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Feacht n-æn

Uair amháin

Once upon a time

da n-deachaid

chuaigh

Fiachna Find mac Bædáin

Fiachna Fionn mac Baodáin

Fiachna Finn, son of Baetán,

mheic Murcertaigh mheic Muredhaigh

mhic Muircheartaigh mhic Muireadhaigh

son of Murchertach, son of Muredach,

mheic Eogain mheic Néill

mhic Eoghain mhic Néill

son of Eogan, son of Niall,

went

a Héirind amach,

as Éirinn amach,

forth from Ireland,

co ráinic a Lochlandaibh.

go dtáinig go Lochlainn.

until he came to Lochlann,

Ocus is e ba rígh Lochlann an tan sin .i. Eolgharg Mór mac Maghair

Is é ba rí Lochlann an t-am sin Eolgharg Mór mac Maghair,

over which Eolgarg Mór, son of Magar, was at that time king.

ocus dofhúair miadh ocus grádh ocus anoir mhór and.

agus fuair Fiachna miadh is grá is onóir mhór uaidh *ann*.

There he found great respect and love and honour.

Ocus ní cían do bí ann

Ní fada a bhí sé ann

And he was not long there,

an tráth do gabh galar rígh Lochlann

nuair a ghabh galar rí Lochlann

when a disease seized the king of Lochlann,

ocus do fhiarfaigh da leagaibh ocus da fhísicibh

agus d’fhiafraigh sé dá lianna agus dá fhisicithe

who asked of his leeches and physicians

ca do fhoirfeadh é.

cad d’fhóirfeadh é.

what would help him.

Ocus adubhradur ris

Dúradar leis

And they told him

nach roibh ar bith ní do fhoirfedh é

nach raibh ar domhan aon ní a d’fhóirfeadh é

there was in the world nothing that would help him,

ach[t] bó clúaisderg glégeal

ach bó chluais-dearg ghlégeal

save a red-eared shining-white cow,

ocus a berbhadh dó.

is í a bheiriú dó.

which was to be boiled for him.

Ocus do síredh an cinedh Lochlann don bhoin

Shir an cine Lochlann i gcomhair na bó sin

And the people of Lochlann searched for the cow,

ocus do fríth énbó Chaillighi Duibhe

is fuarthas aon-bhó Chaillí Duibhe.

and there was found the single cow of Caillech Dub (Black Hag).

ocus do tairgeadh bó aile dí da cind

Tairgeadh bó eile di dá cionn,

Another cow was offered to her in its stead,

ocus d’éitigh an chailleach.

ach dhiúltaigh an chailleach í.

but the hag refused.

Ocus tucadh a cethair dí

Tugadh ceithre cinn di

Then four were offered to her,

.i. bó gacha coisi

— bó ar gach cois —

viz., one cow for every foot,

ocus nir’ghabh an chailleach cor aile

agus sa mhargadh sin ní ghlacfadh sí le aon chor eile

and the hag would not accept any other condition

ach[t] coraigheacht Fhiachna.

ach coraíocht Fhiachna.

but that Fiachna should become security.

Ocus is í sin úair ocus aimsir

Agus is í sin an uair *agus an aimsir*

Now this was the hour and the time

táncadur teachta ar cend Fiachna Find mheic Bædáin

a tháinig teachtairí thar ceann Fiachna Find mheic Bædáin

that messengers came for Fiachna Finn, the son of Baetán,  

ocus táinic leisna teachtaibh sin

agus chuaigh sé leis na teachtairí seo

and he went with those messengers,

ocus ro ghabh ríghi n-Uladh

gur ghabh ríghe Chúige Uladh

and took the kingship of Ulster,

ocus do bí blíadhain ’na rígh.

is bhí bliain ina rí.

and was king for one year.

Laithe n-æn a cinn blíadhna

Lá amháin i gceann bliana

One day at the end of a year

do chúalaidh éighmhe a n-dorus an dúnaidh

chuala sé éamh i ndoras an dúnaidh

he heard cries of distress in front of the fort,

ocus adubert a fhis

agus d’fhoráil sé a fháil amach

and he told (his men) to go and see

cia do dénadh an éigheam

cé bhí ag déanamh na héimhe

who made those cries,

(ocus cipé) do dénadh, a légon asteach.

(agus cibé duine) a rinne, a ligint isteach.

and to let the person that made them into the house.

Ocus (is í) ro bí ann an chailleach Lochlannach

Is í bhí ann an chailleach Lochlannach

And there was the hag from Lochlann

do iaraidh coraigheachta.

ag iarraidh coraíochta.

come to demand her security.

Do aithin Fiachna hí

D’aithin Fiachna í

Fiachna knew her

ocus ferais fáilti fria

is chuir sé fáilte roimpi

and bade her welcome

ocus fiarfaighis scéla dí.

is d’fhiafraigh scéal di.

and asked tidings of her.

“Atát scéla agum,” ar an chailleach.

“Tá scéala agam,” ar an chailleach.

“Evil tidings I have,” said the hag.

“Rígh Lochlann

“Rí Lochlann

“The king of Lochlann

. . . do choraigeachta-sa

*despite your security*

ocus feall

a d’fheall orm

has deceived me

arna ceithribh búaibh

faoi na ceithre ba

in the matter of the four kine

do gellad damh-sa (tar) éis mo bó.”

*a ghealladh dom mar chúiteamh ar mo bhó*

that were promised to me for my cow.”

d’ainneoin do choraíochta.”

“Dobér-sa ceithre bá arason duit, a chailleach,” ar Fiachna.

“Béarfaidh mé ceithre ba ar a son duit, a chailleach,” ar Fiachna.

“I will give thee four kine on his behalf, O hag,” said Fiachna.

Ocus adubert an chailleach ná gébhadh.

Ach dúirt sise nach nglacfadh sí iad.

But the hag said she would not take them.

“Dobér-sa fiche bó arason,” ar Fiachna.

“Béarfaidh mé fiche bó ar a son,” ar Fiachna.

“I will give twenty kine on his behalf,” said Fiachna.

“Ni gébh,” ar an chailleach.

“Ní ghlacfaidh mé iad,” ar an chailleach.

“I shall not take them,” said the hag.

“Dobér-sa ceithre fichit bó,” ar Fiachna,

“Béarfaidh mé ceithre fichid bó,” ar Fiachna,

“I will give four times twenty kine,” said Fiachna,

“fichi bó arson gacha bó dar . . . ar rígh Lochlann.”

“fiche bó ar son gach bó nár thug rí Lochlann.”

“twenty kine for each cow.”

“Is bríathar dhamh-sa,” ar an
chailleach,

“Dar mo bhriathar,” ar sí,

“By my word,” said the hag,

“(dia) tuctha a fuil do bhúaibh a coigid Uladh . . .

“dá dtabharfá a bhfuil de bha i gCúige Uladh dom,

“if all the kine of the province of Ulster were given to me,

nach gébhaind

nach nglacfainn iad

I should not take them,

co tísta féin do dén(am catha) ar rígh Lochlann,

go dtiocfá féin chun cath a dhéanamh ar rí Lochlann.

until thou come thyself to make war upon the king of Lochlann.

amail tánac-sa anair . . . sa

Mar tháinig mise anoir chugatsa,

As I have come to thee from the east,

tarsa an-aister leam-sa mairs(in).”

tar tusa in aistear liomsa *mar sin*.”

so do thou come on a journey with me.”

. . . Fiachna maithi Uladh

Bhailigh Fiachna maithe Uladh

Then Fiachna assembled the nobles of Ulster

ocus a fhuair do maith(ibh) . . .

agus a bhfuair de mhaithe eile

coroibhe deich catha comóra

go raibh deich gcatha cómóra aige

until he had ten equally large battalions,

ocus rái(nic) . . . 

agus chuaigh sé

and went

ocus do fógradh cath úadha for Lochlannchaibh

agus fógradh cath uathu ar Lochlainn.

and announced battle to the men of Lochlann.

ocus (ro ba)dar trí láithi ac timsugudh ’cum an chatha

Bhíodar trí lá ag tiomsú chun an chatha.

And they were three days a-gathering unto the battle.

. . . regh comhrac ó rígh Lochlann ar feraib Eirenn

Cuireadh comhrac ó rí Lochlann ar fhir Éireann

And combat was made by the king of Lochlann on the men of Ireland.

ocus do thuit trí chét láech ó Fhiachna ’sa comrac

agus thit trí chéad laoch le Fiachna ann.

And three hundred warriors fell by Fiachna in the fight.

ocus doléigid . . . cáirigh neimhe a phuball rígh Lochlann chuca

Scaoileadh caoirigh nimhe as pubaill rí Lochlann chucu

And venomous sheep were let out of the king of Lochlann’s tent against them,

ocus do thuit fo . . . na trí chét láech an lá sin leisna cáiribh

agus thit na trí chéad laoch an lá sin leis na caoirigh

and on that day three hundred warriors fell by the sheep,

ocus do thuit trí chét láech an dara lá

agus thit trí chéad laoch ar an dara lá

and three hundred warriors fell on the second day,

ocus trí chét láech an tres lá.

agus thit trí chéad laoch ar an dtríú lá.

and three hundred on the third day.

Fa doiligh le Fiachna sin ocus adubert:

Ba dhoiligh le Fiachna é sin agus dúirt:

That was grievous to Fiachna, and he said:

“As trúagh an turus táncamair-ne

“Is trua an turas a thángamar

“Sad is the journey on which we have come,

do marbad ar muindtire dona cáiribh.

le go marófaí ár muintir leis na caoirigh.

for the purpose of having our people killed by the sheep.

Uair dam(ad) a cath nó a comlann do thuitfidis le slóg Lochlann,

Óir dá mba i gcath nó i gcomhlann a thitfidís le slua Lochlann,

For if they had fallen in battle or in combat by the host of Lochlann,

ní budh aithmhéla linn a tuitim,

níorbh aiféala *orainn* a dtitim,

we should not deem their fall a disgrace,

úair do dígheoldais féin íad.

mar go ndíolóidís iad féin.

for they would avenge themselves.

Tabhraidh,” ol sé, “mh’arm ocus
mh’ eirred dam-sa

Tabhraigí,” ar sé, “m’airm agus m’earraí dom

Give me,” saith he, “my arms and my dress

co n-dechar féin isin comrac risna cáiribh.”

go dtéim féin sa chomhrac leis na caoirigh.”

that I may myself go to fight against the sheep.”

“Ná habair sin, a rígh,” ol síat,

“Ná habair sin, a rí,” ar siad,

“Do not say that, O King,” said they,

“úair ní cubaidh frit dul do comrac riu.”

“óir ní cuí duit dul i gcomhraic leo.”

“for it is not meet that thou shouldst go to fight against them.”

“Is briathar dam-sa,” ar Fiachna,

“Ar m’anam,” ar Fiachna,

“By my word,” said Fiachna,

“ná tuitfe d’feraibh Érenn leó ní as mó,

“nach dtitfidh níos mó d’fhir Éireann leo

“no more of the men of Ireland shall fall by them,

co n-dechar-sa féin ’sa comhrac risna cáiribh

go dtéimse sa chomhrac leis na caoirigh,

till I myself go to fight against the sheep;

ocus mas ann do cinded damh-sa bás d’ fhághbhail,

agus más ann cinneadh domsa bás a fháil,

and if I am destined to find death there,

do gébh,

gheobhaidh mé é,

I shall find it,

úair ní fhétar dul seoch an cindeamhain,

mar ní féidir dul thar an gcinniúint;

for it is impossible to avoid fate;

ocus munab ann,

agus murab ann,

and if not,

tuitfid na cáirig leam.”

titfidh na caoirigh liom.”

the sheep will fall by me.”

Mar do bhádar isin imagallaim sin,

Mar a bhí siad san agallamh sin

As they were thus conversing,

do chonncadar ænóglach mór míleta da n-innsaighe.

chonaiceadar óglach mór míleata ag teacht chucu.

they saw a single tall warlike man coming towards them.

Brat úaine ændatha uime

Brat uaithne aon-datha uime

He wore a green cloak of one colour,

ocus casán gelairgit isin brutt ós a bhruinde

agus dealg geal-airgid sa bhrat ar a bhruinne,

and a brooch of white silver in the cloak over his breast,

ocus léine do shróll re geilchnes dó.

is léine sróill lena gheal-chneas.

and a satin shirt next his white skin.

Fleasc óir a timchill a fhuilt

Fleasc óir timpeall a fhoilt

A circlet of gold around his hair,

ocus dá asa óir fona tráighthib.

agus dhá as óir faoina chosa.

and two sandals of gold under his feet.

Ocus adubert ant óglach:

Agus dúirt an t-óglach ansin:

And the warrior said:

“Ca lúach dobért[h]a dontí

“Cad é an luach a bhéarfá don té

“What reward wouldst thou give to him

do dingébad na cáirigh dít?”

a dhiongbhódh na caoirigh díot?”

who would keep the sheep from thee?”

“Is bríathar damh-sa

“Ar mo choinsias,

“By my word,” said Fiachna,

. . . da roibh agum, co tiubrainn.”

bhéarfainn a n-iarrfá dá mbeadh sé agam.”

“[whatever thou ask], provided I have it, I should give it.”

“Biaidh,” ar ant óclach,

“Beidh,” ar an t-óglach,

“Thou shalt have it (to give),” said the warrior,

“ocus indeosat-sa duit hí.”

“agus inseoidh mé duit é.”

“and I will tell thee the reward.”

“Abair an breath,” ar Fiachna.

“Abair an bhreith,” ar Fiachna.

“Say the sentence,” said Fiachna.

“Adér,” ol sé;

“Déarfaidh mé é,” ar sé;

“I shall say it,” said he;

“an fainde óir sin fot’ mér-sa do thabairt do chomartha damh-sa

“an fáinne óir sin faoi do mhéar a thabhairt mar chomhartha dom

“give me that ring of gold on thy finger as a token for me,

co Héirinn ’cum do bhanchéile,

chun do bhean chéile in Éirinn

when I go to Ireland to thy wife

co cumaiscther ria.”

le go luífinn léi.”

to sleep with her.”

“Is bríathar dam-sa,” ol Fiachna,

“Ar mo bhriathar,” ar Fiachna,

“By my word,” said Fiachna,

“nach léicfind ænfer d’ fheraibh Éirenn do thuitim

“ní ligfinn d’aon fhear in Éirinn titim

“I would not let one man of the men of Ireland fall

araba na comha sin.”

ar son na comha sin.”

on account of that condition.”

“Nocha meisde duit-si hí,

“Ní miste duit é,

“It shall be none the worse for thee;

oir geinfidh gein búadha úaim-si ann

óir ginfidh gin bhua uaimse ann

for a glorious child shall be begotten by me there,

ocus is úait-si ainmneochaidh

agus is uaitse a ainmneofar é,

and from thee he shall be named,

.i. Mongán Find

mar atá Mongán Fionn

even Mongan the Fair (Finn),

mac Fiachna Finn.

mac Fiachna Finn.

son of Fiachna the Fair.

Ocus rachad-sa ad’ richt-sa ann

Rachaidh mé i do riochtsa ann

And I shall go there in thy shape,

indus ná ba heisindracaide do ben-sa.

ionas nach loitfear onóir do mhná.

so that thy wife shall not be defiled by it.

Ocus misi Manannán mac Lir

Agus is mise Manannán mac Lir,

And I am Manannan, son of Ler,

ocus gébha-sa ríghe Lochlann ocus Saxan ocus Bretan.”

agus gheobhaidh tú ríghe Lochlann is Saxan is Breatain.”

and thou shalt seize the kingship of Lochlann and of the Saxons and Britons.”

Is and sin dorat ant óglach brodchú as a choim

Is ansin a thóg an t-óglach brodchú as a ucht

Then the warrior took a venomous hound out of his cloak,

ocus slabhra fuirre . . .

a raibh slabhra uirthi, agus dúirt sé:

and a chain upon it, and said:

“ocus as bríathar damh-sa nach béra ænchæira díbh a cend leo úaithi

“Ar m’anam nach mbéarfaidh aon chaora díobh a ceann léi uaithi seo

“By my word, not a single sheep shall carry its head from her

co dúnadh rígh Lochlann,

fhaid le dúnadh rí Lochlann,

to the fortress of the king of Lochlann,

ocus muirfidh sí trí chét do shlúaghaibh Lochlann

agus maróidh sí trí chéad de shluaite Lochlann,

and she will kill three hundred of the hosts of Lochlann,

ocus gébha-sa a m-biaidh de.”

agus gheobhaidh tusa a mbeidh dá bharr.”

and thou shalt have what will come of it.”

Táinic ant óglach a n-Éirinn

Chuaigh an t-óglach go hÉirinn

The warrior went to Ireland,

cor’comhraic fri mnái Fiachna a richt Fiachna féin,

i riocht Fhiachna féin gur tháinig sé agus bean Fhiachna le chéile,

and in the shape of Fiachna himself he slept with Fiachna’s wife,

cor’toirrchedh hí an adhaigh sin.

agus toirchíodh an oíche sin í.

and in that night she became pregnant.

Atrochadar na cáirigh laisin coin an lá sin ocus trí chét do mhaithibh Lochlann

Thit na chaoirigh leis an gcú an lá sin agus trí chéad de mhaithe Lochlann,

On that day the sheep and three hundred of the nobles of Lochlann fell by the dog,

ocus do gabh Fiachna ríghi Lochlann ocus Saxan ocus Bretan.

agus ghabh Fiachna ríghe Lochlann is Saxan is Breatan.

and Fiachna seized the kingship of Lochlann and of the Saxons and Britons.

Dála na Caillighi Duibhe imoro,

Dála na Caillí Duibhe, *ámh,*

Now, as to the Cailleach Dubh,

dorad Fiachna a duthaig di

thug Fiachna a dúthaigh di,

Fiachna gave her her due,

.i. seacht caislena cona crích ocus cona ferann

is é sin seacht gcaisleáin lena gcríoch is lena bhfearann

viz., seven castles with their territory and land,

ocus cét da gach crudh

agus céad de gach crodh.

and a hundred of every cattle.

ocus táinig a n-Éirinn íar sin

Ansin tháinig sé go hÉirinn

And then he went into Ireland

ocus fúair a bhean tæbhtrom torrach

agus fuair a bhean taobh-throm torrach

and found his wife big-bellied and pregnant,

ocus rug mac an tan táinic a hinbhaidh.

is rug sí mac an uair tháinig a hionú.

and when her time came, she bore a son.

Ocus do bí gilla ac Fiachna Find

Agus bhí giolla ag Fiachna Fionn,

Now Fiachna the Fair had an attendant,

.i. an Damh a ainm

b’é an Dámh a ainm,

whose name was An Damh,

ocus ruc a bhean mac an adhaigh sin

agus rug a bhean siúd mac freisin an oíche sin,

and in that (same) night his wife brought forth a son,

ocus do baisdedh íat faræn

agus baisteadh iad araon.

and they were christened together,

ocus tucadh Mongán ar mac Fiachna

Tugadh Mongán ar mhac Fhiachna

and the son of Fiachna was named Mongan,

ocus tucadh Mac an Daimh ar mac an ghilla.

agus Mac an Daimh ar mhac an ghiolla.

and the son of the attendant was named Mac an Daimh.

Ocus do bí óclach eile a comfhlaitheamhnus re Fiachna Finn

Bhí óglach eile i gcomh-fhlaithiúnas le Fiachna Fionn,

And there was another warrior reigning together with Fiachna the Fair,

.i. Fiachna Dubh mac Demáin

mar a bhí Fiachna Dubh mac Deamháin,

to wit Fiachna the Black, son of Deman,

ocus do laig sim co mór ar a fhlaithius

a bhíodh ag cur isteach go mór ar a fhlaitheas.

who lay heavily on his rule.

ocus rucadh inghen dó-san an adhaigh cétna

Rugadh iníon dósan an oíche chéanna

And to him in the same night a daughter was born,

ocus tucadh Dubh-Lacha Láimhgheal d’ ainm fuirre

agus tugadh Dubh Locha d’ainm uirthi

to whom the name Dubh-Lacha (Black Duck) White-hand was given,

ocus do cuiridh ar seilbh a chéile Mongán ocus Dubh-Lacha.

agus cuireadh ar sheilbh a chéile í féin agus Mongán.

and Mongan and Dubh-Lacha were affianced to each other.

A cind tri n-oidhche Mongáin táinig Manannán ar a cheann

I gceann trí oíche tháinig Manannán ar cheann Mhongáin

When Mongan was three nights old, Manannan came for him

ocus rug leis dá oileamhain é a Tir Tairngaire

agus rug leis é lena oiliúint i dTír Tairngire,

and took him with him to bring him up in the Land of Promise,

ocus tuc a chubhais nach léicfidh a n-Érinn arís

agus thug sé a mhóid nach ligfeadh sé in Éirinn arís é

and vowed that he would not let him back into Ireland

co cend a dhá bliadhan dég.

go ceann a dhá bhliain déag.

before he were twelve years of age.

Dála imoro Fiachna Duibh meic Demáin,

Dála Fhiachna Dhuibh mhic Dheamháin,

Now as to Fiachna the Black, son of Deman,

fúair a bæghal ar Fiachna Find mac Bhaedáin ocus fúair a n-úathad shlúaigh ocus tshochraide hé

fuair sé deis Fiachna Fionn mac Báedáin a ionsaí, nuair a fuair sé amach gurb beag a shlua agus a *chuallacht*,

he watched his opportunity, and when he found that Fiachna the Fair, son of Baedan, had with him but a small host and force,

ocus dochúaidh fona dúnad

thug ionsaí ar a dhún.

he went up to his stronghold,

ocus do loisc ocus do mhúir an dúnadh

Loisc sé agus mhúir sé an dún

and burnt and destroyed it,

ocus do mharbh Fiachna féin

agus mharaigh sé Fiachna féin

and killed Fiachna himself,

ocus do ghabh ríghi n-Uladh ar écin don ulagh sin.

agus ghabh ríghe Uladh ar éigin *ar an ócáid sin*.

and seized the kingship of Ulster by force *on that occasion*.

Ocus dob’ áil le hUlltachaibh uile Mongán do thabairt chuca

B’áil leis na hUltaigh uilig go dtabharfaí Mongán ar ais chucu

And all the men of Ulster desired Mongan to be brought to them

a cind a shé m-bliadan

i gceann a shé bhliain,

when he was six years old,

ocus ní thuc Manannán d’ ul(ltachaibh) é

ach ní thabharfadh Manannán dóibh é

but Manannan did not bring him to Ulster

co cend a shé m-bliadhan dég.

go ceann a shé bhliain déag.

till he had completed sixteen years.

Ocus táinic a n-Ulltachaibh íar sin

Tháinig sé go Cúige Uladh ansin

And then he came to Ulster,

ocus dorónsat maithi Uladh sídh eturra ocus Fiachna Dubh

agus rinne uaisleacht Uladh síocháin le Fiachna Dubh

and the men of Ulster made peace between themselves and Fiachna the Black,

.i. leth Uladh do Mongán

ar an gcoinníoll go dtabharfaí leath Uladh do Mhongán

to wit, one-half of Ulster to Mongan,

ocus Dubh-Lacha do mhnái ocus do bhanchéile

agus Dubh Locha do mhnaoi is do bainchéile dó

and Dubh-Lacha to be his wife and consort

a n-éiric a athar

in éiric a athar,

in retaliation for his father.

ocus do bí mairsin.

agus sin mar a bhí.

And it was done so.

A thaiglaithe (?) n-æn dia roibhe Mongán . . . a bhanchéle ocus íat ag imeirt fhi[dh]chille,

Lá amháin le linn do Mhongán agus a bhean bheith ag imirt fichille

One day while Mongan and his wife were playing fidchell,

co facadar cléirchín ciar círdubh isin ur(s)aind ocus is ed adubert:

chonaic siad cléirchín ciar cíordhubh ag ursain an dorais agus is é dúirt sé:

they saw a dark black-tufted little cleric at the door-post, who said:

“Ni thocht budh cubhaidh (l)e rígh Uladh

“Ní suaimhneas cuí do rí Uladh

an tocht so fil fort, a Mongáin,

an suaimhneas seo tá ort, a Mhongáin,

“This inactivity in which thou art, O Mongan,

is not an inactivity becoming a king of Ulster,

gan dul do díghailt t’athar

gan dul a dhíoghailt d’athar

not to go to avenge thy father

ar Fiachna Dubh mac Demáin,

ar Fhiachna Dubh *mac Deamháin*,

on Fiachna the Black, son of Deman,

ach[t] cidh olc le Duibh-Lacha a rádha frit,

bíodh gurb olc le Dubh Locha a lua leat,

though Dubh-Lacha may think it wrong to tell thee so.

úair atá sé a n-úathad shlúaigh ocus shochraide

óir is beag slua agus cuallacht atá ag Fiachna Dubh.

For he has now but a small host and force with him;

ocus tarr lem-sa ann

Ach tar liomsa ann

and come with me thither,

ocus loiscim an dúnadh

go loiscimid an dún

and let us burn the fortress,

ocus marbham Fiachna.”

agus go maraímid Fiachna.”

and let us kill Fiachna.”

“Ní fhes ca sen ar an dubhartus sin, a cléirchín,” ol Mongán,

“Ní fios cad é an toradh a mbeadh leis an gcomhairle sin, a chléirchín,” ar Mongán,

“There is no knowing what luck there may be on that saying, O cleric,” said Mongan,

“ocus rachmait leat.”

“ach rachaimid leat.”

“and we shall go with thee.”

Ocus dogníther amhlaidh,

Agus déantar amhlaidh

And thus it was done,

úair ro marbadh Fiachna Dubh léo.

agus maraítear Fiachna Dubh leo

for Fiachna the Black was killed by them. 

Ro gabh Mongán ríghi n-Uladh

agus ghabh Mongán ríghe Uladh.

Mongan seized the kingship of Ulster,

ocus is é cléirchín do bí a[g] dénum an braith

Is é an cléirchín a thug an scéala

and the little cleric who had done the treason

.i. Manannán mór-chumachtach.

Manannán mor-chumhachtach féin.

was Manannan the great and mighty.

Ocus do timsaighedh maithi Uladh co Mongán

Thiomsaigh Mongán uaisleacht Uladh ansin

And the nobles of Ulster were gathered to Mongan,

ocus adubert riu:

agus dúirt leo:

and he said to them:

“Dob áil lem dul d’iarraidh fhaigh[dh]e

“B’áil liom dul ag cur iarratais

“I desire to go to seek boons

ar chúigeadhachaibh Érenn,

ar ríthe cúige na hÉireann,

from the provincial kings of Ireland,

co fhágh[bh]aind ór ocus airgit ocus innmhus do thidhlocadh.”

go bhfaighinn ór is airgead is ionmhas le tíolacadh.”

that I may get gold and silver and wealth to give away.”

“As maith an comhairle sin,” ol síat.

“Is maith an chomhairle sin,” ar siad.

“That is a good plan,” said they.

Ocus táinic roimhe ar cóigidhaibh Éirenn,

Tháinig sé roimhe *go dtí cúigí na hÉireann,*

And he went forth into the provinces of Ireland,

co ráinig a Laighnibh

i dtús báire go Laighin,

until he came to Leinster.

ocus is é fa rígh Laighen an tan sin .i. Brandubh mac Echach

agus is é ba rí Laighean an t-am sin Brandubh mac Eachach.

And the king of Leinster at that time was Brandubh mac Echach.

ocus ro fher fírchain fáilti re rígh Uladh

Agus chuir sé fíorchaoin fáilte roimh rí Uladh

And he gave a hearty welcome to the king of Ulster,

ocus do fheisidar an adhaigh sin isin mbaile

agus chodlaíodar an oíche sin sa bhaile.

and they slept that night in the place,

ocus mur (do) éirigh arnamháirech Mongán

Nuair a d’éirigh Mongán ar an lá dár gcionn

and when Mongan awoke on the morrow,

adchonnairc na (c)æca[i]t bó find óderg

chonaic sé an caoga bó fhionn chluais-dearg

he saw the fifty white red-eared kine,

ocus laegh finn fri cois gach (b)ó díbh

agus lao fionn le cois gach bó díobh.

and a white calf by the side of each cow,

ocus mar as taisce adchonnairc,

Chomh luath is chonaic sé iad

and as soon as he saw them

grádhaighes íat

ba bhreá leis iad.

he was in love with them.

ocus tuc rígh Laighen aithne fair ocus asbert fris:

D’aithin rí Laighean air é agus dúirt leis,

And the king of Leinster observed him and said to him:

“Do grádhaighes na bá, a rígh,” ol sé.

“Is breá leat na ba, a rí,” ar sé.

“Thou art in love with the kine, O king,” saith he.

“Is bríathar damh-sa,

“Ar m’anam

“By my word,” said Mongan,

nach faca ríamh ach[t] ríghi (n)-Uladh

nach bhfaca mé riamh, ach ríghe Uladh féin,

“save the kingdom of Ulster, I never saw

ní budh ferr lem agum féin anáit.”

ní ab fhearr liom agam féin ná iad.”

anything that I would rather have than them.”

“Is bríathar damh-sa,” ar rígh Laighen,

“Dearbhaím,” ar rí Laighean,

“By my word,” said the king of Leinster,

“co rob cubhaidh re Duibh-Lacha íat,

“gur cothrom le Dubh Locha iad,

“they are a match for Dubh-Lacha,

úair as í ænben as áille a n-Érinn

mar is í an bhean is áille in Éirinn í,

for she is the one woman that is most beautiful in Ireland,

(ocus as) hí ac siut sealbh chruidh as áille a n-Éirinn

*agus is í siúd an bhólacht is áille in Éirinn,*

and those kine are the most beautiful cattle in Ireland,

ocus ní fuil ar bith comha ar a tibhrinn-si íat

ach níl ar domhan comha ar a dtabharfainnse iad

and on no condition in the world would I give them

ach[t] ar chairdeas gan éra do dénamh dúind.”

ach ar chairdeas gan éaradh a dhéanamh idir tusa agus mise.”

except on our making friendship without refusal.”

Dorónsat amlaidh ocus do shnaidm cách ar a chéli díbh

Rinne siad amhlaidh agus chuir siad ceangal ar a chéile.

They did so, and each bound the other.

ocus do chúaidh Mongán dia t[h]igh

Chuaigh Mongán abhaile

And Mongan went home

ocus ruc leis a trí chaecait bó find

agus thug leis dhá chaoga bó fionn.

and took his thrice (sic) fifty white kine with him.

ocus do fiarfuigh Dubh-Lacha:

D’fhiafraigh Dubh Locha de,

And Dubh-Lacha asked:

“Ce hí ant shelbh cruidh as áil(le do)connairc ríamh?

“Cad é an sealbh chroidh seo is áille dá bhfaca mé riamh?

“What are the cattle that are the most beautiful that I ever saw?

ocus antí tuc súd,” ol sí,

An té a thug iad siúd,

and he who got them,” saith she,

“bera . . . ferr,

iarrfaidh sé rud níos fearr,

“. . . ,

oir ní tuc duine siut acht ar cend chomaine . . .”

óir níor thug éinne a leithéidí ach ar ceann comaoine.”

for no man got them except for . . . .”

Ocus do indis Mongán dí amail fúair na bá

D’inis Mongán di ansin conas a fuair sé na ba.

And Mongan told her how he had obtained the kine.

ocus (ní chí)an do bhádar ann

Ní fada a bhí siad ann áfach

And they were not long there

an tan do chonncadar na slóigh, cum an bhaile

nuair a chonaic siad na sluaite chun an bhaile.

when they saw hosts approaching the place,

ocus is é ro bí ann .i. rígh Laighen.

Rí Laighean a bhí ann.

and ’tis he that was there, even the king of Leinster.

“Créd (tán)gais d’íarraidh?” ol Mongán,

“Cad é a tháinig tú ag iarraidh?” ar Mongán,

“What hast thou come to seek?” said Mongan.

“oir as bríathar dam-sa,

“óir geallaim duit,

“For, by my word,

da roibh a cóigidh Uladh aní atái d’iaraidh,

má tá i gCúige Uladh an ní atá tú ag iarraidh,

if what thou seekest be in the province of Ulster,

co fuighir é.”

gheobhaidh tú é.”

thou shalt have it.”

“Atá imoro,” ar rígh Laighen.

“Is amhlaidh atá,” ar rí Laighean,

“It is, then,” said the king of Leinster.

“D’iaraidh Duibhe-Lacha thánac.”

“gur ag iarraidh Dubh Locha a tháinig mé.”

“To seek Dubh-Lacha have I come.”

Do mhoidh tocht ar Mhongán.

Tháinig tost ar Mhongán.

Silence fell upon Mongan.

Ocus adubert: “Ní chúalus-sa neach romam do thabairt a mhná amach.”

Agus dúirt sé, “Níor chuala mé riamh faoi fhear a thug a bhean uaidh.”

 And he said: “I have never heard of any one giving away his wife.”

“Cin co cúalais,” ar Dubh-Lacha,

“Bíodh féin nár chloise tú,” ar Dubh Locha,

“Though thou hast not heard of it,” said Dubh-Lacha,

“tabhair, oir is búaine bladh ’ná sæghal.”

“tabhair, mar is buaine bladh ná saol.”

“give her, for honour is more lasting than life.”

Gabhais ferg Mongán

Chuir sin fearg ar Mhongán

Anger seized Mongan,

ocus deónaighis do rígh Laighen a breith leis.

agus cheadaigh sé do rí Laighean í a thabhairt leis.

and he allowed the king of Leinster to take her with him.

Gairmis Dubh-Lacha rígh Laighen le ar fot foleith ocus adubert ris:

Ghlaoigh Dubh Locha i leataoibh ar Bhrandubh agus dúirt leis,

Dubh-Lacha called the king of Leinster aside and said to him:

“An fhuil agat-sa, a rígh Laighen,

“An bhfuil fhios agat, a rí Laighean,

“Dost thou know, O king of Leinster,

co tuitfedh fir ocus leth Uladh trím-sa

do dtitfeadh fir agus leath Uladh ar mo shonsa,

that the men and one half of Ulster would fall for my sake,

acht muna bheind féin ar tabhairt grádha doit-si?

mura mbeinn féin i ndiaidh grá a thabhairt duit?

except I had already given love to thee?

Ocus is bríathar damh-sa ná rach let-sa

Ach geallaim nach rachaidh mé leat

And, by my word, I shall not go with thee

co tuca tú breth mo beóil féin damh.”

go dtí go dtugann tú breith mo bhéil féin dom.”

until thou grant me the sentence of my own lips.”

“Créd í an breath?” ar rígh Laighen.

“Cad é an bhreith?” ar Brandubh.

“What is the sentence?” said the king of Leinster.

“Do bríathar rena comhall,” ol sí.

“Do bhriathar lena comhlíonadh,” ar sí.

“Thy word to fulfil it,” saith she.

Tuc rígh Laighen a bhríathar

Thug rí Laighean a bhriathar di,

The king of Leinster gave his word,

a n-écmais a fhácbhala co tibradh dí.

ach gan cead fanacht a thabhairt di.

with the exception of his being left . . .

“Mased,” ar Dubh-Lacha,

“Más ea,” ar Dubh Locha,

“Then,” said Dubh-Lacha,

“as áil leam-sa gan a m-breith co cenn m-bliadhna ænadhaigh a n-éntigh

“is mian liomsa nach mbeimis aon oíche go ceann bliana in aon-teach

“I desire that until the end of one year, we be not brought for one night into the same house,

ocus da tísair-si ar cúairt læ a n-énteach rium-sa

agus dá dtiocfá ar cuairt lae in aon-teach liom,

and if in the course of a day thou comest into the same house with me,

gan teacht a n-ænchatháir rum

gan teacht in aon-chathaoir liom,

that thou shouldst not sit in the same chair with me,

ach[t] suidhe a catháir am’ aghaidh,

ach suí i gcathaoir os mo chomhair,

but sit in a chair over against me,

úair eagail lem-sa an grádh romhór doradus-sa duid-si,

mar is eagal liom an grá ró-mhór a thug mé duitse

for I fear the exceeding great love which I have bestowed upon thee,

co tibartha-sa miscais damh-sa

ar fhaitíos go dtabharfá mioscais dom

that thou mayst hate me,

ocus nach fa háil lem’ fher féin arís mhe,

agus nárbh áil le m’fhear féin arís mé,

and that I may not again be acceptable to my own husband;

úair da rabham ac suirghe risin m-bliadhain so anall

ach má bhímid ag suirí ar feadh na bliana seo atá chugainn,

for if we are a-courting each other during this coming year,

ní rach( ar n-)grádh ar cúla.”

ní rachaidh ár ngrá ar gcúl.”

our love will not recede.”

Ocus tuc rígh Laighen dí an choma sin

Thug Brandubh an chomha sin di

And the king of Leinster granted her that condition,

ocus rug dia thig hí

agus rug abhaile leis í.

and he took her to his house,

ocus ro bái treimsi ann

Bhí sí tamall ann

and there she was for a while.

ocus Mongán a sirg sírghalair risin treimsi sin

agus Mongán i seirg síor-ghalair lena linn.

And for that while Mongan was in a wasting sickness continually.

ocus an adhaigh tuc Mongán Dubh-Lacha

Tharla, an uair a ghlac Mongán Dubh Locha chuige,

And in the night in which Mongan had taken Duhh-Lacha,

tuc Mac an Daimh (a com)alta

gur ghlac Mac an Daimh a comhalta,

Mac an Daimh had taken her foster-sister,

ocus fa ben fritheolmha thairisi dí hí

agus anois ba bhean dílis friothálaimh do Dhubh Locha í

who was her trusty attendant,

. . . bh a Laignibh le Duibh-Lacha hí-

agus bhí sí imithe go Cúige Laighean léi.

and who had gone into Leinster with Dubh-Lacha.

Co táinic Mac an (Daimh) laithe

Is mar sin a tháinig Mac an Daimh lá amháin

So one day Mac an Daimh came

isin tech a roibe Mongán ocus adbert:

sa teach a raibh Mongán agus dúirt,

into the house where Mongan was, and said:

“Olc atáthar ann sin, a Mhongáin,” ol sé,

“Olc atá tú ansin, a Mhongáin,

“Things are in a bad way with thee, O Mongan,” saith he,

“ocus olc do thurus a Tír Thairrngaire co teach Manannáin,

agus olc do thuras i dTír Tairngire go teach Mhanannáin

“and evil was thy journey into the Land of Promise to the house of Manannan,

ó nach dernais d’fhoghlaim ann

nuair nach ndearna tú d’fhoghlaim ann

since thou hast learnt nothing there,

ach[t] bíadh do chaithim ocus obhlóirecht

ach bia a chaitheamh agus amhlóireacht a chleachtadh.

except consuming food and practising foolish things,

ocus as dona damh-sa mo bhen do breith a Laignibh,

Is dona domsa gur rugadh mo bhean i gCúige Laighean uaim,

and it is hard on me that my wife has been taken into Leinster,

ó nach dernais ‘cairdis gan éra’ re gilla rígh Laighen

tharla nach ndearna mise ‘cairdeas gan éaradh’ le giolla rí Laighean

since I have not made ‘friendship without refusal’ with the king of Leinster’s attendant,

amhail dorighnis-[s]e re rígh Laighen

mar rinne tusa leis an rí féin,

as thou didst with the king of Leinster,

ocus nach túalaing tú do bhen do lenmhain.”

agus nach bhfuil ar do chumas do bhean a leanúint.”

thus being unable to follow thy wife.”

“Ní mesa le neach sin ’ná leam-sa féin,” ar Mongán.

“Ní measa le héinne é sin ná liom féin,” ar Mongán.

“No one deems that worse than I myself,” said Mongan.

Ocus adbert Mongán fri Mac an Daim:

Ansin labhair Mongán le Mac an Daimh arís:

And Mongan said to Mac an Daimh:

“Éirigh,” ol se, “coruige an uaimh dorais

“Éirigh,” ar sé, “gabh go dtí an uaimh dhorais

“Go,” saith he, “to the cave of the door,

ar fhágamur an clíabh gúalaigh

inár fhágamar an cliabh gualainne

in which we left the basket of . . .,

ocus fót a Héirinn ocus fót a hAlbain ann,

agus fód as Éirinn agus fód as Albain ann,

and a sod from Ireland and another from Scotland in it,

co n-dechar-sa let ar do mhuin,

le go rachaidh mise leat ar do dhroim,

that I may go with thee on thy back;

úair fiarfochaidh rígh Laighen dá dráidhibh mo scéla-sa

óir fiafróidh Brandubh mo scéal dá dhraoithe,

for the king of Leinster will ask of his wizards news of me,

ocus adéraid sium mo beith ocus cos a n-Éirind damh ocus cos a n-Albain

agus déarfaidh siadsan go bhfuil cos in Éirinn agus cos in Albain agam,

and they will say that I am with one foot in Ireland, and with the other in Scotland,

ocus adéra san cin rabar-sa mair sin,

agus ceapfaidh seisean an fhaid atá mé mar sin

and he will say that as long as I am like that

ní bu egail lais féin mhé.”

nach eagal dó mé.”

he need not fear me.”

Ocus do ghlúaisidar rompa amlaidh sin

Agus ghluaiseadar rompu mar sin.

And in that way they set out.

ocus is í sin úair ocus aimsir ro comórad æn(ach) Mhuige Life a Laignib

Ba é sin an uair *agus an aimsir* a comóradh aonach Mhagh Life i Laighin

And that was the hour and time in which the feast of Moy-Liffey was held in Leinster,

ocus ráncadar co Mach(aire) Chille Camáin a Laighnibh

agus nuair a thángadar go Machaire Chill Chamháin *i Laighin*

and they came to the Plain of Cell Chamain in Leinster,

ocus atchonncadar nad . . . agha slúagh ocus sochraide

chonaiceadar na sluaite ann

and there beheld the hosts and multitudes

ocus rígh Laighen secha isin ænach

agus rí Laighean ag dul thart san aonach

and the king of Leinster going past them to the feast,

ocus do aithnigheadar é.

*agus d’aithníodar é.*

and they recognised him.

“Trúagh sin, a Mhic an Daimh,” ol Mongán,

“Trua sin, a Mhic an Daimh,” ar Mongán,

“That is sad, O Mac an Daimh,” said Mongan,

“as olc an turus tángamar.”

“is olc an turas a thángamar.”

“evil is the journey on which we have come.”

Ocus adconncadar an næmhcléirech seocha .i. Tibraide sagart Cille Camáin

Agus chonaic siad an naomh-chléireach, Tiobraide sagart Chill Chamháin, ag dul thart

And they saw the holy cleric going past them, even Tibraide, the priest of Cell Chamain,

ocus a chethair soisgéla ana láim féin

agus a cheithre soiscéil ina láimh *féin* aige

with his four gospels in his own hand,

ocus sceota na n-aidhbheagh ar muin cléirigh re chois

agus mála na n-earraí eaglasta ar mhuin cléirigh eile lena chois.

and the . . . upon the back of a cleric by his side,

ocus iat a[g] dénamh a tráth

Bhí an bheirt acu ag déanamh a dtráth.

and they reading their offices.

ocus ro gab ingantus Mac an Daimh crét adubert an clérech

agus ghabh iontas Mac an Daimh cad é an chaint a rinne an cléireach

And wonder seized Mac an Daimh as to what the cleric said,

ocus do bí ag a fhiarfaighi do Mongán

agus bhí sé ag fiafraí de Mhongán,

and he kept asking Mongan:

“Créd adubert?”

“Cad a dúirt sé?”

“What did he say?”

Adubert Mongán corub léighind

Dúirt Mongán gurb léitheoireacht é sin

Mongan said it was reading,

ocus do fhiarfaigh do Mac an Daimh

agus d’fhiafraigh de Mhac an Daimh

and he asked Mac an Daimh

ar thuic féin a bec úatha.

ar thuig sé aon bheagán uathu.

whether he understood a little of it.

“Ní thuicim,” ar Mac an Daimh,

“Ní thuigim,” ar Mac an Daimh,

“I do not understand,” said Mac an Daimh,

“ach[t] adeir an fer atá ana dhiaidh ‘amén, amén.’ ”

“ach go n-abrann an fear atá ina dhiaidh ‘Amén, Amén.’ ”

“except that the man at his back says ‘Amen, amen.’ ”

Dealbhas Mongán íar sin abhann mhór

Dhealbhaigh Mongán ansin abhainn mhór

Thereupon Mongan shaped a large river

tré lár an magha ar cinn Tibraide

trí lár an mhachaire os comhair Thiobraide

through the midst of the plain in front of Tibraide,

ocus droichid mór tairsi.

agus droichead mór thairsti.

and a large bridge across it.

Ocus fa hingnad le Tíbraide sin

Agus b’ionadh le Tiobraide é sin

And Tibraide marvelled at that

ocus ro gabh ag a choisregadh.

agus thosaigh sé á choisreacadh féin.

and began to bless himself.

“Is ann so rugad mh’athair-si ocus mo shenathair

“Is anseo a rugadh m’athair is mo shean-athair

“ ’Tis here,” he said, “my father was born and my grandfather,

ocus ní fhaca ríamh abhann ann

agus ní fhaca mé riamh abhainn ann,

and never did I see a river here.

ocus ó tharla an abhann ann,

ach ó tharla ann í,

But as the river has got there,

as greama mur tharrla in droichid tairsi.

is maith mar tharla an droichead thairsti.”

it is well there is a bridge across it.”

Do innsaighidar an droichid ocus mar rángadar co médon an droichit,

Nuair a tháinig siad go lár an droichid, ámh,

They proceeded to the bridge, and when they had reached its middle,

tuitis an droichit fuit[h]ib

thit an droichead fúthu.

it fell under them,

ocus gabhais Mongán an soiscéla a láim Tibraide

Agus sciob Moingán an soiscéal as láimh Thiobraide

and Mongan snatched the gospels out of Tibraide’s hand,

ocus léigis úadha le sruth íad

agus lig uaidh le sruth an bheirt acu.

and sent them down the river.

ocus fíarfaighis do Mhac an Daimh an m-báidhfedh íat.

D’fhiafraigh sé de Mhac an Daimh an mbáithfeadh sé iad.

And he asked Mac an Daimh whether he should drown them.

“Báidhter ón,” ar Mac an Daimh.

“Go mbá siad cinnte,” ar Mac an Daimh.

“Certainly, let them be drowned,” said Mac an Daimh.

“Ní dingnum itir,” ol Mongán,

“Ní dhéanfaimid sin,” ar Mongán,

“We will not do it,” said Mongan.

“ocus léicfemaid fadh míle le sruth íat

“ach ligfimid faid mhíle le sruth iad

“We will let them down the river the length of a mile,

co tair dúind ar toisc do dénamh isin dúnadh.”

go dtaga dúinn ár ngnó a dhéanamh sa dún.”

till we have done our task in the fortress.”

Delbhais Mongán é féin a richt Tibraide

Dhealbhaigh Mongán é féin i riocht Tiobraide

Mongan took on himself the shape of Tibraide,

ocus cuiris Mac an Daimh a richt an cléirigh

agus chuir Mac an Daimh i riocht an chléirigh

and gave Mac an Daimh the shape of the cleric,

ocus coróin mhór ana chinn

agus coróin mhór ar a cheann

with a large tonsure on his head,

ocus sceota nanaidhbéadh ar a muin

agus mála na n-earraí eaglasta ar a mhuin.

and the . . . on his back.

ocus tegaid rompó a n-agaid rígh Laighen

Ansin tháinig siad ar aghaidh go dtí Brandubh.

And they go onward before the king of Leinster,

ocus ferais fáilti re Tibraide ocus tic póc dó

Chuir seisean fáilte roimh Thriobraide agus thug póg dó.

who welcomed Tibraide and gave him a kiss,

ocus “is fada ó nach faca tu, a Tibraide,” ar an rígh,

“Is fada nach bhfacamar thú, a Thiobraide,” ar sé,

and “ ’Tis long that I have not seen thee, O Tibraide,” he said,

“ocus déna soiscél dúind

“agus anois léigh soiscéal dúinn

“and read the gospel to us

ocus innsaigh romhaind coruig an dúnadh.

agus téigh romhainn go dtí an dún.

and proceed before us to the fortress.

Ocus éirgidh Ceibhín Cochlach gilla mo charbaid-si let

Téadh Ceibhín Cochlach, mo ghiolla carbaid, leat.

And let Ceibhin Cochlach, the attendant of my chariot, go with thee.

ocus atá an ríghan ben rígh Uladh and

Tá an ríon, bean rí Uladh, ann

And the queen, the wife of the king of Ulster, is there

ocus dob’ áil le a fáisidin do dhénamh duit.”

agus ba mhaith léi a faoistin a dhéanamh duit.”

and would like to confess to thee.”

Ocus an oiread ro bí Mongán ag rádha a shoiscéla,

Agus an fhaid a bhí Mongán ag rá a shoiscéil

And while Mongan was reading the gospel,

aderedh Mac an Daimh “amén, amén.”

deireadh Mac an Daimh “Amén, Amén.”

Mac an Daimh would say “Amen, amen.”

Adubradar na slúaigh ní fhacadar  ríamh cairneach

Dúirt an slua nach bhfacadar riamh sagart

The hosts said they had never seen a priest

ac nach bíadh [acht] énfhocal ach[t] an cléirech út,

nach mbeadh ach focal amháin aige ach an cléireach úd,

who had but one word except that cleric;

úair nocha n-abair do léighind ach[t] “amén.”

mar nach n-abradh sé de léann ach “Amén.”

for he said nothing but “amen.”

Ocus táinig Mongán roimhe

Tháinig Mongán *roimhe* ansin

And Mongan went onward

co dorus an dúnaidh aroibhe Dubh-Lacha

go doras an dúin a raibh Dubh Locha

to the front of the fortress in which Dubh-Lacha was.

ocus aithnigis Dubh-Lacha hé.

agus d’aithin sise é.

And she recognised him.

Ocus adubert Mac an Daimh: “Fágaidh uili an tech,

Labhair Mac an Daimh. “Fágaigí uilig an teach

And Mac an Daimh said: “Leave the house all of ye,

co n-derna an ríghan a fáisidin.”

go ndéana an ríon a faoistin.”

so that the queen may make her confession.”

Ocus an ben breatha nó dhalta do fhóbradh tré dhánacht anadh ann.

Bhí an bhean chabhartha ag iarraidh tré dhánacht fanacht ann,

And her nurse or foster sister ventured out of boldness to stay there.

Do íadhadh Mac an Daimh a lámha tairsi

ach d’iaigh Mac an Daimh a lámha thart uirthi

Mac an Daimh closed his arms around her

ocus docuiredh amach hí

agus chuir amach í,

and put her out,

ocus aderedh nach biadh a fharradh na ríghna

ag rá nach mbeadh i bhfarradh na ríona

and said that no one should be with the queen

ach[t] an bean táinic le féin.

ach an bhean a tháinig léi.

except the woman that had come with her.

Ocus dúnais an gríanán ana n-diaidh

Dhún sé an grianán ina ndiaidh

And he closed the bower after them

ocus cuiris an comhla gloinidhe ris

agus chuir an chomhla ghloiní leis

and put the glazen door to it,

ocus osgla[i]s a fhuindeog glaine

agus d’oscail an fhuinneog ghloine

and opened the window of glass.

ocus tócbhais a ben féin isin leabaidh leis.

agus thóg a bhean féin isteach sa leaba leis.

And he lifted his own wife into bed with him,

Ní tusca ná ruc Mongán Duibh-Lacha leis

Ní túisce ná rug Mongán Dubh Locha leis

but no sooner than Mongan had taken Dubh-Lacha with him.

ocus suidhis Mongán ar a gúalaind

agus shuigh lena gualainn.

And Mongan sat down by her shoulder

ocus toirbiris teora póc dí

Thug sé trí phóg di

and gave her three kisses,

ocus beris lais annsa leabaidh hí

agus thóg leis sa leaba í

and carried her into bed with him,

ocus doní toil a menman ocus a aigeanta ria.

agus rinne toil a mheanman agus a aigne léi.

and had his will and pleasure of her.

Ocus an tráth tairnic sin do dénam,

Agus ina dhiaidh sin

And when that had been done,

do labair cailleach coiméta na sét ro bí isin chúil,

labhair cailleach choimeádta na séad a bhí sa chúinne,

the hag who guarded the jewels, who was in the corner, began to speak;

oir ní thucadar da n-úidh hí conuige sin.

ach nár airigh siad ann go dtí sin.

for they had not noticed her until then.

Ocus do léigistar Mongán lúathanál dráidheachta fuithi,

Lig Mongán luath-anáil draíochta fúithi

And Mongan sent a swift magical breath at her,

co narbo léir dí ní dha fhacaigh sí roimhe.

ar chaoi nár léir di éinní dá bhfaca sí roimhe.

so that what she had seen was no longer clear to her.

“Trúagh sin,” ar an chailleach

“Trua sin,” ar an chailleach,

“That is sad,” said the hag,

“ná ben neam dím, a næmcléirigh,

“ná bain neamh díom, a naomh-chléirigh,

“do not rob me of Heaven, O holy cleric.

oir is écoir an smúaineadh dorindius

mar is éagóir an smaoineamh a rinne mé.

For the thought that I have uttered is wrong,

ocus gabh aithrighe úaim,

Glac aithrí uaim,

and accept my repentance,

oir taidhbhsi bréige tadhbas damh

mar is taibhse bhréige a taibhsíodh dom,

for a lying vision has appeared to me,

ocus rográdh mo dhalta agum.”

agus ró-ghrá mo dhalta agam.”

and I dearly love my foster-child.”

“Druit chugam, a chailleach,” ar Mongán,

“Gabh i leith, a chailleach,

“Come hither to me, hag,” said Mongan,

“ocus déna t’fháisidin damh.”

agus déan d’fhaoistin dom.”

“and confess to me.”

Éirgis an chailleach

D’éirigh an chailleach

The hag arose,

ocus delbais Mongán bir chúaille isin catháir

agus chuir Mongán bior sa chathaoir,

and Mongan shaped a sharp spike in the chair,

ocus tuitis an chailleach uman cúaille co fúair bás.

agus thit sise ar an bhior go bhfuair bás.

and the hag fell upon the spike, and found death.

“Bennacht fort, a Mhongáin,” ar an ríghan,

“Beannacht ort, a Mhongáin,” ar an ríon,

“A blessing on thee, O Mongan,” said the queen,

“as maith tarrla dúind an chailleach do marbudh,

“is maith gur tharla dúinn an chailleach a mharú,

“it is a good thing for us to have killed the woman,

oir do inneósad beith mur do bhámair.”

óir d’inseodh sí sinn bheith mar a bhíomar.”

for she would have told what we have done.”

Ocus do chúaladar íar sin an dorus ag a bhúaladh

Ina dhiaidh sin chualadar an doras á bhualadh.

Then they heard a knocking at the door,

ocus is é ro bí ann Tibraide

Tiobraide a bhí ann

and ’tis he that was there, even Tibraide,

ocus trí nónbhair maræn ris.

agus trí naonúir leis.

and three times nine men with him.

“Ní fhacamair ríamh,” ar na doirrseoraidhe,

“Ní fhacamar riamh,” ar na doirseoirí,

The doorkeepers said: “We never saw

“bliadhain budh lia Tibraide ’nan bliadhain so.

“bliain ba lia Tiobraide ná an bhliain seo.

a year in which Tibraides were more plentiful than this year.

Tibraide astigh agaibh ocus Tibraide
amuigh.”

Tiobraide istigh agaibh agus Tiobraide amuigh.”

Ye have a Tibraide within and a Tibraide without.”

“Is fír sin,” ar sé Mongán,

“Is fíor sin,” ar Mongán,

“ ’Tis true,” said Mongan. 

“Mongán táinic am’ richt-sa

“is é Mongán a tháinig i mo riochtsa.

“Mongan has come in my shape.

ocus éirgid amach,” ar sé, “ocus dobeirim-si lóghadh dáibh

Amach libh agus bhéarfaidh mé loghadh díbh

Come out,” said he, “and I will reward you,

ocus marbtar na cléirigh út,

ach na cléirigh úd a mharú,

and let yonder clerics be killed,

úair æs grádha Mongáin [iat]

óir is aos grá Mhongáin iad

for they are noblemen of Mongan’s

arna cur a richtaibh cléirech.”

curtha i riochta cléireach.”

that have been put into the shape of clerics.”

Ocus do éirgidar an teglach amach

Chuaigh an teaghlach amach

And the men of the household came out

ocus do marbhadar na cléirigh

agus mharaigh siad na cléirigh

and killed the clerics,

ocus do thoitidar da nónbhar leó díbh

agus thit dhá naonúr acu leo.

and twice nine of them fell.

ocus tarrla ríg Laighen dóibh

Tharla rí Laighean dóibh

And the king of Leinster came to them

ocus do fhiarfaigh díbh créd an seól ara rabhadar.

agus d’fhiafraigh sé cad a bhí ar siúl acu.

and asked them what course they were on.

“Mongán,” ar síat, “ar toidhecht a richt Tibraide

“Mongán,” ar siad, “atá i ndiaidh teacht i riocht Tiobraide

“Mongan,” said they, “has come in Tibraide’s shape,

ocus atá Tibraide isin bhaile.”

agus tá Tiobraide sa bhaile.”

and Tibraide is in the place.”

Do léic rígh Laighen fuithibh

Thug an rí fúthu

And the king of Leinster charged them,

ocus tarthaigh Tibraide tempall Cille Camáin

agus bhain Tiobraide Teampall Chill Chamáin amach

and Tibraide reached the church of Cell Chamain,

ocus ní deachaid duine don nónbhar aile gan gortugud.

agus ní dheachaigh éinne den naonúr eile gan ghortú.

and none of the remaining nine escaped without a wound.

Ocus táinic rígh Laighen dia thigh

Tháinig Brandubh abhaile

And the king of Leinster came to his house,

ocus do im[th]igh Mongán íar sin

agus d’imigh Mongán ina dhiaidh sin,

and then Mongan departed.

ocus do fhiarfaig rígh Laighen:

agus d’fhiafraigh an rí,

And the king asked:

“Cait a fhuil Tibraide?” ar sé.

“Cá háit a bhfuil Tiobraide?”

“Where is Tibraide?” saith he.

“Ní hé Tibraide do bí ann,” ar an inghean,

“Ní hé Tiobraide a bhí ann,” ar an iníon,

“It was not Tibraide that was here,” said the woman,

“ach[t] Mongán, oir do chloisfea-sa é.”

“ach Mongán, óir chloisfeá ar aon nós é.”

“but Mongan, since you will hear it.”

“An robhai-si ag Mongán, a inghen?” ar sé.

“An raibh tusa le Mongán, a iníon?” ar sé.

“Were you with Mongan, girl?” said he.

“Do bhadhus,” ar ísi, “úair as ferr cert oram.”

“Bhí mé,” ar sí, “óir tá an ceart is fearr aige orm.”

“I was,” said she, “for he has the greatest claim on me.”

“Curt[h]ar fis úaind ar cend Tibraide!” ar rígh Laighen,

“Cuir fios uainn ar Thiobraide!” ar Brandubh,

“Send for Tibraide!” said the king,

“oir mur aith tarrla dúinn a mhuindtir do marbadh.”

“óir is olc gur tharla dúinn a mhuintir a mharú.”

“for . . . we have chanced to kill his people.”

Ocus tucadh Tibraide cuca

Tugadh Tiobraide chucu ansin.

And Tibraide was brought to them,

ocus do im[th]igh Mongán dia thigh

Maidir le Mongán d’imigh sé abhaile

and Mongan went home

ocus do bí co cend ráithe gan teacht arís

agus bhí go ceann ráithe gan teacht arís

and did not come again until the end of a quarter,

ocus do bí a sirg galair risin ré sin.

agus bhí i seirg ghalair ar feadh an ama sin.

and during that time he was in a wasting sickness.

Ocus táinic Mac an Daimh cugi ocus adubert ris:

Sa deireadh tháinig Mac an Daimh chuige agus dúirt leis,

And Mac an Daimh came to him and said to him:

“As fada damh-sa,” ar sé,

“Is fada domsa,” ar sé,

“ ’Tis wearisome to me,” said he,

“mo ben do beth am’ écmais tré obhlóir mar thusa,

“mo bhean bheith im éagmais trí amhlóir mar thusa,

“to be without my wife through a clown like myself (recte yourself),

ó nach dernus ‘cairdis gan éra’ re hóclach rígh Laighen.”

nuair nach ndearna mise ‘cairdeas gan éaradh’ le hóglach rí Laighean.”

since I have not made ‘friendship without refusal’ with the king of Leinster’s attendant.”

“Eirigh-si damh-sa,” ol Mongán,

“Téigh ar mo shonsa,” ar Mongán,

“Go thou for me,” said Mongan,

“d’ fhis scél co Ráith Deiscirt m-Bregh

“ag lorg sceál go dtí Ráith Deiscirt Bhreá

“to get news to Ráith Descirt of Bregia,

mar a fhuil Dubh-Lacha Láimghel,

mar a bhfuil Dubh Locha Láimhgheal,

where Dubh-Lacha of the White Hand is,

oir ní inshiubhail mhisi.”

óir ní inniúil mise.”

for I am not myself able to go.”

As a haithle sin adubairt Dubh-Lacha:

Is é dúirt Dubh Locha ansin,

Thereafter Dubh-Lacha said:

“Ticedh Mongán cucam,” ar sí,

“Go dtaga Mongán chugam,” ar sí.

“Let Mongan come to me,” said she,

“ocus atá rígh Laighen ar særchúairt Laighen

Tá rí Laighean ar saorchuairt Laighean

“for the king of Leinster is on a journey around Leinster,

ocus atá Ceibhín Cochlach gilla carbaid an rígh am’ fharradh-sa ocus bíth ag a rádha rium élodh do dénam

agus bíonn Ceibhín Cochlach, giolla carbaid an rí atá im’ fharradh, ag rá liom éalú a dhéanamh

and Ceibhin Cochlach, the attendant of the king’s chariot, is with me and keeps telling me to escape,

ocus co ticfadh féin leam

is go dtiocfadh sé féin liom,

and that he himself would come with me.

ocus is écrúaidh a n-dénann Mongán,” ar sí.

ach is cloíte a ndéanann Mongán,” ar sí.

And Mongan behaves in a weak manner,” said she.

Ocus dochúaidh mac an Doimh do gresadh Mongáin.

Chuaigh Mac an Daimh ansin chun Mongán a ghríosadh.

And Mac an Daimh went to incite Mongan.

Iar sin do glúais Mongán roime co Ráith Deiscirt m-Bregh

Ina dhiaidh sin ghluais Mongán roimhe go Ráith Deiscirt Bhreá

Thereupon Mongan set out to Raith Descirt of Bregia,

ocus do shuidh ar gúalaind na hingine

agus shuigh le gualainn na hiníne.

and he sat down at the shoulder of the girl,

ocus tucadh fi[dh]chill órdhaidhe cuca

Tugadh fichill órtha chucu

and a gilded chess-board was brought to them,

ocus do bhátar ag a himirt

agus thosnaíodar ag imirt.

and they played.

ocus do léig Dubh-Lacha a cíche re Mongán

Nocht Dubh Locha a cíocha do Mhongán

And Dubh-Lacha bared her breasts to Mongan,

ocus mar do dercastair Mongán forra,

agus nuair a dhearc sé orthu,

and as he looked upon them,

atcon[n]airc na cíche móra ocus íat mæthgel

chonaic sé na cíocha móra maothgheala

he beheld the great paps, which were soft and white,

ocus an medhón seng solusgheal

agus an meán seang solas-gheal

and the middle small and shining-white.

ocus táinic ailges na hinghine dó

agus tháinig áilíos na hiníne air

And desire of the girl came upon him.

ocus do airigh Dubh-Lacha sin.

agus d’airigh Dubh Locha sin.

And Dubh-Lacha observed it.

Is ann sin do gairistair rígh Laighen cona shlúagaibh fon dúnadh

Is ansin a tháinig Brandubh gona shluaite i ngar don dún.

Just then the king of Leinster with his hosts was drawing near the fortress,

ocus do hoslaiged an dúnad roimhe

Oscaíodh an dún *roimhe*

and the fortress was opened before him.

ocus do fhiarfaig rígh Laighen don ingin,

agus d’fhiafraigh an rí den iníon

And the king of Leinster asked of the girl

an é Mongán ro bí astigh.

arbh é Mongán a bhí istigh.

whether Mongan had been in the house.

Do ráidh sí corbé.

Dúirt sí gurbh é.

She said he had been.

“Dob áil lem-sa athchuinghi d’[f]hághbail úait-si, a ingen,”

“B’áil liomsa achainí a fháil uait, *a iníon,*”

“I wish to obtain a request of thee, girl,”

ar rí Laighen.

ar seisean ansin.

said the king of Leinster.

“Dogébthar.

“Gheofar í.

“It shall be granted.

A n-écmais do beith agum co tí an bliadhain,

In éagmais tú bheith agam go ceann bliana,

Except thy being with me till the year is ended,

ní fhuil agum athchuinghi iarfas tú, nach tiubér duit hí.”

níl agam achainí a iarrfaidh tú nach dtabharfaidh mé duit.”

there is nothing that thou mayst ask which I will not grant thee.”

“Mased,” arsin rígh,

“Más ea,” arsa an rí,

“If that be so,” said the king,

“da m-bé menma Mongáin meic Fiachna agad, a hindisin dam-sa,

“dá mbeadh mian Mongáin ort, é sin a inis dom,

“tell me when thou longest for Mongan son of Fiachna;

oir an tan glúaisis Mongán,

óir an uair a ghluaiseann Mongán

for when Mongan has gone,

bíaidh a menma agat-sa.”

beidh a mhian ort.”

thou wilt long for him.”

Táinic Mongán a cinn ráithi

I gceann ráithe tháinig Mongán

At the end of a quarter Mongan returned,

ocus do bí a menma fuirri-si

agus bhí mian aici siúd air.

and he was longing for her;

ocus do bhátar slúaigh an bhaile uile ann an tráth sin.

Bhí sluaite an bhaile uilig ann an tráth sin.

and all the hosts of the place were there at the time.

Iar sin táncatar slúaigh an bhaile amach

I gceann scaithimh tháinig sluaite an bhaile amach

Then the hosts of the place came out,

ocus do impó Mongán ón dúnad

agus thiontaigh Mongán ón dún

and Mongan turned back from the fortress

ocus táinig dia thigh

agus tháinig abhaile.

and went home.

ocus do bí an ráithi sin a sirg shírghalair

Mhair sé an ráithe sin i seirg síor-ghalair.

And that quarter he was in a wasting sickness.

ocus ro thimsaighedair maithi Uladh a n-éninadh

Fá dheireadh thiomsaigh maithe Uladh in aon-ionad

And the nobles of Ulster assembled into one place

ocus targadar do Mhongán toidheacht lais do thabairt chatha fo chend a mná.

agus thairg siad do Mhongán teacht leis chun cath a thabhairt ar son a mhná.

and offered Mongan to go with him to make battle for the sake of his wife.

“Is bríathar dam-sa,” ol Mongán,

“Dar mo bhriathar,” ar Mongán,

“By my word,” said Mongan,

“an ben rucadh úaim-si trém’ ainghlicus féin,

“an bhean a rugadh uaimse trí mo ainghliceas féin,

“the woman that has been taken from me through my own folly,

nach tuitfe mac mná ná fer d’Ulltachaibh impe

ní thitfidh mac mná ná fear d’Ultaigh *uimpi*

no woman’s son of the men of Ulster shall fall for her sake

ag a tabairt amach,

á tabhairt amach,

in bringing her out,

noga tucar-sa féin lem trém’ glicus hí.”

nó go dtugaim féin liom trí mo ghliceas í.”

until, through my own craftiness, I myself bring her with me.”

Ocus táinic an bliadhan faisin

D’imigh an bhliain mar sin

And in that way the year passed by,

ocus do glúais Mongán ocus Mac an Daim rompo co tech rígh Laighen.

agus ghluais Mongán agus Mac an Daimh rompu go teach rí Laighean.

and Mongan and Mac an Daimh set out to the king of Leinster’s house.

Is ann sin do bátar maithi Laighen a[g] teacht isin m-baili

Is ansin a bhí maithe Laighean ag teacht sa bhaile

There were the nobles of Leinster going into the place,

ocus fledh mhór fa chomhair fheisi Duibhi-Lacha

agus fleadh mhór á hullmhú faoi chomhair feise Dhubh Locha.

and a great feast was being prepared towards the marriage of Dubh-Lacha.

ocus do geall a tabairt

Gheall Mongán go mbéarfadh sé leis í

And he vowed he would marry her.

ocus táncatar ar an faith[ch]i amuich.

agus tháinig siad go dtí an fhaiche taobh amuigh den dún.

And they came to the green outside.

“A Mhongain,” ar Mac an Daim,

“A Mhongáin,” ar Mac an Daimh,

“O Mongan,” said Mac an Daimh,

“ca richt a rachum?”

“cén riocht ina rachaidh muid?”

“in what shape shall we go?”

Ocus mar do bádar ann, do chíd cailleach an mhuilind .i. Cuimne

Agus mar a bhíodar ann chonaiceadar Cuimhne, cailleach an mhuilinn.

And as they were there, they see the hag of the mill, to wit, Cuimne.

ocus fa garm[n]ach caillighe móire ísein

Bhí airde garman inti

And she was a hag as tall as a weaver’s beam,

ocus madra mór ar nasc aice

agus bhí madra mór

and a large chain-dog with her

*a raibh Brothar mar ainm air*

ar nasc aici

*is sealán faoina bhráid*

ocus é ag lighe cloch an mhuilind

agus é ag lí chloch an mhuilinn.

licking the mill-stones,

ocus [s]elan gadraigh fo bráighit

with a twisted rope around his neck,

ocus Brothar a ainm.

and Brothar was his name.

Ocus do chonncadar gerrán banmaircech

Chonaiceadar fosta gearrán bán-mhairceach

And they saw a hack mare

ocus sensrathar fair

agus sean-srathair air

with an old pack-saddle upon her,

neoch do bí a[g] tarrang arbha ocus mhine ó muilenn.

a bhí ag tarraingt arbhair agus mine ón mhuileann.

carrying corn and flour from the mill.

Ocus mar do chonnaic Mongán íat,

Nuair a chonaic Mongán iad

And when Mongan saw them,

adbert re Mac an Daimh:

labhair sé le Mach an Daimh:

he said to Mac an Daimh:

“Atá agum richt a racham,” ar sé,

“Tá agam an riocht ina rachaidh muid,” ar sé,

“I have the shape in which we will go,” said he,

“ocus da m-bé a n-dán dam-sa mo ben co. . . . d’fhagbháil,

“agus má tá i ndán dom mo bhean a fháil

“and if I am destined ever to obtain my wife,

do gébh don cur sa hí.”

gheobhaidh mé don chor seo í.”

I shall do so this time.”

“Cubhaidh ritt, a deg[fh]laith.”

“Sin mar is cóir duit, a dhea-fhlaith.”

“That becomes thee, O noble prince,” [said Mac an Daimh].

“Ocus tarra, a Mhic an Daimh,

“Imigh leat, a Mhic an Daimh,

“And come, O Mac an Daimh,

ocus gairm Cuimne an mhuilind dam amach dom’ agallaim.”

agus gairm Cuimhne an mhuilinn amach chun cainte liom.”

and call Cuimne of the mill out to me to converse with me.”

“Atát tri fichit bliadhan,

“Tá trí fichid blian ann,” ar sise,

“It is three score years” [said Cuimne]

ór nár íar duine mé da agallaim,”

“ó d’iarr éinne chun cainte mé,”

“since any one has asked me to converse with him.”

ocus tainic amach ocus do len an madra hí,

agus tháinig sí amach is lean an madra í.

And she came out, the dog following her,

ocus [ó] adchonnaic Mongán cuge íat,

Nuair a chonaic Mongán chuige iad,

and when Mongan saw them,

do memhaidh a gean gáire fair ocus adubert fria:

mhaígh a ghean gáire air is dúirt sé léi:

he laughed and said to her:

“Da n-dernta mo chomairle,

“Dá ndéanfá mo chomhairle,

“If thou wouldst take my advice,

do chuirfind a richt ingine óigi tú

chuirfinn i riocht chailín óig thú

I would put thee into the shape of a young girl,

ocus do betha ad’ mnái agum féin

agus bheifeá i do bhean agam féin

and thou shouldst be as a wife with me

nó ag rígh Laighen.”

nó ag rí Laighean.”

or with the King of Leinster.”

“Doghén co deimhin,” ar Cuimne.

“Déanfaidh mé go deimhin,” ar Cuimhne.

“I will do that certainly,” said Cuimne.

Ocus tuc buille dont shlait dráidheachta
don mhadra

I bhfaiteadh na súl thug sé buille den tslat draíochta don mhadra

And with the magic wand he gave a stroke to the dog,

co n-derna mesán mingeal is áille do bí ’sa bith de

go ndearna measán mín-gheal ar áilleacht an domhain de

which became a sleek white lap-dog, the fairest that was in the world,

ocus slabradh airgit ’ma brághait

is slabhra airgid faoina bhráid

with a silver chain around its neck

ocus cluigín óir air,

a raibh cloigín óir air.

and a little bell of gold on it,

co d-toillfedh ar boiss duine

Bheadh a sháith fairsinge aige ar bhois duine.

so that it would have fitted into the palm of a man.

ocus tuc buille don chailligh

Ansin thug sé buille don chailleach

And he gave a stroke to the hag,

co n-derna ingin ó[i]c dob fherr delbh ocus dénamh d’inginaibh an betha di

go ndearna di an ainnir óg ab fhearr dealbh is déanamh d’iníona na beatha,

who became a young girl, the fairest of form and make of the daughters of the world,

.i. Ibhell Grúadhsholus inghin rígh Mumhan.

mar a bhí Ibheall Grua-Sholas, iníon rí Mhumhan.

to wit, Ibhell of the Shining Cheeks, daughter of the king of Munster.

Ocus dochúaidh féin a richt Aedha meic rígh Con[n]acht

Chuaigh sé féin i riocht Aodha, mac rí Chonnacht,

And he himself assumed the shape of Aedh, son of the king of Connacht,

ocus do chur Mac an Daimh a richt a ghilla

agus chuir Mac an Daimh i riocht a ghiolla.

and Mac an Daimh he put into the shape of his attendant.

ocus dorinde falafroigh glégheal ocus folt corcra uirre

Ansin chruthaigh sé falaire glégeal is folt corcra uirthi

And he made a shining-white palfrey with crimson hair,

ocus doroine díallait órdha co n-ilbrecaibh óir ocus leg loghmar dont shrathar.

agus rinne diallait órtha faoi ilbhreaca óir is liag luachmhar den tsrathar.

and of the pack-saddle he made a gilded saddle with variegated gold and precious stones.

Ocus tucadar dá chapall ele a richt each futha

Chuireadar freisin dhá chapall eile fúthu,

And they mounted two other mares in the shape of steeds,

ocus táncatar fon samhail sin ’cum an dúnaid.

agus sin mar a tháinig siad chuig an dúin.

and in that way they reached the fortress.

Ocus dercaighdar na doirseoiri

Bhreathnaigh na doirseoirí iad

And the door-keepers saw them

ocus adubradar re rígh Laighen

agus dúirt le Brandubh

and told the king of Leinster

curbhé Aedh Alaind

gurbh é Aodh Álainn

that it was Aed the Beautiful,

mac rígh Con[n]acht

mac rí Chonnacht é

son of the king of  Connacht,

ocus a ghilla

is a ghiolla

and his attendant,

ocus a ben .i. Ibheall Grúadhsholus

is a bhean, Ibheall Grua-Sholas,

and his wife Ibhell of the Shining Cheek,

ingin rí[gh] Muman

iníon rí Mhumhan,

daughter of the king of Munster,

ar ec[h]tar ocus ar innarba a Con[n]achtaibh

ar loingeas agus ar ionnarba as Connachta

exiled and banished from Connacht,

ar comairce rígh Laighen tángatar

agus ó tharla gur ar choimirce rí Laighean a thángadar

that had come under the protection of the king of Leinster,

ocus nirbh áil leis teacht slúagh ná sochraide budh mhó.

nárbh áil leis teacht le slua ná fórsa ní ba mhó.

and he did not wish to come with a greater host or multitude.

Ocus dorinde an doirseoir an uirgill

Rinne an doirseoir an fógra

And the door-keeper made the announcement,

ocus táinic an rí ana n-aighidh

agus tháinig an rí ina choinne

and the king came to meet them,

ocus ro fher fáilti friu

agus chuir fáilte roimhe.

and welcomed them.

ocus do gairm rí Laighen mac rí[gh] Con[n]acht ar a ghúalaind.

Ghairm sé mac rí Chonnacht ar a ghualainn.

And the king of Leinster called the son of the king of Connacht to his shoulder.

“Ní hé sin as bés againd,” ar mac rí[gh] Con[n]acht,

“Ní hé sin is béas dúinn,” ar seisean,

“That is not the custom with us,” said the son of the king of Connacht,

“acht suidhe ar slis rígh don dara duine is ferr sa bruidin

“ach go suíonn os comhair rí an dara duine is fearr sa bhruíon,

“but that he should sit by the side of the king who is the second best man in the palace,

ocus as misi at’ égmais-[s]i an dara duine as ferr astigh

agus is mise id' éagmais-se an dara duine is fearr istigh

and next to thee I am the second best in the house,

ocus ar slis rígh bíad.”

agus is os comhair an rí a bheidh mé.”

and by the side of the king I will be.”

Ocus do heagrad an tech n-óla

Eagraíodh an teach óil

And the drinking-house was put in order.

ocus ro chur Mongán blicht serce a n-grúadhaibh na caillige

agus chuir Mongán briocht seirce i ngrua na caillí

And Mongan put a love-charm into the cheeks of the hag,

ocus d’ fhechain da tuc rígh Laighen uirre do

agus d’fhéachaint dá dtug rí Laighean uirthi

and from the look which the king of Leinster cast on her

lín a sercc ocus a grádh é,

líon a searc agus a grá é

he was filled with her love,

gu nach roibh cnáim méd n-ordlaigh de

ar chaoi nach raibh méid orlaigh de chnámh ann

so that there was not a bone of his of the size of an inch,

nár lín do shercc na caillighe

nárbh lán seirce don chailleach.

but was filled with love of the girl.

ocus do gairm gilla fritheolmha cuge ocus adubert ris:

Ghairm sé giolla friothálaimh chuige agus dúirt leis,

And he called his attendant to him and said to him:

ocus abair fria co ‘tuc rígh Laighen serc ocus grádh mór duitt

agus abair léi go dtug rí Laighean searc agus grá mór di,

and say to her ‘the king of Leinster has bestowed great love upon thee,

ocus curob ferr rígh ’ná ríghdhamna.’ ”

agus gur fearr i gcónaí rí ná rídhamhna.”

and that a king is better than a king’s heir.’ ”

Ocus tuic Mongán ar an cogar ocus adubert re Cuimne:

Thuig Mongán an cogar agus dúirt sé le Cuimhne,

And Mongan understood the whispering, and said to Cuimne:

“Ac siud gilla ó rígh Laighen dod’ chuibhe re teachtaireacht cugad

“Siúd giolla ó Bhrandubh le teachtaireacht chugat

“There is an attendant coming from the king of Leinster with a message to thee,

ocus aithnim-si an cogar út dobeir sé

agus aithním an cogar a bheir sé

and I know the secret message which he brings,

ocus da n-dernta mo chomairle,

agus dá ndéanfá mo chomhairle

and if thou wouldst take my advice,

ní bethea ac fer budh mhesa ’ná mhisi nó rígh Laighen.”

ní bheifeá ag fear ba mheasa ná mise nó rí Laighean.”

thou wouldst not be with a worse man than myself or the king of Leinster.”

“Ní túgha nuachuir lem-sa,

“Is mar a chéile liom é

“I have no choice of bridegroom,

cibé agaibh fer bías agum.”

cibé fear agaibh bheas agam.”

whichever of you will be husband to me.”

“Mased,” ar Mongán, “mar ticfas cugad,

“Más ea,” ar Mongán, “nuair a thiocfaidh sé chugat

“If that be so,” said Mongan, “when he comes to thee,

abair-si co tiubhartha féin aithne ar shédaibh ocus ar mháinibh anté do beradh grádh duit

abair thusa go n-aithneofá ar a shéada is ar a mhaoine an té a mbéarfadh grá duit

say that by his gifts and precious things thou wilt know him who loves thee,

ocus íar an corn dobeir sé cugad air.”

agus ansin iarr an corn a bheir sé chugat.”

and ask him for the drinking-horn which he brings thee.”

Ocus táinic óclach rígh Laighen d[a] agallaim ocus adubert:

Tháinig óglach rí Laighean chun cainte léi, ag rá:

And the king of Leinster’s attendant came to converse with her, and said:

“Ac so corn úasal tucadh cugad.”

“Seo corn uasal a tugadh chugat.”

“Here is a noble horn brought to thee.”

“Dobérmais aithne ar shétaibh ocus ar mháinibh anté doberadh grádh dúind.”

“D’aithneoimis ar a shéada agus ar a mhaoine an té a bhéarfadh grá dúinn,” arsa an chailleach.

“We should know him who loves us by gifts and precious things.”

Ocus adbert rí Laighen risin n-gilla: “Tabair mo chorn dí.”

Nuair a dúirt Brandubh ansin leis an ngiolla, “Tabhair mo chorn di,”

And the king of Leinster said to the attendant: “Give her my horn.”

Adbert teaghlach rígh Laighen:

thosaigh teaghlach an rí ag rá:

But the king’s household said:

“Ná tahair do sheóid do mnái maic rígh Connacht.”

“Ná tabhair do shéada do bhean mhic rí Chonnacht.”

“Do not give thy treasures to the wife of the King of Connacht’s son.”

“Dobér,” bhar rígh Laighen,

“Tabharfaidh mé,” ar seisean leo,

“I will give them,” said the king of Leinster,

“oir ticfaidh an ben ocus mo sheóit chugam.”

“óir tiocfaidh an bhean agus mo shéada chugam.”

“for the woman and my treasures will come to me.”

Ocus tarthaidh Mac an Daim an corn úaithi

Agus thóg Mac an Daimh uaithi an corn

And Mac an Daimh takes the horn from her

ocus gacha fhúair do shétaibh co matain.

agus gach a bhfuair sí de shéada go maidin.

and whatever else she got of treasures till the morning.

Ocus adbert Mongán re Cuimne:

Dúirt Mongán ansin le Cuimhne,

And Mongan said to Cuimne:

“Iar a chris ar rígh Laighen.”

“Iarr a chrios ar rí Laighean,”

“Ask the king of Leinster for his girdle.”

Ocus as amhlaidh do bí an cris ocus ní ghabhad galar ná aingcis an tæbh tar a m-bíth

óir is amhlaidh a bhí an crios nach ngabhfadh galar ná tinneas an corp a chaithfeadh é.

And the girdle was of such a nature that neither sickness nor trouble would seize the side on which it was.

ocus do shír an cris

D’iarr sí an crios

And she demanded the girdle,

ocus tuc rígh Laighen an cris dí ocus beiridh Mac an Daimh a cétóir úaithi.

agus ní luaithe a thug Brandubh di é ná thóg Mac an Daimh uaithi é.

and the king of Leinster gave it her, and Mac an Daimh forthwith took it from her.

“Ocus abair anois re gilla rígh Laighen,

“Agus abair anois le rí Laighean,

“And now say to the king of Leinster’s attendant,

da tucadh an bith duit,

dá dtugadh sé an domhan duit

if the (whole) world were given thee,

ná tréicfea t’ fher féin air.”

nach dtréigfeá d’fhear féin air.”

thou wouldst not leave thy own husband for him.”

Ocus do indis an gilla do rígh Laighen sin ocus adubert rígh Laighen:

D’inis an giolla an méid sin do Bhrandubh agus dúirt seisean,

And the attendant told that to the king of Leinster, who said:

“Cad ara fhuil bhar n-aire?”

“Cad air a bhfuil bhur n-aire?

“What is it you notice?”

“A fhuil sibh astigh ort-sa?” bhur iat-sian.

“An bhfuil sibh istigh?” ar siad.

“Are you in the house . . .?” said they.

“Is aithnidh dáib-si an ben so ar mo ghúalainn-si

Is aithnid daoibh an bhean seo ar mo ghualainn,

“You know this woman by my side,

.i. Dubh-Lacha Láimghel

mar atá Dubh Locha Láimhgheal

to wit, Dubh-Lacha of the White Hands,

ingin Fiachra Duibh meic Demáin.

iníon Fhiachna Dhuibh mhic Dheamháin.

daughter of Fiachna Dubh son of Deman.

Rugus ar ‘chairdis gan éra’ úadha hí

Rug mé ar ‘chairdeas gan éaradh’ ó Mhongán í

I took her from him on terms of ‘friendship without refusal,’

ocus damadh áil let-sa, do dhénaind imlaid riut.”

agus dá mb’áil leatsa dhéanfainn malartú leat.”

and if thou like, I would exchange with thee.”

Ocus ro gabh ferg ocus loindes mór ocus adubert:

Ghlac fearg is loinneas mór Mongán agus dúirt sé,

And great anger and ferocity seized him, and he said:

“Da tucaind eich ocus greagha lem,

“Dá dtugainn eich agus graí liom

“If I had brought steeds and studs with me,

do budh chóir a n-iaraidh oram,

b’é do cheart iad a iarraidh orm,

it would be right to ask them of me.

ach gan seo a iarraidh.

ocus gidh edh

Bíodh sin mar atá, áfach,

However,

ní dlegar tigerna d’éra

níl sé dleathach diúltú do thiarna,

it is not right to refuse a lord

fam reracha a aire,

. . .,

gidh lesc lem,

agus cé gur leisc liom é,

though I am loath it should be so,

ber-si cugad hí.”

glac chugat í.”

take her to thee.”

Ocus mar dorónsat iumlaid,

Le linn an mhalartú

And as they made the exchange,

tuc Mongán teóra póc don ingin ocus adubert:

thug Mongán trí phóg don chailín agus dúirt,

Mongan gave three kisses to the girl, and said:

“Aderadais cách nach ó chraidhe do dénmais an imlaidid,

“Déarfaidís cách nach ó chroí a rinneamar an malartú

“Every one would say that we did not make the exchange from our hearts,

muna tucaind-si na póca so.”

mura dtugainn na póga seo.”

if I did not give these kisses.”

Ocus do ghabhadar ago co rabhadar mesca medharchain.

Ansin ligeadar leo féin, go raibh siad meisciúil meadhar-chaoin.

And they indulged themselves until they were drunk and hilarious.

Ocus do éirigh Mac in Daimh ocus adubert:

Sa deireadh d’éirigh Mac an Daimh is dúirt,

And Mac an Daimh arose and said:

“As mór a náire gan énduine do beradh deoch a láimh meic rígh Connacht.”

“Is mór an náire gan éinne ann a bhéarfadh deoch i láimh mhic rí Chonnacht,”

“It is a great shame that no one puts drink into the hand of the king of Connacht’s son.”

Ocus mar nár’ fregair duine é,

agus nuair nár fhreagair duine ar bith é

And as no one answered him,

do gabh an dá each as ferr do bí ’sa dúnadh

ghabh sé an dá each ab fhearr sa dún

he took the two best steeds that were in the fortress,

ocus do chur Mongán lúas gáithi isna hecha

agus chuir Mongán luas na gaoithe iontu.

and Mongan put swiftness of wind into them.

ocus do chur Mongán Duibh-Lacha ar a cúlaibh

Chuaigh Dubh Locha ar cúl Mhongáin

And Mongan placed Dubh-Lacha behind him,

ocus do chur Mac an Doim a ben féin ocus do ghlúaisidar rompo.

is a bhean féin ar cúl Mhic an Daimh agus ghluaiseadar leo.

and Mac an Daimh his own wife, and they set forth.

Ocus mar do éirgidar arnamhárach teaghlach rígh Laighen,

An lá arna mhárach nuair a d’éirigh teaghlach rí Laighean,

And when on the morrow the household of the king of Leinster arose,

atconcadar bratach na caillige

chonaiceadar bratach na caillí

they saw the cloak of the hag,

ocus an chailleach liathgharmnach ar leabaidh rígh Laighen

agus an chailleach liath ar leaba rí Laighean,

and the grey tall hag on the bed of the king of Leinster.

ocus doconncadar an madra ocus selan gadraigh ’ma brágaid

agus freisin an madra faoina shealán

And they saw the dog with a twisted halter round his neck,

ocus doconncadar an gerrán banmaircech ocus ant shrathar arpersian (?) edaigh

agus an gearrán bán-mhairceach agus an tsrathair.

and they saw the hack mare and the pack-saddle. . . .

ocus do bhádar an mhuindter ar gáire ocus do muscail rígh Laighen

Thosaigh siad ag gáire agus mhuscail Brandubh.

And the people laughed and awoke the king of Leinster,

ocus dochonnaic an chaillech láimh ris ocus adubert:

Nuair a chonaic sé an chailleach lena thaoibh chuir sé ceist uirthi,

who saw the hag by his side and said:

“An tú Cuimne Cúllíath an mhuilind?”

“An tú Cuimhne an mhuillinn?”

“Art thou the grey-backed hag of the mill?”

“As mé,” ar sí.

“Is mé,” ar sí.

“I am,” said she.

“Trúagh mar tharrla dam-sa cumusc riut-sa, a Chuimne!”

“Nach trua mar tharla dom luí leatsa, a Chuimhne!”

“Pity that I should have slept with thee, O Cuimne!”