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Bécán, ní rab ilar a thrétán...
Bécán
ní rab ilar a thrétán!
Oiret rab grian ar deiseal,
ní rab seiser d’óib Bécán!
(Bécán / not * may be * multitude * his * little herd /
as long as * may be * sun * on * sunwise course /
not * may be * six persons * of * descendants * Bécán)
Bécán
may his herd not be numerous!
So long as the sun follows its course,
may Bécán not have six descendants!
Ná hinguib, ná hindsaig ág.
Ná hinguib, ná hindsaig ág.
(do not * avoid * do not * seek * fight)
Neither shun nor seek a quarrel.
Is cuinchid smera cen smúais.
Is cuinchid smera cen smúais.
(it is * asking for * marrow * without * (red) marrow)
It’s like asking for marrow fat without marrow.
(It’s like asking for chicken soup without chicken.)
Nipa úar th'fhuil-siu lim-sa...
Nipa úar th’fhuil-siu lim-sa for talmain in tan not digél.
(will not be * cold * your * blood * with me * on * earth * the * time * that I will avenge you)
Your blood will not be cold on the ground by the time I avenge you.
Is dobrán re miníascach...
Is dobrán re miníascach
seobacc re hénaib sléibe,
catt re lochaid, cú re muicc,
ben micc is máthair chéile.
(it is * otter * against * little fish /
hawk * against * birds * of mountain /
cat * against * mouse * dog * against * pig /
wife * of son * and * mother * in-law)
Like an otter with little fishes,
a hawk with mountain birds,
a cat with a mouse, a dog with a pig,
a son’s wife and her mother-in-law!
Ba fras de némannaib boí ina bélaib.
Ba fras de némannaib boí ina bélaib.
(was * shower * of * pearls * (that) was * in her/his * lips)
It was a shower of pearls that was in her/his mouth.
Líth gacha labartha leat.
Líth gacha labartha leat.
(luck * of every * utterance * with you)
May your words prosper you!
Na frithail in n-airchisecht nachit·chobradar.
Na frithail in n-airchisecht nachit·chobradar.
(do not * attend to * the * compassion * that does not help you)
Do not entertain the pity that does you no good.
Gurab écen mér dot múnad in airecht.
Gurab écen mér dot múnad in airecht.
(may it be * necessary * finger * for your * pointing out * in * assembly)
May you be beneath notice. May you be insignificant.
Secht asa midithar duine...
Secht asa midithar duine: cruth ocus cenél, tír ocus trebad, dán ocus indmas ocus indracus.
(seven * from which * is estimated * person * form * and * kindred * land * and * homestead * craft * and * personal wealth * and integrity)
Seven things by which a man is judged: appearance and lineage, land and home, profession and possessions and integrity.