Religion

Saltair na Rann III: The Forbidden Fruit

by Anonymous (Old Irish) c. 8th–12th century

Translated by Eleanor Hull (1913) · From The Poem-Book of the Gael (1913)

Religion

Prince who gave a clear admonition to Eve and to Adam,
that they should eat of the produce of Paradise
according to God's command:

"Eat ye of them freely,
of the fruits of Paradise--sweet the fragrance--
many, all of them (a festival to be shared)
are lawful for you save one tree.

"In order that you may know that you are under authority,
without sorrow, without strife,
without anxiety, without long labour,
without age, evil, or blemish;

"Without decay, without heavy sickness;
with everlasting life, in everlasting triumph
on your going to heaven (joyous the festival)
at the choice age of thirty years."

A thousand years
and six hours of the hours,
without guile, without danger, it has been heard,
Adam was in Paradise.

O God our help, whom champions prove,
who fashioned all with perfect justice,
not bright the matter of our theme (?)
the King who spake an admonition with them.

Prince who gave a clear admonition.

MLA

Anonymous (Old Irish). “Saltair na Rann III: The Forbidden Fruit.” Translated by Eleanor Hull. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-irish/50/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old Irish). “Saltair na Rann III: The Forbidden Fruit.” Translated by Eleanor Hull. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-irish/50/.

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