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Ba mor, tra, ocus ba dirim smacht Cormaic for Erinn andsin.

Ba mhór, *mar sin,* agus ba dhian smacht Chormaic ar Éirinn *ag an am sin*.

Great, then, and not to be told was Cormac’s control over Erin at that time.

Badar geill Erenn fria laim.

Bhí gialla Éireann uile ar láimh aige.

The hostages of Erin were in his
hand.

Æn dibhsidhe Socht mac Fithil

Duine dhíobh sin ab ea Socht mac Fíthil

One of them was Socht son of Fithel,

meic Ængusa meic Glangen

mhic Aonghasa *, mhic Ghlangen,

son of Oengus, son of Glangen,

meic Seich meic So[i]cht

mhic Sheich, mhic Shoicht,

son of Sech, son of Socht,

meic Fhachtna meic Seanchadha

mhic Fhachtna, mhic Sheanchadha,

son of Fachtna, son of Senchaid,

meic Ailello Ceastaig, meic Rudraighi.

mhic Ailello Cheastaigh, mhic Rudhraighe.

son of Ailill Cestach, son of Rudraige.

A Leabur Nahuacongbala cecinit.

As Leabhar Nuachongbhála cecinit.*

Out of the Book of Navan cecinit.

Bai claideb amra la Socht,

Bhí claíomh cáiliúil ag Socht,

Socht had a wonderful sword,

orduirnn a elta,

a dhornchla d’ór,

with a hilt of gold

airgidi a fulang,

a chrios d’airgead,

and a belt of silver:

forordha a comet,

breachtra óir ar a fhorgharda,

gilded was its guard,

breachtfæbrach a éo.

géire faghartha ar a fhaobhar.

diverse-edged its point (éo).

Rothaitnidh ’sin aidhchi amal coindill.

Shoilsíodh sé mar bheadh coinneal ann san oíche.

It shone at night like a candle. 

Da fillti a rind conici a dhornchar

Dob fhéidir a rinn a fhilleadh go sroichfeadh a dhornchla

If its point (rind) were bent back to its hilt

dosineadh amal cholg.

agus lingeadh sé ar ais arís mar dhéanfadh colg.

it would stretch (back again) like a rapier.

Doletradh finda for usci.

Theascfadh sé ribe ar snámh ar uisce.

It would sever a hair (floating) on water.

No athcumadh finda for ceand, ocus ni fhaiscead in toind.

Ghearrfadh sé ribe de cheann duine gan baint dá chraiceann.

It would cut off a hair on (a man’s) head, and without touching the skin.

Do[g]níd da leth don duine

Dhéanfadh sé dhá leath de dhuine

It would make two halves of a man,

ocus ní forcluinedh ocus ní fhairighidh co hetircen in leth araile dhe.

ar shlí *nach gcluinfeadh agus* nach n-aireodh a leath dhe go ceann i bhfad an leath eile uaidh.

and for a long time one half would not hear or perceive what had befallen the other.

Atbert-som ba hesin in Cruaidin Coiditcheann

Dúirt Socht go mba é an claíomh sin an Cruidin Coititcheann,

Socht said that that it was the Hard-headed Steeling,

.i. claideb Conculainn.

claíomh Chon Culainn,

Cúchulainn’s sword.

Audacht ceneoil ocus aitri ocus seanaitri leosom in claideb sin.

agus go mba seod oidhreachta cine é a bhí ag a shinsir roimhe.

They held this sword to be a tribal bequest (?) both of fathers and grandfathers.

Bai reachtaire amra isin Temraig in inbaidh sin, .i. Duib[d]reann mac Uirgreand.

Bhí reachtaire uasal i dTeamhair ag an am sin, Duibhdreann mac Uirghreann.

At that time there was a famous steward in Tara, even Dubdrenn son of Urgriu.

Dorimgart in rechtaire in claideb do reicc ris do Socht,

D’iarr an reachtaire ar Shocht an claíomh a dhíol leis

The steward asked Socht to sell him the sword,

ocus asbert in rechtaire rom-biadh beth am ænproind riseomh cach n-aidhchi,

agus dúirt sé le Socht go mbeadh comh-mhaith a bhídh féin le caitheamh ag Socht gach oíche

and told him that he should have a ration of the same meal as he (Dubdrenn) had every night,

ocus biadh cethrair gach nóna dia muntir i fuluagh in claidib,

agus go ndáilfí bia ceathrair gach nóin ar a mhuintir — é sin go léir mar éirnis i luach an chlaímh,

and that his family should have, every day, four men’s food in sub-payment for the sword,

ocus a lanluagh dia reir fein do iarsein.

agus go bhfágfadh sé lánluach an chlaímh ina dhiaidh sin faoi bhreith a bhéil féin ag Socht.

and the full value thereof, at his own award, after that.

“Ní tho,” ol Socht,

“Ní dhéanfad,” arsa Socht.

“No,” says Socht;

“nídam tualaing reca sed mo athar cen beous beo.”

“Ní ceadmhach dom seoda m’athar a reic lena bheo.”

“I am not competent to sell my father’s treasures while he is alive.”

Badar cein mair uime sin.

Bhíodar ar feadh i bhfad ar na ionas sin.

For a long time they went on thus,

Baí Dubdreann i[c] a tur ocus ic imradud in claidib.

Bhíodh Duibhdreann ag lorg an chlaímh agus i gcónaí ag meabhrú air.

Dubdrenn seeking and thinking about the sword.

Tucad Socht chuici da sainol feacht and.

Tugadh Socht chuige uair ar féasta óil.

Once upon a time he brought Socht to a special drinking-bout.

Ailis iarum Dubdreann in dalim

D’iarr Duibhdreann ar an dáileamh

Then Dubdrenn begged the cupbearer

im thabairt in fhina ocus in medha fair co mbo measc.

fíon agus miodh a choinneáil le Socht nó go mbeadh sé ar meisce.

to press wine and mead upon Socht until he became drunk.

Dogníth iarum samlaid cona fitir Socht cia hairm i mbaí,

Deineadh amhlaidh i dtreo ná feadair Socht cá háit a raibh sé

Thus was it done, so that Socht knew not where he was,

ocus contuil samlaid.

agus chuaigh sé a chodladh fán ionas sin.

and so he fell asleep.

Atetha in rechtaire iarum in claideb,

D’ardaigh an reachtaire an claíomh leis ansin

Then the steward takes the sword

ocus luid co cerd in rígh, Connu.

agus thug leis é go dtí Connu, ceard an rí Cormac.

and went to the king’s brazier, Connu.

“IN etar leat,” ol se, “dornchur in claidib do tuaslucud?”

“An féidir leat,” ar sé le Connu, “dornchla an chlaímh seo a oscailt.”

“Art thou able,” says Dubdrenn, “to open the hilt of this sword?”

“Is edir”, ol in ceard.

“Is féidir,” arsa an ceard.

 “Yea, I am able,” says the brazier.

Dogní iarum in cerd taithmeach in claidib ocus scribus ainm in rechtaire ina dornchur .i. Dubdreann,

Rinne an ceard ansin dornchla an chlaímh a scaoileadh agus scríobh sé laistigh ann ainm an reachtaire, Duibhdreann,

Then the brazier sundered the sword, and in the hilt he wrote the steward’s name, even Dubdrenn,

ocus suidhis doridisi in claideb amal robai riam.

agus chóirigh sé an claíomh arís sa chuma ina raibh sé roimhe sin.

and set the sword again [by Socht] as it was before.

Batar and tremsi iarsin,

D’fhan an scéal amhlaidh sin an feadh tréimhse,

So things remained for three months after,

ocus bai in rechtaire beous ic tothlugad in claidib,

an reachtaire fós ag iarraidh an chlaímh ar Shocht

and the steward kept on asking for the sword,

ocus nir’ fhetus o Shocht.

agus ná tiúrfadh Socht dó é.

and he could not (get it) from Socht.

Aidbris iarum in rechtaire in claideb fadeoidh,

D’éiligh an reachtaire an claíomh ansin ar scáth an dlí

At last the steward sued for the sword,

ocus dorigni tecta n-adbriuda occa,

agus chomhlíon sé coinníollacha an dlí sa chúis,

and fulfilled all the requirements of the suit,

ocus isbert didiu Socht ba les fein he

á rá go mba leis féin an claíomh

and declared that the sword was his own,

ocus conidh uadha dorucad.

agus gurbh amhlaidh goideadh uaidh é.

and that it had been taken from him.

Aspert didiu Socht conid les fein tuinithi in chlaidib

Dhearbhaigh Socht go mba dhual dó féin seilbh an chlaímh

Then Socht pleaded that he himself had a prescriptive title to the sword

ocus a atharchtu ocus a imdhenom.

maille lena threalamh agus a ghléasra

and its trappings (?) and ornament,

Bai didiu cerd occa uime sin.

agus go raibh teideal cóir aige dhóibh.

and, moreover, that he had an equitable right to it.

Luidh Socht do agallaim Fithil

D’imigh Socht ansin ag triall ar Fhítheal, a athair,

Socht went to consult Fithel

ocus do fhochmarc a dhala imon caingin sin,

chun a chúnamh a lorg sa chás

and to request him to take part in that action,

ocus do thobairt a athar leis do cosnum in claidib.

agus chun é thabhairt leis chun an claíomh a chosaint.

and to bring his father to defend [his claim to] the sword.

“Nítho,” ol Fithil, “imodcuri fein it [d]alaibh

“Ní dhéanfad,” arsa Fítheal. “Pléigh féin do chúis.

“No,” says Fithel: “act for thyself in thy causes.

ocus ni ba m[i]si itercertbus duid tria bhithu,

Ní mise dhéanfaidh idirghabháil ar do shon *choíche,

It is not I who will ever arbitrate for thee,

ol is mor nodcuri ocus nodgabai fein id dhalaib,

mar cuireann tú féin agus gabhann tú féin go mór id chúiseanna,

for greatly dost thou put thyself and take thyself (?) in thy causes;

ocus ni firindi gan gái do rad.

agus ní fírinne gan bhréag do rá.

and (it is) not to say truth without falsehood.

Friscoirter gai in gaí.

Cuirtear bréag i gcoinne bréige.

Falsehood is opposed in falsehood.

Raiged immorro, arrocur leat do imdemna sealbai in claidib

Dar ndóigh, beidh sé deacair duit seilbh an chlaímh a chruthú go lán-chinnte.

*However, it will be hard to prove your complete certainty of the ownership of the sword.

is asa lim fuaidridh do cur.”

Dar liom, beidh sé níos fusa duit cúis dlí a chur ina choinne*.”

It is easy for me to raise a cross-suit.*”

Dognít[h]er in ceart ocus doberar do Socht denum cor’bo leis in claideb,

*Déantar an ceart.* Tugadh caoi ansin do Shocht a chruthú go mba leis féin an claíomh

The right is done, and Socht is allowed to prove that the sword is his,

ocus dobeir Socht [in] luighi corbo sed fine do in claideb

agus thug sé a bhriathar móide ann go mba seod oidhreachta leis an claíomh

and Socht gives the oath that the sword was a family treasure of his,

ocus cor’ fo leis fein hé.

agus go mba leis féin é.

and that it belonged to him.

Asbert in rechtaire: “Maith ameind, a Cormaic;

Arsa an reachtaire ansin: “Go deimhin, a Chormaic,

Said the steward. “Well, in sooth, O Cormac:

in t-æth ud adbert Socht is eitheach hé.”

an mhóid úd a ghlac Socht is éitheach í.”

yon oath that Socht has uttered is perjurous.”

“Cid dogní latsu sin,” ol Cormac, “conid breg he?”

“Cá bhfios duitse gur bréag í?” arsa Cormac.

“What proof hast thou”, says Cormac, “that the oath is false?”

“Ní ansa,” for se,

“Is furasta sin a fhreagairt,” arsa an reachtaire.

“Not hard to say,” quoth the steward.

“masa limsa in claideb ata m’ ainm scribhta and,

“Más liomsa an claíomh tá m’ainm scríofa ann

“If the sword is mine, my name stands written therein,

ocus se fortuighthi in imdorn in claidib i folach.”

agus é folaithe faoi chlúid sa ndornchla.”

covered up and concealed in the hilt of the sword.”

Congairther Socht co Cormac, ocus isbert ris in ní sin.

Gairmeadh Socht i láthair Chormaic agus d’inis an rí dhó an ní a dúradh.

Socht is summoned to Cormac, who told him what had been said.

“Bid garscel co feastar sin,” ol Cormac.

“Is gearr go mbí a fhios againn an fíor é,” arsa Cormac.

“It will be a short story till this is known,” says Cormac.

“Congairear in cerd duind,” ol se.

“Glaoitear chugam an ceard,” ar sé.

“Let the brazier be summoned to us”, quoth he.

Tic in cerd, ocus taithmigis in dorncar,

Tháinig an ceard agus scaoil sé an dornchla

The brazier comes, and breaks open the hilt,

ocus ariacht ainm in rechtaire scribhta and.

agus fuarthas ainm an reachtaire scríofa ann.

and the steward’s name was found written therein.

IS andsin rodgella marbh for bíu

Agus is ansin a rug an marbh buaidh ar an bheo

Then a dead thing testified against a living,

inagar log don scribadh.

mar is don scríbhinn a tugadh luach.

value being ascribed (?) to the writing.

Isbert Socht: “Rocluinti sin, a fhiru Erenn ocus Cormac libh.

Arsa Socht ansin: “Cluinigí seo, a fheara Éireann agus a Chormaic in éineacht libh.

Said Socht: “hear ye this, O men of Erin, and Cormac with you.

Admaim in fear so, is leis in claideb.

Admhaím gur leis an fhear seo an claíomh.

I acknowledge that this man is the owner of the sword.

A sealbh didiu cona chintaibh uaim-sea duid.”

A shealbh mar sin duit uaimse,” ar seisean leis an reachtaire, “agus a chionta chomh maith.”

The property therein, together with its liabilities, passes from me to thee.”

“Admaim-sea didiu,” ol in rechtaire,

“Glacaimse orm agus admhaím,” arsa an reachtaire,

“I acknowledge,” says the steward,

“cona cintaibh a sealbh.”

“cionta an chlaímh in éineacht lena sheilbh.”

“property therein, together with its liabilities.”

Asbert Socht: “Is é in claideb so dofrith i meidi mo sheanathar-sa,

Arsa Socht: “Is é an claíomh seo a fuarthas i muinéal mo shean-atharsa

Then said Socht: “This is the sword that was found in my grandfather’s neck,

ocus ní fheadar-sa cid doghene in gnim-sin cusaníu,

agus ní fheadarsa cé rinne an gníomh sin go dtí inniu.

and till today I never knew who had done that deed.

ocus beir-seo breath fair sin, a Chormaic!”

Beirse breith air sin, a Chormaic!” ar sé.

And do thou, O Cormac, pass judgment thereon!”

“IS mo sidhe do chin,” ol Cormac.

*“Is mó do chion ná luach an chlaímh seo,” arsa Cormac leis an reachtaire.*

“Thy liability”, says Cormac (to the steward), “is greater than (the value of) this (sword).”

Berthar .uii. cumala andsin a breth Cormaic,

Tugadh seacht gcumhala bó i mbreith Chormaic

Then seven cumals are adjudged by Cormac

do Shocht ón reachtaire

(as compensation for the slaying of Socht’s grandfather),

ocus taisic in claidib forculu doridhisi.

agus tugadh an claíomh féin ar ais dó chomh maith.

and also restitution of the sword.

“Admaim,” ar in rechtaire, “a dhala in claidib,”

“Admhaím scéal an chlaímh,” arsa an reactaire,

“I confess”, says the steward, “the story of the sword.”

ocus adfet a scel uili ’ar n-urd,

agus d’inis an scéal uile in ord

And then he relates the whole tale of it in order,

ocus indisidh dono in cerd in scel cétna imdala in claidib.

agus d’inis an ceard freisin é.

and the brazier tells the same tale concerning the sword.

Sechais Cormac .uii. cumala andsin on rechtaire

Bhain Cormac seacht gcumhala den reachtaire arís

Cormac then levied seven cumals from the steward,

ocus a .uii. ele on cerd.

agus seacht gcumhala eile den cheard.

and other seven from the brazier.

Asbert Cormac: “Mainech neim naiscid Nere naidm coir combrothaib.

Labhair Cormac ansin:

Said Cormac: “Mainech etc.

IS ed is fír,” ol Cormac,

“Is é fírinne an scéil,” ar seisean,

This is true”, says Cormac:

“is e siud claideb Conculainn,

“gurb é seo claíomh Chon Culainn

“yon is Cúchulainn’s sword,

ocus is de siud romarbad mo sheanathair-sea .i. Cond Cétchathach,

agus is leis a maraíodh mo shean-athairse, Conn Céadchathach,

and by it my grandfather was slain, even Conn the Hundred-battled,

do laim Thibraiti Tirigh righ Ulad,

le láimh Thiobraide Thírigh, rí Uladh *,

by the hand of Tibraite Tírech, king of Ulaid,

dia n-eabrad:

dá ndúradh*:

of whom was said

Co sluag dar buidhnibh balca

Le slua thar bhuíonta daingne

With a host over valiant bands

ma da luidh co Condachta

d’imigh leis go Connachta,

Well did he go to Connaught.

is mairg dochondairc cru Cuind

is mairg chonaic fuil Choinn

Alas that he saw Conn’s blood

ar tæbh claidib Conculaind.”

ar lainn chlaímh Chon Culainn.”

On the side of Cúchulainn’s sword!”

Etarcertsat uime la sodhain .i. Cormac ocus Fithal,

Is mar sin sa deireadh a socraíodh an cás idir Chormac agus Fítheal,

With that they, even Cormac and Fithel, decided the case,

ocus ba Cormac dogæth,

and it was Cormac that ensnared (Socht),

ocus beridh Cormac a cirt in claideb a n-eric Chuind.

go bhfuair Cormac ceart an chlaímh in éiric bhás Choinn.

and Cormac obtains by (his) decision the sword as a wergild for Conn.

Is é Cormac mar sin a mheall Socht.

Ni geibhthi didiu cath no comruc risin claideb sin

Níor buadh cath ná comhrac riamh in éadan an chlaímh sin

Now neither battle nor combat was ever gained against that sword

ocus risinti a mbí laim,

ná in éadan an té a mbeadh sé ina láimh aige,

and against him who held it in his hand.

ocus is e sin in treas sed is fearr do-bhi a n-Erinn

agus is é an claíomh sin an treas seod is fearr a bhí in Éirinn

And it is the third best treasure that was in Erin,

.i. Cuach Cormaic

— Cuach Chormaic,

namely (first), Cormac’s Cup,

ocus a craeb

a chraobh,

and (secondly) his Branch,

ocus a claideb.

agus a chlaíomh.

and (thirdly) his Sword.