Dr. Smith states that this poem agrees, with some variation in words and arrangement, with one transmitted by Mr. Maclagan from oral recital.
The poem on the battle of Gabhra, attributed to Fergus, is obviously the older piece, and some of the stanzas are the same with those in the Irish poems. It also refers to the Feinne of Britain and of Lochlan.
There is an edition of this poem in Kennedy’s Collection, p. 148; and another, taken down from recitation, was communicated to the Highland Society by Mr. Malcolm M’Donald.
The first stanza of this poem, with the corresponding stanza in the Irish poem, is given for the purpose of comparison:—
DEAN. Innis donn a earris Ille feynni errin Kynis tarle zevin In gath zawrych ni beymin.
IRISH. Innis duinn a Oisin Re h’anam Fhianna Eirionn Cia agaibh ba threise I g-cath Gabhra na m-beimionn.
It will be again observed that the eclipsis is only partially recognised. The Dean seems rarely to employ it in the genitive plural, where it is rigorously demanded by the rules of Irish grammar.
Poem, [p. 50].
Dr. Smith remarks that this poem agrees very much with one got from Isla by recitation, and communicated to the Society by Robert Campbell, Esq., Advocate.
Poem, [p. 54].