ANECDOTA FROM IRISH MSS.
XIII.

I. SOME SCHOLASTIC RIDDLES.
MS. British Museum, Additional 4783, fo. 7.
Caidhe salann in chuirp ocus étach na
hanma? — In t-anam salann in chuirp ocus
in corp étach na hanma.

What is the salt of the body and the garb
of the soul? — The soul is the salt of the
body, and the body is the garb of the soul.

Ca corp aiginta ocus neamaicinta cea-
thardúileach ná sgarann ó bás co beatha re
duine? — In sgath. Uair ní sgarann re
duine cach conair téit.

What natural and unnatural four-ele-
mental body does not part from man from
death to life?* — The shadow. For it does
not part from man whichever way he goes.

Ca dealbh i bhfuil Luicifer a n-ifearn ar
tuitim tréna diumus? — A richt nathrach
neimhnighe neimhe.

In what shape was Lucifer in hell after
having fallen through pride? — In the shape
of a poisonous snake.

Ca hainmhidhe tháinic asan airc agus nar'
cuiredh inti? — Na lochaidh do cuir Luitifer
tré gaoith anála inti do dibail aroibhe 'san
airc do bhiudh. Créd inní ro teasairg iad?
Michel aingeal do léig a anál futha gu
n-derna in Duileam cat di gur mharbh na
lochaidh, uair do saoradh ar gorta aroibhe
'san airc.

What animals came into the ark and
were not put into it? — The mice, which
Lucifer through a wind of breath put into
it to destroy whatever food there was in the
ark. What was it that saved them? The
angel, Michael, who sent his breath among
them, so that the Creator made a cat of it
which killed the mice, whence all that were
in the ark were saved from famine.

Ca mac caitheas corp a athar a m-broind
a máthar? — Corp in Coimdhedh caithes in
sagart annsan eclais naoim.

What son eats the body of his father in
the womb of his mother? — The body of the
Lord which the priest eats in the Holy
Church.

Ca mac nach rugadh agus nach béarthar agus
mac a ainm? — In mac-alla. Uair do
cluinter hé agus ní faicther hé, acht gidh
mac a ainm.

What son is not born nor shall be born,
and “son” is his name?” — The echo(Ir.
son of rock“). For it is heard and it is
not seen, though “son” is its name.

Tar gach ní as coir do an foghar dilios

bhios ag na guthaighibh greamuighes da cheile
do bheith aige do mheabhair ionas go dtugaidh
a m-briogh agus a bhfoghair fein doibh a n-gach
ait a tteangmhaid air iad.

The follow 14 pages of rules in the
ordinary orthography.

Kuno Meyer.