Audact Morann (translation adapted from the English version

Translated by Fergus Kelly available at:https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/morann.html )

 

 

1) Incipt audacht Morinn maic Muin do Feradach Find Fechtnach mac Crumthain Niath Nair.

Macside ingene Loith Maic Derelaith di Cruthentuaith.

Bert a mathair ass ina bru iar ndligund tigernae nErenn dorro haithechthuathaib acht Feredach namma I mbru a mathair.

To-lluid-side iarum tairis co slogaib & fuidis Morann in n-audacht-so cuccu! Id est:

 

Here in the Testament of Morann son of Moen to Feradach Find Fechtnach son of Craumthann Nia Nar. He was the son of the daughter of Loth son of Derelath of the Picts. His mother brought him away in her womb after the vassal tribes had destroyed the nobles of Ireland except for Feradach in his mother's womb. He came over afterwards with hosts and Morann sent this Testament to him. 

 

2) At-rae tochomlai;                 Arise, set forth 

A mo Neire Nuallgnaith,          O my Neire accustomed to proclaiming 

Nuethut buaid ngairiu;             The virtue of dutifulness makes you known 

Gor intech ara. Folmither.        Dutiful the journey you undertake 

Fasaich, forber, fir;                     Announce, increase truth. 

Finda buana                                 Fair [and] lasting 

Mo brethra rem bas.                  My words before my death 

Beir do buaid dirgi:                    Bring him the virtue of rectitude 

Dligthir cech flathimain,           Which each ruler must have 

 

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3) Dia teis sech chech rig,                      If you go past every [other] king 

Ate-midiur-sae ar mo cheneul clith     I measure them for the protection of my kin

 

. 

 

4) Ma theisi-siu co rrig,                                 If you go to a king 

Reisi co Feradach                                           Hasten to Feradach 

Find Fechtnach,                                              Find  (the fine-one of)Fechtnach 

Fo beu                                                              Good, vigourious 

Bes sithflaithech                                             He will be long ruling 

Suidiu lanflatho                                               In the seat of full soverenty 

Luifith il-tuatha                                               He will move many tribes 

Tuadut co mor;                                                Of thieves to the sea 

Moigfith a chomarpae.                                   He will increase his heir 

5) Comlan congreit,                                         Filled with valour

Comei mo chosc iarmotha sund;                  Let him keep my advice which follows here. 

Sluind do cech mbreithir                                Tell him before every [other] word 

Beir do for cech mbreithir inso sirchosc:     Bring him with every word this lasting justice

Comath firinni, cot-n-o'fathar.                      Let him preserve Truth, it shall preserve him 

Turcbath firinni, tot 'n-urceba.                      Let him raise truth, it will raise him. 

Coicleth a tuatha, cot-ceillfetar;                    Let him exalt mercy, it exalth him 

Fairtheth a Thuatha, fa-rresat                        Let him care for his tribes, they will care for him 

Talgeth a Thuatha, ta-n-algefat                     Let him help his tribes, they will help him 

                                                                Let him soothe his tribes, they will soothe him 

 

6) Apair fris:

  Is tre fir flathemon mortlit I morslog no marlochit di duineb dingbatar

  Is tre fir flathemon con-ita marthuatha marmuine midethar

  Is tre fir flathemon ath-mos cathae fri cricha comnamat cuirethar

  Is tre fri flathemoin cach comarbae cona chli ina chaemorbae clandas

  Is tre fir flathemon ad ment a marmesu marfeda mlasetar

  Is tre fir flathemon ad mlechtae marbois muingeter

  Is tre fir flathemon rabbi cech atho ardosil imbeth

  Is tre fir flathemon to huib la husce heisc ar srothaib snagethar

  Is tre fir flathemon cland a cane cain-tussimer dereaib detha

 

Tell him,

It is through the truth of the ruler that plagues [and] great lightnings are kept from the people 
It is through the truth of the ruler that he judges great tribes [and] great riches. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that he secures peace, tranquility, joy, ease, [and] comfort. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that he dispatches (great) battilions to the borders of hostile neibours. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that every heir plants his house-post in his fair inheritance 
It is through the truth of the ruler that abundances of great tree-fruit of the great wood are tasted. 
t is through the truth of the ruler that milk-yields of great cattle are maintained. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that there is abundance of every high, tall corn 
It is through the truth of the ruler that abundance of fish swim in streams. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that fair children are well begotten. 

 

 

7) Apair fris; os he oec, oec flaith.

 Ar dossecath arid sencharpait;

 Ar ni-cain-cotli are senn fonaith:

 Remi-dece, iarmo-dece, tair sceo desul sceo Tuaithbiul

 De-ece, im-dich, im-dithnathar, ar nap co faill na

 Forrain fondaith fot-rethat

 

Tell him, since he is young, his rule is young. 
Let him observe the driver of an old chariot. 
For the driver of an old wheel rim does not sleep 
He looks ahead, he looks behind, in front and to the right and to the left. 
He looks, he defends, he protects, so that he may not break with neglect or violence the wheel-rims which run under him. 

 

 

8) Apai fris: ni huasligethar nach mbrethimuin mane fassach firinne fiastar

 9) Is tre fir flathemon rosaig cech dan mochtide mind suith is iar suidiu seis fria for cetal fo-rechta ro-damair

 Is tre fir flathemon crichait cricha cech flathimain firioin co-rrosaig ba cenn hingeltae

 Is tre fir flathemon cach n-etag tlachta do sellaib suile saigetar

 Is tre fir flathemon comara comigicethre caich torith crichait crich-icht-chai cech flathimmunsa firioin

 Is tre fir flathemon aran-demat tre blai buraig im cech n-oenach cech comdeth cen costathaib cuicilche a recht ran riuth:

 Oen n-ae blai ane ech n-oenag:

 Ail blai dib dunath;

 Tress blai dib buaid cuirmthige co coimaib comannaib moraib midchoartaib merdardae mbaith, gaith, gnaith, ingnaith.

 

Tell him, let him not exalt any judge unless he knows the true legal precedents. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that every man of art attains the crown of knowledge. After that he will sit to teach the good rule to which he has submitted. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that the borders of every true lord extend so that each cow reaches the end of its grazing. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that every garment of clothing is obtained for glances of eyes. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that enclosures of protection of cattle [and] of every produce extend. 
It is through the truth of the ruler that the three immunities of violence at every assembly protect every lord from the restraints of collision during the course of his noble rule. 
The first immunity [is] the racing of horses at assemblies. 
The second immunity of them [is] a hosting [of a millitary force] 
The third immunity [is] the privilege of the ale-house with friends and great abundances of mead-circuit, where foolish and wise, familiars and strangers are intoxicated. 

 

 

 

10) Apair fris: Ni mar n-urlise n-inderga, ar is dorthath cecha flatha folaim la foscath o fini do flaith fuiliche.

 

Tell him, let him not redden many fore-courts, for bloodshed is a vain destruction of all rule and of protection from one kin for the ruler. 

 

 

11) Apair fris: Nach frithfoluth rod*ndligther to*rrata, na aurnaidm ara*rona ra*sa ime-ro ruideth a gruaide faebraib fri roi fri hailechricha, fri anaill fria n-uili imdegla.

 

Tell him, let him give any reciprocal service which is due from him, let him enforce any bond which he should bind, let him remove the shame of his cheeks by arms in battle against other territories, against their oath, against all their protections. 

 

 

12) Apair fris: ni *aurdallat dana sonai na muine mar na lessa fer lobrai leim.

 

Tell him, let not rich gifts or great treasures or profits blind him to the weak in their sufferings. 

 

 

13)Apair fris: Admestar duil e duilemain tod*rosat amail to-rrosata; na-ch ret nad asa muinib miastar, nicope lantoreth do tobera

Ad-mestar asa thorthib talmain

Ad-mestar asa besaib buar

Ad-mestar asa inricib I bar

Ad-mestar asa coe cloth cethrai

Ad-mestar asa mog-ith mlicht

Ad-mestar asa huaslib hith

Ad-mestar asa sruthu slandiunach

Ad-mestar iarn asa thoichib tuatha tacarthaib

Ad-mestar umae asa betha brig banaicdib

Ad-mestar ar asa forniamaib allmaraib adams raib

Ad-mestar huir asa tindremaib hi torath tecail

Ad-mestar caurchu asa cottugi do thlachtaib tuath teclannathar

Ad-mestar mucu methathar, air a cach rig reme recht; na-red nad asa muinib miastar, nibi cai lantorath dou togera

 

Tell him, let him estimate the creations of the creator who made them as they were made; anything which he will not judge according to its profits will not give them with full increase. 
Let him estimate the earth by its fruits 
Let him estimate the yew by its well-made articles 
Let him estimate cattle by their winter-circuit of fame 
Let him estimate milk-yield by its increase 
Let him estimate corn by its height 
Let him estimate streams by their clean washing 
Let him estimate iron by its properties at disputes of tribes. 
Let him estimate copper by its firmness [and] strength [and] dense artefacts. 
Let him estimate silver by its durability [and] value [and] white artefacts. 
Let him estimate gold by its foregn wonderful ornaments. 
Let him estimate the soil by its services where people may seek out produce. 
Let him estimate sheep by their covering which is selected for the garments of the people 
Let him estimate pigs by the fat side, for it is freeing from shame of every face 

 

 

 

14) ad-mestar doeru drung a fognama: foignat, biathat, toimdet, tiabret tar flatha fir folta

Ad-mestar sinu suidib sinser somuinib ilib airmitin

Ad-mestar athra sceo mathra muinib gaire gorforsaide

Ad-mestar foibrithiu cech dana drongaib dronaib dagaicdib

Ad-mestar cert ag coir ag fir ag dligeth ag comthus ag corus  cacha flatha fire fria huile aicillne

Ad-mestar dire coir cach graid di soernemthib ag doernemthib

15) Ru-merae-su rom-dergatar;

 

46. Let him estimate the war-bands which accompany a true lord, for the rule of his retinue belongs to every king; anything which he will not judge according to its profits will not summon them with full increase. 
47. Let him estimate unfree persons [and] serving companies; let them serve, let them provide food-rent, let them measure [it], let them give [it] in return for the true grants of the ruler 
48. Let him estimate old men in the seats of their ancestors with numerous benefits of respect. 
49. Let him estimate fathers and mothers with benefits of maintenance [and] dutiful consistancy. 
50. Let him estimate the fees of every craftsman for firm articles [and] well made objects 
51. Let him estimate the right and justice, truth and law, contract and regulation of every just ruler towards all his clients. 
52. Let him estimate the proper honour-price of every grade of free and base nemed-persons. 
(I have failed, I am made to blush.) 

 

 

At-rae tochomlai                                            Arise, set forth

 A mo Neire Nuallgnaith                                O my Neire accustomed to proclaiming 

 Ro Feradach Find Fechtnach                        To Feradach Find Fechtnach. 

 Faisaich do a tulcha mo briathar                 Announce to him the high points of my words 

 

 

16) To-leci dorche do sorchai;                      Darkness yields to light 

Ta-leci bron do failti;                                       Sorrow yields to joy 

Ta-leci borb do ecnu;                                      An oaf yields to a sage 

Ta-leci baeth do gaeth;                                   A fool yields to a wise man 

Ta-leci doer do soer;                                       A serf yeilds to a free man 

Ta-leci dochell do chlothaib;                         Inhospitality yields to hospitality 

Ta-leci neoitiu do gart;                                   Niggardliness yields to generosity 

Ta-leci cailte do eslabrai;                               Meanness yields to liberality 

Ta-leci discire do fossti;                              Impetuosity yields to composure 

Ta-leci dofeth do giallni;                             Turbulence yields to submission 

Ta-leci anflaith do firflaith;                         A usurper yields to a true lord 

Ta-leci debuith do chorai;                           Conflict yields to peace 

Ta-leci go do fir                                              Falsehood yields to truth. 

 

 

17)  Apair fris:                                              Tell him

A) ba trocar,                                                  let him be

B) bad firion,                                                merciful

C) bad cosmail,                                            just

D) bad cuibsech,                                         impartial

E) bad fosath,                                              conscientious

F) bas eslabar,                                              firm

G) bad gartae,                                              generous

H) bad fialainech,                                        hospitable

I) bad indricc,                                               honourable

M) bad suth ngae,                                      stable

N) bad forfostae,                                         beneficient

O) bad firbrethach                                      capable

                                                           Honest

                                                           well-spoken

                                                           steady,

                                                           true-judging. 

 

 

18) Ar atat a deich to-ferat goi gach flathemoin:

Fomnus airnaichinderna; sech fomnuis huile, a uili flaithimna.

Fasaich uaim a ddeich: Flaith ag febus, cluith ag cosar, cland ag celen, sith ag soegul, toceth ag toatha.

 

For there are ten things which extinguish the injustice of every ruler. (Beware that you do not do it, beware of everything, O rulers.) Announce from me the ten: rule and worth, fame and victory, progeny and kindred, peace and long life, good fortune an d tribes. 

 

 

19) Apair fris:

Ni-fil cethri flaithimna:

Fir-flaith,

Ciall flaith,

Flaoith congbalae co slogaib,

Tarbhflaith.

Firflaith cetamus: luther-side fri gach fo, fris-tibi firinni inde-cluinethar, coten-ocaib inde-n-aici

Ar ni firflaith nad-niamat bi bendachtnaib.

Ciallflaith: ar-clich-side cricha sceo tuatha; to-llecet a seoith ag a techtae ndo.

Flaith congbalae co slogaib: in-suet a slog in-snadat a adileni: air ni-saitha soithcedach sechtair.

Tarbhflaith: to-slaid-side to-sladar, ar-clich ar-clechar, to-sennar: is fris con-bith-buirethar bennaib.

 

Tell him: he may die, he will die, he may depart, he will depart; how he has been, how he will be, that is what will be proclaimed. He is not a ruler unless he performs these deeds. 

Tell him, there are only four rulers: the true ruler and the wily ruler, the ruler of occupation with hosts, and the bull ruler. 
The true ruler, in the first place, is moved towards every good thing, he smiles on the truth when he hears it, he exalts it when he sees it. For he whom the living do not glorify with blessings is not a true ruler. 
The wily ruler defends borders and tribes, they yield their valuables and dues to him. 

The ruler of occupation with hosts from outside; his forces turn away, they put off his needs, for a prosperous man does not turn outside. 
The bull ruler strikes [and] is struck, wards off [and] is warded off, roots out [and] is rooted out, pursues [and] is pursued. Against him there is always bellowing with horns. 

 

 

20) At-rae, tochomlai

a mo Naire Nuallgnaith

Co Feradach Find Fechtnach,

Flaithemain n-uasal n-an

Co cech flathimain falnathar co fir.

Forcmath mo briathra

Bertait co buaid.

Ate-midiur-sae ar mo cheneul clith:

Cotom-ecnigetar. Finit

 

Arise, set forth 
O my Neire accustomed to proclaiming 
To Feradach Find Fechtnach 
A noble, mighty ruler 
To every ruler who rules truly. 
Let him keep my words, 
They will bring him to victory. 
I measure them for the protection of my kin. 

(I am forced) Finit.