30
THE SALTAIR NA RANN
(Satan speaks)
“If I bring the apple to thee,
that thou mayest discern good and evil
without any fail I will go out,
unless bondage or fetters befall me.”
Eve opened secretly
the door before the serpent,
without difficulty[1] it went (it was not obsequious),
on its course to the one tree.
Eve took the perfect apple
from the apple-tree (most woeful the tale),
Eve carried off the half, it was not well;
she left the other half for Adam.
King who drave from Thee the host of hell,
who hast made them fast in equal wretchedness under
trembling service,
He (God) wounded in battle, though it was laborious,
the keen wolf who was jealous.
The Devil was jealous thereat.
- ↑ Cith means a “shower” (metaph. “of tears”); also “hardship.”
