The Book of Kells A

“Oh, resolute arch which may never betray a man,
a brooch of blackthorn is not fitting”

Ancient Celtic Poetry I mbrat an bhrollaigh ghil-se ní bhiadh an dealg droighin-se dá mbeith, a Mhór bhéildearg bhinn, an éindealg d’ór i nÉirinn. San mbrat-sa níor chóir do chur acht dealg d’fhionndruine uasal, nó dealg iongantach d’ór cheard, a Mhór bhionnfhoclach bhéildearg. A fholt lag ar lí an ómra, a chur id bhrat bhreacórdha a stuaigh chobhsaidh nár chealg fear, nior chosmhail dealg don droighean.

English Translation In a cloak, that bright breast of yours– it should not be the blackthorn brooch; for you it is, sweet redmouthed Mór, the one brooch of gold in Éire. In your cloak, the proper equipment is only a brooch of noble finndruinna or a wondrous brooch made of gold, sweetworded redmouthed Mór. Oh, soft hair the color of amber, oh, furrow in the dapplegold cloak, oh, resolute arch which may never betray a man, a brooch of blackthorn is not fitting.