Bran's Voyage to the Isle of Delight

"Bran beholds a shining sea,
From his curach, fair and free, —
I, in chariot driving there
See a flow'ring meadow fair.

"The sea is clear,

So thinks Bran when sailing here, —
I, in car, with purer pow'rs
Know the happy Plain of Flow'rs.

"Bran beholds

Flowing billows, fold on folds, —
O'er the plain I have in sight
Waving blossoms red and bright.

"Summer sea-steeds leapt and ran
Far as reach the eyes of Bran, —
Rivers, run with honey clear
In the fair land of Mac Lir.

"He, the ocean's gleaming glint
Sees, and billows' pallid tint —
I, the bounteous land behold
Decked with azure and with gold,

"Speckled salmon leap for him
From the water's bitter brim, —
I can see, o'er lovely lawns,
Lambkins play and frolic fawns,

"Thine eyes mark one charioteer
O'er Moy Mell in light appear —
Many chariots race, I ween,
O'er the plain, by thee, unseen.

"Wide the plain, the hosts are great,
Bright their colours, high their state,
Streams of silver, gleams of gold
Welcome and abundance hold.

"Beauteous their delightful game,
Flows the wine like ruddy flame,
Noble men and gentle maids
Stainless in the sinless shades,

"O'er the finest forest trees
Swam thy curach, cleaving seas,
Bright fruit on boughs are glancing
Now, 'neath thy prow advancing.

"Branches rich with fruit and bloom
Breathing forth the vine's perfume;
Woods moulder not, tho' olden,
Faultless, with foliage golden.

"We are here since Time had birth,
Aging not, nor called to earth;
Nor fear we aught should wither
Since the Sin came not hither.

"For the snake went, ill the hour!
To the Father's J fortress bow'r; —
An ill change on earth was wrought,
Gray decay, unknown, it brought.

"He has slain us, in disgrace,
Greed has wrecked his noble race,
Thence, with'ring Body wasteth,
Hence oft to torment hasteth.

"Law of worldlings is Pride's nod,
Minding creatures and not God:
Hence decay, disease, defeat,
Age, and soul-death through deceit.

"Yet, our Maker-king shall send
Great deliverance ere the end,
There shall come White Law o'er sea,
And He God and Man shall be."