Mythology & Folklore

The Charm of the Figwort I

by Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic) traditional; collected in the Highlands and Islands 1855–1899

Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. II (1900): Incantations

Mythology & Folklore

I will pluck the figwort,
With the fruitage of sea and land,
The plant of joy and gladness,
The plant of rich milk.
As the King of kings ordained.
To put milk in pap and gland,
As the Being of life ordained,
To place substance in udder and kidney,
With milk, with milkiness, with butter milk,
With produce, with whisked whey, with milk-product.
With speckled female calves,
Without male calves.
With progeny, with joy, with fruitage.
With love, with charity, with bounty,
Without man of evil wish,
Without woman of evil eye,
Without malice, without envy, without 'toirinn,'
Without hipped bear,
Without wilderness dog,
Without 'scan foirinn,'
Obtaining hold of the rich dainty
Into which this shall go.
Figwort of bright lights.
Fruitage to place therein,
With fruit, with grace, with joyance.

MLA

Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “The Charm of the Figwort I.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/168/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “The Charm of the Figwort I.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/168/.

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