Should any inquire about Eirinn, First Cassir, Bith's venturesome daughter, Bith died at the foot of his mountain, For a year, while the waters encumber When Partholan came to the island Again, when death seized on the strangers The Firbolgs and roving Firgallians Then came the wise Tuatha de Danaans, After them came the children of Mil, Time ne'er my existance could wither, My name it is Fintan, the Fair Man, - Taken from a 1913 ballad sheet -
It is I who can give him the truth
Concerning the deeds of each daring
Invader, since Time was a youth.
Came here o'er the Eastern Sea;
And fifty fair damsels she brought with her
To solace her warriors three.
And Ladra on top of his height;
And Cassir by Boyle's limpid fountain,
Ere rushed down the flood in its might.
The Earth, at Tul-tunna of strength.
I slept, none enjoyed such sweet slumber
As that which I woke from at length.
From Greece, in the Eastern Land,
I welcomed him gaily to my land,
And feasted the whole of his band.
I roamed the land, merry and free,
Both careless and fearless of dangers,
Till blith Nemid came over the sea.
Came next like the waves in their flow;
The Firdonnans arrived in battalions,
And landed in Erris -Mayo.
Concealed in black clouds from their foe;
I feasted with them near the Shannon,
Though that was a long time ago.
From Spain o'er the southern waves;
I lived with the tribes as their Filea
And chanted the deeds of their braves.
From death's grasp I always was freed,
Till Patrick the Christian came hither
To spread the Redeemer's pure creed.
Of Bochra, the son-you must know it;
I lived through the flood in my lair, man;
I am now an illustrious poet.