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The Colloquy of the two sages
translated by Michael Ragan
© 2001

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5
part 6 / part 7 / part 8 / part 9


  Ferchertne responds
32. "Is not the answer; Beyond the columns of age,

33. beyond the streams of Galion27,

34. beyond the seat of Nechtain's wife,28

35. beyond the forearm of Nuada's wife,29

36. beyond the land of the sun,30

37. beyond the flowing of the moon,

38. beyond the umbilical cord of youth.

39. A question, my instructing young man, what is your name?"

Néde responds
40. "Is not the answer; Very small, very great, very congenial, very firm.31

41. Anger of fire,

42. fire of oratory,

43. clamor (of the multitude) for knowledge,

44. well of benefit,

45. sword of song,

46. backbone of skill with the burn of fire.

47. And you, oh my senior, what is your spirit?"32

Ferchertne responds
48. "Is not hard, the answer; Seer of wisdom,

49. oratorical warrior, interrogator of small statements,

50. courting knowledge,

51. weaving skill,

52. repository of poetry,

53. abundance of the sea,

54. A question, my young instructor, what poetry to you create?"

Néde responds
55. "Is not the answer; reddening a complexion,33

56. point of flesh,

57. cleansing modesty,

58. tossing away shamelessness,

59. fostering poetic art,

60. sheltering investigation,

61. courting science,

62. art from all mouths,

63. scattering knowledge,

64. an island for speech,

65. a small court,

66. herding poetic composition,

67. a place for the Elders,

68. instructing couples,

69. (responding to) the kings request for stories.

70. Leading Stag, my Senior, what art do you perform?"34

 

 
part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5
part 6 / part 7 / part 8 / part 9

 
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