CARMINA GADELICA

Ortha nan Gaidheal

HATCHING BLESSING

I will rise early on the morning of Monday,

1 will sing my rune and rhyme,

I will go sunwise with my cog

To the nest of my hen with sure intent.

I will place my left hand to my breast,

My right hand to my heart,

I will seek the loving wisdom of Him

Abundant in grace, in broods, and in flocks.

I will close my two eyes quickly,

As in blind-man's buff moving slowly;

I will stretch my left hand over thither

To the nest of my hen on yonder side.

The first egg which I shall bring near me,

I will put it withershins round my head.

* * * * *

* * * * *

I will raise my left hand on high,

I will stretch it without halt quickly,

I will lift the two eggs down hither,

There shall be then three in the cog.

I will stretch my right hand again,

I will lift with it at the time three,

I will seek ruling from the King,

Then verily there shall be six in the clutch.

I will raise my left hand the second time,

I will lift four with it down,

In name of Christ, King of power,

There shall then be ten in the cog.

The right fist of strongest claim,

I will lift with it two in my fingers,

Thus at ceasing my brood will be complete,

Beneath the breast of the speckled big hen.

I will put soot on their two ends,

And I dumb as the dumb the while,

In name of Creator of sea and hill,

In name of saints and apostles all.

In name of the most Holy Trinity,

In name of Columba kindly,

I will set the eggs on Thursday,

The gladsome brood will come on Friday.