Similes, Metaphors & Kennings
Ar is usci loch aelta…
Ar is usci loch aelta .i. ni maith do dig, ní maith do indlut.
(for * tis * water * of-lake* limey * i.e. * is-not * good * for * drink * not-good * for * bathing)
For it is an alkaline lake: not good to drink and not good for bathing.
Is loimm de romuir.
Is loimm de romuir.
(tis * mouthful * of * great-sea)
It’s a (mere) mouthful of the great sea.
nemed mbled
nemed mbled
(sanctuary * of whales)
the sanctuary of the whales = the sea
adba rón
adba rón
(abode * of seals)
the abode of seals = the sea
Liridir fri gainem mara...
Liridir fri gainem mara,
nó fri drithlenna tened
nó fri drúcht i mmatain chétamain
nó fri renna nime
(as numerous * as * sand * of sea
or * as * sparks * of fire
or * as * dew * in * morning * of May Day
or * as * stars * of sky)
As numerous as the sand of the sea
or as the sparks of a fire
or as the dew on a May morning
or as the stars of the sky
Maidi ibair i cúail crínaig.
Maidi ibair i cúail crínaig.
(stick * of yew * in * bundle * of dried branches)
A yew stick in a bundle of withered branches.
Félithir dubén.
Félithir dubén.
(as generous * (as) blackbird)
As generous as a raven.
lúaithidir roth mbúaile
lúaithidir roth mbúaile
(as swift * wheel * water)
as fast as a water wheel
rothmol corcra ó mulluch co talmain
rothmol corcra ó mulluch co talmain
(mill-wheel * crimson * from * crown * to * ground)
a (whirling) crimson mill-wheel from head to toe
Tuc bleith mulind tuathbil forthu.
Tuc bleith mulind tuathbil forthu. Tuc a n-airthiur fora n-iarthur ⁊ a ndesciurt fora tuasciurt.
(put * grinding * of mill * widdershins * on-them . put * their * east * on their * west * & * their * south * on their * north)
He reversed the grinding of their mill. He put their east on their west and their south on their north.