Old Chapter-house Door, now in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
But though this quarrel was patched up, it was only for the time. Kildare suspected that Ormond had brought his army with evil intent "tooutfacehim and his power in his own countrie"; while "Ormond mistrusted that this treacherous practice of the Dublinians was by Kildare devised." So that, as the old writer goes on to say, "their quarrels were not ended, but only for the present discontinued: like unto agreen wound, ratherbungerliebotcht, than soundlie cured. And these and the like surmises, with many stories carried to and fro, and in their ears whispered, bred and fostered a malice betwixtthem and their posterity, many years incurable, which caused much stir and unquietnesse in the realm."
The old chapter-house door, which is pictured on last page, still remains in St. Patrick's Cathedral, where it may be seen leaning against one of the walls, with the very "cleft" in it through which the two earls shook hands more than four hundred years ago.
From the most remote times the Irish took great pleasure in music: and they studied andcultivatedit so successfully that they became celebrated every where for their musical skill. Irish teachers of this art were thought so highly of that from about the seventh to the eleventh century, or later, they were employed in colleges and schools in Great Britain and on the Continent, like Irish professors of other branches of learning (see p.47). Many of the early missionaries took great delight in playing on the harp, so that some brought a small harp with them on their journeys through the country, which no doubt lightened many a weary hour at their homes in the evenings, during the time of hard missionary work. In our oldest manuscript books, music is continually mentioned: and musicians are spoken of with respect and admiration.
The two chief instruments used in Ireland were the harp and the bagpipe. The harp was the favourite with the higher classes, many of whom played it as an accomplishment, as people now play the piano. The professional Irish harpers were more skilful, and could play better, than those of any other country: so that for hundreds of years it was the custom for the musicians of Great Britain to visit Ireland in order to finish their musical education; a custom which continued down to about a century and a-half ago.
The bagpipe was very generally used among the lower classes of people. The form in use was what we now call the Highland or Scotch pipes—slung from the shoulder: the bag inflated by the mouth. But this form of pipes took its rise in Ireland: and it was brought to Scotland in early ages by those Irishcolonistsalready spoken of (page5). There is another and a better kind of bagpipes, now common in Ireland, resting on the lap when in use, and having the bag inflated by a bellows: but this is a late invention.
The Irish musicians had various "Styles," three of which are very often mentioned in tales and other ancient Irish writings: of these many specimens have come down to the present day. The style they called "Mirth-music" consisted of lively airs, which excited to merriment and laughter. These are represented by our present dance tunes, such as jigs,reels, hornpipes, and other such quick, spirited pieces which are known so well in every part of Ireland. The "Sorrow-music" was slow and sad, and was always sung on the occasion of a death. We have many airs belonging to this style, which are now commonly calledKeens, i.e., laments, ordirges. The "Sleep-music" was intended to produce sleep; and the tunes belonging to this style were plaintive and soothing. Such airs are now known as lullabies, or nurse tunes, or cradle songs, of which numerous examples are preserved in collections of Irish music. They were often sung to put children to sleep. Though there are, as has been said, many tunes belonging to these three classes, they form only a small part of the great body of Irish music.
Music entered into many of the daily occupations of the people. There were special spinning-wheel songs, which the women sang, with words, in chorus or indialogue, when employed in spinning. At milking time the girls were in the habit of chanting a particular sort of air, in a low gentle voice. These milking songs were slow and plaintive, something like the nurse tunes, and had the effect of soothing the cows and of making them submit more gently to be milked. This practice was common down to fifty or sixty years ago; and many people now living can remember seeing cows grow restless when the song wasinterrupted, and become again quiet andplacidwhen it wasresumed. While ploughmen were attheir work they whistled a sweet, slow, and sad strain, which had as powerful an effect in soothing the horses at their hard work as the milking songs had on the cows: and these also were quite usual till about half a century ago.
Special airs and songs were used during working time by smiths, by weavers, and by boatmen. There were besides, hymn tunes; and young people had simple airs for all sorts of games and sports. In most cases words suitable to the several occasions were sung with lullabies, laments, and occupation tunes. The poem at page82may be taken as a specimen of a lament. Examples of all the preceding classes of melodies will be found in the collections of Irish airs by Bunting, Petrie, and Joyce.
The Irish had numerous war-marches, which the pipers played at the head of theclansmenwhen marching to battle, and which inspired them with courage and dash for the fight. This custom is still kept up by the Scotch; and many fine battle-tunes are printed in Irish and Scotch collections ofnational music.
From the preceding statement we may see how universal was the love of music in former days among the people of Ireland. Though Irish airs, compared with the musical pieces composed in our time, are generally short and simple, they are constructed with such skill, that in regard to most of them it may be truly said that no composer of thepresent day can produce airs of a similar kind to equal them.
There are half a dozen original collections of Irish music, containing in all between 1000 and 2000 airs: other collections are mostly copied from these. But numerous airs are still sung and played among the people all through Ireland, which have never been written down; and many have been written down which have never been printed. Thomas Moore composed his beautiful songs to old Irish airs; and his whole collection of songs and airs—well known as "Moore's Melodies"—is now published in one small cheap volume.
Of the entire body of Irish airs that are preserved, we know the authors of not more than about one tenth; and these were composed within the last 200 years. Most of the remaining nine tenths have come down from old times. No one now can tell who composed "The Coolin," "Savourneen Dheelish," "Shule Aroon," "Molly Asthore," "Garryowen," "The Boyne Water," "Patrick's Day," "Langolee," "The Blackbird," or "The Girl I left behind me"; and so of many other well-known and lovely airs.
The national music of Ireland and that of Scotland are very like each other, and many airs are common to both countries: but this is only what might be expected, as we know that the Irish and the Highland Scotch wereoriginallyone people.
I.—Page 1.
Ancient, very old, belonging to old times.Fabulous, not true.Magician, one skilled in magic or witchcraft; an enchanter.Spell, a charm, something done by enchantment.Wizard, an enchanter, a magician.Consult, to advise with.Druid, The druids were the learned men among the pagan Irish: they were believed to be wizards, or magicians.Seer, one who can foresee events, a prophet.Destiny, lot, what is to come to pass.Wistfully, thoughtfully, attentively, longingly.Cairn, a great pile of stones heaped up in memory of some person or some event. A cairn was very often raised over the grave of some important person. See page97.Missionary, one sent to preach religion.Hostage, a person given as a pledge, or security, for carrying out some agreement.Possessing mighty power over people, able to persuade them by his earnestness and his powerful language.
Ancient, very old, belonging to old times.
Fabulous, not true.
Magician, one skilled in magic or witchcraft; an enchanter.
Spell, a charm, something done by enchantment.
Wizard, an enchanter, a magician.
Consult, to advise with.
Druid, The druids were the learned men among the pagan Irish: they were believed to be wizards, or magicians.
Seer, one who can foresee events, a prophet.
Destiny, lot, what is to come to pass.
Wistfully, thoughtfully, attentively, longingly.
Cairn, a great pile of stones heaped up in memory of some person or some event. A cairn was very often raised over the grave of some important person. See page97.
Missionary, one sent to preach religion.
Hostage, a person given as a pledge, or security, for carrying out some agreement.
Possessing mighty power over people, able to persuade them by his earnestness and his powerful language.
II.—Page 7.
Gallantly, boldly, bravely.Destined home: the druid had foretold that Inisfail, or the Isle of Destiny, was to be their final home.Emerald, a precious stone of a green colour. Ireland, from its greenness, is often called the Emerald Isle.Day god, the sun. Some of the pagan Irish worshipped the sun.Omen, a sign of what is to come.
Gallantly, boldly, bravely.
Destined home: the druid had foretold that Inisfail, or the Isle of Destiny, was to be their final home.
Emerald, a precious stone of a green colour. Ireland, from its greenness, is often called the Emerald Isle.
Day god, the sun. Some of the pagan Irish worshipped the sun.
Omen, a sign of what is to come.
III.—Page 8.
Perpetual, lasting always.Allure, to entice, coax, or persuade.Book of the Dun Cow: see page118.Conn the Hundred-fighter, or, as he is often called, Conn of the Hundred Battles, was King of Ireland fromA.D.177 to 212.Crystal, a sort of transparent mineral: glass, or anything like glass.Marvelled, wondered.Chant, a slow, sweet song.Azure, a bright blue.Verdurous, green, full of verdure.Imprecation, a curse.Mace, here means a heavy-headed club used in fighting, generally for striking.
Perpetual, lasting always.
Allure, to entice, coax, or persuade.
Book of the Dun Cow: see page118.
Conn the Hundred-fighter, or, as he is often called, Conn of the Hundred Battles, was King of Ireland fromA.D.177 to 212.
Crystal, a sort of transparent mineral: glass, or anything like glass.
Marvelled, wondered.
Chant, a slow, sweet song.
Azure, a bright blue.
Verdurous, green, full of verdure.
Imprecation, a curse.
Mace, here means a heavy-headed club used in fighting, generally for striking.
IV.—Page 14.
Noxious, hurtful, injurious.Gigantic, very large, giant-like.Fertile, fruitful, yielding good crops.Wickerwork, basket-work of woven twigs.Hospitality, kindness to strangers, free and generous entertainment of visitors.Expensive, costly.Establishment, the whole house, and all belonging to it.Liberal, plentiful.Gorget, an ornamental collar for the neck: the Irish gorgets were mostly of gold.Bronze, a mixed metal made of copper and tin melted together. The ancient Irish used a sort of white or whitish bronze, which they calledfindruine[finn´-drin-ă].Enamel, a beautiful glassy substance, of various colours, used in metal work.Museum, a place where curiosities of all kinds are kept, especially objects belonging to ancient times.Artificer, an artist, a worker in metals, bone, wood, &c.Old Irish Laws: these were called the Brehon Laws.Commerce, trade with foreign nations.
Noxious, hurtful, injurious.
Gigantic, very large, giant-like.
Fertile, fruitful, yielding good crops.
Wickerwork, basket-work of woven twigs.
Hospitality, kindness to strangers, free and generous entertainment of visitors.
Expensive, costly.
Establishment, the whole house, and all belonging to it.
Liberal, plentiful.
Gorget, an ornamental collar for the neck: the Irish gorgets were mostly of gold.
Bronze, a mixed metal made of copper and tin melted together. The ancient Irish used a sort of white or whitish bronze, which they calledfindruine[finn´-drin-ă].
Enamel, a beautiful glassy substance, of various colours, used in metal work.
Museum, a place where curiosities of all kinds are kept, especially objects belonging to ancient times.
Artificer, an artist, a worker in metals, bone, wood, &c.
Old Irish Laws: these were called the Brehon Laws.
Commerce, trade with foreign nations.
V.—Page 22.
Enmity, hatred, malice, ill feeling.Gall, bitterness and sourness of heart.Treachery, breach of faith, wickedness.Chariot, a kind of carriage.Druidical, made by the druids, who were believed to be enchanters, like the Dedannans.Clamorous, noisy, screaming.Repented, grew sorry.Gaelic speech, the Irish language, which all the people of Ireland then spoke.Plaintive, sad.Lay, a song, a poem.A husk of gore, withered up with grief.Anguish, great trouble and misery.Anthem, a song, a hymn: anthem of praise,i.e.of praise to God.
Enmity, hatred, malice, ill feeling.
Gall, bitterness and sourness of heart.
Treachery, breach of faith, wickedness.
Chariot, a kind of carriage.
Druidical, made by the druids, who were believed to be enchanters, like the Dedannans.
Clamorous, noisy, screaming.
Repented, grew sorry.
Gaelic speech, the Irish language, which all the people of Ireland then spoke.
Plaintive, sad.
Lay, a song, a poem.
A husk of gore, withered up with grief.
Anguish, great trouble and misery.
Anthem, a song, a hymn: anthem of praise,i.e.of praise to God.
VI.—Page 27.
Amazement, astonishment, wonder.Horror, terror mixed with dislike.Lamentation, great sorrow.Malignant, full of evil and badness.Adventurous, spirited, daring, courageous.Abhor, to hate, to detest, to have a horror of.Transform, to change the form or shape.Society, company.The dreadful day of doom, "that day of woe,"i.e.the Day of Judgment. The children of Lir had some obscure foreknowledge of the coming of Christianity.Desolate, waste and solitary.Tempestuous, stormy.
Amazement, astonishment, wonder.
Horror, terror mixed with dislike.
Lamentation, great sorrow.
Malignant, full of evil and badness.
Adventurous, spirited, daring, courageous.
Abhor, to hate, to detest, to have a horror of.
Transform, to change the form or shape.
Society, company.
The dreadful day of doom, "that day of woe,"i.e.the Day of Judgment. The children of Lir had some obscure foreknowledge of the coming of Christianity.
Desolate, waste and solitary.
Tempestuous, stormy.
VII.—Page 32.
Abode, a dwelling.Plight, an evil and unpleasant state.Endure, to bear, to suffer.Chain of repose: as if the breezes were bound down and kept at rest by a chain.Darkness: the darkness of paganism.Pure light, and Day star: Christianity.Wreathed, twisted, curled.Hazel-mead, a kind of mead with hazel nuts put into it to flavour it. For mead, see p.17.Lullaby, a nurse song: a song to put a person to sleep; see p.210.Mannanan, or Mannanan Mac Lir, a Dedannan chief, the Pagan Irish god of the sea.Angus, a Dedannan or fairy chief, who had his palace under one of the great mounds on the Boyne between Drogheda and Slane.
Abode, a dwelling.
Plight, an evil and unpleasant state.
Endure, to bear, to suffer.
Chain of repose: as if the breezes were bound down and kept at rest by a chain.
Darkness: the darkness of paganism.
Pure light, and Day star: Christianity.
Wreathed, twisted, curled.
Hazel-mead, a kind of mead with hazel nuts put into it to flavour it. For mead, see p.17.
Lullaby, a nurse song: a song to put a person to sleep; see p.210.
Mannanan, or Mannanan Mac Lir, a Dedannan chief, the Pagan Irish god of the sea.
Angus, a Dedannan or fairy chief, who had his palace under one of the great mounds on the Boyne between Drogheda and Slane.
VIII.—Page 39.
Matin time, very early in the morning: before day: the time of first prayer.Anchoret, a hermit.Matins, very early morning prayers.Transformed, changed, turned.Waxed, grew, became: waxed very wroth, became very angry.Cleric, a clergyman.Radiant, bright, joyful, happy looking.Lament, a sort of sad song.
Matin time, very early in the morning: before day: the time of first prayer.
Anchoret, a hermit.
Matins, very early morning prayers.
Transformed, changed, turned.
Waxed, grew, became: waxed very wroth, became very angry.
Cleric, a clergyman.
Radiant, bright, joyful, happy looking.
Lament, a sort of sad song.
IX.—Page 45.
Enlightenment, knowledge, education, intelligence.Community, a number of persons living together in the same dwelling or in the same place.Encounter, to meet with, to go against.Interpreter, a person who explains in one language what a speaker says in another. The interpreter has to know both languages.
Enlightenment, knowledge, education, intelligence.
Community, a number of persons living together in the same dwelling or in the same place.
Encounter, to meet with, to go against.
Interpreter, a person who explains in one language what a speaker says in another. The interpreter has to know both languages.
X.—Page 50.
Rampart, a wall or high bank for defence.Structure, a building.Household, all the people that live in one house.Standard, a pole with a flag, banner, or colours, on top.Transfer, to change from one to another.Romantic stories, tales of fictitious adventures.Diadem, a crown, or a band like a crown, worn round the head.Spell of feebleness, weakness brought on by some sort of enchantment.
Rampart, a wall or high bank for defence.
Structure, a building.
Household, all the people that live in one house.
Standard, a pole with a flag, banner, or colours, on top.
Transfer, to change from one to another.
Romantic stories, tales of fictitious adventures.
Diadem, a crown, or a band like a crown, worn round the head.
Spell of feebleness, weakness brought on by some sort of enchantment.
XI.—Page 55.
Pondering, thinking deeply.Meet, fit, proper, becoming.Ultonians, the Ulstermen.Gainsay, to speak against, to contradict.Ridge of the world, a usual expression in Irish writings.Gracious, kind and gentle in manner.Attendant, a person who attends, a servant.Military service, service as soldiers under pay.Betimes, in good time, early.Booth, a hut or tent.
Pondering, thinking deeply.
Meet, fit, proper, becoming.
Ultonians, the Ulstermen.
Gainsay, to speak against, to contradict.
Ridge of the world, a usual expression in Irish writings.
Gracious, kind and gentle in manner.
Attendant, a person who attends, a servant.
Military service, service as soldiers under pay.
Betimes, in good time, early.
Booth, a hut or tent.
XII.—Page 60.
Pledge, security.Submission, yielding, coming under a person's authority.Knighthood. Knight, a soldier of high dignity: a champion: knighthood, the dignity of a knight. The ancient Irish often received knighthood at seven years of age.Obligation, a promise, a bond, something one is bound to do.Galley, a low flat vessel with oars and sails.Chessboard, a board with black and white squares on which chess was played. The ancient Irish were very fond of chess.Re-assure, to make a person sure that things are right, to encourage.
Pledge, security.
Submission, yielding, coming under a person's authority.
Knighthood. Knight, a soldier of high dignity: a champion: knighthood, the dignity of a knight. The ancient Irish often received knighthood at seven years of age.
Obligation, a promise, a bond, something one is bound to do.
Galley, a low flat vessel with oars and sails.
Chessboard, a board with black and white squares on which chess was played. The ancient Irish were very fond of chess.
Re-assure, to make a person sure that things are right, to encourage.
XIII.—Page 66.
Resort, to go often to a place.Curragh, a light boat made of wickerwork covered with hides.Persist, to continue without ceasing.Perplexity, doubt, anxiety of mind.Clan, a number of families or a race of people all more or less related to each other.Slieve Fuad, a mountain near Newtownhamilton in Armagh: the name is now forgotten.Baleful, evil, very bad or wicked.Disaster, mishap, misfortune.Meditate, to plan, to intend.Handwood, a piece of wood to serve as a knocker, kept in a niche outside the door.Battalion, a body of foot soldiers.Alluring, very good, tempting a person to eat.Viands, food, victuals.
Resort, to go often to a place.
Curragh, a light boat made of wickerwork covered with hides.
Persist, to continue without ceasing.
Perplexity, doubt, anxiety of mind.
Clan, a number of families or a race of people all more or less related to each other.
Slieve Fuad, a mountain near Newtownhamilton in Armagh: the name is now forgotten.
Baleful, evil, very bad or wicked.
Disaster, mishap, misfortune.
Meditate, to plan, to intend.
Handwood, a piece of wood to serve as a knocker, kept in a niche outside the door.
Battalion, a body of foot soldiers.
Alluring, very good, tempting a person to eat.
Viands, food, victuals.
XIV.—Page 72.
Looming, appearing darkly and dimly in the distance.Steadfast, firm, fixed, determined.Valorous, brave, fearless, valiant.Your dear charge, Deirdre.Assailants, persons assailing or attacking.Misgivings, doubts and fears of something wrong.Unwittingly, without knowing.Unerring, with a straight aim so as not to miss.
Looming, appearing darkly and dimly in the distance.
Steadfast, firm, fixed, determined.
Valorous, brave, fearless, valiant.
Your dear charge, Deirdre.
Assailants, persons assailing or attacking.
Misgivings, doubts and fears of something wrong.
Unwittingly, without knowing.
Unerring, with a straight aim so as not to miss.
XV.—Page 75.
Hireling troops, soldiers serving for pay: they were not Ultonians and did not belong to the Red Branch. The troops of the Red Branch could not be got to attack the Sons of Usna.Shouts of defiance, shouts challenging and threatening.Assault, a violent attack.Marshalling, arranging.Treason, treachery, foul play.Circuit, a journey around.Fissure, a split or chasm.Solemn, awful, serious, grave.Response, answer, reply.
Hireling troops, soldiers serving for pay: they were not Ultonians and did not belong to the Red Branch. The troops of the Red Branch could not be got to attack the Sons of Usna.
Shouts of defiance, shouts challenging and threatening.
Assault, a violent attack.
Marshalling, arranging.
Treason, treachery, foul play.
Circuit, a journey around.
Fissure, a split or chasm.
Solemn, awful, serious, grave.
Response, answer, reply.
XVI.—Page 80.
Deeming, believing, thinking.Onslaught, a fierce attack.Mannanan Mac Lir, the Pagan Irish sea-god.
Deeming, believing, thinking.
Onslaught, a fierce attack.
Mannanan Mac Lir, the Pagan Irish sea-god.
XVII.—Page 84.
Billows of war, the tide or onward press of battle.Wreak, to inflict, to execute.
Billows of war, the tide or onward press of battle.
Wreak, to inflict, to execute.
XVIII.—Page 85.
Incensed, very angry.Anguish, great grief, pain.Descendants, children, grand-children, &c.Spoil, to plunder and pillage.Illustrious, famous, noble, great.Marauding, plundering, robbing.Ravage, to lay waste and plunder.
Incensed, very angry.
Anguish, great grief, pain.
Descendants, children, grand-children, &c.
Spoil, to plunder and pillage.
Illustrious, famous, noble, great.
Marauding, plundering, robbing.
Ravage, to lay waste and plunder.
XIX.—Page 87.
Magic, witchcraft, spells.Mighty, of wonderful skill.Distinguish, to tell one from another.Shadowy, uncertain, legendary.Historic times, when there are true accounts of things that happened.Professional, following some profession or calling.Remuneration, payment, salary.Attached, joined to.
Magic, witchcraft, spells.
Mighty, of wonderful skill.
Distinguish, to tell one from another.
Shadowy, uncertain, legendary.
Historic times, when there are true accounts of things that happened.
Professional, following some profession or calling.
Remuneration, payment, salary.
Attached, joined to.
XX.—Page 89.