THE

LIVES OF THE BRITISH POETS.

AMERGIN.

(Circa 1070 B.C.)

THE earliest Irish bard, within the range of any thing like au

thentic history, is Amergin, the ard-filea, or chief bard, to his brothers, the princes Heremar and Heber, the Milesians who wrested Ireland from the Danonians in or about the year 1070 B.C. We have also recorded the name Cir Mac Cis, a poet who accompanied these conquerors in their successful invasion. The next mention of Irish bards in historical tradition, or traditionary history (whichever it may be), is under Tighermnas (circa 993 B.C.), by whom the Ollamhs, or dignified bards, were permitted to wear six colours in their garments, only one colour less than were worn by the royal family. The education, office, and privileges of these early poets are described with elaborate minuteness by Mr. Walker, in his Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards.

MORIAT. (Circa 329 B.C.)

It does not appear that the Irish had female bards, or bardesses, properly so called; though a class of women, whose voices recommended them for the avocation, were instructed in music and the cursios (elegiac measure), that they might assist in the chorus of the funereal song; a custom not improbably derived from the Hebrews, and, with modifications, still continued in Ireland and in the Highlands of Scotland. But though women, during the heroic ages, held no rank in the order of bards, they cultivated music and poetry,