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The Tale of Erinn

You sweet seeds of Irish breast
Take a moment from your rest.
Hear the stories of those brave
Men who crossed the Sea God's waves.
See the sun upon the wood,
Ships with men who dreamed they could
Sail across the briny deep
Erinn's land their swords to keep.
Tempests strong the ocean set
Against those of Milé's get.
Stout the heart and strong the hand
Born by those who led the band:
Amergin of the White Knee,
Eremon, High King to be,
Ir and Eber, gold and tall
Donn, the eldest of them all.


Druid, he who first set down,
Claiming his the fertile ground.
Man of words and dreamer bright
Harp-string wielder bathed in white.
Calling high from heart and mind
So he sang to men behind.
"Praise the knowledge, strength and toil
To be found upon her soil.
Shall we march to rise or run
Where to claim this Isle of Sun?
Fed by silver water's flow
Laced with fruit where forest's grow.
Through our war this land belongs."
Amergin told in his song.
Warriors of legend old
Marched on with their fortune told
For to claim from sky to shore
All the wealthy treasure store.
Henceforth they would make their place
There to seed the Irish race.

Others lived upon the Isle
Who would promise a great trial.
Eremon, to make his kill,
Set to conquer Tara's hill,

When a lady, fair as Bress,
In a robe of saffron dressed,
Asked of them with honeyed-tongue
"Why is it with swords you come?"
Child-like queen of youthful air
Stood with lilies in her hair.
First to speak was Amergin
"For this land we hope to win."
Banba, wife of Mac Cuill, asked,
"Will you do a simple task?"
Please me once and not again,
Call this island by my name."
So the Bard of the White Knee
Spoke the words that it should be.

As the sun shone its gold rays
Milé's heirs went on their way.
Living off the fruit-strewn streams,
Those proud men could feast and dream.
Fast, they trode the wind-swept tops
When a woman bade them stop.
Hair dyed black and beauty worn
She was not the rose but thorn.
This one's face with age was cursed
She was sister to the first.
"Fotla, am I called by men
I come to greet Amergin."
"Lady, speak your piece," said he
"Call this island after me."
When he said it would be done.
Fotla bowed, her favor won.

Marched they to the center field
When the last queen bade them yield.
She in gleaming splendor bathed
Called to them, her head high raised.
Face as white as fallen snow
In her eyes, the stars did glow.
Crimson dress and crown of gold
"I, the last you shall behold,
Welcome you to our land's care.
Rise to set, there's none more fair.
It is the most perfect place
You shall be its flawless race."
Then spoke Donn without thought hence,
"Our success will come from strength."
Donn she caught with eyes of blue,
"This gain will not fall to you.
Eldest son though you may be
You will vanish in the sea."
Donn with hate born in his soul
Stood to answer with a blow
Until Amergin called out:
"What is it you are about?
Mock us not, my stately queen
Let your true request be seen."
So she smiled and nodded then
"You are wise, sweet Amergin.
Here, my name is Eriu
Grant me that of those past two."
"Goddess bright, your name be placed
On the land your tribe has graced.
Cause for us no more delay
For we must be on our way."

Eremon led to the hill
Where the men would match their will
'Gainst those first who claimed the land
Those brave gods with blades in hand.
Mac Cuill and Mac Cecht stood fast
With Mac Greiné of the last.
Chieftains they of rival host,
Owners of the sea-blessed coast.
"Who are you to raise your sword
Without offering first words?"
Donn, it was that they addressed
"Why do you not give us rest?
If by honor you are bound
Give us time to guard the ground."
Versed in chivalrous warfare,
Of their truth Donn was aware.
Little did he like the state
That might force his men to wait.
For the Dananns would use wile,
Halt new landing with their guile.
"Amergin, take this dispute
For we know you are astute."
In a voice raised strong and loud
Honeyed-speaker told the crowd:
"Past the nine waves we shall bide
We shall meet hence three days' tide.
At that time, your land defend
And our armies we shall send."
Judgment just was thought to be
Sons of Milé took to sea.

Thrice the clear sun rose and fell
Leaving Eremon to dwell.
When at last the time was spent
Fast the call to war was sent.
Lines of men upon the beach
Readied then their druids' reach.
Weaving glamours fierce and rich,
Druids caused the sea to pitch.
Darkness stained the morning sky
Zephyr winds began to fly.
Mist rose up above their sails
Amergin looked to the vale.
Quick the bard stood on the prow
Courage set upon his brow.
Sang he to the Island sweet
"Erinn offer us retreat!
You, of shining sea so grand
Fertile hill and wooded land.
May we your true rulers be
Come and quench this storming sea!"
'Fore the land could catch the chords
Donn was fast thrown overboard.
Prophecy then was complete
Donn, at sea, his death did meet.
Erinn tamed by honeyed-tongue
Blessed them for the song they sung.
Down the wind and down the waves
Granting passage to men brave.

When they reached the waiting shore
Those bold men prepared for war.
Eremon, of burning heart,
Named the battle then to start.
Onward charged he, spirit high,
On the field to live or die.
Iron blades to clear a path
Cutting with their crimson wrath.
Bloody battle 'tween the foes
Over boiled amidst the blows
'Gainst those straight-limbed men so fair
Wild as wolves with talent rare.
Savage beauty mixed with grace
Could be read upon each face.
Twice they fought and twice they found
Milé's army gained more ground
Eber took off Mac Cuill's head
Eremon left Mac Cecht dead.
And Mac Greiné, in the din,
Fell at last to Amergin.
With their leaders taken fast
Dananns saw their time was past.
Conquered, though they left the glen
They became gods to those men.
From divine to mortal hands
Did they give the Dreaming Land.
Milé's men did take the crown
That the Dananns had cast down.
Eremon, then, claimed his place
Ruling that first Irish race.
So from Tara he'd command
All that walked upon the land.
Golden throne and Tara bright
Served as spoils from the fight.

From this day our past descends.
This bright land we must defend.
From these men we trace our line,
Passed down through the season's time.
Hero's blood flows in your veins
Forged in glory and in pain.
Keep this Island of the West,
You sweet seeds of Irish breast.