The Characters Speak
Ní bara fri búre daitsiu ón.
Ní bara fri búre daitsiu ón.
(not * anger * against * anger * for-you * that)
I will not answer your anger with anger.
Tú-sa i ndulig.
“Tú-sa i ndulig.”
(I am * in * difficulty)
I’m in a fix!
Bíaidh do berad ar ndee ⁊ ar dtoicthe dúin.
Bíaidh do·berad ar ndee ⁊ ar dtoicthe dúinn.
(will be * might bring * our * gods * & * our * fortune * to us)
We will have whatever our gods and our fate bring us.
Is ó mhnáib do·gabar rath nó amhrath.
Is ó mhnáib do·gabar rath nó amhrath.
(is * of * women * is taken * good fortune * or * bad fortune)
It is from women that fortune comes, good or bad.
Gémad ór Sliab Monaid nos·fodailfed fri hoen uair.
Gémad ór Sliab Monaid nos·fodailfed fri hoen uair.
(although was * gold * Sliabh Monaidh / Hill of Dunadd * he would distribute it * during * one * hour)
If the Hill of Dunadd were made of gold he would distribute it all in an hour.
Condolb cách ima dáinib fodesin.
Condolb cách ima dáinib fodesin.
(kin-loving * everyone * regarding his * people * own)
Everyone loves his own people best.
Ba maith fer for a ferand fadessin.
Ba maith fer for a ferand fadessin.
(would be * good * a man * on * his * land * own)
A man were well in his own land.
At·tá lá i ndegaid alaile.
At·tá lá i ndegaid alaile.
(is * day * in * following * of another)
One day follows another.
Tomorrow is another day.
Ní gilla i ngillaidecht é ...
Ní gilla i ngillaidecht é, ní óclach i n-óclachas, ocus ní gaiscedach i ngaisced.
(is not * page * in * pageship * he * is not * squire * in * squireship * and * is not * knight * in * knighthood)
His actions befit neither page nor squire nor knight.
Is beó nech tar éis a anma...
Is beó nech tar éis a anma, ocus ní beó d’éis a einigh.
(is * living * one * after * his * soul * and * is not * alive * after * his * honor)
A man lives after losing his life, but he does not live after losing his honor.