Page:The poem-book of the Gael - Hull.djvu/82

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40
THE SALTAIR NA RANN

Then comes Eve out of the river,
and was on the shore, drying herself;
a cloud (i.e. a faintness) fell on her then,
so that she was almost dead without life.

Bright Eve did not recognise
Lucifer with his manifold snares;
the matchless woman was perplexed,[1]
her mind was in doubt.

(Lucifer speaks)

“O Eve, what has come to thee?
greatly art thou considering;
clearly I came to thee from heaven,
at the command of the steadfast God.

“Let us go hence to Adam.
O Woman! do not be wavering;
we have all prayed to dear God
to pardon you for your sins.”

Then they went vigorously
as far as the River Jordan,
to Adam, chief of tribes;
noble Eve and Lucifer.


  1. Lit. “it was difficult to the matchless woman.”