“Primus Amerginus genu candidus anthor Jern
Historicus, judex lege, poeta, sophus.”
That is,—
Fair-limbed Amergin, venerable sage,
First graced Ierne’s old historic page;
Judge of the laws, for justice high approved,
And loving wisdom by the muse beloved.
And he quotes this hemistich as another fragment of his poetry—
“Eagna la heagluis aidir
Agus feabtha la flaithibh.”
That is,—
Let those, who o’er the sacred rites preside,
Take wisdom for their guardian and their guide;
Let those, whose power the multitude obey,
Support by conduct their imperial sway.
[439] The above stanza, I should observe, belongs to that species of poetry called in Irish con-a-clon, wherein the final word of each line is the initial one of the following.
[440] Or “Tarah,” says the Dinn Seanchas, compiled by Amergen Mac Amalgaid in the year 544, “was so called from its celebrity for melody.”
[441] “Once occupied by a celebrated queen!” (Asiatic Researches).