6X366 Before putting this book from my hands, Ethna, your name; Because your kindly heart went out to the Widow's Pat and his homely friends: And because though you knew it not Ellen Burns was a part of your sweet self: And because now, for the good Irish women and men who weep you, the pages of my poor book will breathe a fragrant breath. One day, before you looked your last on the land for which your heart beat, the dimming light in your eyes leapt up when I whispered that your name would be linked with the little story which your partial heart loved so fondly. And now, O Best-beloved, ere yet the soa is green that presses upon your breast, I bring there my little offering. Donegal, May, 1902. Seumas Sul cuirear mé an leabar so do mo Lámaid is mian Liom a éitne d'ainm a tabairt isteac ann; Do Brit 50 paid do Croide te le gean do Pádraig mac na Baintreabait, q da cairdib simplide : Do Brig gur tréit dilis diot féin, a múirnin, i Eiblin Ni Beirne-cé nar d'eol duit é: Agus mar go mbeid mo leabairin boct mar Blát cúmra ag na deag-daoinib Gaedealaca atá ag a do dian-gul. Lá sul tugais do radarc deireanac ar tir do grada preab an that-solas i d'súil 'nuair geall mé i gcogar duit go mbéad t'ainm figte leis an sgéilin dá dtug do croide Lan-gean. Agus anois, a Mile Stór, sul tá an fod glas ar d'uais tairigim duit an tabartas beag ro. Dún-na-ngall, Bealtaine, 1902. seumas. |