Mythology & Folklore
The Counting of the Stye
Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. II (1900): Incantations
Why came the one stye,
Without the two styes here ?
Why came the two styes.
Without the three styes here ?
Why came the three styes.
Without the four styes here ?
Why came the four styes.
Without the five styes here ?
Why came the five styes,
Without the six styes here ?
Why came the six styes.
Without the seven styes here ?
Why came the seven styes,
Without the eight styes here ?
Why came the eight styes,
Without the nine styes here ?
Why came the nine,
Or one at all here ?
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “The Counting of the Stye.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/163/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “The Counting of the Stye.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/163/.
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