Following is an extract from a book which was kept by the Dean of Lismore. The Dean of Lismore Argyll was the keeper of Highland Literature in the 15th century. The particular volume this extract was taken from had layed burried away in a family attic collecting dust and seemingly forever forgotten until an Uncle took interest in having a part of the writting translated from Galic into modern English. To his surprise the following was found.
First known Gaelic Poetess.
The Poem was recorded in 1431 A.D.
Her name, Effric MacCorquodale, married to Hector Torquil MacNeill of Castle Sween, Knapdale Argyll.
Note: at that time the name MacCorquodale was in transition from Norse to Gaelic (ie. Effric Neyn Coreitill ).
On her husbands death, the Dean of Lismore describes her poem as very spirited.
Efric laments her husbands death as follows.
ROSARY, THOU KINDLEST SORROW;
THOUGH ART EVER MY DELIGHT;
TELLING OF THE NOBLE BOSOM;
WHERE I LAY UNTIL TONIGHT.
DEATH HAS FILLED ME WITH IT’S SADNESS;
WHERE’S THE ARM I CLUNG TO LONG?
AH! I SAW IT NOT DEPARTING;-
HIS THE VALIANT AND THE STRONG.
JOYFUL VOICE OF SOFTEST MUSIC;
KNOWN IT EVERYWHERE REMAINS;
LION OF MULL OF THE WHITE TOWERS,
HAWK OF ISLAY OF SMOOTH PLAINS.
THERE’S NO JOY AMOUNG OUR WOMEN;
AT THE SPORT MEN ARE NOT SEEN;
LIKE THE SKIES WHEN WINDS ARE SILENT,
SO WITH MUSIC IS DUN SWEEN.
ON CLAN-NEILL THEY’VE TAKEN VENGEANCE;
SEE THE PALACE OF THE BRAVE!
CAUSE TO US OF SAD LAMENTING,
TILL THEY LAY US IN THE GRAVE.
Effric Neyn Coreitill