Lament for the Two Kings

Far from me my wards ne'er were,
Tara's, Caisiol's kingly pair:
Eoghan's offspring, great of might,
Conn's, like Conn the famed in fight.

Erinn was their equal dower,
Like in prowess, like in power;
Strong was Niall, valour's shield,
Never Core a yard would yield.

Had not he to Alba gone
Niall Mac Ochai Mumadon,
Core had held the victor's place
Were not Niall face to face.

Ne'er was seen like Niall a man
In his far-fought battle van:
Ne'er was seen a man, like Core
Stript, his swift thin sword at work.

Never nobler twain did stand
On the lands of Erinn's land:
Two champion Chiefs of Story
Both great with wisdom's glory.

I am Torna, I who sing
Each, my loved lost fosterling;
Would they came each day, as once,
My two foster-sons,— my sons!

Sweet, it was to be, of old,
'Tween Tara's and Caisioll's hold:
From Tara to Caisioll roam,
From Caisioll to Tara home.-

While as one with Niall, I gaze
At binding of his Hostages,
While as one with Core, Ishare
Equal in his counsel's care.

At my right, I Niall place
For his intellect and grace,
High in honour as became
One of Erinn's Kings of fame.

Core upon my left I seat,
To have close a comrade sweet:
There, in nearness to my heart,
Where Core ever dwells apart.

Woe for Core, great Eoghan's son,
Woe for Niall, heir of Conn,
Woe for Tara, Niall's doom;
Woe for Caisioll, Core's chill tomb.

It broke my mind and my head, —
The King who was Niall is dead;
It broke my heart and my work —
There lives not the King was Core.

Tara now there's tribute on
Since Mac Ochai Mumadon;
Since Mac Luay, as a blight
Over Caisioll cometh Night.