2017-04-06

Is measa é ná an bás/ Worse than death


A Mháithrín, dá mba thar sáile a bhí sé
   D'fhulaingeoinn an scarúint
Is mé ag feitheamh leis,
   Ach sinn a bheith i dtithe ar leith
Sa bhaile céanna
    Is measa é ná an bás


Mother, were he abroad
   I'd bear the separation
Waiting for him,
   But to live in separate houses
In the same village
   Is worse than death


The Absent Traveller: Prakrit Love Poetry from the Gathasaptasati of Satavahana Hala