Masa brec gach dan suad...

Masa brec gach dan suad,
is brec brat ’s as brec biad;
’s as brec an domhan uli,
’s as brec fos an duine criad.

(if is * lie * every * poem * of sages /
is * lie * cloak * and * is * lie * food /
and * is * lie * the * world * all /
and * is * lie * yet * the * man * of clay)

If the poems of the wise are lies,
clothing and food are lies;
and the whole world is a lie,
and even man of clay is a lie.

This judgment in favor of poetry and poets is put in the mouth of Colum Cille by Maghnus Ó Domhnaill in his 16th century biography “Betha Colaim Chille”.

Topics: Verse Maxims & Wise Counsel