The Characters Speak

Fiss ⁊ Fochmarc ⁊ Eolus a trí ndruid.

Fiss ⁊ Fochmarc ⁊ Eolus a trí ndruid.
Dub ⁊ Dorcha ⁊ Teimel a trí ndeogbaire.
Saith ⁊ Leór ⁊ Línad a trí rannaire.

(information * and * questioning * and * knowledge * their * three * druids
blackness * and * darkness * and * deep shadow * their * three * cupbearers
sufficiency * and * plenty * and * filling * their * three * carvers)

Facts and Questioning and Knowledge were their three druids.
Blackness and Darkness and Obscurity were their three cupbearers.
Fullness and Plenty and Filling were their three meatcarvers.

The Book of Leinster (lines 3902 - 3915; page 30d) contains a paragraph setting forth the triplistic description of the appearance, clothing, weaponry and retinue of Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba, the “Trí Dee Donand” (Three Gods of Danu). The names of the three cupbears would seem to indicate that utter insensibility was the expected outcome of a good drinking bout.

Is garit mo lorg latt.

(is * short * my * club * with you)

My club is short in your opinion.

Fírinde inár croidhedhaibh...

Fírinde inár croidhedhaibh & nertt inár lámhaibh, & comall inár tengthaibh.

(truth * in our * hearts * & * strength * in our * hands / arms * & * fulfilment-of-promise * in our * tongues)

The truth in our hearts, the strength in our arms, and the truth in our tongues.

Cid mesc lib coirm Inse Fáil...

Cid mesc lib coirm Inse Fáil
is mescu coirm Tíre Máir.

(although * intoxicating * with you * beer * of island * of Fál /
is * more intoxicating * beer * of land * great)

Although the beer of Ireland seems intoxicating to you,
the beer of the Great Land is more intoxicating still.

Tiur-sa bréthir...

Tiur-sa bréthir ná scuriub-sa co brunni brátha ⁊ betha coro scuirea Amargin.

(I give * word * that not * I will desist * until * brink * of judgment * & * of life * until * may desist * Amargin)

I swear I’ll never stop until Amargin stops.

Dar ar mbréthir...

Dar ar mbréthir trá isatt áilsiu damsa ⁊ bidat áil hi céin bat béo.

(upon * our * word * indeed * you are * desire * with me * & * you will be * desire * in * length * you may be * alive)

I give my word that you are my desire and you will be as long as you live.

Adeochosa inna husci do chongnam frim.

(I invoke * the * waters * for * helping * to me)

I call upon the waters to help me.

co ná rabar dá adaig i n-áeninad

(so that * not * I might be * two * nights * in * one place)

lest I be two nights in the same place = so that I never stop traveling

Is mítharba lend cach maín ⁊ cach maith it ingnais.

(is * unprofitableness * with us * every * wealth * and * every * goodness * in your * absence)

Nothing seems as good when you’re gone.

Is éicen do neoch a thecht...

Is éicen do neoch a thecht
cosin fót forsa mbí a thiglecht.

(is * necessity * for * one * his * going /
to the * place * on which * is always * his * last-grave)

Everyone must go at last
to the place of his death.