It will be observed that the Irish eclipsis is only partially recognised by the Dean.
There is a copy of this poem in Kennedy’s Collection, p. 29.
The number of verses is the same, but some variation occurs in the reading of several of them.
Dr. Smith remarks, in the Highland Society’s Report, that an edition of this poem, under the title of La mor Seilg na Feinne, occurs in the oral recitations communicated by the Rev. Francis Stewart of Craignish, and another was written from memory by Archibald M’Callum.
Poem, [p. 20].
The King of Sorcha is here opposed to the daughter of the King of the Tir fo thuinn, or land beneath the waves; and in this respect it resembles the Welsh poems, where the King of Annwn and his daughter play so great a part.
Sorcha is light, in opposition to Dorcha, dark; and there seems to be a poetic contrast between the kingdom of light and the kingdom under the waves.
Historically the land under the waves was the low-lying coast of Holland and Germany, extending from the Rhine to the Elbe.
Dr. Smith remarks that this poem differs little from Kennedy’s and other oral editions in the possession of the Society.
Poem, [p. 26].