Who often comes not I often must blame
That he comes not as often as Often-Who-Came!”
She sat down when she had spoken this quatrain, and said no other word that evening; but the youth Often-Who-Came did not come as far as her again, for he understood he was not wanted, and she married the man of her own choice with her father’s consent.
I heard no more of them since.
Translated by Dr. Douglas Hyde.
THE OLD CROW AND THE YOUNG CROW.
There was an old crow teaching a young crow one day, and he said to him, “Now, my son,” says he, “listen to the advice I’m going to give you. If you see a person coming near you and stooping, mind yourself, and be on your keeping; he’s stooping for a stone to throw at you.”
“But tell me,” says the young crow, “what should I do if he had a stone already down in his pocket?”
“Musha, go ’long out of that,” says the old crow, “you’ve learned enough; the devil another learning I’m able to give you.”
Translated by Dr. Douglas Hyde.