In several ancient Irish manuscripts, including the Book of Leinster, there is a poem in the Irish language in praise of Ireland, said to have been composed by Alfred Flann Fina; of which the following are some of the verses faithfully translated[153-1]:-- PRINCE ALDFRID'S ACCOUNT OF IRELAND. I found in Inisfail the fair, In Ireland, while in exile there, Women of worth, both grave and gay men, Many clerics and many laymen. I travelled its fruitful provinces round, And in every one of the five I found, Alike in church and in palace hall, Abundant apparel, and food for all. Gold and silver I found, and money, Plenty of wheat and plenty of honey; I found God's people rich in pity, Found many a feast and many a city. I found in Munster, unfettered of any, Kings, and queens, and poets a many-- Poets well skilled in music and measure, Prosperous doings, mirth and pleasure. I found in Connaught the just, redundance Of riches, milk in lavish abundance; Hospitality, vigour, fame, In Cruachan's[154-1] land of heroic name. I found in Ulster, from hill to glen, Hardy warriors, resolute men; Beauty that bloomed when youth was gone, And strength transmitted from sire to son. I found in Leinster the smooth and sleek, From Dublin to Slewmargy's[154-2] peak; Flourishing pastures, valour, health, Long-living worthies, commerce, wealth. I found in Meath's fair principality, Virtue, vigour, and hospitality; Candour, joyfulness, bravery, purity, Ireland's bulwark and security. I found strict morals in age and youth, I found historians recording truth; The things I sing of in verse unsmooth, I found them all--I have written sooth. [153-1] It was translated very exactly into prose in 1832 by the great Irish scholar Dr. John O'Donovan: the Irish poet James Clarence Mangan turned this prose with very little change into verse, part of which is given here. [154-1] Cruachan or Croghan in the north of the present Co. Roscommon, the ancient palace of the kings of Connaught: see page 52. [154-2] Slewmargy, now Slievemargy, a low range of hills in Queen's County. XXXIV. THE VOYAGE OF MAILDUNE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURES OF MAILDUNE[155-1] AND HIS CREW, AND OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS THEY SAW DURING THEIR VOYAGE OF THREE YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS, IN THEIR CURRAGH, ON THE WESTERN SEA.