An Update to Teagasc an Riogh 
Searles
searles@summerlands.com
Thu Dec 16 14:46:12 1999
I found some additional translations of Teagasc an Riogh in _A Literary History of Irelandd_ by Douglas Hyde.  I thought I'd post it here and get some additional ideas about why grass, copper and yew are the three most lasting things in the world.(Searles)*p**br*Teagasc an Riogh *br*(Instructions of a King)*p*"Of whatever ancient age they are, these Precepts form a rather remarkable, very wise, code of ethics - of which some samples are here pieced together." *p*Seamus MacManus in The Story of the Irish Race*p*Cormac's Advice to His Son*br*(chiefly from Kuno Meyer's version though some parts *br*are taken from a translation by Douglas Hyde).*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbre, "what is best for a king?" *p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac.  *p*"Best for him - firmness without anger, patience without strife, affability without haughtiness, guarding of ancient lore, giving justice, truth, peace, giving many alms, honoring poets, worshipping the great God. *p*"... Let him attend to the sick, benefit the strong, possess truth, chide falsehood, love righteousness, curb fear, crush criminals, judge truly, foster science, improve his soul, utter every truth.  For it is through the truth of a ruler that God gives all. *p*"Let him restrain the great, slay evil doers, exalt the good, consolidate peace, check unlawfulness, protect the just, confine the unjust. *p*"He should question the wise, follow ancient lore, fulfil the law, be honest with friends, be manly with foes, learn every art, know every language, hearken to elders, be deaf to the rabble. "*p*"It is good for him to have patience and not to dispute, self-government without anger, affability without haughtiness, diligent attention to history, strict observance of covenants and agreements, strictness mitigated by mercy in the execution of laws… "*p*"It is good for him to make fertile the land, to invite ships to import jewels of price across the sea, to purchase and bestow raiment, to keep vigorous swordsmen for protecting his territories, to make war outside of his own territories, to attend the sick, to discipline his soldiers…"*p*"Let him be gentle, let him be hard; let him be loving, let him be merciful, let him be righteous, let him be patient, let him be persevering, let him hate falsehood, let him love truth, let him be forgetful of wrong, let him be mindful of good, let him be attended by a host in gathering, and by few in secret councils, let his covenants be firm, let his levies be lenient, let his judgements and decisions be sharp and light .... for it is by these qualities, kings and lords are judged." *p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbre. "What are the most lasting things in the world?"*p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac,*p*"The three most lasting things in the world are grass, copper and yew."*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbré. "What are the duties of a prince at a banqueting-house?"*p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac,*p*"A prince on Samhain should light his fires, and welcome his guests with clapping of hands, procure comfortable seats, the cupbearers should be respectable and active in their distribution of meat and drink.  Let there be moderation of music, short stories, a welcoming countenance, a welcome for the learned, pleasant conversations, and the like, these are the duties of a prince, and the arrangement of the banqueting-house."*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbre. "What is good for the welfare of a country?"*p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac,*p*"Frequent meetings of knowledgeable and good men to investigate its affairs, to abolish each evil and retain each wholesome institution, to attend to the precepts of the elders; let every assembly be convened according to law, let the law be in the hands of the nobles, let the chieftains be upright and unwilling to oppress the poor…"*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbe, "For what qualifications is a king elected over countries and tribes of people?"*p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac*p*"From the goodness of his shape and family, from his experience and wisdom, from his prudence and magnanimity, from his eloquence and bravery in battle, and from the number of his friends."*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbre. "What were your habits when you were a lad?"*p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac*p*"I was a listener in woods, I was a gazer at stars, I was unseeing among secrets, I was silent in a wilderness, I was conversational among many, I was mild in the mead-hall, I was fierce in the battlefield, I was gentle in friendship, I was a nurse to the sick, I was weak toward the strengthless, I was strong toward the powerful, Although possessed of knowledge, I was inclined towards taciturnity. Although strong I was not haughty. I mocked not the old though I was young. I was not arrogant though I was wise. I was not a promiser though I was rich. I was not boastful though I was skilled. I would not speak ill of the absent. I would not reproach, but I would praise. I would not ask, but I would give,*br*for it is through these habits that the young become old and kingly warriors."*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbre, "what is good for me?" "Not hard to tell," said Cormac, "if you listen to my teaching - *p*"Do not deride the old, though you are young; nor the poor, though you are wealthy; nor the lame though you are swift; nor the blind, though you are given sight; nor the sick, though you are strong; nor the dull, though are clever; nor the foolish, though you are wise, nor the ignorant, though you are learned. Be not slothful, nor passionate, nor penurious, nor idle, nor jealous, for he who does these things is and object of hatred to both God as well as to man. "*p*"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Cairbre. "I would know how I am to conduct myself?"*p*"Not hard to tell," said Cormac,*p*"Be not too wise, be not too foolish; Be not too conceited, be not too diffident; Be not too haughty, be not too humble; Be not too talkative, be not too silent; Be not too harsh, be not too feeble. If you are too wise, they will expect (too much) of you; If you are too conceited, you will be thought vexatious; If you are too humble, you will be without honor; If you are too talkative, you will not be heeded; If you are too silent, you will not be regarded; If you are too harsh, you will be broken; If you are too feeble, you will be crushed."*p**p**br*Searles http://www.summerlands.com*p*"Athert an Daogdae, 'An cumang arba/gaid-si/, doge/n-sou ule am a/onur.' "*p**br*