows,
Though thou thinkest much of thy speech
When comes the Gruagach of the golden doon
He will repay thee for his wife's kiss."

49 *--GRUAGACH.

"Wilt not suffice thee, thou mighty man,
Seven vats full of glittering gold,
Cattle and horses, and untaxed land,
Plain of the plains and the woman's doon?"

50*

"Thou mayest get that, and to boot,
My tissue vesture and horse,
Who's as ready on sea as on land,
If thou wilt but let me go out."

p. 185

45*

"Mur bhithinn a' m' shuain gu leor
Cha tigeadh e a' rod a steach,
'S gus an tig Gruagach dun an oir
Le mo dheoin cha teid e mach."

46

Dh' eirich an gaisgeach deas, donn,
’S ghlacadh leis na h-airm 'na dhorn,
"Fag an dorus oglaich mhoir;
An aite coir a bhiodh tu ann."

47†

Air freagairt do Mhacabh mor,
Air a' ghaisgeach na gloir theann,
"Gu 'n d' thig an gruagach tha muigh
Bidh tusa steach no do cheann."

48*

"Bheir mise mo bhriathra fos
Ge mor leat na bheil thu ag radh;
Nuair thig Gruagach dun an oir
Gu'n diol e ort pog a mhna."

49*

"Nach foghnadh leatsa mhic a mhoir
Seachd lan dabhaich 'a dh'or glan
Crodh a's eich fearann saor
Raon nan raon a's dun nam ban."

50*

"Gheibheadh tu sin a's ni 's mó
Mo chulaidh shroil agus m' each
’S co deas leis muir agus tìr
A chionn mo ligeadh a mach."

p. 186

51 *--FOOL.

"Still will I give my vows,
Though thou thinkest much of thy speech
When comes the Gruagach of the tissue cloak,
He will repay thee for his wife's kiss."

52--GRUAGACH.

"From the Gruagach of the Cup I got
Thy one foot to let me in;
I'll blow it beneath thee with joy
If thou leave the way to go out."

53--BARD.

With his own magic he blew
His one foot beneath him as ever it was,
And said the Gruagach, who was wise,
"It is time for me now to depart."

54--FOOL.

Thus answered the warrior great,
"A little stay yet for a slow space,
The other foot for a sturdy step,
I'll take from thee or thy head."

55--GRUAGACH.

When the hero was in hard straits,
He suddenly sprang to the breast of his dame;
"My comeliness I throw upon thee,
Guard me my feet and my hand."

56 †--FOOL.

"If death be a terror to thee,
For the poor wife of most beauteous mien,
The other foot thou wouldst give away
A refuge in that hour for thy head."

p. 187

51 *

"Bheir mise mo bhriathra fos
Ge mor leat na bheil thu ag radh
Gu'n tig Gruagach a bhrait shroil
'S gu'n diol c ort pog a mhna."

52

"Fhuair mi o ghruagach a' chuirn
Do leith chos a m' leig a steach;
Seideam fodhad i gu m' dheoin,
’S ma leigeas an ròd a mach."

53

Shéid esan le dhraodhachd fhein
A leith-chos foidh mar bha i riamh
’S thuirt an gruagach a bha glic,
"Gur tim dhomh bhith nis a triall."

54

Air freagairt do Mhacabh mor,
"Stad beag fathasd gu fòil mall;
A chas eile gu ceum cruaidh
Bheir mise uait no do cheann."

55†

’Nuair a bha 'n gaisgeach an càs cruaidh,
Duibh leum gu, luath ri uchd na mnai,
"Tilgidh mi mo chuimrin ( 190-4) ort;
Dion domh mo chosan 's mo lamh."

56†

"Ma 's h-eagal leat am bàs,
Do 'n ghraidh-bhean a's ailne dealbh
A' chas eile bheireadh tu uait;--
Didean, air an uair, dho d' cheann."

p. 188

57 †--BARD.

He was not allowed to come to words,
When the great one was upon him,
And unless t' other foot was given him
Slice in two! ere he could cry for Fionn.

50 *--GRUAGACH.

Then with his own glamour he put
His two legs under him as they were,
And said the Gruagach, who was wise,
"It is time for me now to begone."

59--FOOL.

"These feet I have now got below
I yield not to thee nor to them,
The day will not come that thou goest out,
Till comes the Gruagach of the golden doon."

60--GRUAGACH.

"I am the Gruagach of the golden doon,
And great is my boast of thy good will,
And (I am) the Gruagach of the white stag hound
That fell into thy hand,

61 †

"And that took these feet off thee
To try thy courage and thy force;
I blow them beneath thee again,
Right as straight as thou wert."

62 *

"Youth of most beauteous mein,
I esteem thee great in each thing;
It was I took thy leg off thee
To try thy valour and mind."

p. 189

57t

Cha d' leigeadh gu focail dhò
Nuair bha 'm fear mor as a chionn;
'S gun a chos eile thoir dhò,
Sgiol na dhò ma 'n goirear Fionn.

58*

Chuir e'n sin lè dhruideachd fein
A dha chos fodha mar bha, iad riamh
S thu'irt an Gruagach a bha glic
"’S mithich a nis a bhi triall."

59

"Na casan seo fhuair mi fodham
Cha leig mi leat iad na leo.
Cha d' thig an la a theid thu mach
Gus an d' thig gruagach Dhun an oir."

60

"’S mise gruagach Dhun an oir,
’S bu mhor mo bhosd as do ruin,
Agus gruagach gadhair bhàin
A tharladh ann an lamh thu.

61 t

"’S a thug na cosan ud diot
A dhearbadh do ghniomh a's do lugh;
Seideam fodhad iad a rìs
Cheart cho direach 's a bha thu."

62 *

"Oganaich is ailte dreach
Gur mor mo bheach ort 's gach cuis;
’S gur mi bhun do chasan d' iot
A dhearbhadh do ghniomh 's do thurn."

p. 190

63--BARD.

Then they laid hold hand on hand,
Love on love, and good will on good will,
One little tale on the dames, ¹
A wondrous tale heard without a lie.

(190-1) Fàs, empty. Ròs, a flower--probably the cap is called a flower.

(190-2) The word is translated hind, roe, etc. It is the same word as elk, but it means a stag here.

(190-3) Crann tabhail is translated "sling" in Armstrong; but tabhail, according to the same authority, is "catapult;" "Crann" is a tree. It seems, then, that the word means some instrument made partly of wood, and used in the chase; and I suspect it means cross-bow. Men are represented on the sculptured stones of Scotland shooting with cross-bows. See p. 100.

(190-4) Cuimeir, neat, trim, well-formed, elegance; cuimrin, my elegance, my elegant self.

p. 191

63

Rug iad an sin lamh air lamh;
Gaol air ghaol a's mìnn air mhìnn;
Aona sgeul beag air na mnai, ¹
Sgeul uamharr' a chualas gun bhreig.

CAOGAD, fifty. IBH, to drink.

SIONAN, I do not know this word, unless it is a corruption of sithean, a knoll. STREUBH, I do not know unless it is a strath. The line might be read this way--

Sithean, srath, a's fear a's fonn.
Knoll, strath, grass, and land.

STIOS na lei, I think is slios na lei. LIA, an old name for a stream; on the side of the stream. RÒDH, I suspect, is "very extensive." MACA MNA, is, I think, a superior women.

SÒITHEACH UR DAITE na dorn, should be, I think, 'na dhorn.

H. M‘L.

On the authority of Armstrong, and taking similar words, I have put a meaning on the doubtful line, but I am not sure that it is correct. See various readings, footnote.

J. F. C.

p. 192

Gaelic omitted

...

p. 193

...

Footnotes

170:1 Of flaming gold.

171:1 A dh'or laiste.

172:1 They'll not weep thy want of feet.

173:1 S cha bhron leo thu bhi gun chos.

176:1 There seems to be some description of a fight wanting here, unless the Gairloch version is right.

"It is I myself who made the hunt,"
So said the fool fiercely.

178:1 Perhaps "Glannasmoil," in the county of Dublin, where Fenian legends are localized.

179:1 A chathair orruidh, and Dungarbh (Gairloch version), comain chrois; a name incomprehensible.

190:1

Together, like the fellowship of the Fane.
And so the tale passed away.--(Gairloch.)

191:1

Araon mar chomunn na Feinne
’S dh'imich an sgeul mar sin.