After Malachy and sweet Brian,[25]
And Murchad[26] that was never weak in hurdled battle,
My heart has been left without a leap of vigour,
Alas for thy state, O Dun na Sciath!
Ochone! I am the wretched phantom,
Small are my wages since the three are gone.
Greater than my own ruin is my cause of lament,
Alas for thy state, O Dun na Sciath!
Och! 'tis I that am the body without head,
I, Mac Coisse, chief of all poets—
Now that my skill and my vigour are gone,
Alas for thy state, O Dun na Sciath!
FOOTNOTES:
[23] King of Ireland. He died in 1022.
[24] The Fort of the Shields, on Lough Ennel, Co. Westmeath.
[25] i.e. Brian Boru, who had fallen in 1014 in the battle of Clontarf.
[26] Brian's son, fallen at Clontarf.