Page:The poem-book of the Gael - Hull.djvu/56

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14
THE SALTAIR NA RANN
There are forty gateways in the heavenly habitationwith its kingly thrones;three to each tranquil lawn,and three to each portal.
l. 409Gratings (or doors) of silver, fair in aspect,to each gateway of that lawn,gracious bronze doorsto the gateways of the portals.
The corresponding walls from the fortress outwardsof all the portalsare comparable in height[1](to the distance) from the earth to the moon.
The ramparts of the lawns, as is meet,wrought of white bronze,their height—mighty in brilliance—is as that from the earth to the pure sun.
The measure of comparison of the three rampartswhich surround the chief city,their height shows (a distance equalto that) from the earth to the firmament.
l. 465The entrance bridges[2] of the perfect gates,a fair way, shining with red gold,they are irradiated—pure the gathering—each step ascending above the other.
  1. ↑ This is the L. B. reading; our text seems to mean "in renown."
  2. ↑ Or "thresholds."
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