Oengus the Culdee

“ Lift thy two hands every canonical hour [10]
towards the heavenly Lord of the nine grades;
pray . . . , even at the beginning,
forgiveness for thy transgression.
“We are not pure to converse with God,
since (our) transgression, since (our) impurity,
for our false, polluted mouths
are not clean, stainless, bright.
“Let us beseech the whole of the creatures
formed by God through His pure mysteries,
that they implore with us to the King of Justice
that our transgression be forgiven. ”

“ Lucifer went with joyful speed,
the fierce, astute wolf,
like a swan, in the shape of a white angel,
to Eve in the River Tigris.
The angel who destroyed them spake with her,
in pity for her, as it seemed to her,
“O modest Eve of the bright form,
long hast thou tarried in the River Tigris.
“Ah Woman, though bright was thy beauty,
thou hast grown pale [12] in the rough stream;
without vigour ... , it is evident
thou hast slain thyself, thou hast destroyed thyself.
“O Woman, come out for the sake of thy God,
remain no longer in the cruel river ”