The Poems of Jonathan Swift

-The Description of an Irish Feast

Given by O'Rourke, a powerful chieftain of Ulster in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, previously to his making a visit to her court. A song was composed upon the tradition of the feast, the fame of which having reached Swift, he was supplied with a literal version, from which he executed the following very spirited translation.--W. E. B.

TRANSLATED ALMOST LITERALLY OUT OF THE ORIGINAL IRISH.

[Footnote 1: A wooden vessel.--F.]

[Footnote 2: A covering of linen, worn on the heads of the women.--F.]

[Footnote 3: The name of an Irishman.--F.]

[Footnote 4: An Irish oath.--F.]

[Footnote 5: The name of an Irishwoman.--F.]

[Footnote 6: Surname of an Irishwoman.--F.]

[Footnote 7: Daggers, or short swords,--F.]

[Footnote 8: It is the custom in Ireland to call nurses, foster-mothers; their husbands, foster-fathers; and their children, foster-brothers or foster-sisters; and thus the poorest claim kindred to the rich.--F.]