(From the Early Irish)
| I am Eve, great
Adam's wife, 'Twas my guilt took Jesus' life. Since of Heaven I robbed my race, On His Cross was my true place. In His Paradise, God placed me, Then a wicked choice disgraced me. At the counsel of the Devil, My pure hand I stained with evil; For I put it forth and plucked, Then the deadly apple sucked. Long as woman looks on day, Shall she walk in folly's way. Winter's withering icy woe, Whelming wave and smothering snow, Hell to fright and death to grieve— Had been never, but for Eve! |
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
(From the Early Irish)
| Four Sages stood
to chant a stave Above the proud Earth Conqueror's grave; And all their words were words of candour Above the urn of Alexander. The first began: "But yesterday, When all in state the Great King lay, Myriads around him made their moan, To-day he lieth all alone!" "But yesterday," the second sang, "O'er Earth his charger's hoof outrang; To-day its outraged soil instead Is riding heavy o'er his head!" "But yesterday," the third went on, "All Earth was swayed by Philip's son: To-day, to shroud his calcined bones, Seven feet thereof is all he owns!" "But yesterday, so liberal he, Silver and gold he scattered free; To-day," the last outsighed his thought, "His wealth abounds but he is naught!" Thus sentence gave these Sages four, Above the buried Emperor; It was no foolish women's prate That held them thus in high debate. |