A new translation is presented here of Ar Choileach do Goideadh Ó Shagart Mhaith by the great Irish poet of the late 17th and early 18th century whose acerbic verse often bears witness to the closing down of the civilisation that nurtured him.
By BRIAN O’CONNOR
Rage and loss are more typical subjects of Aodhagán Ó Rathaille (c. 1670-1726) than this little satire, where he mimics a pompous judge. Conveying his intricate rhythms and rhyme schemes are a challenge for a translator, even more so in his great laments of dispossession. The verse dates from around 1700 and is included in the excellent Dánta Aodhagáin Uí Rathaille published by the Irish Texts Society.
Ar Choileach do Goideadh Ó Shagart Mhaith / The Priest’s Stolen Cock
| Whereas Aonghus, fáithchliste, Sagart cráibhtheach, críostaightheach, Do theacht indiu im láithir-se, Le gearán cáis is fírinne: | Whereas Aongus, a clever sort A priest both Christian and God fearing Has come today before my court With a complaint that merits hearing |
| Gur cheannuigh coileach airdshleachta, Dá chearcaibh sráide is tíoghbhaile, Ba bhreághtha scread is bláthmhaise, Is baic le scáil gach líondatha; | .. His new bought cock, with well groomed feathers Of beauteous and melodious crow And neck of multicoloured glow To serve his hens, and maybe others.. |
| Thug sé caogad mínscilling Ar an éan do b’aoibhinn cúilbhrice, Gur sciob síobhradh draoidheachta é Ó aonach chinn na dúithche seo. | A price of fifty shillings clear He gave for this most handsome fowl Which at our county’s foremost fair Some spiteful spirit duly stole |
| Ba ghábhadh dá shamhuil dáirithe Coileach screaduighthe is dúistighthe Do bheith dá fhaireadh ar shámhchodhladh I n-am gach easpuirt úrnaighthe. | Yet such a man would need to keep A cock whose crow would rudely rouse Its owner from his slumber deep And call him to his prayers and vows |
| M’órdughadh dhíbh, an t-ádhbhar soin, A bháillidhe stáit mo chúirte-se, Déinidh cuardughadh airdshlighte, Is sin le díoghrais dúthrachta; | This matter I now take in hand You, bailiffs of my court, must go To spread yourselves throughout the land And search with zeal both high and low |
| Ná fágbhaidh lios ná síothchnocán, Ina gcluinfidh sibh glór ná gliogarnáil, Gan dul i ndiaidh an tsíodhchonáin, Do rin an gníomh le plundaráil. | Leave out no fairy fort or mound Which might emit a clucking sound Pursue the culprit to his lair Whose plunder set off this affair |
| Wheresoever cuainseachán Ina bhfuighidh sibh an tórpachán, Tugaid chugham-sa é ar ruainseachán, Go gcrochad é mar dhreoileacán, | Whichever burrow, deep inside The skulking little crab be spied Bring him to me securely tied That I may hang his foolish hide |
| For your so doing, d’oibliogáid, Ag so uaim díbh bhúr n-ughdarás, Mar scríobhas mo lámh le cleiteachán, An lá so d’aois an Uachtaráin. | This heinous crime to cauterise I hereby duly authorise With feather quill I write the word Today in this year of our Lord. |
Brian O’Connor has been a member of the Irish Literary Society since the time of Professor Raymond Chapman’s Chairmanship. He was born in Cork, graduated from UCC and worked as a journalist and researcher.