Specimens of the Celtic Languages
I am not able to produce any specimen of the Celtic, at least any version of the Lord’s Prayer, which can be opposed in point of antiquity to the Gothic specimen from Ulphilas, who flourished A.D. 365.—As the Celts were settled in these countries long before the Goths, and were exposed to various revolutions before their arrival, their language has, as might be expected, undergone greater and earlier changes than the Gothic; so that no specimen of the old original Celtic is I believe, now to be found.
The Ancient Languages derived from the Celtic.
I.
Anc. Gaulish.
Of this language I cannot find any specimen which can be depended on.
II.
Cambrian, or Ancient British.
Eyen Taad rhuvn wyt yn y neofoedodd. 1. Santeiddier yr henvu tau. 2. Devedy dyrnas dau. 3. Guneler dy wollys ar ryddayar megis ag yn y nefi. 4. Eyn bara beunyddvul dyro inni heddivu. 5. Ammaddeu ynny eyn deledion, megis ag i maddevu in deledvvir ninaw. 6. Agna thowys ni in brofedigaeth. 7. Namyn myn gwared ni rhag drug. Amen.
[From Chamberl. p. 47.]
III.
Ancient Irish, or Gaedhlig.
Our Narme ata ar neamb. 1. Beanich a tainin. 2. Go diga de riogda. 3. Go denta du hoill air talm in marte ar neamb. 4. Tabair deim aniugh ar naran limbali. 5. Augus mai duin ar fiach amhail maamhia ar fiacha. 6. Naleig sin amaribh. 7. Ach saarsa sin o olch. Amen.
[From Dr. Anth. Raymond’s Introduction to the History of Ireland, p. 2, 3, &c.]143