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... airgit oengil friu.

*... airgid aongheal leo.

*…  of all-bright silver with them.

Lénti bangela co n-esnadaib corcraib iar(na) toebaib impu.

Léinte bángheala go n-imdhéanamh corcra iar (na) taobhanna umpu.

Fair white shirts, with purple embroidery on the edges.

Sceith orbuide co m-bilib argit oengil for a munib,

Sciatha órbhuí go mbilí airgid aongil ar a muiní,

yellow-gold shields, with radiant silver rims, on their backs,

co feth(l)aib *ocus* condualaib

go bhfeathail [agus] scoilb

with insignia and scallops *on the shields*,

ocus co n-imlib finddruini roaltnidib.

agus go n-imill fhiondruine cearbha.

and with razor-sharp bronze edges.

Claidib debennacha mora co n-eltaib dét co n-imduirnib airgdidib for a cressaib.

Claimhte dé-bheannacha móra go ndornchlúideanna déid go ndornchlaí airgid ar a gcriosanna.

Great, double-pointed swords, with cross-guards of ivory, with silver hilts, on their belts.

Da maelgai illaim cech fhir díb co semmannaib argait.

Dhá mhaolgha i lámh gach fhir díobh go seammanna airgid.

Two blunt-headed spears in the hand of each man among them, with rivets of silver.

Bái dana torachta di ór forloiscthi im cech n-gai dib.

Bhí, iomorra, tacaí d’ór forloiscthe i ngach ga díobh.

There were, moreover, supports of refined gold in each spear of them.

Ni bátar assai imma cossaib na celbair imma cennaib.

Ní raibh asa um a gcosa ná cafairr um a gcinn.*

There were not shoes on their feet, nor helmets on their heads.*

In tres buiden dana

An treas buíon, mar sin

The third troop, then,

.i. in buiden i m-bai Mani fodein.

..i. an bhuíon ina raibh Maine féin:

—the troop wherein Maine himself was:

Coica ech dergdond seta sithméti inti,

caoga each deargdonn leabhaire sithmhéide inti,

Fifty chestnut horses were in it—they were big of body and of wondrous size

ocus coica ech find n-óiderg,

agus caoga each fionn le cluasa dearga.

— and fifty white horses with chestnut ears

it é scuaplebra iarna rusiud i corcair uile, .i. a scópa ocus a monga.

Et iad scuableabhra iarna ndeargadh i gcorcair uile .i. a scuaba agus a monga.

—their tails were long, and the manes  and the tails were dyed to the colour of purple.

Sréin delinecha friu,

Sréin délíneacha leo:

*On each horse* was a bridle of two reins,

.i. bolga dergóir isindara liniu

bolga deargóir sa dara líne

shells of gold ornamented one of the reins

ocus bolga airgit oengil isin líne aile.

agus bolga airgid aonghil sa líne eile.

and shells of silver were on the other.

Belgi óir ocus argit friu uile.

Béalbhach óir agus airgid orthu uile.

The bits of them all were of gold and of silver.

Maelchircul óir co clucinib

Maolchiorcal óir go cloigíní

fo bragit cech eich díb.

faoi bhráid gach eich díobh.

At the neck of each horse

hung a round plate of gold, to which little bells had been fastened.

Ba binnithir téta mendchrott oc a senmaim illáim súad

Ba bhinne ná téada mionchruite á seinm i lámh saoi

Sweeter than a little harp’s strings, played in the hand of a sage

fogur na clucin sin,

foghar na cloigíní sin,

(was) the sound of those little bells,

ica fogluasacht dona echaib ina cémmennaib.

á bhfoghluaiseacht do na heachaibh ina gcéimeannaibh.

as they swung to the horses’ tread.

Carpait fhoduirn findruini co n-asnadaib óir ocus argit

Carbad fosaitheach fiondruine go n-easnacha óir agus airgid

A chariot of white bronze, with rims of silver and gold,

eter cech da n-ech dib-side.

idir gach dhá each díobhsan.

was between each pair of those horses.

Coica sadall corcra co snathib argit estib,

Caoga diallait corcra go snátha airgid astu,

i cenghul do chrettaib na carpat,

i gceangal do creataí na gcarbad,

were bound to the bodies of the chariots:

ocus co siblaib oir estib immach,

go claspaí óir astu [ag síneadh] amach

they had golden buckles to fasten them,

dar borddaib na carpat, co cendmílaib ingantachaib foraib.

thar bhorda na gcarbad, go ceannmhíola iontacha orthu.

and hung over the rims, marvellous figures were embroidered thereon.

Cóica gilla n-óc n-aigfhind n-imlebur isin coicait charput sin.

Caoga giolla óg aghaidhfhionn imleabhair sa chaoga carbad sin,

Ocus ni bái nech díb

agus ní raibh neach díobh

acht mac ríg ocus rigna ocus curad ocus cathmiled do Chonnachtaib.

ach mac rí agus ríona agus curaidh *agus* cathmhílí do Chonnachta.

who was not the son of a king and a queen, and of a hero and warrior of Connacht.

Cóica brat corcra cortharach impu

Caoga brat corcra cortharach umpu,

co cortharaib ecair óir ocus argit.

go corthairí eagair óir agus airgid.

whose borders were adorned with silver and gold;

Cethri ora [maybe read oa?] umaidi ar cech brut.

Ceithre ura umha ar gach brat.

Mílech do dergór fhorloiscthi in cech brut.

Míleach do dheargór forloiscthe i ngach brat.

and each was fastened with a clasp of red gold purified in the fire.

Lenti srebnaidi sítai

Léinte sreabhacha síoda,

Close fitting garments, woven with silk,

co tuagnadmannaib di ór bruthi buide

go búclaí de ór lonrach bruite buí

and with fastenings of glowing yellow gold,

icustul fri a n-gelchnessaib.

i gceangal lena ngealchneasa.

were girded on their white bodies.

Cóica cathscíath n-airgdide

Caoga cathsciath airgeadaithe

Fifty silver bucklers for the fight

cona timtimchiull [omit first tim-] d’ór

gona dtimpeall d’ór

the rims of the bucklers were of gold,

ocus co m-breccad gemm carrmocol

agus go mbreachadh le geamanna carrmhogail

and they were adorned with many kinds of carbuncles

ocus lec lógmar cech datha

agus leaca luachmhara gach datha,

and with costly stones of every colour,

for muinib leo.

ar mhuiní leo.

hung on their backs.

Da chaindill gaiscid di shlegaib coicrinnechaib

Dhá choinneal gaisce de sleánna cúigrinneacha

Two gleams of valour shone from the five-pointed spears

illáim cech fhir díb.

i lámh gach fir díobh.

that were in the hand of each man of them;

Cóica semmand d’indruini ocus d’ór in cech gai díb.

Caoga seamanna d’fhiondruine agus d’ór i ngach ga díobh.

there were fifty rivets of white bronze and of gold in every spear.

Cia no dlestá miach óir do cech fhir díb

Cé gura dlite miach óir do gach fear díobh,

no ícfad seim gai cech fhir dib é.

d’íocfadh seam ga gach fir díobh é.

the rivets of his lance had been enough for the full payment of the debt.

Torochta d’ór forloiscthi im cech gai dib,

Fáinní d’ór forloiscthe im gach ga díobh

Each of the spears had about it rings of gold purified in the fire,

irthocbáil dana do charmoclaib fóthib uile,

*agus iad* tógtha ar charrmhogail fúthu uile.

and rested on a socket of carbuncles,

conna n-ilbreccad di gemmaib lógmaraib.

gona n-ilbhreacadh do gheamanna luachmhara.

which, *in like fashion to the spears,* had been embellished with *many-coloured* costly stones.

No lastais trá in aidchi amal ruthni greni.

Lasadar an óiche amhail ruithne gréine.

They shone in the night like the beams of the sun.

Coica claideb n-órduirn n-intlaisse

Caoga claíomh órdoirn iontlaise

Fifty long, gold-hilted, inlaid swords,

co n-eltaib dét ecoir óir ocus argit

go ndornchlúideacha déad, eagar óir agus airgid,

with ivory hilts, adorned with gold and silver,

i truallib fichthib finnargit

i dtruaillí fite fionnairgid

in scabbards plaited with white silver.

for a cressaib dóib.

ar a criosanna dóibh,

*were* on their belts.

Coica echlasc findruini co m-baccánaib óir ina lamaib.

caoga eachlasc fiondruine go mbacáin óir ina lámha.

In their hands were fifty whips of white bronze with clasps of gold upon them.

Ba cæmalaind iarum ocus ba cruthach in maccoem bái eturru.

Ba chaomhálainn iaramh agus ba chruthach an macaomh *a* bhí eatarthu,

Very beautiful and splendid was the young prince whom they accompanied;

Is é leccanfhota lansolus drechlethan.

is é leacanfhada lánsolas dreachleathan.

long were his cheeks, radiant and broad was his countenance.

Folt fochas orbuide fírlebor fair co sniged co brainni a imda.

Folt cas órbhuí fíorleabhair air a shnigh go broinne a shlinneán.

Long, curling, and golden was his hair, and it fell to his shoulders;

Rosc n-airárd n-adanta, is e gorm glainidi ina chind.

Rosc urard adhainte, is é gorm glan ina cheann.

proud and glowing were his eyes, blue, and clear *as the crystal*.

Ba cosmail fri cleithe caille cetamain

Ba chosúil le cleithe coille um Bhealtaine,

Like to the tops of the woods in May,

no fri sian slébi cechtar a da gruad.

nó le méirín púca,, ceachtar a dhá ghrua.

or to the foxglove of the mountain, was each of his cheeks.

Andar latt ba fross do nemannaib ro laad ina chend.

Dar leat ba fras do néamhainn a thit ina cheann.

You might fancy that a rain of pearls had fallen into his mouth,

Andar latt bátar da dúal partaingi a beoil.

Dar leat ba dhá dhual partainge a bheola.

and that his lips were *twin branches of coral*.

Ba gilithir snechta oenaidchi a brági

Ba ar ghile sneachta aonoíche a bhráid

White as the new-fallen snow of the night was his neck,

ocus a chnes chena.

agus a chneas cheana.

and such was the fashion of his skin.

Secht milcoin imma charpat

Seacht míolchoin im a charbad

Seven dogs of the chase surrounded his chariot,

i slabradaib argit ocus úbull óir for cech slabrad,

i slabhraí airgid agus úll óir ar gach slabhra,

with chains of silver upon them, and an apple of gold on every chain,

co m-ba leor ceol fogur na n-ubull frisna slabradaib.

go mba leor ceol foghar na n-úll ar na slabhraí.

and the tinkle of the apples on the chains made a pleasant music.

Noco rabi dath na rabi isna conaib batar aice.

Ní raibh dath *ar bith* nach raibh sna cúnna a bhí aige.

No colour *can be imagined* * that was not upon the dogs that were with him.

Morfeisiur cornaire co cornaib óir ocus argit leo,

Mórsheisear cornaire, go coirn óir agus airgid leo,

Seven buglers with bugles of silver and gold were with them;

co n-etaigib illdathaib impu,

go n-éadaí ildaite umpu,

many coloured were the garments in which they were clad,

co mongaib finnbuide foraib.

go moingeanna fionnbhuí orthu.

and yellow was their hair.

Bátar tri drúi(d) rempu co mindaib airgdidib uasa cennaib,

Bhí trí dhraoi rompu, go mionnaí airgid os a gceann,

Before them went three druids with crowns of silver on their heads;

co m-brattaib breccaib impu, ocus co sciathaib umaidib

go mbrait bhreaca umpu agus go sciatha umha

their mantles were of many colours, their shields were of copper,

ocus co n-asnaidib credumai foraib.

go heasnacha cré-umha orthu.

and the rims *of the shields* were brass. 

Trí cruittiri co n-écosc rigda for cech æ ina comair i m-brattaib corcraib.

Trí chruitire, go n-éagasc ríoga ar gach aon acu, ina dteannta, i mbrait corcra.

They were attended by three harp-players in purple cloaks each of them kingly *to look upon*.

Rancatar iarum fon tachim sin co Cruachain

Ráiníodar, iaramh, faoin toichim sin go Cruachan,

ocus ro fhersat a trí graiphni oenaig for faichthi na Cruachna.

agus d’fhear siad a trí ghraifne einigh ar fhaiche na Cruachna.

Celebrait iarsin do Meidb ocus do Ailill,

Cheiliúradar iar sin do Mheadhbh agus d’Ailill

They parted from Meadhbh and from Ailill,

ocus tiagait fon cumma sin i cend séta ocus imthechta for ammus Ratha Ini.

agus chuadar faoin gcuma sin i gceann séada agus imeachta ar amas Rátha Ine.

and they turned to the road for the journey to Ráth Ini.

“Is cáin tiachtain chetus,” ol Bricriu.

“Is caoin bhur dteacht a chéadóir,” ar Bricriu.

“Fair is the start that you make,” said Bricre, *as he saw them go*,

“Ni fhetar in ba cáin ticfaithi.”

“Ní fheadar an mba caoin *a* thiocfaidh sibh *ar ais*.”

“but will you look so fair when you return? for that I cannot  tell.”

“Biaid dul dia fiastar,” ar Mani.

“Beidh orainn dul dá fhios sin,” ar Maine.

“We shall have to go, in order to know that,” said Maine.

“Ro fiter me,” ar Bricriu, “is ruathar lái dogentái,

“Tá a fhios agam,” ar Bricriu, “is ruathar lae dá dhéanamh sin,

“Right well do I know,” answered Bricre, “that one day is enough *for your march*;

ni anfaidi fri feiss aidchi i cuiciud Chonchobair.”

ní fhanfaidh sibh le feis oíche i gcúige Chonchobhair.”

nor for a night will you *dare to* remain in the province of Conchobhar, *to hold therein your feast*.”

“Doberim-se mo brethir,” ar Mani,

“Beirimse mo bhriathair,” ar Maine,

“*Now* I give my word,” answered Maine,

“coro fheram feis trí laa ocus tri n-aidchi i n-dunud Geirg

“gura ndéana muid feis trí lá agus trí oíche i nDún Geirg

“that till for three days and three nights we have kept our feast at Dún Geirg,

na tairchem arís co Cruachain.”

sula gcasfaimid arís go Cruachan.”

we turn not again to Cruachan.”

Ni bói ní ba siriu ic fiamuchraid ríu

Ní raibh ní ba shire ag fiamhach rá leis

No longer did he tarry to bandy words,

acht teít i cend séta ocus imthechta.

ach chuaigh *sé* i gceann séada agus imeachta.

but he went on his way *for the* journey”.

Iar rochtain tra do bé thastil co dunud [read dúnad] Geirg

Iar rochtain tráth do bhé thaistil go Dún Geirg

ro gabad oc frithalim in t-shluaig and.

gabhadh ag friotháileamh an tslua ann.

they commenced to prepare for the reception of the *bridal* party.

Ro ésraít a tigi do bethi barralaind barrglas

Easraíodh na tithe do bheithe barrálainn barrghlas

The houses were strewn with fair-leaved, green-leaved birches,

ocus essair urárd úrluachra.

agus easair urard úrluachra.

and with a deep litter of fresh rushes.

Fóidis Erb a comalta .i. Findchoem ingen Ergi

Chuir Fearbh a comhalta .i. Fionnchaomh, iníon Eirce,

And Fearbh sent her friend and playmate, Fionnchaomh, who was the daughter of Eirc,

aróen ri bé tastil

araon leis an mbé thaistil,

that she might go with the woman who acted as herald,

do fhegad in tshlúaig amal ticfaitís.

*chun* an slua *a fheiceáil* amhail thiocfaidís.

and observe the coming of that party in what fashion they came.

Nir bo chían em disi ón.

Níor chian dise ann

Not long was the time that she needed.

O ro scaich di mess forru,

óir stop sí dá meas.

And when she had well beheld the host, and had noted their array,

luid fri deminscél cosin n-grianán i m-bói Ferb.

Chuaigh (sí) le deimhinscéal chuig an ngrianán ina raibh Fearbh,

she *hastened and* came with sure tidings to the bower where Fearbh was,

Ocus ro ráid fria: “Atchiu-sa,” ar si, “dírim don dún-sa,

agus dúirt (sí) léi: “Feicim,” ar sí, “díorma [ag teacht] don dún so,

and thus she spoke to her— “I see,” said she, “a host come to this burg;

ocus o ro gab Conchobar Emain

agus ó ghabh Conchobhar Eamhain,

and never, since Conchobhar has ruled in Eamhain,

noco tanic rempi ocus noco ticfa co bruinne m-brátha

níor tháinig rompu agus ní thiocfaidh go broinne brátha

hath come nor shall come to the end of time

dirim is áilliu no is choemiu no is ilchlessachu

díorma níos áille ná níos caoimhe ná níos ilchleasacha

a fairer host or one more skilled in dainty feats

andás in dirim docechaing in mag innossa.

ná an díorma a chinneann an magh anois.

than this that comes across the plain.

Is samail lim ocus bad in aballgort chumrai no beind

Is samhail liom agus ba in úllghort cumhra a mbeinn

It seemed to me that I was in a sweet orchard of apples,

lasin m-balad tánic dia n-étaigib ar n-dochum

leis an mboladh (a) tháinig dá n-éadaí chugainn,

such was the fragrance that came from their garments towards us

iarna fogluasacht don maethgáith doic tairsiu.

iarna gcorraí don mhaothghaoth (a) tháinig tharstu.

when they were waved by the gentle breeze that swept across them.

Cech cless ocus cech abairt dogní in t-óclách fil eturru,

Gach cleas agus gach abairt a dhéanann an t-óglach (a) bhfuil eatarthu

And for the feats and the frolics shown by the prince that is among them,

no con fhacca-sa riam a leithéit.

ní fhaca mise riamh a leithéid.

never before saw I the like.

Focheirt a bunsaig rót n-urchair uad,

Chaith (sé) a bhonsach fad urchair uaidh.

He casts his staff for the distance of a spear cast in front of him,

fochengat a choin inna diaid,

Chinn a chúnna ina dhiaidh,

his dogs springing behind,

co tecat a choin eturru ocus lár

go dtaga a chúnna idir bonsach agus lár,

in such fashion that there are the dogs bounding between the staff and the ground,

ocus in t-óclach eturru ocus firmimint

agus an t-óglach idir bonsach agus firmimint,

there is the prince *leaning over* between the staff and the sky,

conna ric lár

go nár shroich (an bhonsach) lár,

and the staff does not reach the ground,

conas gabat eturru fon cumma sin.”

go ngabhadar eatarthu é faoin gcuma sin.”

for together between them they seize it.”

Lasodain tra tecait sluáig Dunaid Geirg

Leis sin tháinig slua Dúin Gheirg *chucu*

With that, the people of Dún Geirg pressed around *as the party approached*,

co ro múchait sé fir déc dib ica fégad.

gura múchadh sé fir déag díobh á bhféachaint.

so that sixteen of the beholders were stifled at the viewing of it.

Tairlingit i n-dorus in dúne iarsin,

Thuirlingíodar i ndoras an dúna iar sin,

And they leapt *from their chariots* at the gate of the burg,

ocus tairnitir a carpait ocus scoirtir a n-grega,

agus íslítear a gcarbaid agus scoirtear a ngraíonna,

and the chariots were let down, and their horses were unyoked,

ocus tecait innund isin dúnud,

agus tháinig (siad) anonn sa dún,

and they came into the fort,

ocus ferthair firchain fáilti friu,

agus feartar fíorchaoin fáilte rompu,

and a right fair welcome was bid them,

ocus dognither gríth gretha do glanfhothrucud dóib.

agus déantar grith gretha (.i. folcadáin teo) do ghlanfhothragadh dóibh.

and preparations were made for a goodly bath.

Doratad iarsin isin laechtech mór

Cuireadh iad iar sin sa laochtheach mór

They gave them *that bath* in the great hall of the warriors

bói ar comair drechi in dunaid.

(a) bhí os comhair dhreacha an dúin.

that was hard by the fort;

Shroich soláthar aireaghdha iad, faoi chéadóir,

and presently noble supplies came in to them

do cech biud sainemail

do gach bia sainiúil

of all those kinds of excellent provisions

bói for druimleirg in talman.

(a) bhí ar dhroimleirg na talún.

that can be found on the ridge of the earth.

In tan tra ba hane dóib bith ic tochathium a *flede*,

An tan tráth ba hána dóibh bheith ag caitheamh na *fleidhe*,

But, while yet they had joy in the pleasure of the *feast*,

dodechaid sidi gaithi géri galbigi co ro chroth dindgna in dúnaid uli

tháinig sí gaoithe géar gailbheach, an gura chroith dionn an dúin uile,

a fierce and violent blast of wind arose; and it shook the whole hill on which the fort stood,

ocus co ro chrithnaig in tech claraid i m-bái in slúag,

agus gur chreathnaigh an teach clárach ina raibh an slua,

and the house of wood, wherein the guests were, quaked at the blast;

co torchratar a scéith dia n-delgnaib

go dtorchair na sciatha dá ndealga,

so that the shields fell from their hooks,

ocus a slega dia n-adlennaib,

agus a sleánna dá n-aidhleanna,

and the spears from their places,

ocus co ro sétea ammíasa uadib amal dulli darbri.

agus gura séideadh a miasa uathu amhail duille darach.

and the tables were moved like the leaves in a forest of oak.

Machtnaigit ind óic de-sein,

Mhachtnaigh na h-óga de sin,

The young men were astonished,

ocus ro iarfaig Gerg do drui Mani

agus d’fhiarfaigh Gearg do dhraoi Maine

and Gearg demanded of the druid who attended upon Maine

cid ro imfhulaing in gaéth sin.

cad a dtairngreodh  an ghaoth sin.

what this wind should betide.

Is andsin ro recair Ollgæth drúi Mani:

Is ansin (a) d’fhreagair Ollghaoth, draoi Maine:

And to him answered Ollghaoth, the druid of Maine—

“Indar lind ém,” ar sé, “ní fó sén

“Dar linn *ámh*,” ar sé, “ní faoi shéan

“Truly,” said he, “to me it seemeth that no good omen is this

i tancas din tochmarc sa innocht.

a thángthas don tochmharc seo anocht.

with which we have come hither for the courtship this evening.

Da-bar-ró Conchobar, da-foichlid,

Béarfaidh Conchobhar suas libh, faichill a theacht,

Conchobhar shall come upon you; beware of his coming,

co m-brisfea cath for Meidb isin matain-sea imbárach

go mbrisfear cath ar Mheadhbh sa mhaidin seo amárach,

and at the dawn of the morning Meadhbh shall be defeated in battle,

iar far n-díth uili in lín itaid istig,”

iar bhur ndíth uile, an líon atá sa teach seo,”

whilst you all shall perish, as many as are within this house.”

ocus doringni in glónáthi airchetail-seo iarsin:

agus rinne (sé) an t-aircheadal glonnmhar seo iar sin:

And he made thereupon the following poem —*a model for future times:—*

“Deilm in gæth granni in grith

“Deilm an ghaoth gránna an grith

bith robedb,

bith do bhadhbh, (– ní léir brí an líne seo)

derb in rád, rainfid in fer,

dearbh an rá *go ráineoidh* (leis) an bhfear,

sleg tri Gerg.

sleá trí Ghearg.

Urchur arad tri reing ríg,

Urchar arad trí leasrach rí,

gním co neim,

gníomh go nimh,

snífidh fuil go formna fear

sleg fri sleig.

sleá le sleá.

Géisfidh sciath leis an mbéim bhailc,

The shield shall roar from heavy blows

a glaic gil,

i nglac gheal,

dealt by white hands.

beti cuirp i cossair chairn,

beidh coirp i gcosair chairn,

Corpses shall be in the bed of the cairn.

bat mairb fir.

beidh mairbh fir.

Men shall die.

Bás meic ríg do lágin ríg,

Bás mic rí ó lansa rí,

Death of the son of the king from the lance of the king,

bid gním gér,

beidh gnímh géar,

There shall be sharp deeds,

ulach ard (im)ma chorp cruaid,

aileach ard um an gcorp crua,

High memorial over the stubborn bodies,

trúag in scél.

trua an scéal.

melancholy the tale.

Brisfid Badb, bid bríg borb,

Brisfidh Badhbh, beidh brí bhorb *ann*

Badhbh shall destroy them, there will be wild strength,

tolg for Meidb,

tolg ar Mheadhbh,

it is a breach in the power of Meadhbh,

ilar écht, ár for slúag,

iolar éacht, ár ar slua,

Murders in abundance, rout of the army,

trúag in deilm.”

trua an deilm.”

Sorrowful is the din of the wind.”

“Dia m-bad fóm-sa trá cách,” ol in drúi,

“Dá mba faoi *mo chomhairle-se* tráth cách,” ar an draoi,

“If ye be obedient to my counsel,” said the druid,

“no faicfithea in dunad sa innocht.”

“d’fhágfadh sibh an dún seo anocht.”

“this very night shall ye depart from the fort.”

Ro cairiged-som ó Mani co garb aire-sin.

Cóiríodh-san ó Mhaine go garbh air sin.

Maine *was wroth*, and he sharply rebuked the druid for that *which he had spoken;*

Ised ro ráid Gerg: “Ní bái ní ara fubthaitis occu,

Is é a dúirt Gearg: “Níl ní dá mbeadh faitíos oraibh roimhe,

and “No cause,” said Gearg, “is there why ye should be in terror *for him of whom he hath warned you,*

ar ni rabatar curaid no cathmilid Ulad aróen ri Conchobar.

óir ní raibh curaidh ná cathmhílí Uladh araon le Conchobhar.

since no muster of heroes or of warriors from Ulster hath Conchobhar with him at all.

Cen co beth sib-si eter sund,” ar se,

Gan go bheith sibhse anso,” ar sé,

Even were you not here,” he said,

“dobéraind-sea ocus mo da mac cath do Chonchobur.”

“bhéarainnse agus mo dhá mhac cath do Chonchobhar.”

“I myself with my two sons would give battle to Conchobhar.”

Ra tócbait a n-airm leo iarsin,

Thógadar a n-airm leo iar sin,

And they lifted up their *fallen* weapons,

ocus ni thartsat dia n-airi a n-ebairt in drúi.

agus ní thug siad dá n-aire an méid a dúirt an draoi.

and they paid no heed to that which the druid had spoken.

Dia m-bái dana Conchobar i tosuch ind lái sin ina cotlud i n-Emain

Agus Conchobhar i dtosach an lae sin ina chodladh in Eamhain

ocus a rígan na fharrad .i. Mugain Etanchaithrech ingen Echach Feidlig,

agus a ríon ’na fharradh .i. Mughain Aitinnchaithreach, iníon Eochaidh Fheidhligh,

his queen, Mughain Aiteannchaithreach, the daughter of Eochaidh Feidhleach, lying beside him,

co n-acca in mnái coem ina dochum ina imdái.

chonaic (sé) an bhean chaomh chuige ina iomdha.

he saw a fair woman who came to him as he lay on his couch.

Ecosc rignaide lé.

Éagasc ríona léi,

Her bearing was the bearing of a queen;

Mong casdrumnech barrbuide

moing chasdroimneach barrbuí

her hair was golden and wavy,

i cuacris imma cend.

i gcuach-chrios um a ceann,

and was braided into a tress coiled about her head.

Sretha sítai fria gelchnes.

sraitheanna síoda lena gealchneas,

*Through a* thin robe, woven of silken threads, *shone* her white skin,

Bréit bláthmin máeth do sítu uanidi imma bragit.

bréid bláthmhín maoth do shíoda uaine um a bráid,

a soft and glossy kerchief of green silk lay around her neck.

Da maelassa fhindruine

dhá mhaolasa fiondruine

Two sandals of white bronze, *rounded in front*,

eter a bonnu bláthmini ocus talmain.

idir a boinn bláthmhíne agus talamh.

appeared between her tender feet and the ground.

“Tó cech maith duit, a Chonchobair.”

“Gach maith duit, a Chonchobhair,” ar sí.

“All blessings be on thee, O Conchobhar,” said she.

“Cid fil dúinn de-side?” ar Conchobar.

“Cad atá dúinn de seo?” ar Conchobhar.

“Tell me,” said Conchobhar, “what this vision showeth to me.”

“Secht m-bliadna ónocht,” ar si,

“Seacht mbliana ó ’nocht,” ar sí,

“dogentar Táin bó Cualngi,

“déanfar Táin Bó Cuailnge

“shall the Raid of the Kine of Cuailnge be accomplished,

ocus airgfitir Ulaid,

agus argfar Ulaidh

and Ulster shall be laid waste,

ocus berthair in Dond Cualngi,

agus béarfar an Donn Cuailnge.

and the Brown Bull of Cuailnge shall be driven off,

ocus mac ind fhir dogena sin

Agus mac an fhir a dhéanfaidh sin

and the son of the man who shall do these deeds,

.i. Mani Mórgor mac Ailella ocus Medba,

.i. Maine Mórghor mac Ailealla agus Mheidhbhe,

even Maine Mórghor, the son of Ailill and Meadhbh,

dodechaid do fheis la hEirb

a tháinig anseo dá fheis le Fearbh,

he hath come hither for his wedding with Fearbh,

ingin n-Geirg do Glind Gerg [read Geirg],

iníon Gheirg ó Ghleann Geirg,

the daughter of Gearg of Gleann Geirg,

tri choicait a lín.

trí chaogaid a líon.

three times fifty is the number of his companions.

Erig-siu,” ar si, “tri coicait Fomorach cucu

Éirigh,” ar sí, “trí chaogaid Fomhórach chucu

Make ready,” said she, “three times fifty of the men of the Fomorians to *match* them,

ocus bid latt coscur.”

agus beidh leat coscar.”

and victory shall be with thee.”

Bidgais Conchobar iarsin ocus dúscis a rigain

Bhíog Conchobhar iar sin agus dhúisigh (sé) a ríon

Up sprang Conchobhar, and he waked his queen

ocus adfét di a aislingi.

agus dúirt (sé) léi *faoina* aisling.

and told her of his vision.

“Is lór ém,” ar Mugain, “fil chena

“Is leor *achrann* ámh,” ar Mughain, “a bhfuil cheana

“Truly,” said Mughain, “there has been enough *of strife* already

etrund ocus Connachta.”

eadrainn agus Connachta.”

between us and the men of Connacht.”

“Is demin ém,” ar se,

“Is deimhin *ámh*,” ar sé,

“Nevertheless,” said *Conchobhar*, “it is a certain thing that,

“cid nar tost bem-ni

“cé gurb inár dtost *a* mbeimis

even if we hold back *from the war*,

dogentar in táin út.”

déanfar an táin úd.”

the raid *of which she has spoken* shall be carried out.”

“Déni a chomairli ri Cathbad,” ar Mugain,

“Déan comhairle le Cathbhadh,” ar Mughain,

“Take counsel with Cathbhadh,” said Mughain,

“ocus in chomairli dobera duit, co rop hí dogneis [read dogne-si].”

“agus an chomhairle a thabharfaidh (sé) duit, gurab hí a dhéanfaidh (tú).”

“and the counsel that he giveth to thee, let that be what thou shalt follow.”  

Rádid Conchobar iarsin fri Cathbad,

Dúirt Conchobhar iar sin le Cathbhadh

After that, Conchobhar spoke to Cathbhadh,

ara n-dernad fastini dó.

*go* ndéana (sé) fáistine dó,

desiring him to give him a prophetic reply.

Ocus doringni rand tosaig láide iarsin

agus rinne (sé) rann tosaigh laoi iar sin,

And he made thereon the first lines of a poem,

ocus ro fhrecair Cathbad hé:

agus d’fhreagair Cathbhadh *dó*:

and Cathbhadh replied to him, * and the poem runs as follows:—*

Conchobhar:

Conchobhar.  

“Finna latt, a Chathbaid chain,

“Fionn leat, a Chathbhaidh chaoin,

“Find out by your art, O good Cathbhadh,

ca buadred fil im menmain,

cén buaireamh ’tá im mheanma,

what disquietude is in my mind,

ca hurbaid mór ar-nom-thá,

cén hurbhaidh mór orm atá,

what great distraction is before me 

a Chathbuid, a drúi Emna.”

a Chathbhaidh, a dhraoi Eamhna.”

O Cathbhadh, O druid of Eamhain.”

Cathbhadh:

Cathbhadh.  

“A Chonchobair na curad,

“A Chonchobhair na gcuradh,

“O Conchobhar of the heroes,

a rí urdnide Ulad,

a rí oirní Uladh,

O dignified king of Ulster, 

dofáetsat mór curad de,

titfidh mórán churadh de,

Many heroes shall fall therefrom 

bid hé airdi d’asslinge.”

beidh sé séan d’aislinge.”

that will be the omen shown in your vision.”

Conchobhar:

Conchobhar.  

“Innis cech olc ticfa de,

“Inis gach olc a thiocfaidh de,

“Name all the evil that shall come therefrom,

déni fir na fastine.

déan fíor na fáistine,

Produce the truth of prophecy.

na habbair tria baegul bréic

ná habair trí bhaol bréag,

Speak not a lie from fear of danger

ar ni fhil drúi do lethéit.”

óir níl draoi [mar] do leithéid.”

for no druid is your equal.”

Cathbhadh:

Cathbhadh.  

“Dofáeth Mani, *mó* cech ail

“Titfidh Maine gach oil,

“Maine shall fall who is elevated above every disgrace

mac Medba don Chruachan-maig,

mac Mheidhbhe don Chruachanmhaigh,

the son of Meadhbh of Cruachan-Plain.

is dofáetsat ri gním n-guil

is titfidh siad le gníomh gaile,,

And on account of the deed of the complaint

tri choicait dia chomaltaib.

trí chaogaid dá chomhaltaí.

shall fall three times fifty of his companions.

Na sluaíg út ón Chruachain chaiss

Na sluaite úd ón gCruachan breá,

All the troops from fair Cruachan

ni thecat uait dara n-ais,

ní thagann *siad* uait dara n-ais,

they escape not back from you.

ar is móti da blad trá

óir is móide do bhladh tráth,

Then so much the greater is your glory;

foichle fethim is finna.”

faichill feitheamh is fionn.”

guard yourself with vigilance and find it.”

“Doroichi-siu imshlán a rí,” ar se,

“Sroichfidh tú iomlán, a rí,” ar sé,

“co m-buaid ocus coscur ocus commaidim.”

“go mbua agus coscar agus comh-mhaidhm.”

“with triumph and conquest and fame.”

Is andsin doroacht Cathach Catutchend ingen Dímóir co Emain.

Is ansin (a) shroich Cathach Catutcheann, iníon Dhímóir, go hEamhain.

Bangaiscedach amra i-side,

Banghaiscíoch amhra ise.

A famous warrior was she;

a iathaib Espáni tánic

As iatha Spáinne (a) thánig (sí)

and from the land of Spain she had come

ar sheirc Conculaind co Emain.

ar searc Chon Culainn go hEamhain.

to Eamhain for the love that she bore to Cú Chulainn,

Dochuaid issin sochraite sin aroen ri Conchobar.

Chuaigh (sí) sa sochraid sin araon le Conchubhar.

and she joined with Conchobhar for that war.

Doriachtatar dana triar amra a finib Fomórach and,

Shroich ansin triúr amhra as fine Fomhórach

foblad barbardachta . . ad [maybe iat or siat should be added],

agus faoi bhladh barbarthachta iad

.i. Siabarchend mac Sulremair ocus Berngal Brec

.i. Siabhaircheann mac Súlramhair, agus Bearnghal Breac,

ocus Buri Borbbriathrach.

agus Buire Borbbhriathrach.

and Buire of the Cruel Speech.

Dorocht dana and Fácen mac Dublongsig

Shroich ansin Fáicean mac Dubhloingsigh *ann*

There came also Fáicean, the son of Dubhloingseach,

do shentuathaib Ulad

de sheantuatha Uladh

who was of the race of the men who of old time dwelled in the land of Ulster,

ocus Fabric Fiacail Nemi

agus Faibhric Fiacail Nimhe

and Faibhric of the venomous tooth,

asind Asia Móir

as an Áise Mhór,

who came from the Greater Asia,

ocus Forais Fingalach a Manaind.

agus Forais Fionaíolach as Oileán Mhanainn.

aand Forais, kin-slayer, from the Isle of Man.

Luid iarom Conchobar,

Chuaigh iaramh Conchobhar

And Conchobhar marched away,

tri choicait laech impu sin,

le trí chaogaid laoch umpu sin,

with three times fifty warriors, who surrounded them,

ocus ni ruc nech do Ultaib leis, acht sé féin

agus níor rug neach do Ultaigh leis, ach é féin

and he took none of the Ulstermen with him, save himself only,

ocus a ara .i. Brod ocus Imrind in drúi .i. mac Cathbath.

agus a ara .i. Brod, agus Imrinn an draoi, mac Cathbhaidh.

and Brod his charioteer, and Imrinn the druid, son of Cathbhadh

Ni bái dana gilla oc neoch díb

Ní raibh giolla ag neach díobh,

And none of these warriors had a servant with him

acht gilla Conchobair,

ach giolla Chonchobhair,

save that servant of Conchobhar only,

acht a scéith for a munib leo

ach a sciatha ar a muiní leo

but they had their shields on their backs,

ocus allaigne lethanglassa inallámaib

agus a lansaí leathanghlasa ina lámha,

and their bright green spears in their hands,

ocus a claidib tromma tortbullecha for a cressaib.

agus a gclaimhte troma tortbhuilleacha ar a gcriosanna.

and their heavy hard-striking swords at their belts.

Ni ba lín tra ba mesta forru,

Níor ba líon tráth ba measta orthu,

bá mór a toilc menman.

ba mór a dtailc meanman.

the pride of their souls was great.

O ro siachtatar iarom co m-batar ic fegad in dúnaid úathu innund,

Ó shaigheadar agus go rabhadar ag féachaint an dúin uathu anonn,

atchonncatar tromnél dímór uas chind in dúnaid.

chonaiceadar tromnéal dímhór os chionn an dúin.

Cirdub indara cend dó ocus dergg a medon

Ciardhubh an dara ceann dó, agus dearg a mheán,

ocus glass in cend aile.

agus glas an ceann eile.

and the other end was green.

Iarfaigis Conchobar iarsin:

D’fhiafraigh Conchobhar iar sin:

“Cid co tirchain [corrupt in Facs.] a Imrind,” ar se,

“Cad *é* do thaircheadal, a Imrinn,” ar sé,

“in nél út atchiam uasin dunud?”

“an néal úd a fheicimid os an dún?”

that cloud that we see over the fort.”

“Tirchanaid ém,” ar Imrind,

“Tuarann *sé* ámh,” ar Imrinn,

“Truly,” said Imrinn, “it signifieth

“ág ocus urbaid na haidchi innocht.”

“ágh agus urbhaidh na hoíche anocht,”

a contest and death for this night.”

Ocus doringni in rethoric-seo iarsin:

agus rinne (sé) an reitric seo iar sin:

Then he made the following poem of lyric verse:—

R.

.R. (.i. “Reitric )

“Dubnél nemi

“Dubhnéal nimhe,

“Dark cloud of poison

glass erchad

glas erchad, (ní fios cad is brí le “erchad”)

green. . . . (erchad- meaning unknown)

imfæbor derg

imfhaobhar dearg,

red two-edged blade, 

crua credbaigthi

crua creimneach,

death compelling.

fobíth tescfaiter táib

teascfar taobhanna ar a son,

For sides shall be cut to pieces,

leonfaitir lama

leonfar lámha,

hands shall be dislocated,

cirrfitir colla

ciorrfar collainneacha,

bodies shall be lacerated,

maelfaitir muneóil

maolfar muiníl,

necks shall be made bare

i n-dunad Geirg

i nDún Geirg,

in the Fort of Gearg

o thrath nóna nithaige

ó thráth nóna bhadhbha,

from the time of the death-dealing ninth hour 

co medón lái

go meán lae,

even to the middle of the day.

lechtlige di lar

leachtanna de lár,

Grave-beds on the ground.  

óc dalfid écdubi.”

óg (a) dáilfear éagduibhe.”

A young man it is who distributes the blackness of death.”

Cechaing Conchobar iarsin ar ammus in dunaid.

Chinn Conchobhar iar sin ar amas an dúin.

Is andsin dana ro sudiged dabach umai thall istaig

Is ansin (a) suíodh dabhach umha thall sa teach

diarba chomainm Ol gualai iarsin.

darb a chomhainm Ól Guala,

Ocus ro bas oc a línad dond fhín.

agus bhí sí á líonadh don fhíon.

Dorochair dana a escra féig finnargait alláim in daleman isin dabaig,

Thorchair a eascra féigh fionnairgid as lámh an dáileahain sa dabhach,

co ro dóirt a trí tonna

gura dhoirt a trí tonna

dar borddaib di.

thar boird di.

and the ripples flowed over the rim.

Is and ro ráid Ollgæth in drúi.

Is ann a dúirt Ollghaoth, an draoi, .R.:

Then thus spoke Ollghaoth the druid:—

 “Ó, abhó,” ar an draoi, “dúlagán sa soláthar,

“Woe,” said the druid, “brod in airigid.

(i.e. perhaps ‘a mote in the provision’)

ni ba cían la hallmuri bías

ní ba chian le hallúraigh ól as,

Not long is the time ere it is in the hands of

ar focrechtnaigfiter sluaig

creachtfar sluaite,

strangers, for troops shall be grievously wounded, 

airdibdibther laechrad.

argfar laochra,

warriors shall be destroyed,

dobrisfiter tige

brisfear tithe,

houses shall be demolished,

fogeba Emain ditui

béarfar fogha faoi Eamhain,

Eamhain shall find a cry,

arfocerthar gala oenfher

díothú déanfar ar ghala aonfhir

single combats shall be appointed,

eter lái ocus aidche.

idir lá agus oíche,

day and night,

eter slóg Geirg ocus Conchobair

idir shlua Geirg agus Conchobhair

between the troop of Gearg and that of Conchobhar

isin tegdaise innocht.

sa teaghais anocht,

in this house to-night.

ní fó mac ruc mathair

ní *sursan* mac rug máthair

Not with good fortune did the mother bear a son

isin taig-sea innocht.” [the fullstops as in Ms.]

sa teach seo anocht.”

who is in this house to-night.”

Doroich Conchobar in dorus,

Shroich Conchobhar an doras,

ocus gárit na hallmaraig gáir airgni iarsin amal ba bés dóib immon dunad.

agus gháir na hallúraigh gáir argana iar sin, amhail ba bhéas dóibh, sa dún.

Ergid Gerg iarsin, ocus érgit a da mac

D’éirigh Gearg iar sin agus d’éirigh a dhá mhac,

.i. Cond Coscarach ocuss Cobthach Cnesgel

Conn Coscarach agus Cobhthach Cneasgheal,

ocus gabait a n-armu.

agus ghabhadar a n-arma,

and they caught hold of their weapons.

Ocus rádis Gerg fri Mani:

agus dúirt Gearg le Maine:

“Leic-siu etruind féin innar n-Ultaib,

“Ligse eadrainn féin *atá* inár nUltaigh,

“Do then leave us Ulstermen to ourselves to decide this matter,

co fessara cia úain bas chalmiu.

go *mbeidh fios agat* cé uainn ba chalma.

Bidbaid duit-siu sind uile.

Is freagrach duitse sinn uile

Is fó duit ar comthuttim aróen.

agus is sursan duit ár gcomhthitim le chéile.

Mad sinni dothæth and,

Más sinne *a ghabhann* bás anseo,

And if it should be that we shall receive death,

geib-siu it chind dia féta.”

gabhsa i gceann na háite dá bhféadfá.”

take the leadership of this place if thou art able.”

Téit Gerg immach iarsin ocus a da mac cona muntir léo,

Chuaigh Gearg amach iar sin agus a dhá mhac agus a muintir leo,

Gearg and his two sons then went out, and his people with him.

ocus foroprait ar gabáil in dúnaid,

agus tosnaíodar ar ghabháil an dúin a chosc,

And they set them to defend the burg,

ocus ar chathugud fri Conchobar immach,

agus ar chathú le Conchobhar amuigh,

and after that to go outside and to fight against Conchobhar,

ocus ní lecat nech forro indund fri ré cían.

agus níor ligeadar neach tharstu *don* dún le cian.

and for a long time they let in none behind them.

Fecht n-oen trá teít Gerg dar in dorus immach

Feacht n-aon téann Gearg thar an doras amach

Now on a time Gearg went across the threshold

fri cnes urgaile,

le cneas iorghaile leo-san

to meet the foremost of those who pressed forward,

ocus forfhobair for a thaffond ind lóich on dúnud immach,

a bhí ag tafann an laoich ón dún amach,

and they strove towards that hero from the fortress,

ocus ros geib sroigled ocus essorcon do cech ái ocus do cech airchind immon dúnud [read dúnad]

agus ghabh sraoilleadh agus *greadadh* ó gach leith é ar cheann an dúin,

and from all sides sword cuts and thrusts fell upon him as he stood outside the fort.

ocus dofuittet cuiciur Fomorach laiss don ruathur sin,

agus thit cúigear Fomhórach leis don ruathar sin.

ocus dofuit leiss in drúi .i. Imrind mac Cathbad,

Agus thit leis an draoi, Imrinn mac Cathbhaidh, 

ocus benaid a chend de,

agus bhain (sé) a cheann de,

ocus berid leis in cend innund ar ammus in doruis.

agus rug leis an gceann anonn ar amas an dorais.

Is andsin dodechaid Cathach Catutchend eturru ocus in dorus,

Is ansin a ndeachaigh Cathach Catutcheann eatarthu agus an doras,

ocus dorat comrac feíg fichda dó-som.

agus thug (sí) comhrac féigh fíochta dósan,

Araí sin co topacht Gerg in cend di-si,

go dteasc Gearg an ceann dise,

ocus berid leiss innund issin tech bói [read i m-bói] Mani,

agus rug *sé* leis anonn é sa teach *ina raibh* Maine,

iarna chrechtnugud commór.

iarna chréachtú go mór,

after he himself had been sorely wounded.

Ocus foceird na cinnu úad i fiadnaisi Mani,

agus chaith *sé* an ceann uaidh i bhfianaise Mhaine.

ocus suidis na imdái iarsin

Agus shuigh *sé* in iomdha iar sin,

ocus ataig a osnaid ass, ocus conattacht dig.

agus lig a osna as agus d’éiligh *sé* deoch.

Ro saig Conchobar andside cona muntir

 Shaigh Conchobhar ansin, gona mhuintir,

co m-bátar fri cnes in t-shonnaig.

go rabhadar le cneas an tsonnaigh.

Ocus tócfait [for tócbait] a sciathu úasa cennaib ina lámaib cléi

Agus thógadar a sciatha os a gcinn ina lámha clé

ocus sraccait in sonnach cucu immach dia lámaib desaib

agus sracadar an sonnach chucu amach dá lámha deasa,

ocus cengait co m-batar for lár in dúni,

agus chinneadar go rabhadar ar lár an dúin,

ocus ba oendorus dóib andside

agus ba aondoras [a bhí ann] dóibh ansin,

thus they had a good door made for them

iar m-brisiud in dangin.

iar mbriseadh an daingin.

after that they had broken the rampart.

Is andsin dolleici Brod (.i. gilla Conchobair) uad

Is ansin a lig Brod uaidh

Thereupon Brod *—the servant aforementioned of Conchobhar—* hurled

indara sleig bói ina láim

an dara sleá bhí ina lámh

one of the two spears that he had in his hand;

innond istech,

anonn isteach,

and the spear flew into the house,

conos tarla triasin scíath bói for inchaib ind ríg Geirg

gona tharla tríd an sciath (a) bhí in aghaidh an rí Geirg,

and it went through the shield that was on the breast of king Gearg,

ocus conos tarla tria eslind a chuirp, cor bo chross tall tarsna

gona tharla tria éislinn a choirp, gurba chros thall trasna

and into his tender flesh, so that a cross was made by the spear

triana chlíab iar tregdad a chride,

trína chliabh iar threá a chroí,

as it passed through his body after piercing his heart,

ocus co n-dechaid tria Airidech .i. gilla Geirg,

agus go ndeachaigh (sí) trí Airideach .i. Giolla Geirg,

and it went through Airideach the servant of Gearg,

co torchratar a n-dís cen anmain.

go dtorchair an dís gan anamacha.

so that the pair fell lifeless.

Imma-sái Conchobar iarsin fo slúag Geirg sechnón in dúnaid,

D’iompaigh Conchobhar iar sin faoi shlua Geirg seachnóin an dúin

Conchobhar then turned him to attack the followers of Gearg throughout the fort,

co torchair tricha láech leis do muntir Geirg do gním a lámi féin a oenur,

go dtorchair tríocha laoch leis do mhuintir Gheirg do ghníomh a láimhe féin ina aonar,

so that thirty fighting men of Gearg’s people fell at his single hand,

cenmothá ina torchair ria muntir.

cé is moite dá dtorchair lena mhuintir.

besides what fell by the hands of his followers.

Dorochratar dana sochaide dia muntir-seom leo-som.

Thorchair iomorra sochaí dá mhuintirse leosan.

And many of the people also fell at their hands.

Is and trá atraacht Nuagel ingen Ergi .i. ben Geirg,

Is ansin tráth (a) d’éirigh Nuagheal, iníon Erce, bean Gheirg,

ocus dorat a trí fóidi ferggacha guil esti,

agus chuir (sí) a trí faí feargacha goil aisti,

ocus ro gab cend a fir ina hucht.

agus ghabh (sí) ceann a fir ina hucht.

“Dar [read Darm or Dar mo] brethir ém,” ar si, “is mór in gním gillai

“Dar mo bhriathair ámh,” ar sí, “is mór an gníomh giolla

doringni Brod

a rinne Brod

that deed which *the servant* Brod hath wrought,

.i. Gerg do marbad ina thig féin.

.i. Geirg a mharú ina theach féin.

in that he hath slain Gearg in his own palace.

Is sochaide trá,” ar si, “bias icot chainiud,

Is sochaí tráth,” ar sí, “a mbeidh ag do chaoineadh,

And many,” said she, “will lament thee;

ocus cia ro thuttis im changin t’ingini,

agus cé gur thit tú um chaingean d’iníne,

and though it was in thy daughter’s quarrel that thou art fallen,

mór n-ingen irraba féin chardes [perhaps read irraba chardes frit féin].”

(is) mór iníon a raibh i gcairdeas leat féin.”

many were the maidens to whom thou thyself were dear.”

Ocus dorat a thesta for aird, ocus doringni rand tosaig laide:

Agus thug (sí) a theasta ar aird, agus rinne (sí) rann tosaigh laoi:

And loudly she gave testimony of this, and thus she commenced her lay:—

“Is sé Gerg so ina ligi,

“Is é Gearg seo ina luí

“Gearg is this who lies here.

is tria chin a ingini,

is trí chion a iníne,

Through the fault of his daughter it is,

is triana cin atá sund

is trína cion atá ansan

through her fault is he here,

in tarbech sínte comlund.

an tairbheach sínte comhlann.

the magnificent one, struck down in the battle.

Mór in comlund ro gab Gerg,

Mór an comhlann a ghabh Gearg,

Great was the war that Gearg undertook,

óglach fionn faobhardearg,

a young warrior, fair, with crimson blade,

fer fíal fomórda ferda

fear fial formhórga fearga

a man noble, magnificent, manly,

aircech álaind ardergna.

airgtheach álainn ardéargna.

expert, handsome, truly wise.

Ca læch rop fherr inna Gerg?

Cén laoch ab fhearr ná Gearg?

Who is the hero that was better than Gearg?

ca fróech na figed fri feirg?

cén fraoch nár fhiuch le fearg?

What heather did not boil with wrath? 

ca slúag na cáinfed do bás?

cén slua nach gcaoinfeadh do bhás?

Where is the host that would not lament your death? 

cen tlás na scáilfea [read scáilfed] dot eís?

cén tlás nach scaoilfeadh dod éis?

that would not break out into lamentation for you without ceasing?

Sáeth lim th’fhegad it lige,

Saoth liom d’fhéachaint id luí,

Sorrow for me to see you on your bed of death,

a Geirg álaind fholtbuide,

a Gheirg álainn foltbhuí,

O beautiful, fair-haired Gearg,

a chara na cuan in cech than [one syllable too many, maybe na should be deleted],

a chara na gcuaineanna is cách ann,

O friend of hosts at all times,

is trúag lim-sa do marbad.

is trua liomsa do mharú.

sad it is for me that you are dead.

Romaind duit i n-Glind Gerg [one syllable too few],

Romhainn duit i nGleann Geirg,

Before us in Gleann Geirg,

ic Loch Áne is ic Irard,

ag Loch Áine is ag Irard,

by Loch Áne and by Irard,

is ic na huaranaib se thess,

is ag na fuaráinse theas,

and by those springs in the south lands,  

mór m-ban foúarais cardes.

mór ban a bhfuair tú *a* gcairdeas.

many were the women whose love you found.

Ro bat cara do cech cléir,

Ba cara (tú) do gach cléir,

You were a friend to every host;

no bíd cách icot ógréir,

bhíodh cách ag d’óghréir,

each was obedient to your will;

ba maith ri cách do gráibri,

ba mhaith le cách do dea-fhocal,

dear to each was your friendly word;

is derb ropat degairle (no derganle) [written above in Ms.].

is dearbh ba leo do dhea-chomhairle.

it is certain that you were a good counsellor.

Ropat móra do berta,

Ba mhór iad do bhearta,

Great were your legal sentences,

ropat ségaind airechta,

ba shéaghainn iad d’aireachtaí,

stately your assemblies.

ropat rí rurech corrath,

ba rí ruire tú go rath,

You were a king who showed kindness to your

ropat fuilech i fírchath.

b’fhuilteach thú i bhfíorchath.

lords, you were bloody in real war.

Ropo mór do thech ro fess,

Ba mhór do theach, *b’iomráiteach*,

Your house was great and well known,

cia doringned and t’amles,

cé gur rinneadh ann d’aimhleas,

though therein befell your wound;

is and rot gæt inn inud ríg,

is ann do ghoin in ionad rí

there has he killed you in the place of the king;

cia doringned rop anfír.

cé gur rinneadh *éagóir*.

although it has been done, yet it was blasphemous.

Rot gæt Brod is ní ro dlig,

Do ghoin le Brod níor dhligh (í)

Brod has slain you and it became him not 

cor gab triut in Airidig,

gur ghabh tríot agus in Airideach,

so that through you he thrust through Airideach,

tú féin is do gilla thair

tú féin is do ghiolla thoir,

you yourself and your servant thus

inn oenfhecht darochrabair.

in éineacht a thorcair sibh.

at one time are fallen.

Mór gním gillai [read in gním gillai] cangess

Mór gníomh ghiolla gan geis,

Great was the deed of the servant though an impious one­­—

doringni Brod, rop amles,

rinne Brod *rud ab* aimhleas,

what Brod has done was a mischief— 

marbad ríg rinne ré ré,

marú rí roimh a ré,

to slay a king of kings before his time. 

ro marb sé sinni ocus sé.”

mharaigh sé sinne agus é.”

He has slain us and him.”

Foropairset dana dá mac Geirg béus

Chrom dhá mhac Geirg

.i. Cobthach Cnesgel ocus Cond Coscarach ar gabail in dúnaid

.i. Cobhthach Cneasgheal agus Conn Coscrach, ar ghabháil an dúin

namely Cobhthach of the fair skin and Conn the victorious, strove to hold the castle,

ocus ní roscandir cen échta dóib.

agus ní *raibh* buachan orthu gan éachta dóibh.

and deadly was the fight that was fought before they gave way.

Ni ro dámair in mórbríg do Mani bith ina thost

Níor lig an mhórbhrí do Mhaine bheith ina thost

Nor did the might of Maine permit him to bide still in his place,

cen techt féin do digail a chlemna for Ultaib.

gan teacht é féin do dhíoghail a chliamhain ar Ultaigh.

or to hold back from avenging his father-in-law against the men of Ulster.

Ocus atraacht iarsin ocus ro gab a scíath mór míleta fair

Agus d’éirigh (sé) iar sin agus ghabh (sé) a sciath mhór mhíleata air,

He arose, and he took his great battle-shield upon him,

ocus a da shleig slemungéra uillendcha móra ina láim,

agus a dhá shleá sleamhainghéara uilleannacha móra ina lámh,

and his two *great* smooth sharp angular spears into his hand,

ocus a chlaideb trom tortbuillech crúadgér comramach for a chriss.

agus a chlaíomh trom tortbhuilleach crua-ghéar comhramhach ar a chrios,

and his heavy, hard-striking, sharp, triumphant sword at his belt;

Ocus atraactatar a thrí coicait in oenfhecht fris.

agus d’éirigh a thrí chaogaid in éineacht leis.

and three times fifty of his comrades rose together with him.

Nir bo irusa a fhrithalim,

Níor fhurasta *é* a fhriotháileamh.

It were no easy thing to restrain him;

ba mór in toilg menman ocus aicnid ocus in tinsaitin úalli

Ba mhór an teann meanman agus aigne agus intinne agus uaille

the mind and the nature of each of these heroes was swollen with pride,

ro bói i cridi cechóen dib-sin.

a bhí i gcroí gach aon de na laochra sin:

which was in the hearts of every one,

Ro bói dana sant mór ocus duthracht calmai do denam occu.

bhí saint mhór agus dúthracht chalma a dhéanamh acu.

greatly they longed and desired to do some doughty deed.

Bá ségda súairc sobesach in rígmacc bói rempu,

Ba shéaghainn suairc sobhéasach an rímhac (a) bhí rompu,

Stately, love-worthy, and of gallant bearing was the king’s son that went before them;

ocus ciar bo maccoem iar n-áis

agus cé gurbh macaomh (é) iar n-aois,

though to the eyes of an older man he seemed but a boy,

ropo mílid iar mórgasciud.

ba mhíle (é) iar mórghaisce.

he showed himself afterward to be a warrior of great valour.

Ba halgen curmthigi, is ba dúr debtha

Ba háilghean *i* gcoirmtheach is ba dhúr *i* ndeabhaidh (é),

Pleasant was he in the banqueting-hall, and stubborn in the strife;

ocus ba nathir nemi,

agus ba nathair nimhe (é).

he was a snake full of poison;

bá cumnech écraiti,

Ba chuimhneach eagartha (é).

he was wary of the craft of his enemies;

ba óibel ága,

Ba lasair áigh (é).

he was the flame of war;

bá comnart comergi,

Ba chomhneart comhéirí.

he was a fit match for a foe that rose up against him;

ba logthanach sét,

Ba soicheallach séad (é).

he was liberal with his treasure;

ba hanaccarthach imgona,

Ba hain-charthach um ghonta (é).

he could show compassion to the wounded;

ba tene aradna,

Ba tine in aghaidh tarcaisne (é).

bá nertlia fergi,

Ba neartlia feirge (é).

ba tond bratha ar buirbe,

Ba tonn bhrátha ar bhoirbe (é).

bá íaru ar athlaimi,

Ba iora ar athlaimhe (é).

ba dair ar daingni,

Ba dair ar dhaingne (é).

ba hé rind ága ocus imgona na teora Connacht,

Ba hé rinn áigh agus imghona na dteora Connacht,

ocus ba hé a cendmíl airechta ocus a lám thairberta sét

agus ba hé a gceannmhíle aireachta, agus a lámh thabhartha seod,

ocus a sodomna ríg.

agus a sodhamhna rí.

Nir bo miad leis nech isin domun

Níor mhiadh leis neach sa domhan

do thiachtain fo chomlín

teacht faoi chomhlíon *fear*

do gabáil tige fair.

*le haghaidh* ghabháil tí air.

Ro thaffniset iarum iarsin na Fomórchu on tig immach.

Thafainn siad iar sin na Fomhóraigh ón teach amach.

therefore he and his warriors chased the Fomorians, and they drove them from the palace.

Nir bo lám lega la Mani inn uair sin.

Ní lámh lia [a bhí] le Maine an uair sin,

In that hour the hand of Maine was not the hand of a healer,

Ocus dorochratar nonbur Fomorach dia chétscundscli a oenur.

agus thorchair naonúr Fomhórach dá chéad-choinscleo aonair.

for nine of the men of the Fomorians fell at his first attack.

Is andsin doriacht dibergach na hAsia Móri .i. Fabric Fiacail Nemi fri cnes na debtha,

Is ansin a shroich díbheargach na hÁise Móire . i. Faibhric Fiacail Nimhe le cneas na deafa,

And then to the front of the fight came the pirate of Greater Asia—even Faibhric of the venomous tooth;

ocus ro gab sroigled ocus essorcoin ocus brúd ocus básugud in t-shlúaig remi,

agus ghabh ag sraoilleadh agus ag greadadh agus ag brú agus ag bású an tslua roimhe.

and upon the press of people that were before him came blows, and destruction, and confusion, and death;

ocus ni ragbad riss corrocht cosin magin i m-bái Mani,

Agus ní thángthas roimis go shroich (sé) an maighean ina raibh Maine,

nor could any resist him till he came to that part *of the battle* where Maine was.

co tard cechtar n-ái díb scíath fri scíath dia cheli,

go dtug ceachtar díobh sciath le sciath dá chéile,

Then both set shield against shield,

ocus bátar isin chomlund co n-dechaid dar medon aidchi,

agus bhíodar sa chomhlann go ndeachaigh thar meán oíche.

and they strove with each other in a strife that lasted till the middle of the night;

ocus dorat Fabric tri gona aidbli for Mani,

Agus thug Faibhric trí gonta ábhala ar Mhaine,

and Faibhric dealt Maine three grievous wounds,

ocus ro dichend Mani esium iar scís chomluind.

agus dhícheann Maine eisean iar scís chomhlainn.

and Maine smote the head off him after that he had grown weary in the strife.

Cid Conchobar dana bá gal churad leis,

Maidir le Conchobhar, bhí gal churaidh leis,

And as to Conchobhar, the might of a hero was his,

ar dorochair tricha læch lánchalma leis do muntir Geirg

ó thorchair tríocha laoch lánchalma leis do mhuintir Gheirg,

for at his hand fell thirty valiant men of the people of Gearg,

imma mac .i. im Chond Coscarach.

ina measc a mhac .i. Conn Coscrach.

among them fell the son of Gearg, even Conn the victorious.

Ro immir trá in slúag cechtarda immforrán for a cele,

D’imir an slua ceachtar imfhorrán ar a chéile.

Thus on either side the army rushed to the attack;

is bec na ro chomraicset mera a coss icond imthuarcain.

Is beag nár chomhraic siad méara a gcos ag an dtuargaint.

almost it seemed that the toes on their feet warred together in the strife.

Ro siacht fuil glúni fer sechnón in dúnaid.

Shaigh fuil glúine fear seachnón an dúin.

Throughout the fort the warriors stood knee deep in blood,

Chualathas faoin tríocha céad ba neasa dóibh bloghbhéimneach na sciath agus na mbocóidí,

and through the surrounding country was heard the splintering of the shields and the bucklers,

agus sceamhaíl na laighne leathanglas

and the whirr of the broad green lances,

ocus na claideb crúadgér icomrac

agus na gclaíomh cruaghéar i gcomhrac,

and the clash of the sharp hard swords in the encounter,

ocus briscbrúar na clocend ica n-erlech

agus brioscbhruar na gcloigeann ag a n-eirleach,

and the shattering of skulls in the slaughter,

ocus búridach na míled ic immirt écomlaind forru.

agus búireach na mílí ag imirt éagomhlainn orthu.

and the cries of the warriors who were overcome in a strife *that was greater than they could endure*.

Ro socht trá Mani iar n-díth na Fomorach co Fácen mac n-Dublongsig

Shroich Maine, iar ndíth na bhFomhórach, go Faicean mac Dubhloingsigh,

Now, after the death of the Fomorians, Maine met Faicean, the son of Dubhloingseach,

co m-bátar fri ré cían icathugud. Dorochair Facen de-side.

go rabhadar le cian i gcathú. Thorchair Faicean de sin.

and for a long time they fought, and Faicean fell at the end of that fight. 

Dorochair dana Siaburchend mac Slisremuir ra Cobthach Cnessgel mac Geirg.

Thorchair dano Siabhaircheann mac Slisreamhair le Cobhthach Cneasgheal mac Geirg.

Also at the hand of Cobhthach the fair-skinned, who was the son of Gearg, died Siabhairrcheann, the son of Slisreamhar.

Ocus ro tafned Mani ocus Cobthach iarsin issin rigthech

Agus tafnaíodh Maine agus Cobhthach iar sin sa rítheach,

But Maine and Cobhthach were forced into the royal palace

iar cor aír a muntire,

iar chur áir a muintire,

after their people had suffered defeat,

ocus ro gabsat co setrech ocus co ferda in tech co mmatain

agus ghabhadar go séitreach agus go fearga an teach go maidin,

and they held that palace bravely and manfully till the morning,

ocus ní deochas forru ind.

agus ní dheachthas orthu ann.

nor could any enter in of those who fought against them.

Is i n-deriud na haidchi sin

Is i ndeireadh na hoíche sin

At the end of this night,

dochuaid in ben chétna adfét na scéla do Chonchobur,

chuaigh an bhean chéanna a d’inis scéala do Chonchobhar,

the same woman who had brought the message to Conchobhar went on her way,

co rocht co Meidb áit i m-bái ina cotlud ina himdái i Cruachain Aí,

gur shroich (sí) Meadhbh, áit ina raibh (sí) ina codladh ina hiomdha i gCruachan Aí,

and came to Meadhbh, where she lay asleep on her couch at Cruachan Aí,

co n-erbairt fria:

go ndúirt (sí):

and thus she addressed her:

“Dia m-beth fastini ocut,” ar si, “a Medb,

“Dá mbeadh fáistine agat,” ar sí, “a Mheadhbh,

“Hadst thou the gift of prophecy, O Meadhbh,” said she,

ní bad chotlud dogenta.”

ní codladh a dhéanfá.”

“thou wouldest not be sleeping.”

“Cid andsin?” ar Medb.

“Cad *atá* ansin?” ar Meadhbh.

“What then hath happened?” said the queen.

“Ata Conchobar,” ar si, “oc gabáil ar Mani

“Tá Conchobhar,” ar sí, “ag gabháil ar Mhaine

“Conchobhar,” said the woman, “hath all but gained the victory over Maine,

ocus dofáeth leis Mani,

agus titfidh leis Maine,

and Maine shall fall at his hand.

ocus eirg-siu innossa ocus non-dígela.”

agus éirighse anois agus déan é a dhíoghail,”

Arise, and thou shalt avenge him.” 

Ocus dorat rand tosaig laide,

agus rinne (sí) rann tosaigh laoi,

Then she made the first lines of a poem,

ocus ro recair Medb triana cotlud:

agus d’fhreagair Meadhbh trína codladh:

and Meadhbh, while she slept, replied to her:—

[Badb:]

An Bhadhbh

The Badhbh.

“A Medb ca cotlud dogní,

“A Mheadhbh, cén fáth a dhéanann (tú) codladh?

“O Meadhbh, why lie you in sleep?

in fetar cinnas atái?

an feadar conas ataoi?

Do you know how it is with you?

dá mba fhios duit fáth imní,

If you be skilled in prophecy

ropad mithig duit eirge.”

do ba mhithid duit éirí.”

it should be time for you to arise.”

[Medb:]

Meadhbh

Meadhbh.

“A bé bán bulid collí,

“A bhé bhán bhláfar go lí,

“O white lady, fair with brilliancy,

ca scél uathmar innisi?

cén scéal uafar (a) insíonn tusa?

what is this dreadful tale that you tell me?

cata námait dothæt and?

cad as a tháinig mo namhaid?

Who are the foes that have come hither?

cia halt doine? cia n-anmand?”

cén saghas daoine? cad *iad a* n-ainmneacha?”

What is the condition of the men? what their names?”

[Badb:]

An Bhadhbh

The Badhbh.

“Conchobar cend na curad,

“Conchobhar ceann na gcuradh,

“Conchobhar, the head of heroes,

ardrí ilbuadach Ulad,

ardrí ilbhuach Uladh,

the much-conquering, high king of Ulster,

ní damair a bruth no fherg [read no fheirg],

ní shrianann (sé) a ghal ná a fhearg,

holds not back his ardour and fury

gura thoghla anocht Gleann Geirg.

that he may destroy Gleann Geirg to-night.”

[Medb:]

Meadhbh

Meadhbh.

“Cén áit ina bhfuil Gearg is Maine?”

“Where is the place where Gearg and Maine are?

na fuilet i n-oenbali?

nach bhfuil siad in aonbhaile (.i. san áit chéanna)?

Are they not in the same place?

ma tát ní hassa a togail

má táid ní furasta a thoghail

If that be so, not easy is that destruction

do lucht tigi Conchobair.”

do lucht tí Chonchobhair.”

for the troops of the house of Conchobhar.”

[Badb:]

An Bhadhbh

The Badhbh.

“Mani cid mór a menma

“Maine, cé (gur) mór a mheanma,

“Though high is the mind of Maine,

im fhebas a degdelba,

i bhfeabhas a dhea-dhealbha,

on account of the beauty of his handsome form,

ni ba leiss commus a chind

ní ba leis cumas a chinn,

he has not the might on his head

da thurus innocht don glind.”

dá thuras anocht don Ghlinn.”

for the raid to-night to the glen.”

[Medb:]

Meadhbh

Meadhbh.

“Mad dia marbthar Mani mór,

“Má dá maraítear Maine mór,

“If great Maine is slain

bid díth cethern, bid ár slóg,

beidh díth cheithearn ar ár slua,

There will be a slaughter of warriors in our host.

atresat curaid fri gail

éireoidh siad curaidh le gail,

Heroes shall rise in bravery

iter Chruachain is Emain.”

idir Chruachain is Eamhain.”

in Cruachan as well as in Eamhain.” 

[Badb:]

An Bhadhbh

The Badhbh.

“Érig is digail do mac,

“Éirigh is díoghail do mhac,

“Raise thyself and avenge thy son,

tinóil cóiced Ólnécmacht,

tionóil cúige Ól Éagmacht,

assemble the province of Ól Éagmacht (i.e., Connacht).

snaidfea na sluagu co serb,

snoífidh [tú] na sluaite go searbh,

Thou shalt cruelly cut asunder troops

mad dia n-erge innossa a Medb.”

dá n-éiríteá anois, a Mheadhbh.”

if thou awake now, O Meadhbh.”

Dúscid Medb iarsin ocus dúscis Ailill,

Dhúisigh Meadhbh iar sin, agus dhúisigh (sí) Ailill,

ocus adfét dó in fís atchonnairc

agus d’inis (sí) dó an fhís a chonaic (sí),

ocus adfét fon slúag iarsin.

agus a dúirt (sí) don slua iar sin.

and afterwards she recounted it to her people.

“Ni bó fír ón ém,” ar Bricriu.

“Ní ba fíor sin ámh,” ar Bricre.

“I know well that there is no truth in that story,” said Bricre.

Otchuala Fiannamail mac Fergus [read Ferguso] Fordeirg sin, .i. mac rechtaire na Cruachna,

Ó chuala Fiannamhail mac Fearghais Fordheirg sin .i. mac reachtaire na Cruachna,

But when Fiannamhail, the son of Fearghus Fordhearg, even the son of him that was the steward of Cruachan, heard the news,

ní ro ernaid fri cách, acht luid remi i n-iarmoracht Mani,

níor fhan (sé) le cách ach chuaigh roimhe in iarmhóracht Mhaine,

he waited not for any other, but departed before Meadhbh was ready,

ar bá comalta dósom Mani,

óir ba chomhalta dósan Maine,

for Maine was his foster-brother;

arrop é in t-ochtmad maccóem na Cruachna Fiannamail.

óir dob é an t-ochtú macaomh na Cruachna Fiannamhail.

now the eighth place among the youths of Connacht belonged to Fiannamhail.

Togais Medb lé secht cét fer n-armach

Thogh Meadhbh na seacht *gcéad* bhfear n-armach

Meadhbh selected seven hundred armed men,

anas dech dorala i Cruachain in tan sin.

ba deach a tharla i gCruachan an tan sin.

the best that could at the time be found in Cruachan.

Is andsin doriacht Domnall Derg Drechlethan

Is ansin a tháinig Domhnall Dearg Dreachleathan

Then came Domhnall the Red of the broad countenance,

mac Dubain maic Ingamna,

mac Dubhain mhic Ionghamhna.

the son of Dubhán, who was the son of Ionghamhain;

læch he-side is dech ro bói ar cúl scéith ocus claidib ocus gai

Laoch eisean is deach a bhí ar chúl scéithe agus claimhte agus ga

he was the best warrior under shield and sword and spear

i coiciud Chonnacht,

i gcúige Connacht,

to be found in the province of Connacht,

ocus bá comalta dil dana do Mani he-side.

agus ba comhalta díl do Mhaine eisean,

and he also was foster-brother to Maine.

Ocus dochuaid issin sligi cétnai ria cach,

agus chuaigh (sé) sa slí chéanna le cách.

And he followed on the track *of Fiannamail in front* of all the others;

tricha láech dana ba hed a lín, ocus Domnall ainm cech fhir díb.

Tríocha laoch ba ea a líon, agus Domhnall ainm gach fir díobh.

thirty warriors had he with him, and the name of each one of them was Domhnall.

Imthigis dana Medb iarsin ina réim ina n-díaid.

D’imigh Meadhbh iar sin ina réim ina ndiaidh.

Meadhbh also followed *with her host* behind *Domhnall and his men*.

Aslingi Medba connice sin

Aisling Mheadhbha go nuige sin

Thus far runs the tale of the Vision of Meadhbh,

ocus turthed a himthechta.

agus tucaid a himeachta.

and the cause of the war that she made.

Imthús immorro Mani thair.

Iomthúsa Mhaine thoir,

Ro gab ina chind co maethtráth éirgi arnabarach,

ghabh (sé) i gceann an dúin go maoththráth éirí gréine arna mhárach,

He held *the fort* till the soft dawn; and pleasant was the dawn of the day;

ocus nir bo shám-subach sadail ro cathed ind adaig sin eturru maróen.

agus níor sámh súmhar sáil a caitheadh an oíche sin, idir é agus a naimhde.

but no cheerful or pleasant rest for him and his foes had been found that night.

Óman-acca dóib ri suilsi ind lái

Ó chonaic dóibh [a chéile] le soilse an lae,

And when those two warring hosts saw *each other* by daylight,

ro chumnig cách a anfolaid dia cheli,

chuimhnigh cách a anfhala dá chéile,

they bethought them anew of their quarrel, each of them desiring to do each other hurt,

ocus forópair Conchobar ar gressacht a muntire.

agus chrom Conchobhar ar dhreasú a mhuintire.

and thus began Conchobhar to urge on his followers:

“Diamtís Ulaid,” ar se, “no betis immalle frim-sa,

“Dá mba Ulaidh *na fir seo*,” ar sé, “bheidís maille liomsa,

“Had it been Ulstermen that I had with me,” said he,

ní fuléngtha in cath amal fhuilngithir d’Fhomórchaib.”

ní fhulaingeodh an cath amhail (a) fulaingíodh (é le ) Fomhóraigh.”

“this battle would not have been fought in such fashion as it hath been by the Fomorians.”

Dhréim gal i mbroinní na bhFomhórach don ghreasacht mhór sin,

Courage rose high in the hearts of all the Fomorians as they heard this rebuke,

ocus dos-ratsat co dúr ocus co díchra frisin cathugud,

agus ghabh siad go dúr agus go díochra leis an gcathú,

and stubbornly and vehemently they rushed to the fight,

ocus ni ro ansat de co n-dechatar dar dorsib ind rígthigi innund.

agus níor stad siad de go ndeachadar thar dóirsí an ríthí anonn.

and they ceased not from it till they had entered through the door of the royal palace.

Ba cóem ém ocus ba hirgna in phelait rígda i n-dechas and.

Ba chaomh *ámh* agus ba hurghnamh an pálás ríoga ina ndeachaigh (siad) ann.

The palace into which they had come was fair and of great renown;

Ba líach drocharadu furri.

Ba thruamhéileach an droch-chrích [a tugadh] uirthi.

evil and sad was the fate that befell it.

Ro bói cét mías findargit ocus tri chét do chredumu ocus tri chet do fhinddruini and.

Bhí céad mias fionnairgid agus trí chéad do chré-umha agus trí chéad do fhiondruine ann.

There were therein a hundred tables of silver, and three hundred of bronze, and three hundred of white bronze.

Bátar dana tricha escra

Bhí *iomorra* tríocha eascra *ann*

There were, moreover, thirty drinking bowls,

do airgiut oengil Espáne ar borddaib dabach.

d’airgead aonghil *na* Spáinne ar bhéil na ndabhach sin.

with radiant silver from Spain on the rims of the bowls.

Batar dana da cét corn buabaill

Bhí iomorra dhá chéad corn buabhaill

Also there were two hundred drinking horns *made from the horns of oxen*,

co n-imdenam óir ocus argit

*go* n-imdhéanamh óir agus airgid,

with chasings of gold and of silver,

ocus tricha coppán argit ocus tricha coppán créduma, ocus cethracha gagar.

agus tríocha cupán airgid agus tríocha cupán cré-umha, agus ceathracha gagar, [.i. saghas cupáin]

and thirty beakers of silver and thirty of bronze.

Imscing linanairt gil

*agus* imscing líonanairte gil

There was a bed-place with fair white linen sheets,

co n-delbaib ingantachaib

go ndealbha n-iontacha

wondrous designs were woven upon them

fri fraigid and.

le fraigh ann.

there, at the wall.

Is andsin immarocht don t-shlúag cechtarda for lár in tigi.

Is ansin a shroich an dá shlua a chéile ar lár an tí.

Then came both those hosts together into the midst of the house,

Ro po díth don t-shlúag co mór andsin.

Bhí díth don tslua go mór ansin.

and much of death befell.

Ro siacht

Shaigh

Then came

Cobthach Cnesgel mac Geirg

Cobhthach Cneasgheal mac Geirg

Cobhthach the fair-skinned, the son of Gearg,

iar slaidi na Fomórach

iar shlad na bhFomhórach

after that he had smitten the Fomorians,

cosin magin i m-bói Berngal Brec

chuig an maighin ina raibh Bearnghal Breac

to that place *in the fight* where Bearnghal the Freckled

ic dicendugud na Connachtach.

ag dícheannadh na gConnachtach.

was *raging* and beheading the warriors of Connacht.

Dofuit Berngal tra la Cobthach iar scís chomlaind.

Thit Bearnghal le Cobhthach iar scís chomhlainn.

And Bearnghal fell by the hand of Cobhtach after becoming weary of battle.

Dorochair dana Buri Borbbriathrach do laim Mani,

Thorchair dano Buiri Borbbhriathrach do lámh Mhaine,

Moreover, *in another part of the fort*, Buire of the Cruel Speech died at the hand of Maine,

ocus ro dased immi iarsin

agus tháinig dásacht uime iar sin,

who then fell into a wild frenzy,

ocus ron-immir for slúag na Fomorach sechnon in tigi,

agus d’imir (sé) ar shlua na bhFomhórach seachnón an tí,

and raged among the Fomorians throughout the palace,

ocus dorochair tricha laech dib leis.

agus throchair tríocha laoch díobh leis.

thirty falling at his hand.

Ótchonnairc in cur cróda cathbuadach Conchobar in laini [read lainni] forsa rabi Mani,

Ó chonaic an curadh cróga cathbhuach Conchobhar an lainne ar a raibh Maine,

But when that valiant hero Conchobhar, the ever-victorious in war, saw the fury of Maine,

ron dírig a dochum ocus ro frithail-seom Mani co fichtha furachair

dhírigh (sé) chuige agus d’fhriotháilsean Maine go fíochta fuireachair,

he turned to meet him, and Maine awaited him, vigilant in his wrath;

ocus bátar fri ré cían icathugud [for ic cathugud],

agus bhíodar le ré cian i gcathú,

and they fought a long time together,

ocus ro brissiset nonbor maccoem fo cossaib [for fo a cossaib].

agus bhriseadar naonúr macaomh faoi chois.

and they trampled nine young men under foot.

Teilgis Mani rout n-úrchair co feirg ocus lonnus

Theilg Maine *a shleá* fad urchair go fearg agus lainne

Maine hurled his spear the breadth of a spear-cast with wrath and fury,

co m-bói ina chrois trí Chonchobar.

go raibh (sí) ina chros trí Chonchobhar,

so that it made a cross through Conchobhar.

Ocus cein bói Conchobar oc béim na sleigi ass,

agus (is) cian (a) bhí Conchubhar ag baint na sleá as,

And as Conchobhar struggled to draw out the spear,

ro gon Mani don mánáis lethanglais bói ina láim.

ghoin Maine é don manaois leathanghlas (a) bhí ina lámh.

Maine wounded him again with the broad grey spear that was in his hand. 

Ocus dodechaid Brod i forithin Conchobair,

Agus tháinig Brod chun fóirithinte Conchobhair

And Brod came up to aid Conchobhar,

ocus ferais Mani tri crechta aidbli fair,

agus d’fhear Maine trí chréachta ábhala air

and Maine fetched him three grievous wounds,

ocus nír bo shétrech comlaind Brod iarsin.

agus níor shéitreach comhlainn Bhrod iar sin

and Brod was after that unfit for war.

Impáis Conchobar iarsin fri Mani

D’iompaigh Conchobhar iar sin ar Mhaine

Conchobhar turned again upon Maine,

ocus ron ecrand do bráthbemmennaib do cech aird

agus ghabh (sé) air do bhráthbhéimeanna do gach aird,

and overwhelmed him with crushing blows, from all directions,

co torchair leis marb cen anmain.

go dtorchair leis marbh gan anam.

so that he fell lifeless and dead.

Ocus forfhopair iarsain ar erlech in t-shlúaig imme do cech leith isin tig,

Agus chrom (sé) iar sin ar eirleach an tslua uime do gach leith sa teach,

Then he began to hew down upon all sides the men that were round him,

co torchratar bond fri bond ocus médi fri medi sechnon in tigi.

go dtorchradar bonn le bonn agus muin le muin seachnón an tí,

so that they fell foot to foot and neck to neck throughout the house.

Cid fil and trá acht ní thérna nech i m-bethaid do na tri coicdaib laech dodechaid la Conchobar

ach níor éalaigh neach i mbeatha do na trí chaogaid laoch a ndeachaigh *ann* le Conchobhar

And none of the thrice fifty warriors who came with Conchobhar into that house escaped alive

acht sé féin ocus Brod,

ach é féin agus Brod,

save himself and Brod,

ocus cided ón ni slán térnatar.

agus cé gur d’éalaíodar beirt, ní slán (a) d’éalaíodar.

and although these two came out, yet they came not out unhurt.

Tafnis Conchobar Cobthach mac Geirg ón dúnud immach.

Thafainn Conchobhar Cobhthach mac Geirg ón dún amach,

And Cobhthach, the son of Gearg, fled from out of the fort, and Conchobhar chased him.

Ocus i céin ro bói ina lenmain sechnón in maigi,

agus (is) i gcéin a bhí (sé) á leanúint seachnón na maighe,

dochuaid ind ingen .i. Ferb ingen Geirg

chuaigh an iníon .i. Fearbh, iníon Gheirg,

ocus bé thastil immalle fria

agus bé thaistil maille léi,

cosin magin i m-bói Mani ina chróligi fhola

chuig an maighean ina raibh Maine ina chróilí fola,

ocus ina chropartaig,

agus *é sínte*,

a bloody disfigured form;

ocus ro bói oc derfadaig ocus oc mifri.

agus bhí (sí) ag gol agus ag caoineadh.

and she mourned and she wept.

“Dar brethir [for Darm brethir] ém,” ar si, “ciatái th’oenur innossa,

“Dar (mo) bhriathar ámh,” ar sí, “cé go bhfuil tú id aonar anseo,

“Truly,” said she, “thou art lonely now,

mór n-aidchi ro bá sochaide.”

(is) mór oíche a bhíodh sochaí leat,”

yet on many nights, *as I reckon*, thou hast had the fellowship of many.”

Ocus dorat in laid-sea oc tabairt a thesta.

agus dúirt (sí) an laoi seo ag tabhairt a theastais:

And she sang this lament while she made testimony for him:—

“A gillai is derg do lepaid,

“A ghiolla is dearg do leaba,

“O boy, your couch is red

ní dam na déine deccair (?)

ní dom nach amhra deacair,

Something difficult to me are the swift slayings

(? This line is very obscure)

olc sén i tanac ótig [for ót tig],

olc séan lena dtáinig tú ód theach

Evil the sign with which you came from your house.

bid mana dér rit muntir.

beidh mana deor led mhuintir.

A token will it be of tears for your kindred.

Sochaide dia tartais olc

Sochaí dá dtáinig *le* holc

Many are they to whom you brought evil

naidchi [for in aidchi] ro ba illongphort,

an oíche ba i longphort *thú*,

in the night, there you were on your couch.

a maic Medba in murir,

a mhic Mheadhbha an mhuintir

O son of Meadhbh, *queen* of her tribe,

a chulian ard ardenig.

a choileáin ard ardoinigh.

O lofty twig of high honour.

A maic Ailella nach dis,

A mhic Ailealla nach dearóil

Son of Ailill, who is not weak,

ní latt in gním ro máidis,

ní leat an gníomh a mhaígh tú,

Not of you is the deed that you have boasted for yourself.

is trúag rim chride is rom [read rim?] chlí,

is trua lem chroí is lem chlí

Sad it is for my heart and my body

do bith tall it bithligí.

tú ’bheith thall id bhithluí.

that you there for ever lie.

A gillai is gastu atchonnac [read atchonnarc],

A ghiolla is gasta a chonaic (mé)

O boy, the most dexterous that I have seen,

ro pat slatt óir fri hadart,

ba tusa slat óir le hadhairt,

Thou were a rod of gold on the cushion.

cia ro bói do dál ri nech,

cé go raibh do dháil le neach

When also thy meeting with any one took place

rob-í do dál dedenach.

ba í do dháil dheireanach.

it was yet this—thy last meeting.

Ropo garb do lám sin chath,

Ba gharbh do lámh sa chath

Your hand was rough in war,

ropot iarsla (?) Fomórach,

b’iarsma Fomhórach thú,

you were ‘a survivor?’ — the term used is unclear) of the Fomorians.  

mór fúaim do builli fri cend,

mór fuaim do bhuille le ceann

Great was the thundering of your blows on the head,

sochaide i tanac thimchell.

sochaí a tháinig timpeall.

Many were the men upon whom you fell.

Ropo shegda suáirc do dath,

Ba shuairc do dhath

Your colour was beautiful, *lovely*,

ropot cumnech comaltach,

ba chuimhneach comhallach (thú),

You were mindful, fulfilling your duty,

ro pat gasta dar cach glend,

ba ghasta thar gach gleann thú

You were light over every valley.

sochaide i tanac thimchell.

sochaí a tháinig timpeall.

Many were the men upon whom you fell.

Ropo chóir dam-sa sæth dít,

Ba chóir domsa [bheith] saoth díot

Fitting for me was sorrow for you

ar ái chomraic cen co richt,

ar chomhrac gan do riocht,

on account of our meeting, though it came not to that.

ni lugaite in grád cen chess,

ní lú an grá gan cheas

Not less on that account my love, without lamentation

cíd de thic m’amless [two syllables are missing].

cé gur thagann m’aimhleas de.

even if from you my ill luck springs.

Is sæth lim in ligi itái,

Is saoth liom an luí ataoi,

It hurts me that you lie here

a gillai-sea a maic Meidbi,

a ghiollasa a mhic Mheadhbha,

O my lad, O son of Meadhbh,

ocus is sæth ram chride,

agus is saoth lem chroí,

and it hurts my own heart

inti fhuil ’cot urnaide.

an té ’fuil go d’fhionraí.

the same fate that awaits you.

Rop annam lat bith cen t’arm,

B’annamh leat bheith gan d’arm

It was seldom for you to be without your weapons

nó conotarla [for conot tarla. The line has one syllable too many] is tu secmarb,

nó go dtarla is tú seach marbh,

until it had befallen you to be stiff in death.

co rot gæt in gai glan-gle,

gur ionat ghabh an ga glan glé

The bright shining spear has wounded you grievously,

is co rot tregd araile.

is gur ionat treaghd araile.

and another has transfixed you.

‘S corot letar claideb crúaid,

’S gur leadradh tú le claíomh crua

And the cruel sword has cut you to pieces,

’s coro shil bróen fola dar grúaid,

’s gura shil braon fola thar do ghrua,

and a rain of blood has fallen down your cheeks.

’s coro gabsat immut uli,

’s gura ghabh siad umat uile,

And they took all about you,

roptar athig oenchuri.

a bhí ina n-aithigh aonchuire.

all the warriors that were of one troop.

Uch cid ro batar dam-sa,

Och, cad a bhíodar domsa

Ah, what were they for me

na ro fhegsat ardinsa?

nár fhacadar aon neach eile?

who have not seen my chief of sorrows?

mo lennán mo thoga tréoit

mo leannán mo thogha tréada

My loved one, my chosen out of the crowd,

is m’fher dingbala degséoit.

is m’fhear diongbhála dea-seoid.

and my man worth good treasure.

Is m’er [for mo fher] dingbala frim lá,

Is m’fhear diongbhála lem lá

He is my man of worth for all my days,

Mani mor mac Ailella,

Maine Mór mac Ailealla,

Great Maine, the son of Ailill.

ba marb-sa da ingnais de,

marbh mise dá íonais de

I will die therefore, to be in want of him,

cen co ti-sium dam aire.

gan eisean dom aire.

that he will not come to be perceived by my senses.

A bratt corcra inn inud ríg,

A bhrat corcra in ionad rí

His purple robe of kingly state

is mór dom-ber i n-imshním,

is mór dom beir in imní,

much its *sight* puts me in grief,

dar eis [read dar a eis?] nir gab nech úad,

tar (a) éis níor ghabh neach de

No one took it away from him

o ro gab armu d’imluad.

ó ghabh (sé) arm d’iomlat.

after that he had taken weapons to brandish them.

Sé féin ar lar in taigi,

’S é féin ar lár an tí

He himself on the floor of the house,

’s a lám arna himdibi,

’s a lámh arna baint,

and his hand since it has been cut off,

’s a gai ’s i læch [read is i laech?] ras cuir,

’s a gha ’s i laoch a chuir (sé)

and his spear, into a hero he thrust it,

’s a chend illáim Conchobuir.

’s a cheann i lámh Chonchobhair.

and his head in the hand of Conchobhar.

’S a chlaideb tortbuillech, trén,

’S a chlaíomh tortbhuilleach tréan

And his sword, hard-striking, strong,

ro gab úad i n-etarcén,

a ghabh uaidh in idirchian,

took Conchobhar from him in the distance;

’s a scíath bail darochair de,

’s a sciath bail a thorchair de,

and his shield there where it fell from him

icosnam [for ic cosnam] a muntere.

i gcosaint a mhuintire.

for the defence of his people.

Cóica láech immi fo thrí,

Caoga laoch uime faoi thrí

Three times fifty warriors round him —

trúag a n-dul uili ar nefní,

trua a ndul uile ar neamhní,

’Tis sad that they all went for nothing.

mór a n-osnad tan roscab,

mór a n-osna tan thost a gcab

Great their sigh when he took them;

’ca chosnam darochratar.

’ga chosnamh a thorchradar.

while they defended him they are fallen.

hÉ-sium féni noco bréc,

Eisean féin nach mbréag

He himself was a hero—it is no lie—

ro fodail mór sét [two syllables are missing, perhaps hé-sium at the beginning],

d’fhodháil mórshéad,

he distributed much treasure;

ni lugu dorochair de,

ní lú a thorchair (sé) de

Not a little thing it is that he has fallen for

oc cosnam a muntire.

ag cosnamh a mhuintire.

while he defended his people.

Atá na ligi co crúaid

Atá ina luí go crua

He lies there in grisly manner,

maccoem Connacht glaini a shluaig.

macaomh Connacht (le) glaine a shlua,

the young man of Connacht with the flower of his army.

Mairg dia muntir miad glan gle,

mairg dá mhuintir an miadh glan glé

Woe for his people—bright gleaming honour—

ocus mairg dia glancheile.

agus mairg dá ghlanchéile.

and woe for his fair companion.

Noco chumcim-sea ní duit,

Nach gcumas domsa ní duit

I can do nothing for you,

áir dom-rat in drochbeirt [there is a syllable missing, perhaps dom-radat can be read],

ar do dhul i ndrochbheart,

for it is an evil deed that *has been done to you*.

is briste mo chride de,

is briste mo chroí de

My heart is broken therefore

icot fhégad a gillai.”

ag d’fhéachaint a ghiolla.”

while I look upon you, O boy.”

Is and sin doroacht Fiannamail mac Fergusa Forderg

Is ansin a tháinig Fiannamhail mac Fordeirg

Then came Fiannamhail, the son of Fearghus Fordhearg, *to the fort*,

trí chóicait læch cucu.

agus trí chaogaid laoch chucu.

and three times fifty was the number of the warriors that were with him.

Ro tuarascaib ind echlach disi

Thuairiscaigh an t-eachlach dise *(.i. d’ Fhearbh)*,

And a herald *who preceded him* gave to Fearbh the news of his coming,

ocus ro innis scéla garba dó-som.

agus d’inis na scéala garbha dósan *(.i. d’Fhiannamhail)*.

and to *Fiannamhail* he told the sad tidings *of Maine*.

Ro dassed immi-sium iarsin,

Tháinig dásacht uimesean iar sin,

*Fiannamhail* immediately flew into a rage,

ocus ro iarair eolas airm i faigbed Chonchobar,

agus d’iarr (sé) eolas airm a bhfaigheadh Conchobhar,

and sought eagerly for tidings of where Conchobhar was to be found,

ocus doringset laid eturru:

agus rinne siad laoi eatarthu:

and *he and Fearbh* between them made this song:—

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Fiannamail-seo chucunni,

“Fiannamhail seo chugainne

“Fiannamhail comes here to us,

ro iarraided acunni,

ar a n-iarradh achainí,

he was sought for by us:

cid maith a bés oc a thig,

cé maith a bheas ag a theach

how good also his demeanour in the house.

ro scar dogrés ria muntir.”

scar (sé) do ghréas lena mhuintir.”

He is for ever separated from his kindred.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“A ingen is garb in scél,

“A iníon is garbh an scéal

“O maiden, the message is painful

innissi dam tria grés n-gér,

inis-se dom tria ghréas géar,

that you send sharply provoking me,

scarad frimuntir [for frim muntir] mét n-gal,

scaradh le muintir méid gal

‘That I have lost my kindred.’ Much was the valour

mas iat-so darochratar.”

más iadsan a thorchradar.”

if it is here that they are fallen.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Is iat-sain do munter-su,

“Is iadsan do mhuintirse

“These are your kindred—

arai cen co fintat-sum,

a n-araí gur go fionnta duit,

yet without that you can discover them.

ro marbsat ro marbtha i fat,

mharaíodar, maraíodh i bhfad iad

They have slain, they have been slain far and wide;

ro bo chomrac dergnámat.”

ba chomhrac deargnamhad.”

it was a war of blood-red foes.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“Ocus Mani in marend hé?

“Agus Maine, an mhaireann sé?

“And Maine, is he in life? 

mo chomthach mo choceile,

mo chomthach mo chomhchéile,

my comrade, my companion,

mo rí mo ruiri ’com thaig,

mo rí mo ruire ag mo theach,

my king, my chief in the house,

mo duni alaind inmain.”

mo dhuine álainn ionúin.”

my fair, well-loved friend.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Is goirt lim aní atberi,

“Is goirt liom a’ ní a tharla

“Bitter to me is what you say,

a Fhiannamail fhiannaidi,

a Fhiannamhail féinní,

O champion Fiannamhail. 

ro merad immut cen acht,

a mhearadh umat gan acht

You are in error without a doubt,

fogéba sund a thiglecht.”

gheobhaidh tú ansin a theachleacht.”

here you shall find his last bed.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“Eolas dam ram fhorraig ferg,

“*Déan* eolas dom roimh fhor-ráig feirge

“Make it known to me—wrath has mastered me—

ma ra fhetar a glan-Fherb,

má a fheadar a ghlanFherb,

if you know it, O fair Fearbh,

apair rim, cia bail itá

abair liom cén bail atá (sé)

tell me the place where is

Mani mór mac Ailella.”

Maine Mór mac Ailealla.”

Great Maine, son of Ailill.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Uchan achan air [two syllables are missing],

“Ochón, ochón air

“Ochone, Ochone,

na fetar a Fhiannamail?

nach bhfeadar a Fhiannamhail?

Do you know it not, Fiannamail?

dorochair Mani malle

Thorchair Maine maille

Maine is fallen,

is ogus a muntire.”

is a mhuintir uile.”

and with him all his forces.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“Cia dorat in cath crúaid? [a syllable is missing]

“Cé a fhear an cath crua?

“Who has caused the cruel war?

cia doraitni fó dimbúaid?

cé faoi deara an díomua?

Who has glittered *in arms* at the overthrow?

ocus cia ro marb Mane

agus cé a mharaigh Maine

and who has slain Maine

ocus siat i n-oenbaile?”

agus iad in aonbhail?”

and *are* they in like place?”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Ulaid tancatar a túaid

“Ulaidh (a) tháinig aduaidh

“The Ulster men came from the North

a nirt chatha chlaidebrúaid,

a neart catha chlaíomhrua,

With their might of red-sworded war;

co ro gabsat fhoraind tech

gura ghabh siad orainn an teach

so that they took the house against us,

co trí cóicdaib læch laimthech.”

go trí caogaid laoch láimhtheach.”

with three times fifty bold warriors.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“Ticfa fri Ultaib in scél,

“Tiocfaidh i gcoinne na n-Ultadh an scéal

“The tale shall go against the men of Ulster,

at bidbaid cen imarlén,

iad bíobhaI gan imléan,

they are guilty without being hurt.

mairfitir and tiar is tair,

marófar iad thiar is thoir

They shall be slain west and east,

dia marat na Connachtaig.”

má maireann na Connachtaigh.”

if the men of Connacht yet remain in life.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Doberim mo chobais duit,

“Beirim mo chúis duit

“I give you my assurance,

a Fhiannamail, uair at roglic,

a Fhiannamhail uair (go bhfuil tú) róghlic,

O Fiannamail, since you are very skilful,

na dechaid d’Ultaib cen chlith,

a tháinig d’Ultaigh gan chleith

that of the Ulster men—without concealment—

acht oén días ina m-bethaid.”

níl ach aondís ina mbeatha.”

only a single pair came back alive.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“Cade in días térnatar and?

“Cé (hiad) an dias (a) tháinig ann?

“Who are the two who came back?

cia halt dáine? cia n-anmand?

cén bail *ar na* daoine *seo*?

cad (iad) *a* n-ainmneacha?

What is the condition of the men?

what their names?

ocus cía dochuatar ass,

agus cá ndeachadar as

and whither are they gone from hence

doringset mór diar n-amles?”

a rinne siad mór dár n-aimhleas?”

who have done a great thing for our hurt?”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Conchobar is Brod cen brath,

“Conchobhar is Brod gan feall

“Conchobhar and Brod, without deceit,

is iat [read ’s iat] térnatar assin chath,

is iad théarnadar as an chath,

are they who have come back from the battle;

da gai trí Chonchobar féin,

dhá gha trí Chonchobhar féin

two spears through Conchobhar himself,

’s a trí tri Brod ni imcén [read imchéin].”

’s a trí i mBrod ní imchéin.”

and three of them through Brod, not far from that.”

[Fiannamail:]

Fiannamhail:

Fiannamhail.

“Cia ro guin Conchobar crom?

“Cé a ghoin Conchobhar crom?

“Who has wounded Conchobhar the crooked?

cia dorat i n-ecomlond?

cé a chuir (sé) in éagomhlann?

Who has put him into an evil state?

ni beoda a dula cen geiss,

ní beo a dhula gan geis

Not lucky his going without prohibition,

ma tá air-sium dluig legis.”

má tá airsean fonn leighis.”

if he has a desire for healing.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Mani ro guin Conchobar,

“Maine a ghoin Conchobhar

“Maine it was who wounded Conchobhar —

di shleig nirborddugud [perhaps nir bo orddugud?],

dhá shleá, níorbh ord,

two spears, it was not an appointment

ro marb-som Mani iarsin,

mharaighsean Maine iar sin

He killed Maine thereafter.

is é a fhír a Fhiannamail.”

is é a tharla a Fhiannamhail.”

That is the truth about him, Fiannamhail.”

Imthigid Fiannamail iarsin i n-iarmoracht Conchobuir,

D’imigh Fiannamhail iar sin in iarmhóracht Chonchobhair,

co tarla Niall Cendfhind mac Conchobuir ina agid

go dtarla Niall Ceannfhionn mac Conchobhair ina aghaidh,

and to meet him came Niall the fair-headed, who was the son of Conchobhar,

ocus cét fer n-armach do thegluch Conchobuir immalle fris

agus céad fear n-armach do theaghlach Conchobhair maille leis,

and with him a hundred armed men of Conchobhar’s household,

ic iarraid Chonchobuir.

ag iarraidh Chonchobhair.

who were seeking Conchobhar.

Ro ferad gleo fíchda feochair eturru.

Fearadh gleo fíochta feochair eatarthu.

A hot, wild battle was fought between them,

Maroen ro imred forlond fer for Fiannamail de-side,

Treascraíodh le forlann fear Fiannamhail de sin,

and Fiannamhail, overcome by men, was vanquished,

ocus nir damad cert comlaind dó,

agus níor dámhadh ceart comhlainn dó,

nor did he reap advantage from the equal number on his own side,

ná co torchair marb cen anmain.

nó go dtorchair (sé) marbh gan anam..

for he fell lifeless and dead;

Dorochair dana trícha laech laisium a oenur.

Thorchair tríocha laoch leis-sean ina aonar.

yet thirty of his foes fell by his single arm alone.

Forfhopair andsin ind ingen ic fegad gilla Connacht.

Chrom ansin an iníon Fearbh ag féachaint *ar* ghiollaí Connacht.

And then the maiden, *namely Fearbh*, turned her and looked at the young warriors of Connacht.

“Dar brethir [for Darm brethir] ém,” ar si,

“Dar *mo* briathair ámh,” ar sí,

“By my word indeed,” said she,

“ni ar meth gascid ná hengnama dorochrabair-si

“ní ar mheath gaiscí ná heangnamha a thorchair sibhse,

“it is not owing to lack of valour or of skill that you died;

acht forlond do imbirt foraib,

ach *toisc* fhorlainn a imirt oraibh.

but you were overcome by superior numbers.

ocus ummoro tra,” ar si, “darochair far comlund lib-si

Agus iomorra,” ar sí, “thorchair ar chomhlann libhse

And yet,” said she, “an equal number of your foes have been slain by you,

cia dorochrabair.”

cé gur thorcair sibhse.”

even though you also have fallen.”

Ocus ro chan in laid-seo sis:

Agus chan an laoi seo síos:

And she sang the following song:—

“Truag sin a gillu Connacht,

“Trua sin, a ghiollaí Chonnacht,

“Sad is this, you young men of Connacht.

ní fhuil clúim ria bar n-adart,

níl clúmh le bhur n-adhairt,

There is no down to your cushions.

bar lem-si [read léim] is leím cen fhollacht,

dar liomsa is léim gan ionad coise

Your leap seems without (a footstep?).

fúarabair béim dar amarc.

fuair sibh béim thar amharc.

You have found yourselves struck by a blow over the eyes.

Ca sluag rop ailliu innathe,

Cén slua árbh áille ná sibh

What army was fairer than you were,

is bad fherr i cend clethe?

is ba fearr i gceann cleithe?

and better for noble strife?

Bar n-delb ropo delb dígle,

bhur ndealbha, b’iad dealbha *ba* dhile

Your form was a glorious form;

is frithe serb far snathe.

is fríth searbh bhur snáithe *shaoil*.

your life thread is a bitter masterless possession.

Snáthe far ruisc ro mebaid,

Snáithe bhur roisc a madhmadh

The thread of your eyes is broken.

fuarabair dig cuisc tonnaid.

fuair (sibh) deoch coisc bháis,

You have found the drink of conquest, of death poison.

Ropo chrúaid leo far n-debaid,

do ba chrua leo bhur ndeabhaidh

Stubborn for them was the strife with you—

ro dedail gleo i n-uarcollaib.

a dheighil gleo i bfuar-cholainneacha.

the war departed in cold bodies.

Ro marbsaid cét fer n-armach,

Mharaigh (tú) céad fear n-armach

You have slain a hundred armed men.

ro for-rép in cú codnach.

réab an cú codhnach *iad*,

For you the noble dog has torn (them) in pieces.

Bar scél is crúaid ’s is caingnech,

bhur scéal is crua, ’s is caingneach,

Your tale is stubborn and a cause of strife.

is mana dér co homnach.

is mana deor go huamhnach.

It is a fore-token of tears in dreadful manner.

Is trúag mo chumang-sa rib,

Is trua mo chumannsa libh

Sorrowful is my knowledge of you,

ic scailiud dér is ic mifrig [perhaps read ’s ic and dul in the following line].

ag scaoileadh deor is ag mairgneach,

while I shed tears and lament.

Ropad fherr lim-sa dula lib,

b’fhearr liomsa dul libh

Dear were it for me to go with you

is mo loscud do chrithrib.

is mo loscadh do chréalach.

and to be burnt to ashes.

Sib sluág rop ailliu i n-hErinn,

Sibh slua árbh áille in Éirinn

You were the fairest troop in Ireland.

gillai Chonnacht nos cáinim.

giollaí Chonnacht (a) chaoinim,

Young men of Connacht, I lament you,

Cach oen ros marb ní seguind,

gach aon a mharaigh (sibh) ní séaghainn

Each who has killed you, he is not stately,

fégaim cech m-baidb foa fuidim.

féachaim gach badhbh (.i. laochra, go meafarach) a chaoinim.

I see every scald-crow (‘Badhbh’, a nickname with warlike connotations) whom I lament.

Ropo mór far muirn sin chath

Ba mór bhur slua sa chath

Great was your host in war

i n-agid na Fomorach.

in aghaidh na bhFomhórach,

against the Fomorians.

Mór m-ban dagena uch ach

mór mban a ndéanfaidh “uch, ach”

Many women are there who will cry ‘uch’ and ‘ach’

i n-degaid na ro-uallach.

i ndiaidh na ró-uallach.

behind the very proud.

Uallach thancatar is tech,

Uallach thángadar sa teach

Proudly you came into the house;

nocorb athair dóib aithech.

nárbh athair dóibh aitheach,

you had no vassal for father.

O ro gabsat cóir na cleth,

ó ghabh siad cóir na gcleatha

Since you had accepted the privilege of the chiefs

nocorb allic dóib teched.

nárbh áil dóibh teitheadh.

it was not suitable for you to fly.

Ro biathsaid Baidb co m-báni,

Bheathaigh siad Badhbh go mbána

You have feasted the Badhbh, the pale one,

allus airm, lór a chruadi.

as los airm, (ba) leor a gcrua,

amidst the weapons; sufficient your boldness.

Gillai Chonnacht co cáimi,

giollaí Chonnacht go caoimhe

The young men of Connacht with beauty

dáini ra tromalt truagi.”

daoine le tromalt trua.”

are men in a heavy state of sorrow.”

Doroacht iarsin Domnall Derg Drechlethan mac Dubain

Shroich iar sin Domhnall Dearg Dreachleathan mac Dubháin

Then came Domhnall the Red, of the broad countenance, the son of Dubhán

faichthi in dúnaid.

faiche an dúin.

to the lawn of the fort.

“Maith ém allus gai ocus claidib,”

“Maith ámh a los ga agus claíomh,”

“Indeed, he is good with the spear and sword,

ar bé thastil, “Domnall Derg mac Dubain.

ar an bhé thaistil, “Domhnall Dearg mac Dubháin.

*this* Domhnall the Red, son of Dubhán,” said the messenger maid.

Lond fri úair n-gascid cách tanic and,

Lonn le uair na ngaiscí cách a tháinig,

“Dauntless in the hour wherein valiant deeds are done is each of those who have come hither,

ocus ro pad mór a chobair dia chomaltu,

agus ba mór a chabhair dá chomhalta (Domhnall)

and mighty would have been the aid that Domhnall would have lent to his foster-brother

dianatairsed ina bethaid.”

dá dtairiseadh (sé) ina bheatha.”

if he had come here while Maine was yet in life.”

Otchuala ind ingen sin,

Ó chuala an iníon (.i. Fearbh) sin

And when the maiden Fearbh heard that,

dodechaid immach ina agid

chuaigh (sí) amach ina aghaidh

she went out that she might meet Domhnall,

ocus ro gress co mór

agus ghreas go mór (sí) é,

and much she incited him *to the fight*,

ocus doringni rand ocus ros frecair Domnall Derg Drechlethan:

agus rinne (sí) rann agus d’fhreagair Domhnall Dearg Dreachleathan:

and she made a part of a song, and Domhnall the Red of the broad countenance answered:

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“A Domnaill maic Dubain dil,

“A Dhomhnaill mic Dubháin dil,

“O Domhnall, son of dear Dubhán,

a gríb in gascid gabthig,

a ghríobh i ngaisce gáifigh,

O hawk of dangerous valour,

cidat lond im gním garta,

cé (gur) lonn (thú) i gníomh garta,

since you are dauntless for the sake of a deed of fame,

ro marbad do chomalta.”

marbhaíodh do chomhalta.”

your foster-brother has been killed.”

[Domnall:]

Domhnall:

Domhnall.

“Cia ro thuit Mani in milid,

“Cé gur thit Maine an míle,

“Though Maine the warrior is fallen,

ra chind ar a chomdinib

ba cheann ar a chomhdhaoine (é),

yet he surpassed all his contemporaries

im gáis im gasced im gart,

im ghaois im ghaisce im ghart,

in skill, in valour, in glory,

im enech is im ánlecht.”

im oineach is im iocht.”

in honour, and clemency.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Ni hopair læch na n-déni,

“Ní hobair laoich a dhéanann tú,

“This is not the deed of a hero that you do

uchfad uch is ecáini,

ochfad och is éagaoin,

sighs, crying of woe, and laments.

or na targa Mani de,

óir ní thiocfaidh Maine de,

Since Maine will not return after that

ba ferr calma fri namte.”

ba fearr *a bheith* calma le naimhde.”

it were better to go valiantly against his foes.”

[Domnall:]

Domhnall:

Domhnall.

“Bam tarb tnúith isna tressaib,

“Is tarbh tnúith mé sna treasa,

“I will be a fiery bull in the war.

focicher crú tria chnessaib,

scairdfidh cró tria chneasa,

I will make blood spring through the skin.

coselub mór bemmend búan

le gach buille béimneach buan

I will give many incessant blows

ar Conchobar claidebruad.”

ar Chonchobhar claíomhrua.”

to Conchobhar the red-sworded.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Nir bo ró Conchobar cain

“Ní *an iomarca é* go raibh *a bhás ag* Conchobhar caoin

“Not too much would be that Conchobhar the fair

i n-dígail Mani menmnaig,

i ndíoghail Mhaine mheanmnaigh,

should die, as vengeance for Maine the courageous;

or ni tharga is nir gein

óir ní tháinig is níor gin*eadh*,

For there will not come, and there is not born

a macsamla asin Chruachain.”

a mhacasamhail as an gCruachan.”

The equal of Maine in Cruachan.”

[Domnall:]

Domhnall:

Domhnall.

“Conchobar, cid mór a blad,

“Conchobhar, cé (gur) mór a bhladh,

“Conchobhar, though great his glory,

ocus Niall is Feradach,

agus Niall is Fearadach,

and Niall and Fearadach

i n-dígail Mani rocerb,

i ndíoghail Mhaine, *a gearradh*,

are vengeance for Maine —a sharp hewing in pieces.

nos linfea [for nos liunfa?] mo lám a Fherb.”

Imreoidh* mo lámh *díoltas orthu*, a Fhearbh.”

My hand shall slay them, O Fearbh.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Da m-bad tussu, a Domnaill Deirg,

“Dá mba tusa a Dhomhnaill Deirg,

“If you it were, O Red Domhnall,

no marbtais Ulaid tri Fheirb,

a mharaigh Ulaidh trí Fhearbh,

whom the Ulstermen had slain for the sake of Fearbh,

ropad bladach a digail

ba bladhach a dhíoghail,

so would the revenge taken for you be glorious

forscéol Mani mórgnimaig.”

ar scéal Maine mhórghnímhaigh.”

in the tale of Maine, the doer of great deeds.”

[Domnall:]

Domhnall:

Domhnall.

“Daig is esium féin ro beb,

“*Ó tharla* is eisean féin fuair bás

“Since he himself it is who is dead,

Mani Mórgor met miled,

Maine Mórghor méad míle,

Greatly-dutiful Maine with the greatness of a warrior,

noco rag-sa síar dom thig,

nó go rachaidh (mé) siar dom theach,

I will not go westwards to my home

na raib fer bethaid d’Ultaib.”

ná raibh fear beo d’Ultaigh.”

while any of the Ulstermen live.”

[Ferb:]

Fearbh:

Fearbh.

“Ropad sám ram chride cain,

“Ba sámh dom chroí caoin,

“It would be peace for my good heart,

ropad dídnad dom anmain,

ba dídean (é) dom anam,

it would be a comfort for my soul, if all the Ulstermen

dithnacht Ulad uili ind,

díothúchán Uladh uile ann,

were destroyed for the deed they have done,

dot láim dremuin a Domnaill.”

dod lámh dhreamhan, a Dhomhnaill.”

by your violent hand, O Domhnall.”

Nir bo chían inn irnaide do Domnall

Níor chian *a bhí* Domhnall *ag* fanacht

Domnall was not waiting long,

co n-acca chuci in m-buidin móir

[nuair a] chonaic (sé) chuige an bhuíon mhóir

*when* he saw a great host coming towards him,

i m-bátar cethri chet fer n-armach

ina raibh ceithre chéad fear n-armach

in which were four hundred armed men,

im Fheradach Lámfhota mac Conchobair.

um Fhearadach Lámhfhada mac Conchobhair.

surrounding Fearadach of the long hand, *son of Conchobhar*.

Imsái cách díb dochum a chéli.

D’iompaigh cách díobh *ar* a chéile.

Each of these foes set themselves against the other.

D’imir forlíon fear ansin ar Dhomhnall, agus tháinig dásacht uimesean                 ,

Then Domhnall, finding himself overcome by the numbers against him, fell into a rage;

ocus dorochair cóica láech lais

agus thorchair caoga laoch leis

fifty warriors fell by him;

ocus dorochair fer cech fhir dia muntir,

agus thorchair fear gach fir dá mhuintir.

and all the men of his following were slain,

ocus ro gon-som féin Feradach badí.

Agus ghoinsean féin Fearadach faoi dhó.

while he himself twice succeeded in wounding Fearadach.

Doringned guin galand de-sium andsin

Rinneadh goin gaile de-sean ansin,

But with murder his foes strove against him,

ocus ro díchend Feradach hé ocus ro lá a ulaig commaidmi,

agus dhícheann Fearadach é, agus d’ardaigh (sé) a uaill chomhmhaidhme,

and Fearadach struck off his head, and he raised the shout of victory;

ocus ro díchennait a munter

agus dícheannadh a mhuintir,

moreover, the heads of all his companions were struck off,

ocus ro laad a n-ulach commaidmi.

agus d’ardaigh (siad) a n-uailleacha comhmhaidhme.

and loudly the cries of triumph were raised by the victors.

Nir bo chían inn irnaide do Domnall

Níor chian *a bhí* Domhnall *ag* fanacht

Domnall was not waiting long,

co n-acca chuci in m-buidin móir

[nuair a] chonaic (sé) chuige an bhuíon mhóir

*when* he saw a great host coming towards him,

i m-bátar cethri chet fer n-armach

ina raibh ceithre chéad fear n-armach

in which were four hundred armed men,

im Fheradach Lámfhota mac Conchobair.

um Fhearadach Lámhfhada mac Conchobhair.

surrounding Fearadach of the long hand, *son of Conchobhar*.

Imsái cách díb dochum a chéli.

D’iompaigh cách díobh *ar* a chéile.

Each of these foes set themselves against the other.

D’imir forlíon fear ansin ar Dhomhnall, agus tháinig dásacht uimesean                 ,

Then Domhnall, finding himself overcome by the numbers against him, fell into a rage;

ocus dorochair cóica láech lais

agus thorchair caoga laoch leis

fifty warriors fell by him;

ocus dorochair fer cech fhir dia muntir,

agus thorchair fear gach fir dá mhuintir.

and all the men of his following were slain,

ocus ro gon-som féin Feradach badí.

Agus ghoinsean féin Fearadach faoi dhó.

while he himself twice succeeded in wounding Fearadach.

Doringned guin galand de-sium andsin

Rinneadh goin gaile de-sean ansin,

But with murder his foes strove against him,

ocus ro díchend Feradach hé ocus ro lá a ulaig commaidmi,

agus dhícheann Fearadach é, agus d’ardaigh (sé) a uaill chomhmhaidhme,

and Fearadach struck off his head, and he raised the shout of victory;

ocus ro díchennait a munter

agus dícheannadh a mhuintir,

moreover, the heads of all his companions were struck off,

ocus ro laad a n-ulach commaidmi.

agus d’ardaigh (siad) a n-uailleacha comhmhaidhme.

and loudly the cries of triumph were raised by the victors.

Is andsin ra sochtatar a da mac co Conchobar, .i. Niall ocus Feradach.

Is ansin a shroich a dhá mhac go Conchobhar: Niall agus Fearadach.

Then came to the side of Conchobhar his two sons, Niall and Fearadach.

Darocht dana Medb

Shroich iomorra Meadbh (iad),

And Meadhbh drew nigh

co secht cétaib láech lé

go seacht gcéad laoch léi,

with seven hundred warriors by her

co m-bói ascind [perhaps ar chind? or ós cind?] ind armaige.

go raibh (sí) os cionn na hármhá.

till she was in sight of the field of battle.

Doringni cruadchippi grinni bec di,

Rinne (sí) cruachipe grinne beag díobh,

She formed her troops into a compact and stubborn band,

ocus torcaib idna catha rempi

agus thurgbháil (sí) airm chatha roimpi,

and she raised weapons fit for the battle before her;

ocus ros dírig ar ammus Conchobair

agus dhírigh (sí) ar amas Chonchobhair,

and she made straight for Conchobhar

do digail ammeicc ocus a muntire fair.

do dhíoghail a mic agus a muintire air.

to take vengeance on him for the death of her son and of the people that were with him.

Ocus ciarbo chnedach crechtach Conchobar,

Agus cé gur chneadach créachtach Conchobhar,

And although Conchobhar was full of wounds and of hurts,

noco n-ic imgabail Medba ro bói

níor ag imghabháil Mheadhbha a bhí (sé),

yet he was not retiring before Meadhbh,

acht is ’ca iarraid, conos tarla tul fri tul.

ach is ’ga hiarraidh, gona dtarla (siad) tul le tul.

but he was advancing *eagerly* to her, till they were face to face.

Gebid cách díb sroigled ocus essorcoin, leod ocus letrad,

Gabh cách díobh ag sraoilleadh agus ag greadadh, ag leonadh agus ag leadradh,

Everyone took to dealing out blows, and to mutilating and to destroying, and to hew down

brúd ocus básugud a chele.

ag brú agus ag bású a chéile.

and to crush and to slay one another;

Ro fuc Medb andside tolc míled i cath na n-Ultach

Thug Meadhbh ansin an ‘Tolg Míle i gCath’ chun na hUltaigh,

Meadhbh carried the ‘Piercer of the ranks of War’ into *the battle host of* Ulster,

co torchair cóiciur lee, im dá mac Conchobair

go dtorchair cúigear léi um dhá mhac Chonchobhair:

so that five men fell at her hand besides the two sons of Conchobhar,

.i. im Níall Cendfhind ocus im Fheradach Lamfhota.

.i. um Niall Ceannfhionn agus um Fhearadach Lámhfhada.

even Niall the fair-headed and Fearadach of the long hand.

Ro gab dana Conchobar scaindred ocus répad ocus mudugud in t-shluáig aile

Ghabh Conchobhar ag scanradh agus ag réabadh agus ag mudhadh an tslua eile,

And on the other side Conchobhar began to rend asunder the remaining part of her host, and to tear and to slay

amal leomain londchrechtaig eter banbraid,

amhail leon lonnchréachtach idir bhainbh,

like a wrathful wounded lion among swine,

cor bo díanleges dó,

gur dianleigheasta dó,

so that quickly had he found his healing from his wounds,

amal ro thuitset agái [read ágai] chró ass

amhail thit a ghathanna cró as

after which, as it were, great pieces of flesh, full of blood, fell from him

la meít na ferggi ro gab

le méid na feirge a ghabh é,

in the greatness of the wrath that had seized him

iar marbad a da mac.

iar mharú a dhá mhac.

after his two sons had been slain.

Maidid for Meidb iarsin

Madhmadh ar Mheadhbh iar sin,

ocus dofuittet tri coícait læch lánchalma dia muntir,

agus thit trí chaogaid laoch lánchalma dá muintir,

and three times fifty mightily valiant warriors of her people fell in the fight,

ocus nos berat na ferchutredaig ass hí iarsin amal bá bés dóib,

agus rug na fir chuideachta as í, amhail ba bhéas dóibh,

and her guards, as their custom was, bore her safely back;

ocus ro len Conchobar in maidm co n-dechaid dar Mag n-Ini immach.

agus lean Conchobhar an mhaidhm go ndeachaigh (sé) thar Mhá nIne amach.

and Conchobhar followed *hard* upon the rout till he passed beyond Maigh Ine.

Impaís Conchobar iarsin fri dúnud [read dúnad] n-Geirg

D’iompaigh Conchobhar iar sin go Dún Geirg

Then back he turned, and made for the fort of Gearg

dia indriud.

dá ionradh.

*with the intent* to lay it in ruins.

Atagat munter Geirg andside

Thiomsaigh muintir Gheirg ansin,

im Chobthach Cnesgel

um Chobhthach Cneasgheal,

cath cróda comnart do Chonchobur ic cosnam a n-dúnaid.

cath cróga comhneart do Chonchobhar ag cosaint a ndúin.

it was a violent and a well-matched battle against Conchobhar in defence of their fortress.

Imsái Conchobar chucu amal fáel fó chairib,

D’iompaigh Conchobhar chucu amhail faol faoi chaoirigh,

But Conchobhar rushed upon them like a wolf among sheep,

ocus feraid comlund fri Cobthach ocus dorochair Cobthach de-side,

agus d’fhear (sé) comhlann le Cobhthach agus thorchair Cobhthach de sin,

and he and Cobhthach fought in single combat, and Cobhthach fell *in that fight*,

ocus ro marbad cech óen ba inechta dia muntir.

agus maraíodh gach aon dá mhuintir *gurbh éacht i ndán dóibh.*

and then fell also all of his people that were doomed to death.

Ocus ataig Conchobar lais ina fúair

Agus d’ardaigh Conchobhar leis a bhfuair

And Conchobhar took with him whatsoever he found there

d’ór ocus d’argut ocus d’indruini

d’ór agus d’airgead agus d’fhiondruine

of gold and of silver and of white bronze

ocus do chornaib ocus do choppanaib ocus d’escraib ocus d’arm ocus d’étuch.

agus do choirn agus do chupáin, agus d’eascraí agus d’airm agus d’éadaí.

and of horn and of beakers and of vessels and of weapons and of apparel.

Ro fuc dana leis in dabaig umai ro bói istig,

Thug (sé) leis iomorra an dabhach umha a bhí sa teach,

He took with him also the brazen vat that stood in the house,

ocus no fiurad forba Ulad uili a llán do lind,

ina bhfaigheadh forba Uladh uile a lán leanna.

in which all the territory of Ulster used to find its fill of ale,

ocus is ria atberthea ól n-guala la Ultu,

Agus is uirthi a beirtí Ól Guala le hUltaigh,

and this is that vat which by the men of Ulster was called the Ól Guala or Coal-vat,

fobíth is teni guail no bíd i n-Emain istig i n-ibthea hí,

ionas gur tine ghuail a bhíodh in Eamhain sa teach ina n-ibhtí í,

since a fire of coals (guail) was wont to be in that house in Eman in which that vat was drunk.

ocus is uad ro ainmniged Loch Guala umai

agus is uaithi a ainmníodh Loch Guala Umha

And from it hath been named Loch Guala Umha

i n-Daminis criche Ulad,

i nDamhinis chríche Uladh,

in the island of Damh, which is in the realm of Ulster;

ar is fói atá indiu i n-diamraib.

óir is fúithi atá inniu i ndiamhra.

for underneath the lake unto this day is that vat, hidden in a secret place.

Dorat dana leis in rígain .i. Nuagil ingin Ergi

Thug *Conchobhar* iomorra leis an ríon .i. Nuagheal iníon Erce

Also Conchobhar took with him the queen,  even Nuagheal, the daughter of Eirc,

ocus a hingin .i. Feirb, ocus na tri coicait ingen immalle fria.

agus a hiníon .i. Fearbh, agus na trí chaogaid iníon maille léi.

and her daughter Fearbh, and three times fifty maidens with her.

Atbath fochétoir Ferb ocus a trí coícait ingen immalle fria

Fuair Fearbh bás faoi chéadóir, agus a trí chaogaid iníon maille léi,

And immediately after this, Fearbh and her maidens all died

do chumaid na macraide.

do chumha na macraí (Maine).

from the sorrow that they felt at the death of *Maine’s* boy-toop.

Atbath dana Nuagel do chumaid a fir ocus a da mac.

Fuair iomorra Nuagheal bás do chumha a fir agus a dá mhac.

Nuagheal also died of grief *for the death* of her husband and her two sons.

Ro claided uág do Fheirb iarsin, ocus ro tócbad a lia

Claidheadh uaigh do Fhearbh iar sin agus tógadh a lia,

ocus ro scríbad ainm [read a ainm] oguim,

agus scríobhadh a hainm in ogham.

and her name was written *upon it* in Ogham,

ocus doringned duma immon licc

Agus rinneadh dumha um an leac,

and a mound was made around the pillar,

conid Duma Ferbi a ainm ri Ráith Ini,

gonadh Dumha Feirbhe an t-ainm ar Ráth Ine

so that Dumha Feirbhe (‘Fearbh’s Mound’ is the name *that is* now upon Ráth Ine

aniartuáid atá.

— aniarthuaidh atá.

—which is in the north-west.

Imthigid Conchobar co m-búaid ocus choscur co rocht co Emain,

D’imigh Conchobhar go mbua agus choscair go shroich (sé) Eamhain

Conchobhar returned to Eamhain with victory and triumph,

ocus adfét a scéla o thús co dered do Mugain

agus dúirt (sé) a scéala ó thús go deireadh do Mhughain,

and to Mughain he related his tale from the beginning to the end;

ocus ro ráid fria fhili

agus dúirt (sé) é lena fhile

and he gave command to his bard

.i. Ferchertne mac Dergerdne maic Gairb

.i. Fearchertne mac Deargeirdne, mhic Ghairbh,

Fearchertne, the son of Deargeirdne, who was the son of Garbh,

maic Fir Rosa Ruaid maic Rudraige,

mhic Fhir Rosa Rua, mhic Rudhraighe,

who was the son of Fear Rosa *the Red*, who was the son of Rudhraighe,

co n-dernad glónathe airchetail

go ndearnadh aircheadal glonnmhar

that he should forthwith make a great poem

co cummair

go comair

briefly,

do chumnigud in sceóil sin.

do chuimhniú an scéil sin.

that should preserve the memory of that tale.

Conid iarsin ro chan-som in láid-seo sís,

Gonadh iar sin a chan sé an laoi seo síos

He then sang the poem that now follows;

ocus ro fhalsig ind éicsiu dó-som

agus d’fhoilsigh (sé) an éigse dósan

and he prophesied that in future days,

co m-bad fúasait don táin in scel so.

go mba hinsint don Táin an scéal seo.

by means of the tale he had told, should men unravel *the threads of the story of* the Táin Bó Cuailnge:—

Aslinge Conchobair chóir,

Aisling Chonchobhair chóir

The vision of Conchobhar the upright,

maic Cathbad cróda findmoír,

mhic Chathbhadh chróga fionnmhóir,

The son of Cathbhadh, the valiant, fair and great,

ardrí Ulad, erim n-úag,

ardrí Uladh - éirim slán,

The high king of Ulster—an unhurt journey, 

ris dresend cách claidebruad.

leis dreasann cách claíomhrua.

who raises a red sword against all.

Bói Conchobar aidchi and

Bhí Conchobhar oíche ann,

Conchobhar there lay on a night

ina chotlud, nir bo gand,

ina chodladh níor ghann,

in sleep—it was not a light sleep;

co n-aca ní chuci in mnái

chonaic (sé) ní chuige – an bhean,

there saw he the woman come to him,

ina dochum ina imdái.

ina fharradh ina iomdha.

in his presence in his bower.

Etiud corcra co cruth óir

Éadaí corcra go cruth óir,

Purple her robe with figures of gold,

a hecosc, nir bo deróil,

a héagasc níor dhearóil,

this was her apparel—she was not indigent—

srethai sítai uas a cind,

sreatha síoda os a cinn,

silken stripes upon her head,

mind ard óir ina imthimchiull.

mionn ard óir ina himthimpeall.

a high diadem of gold round about it.

Asbert fris in ben co m-blaid,

Dúirt leis an bhean go mbladh,

To him spoke the woman with renown,

“Maith in sen a Chonchobair,

“Maith an séan a Chonchobhair,

“Good is the sign, O Conchobhar.

ordan ocus taced dait

ordan agus taca duit

dignity and support for thee,

do cech leith úair it irdairc.”

do gach leith óir is oirirc (thú).”

honour and fortune for thee.”

“Cid as nesu dúin de-sin?”

“Cad is neasa dúinn de sin?”

“What is the next thing for us?”

ar mac Nesa miad mairir,

ar mac Neasa miadh maireann,

said the son of Neasa, the noble of race.

“asníd a bé dún collí,

“inis a bhé dúinn go lí,

“Say to me, oh woman of brightness,

ca fhot cossin n-immirgi?”

cá fhad go tús an fheachtais?”

How long is it to the war?”

“Secht m-bliadna lána onocht

“Seacht mbliana lána ó ’nocht,

“Seven full years from to-night

not gluasfiter dond oenphort

gluaisfidh siad don aonphort,

thou shalt be compelled to gather to one place,

maccaib mnaib, miad ros bí, [a syllable is missing, read is mnaib?]

maic, mná, miadh marófar

with boys and women—an honour that shall slay them—

immon Dond cathach Cualngi.”

um an Donn cathach Cuailnge.”

for the sake of the Donn of Cuailnge, rich in wars.”

“Cia nos ber, nual cen gói? [a syllable is missing, read béra?]

“Cé a bheireann (é), nuall gan ghó?

“Who carries it off?—give an answer without a lie—

cia doróet in cath cocróe?”

cé *a ghlacann leis* an gcath coigríche?”

who has undertaken the war to the death?”

“Slúag ard hErenn immasaig

“Slua ard Éireann a shaigheann thart,

“The high army of Ireland manoeuvres

im Ailill don Chruachan-maig.”

um Ailill don Chruachanmaigh.”

under Ailill of the plain of Cruachan.”

“Noco toil sin slicht nad bá,”

“Ní toil *liom* sin, sliocht a mbeidh,”

“That wish I not, it is a track that is not good,”

ol Conchobar cond catha.

ar Conchobhar ceann catha,

said Conchobhar, the head of war.

“In fail anaill násad n-án,

“an bhfuil anall oireachtas án,

“Is there another glorious meeting,

a bé barrbude balbán [read ballbán]?”

a bhé bharrbhuí bhallbhán?”

O woman, yellow haired, white limbed?”

“Fil gním n-amra, dét for sét, [read for séit]

“Tá gníomh amhra; déad (.i.“bia”) ar shéad,

is ní irnaidi fri bréic,

is ní fhanfaidh le bréag,

mac ind fhir dot-ic cen meth,

mac an fhir a tháinig (chugat) gan meath,

Mani Mór mortha miled.

Maine Mór mórtha *le* mílí.

Great Maine, he who is praised by warriors.

Dodechaid do feis la Feirb,

Tháinig sé do fheis le Fearbh,

He is come to sleep with Fearbh,