Fornocht do chonac thú,

a áille na háille,

is do dhallas mo shúil

ar eagla go stánfainn.

Do chualas do cheol,

a bhinne na binne,

is do dhúnas mo chluas

ar eagla go gclisfinn.

Do bhlaiseas do bhéal

a mhilse na milse,

is do chruas mo chroí

ar eagla mo mhillte.

Do dhallas mo shúil,

is mo chluas do dhúnas;

do chruas mo chroí,

is mo mhian do mhúchas.

Do thugas mo chúl

ar an aisling do chumas,

‘s ar an ród so romham

m’aghaidh do thugas.

Do thugas mo ghnúis

ar an ród so romham,

ar an ngníomh do-chim,

‘s ar an mbás do gheobhad.

English Translation

Naked I saw thee,

O beauty of beauty,

And I blinded my eyes

For fear I should fail.

I heard thy music,

O melody of melody,

And I closed my ears

For fear I should falter.

I tasted thy mouth,

O sweetness of sweetness,

And I hardened my heart

For fear of my slaying.

I blinded my eyes,

And I closed my ears,

And I hardened my heart,

And I smothered my desire.

I turned my back

On the vision I had shaped,

And to this road before me

I turned my face.

I have turned my face

To this road before me,

To the deed that I see

And to the death I shall die.