Fógraím cath gan truamhéil
gan cur suas is gan téarmaí
ar laochra na bhfiche pint
a shuífeadh ar bhinse taobh liom,
a chuirfeadh deasláimh faoi mo sciortaí
gan leathscéal ná gan chaoi acu
ach iad ag lorg iarraim cúis
chun smacht a imirt ar mo ghéaga,
is fógraím cath gan truamhéil orthu.

Tabharfad fogha feasta
tré thailte méithe Éireann
mo chathláin réidh faoi threalamh,
mo bhantracht le mo thaobh liom,
is ní tarbh a bheaidh á fhuadach,
ní ar bheithígh a bheidh an chlismirt
ach éiric atá míle uair
níos luachmhaire, mo dhínit;
is fógraím fogha fíochmhar feasta.

Medb Speaks
Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill

Merciless war I declare --
endless, without quarter
on the twenty-pint heroes
who sit on seats beside me
who nicely up my skirts put hands
no apology or reason
just looking for a chance
to dominate my limbs --
a merciless war I will declare!

I will make incursions
through the fertile land of Ireland
my battalions all in arms
my amazons beside me
(not just to steal a bull
not over beasts this battle --
but for an honour-price
a thousand times more precious --
my dignity).
I will make fierce incursions.