PREFACE

...life, the banishment of Colum Cille also known as Saint Columba, and the expulsion of Mochuta from Rathen modern Rahan.—Notes on the Calendar of Oengus original: Félire of Oengus, p. 204, and the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, p. 557.¹

Three things there are for which the Son of the living God is not grateful: haughty piety, harsh reproof, and slandering a person when it is not certain.²

Three things there are for which the King of the Sun a poetic name for God is grateful: the union of brothers, upright conversation, and serving at the altar of God.³

Woe to the three groups in the horrible hell of great blasts: people who practice poetry likely referring to secular or satirical poets, people who violate their religious orders, and mercenaries.⁴

Three things there are which do not suit the poor of the living God: ingratitude for one's life, whatever it may be, grumbling, and flattery.⁵

The following modern triads I owe to a communication from Dr. P. W. Joyce, who heard them in his youth among the people of Limerick:

¹ Where the phrase "wrong stories" should instead be read as "wrong counsels" original Irish: sanasa sáeba. This triad is turned into verse in the Brussels Manuscript 5100:
"Three deceptive whispers of the northern half of Ireland original: Leithe Cuind (Conn's Half) that I have loved: the expulsion of Mochuda with his lepers from very bright Rahan, the sending of Colum Cille across the sea, and the cutting short of Ciarán’s life."
² Leabhar Breac original: LB. (The Speckled Book), an important medieval Irish manuscript, p. 225, bottom margin original Latin: marg. inf. (margo inferior), and Brussels Manuscript 5100, folio original: fo. 86a:
"There are three things (three things in the Brussels MS) for which the Son of the living God is not grateful: proud piety, harsh correction, and slandering a person if it is uncertain."
³ Edinburgh Manuscript xl, p. 28, and Brussels Manuscript 5100, folio 86a:
"There are three things for which the King of the Sun is grateful: the unity of brothers, honest speech (or 'right distribution' in the Edinburgh MS), and serving the altar of God."
⁴ Leabhar Breac, p. 236, bottom margin:
"Woe to the three groups in hideous hell: people who make poems, people who violate their rank or orders, and those in military service original: amsaine (mercenaries)."
⁵ Leabhar Breac, p. 238, bottom margin:
"There are three things that are not proper for the poor of the living God: dissatisfaction with one's life, whatever it may be; complaining; and flattery original: aibéle."