Oíche amháin chuir Dia rún im’ chluas i gcogar
Bhí fhios agam gur rún ab ea é mar bhí fonn orm é a scaipeadh;
Is mar sin a thuigimid a luachmhaire is atá an smaoineamh.
Is geal linn púróga gan mhaith is scaipimid seoda ar an mbóthar mór;
Sin gaois an domain anois duit!
Ar mhaith leat go mbeadh gach fear sa tóir ort?
Caith caille!
Má tá rud éigin agat le tabhairt uait – caith amach an fhuinneog é;
An té atá ina ghátar tiocfaidh sé agus a shúile dírithe ar an bhfód.
Má tá earra sárluachmhar uait – ná hinis d’éinne é.
Seans go dtiocfaidh tú air agus súile na Cinniúna ag breathnú sa treo eile.
ONE night God whispered a secret in my ear.
I knew it was a secret because I longed to tell it;
Thus may we always know how valuable is a thought.
We treasure the worthless pebbles and scatter the jewels on the highway;
Such is the wisdom of the world!
Would you know a way to make all men seek you? Wear a veil!
If you have something to give -- throw it out of the window;
The one who needs it will come along with eyes bent on the ground.
If you desire something of real value - tell no one.
You will find it maybe when the eyes of Destiny are turned the other way.
"One Night God Whispered a Secret In My Ear" as an leabhar Songs of a Vagrom Angel. Elsa Barker. Nua-Eabhrac: Mitchell Kennerley, 1916.
Yin nicht The Almichty fuspert a saicret i ma lug.
A kent it wis a saicret fir a hud a greenin tae threep it oot;
An sae lang mey we ken the vailyie o a thocht.
We treisur the wanwirthy chuckies an skail wallie gowdies on the causey;
Sic is the wiceheid o the warl!
Wid ye ken onie wey tae mak aw men green fir ye? Weir a veil!
Gin ye hae oniethin tae gie - fling it oot the winnock;
The yin whae hus need o't'll cum danderin by een tae the grun.
Gin ye green fir sumhin o real vailyie - tell naebodie.
Ye'll fund it aiblins whan the een o Destiny's turnt the ither wey.
