To Scáthach
by P.S.V.L
I praise the
shadowy one of Skye,
mother of Uathach, enemy of Aoífe,
fosterer of Fer Diad and Lóch mac Emonis,
and trainer-in-arms of Cú Chulainn.
In darkness of shadows you raised them,
warriors destined to be great amongst men,
and yet you were not a man yourself
but a woman and mother—fiercer still!
You knew every feat of warriors’ arts
and further surpassed them, for you knew
the ways of imbas forosnai and taught
prophetesses from Connacht in these ways.
You foresaw the fates of your foster-sons
and knew that two would die by one—
the hound of wood-feats and splitting shields
with the swelling spear you taught him to use.
You allowed your daughter to sport with him
though you knew he would go with your rival,
would have lovers aplenty elsewhere
and was training only to woo another.
The women of warfare and battle before
and after you would not equal your skills,
Scáthach the heroine from otherworld isles:
Skye’s shadowy one I praise.