Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922.
By T. W. Rolleston50. In Praise of May (Ascribed to Fionn Mac Cumhaill.)
M
Bright colours play the value along.
Now wakes at morning’s slender ray
Wild and gay the blackbird’s song.
The loud cuckoo, the summer-lover;
Branchy trees are thick with leaves;
The bitter, evil time is over.
Where half dry the river goes;
Tufted heather clothes the height;
Weak and white the bogdown blows.
Deep in corn, a strenuous bard!
Sings the virgin waterfall,
White and tall, her one sweet word.
Goodly flower-harvest win;
Cattle roam with muddy flanks;
Busy ants go out and in.
Making music roars the gale—
Now it settles without motion,
On the ocean sleeps the sail.
Proud and gay the maidens grow;
Fair is every wooded height;
Fair and bright the plain below.
With gold gleams the water-flag;
Leaps the fish, and on the hills
Ardor thrills the leaping stag.
Small and shy, his tireless lay,
Singing in wildest, merriest mood,
Delicate-hued, delightful May.