Cover art is by William Henry Bartlett

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Book of Leinster Book I

Notes

Author: Cellach Ua Rúanada, poet, 11th century

• This poem is a technical catalogue of Old Irish poetic metres, each stanza praising a specific verse form by name. It functions as a kind of poetic manifesto or primer, celebrating the craft of poetry itself.
• The metres named are all well-attested forms in the Old and Middle Irish metrical tradition:
  • Sétrad (long and short) — a syllabic metre of moderate complexity
  • Rannaigecht (great and small) — one of the most common metres in Old Irish verse
  • Dechnad (great) — a more elaborate, prestigious metre
  • Lethdechnad — a half-form of dechnad
  • Bairdne — a metre associated with the bard class
  • Debide — a very common metre with end-rhyme between lines; debide scailte is a looser variant
  • Snam sebaig (“the hawk’s swimming”) — a more ornate, figuratively named metre
  • Cassbairnne — a compact metre, the name suggesting tightness or twisting
  • Anamain — a highly prestigious and difficult metre, reserved for the highest grade of poet, the ollamh
• The síde reference in stanza 6 (aiste is ferr i nHere — “the form best in Ireland”) elevates the dechnad to almost supernatural status, associating it with the otherworldly fairy mounds.
• The closing S. is likely the conventional scribal or authorial mark ending the poem, as seen elsewhere in this manuscript.

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Translation

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Cellach Ua Rúanada sang it

1. I shall declare to you the good forms of poetry — it will be a gleaning of grace; of grace between low and high, {5230} {MS folio 38a20} so that they may be in the ears of all.
2. The long sétrad — better is its contemplation — the form on the ridge of swift poetry; the point of verse, the vigorous rule — the poetic companies take it as their step.
3. {5235} The short sétrad — a noble, bright, pleasant, colourful craft; there is no one with a soul who will not praise before them their grace.
4. The rannaigecht — great and spirited — {5240} from the cool, inspired spring; look at how fair its aspect is — it is lovely to make the poems.
5. {MS folio 38a25} The little, vigorous rannaigecht — without trafficking, without shame — {5245} it stands here up to the summit in the ranks of lofty poetry.
6. The great dechnad — how sweet its songs — above the bright island of the sun; {MS folio 38a30} refined beyond — it is a poem of the síde — {5250} the form that is best in Ireland.
7. The lethdechnad — a garden of fragrant branches — it is not false in its keeping; there my speech would not be extinguished — a wondrous form.

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p. 174

8. {5255} {MS folio 38a} It is a gracious form — to the point — it is poetry, quick and well-ordered; I declare it to be sweet bairdne — beautiful debide of fine rhyme.
9. {MS folio 38a35} Debide scailte — of the tales — {5260} this is it that is not unrecognised; this is the smooth, vigorous form in which ancient lore is customarily practised.
10. A proud form I have — it is not the order of a nature that is much pressed; {5265} good is the beauty of every clear verse — the royal sun in its swiftness — of the honey-worded middle.
11. The snam sebaig — so it is declared — {MS folio 38a40} it shall reach men who are seeking; let reward be given by me — no lie — {5270} for the gathering of the fragrant nuts.
12. The cassbairnne — compact and vigorous — how it sweetens; it is not right to bend it crooked {5275} past the gold head — it is finer.
13. The anamain — famous and noble in its declaration — not every person performs it, only an ollamh.
14. {MS folio 38a45} These are the high forms of poetry {5280} that serve the songs; let them not be neglected. To God let us give thanks for our language — whatsoever person, noble, who shall declare it. S.

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