The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Gaelic Incantations. 155
V is direach an lagli'—crooked and straight is the law
implying great uncertainty. In going to law the litigant
presumably believed in the equity of his cause, but being
uncertain as to the result, he appealed to the Higher
Powers. In the incantation here given, we have the
picture of a man starting from his house to measure swords
before a judge with a neighbour—the occupant of the
Baile iid tJialt, or "Yonder Town." On leaving his house
the litigant says
Translated
—
—
—
Falbhaidh mise'n ainm Dhia
An riochd iaruinn 's an riochd each,
An riochd nathrach 's an riochd feidh ;
'S treise mi-fhein na gach neach.
'S dubh dha 'n bhail' ud thall,
'S dubh dha'n bheil na bhroinn :
An teanga fo m' bhonn
Gus an till mi 'nail.
Mise 'n eala bhan
'Nam bhan-righinn os an cionn.
lonnlaididh mi m' aodann,
Mar naoi gathanan greine.
Mar dh-ionnlaideas Moire a Mac
Le bainne bruich.
Meirc air mo bhial
—
Seirc na m' aodann ;
Bas Mhoire mu m' amhuich,
Bas Chriosda mu m' aodainn,
Teanga Mathair los' a' m' cheann ;
Siiil a chuimirich eatorra, (?)
'S bias meal air gach aon ni
Their mi gu'n tig m.i.
I go forth in the name of God ;
In the likeness of iron ; in the likeness of the horse ;
In the likeness of the serpent ;
the deer
;
in the likeness of
Stronger am I than each one [or " than any one
else "].
Black to yonder town ;
And black to those who reside therein ;
[May] Their tongues be under my soles [or feet]
—