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Complete file (PDF)

Bui ri amra airegda for Erinn, Eochaid Feidleach a ainm.

Bhí rí amhra uasal ar Éirinn, Eochaidh Feidhleach a ainm.

There was a famous and noble king over Ireland, named Eochaidh Feidhleach.

Doluid feachtus n-ann dar Aenach mBreg Leith,

Chuaigh sé tráth thar *faiche* aonaigh Bhrí Léith

Once upon a time he came over the fairgreen of Brí Léith,

conaccai in mnai for ur in tobair,

go bhfaca sé an bhean ar bhruach an tobair

and he saw at the edge of a well a woman

ocus cír chuirréil argit co n-ecor de or acthe

agus cíor gheal airgid faoi mhaise óir aici

with a bright comb of silver adorned with gold,

oc folcud al-luing argit,

agus í á folcadh féin in áras airgid;

washing herself in a silver basin

ocus ceithri heoin oir fuirri,

bhí ceithre éan óir *ar an áras*

and there were four golden birds on it (i.e. the basin)

ocus gleorgemai beccai di charrmogul chorcrai hi forfhleascuib na luingi.

agus seoda beaga glé de charrmhogal corcra ar chiumhaisí an árais.

and little, bright gems of purple carbuncle in the rims of the basin.

Brat cas corcra, foloi chain aicthe.

Brat cas corcra faoina shníomh álainn uirthi.

A mantle she had, curly and purple, a beautiful cloak,

Dualldai airgdidi ecoirside, [milech] de or oibinniu isi[n] bratt.

Duala airgid sa bhrat, agus eagar de ór aoibhinn orthu.

*and* in the mantle silvery fringes arranged, and a brooch of fairest gold.

Lene lebur-chulpatach

Léine leabhair, chlupaideach,

A smock she wore, long, hooded,

is i chotut[sh]lemon dei shitiu uainide fo derginliud oir impi.

agus í crua sleamhain de shíoda uaine faoi bhróidniú dearg óir, uimpi.

and it was hard-smooth, of green silk, with red embroidery of gold.

Tuagmila ingantai di or ocus airget

Siogairlíní iontacha d’ór agus d’airgead

Marvellous clasps of gold and silver

for a bruindi[b] ocus a formnaib ocus a guallib isind lene di cach leith.

ar a brollach, ar a slinneáin agus ar a guaille sa léine ar gach taobh.

in the smock on her breasts and her shoulders and spaulds on every side.

Taitned fria in grian

*Bhí* an ghrian ag taitneamh uirthi

The sun was shining upon her,

cobba foderg dona feraib taidleach ind oir frisin ngréin asin t[sh]itiu uain[i]di.

i dtreo go mba léir do na fir glioscarnach an óir faoin ngréin sa síoda uaine. 

so that the glistening of the gold against the sun from the green silk was manifest to men.

Da trilis n-orbuidi for a cind.

Dhá thriopall órbhuí ar a ceann.

On her head were two golden-yellow tresses,

fhige ceithri ndual ceachtar nde,

Fí ceithre dhual i gceachtar acu

in each of which was a plait of four locks,

ocus mell for rind cach duail.

agus póirín ar rinn gach duail *díobh*.

with a bead at the point of each lock.

Ba cosmail leo dath ind fhoilt sin fri barr n-ailestair hi samrad,

Dar leo, bhí dath an fhoilt sin cosúil le barr *an* fheileastraim sa samhradh,

The hue of that hair seemed to them like the flower of the iris in summer,

nó fri dergór iar ndenam a datha.

nó le deargór *tar éis* a dhaite.

or like red gold after the burnishing thereof.

IS and bui oc taithbiuch a fuilt dia folcud,

Is ann a bhí sí ag scaoileadh a foilt *chun a ní*

There she was, undoing her hair to wash it,

ocus a da laim tria derc a sedlaig immach.

agus a dhá láimh trí *ascaillí a léine* amach.

with her arms out through the sleeve-holes of her smock.

Batar gilithir sneachta n-óenaidche na di doit,

Bhí a dhá dóid ar ghile sneachta aon oíche,

White as the snow of one night were the two hands,

ocus batar maethchoiri,

agus iad maoth córach;

soft and even,

ocus batar dergithir sian slebe na da gruad nglanailli.

bhí a dhá grua ghlana áille ar dheirge an mhéaracáin sí.

and red as foxglove were the two clear-beautiful cheeks.

Badar duibithir druimne daeil na da malaich.

Bhí a dhá mala ar dhuibhe dhroim an daoil.

Dark as the back of a stag-beetle the two eyebrows.

Batar inand ocus frais do nemannaib a deta ina cind.

B’ionann is fras péarlaí a fiacla ina ceann.

Like a shower of pearls were the teeth in her head.

Batar glasithir bugha na di shuil.

Bhí a dhá súil ar ghlaise an bhú.

Blue as a hyacinth were the eyes.

Batar dergithir partaing na beoil.

Bhí na beola ar dheirge na partainge (.i. ábhar álainn dearg).

Red as rowan-berries the lips.

Batar forarda mine maethgela na da gualaind.

Ba ard mín maothgheal an dá ghualainn.

Very high, smooth and soft-white the two shoulders.

Batar gelglana sithfhota na mera.

Ba ghléigeal síthfhada iad na méara.

Clear-white and lengthy the fingers.

Batar fota na lama.

Ba fhada iad na lámha.

Long were the hands. 

Ba gilithir uan tuindi in taeb seng fota tlaith min maeth amal olaind.

Bhí an taobh seang fada tláith mín olann-mhaoth ar ghile uanán na toinne.

White as the foam of a wave was the flank, slender, long, tender, smooth, soft as wool.

Batar teithblaithi sleamongeala na di shliasait.

Ba theobhláith sleamhaingheal iad an dá shliasaid.

Polished and warm, sleek and white (were) the two thighs.

Batar cruindbega caladgela na di glun.

Ba chruinnbheag cruagheal iad an dá ghlúin.

Round and small, hard and white the two knees.

Batar gerrgela indildirgi na de lurgain.

Ba ghearr geal riaildhíreach iad an dá lorgaí.

Short and white and rulestraight the two shins.

Batar coirdirgi iaraildi na da sháil.

Ba chóirdhíreach iarálainn iad an dá sháil.

Justly straight and beautiful the two heels.

Cid riagail focerta forsna traigthib sin

Fiú *dá leagfaí* riail leis an dá throigh sin

If a measure were put on the feet

is ing m’adchotad egoir n-indib, 

is ar éigean a d’aimseodh sí éagothroime iontu

it would hardly have found them unequal,

acht cia tormaisead feoil na fortche foraib.

seachas go bhfásfadh feoil na bhfial orthu.

unless the flesh of the coverings should grow upon them.

Solusruidiud inn esce ina saeragaid,

Taitneamh geal na ré ina ceannaithe uaisle.

The bright radiance of the moon was in her noble face:

urthocbail uailli ina minmailgib,

Tógáil uallach ina mínmhalaí.

the loftiness of pride in her smooth eyebrows:

ruithen suirghe ceachtar a da rigrosc.

Ruithean na suirí ina dhá rírosc.

the light of wooing in each of her regal eyes.

Tibri ainiusa ceachtar a da gruad,

Toibríní áthais ar cheachtar a dhá grua,

A dimple of delight in each of her cheeks,

co n-amlud indtibsen do ballaib bithchorcra co ndeirgi fola laig,

agus breacadh iontu de bhreicneach bhithchorcra le deirge fola lao,

with variegation in them (at one time) of purple spots with redness of a calf’s blood,

ocus araill eile co solus gili sneachta.

nó, ar uairibh, le gile shorcha sneachta.

and at another with the bright lustre of snow.

Bocmaerdachd banamail ina glor,

Maorgacht bhog bhanúil ina glór.

Soft womanly dignity in her voice;

cem fosud n-inmalla acci,

Coiscéim shocair mhall aici.

a step steady and slow she had:

tochim rignaidi le.

Siúl ríona fúithi.

a queenly gait was hers.

Ba si tra as caemeam ocus as aildeam ocus as coram adconnarcadar suili doine de mnáib domain.

Ba í go deimhin ba chaoimhe b’áille agus ba chóraí dá bhfaca súile duine de mhná an domhain.

Verily, of the world’s women ’twas she was the dearest and loveliest and justest that the eyes of men had ever beheld.

Ba doig leo bed a sidaib di.

Ba dhóigh leo gurbh as na síthe di.

It seemed to them (king Eochaidh and his followers) that she was from the elfmounds.

Ba fria asbreth

Is fúithi a dúradh:

Of her was said:

“cruth cách co hEtain”,

“Cruthach cách go hÉadaoin;

“Shapely are all till (compared with) Éadaoin,”

“caem cach co hEtain”.

caomh cách go hÉadaoin.”

“Dear are all till (compared with) Éadaoin.”

Gabais saint in ri[g] n-impe focetoir,

*Tháinig* saint *ar* an rí di faoi chéadóir

A longing for her straightway seized the King;

ocus daraide fer dia muindtir riam di[a] hastud foracind.

agus sheol sé fear dá bhuíon *ar aghaidh* lena coinneáil dó.

so he sent forward a man of his people to detain her.

Imchomarcair in ri scela di,

D’fhiafraigh an rí a scéala di,

The king asked tidings of her

ocus asbert fria ina sloindiud:

agus dúirt léi á chuir féin in iúl di:

and said to her, while announcing himself:

“Inum-biasa uair coibligi lat?” ol Eochaid.

“An luífeá liom seal?” arsa Eochaidh.

“Shall I have an hour of lying with thee?”

“Is ed doroachtmar fort foesam sunn,” or si.

“Is chuige sin a thángamar anseo faoi do thearmann,” ar sí.

“ ’Tis for that we have come hither under thy safeguard”, quoth she.

“Cest, can deit ocus can dolud?” ol Eochaid.

“Ceist. Cad as duit? Agus cá has ar tháinig tú?” arsa Eochaidh.

“Query, whence art thou and whence hast thou come?” says Eochaidh.

“Ni ansa,” ol si.

“Ní hansa,” ar sí.

“Easy to say”, quoth she.

“Etain missi, ingen Etair ri eochraidi a sidaib.

“Mise Éadaoin iníon Éadair rí an eachra as na síthe.

“Éadaoin am I, daughter of Éadar, king of the cavalcade from the elfmounds.

Atusa sund fichit mbliadan o ro génar i sid.

Táimse anseo le fiche bliain ó gineadh i sí mé.

I have been here for twenty years since I was born in an elfmound.

Fir in tshide, eter rigu ocus chaemu, ocum chuindchid,

Fir an tsí, idir ríthe agus uaisle, do mo thochmharc,

The men of the elfmound, both kings and nobles, have been wooing me;

ocus ni etas form

agus ní bhfuarthas uaim é,

but nought was gotten from me,

fobithin rot-carusa [ocus tucus] seirc lelbhan o ba tualaing labartha

mar, ón uair a fuair mé cumas labhartha, thug mé grá agus searc linbh duit

because ever since I was able to speak, I have loved thee and given thee a child’s love

ar th’ airscelaib ocus t’anius,

ar d’airscéala agus ar d’oirirceas.

for the high tales about thee and thy splendour.

ocus nit-acca riam,

Ní fhaca mé riamh thú

And though I had never seen thee,

ocus atot-gen focétoir ar do thuarascbail,

agus d’aithin mé thú faoi chéadóir ar do thuarascáil;

I knew thee at once from thy description:

is tu doroacht iarum.”

is tusa, mar sin, a d’aimsigh mé.”

it is thou, then, I have reached.”

“Ni ba ‘taig drochcarad hi cein’ dait em,” ol Eochaid.

“Ní ‘tóraíocht droch-charad i gcéin’ *a bheidh ann* duit ámh,” arsa Eochaidh.

“No ‘seeking of an ill friend afar’ shall be thine, indeed”, says Eochaidh.

“Rot-bia failte,

“Beidh fáilte romhat;

“Thou shalt have welcome,

ocus leicfider cach bean do mnaib airiut,

scaoilfear le gach bhean de *mo* mhná ar do shonsa,

and for thee every *other* woman shall be left *by me*,

ocus is acut t’aenur biasa cein bas miad lat.”

agus is agatsa amháin a bheadsa fad is mian leat.”

and with thee alone will I live so long as thou hast honour”.

“Mo thinnscra coir dam!” or si,

“Mo thionscra cóir agam!” ar sí,

“My proper bride-price to me!” she says,

“ocus mo riar iar suidhiu.”

“agus mo riar ina dhiaidh sin.”

“and afterwards my desire.”

“Rot-bia,” ol Eochaid.

“Beidh *sin* agat,” arsa Eochaidh.

“Thou shalt have *both*”, says Eochaidh.

Doberthar secht cumala di.

Tugtar seacht gcumhal di.

Seven cumals are given to her.

Atbail in ri iarum .i. Eochaid Feidlech.

Cailleadh an rí, Eochaidh Feidhleach, *ina dhiaidh sin*.

Then the king, even Eochaidh Feidhleach, dies (*leaving one daughter named, like her mother, Éadaoin, and wedded to Cormac, king of Ulaidh*).

IAr cind aimsire leicid Cormac (.i. ri Ulad), ‘fear na tri mbuad[a]’, ingin [n]Echdach,

I gcionn tamaill scaoil Cormac, rí Uladh, ‘fear na dtrí mbua’, le hiníon Eachdhach *Fheidhligh*

After the end of a time Cormac, king of Ulaidh, ‘the man of the three gifts’, forsakes Eochaidh’s daughter,

daig ba haimrit acht ingen rug do Chormac

mar go raibh sí aimrid seachas iníon a rug sí do Chormac

because she was barren save for one daughter that she had borne to Cormac

iar ndenum in brothchan dobert a mathair di .i. in bean a sidaib.

tar éis déanamh an bhracháin a thug a máthair (.i. an bhean as na síthe) di.

after the making of the pottage which her mother — the woman from the elfmounds — gave her.

Is and asbert si fria a mathair:

Is ann a dúirt sí lena máthair:

Then she said to her mother:

“Is cuil a ndaradais dam,

“Is olc a dtug tú dom;

“Bad is what thou hast given me:

bid ingen nos-ber.”

iníon is ea a bhéarfaidh mé.”

it will be a daughter that I shall bear.”

“Ni ba báson,” ol a mathair,

“Ní maith a bheidh sin,” arsa a máthair,

“That will not be good”, says her mother;

“biaid taigid rig furri.”

“beidh tóir rí uirthi.”

“a king’s pursuit will be on her.”

Dober Cormac iarum arisi a mnai .i. Etain,

Ghabh Cormac ansin an bhean .i. Éadaoin, chuige arís.

Then Cormac weds again his wife, even Éadaoin,

ocus ba si a riar side, ingen na mná ro leigead rempe do marbad.

Theastaigh uaidh iníon na mná a scaoileadh roimpi a mharú.

and this was his desire, that the daughter of the woman who had before been abandoned [i. e. his own daughter] should be killed.

Nisleicide Cormac dia mathair di[a] altromm.

Níor fhág Cormac an iníon ag a máthair le tógáil.

So Cormac would not leave the girl to her mother to be nursed.

Nos-berait iarum a da mogaid-seom dochum chuithi,

Ansin beireann a dhá mhogh leo í chun poill,

Then his two thralls take her to a pit,

ocus tibidsi gen gaire friu oca tabairt isin chuithi.

agus bhris a gean gáire uirthi leo agus iad á cur sa pholl.

and she smiles a laughing smile at them as they were putting her into it.

Doluid a ngus n-airriu iarum.

Ansin fuair a nádúr greim orthu.

Then their *kindly* nature came to them.

Nos-berad il-lías ngamna buachaille nEterscele maic húi Iair righ Temrach,

Beireann siad leo í go cró gamhna tréadaithe Eadarscéil, mac mic Iair, rí Teamhrach

They carry her into the calfshed of the cowherds of Eadarscéal, great-grandson of Iar, king of Tara,

ocus rosn-altar side co mbo druinech maith,

agus rinne siadsan í a altramú go raibh sí ina druinneach mhaith,

and they fostered her till she became a good embroideress;

ocus ni bui i nHerind ingen rig bad chaimiu oldas.

agus ní raibh in Éirinn iníon rí ba chaoimhe ná í.

and there was not in Ireland a king’s daughter dearer than she.

Dogni[th] teach fichti forche leosum di,

Rinne siad teach cléithe fite di ansin

A fenced (?) house of wickerwork was made by them (the thralls) for her,

cen dorus n-ann eter, acht seinister ocus forleas nama.

gan doras ar bith air, ach fuinneog fhalla agus fuinneog dhín.

without any door, but only a window and a skylight.

Airighit didu munter Eterscele an teach hisin,

D’airigh muintir Eadarscéil an teach sin,

Then Eadarscéal’s folk espy that house

ocus adar leo ba biadh bui ann lasna buachailli.

agus dar leo gur bia a bhí ann ag na tréadaithe.

and suppose that it was food that the cowherds kept there.

Luid fear dib co ndercachai forsin forless,

Chuaigh duine acu agus d’fhéach tríd an bhfuinneog dhín

*But* one of them went and looked through the skylight,

co n-accai in n-ingin rochaim roalaind isin tig.

agus chonaic an cailín sárchaomh sárálainn sa teach.

and he saw in the house the dearest, beautifullest maiden.

Adfiadar don rig anisin.

Insítear seo don rí.

This is told to the king,

Tiagait a munter uadh fochetoir dia breith cen athchomarc [ona buachaillip — Eg.] ocus do sharugud in tigi,

Tagann a mhuintir faoi chéadóir chun an teach a shárú agus an cailín a bhreith leo gan chead na dtréadaithe;

and straightway he sends his people to break the house and carry her off without asking the cowherds.

ar ba haimrit in ri,

mar bhí an rí aimrid

For the king was childless,

ocus dorairngiread do no berad bean mac dó ocus nad festa a cenél.

agus bhí sé i dtairngreacht dó go mbéarfadh bean, nárbh fhios a cineál, mac dó.

and it had been prophesied to him (by his wizards) that a woman of unknown race would bear him a son.

Asbert in rí didu:

Dúirt an rí ansin:

Then said the king:

“Isi in bean sin dorairngiread damsa!”

“Sin í an bhean a bhí a thairngríodh domsa!”

“This is the woman that has been prophesied to me!”

INtan didu bui ann dadaig

An tan, mar sin, a bhí an oíche ann

Now when she was there next morning

conacca in n-en forsin forless addochum,

chonaic sí éan chuici ar na bhfuinneog dhín;

she saw a bird on the skylight coming to her,

ocus facaib a enchendaich for lar in tigi,

agus d’fhág seisean a chochall éin ar urlár an tí,

and he leaves his birdskin on the floor of the house,

ocus luid chuict[h]e, ocus ardagaib, co n-epert som fria:

agus chuaigh sé chuici agus ghabh í agus dúirt léi:

and went to her and captured her, and said:

“Dofilter chucut ón rig do choscrad do thige

“Táthar chugat ón rí chun do thí a scrios

“They are coming to thee from the king to wreck thy house

ocus dot brith chuci ar eigin,

agus chun tú a bhreith chuige *le lámh láidir,*

and to bring thee to him perforce,

ocus bia torrach uaimsea, ocus bera mac de,

agus beidh tú torrach uaimse, agus béarfaidh tú mac,

and thou wilt be pregnant by me, and bear a son,

ocus ni marba eonu in mac sin,

agus ná maraíodh an mac sin éin.

and that son must not kill birds,

ocus bid ‘Conaire [mac Mese Buachalla]’ a ainm,”

Agus beidh ‘Conaire mac Mheas Buachalla’ a ainm,”

and ‘Conaire, son of Meas Buachalla’ shall be his name,

ar ba Mes Buachalla a hainm-si dano.

mar ba Meas Buachalla a hainmse *, go deimhin*.

for hers was Meas Buachalla, (‘the cowherds’ fosterchild’), indeed.

Ocus breatha-si cosin righ n-iarum,

Agus tugadh chun an rí í *ansin*

And then she was brought to the king,

ocus lotar a hoite le,

agus chuaigh a hoidí léi,

and with her went her fosterers,

ocus aranai[s]si dond rig,

agus pósadh í leis an rí,

and she was betrothed to the king,

ocus dobert side seacht cumala disi

agus thug sé seacht gcumhal di

and he gave her seven cumals

ocus seacht cumala aili dia haitib.

agus seacht gcumhal eile dá hoidí altrama,

and to her fosterers seven other cumals.

Ocus dognithea airig doib iarsin,

agus rinneadh aireacha díobh iar sin

And afterwards they were made chieftains,

comdar reachtaidi uile,

*i dtreo* go raibh siad reachtach uile,

so that they all became legitimate,

conid de ataat in da Feidlimid Reachtaidi.

uime sin an dá Fheidhlimí Reachtacha.

whence are the two Feidhlimí Reachtach. (‘Legitimate Feidhlimí’).

Ocus bert-si iarum mac dond rig .i. Conaire mac Mesi Buachalla.

Agus rug sí mac don rí iar sin, .i. Conaire mac Mheas Buachalla.

And then she bore a son to the king, even Conaire son of Meas Buachalla,

Ocus batar he a tri drindrosci forsin rig

Agus b’iad a trí achainí *máthar* ar an rí:

and these were her three urgent prayers to the king,

.i. altrom a maic eter [t]heora aicce

.i. altram a mic a bheith idir trí theaghlach

to wit, the nursing of her son among three households,

.i. na haiti rosn-altadar

.i. na hoidí *altrama* a thóg í,

that is, the fosterers who had nurtured her,

ocus na Maine Milscothacha,

an dá Mhaine Mhilscothacha,

and the (two) Honeyworded Maines,

ocus atacomnaicsi fadeisin,

agus í féin.

and she herself (is the third);

ocus adbert-si inti dudrastar ni don mac so di feraib Herind

Agus, a dúirt sí, an té ar mhian leis aon ní *a thabhairt* don mhac sin, d’fhir Éireann,

and she said that such of the men of Ireland as should wish (to do) aught for this boy

dobera dinaib teoraib trebaib-sea ar chomet in maic.

é a thabhairt do na trí teaghlaigh sin ar son an mhic a choimeád.

should give to those three households for the boy’s protection.

Alta iarum samlaid,

Oileadh *an buachaill seo* mar sin *ina dhaidh sin*

So in that wise he was reared,

ocus ro feadadar fir Herend in mac so isin laithiu ir-ro genair fochétoir,

agus chuir fir Éireann aithne ar an mac seo faoi chéadóir an lá a rugadh é,

and the men of Ireland straightway knew this boy on the day he was born.

ocus ro alta in maic aile lesin

agus oileadh buachaillí eile mar aon leis

And other boys were fostered with him,

.i. Fer le ocus Fer gar ocus Fer rogein,

.i. Fear Lé, Fear Gar agus Fear Roghain,

to wit, Fear Lé and Fear Gar and Fear Roghain,

tri maic hui Duind Desa ind fendeada

triúr mac Dhoinn Déasa, an féinní,

three great-grandsons of Donn Déasa the champion,

.i. fear sochraidhi do shochraidi a Muc- lesi.

fear sochaí do shochaí as Mhuc Leise.

an army-man of the army from Muc-Leise (?).

Ro batar didu teora buada for Conaire

Bhí, iomorra, trí bhua ag Conaire,

Now Conaire possessed three gifts,

.i. buaid cluaisi ocus buaid radairc ocus buaid n-airdmesa,

.i. bua cluaise, bua radhairc, agus breithiúnais,

to wit, the gift of hearing and the gift of eyesight and the gift of judgment;

ocus ro muin buaid cach comalta dia tri comaltaib dibsin.

agus mhúin sé bua díobhsan do gach comhalta dá thriúr comhalta.

and of those three gifts he taught one to each of his three fosterbrothers.

Ocus nach sere .i. dognithea dosom

Agus gach béile a dhéantaí dósan,

And whatever meal was prepared for him,

doteigtis di a cethror.

théadh an ceathrar acu chuige.

the four of them would go to it.

Citis teora seire dognithi dosom

Cé go ndéantaí trí bhéile dó

Even though three meals were prepared for him

no teigead cach fear dib dia sere.

théadh gach fear díobh chun a bhéile.

each of them would go to his meal.

Inund eitiud ocus gaiscead ocus dath each doib a ceathrur.

B’ionann éadach agus arm gaisce agus dath each acu ceathrar.

The same raiment and armour and colour of horses had the four.

Marb in ri iarum .i. Eterscele.

Fuair an rí .i. Eadarscéal bás iar sin.

Then the king, Eadarscéal, died.

Congrenar tairbfheis la firu Herend

Tionóladh tarbhfheis le fir Éireann.

A bull-feast is gathered (?) by the men of Ireland, (in order to determine their future king)

.i. no marbtha tarb leo,

*Is é a bhí a gceist ná go* mairaítí tarbh leo,

that is, a bull used to be killed by them

ocus no ithead oenfhear a shaith de,

agus d’itheadh aon duine amháin a sháith de,

and thereof one man would eat his fill

ocus no ibead a enbruithi,

agus d’óladh sé a anraith,

and drink its broth,

ocus no chanta or fírindi fair ina ligiu.

agus chantaí briocht fírinne air ina leaba.

and a spell of truth was chanted over him in his bed.

Fer atchichead ina chotlad is e bad ri,

An té a d’fheicfeadh sé ina chodladh, eisean a bheadh ina rí,

Whosoever he would see in his sleep would be king,

ocus atbaildis a beoil intan adbeiread gai.

agus thiocfadh an bás ar a bheola dá n’inseodh sé bréag.

and the sleeper would perish if he uttered a falsehood.

Baei Conairi a ceithri cairpthig il-Lifiu occa cluichiu, a tri comaltai ocus se baddeisin.

Bhí cluiche ag ceathrar cairbtheach ar *Mhaigh* Life, Conaire féin agus a thriúr comhalta.

Four men in chariots were on (the Plain of) Liffey at their game, Conaire himself and his three fosterbrothers.

Lotar didu a aite chuice co tuidchised don tairbfheis.

Chuaigh a n-oidí chuige ansin le cuireadh teacht chun na tarbhfheise.

Then his fosterers went to him that he might repair to the bull-feast.

Atchonnairc fear na tairbfheisi intan sin ina chotlud fer lomnocht indiaid na haidche

Chonaic fear na tarbhfheise an uair sin, agus é ina chodladh, fear lomnacht ag teacht i ndeireadh na hoíche

The bull-feaster, then in his sleep, at the end of the night beheld a man stark-naked,

iar sligi na Temrach ocus a cloch ina thailm.

ar feadh Slí na Teamhrach agus cloch ina thailm.

passing along the road of Tara, with a stone in his sling.

“Ragatsa dadaig,” ol se, “in far ndegaid.”

“Rachaidh mise anocht,” ar sé, “in bhur ndiaidh.”

“I will go tonight after you”, quoth he.

Fanacbasa a chomaltai occa cluchiu,

D’fhág a chomhaltaí i mbun a chluiche é,

He left his fosterbrothers at their game,

ocus imasai a charpat ocus a aria[d] co mbai oc Ath cliath.

agus chas sé a charbad agus a ara go raibh siad ag Áth Cliath.

and turned his chariot and his charioteer until he was in Dublin.

Conacae eonu findbreca mora and

Chonaic sé éin mhóra fhionnbhreaca ann

There he saw great, white-speckled birds,

ecomdighe ar met ocus dath [ocus coemi].

a bhí suaithinseach i méid, i ndath agus i gcaoimhe.

of unusual size and colour and beauty.

Imsai ina ndegaidh comdar scitha ind eich.

Chuaigh sé i leataoibh ar a dtóir nó go raibh na heacha traochta.

He pursues them until his horses were tired.

No teigtis fot na hurchara riam

Théidís fad urchair roimhe

The birds would go a spearcast before him,

ocus ni theigtis ni bud shire.

agus ní théidís ní ba shia.

and would not go any further.

Taurbling

Thuirling sé

He alighted,

ocus gaibid a thailm doib asin charbad.

agus ghabh a thailm *chuige* as an gcarbad *ina n-aghaidh*.

and takes his sling for them out of the chariot.

Imsui co mbui oc muir ina ndegaid.

Chuaigh sé ina ndiaidh go raibh ag an bhfarraige.

He goes after them until he was at the sea.

Fosraemet ind eoin forsin tuind.

Chuir na héin chun toinne.

The birds betake themselves on the wave.

Luid-seom chucu

Chuaigh sé chucu

He went to them

co tabart a laim tairrsiu.

agus fuair an lámh *in uachtar* orthu.

and overcame them.

Fofacbad na heoin a n-enchendcha,

Chuir na héin díobh a gcochaill éin

The birds quit their birdskins,

ocus imda-suat fair co ngaib ocus claidbib.

agus d’iompaigh air le gathanna agus le claimhte.

and turn upon him with spears and swords.

Aincithi fer dib he,

Chosain fear díobh é

One of them protects him,

ocus atngladastar co n-epert fris.

agus d’agaill sé é, agus dúirt:

and addressed him, saying:

“Is mise Nemglan ri enlaithi do athar,

“Is mise Niamhghlan, rí ar éanlaith d’athar;

“I am Niamhghlan, king of thy father’s birds;

ocus argarad dit dibrugud en,

agus tá cosc ort caitheamh le héin

and thou hast been forbidden to cast at birds,

ar ni fuil sund neach na pad dir dait o a athair no mathair.”

mar níl anseo neach nárbh ansa leat *de bharr a* athar nó mathar.”

for here there is no one that should not be dear to thee because of his father or mother.”

“Ni fheadarsa,” ol seiseam, “cosaniu sin.”

“Níorbh eol dom sin,” ar seisean, “go dtí inniu.”

“Till today”, says Conaire, “I knew not this.”

“Eirg do Themraig innocht,” ol se;

“Téigh go Teamhair anocht,” arsa *Niamhghlan*;

“Go to Tara tonight”, says *Niamhghlan*;

“is coru deit.

“is é is córa duit.

“ ’tis fittest for thee.

Ata tairbfheis ann,

Tá tarbhfheis *ar siúl* ann

A bull-feast is there,

ocus is tu bas ri de

agus is tú a bheidh i do rí dá barr.

and through it thou shalt be king.

.i. fer lomnacht

Fear lomnocht

A man stark-naked,

[ragas Eg.] indiaid na haidchi iar sligi[d] di sligthib na Temrach,

a rachaidh i ndeireadh na hoíche ar shlí de Shlite na Teamhrach,

who shall go at the end of the night along one of the roads of Tara,

ocus cloch ocus tailm lais,

agus cloch agus tailm aige,

having a stone and a sling,

is e bas ri.”

is é a bheidh ina rí.”

— ’tis he that shall be king.”

Luid-seom iarum in cruth-sa,

Ansin d’imigh *Conaire* leis ar an gcuma sin;

So in this wise Conaire fared forth;

ocus badar tri rig cacha sraite dina ceithri sraitib dia tiagad do Temraig oca urnaideseom,

agus bhí triúr rí ag feitheamh leis ar gach bóthar de na ceithre bóithre dá dtéann go Teamhair,

and on each of the four roads whereby men go to Tara there were three kings awaiting him,

ocus etach acco do,

agus éide acu dó

and they had raiment for him,

ar is lomnacht darairngiread a taideachd.

mar gur lomnocht a tairngríodh é a theacht.

since it had been foretold that he would come stark-naked.

Conacce[s] som dono rout forsa mbatar a aite,

Chonacthas ansin é ón mbóthar ar a raibh a oidí,

Then he was seen from the road on which his fosterers were,

ocus dobertatar etach rig do imbi,

agus thugadar siadsan éide rí uime,

and they put royal raiment about him,

ocus da[m]bertatar hi carput,

agus thugadar isteach i gcarbad é

and placed him in a chariot,

ocus fornenaisc a giallu.

agus naisc seisean a ghialla.

and he bound his pledges.

Asbertatar aes na Temrach fris:

Dúirt aos na Teamhrach leis:

The folk of Tara said to him:

“Atar-lind is coll ro coillead ar tarbfheis ocus ar n-ór fírinde,

“Dár linn is coilleadh ár dtarbhfheis agus ár mbriocht fírinne,

“It seems to us that our bullfeast and our spell of truth are a failure,

mad gilla oc amulchach tarfas dunn and.”

más giolla óg amhulcach a thaibhsigh dúinn ann.”

if it be only a young, beardless lad that we have visioned therein.”

“Ni méti anni sin”, ol seiseam:

“Ní móide sin,” ar seisean.

“That is of no moment”, quoth he.

“ní hainim rí óc eslabar mar missi do bith ir-rigi,

“Ní haon ainimh ar bith *do* rí óg fial mar mise a bheith sa ríogacht,

“For a young, generous king like me to be in the kingship is no disgrace,

uair is cert n-athar ocus seanathar damsa fonaidm ngiall Temrach.”

óir is ceart athar agus seanathar domsa gialla Theamhrach a nascadh.”

since the binding of Tara’s pledges is mine by right of father and grandsire.”

“Amrae! n-amrae!” ol in sluag.

“ Amhra! Amhra!” arsan slua.

“Excellent! excellent!” says the host.

Saidit rigi n-Erenn imbi.

Chuir siad ríogacht Éireann uime.

They set the kingship of Ireland upon him.

Ocus asbert-som: “Imcaemrosa do gaethaib corbom gaeth fodeisin.”

Agus dúirt seisean: “Fiafróidh mé de lucht gaoise nó go mbeidh mé féin gaoiseach.”

And he said: “I will enquire of wise men that I myself may be wise.”

Asbert inso huile amal rommuin do in fer ocon tuind:

*Ansin* d’aithris sé é seo uile mar a mhúin an fear ag an tonn dó.

Then he uttered all this as he had been taught by the man at the wave,

Is ed asbert fris:

Is é a dúirt *seisean* leis:

who said this to him:

“Biaid airmitiu fort fhlaith,

“Beidh *ceangal* urraime ar do fhlaitheas,

“Thy reign will be subject to a restriction,

ocus bid saineamail ind enfhlaith,

agus beidh an t-éanfhlaitheas suaithinseach,

but the bird-reign will be noble,

ocus bid si do airmitiu .i. do ghes.

agus seo é do *cheangal* urraime .i. do gheis:

and this shall be thy restriction, i. e. thy tabu.

Ni thuidchis deaseal Temrach ocus tuaithbiul mBreg.

Ná téigh deiseal Teamhrach ná tuathal Breá.

Thou shalt not go righthandwise round Tara and lefthandwise round Bregia.

Nir’ taifnichter lat claenmila Cernai.

Ná taifeann claonmhíola Cearna.

Thou shalt not hunt the evil-beasts of Cearna.

Ocus nir’ echtra cach nomad n-aidche seach Theamair.

Agus ná téigh thar Teamhair amach naoi n-oíche as a chéile.

And thou shalt not go out every ninth night beyond Tara.

Ocus nir’ faei i tig as mbi eggna suillsi tenead immach

Agus ná caith oíche i dteach as a mbíonn solas tine eagnach amach *uaidh*,

Thou shalt not sleep in a house from which firelight is manifest outside,

iar fuineadh ngréne ocus imbi ecnai dammuig.

iar fuine gréine, agus ina mbíonn sé sin eagnach lasmuigh.

after sunset, and in which (light) is manifest from without.

Ocus ni tiassa[t] riut tri Dearga do thig Deirg.

Agus ná téadh trí Dhearga romhat go teach Deirg.

And three Deargs shall not go before thee to Dearg’s house.

Ocus nir’ragbaiter diberg id fhlaith.

Agus ná rachfar *le* díbhearg i d’fhlaitheas.

And no rapine shall be wrought in thy reign.

Ocus ni tae dam aenmna nó enfhir i tech fort iar fuinead ngréne.

Agus ná téadh bean aonair nó fear aonair chugat i dteach iar fuine gréine.

And after sunset a company of one woman or one man shall not enter the house in which thou art.

Ocus ni ahurrais augra do da moghud.”

Agus ná ceansaigh aighneas idir do dhá mhogh.”

And thou shalt not settle (?) the quarrel of thy two thralls.”

Ro batar tra deolatchaire mora inna fhlaith

Bhí, áfach, deolchairí móra ina fhlaitheas

Now there were in his reign great bounties,

.i. secht mbarca cach mis mithemon do gabail oc Inbiur Colbtha cacha bliadna,

.i. seacht mbárc gach mí an Mheithimh a ghabháil ag Inbhear Colpa gach bliain,

to wit, seven ships in every June in every year arriving at Inbhear Colptha,

ocus mes co gluine cach fhogmair,

agus meas go glúin gach fómhar,

and oakmast up to the knees in every autumn,

ocus imbas for Buais ocus Boind i medon in mis mithemon cacha bliadna,

agus *breis tinfidh* ar Bhuais agus ar Bhóinn i meán mí an Mheithimh gach bliain,

and plenty (of fish) in (the rivers) Bush and Boyne in the middle of June of each year,

ocus imbet cainchomraic conarru bi neach in n-aile inn Erinn fria fhlaith.

agus iomad caoinchomhraic i dtreo *nár mharaigh duine duine eile* in Éirinn lena fhlaitheas.

and such abundance of good will that no one slew another in Ireland during his reign.

Ocus ba bindithir la cach n-aen guth aroile inn Erinn fria fhlaith ocus betis teta mennchrot.

Agus, dar le gach éinne bhí guth an duine eile in Éirinn lena fhlaitheas chomh binn le téada cruite.

And to every one in Ireland his fellow’s voice seemed as sweet as the strings of lutes.

Ni luaiscead gaeth caircech mbó o medon earraich co meadon foghmair.

Ní luascadh gaoth eireaball bó ó mheán earraigh go meán fómhair.

From mid-spring to mid-autumn no wind disturbed a cow’s tail.

Nir’bo thoirneach ainbt[h]ineach a fhlaith.

Níor thoirneach ná anfach a fhlaitheas.

His reign was neither thunderous nor stormy.

Fodordsat iarum a chomaltai-seom im gabail dana a n-athar ocus a seanathar dib

*Rinne a chomhaltaí clamhsán* iaramh mar go raibh ceirdeanna a n-athar agus a seanathar díobh

Now his fosterbrothers murmured at the taking from them of their father’s and their grandsire’s gifts,

.i. Gat ocus Brat ocus Guin daine ocus Diberg.

— goid agus brad agus goin daoine agus díbheirg —

namely Theft and Robbery and Slaughter of men and Rapine.

*á gcosc orthu*.

Gatsat side na teora gata ar in n-oenfer .i. mucc ocus ag ocus bo cacha bliadna,

Ghoid siad faoi thrí .i. muc agus damh agus bó, ón bhfear *céanna* gach bliain

They thieved the three thefts from the same man, to wit, a swine and an ox and a cow, every year,

co n-accaitis ca hindeochad doberad in ri forru ind,

le go bhfeicfidís cén inneachadh a chuirfeadh an rí orthu *dá bharr*,

that they might see what punishment therefor the king would inflict upon them,

ocus cia domain doairgebad don rig in gat in[n]a flaith.

agus cén domhaoin a dhéanfadh goid ina fhlaitheas don rí.

and what damage the theft in his reign would cause to the king.

Dotheced didu cacha bliadna in fer trebar dia chainead frisin rig,

Thagadh *ansin* an treabhdóir gach bliain *lena* cháineadh *go dtí an* rí,

Now every year the farmer would come to the king to complain,

asberead in rí fris:

*agus* deireadh an rí leis:

and the king would say to him.

“Eirg co n-arlaiter tri maccu húi Duind desa,

“Téigh anois agus labhair le triúr mac Dhoinn Déasa,

“Go thou and address Donn Déasa’s three great-grandsons,

it e rota-thuigsead.”

is iadsan a thug *an chreach leo*.”

for ’tis they that have taken the beasts.”

Folaimtis a guin cacha fechtais no theigead dia rad friu.

*Ach* gach uair a théadh sé chun cainte leo ba dhóbair dóibh é a mharú.

Whenever he went to speak to them (Donn Déasa’s descends), they would almost kill him,

Ni tindtad som cosin rig afrisi arnach ruidead [Conaire a lott-som. Eg.]

Ní thagadh sé ar ais go dtí an rí Conaire chun nach gcuirfeadh an lot náire air.

and he would not return to the king lest their violation shame him.

Onni iarum ros-gab miad ocus imtholtu iat,

Ghabh, iaramh, uabhar agus saint *greim* orthu,

Since, then, pride and wilfulness possessed them,

gabsat dibe[i]rg co maccaib flaithi fer n-Erenn impu.

ghabh siad le díbheirg agus mic flatha fear Éireann faru.

they took to marauding, surrounded by the sons of the lords of the men of Ireland.

Tri choecait fear doib.

Trí caogaid fear a bhí acu

Thrice fifty men had they

á múineadh,

*as pupils*

intan badar oc faelad i crich Connacht

nuair a bhí siad ag mactíreacht i gcríocha Connacht,

when they (the pupils) were were-wolfing in the province of Connacht,

occa munud,

condad acca muicid Maine Milscothaig iat [occa dénam, Eg.]

agus chonaic mucaí Mhaine Mhilscothaigh iad á déanamh

until Honeyworded Maine’s swineherd saw them doing it,

ocus nin-acca riam anisin.

agus ní fhaca sé riamh roimhe *sin a leithéid*.

and he had never seen that before.

Luid for teichead.

Chuaigh sé ar theitheadh.

He fled.

O rochualatar som

Nuair a chuala siad é

When they heard him

lotar ina deagaid.

chuaigh siad ina dhiaidh.

they pursued him.

Eigthi in muccid,

D’éigh an mucaí

The swineherd shouted,

co tanic tuath in da Maine fae,

go dtháinig muintir an dá Mhaine *chun fóirithinte air*;

and the people of the two Maines came to him,

ocus co n-argabait na tri choecait fer cona forbannaib,

agus gabhadh na trí caogaid lena gcomhghuaillithe

and the thrice fifty men were arrested, along with their auxiliaries,

ocus bertair do Themair,

agus tugtar go Teamhair iad.

and taken to Tara.

ocus fogellsat in ri[g] imbi co n-epertside:

agus *chuaigh siad i gcomhairle* leis an rí *faoin scéal agus* dúirt seisean:

They consulted the king concerning the matter, and he said:

“Oircead cach a mac,

“Básaíodh cách a mhac,

“Let each (father) slay his son,

ocus ainciter mo daltai-seo.”

ach déantar anacal ar mo dhaltaí-se.”

but let my fosterlings be spared.” 

“Cet, cet!” or cach,

“*Bíodh agat. Bíodh agat!*” arsa cách.

“Leave, leave!” says every one:

“dogentar airiut.”

“Déanfar rud ort.”

“it shall be done for thee.”

“Nate em,” ol sesseom.

“Mo léan, *ámh,*” ar seisean.

“Nay indeed”, quoth he;

“ni ‘haurcur sáegail’ damsa in breth ron-ucus.

“Ní ‘urchar saoil’ domsa an bhreith a thug mé.

“no ‘cast of life’ by me is the doom I have delivered.

Ní crochfaiter ind fir,

Ní chrochfar na fir,

The men shall not be hung;

acht eirget senóri leósom

ach téadh seanóirí leo

but let elders go with them

cor-rálat a ndíbeirg for firu Alpan.”

go n-imreoidh siad a ndíbhearg ar fhir na hAlban.”

that they may wreak their rapine on the men of Alba.”

Dogniat aní-sin.

Déanann siad an ní sin.

This they do.

Tíagait ass forsin farrci

Téann siad *amach* ar an bhfarraige

Thence they put to sea

co comarnectár fri mac ríg Bretan

agus castar mac rí na Breataine leo

and met the son of the king of Britain,

.i. Ingcél Cáech húa Conmaic.

.i. Ingcéal Caoch uí Chonmaicne;

even Ingcéal the One-eyed, grandson of Conmac:

tri .l. fer cona senorib léo co comarnectar forsind fargge.

castar trí caogaid fear agus a seanóirí leo ar an bhfarraige.

thrice fifty men and their veterans they met upon the sea.

Dogniat cairdes,

Déanann siad cairdeas *lena chéile*,

They make an alliance,

ocus tíagait la Ingcel

agus téann le hIngcéal

and go with Ingcéal

cor-rólsat a ndibeirg lais.

agus rinne siad díbhearg leis.

and wrought rapine with him.

IS í orcain tuc a áin fhén do som.

*Seo* í an argain a thug a ainmhian féin dó-san.

This is the destruction which his own impulse gave him.

Con[id] si adaig and sin ro curthea a mathair ocus a athair ocus a shecht nderbráthir do thig ríg a thúathe.

Ba í sin an oíche ar tugadh cuireadh dá mháthair agus dá athair agus dá sheachtar dearthár go teach rí a thuaithe.

That was the night that his mother and his father and his seven brothers had been bidden to the house of the king of his district.

Ortá uli la Ingcél i n-óen aidchi.

Ídíodh iad go léir le hIngcéal san aon oíche.

All of them were destroyed by Ingcéal in a single night.

Dolotar trá forsin farci anall hi tír n-Erend

Ansin *chuir (clann mhac Dhoinn Déasa) chun farraige* chun teacht anall go tír Éireann

Then they (the Irish pirates) put out to sea to the land of Ireland

do chuingid oirgne fón orguin ro dligestár Ingcél díb.

ar thóir argana ba dhual d’Ingcéal uathu thar cheann na hargana.

to seek a destruction (as payment) for that to which Ingcéal had been entitled from them.

Lánsíd i n-Erind hi flaith Conaire,

Bhí síth iomlán in Éirinn i bhflaitheas Chonaire

In Conaire’s reign there was perfect peace in Ireland,

acht boí imnesse catha eter da Corpre hi Túathmumain.

ach bhí imnise catha idir an mbeirt Chairbre i dTuamhumhain.

save that in Thomond there was a joining of battle between the two Cairbres.

Dá chomalta dosom íat.

Ba chomhaltaí dó iad beirt.

Two fosterbrothers of his were they.

Ni boí a córugud co riacht Conaire.

Ní raibh réiteach eatarthu nó go dtáinig Conaire.

And until Conaire came it was impossible to make peace between them.

Geiss dosom techt día n-etergléod riasíu dorostais chuci.

Ba gheis dó dul ag déanamh idirghabhála eatarthu sula dtagaidís chuige *ar dtús*.

’Twas a tabu of his to go to separate them before they had repaired to him.

Téit iarom

Téann sé, iaramh,

He went, however,

ciar’bo geiss dó,

cé gur gheis dó *sin,*

although (to do so) was one of his tabus,

ocus dogéni síd n-etarro.

agus rinne síth eatarthu.

and he made peace between them.

Anais cóic aidche la cechtar de:

D’fhan sé cúig oíche le ceachtar díobh *beirt*.

He remained five nights with each of the two.

geis dosom dano aní-sin.

Ba gheis dó sin freisin.

That also was a tabu of his.

Íar ngleod in dá ugrai

*Tar éis dó* gleo na beirte a *réiteach*

After settling the two quarrels,

ro boí-seom oc saigid do Themraig.

bhí seisean ag saighe go Teamhair.

he was travelling to Tara.

ISed gabsait do Temraig, sech Usnech Midi,

*Mar seo* a ghabh siad go Teamhair, thar Uisnech na Mí;

This is (the way) they took to Tara, past Uisneach of Meath;

co n-accatár iarsain a n-indred anair ocus aníar, ocus an[d]es ocus atúaíd,

chonaic siad ansin an t-ionradh *á dhéanamh* anoir agus aniar, aneas agus aduaidh;

and *then* they saw the raiding from east and west, and from south and north,

ocus co n-accatár na buidne ocus na slúagu [ocus na firu lomnocht;]

agus chonaic siad na buíonta agus na sluaite agus na fir lomnochta,

and they saw the warbands and the hosts, and the men stark-naked;

ocus ropo nem tened tír Úa Néill imbi.

agus bhí tír Uí Néill faoi *bharr lasrach smóil ina thimpeall*.

and the land of the (southern) O’Neills was a cloud of fire around him.

“Cid aní seo?” ol Conaire.

“Cad é seo?” arsa Conaire.

“What is this?” asked Conaire.

“Ni anse,” ol a muinter.

“Ní ansa,” arsa a mhuintir.

“Easy to say,” his people answer.

“Ní duachnid són, is í in cháin [ríg — Eg.] ro mebaid and

“Ní deacair sin; is é dlí an rí briste ann

“Easy to know that the king’s law has broken down therein,

intan ro gabad for loscod in tíre.”

an tan a ghabhadar ar loscadh na tíre.”

since the country has begun to burn.”

“Cest, cid gebmani?” ol Conaire.

“Ceist, cá rachaimid?” arsa Conaire.

“Whither shall we betake ourselves?” says Conaire.

“Saerthúaid,” for a muinter.

“Soir ó thuaidh,” arsa a mhuintir.

“To the Northeast”, say his people.

ISs ed ro gabsat iarum, deisiul Temra ocus tuaithbiul Breg.

Is é mar a ghabh siad ansin deiseal Teamhrach, agus tuathal Breá.

So then they went righthandwise round Tara, and lefthandwise round Bregia,

Ocus tosessa lais clóenmíla Cernai.

Agus tafnaíodh leis claonmhíola Cearna.

and the clóenmíla (‘evil beasts’) of Cearna were hunted by him.

Ní accai cor-ro scaig a tofond.

Ní fhaca (sé) *sin* nó gur scoir an *fiach*.

But he saw it not till the chase had ended.

IS iat dodróni in smúitchéo ndruidechta sin din bith, síabrai,

Is iad na síofraí a rinne an smúitcheo draíochta sin den domhan

They that made of the world that smoky mist of magic were elves,

fobithin arrocorpait géssi Conaire.

mar gur coilleadh geasa Chonaire.

(and they did so) because Conaire’s tabus had been violated.

IMmusrala trá in t-ómon mór-sin do Chonaire,

Bhuail, tráth, uamhan mór iad faoi Chonaire

Great fear then fell on Conaire

connach rabi dóib conar dochoistís acht for sligi Midlúachra ocus for sligi Cualann.

mar nach raibh bealach ar a rachaidís ach Slí Midhluachra agus Slí Cualann.

because they had no way to wend save upon the Road of Midhluachair and the Road of Cualu.

IS ed ro gabsat iarom, la hairer n-Erend antuáid.

Is é *bealach* a ghabh siad, iaramh, *ar feadh* chósta na hÉireann aduaidh.

So they took their way by the coast of Ireland southward.

IS and asbert Conaire for sligid Cualann:

Is ansin a dúirt Conaire, *agus iad* ar Shlí Cualann:

Then said Conaire on the Road of Cualu:

“Cid ragma innocht?” ol se.

“Cá rachaimid anocht?” ar sé.

“whither shall we go tonight?”

“Domm-áir [a rád]! a da[ltai] Conaire,” for Mac cecht

“*Gura slán an scéalaí!* A dhalta, a Chonaire,” arsa Mac Céacht,

“May I succeed in telling thee! my fosterling Conaire” says Mac Céacht,

mac Snaide teichid, cathmílid Conairi maic Etersceoil.

mac Snaide Teichid, gaiscíoch Chonaire mhic Eadarscéil,

son of Snaide Teichead, the champion of Conaire son of Eadarscéal.

“Bátar menciu fir Herend oc do chosnom-so cach n-aidche

“ba mhinice iad fir Éireann in iomaíocht *fút* gach oíche

“Oftener have the men of Ireland been contending for thee every night

indás bith deitsiu for merogod tige óiged.”

ná tusa a bheith ar fán ar lorg teach aíochta.”

than thou hast been wandering about for a guesthouse.”

“Tothaet meis fóamsera,” for Conaire.

“Tagann dea-mheas de réir na huaine,” arsa Conaire.

“Judgment goes with good times”, says Conaire.

“Bói cara damsa isin tír-se,” for Conaire,

“Bhí cara dom sa tír seo,” ar Conaire,

“I had a friend in this country,

“acht ro fesmais conair día thig.”

“ach fios na slí chun a thí a bheith againn.”

if only we knew the way to his house.”

“Cia ainm side?” for Mac cecht.

“Cad is ainm dó?” arsa Mac Céacht.

“What is his name?” asked Mac Céacht.

“Da Derga di Lagnib,” ol Conaire.

“Da Dearga de Laighin,” arsa Conaire.

“Da Dearga of Leinster”, answered Conaire.

“Ránic cucumsa em,” ol Conaire, “do chuingid aisceda [formsa — Eg.],

“Tháinig sé chugamsa ámh,” ar Conaire, “agus achainí aige orm,

“He came unto me to seek a gift from me,

ocus ní thuidchid co n-eru.

agus níor theacht in aisce aige é.

and he did not come with a refusal.

Rán-írusa im chét mbó bóthána.

Thug mise céad bó bóthána dó.

I gave him a hundred kine of the drove.

Ranírusa im cét muc muccglassa.

Thug mise céad muc mhéith dó.

I gave him a hundred fatted swine.

Ranírusa im chét mbrat cungas clithetach.

Thug mise céad brat comhdhlúth cluthair dó.

I gave him a hundred mantles made of (?) close cloth.

Ranírusa im chét ngaisced ngormdatha ngubae.

Thug mise céad arm gaisce gormdhatha catha dó.

I gave him a hundred blue-coloured weapons of battle.

Ranírusa im deich ndeilci derca diorda.

Thug mise dó deich ndealg dearg óraithe.

I gave him ten red, gilded brooches.

Ranírusa im deich ndabcha deolcha deich donnae.

Thug mise dó deich ndabhach fónta fial donn.

I gave him ten vats … good and brown.

Ranírusa im deich mogu.

Thug mise dó deich mogh.

I gave him ten thralls.

Ranírusa im deich meile.

Thug mise dó deich mbró.

I gave him ten querns.

Ranírusa im trí .ix. con n-[o]engel inna slabradaib argdidib,

Thug mise dó trí faoi naoi de chúnna gléigeala ina slabhraí airgid.

I gave him thrice nine hounds all-white in their silver chains.

Ranírusa im cét n-ech mbúada hi sedgregaib oss n-eng.

Thug mise dó deich n-eacha a bheadh buach ar thóir fianna allta.

I gave him a hundred excellent horses in the tracks of herds of deer.

Ní ara maithem dó cia rised beos.

Níor thaise dó dá dtiocfadh sé arís;

There would be no abatement in his case though he should come again.

Doberad anaill.

thabharfadh sé a leithéid eile leis.

He would give the other thing (make return).

Is ingnad mád brónach frimsa innocht [oc riachtain a trebe chuici,” YBL.]

Ba ionadh dá mbeadh sé doicheallach liomsa anocht agus mé ag sroicheadh a thí chuige.”

It is strange if he is surly to me tonight when reaching his abode.”

“A mbása éolach-sa ém dia thig-side,” for Mac cecht,

“Nuair a bhí mise eolach faoina theachsa, *go deimhin,*” arsa Mac Céacht,

“When I was acquainted with his house, indeed”, says Mac Céacht,

“is crich a tribe chuci i(n) tsligi forsatai.

“b’í an bealach ar a bhfuil tú ag gabháil *chuige* teorainn a áitribh.

“the road whereon thou art (going) towards him was the boundary of his abode.

Téit co téit isa tech,

Téann (sé) ar aghaidh nó go dtéann ina theach,

It continues till it enters his house,

ar is triasin tech ata in tslige.

mar is tríd an teach atá an tslí.

for through the house passes the road.

Atát secht ndorais isa tech

Tá seacht ndoirse sa teach

There are seven doorways into the house,

ocus secht n-imda iter cach dá dórus,

agus seacht n-iomdha idir gach dhá dhoras,

and seven bedrooms between every two doorways;

ocus ní fil acht óenchomlaid n-airi,

agus níl ach aon chomhla amháin ar an teach

but there is only one door-valve on it,

ocus imsóither in chomla sin fri cach ndorus día mbi in gáeth.”

agus castar an chomhla sin *in aghaidh* dhoras *na gaoithe cibé é*.”

and that valve is turned to every doorway to which the wind blows.”

“Lín atái sund

“An líon *duine* atá *agat* anseo,” *arsa Conaire*

“With all that thou hast here”, (says Conaire),

ragai hit brói dírmai

“rachaidh tú leo in bhur mbró dhíorma

“thou shalt go in thy great multitude

co tarblais for lár in tige.”

nó go lingfidh tú ar úrlar an tí.”

until thou alight in the midst of the house.”

“Masu ed no théig,

“Más amhlaidh a théann tú,” *arsa Mac Céacht*,

“If so be” (answers Mac Céacht), “that thou goest (thither),

tíag-sa co n-árlór tenid and ar do chind.”

“rachaidh mise chun tine a adú ann i do chomhair.”

I go (on) that I may strike fire there ahead of thee.”

INtan ro bói Conaire iar sudiu oc ascnam iar slige Chúaland

An tan a bhí Conaire *ansin* ag ascnamh *ar aghaidh ar feadh* Slí Cualann

When Conaire after this was journeying along the Road of Cualu,

rat[h]aiges in triar marcach dochom in tige.

thug sé faoi deara an triúr marcach *ag druidim* chun an tigh.

he marked before him three horsemen (riding) towards the house.

Téora léne dergae impu,

*Bhí* trí léine dhearg umpu,

Three red frocks had they,

ocus tri bruit dergae impu,

agus trí bhrat dearg umpu,

and three red mantles:

ocus tri scéith derga foraib,

agus trí sciath dhearg orthu,

three red bucklers they bore,

ocus tri gae derga ina lámaib,

agus trí gha dearg ina lámha,

and three red spears were in their hands:

ocus tri eich derga fo a suidib,

agus trí each dearg fúthu,

three red steeds they bestrode,

ocus tri fuilt derga foraib.

agus trí cheann gruaige dearg orthu.

and three red heads of hair were on them.

Dergae uile

*Bhí siad* dearg uile

Red were they all,

eter chorp ocus folt ocus etgud,

idir chorp is fholt is éide,

both body and hair and raiment,

eter echu ocus dáine.

idir eacha agus dhaoine.

both steeds and men.

“Cía rédes riund?” for Conaire.

“Cé ghabhann romhainn?” arsa Conaire.

“Who is it that fares before us?” asked Conaire.

“Ba geiss damsa in tríar ucut do dul reum,” for Conaire,

“Ba gheis domsa,” arsa Conaire, “an triúr úd a dhul romham

“It was a tabu of mine for those Three to go before me

“na tri Deirg do thig Deirg.

— an triúr Dearg go teach Deirg.

— the three Deargs to the house of Dearg.

Cía ragas inna ndiaid

Cé a rachaidh ina ndiaidh

Who will follow them

co taessat il-lorg cucumsa?”

lena rá leo teacht chugamsa *ar mo chúl*?”

and tell them to come towards me in my track?”

“Ragatsa inna ndiáid,” for Lé fri flaith mac Conaire.

“Rachaidh mise ina ndiaidh,” arsa Lé le Flaith, mac Conaire.

“I will follow them”, says Lé le Flaitheas, Conaire’s son.

Téit ina ndiáid iarom

Téann sé ina ndiaidh iaramh

He goes after them, then,

for echláscad

agus é ag lascadh a eich,

lashing his horse,

ocus nisn-arraid.

ach níor tháinig suas leo.

and overtook them not.

Bói fot n-aurchora eturro,

Bhí fad urchair eatarthu;

There was the length of a spearcast between them:

ach ní ructhaisom aire-seom,

ach níor dhruid siadsan uaidh

but they did not gain upon him

ní rucad som foraib seom.

*ná* níor dhruid seisean leo.

and he did not gain upon them.

Asbert fríu nad remthíastais in ríg.

Dúirt sé leo gan dul roimh an rí.

He told them not to go before the king.

Nisn-arraid,

Níor tháinig sé suas leo,

He overtook them not;

acht ro chachain in tres fer láid dó dar a ais:

ach chan duine den triúr laoi dó uaidh siar:

but one of the three men sang a lay to him over his shoulder:

“Én a maic, mór a scél,

“Faire, a mhic. Mór an scéal.

“Lo, my son, great the news.

scél o brudin

Scéal ó bhruíon.

News from a hostel.

bélot long

Bealach long.

A pass for ships.

lúaichet fer ngablach fíangalach ndoguir

Léas fear gabhlach fionaíolach mírafar.

Forked lightning of patricidal, gloomy men.

cnéd míscad mór bét

Cnead. Mioscais. Mór an bead.

A wound. A curse. Great the crime.

bé find for[s]ndestetar deirgindlid áir.

Bé Fhionn ar ar luigh dearginneach an áir.

Bé Fhionn who lay on the red imposition of battle.

Én a maic!”

Faire, a mhic!”

Lo, my son!”

Tíagait úad iarom

Imíonn siad uaidh ansin

They go away from him then:

atárói an astód.

gan é ar a chumas iad a stopadh.

he could not detain them.

Anais in mac ar cind in tsluáig.

D’fhan an mac leis an slua.

The boy waited for the host.

Asbert fria athair a n-asbreth fris.

Dúirt sé lena athair a ndúrthas leis.

He told his father what was said to him.

Ní bo ait laiss.

Níorbh ait leis [.i. le Conaire].

Conaire liked it not.

“Ina ndiáid deit,” or Conaire,

“Bí ar a dtóir,” arsa Conaire,

“After them, thou,” says Conaire,

“ocus tairg tri dumu ocus tri tinni doib

“agus tairg trí dhamh agus trí thinní dóibh,

“and offer them three oxen and three bacon-pigs,

ocus airet beti im theglochsa

agus fad bheidh siad i mo theaghlachsa,

and so long as they shall be in my household,

ní bía nech etarru o thenid co fraigid.”

ní bheidh neach eatarthu ó thine go balla.”

no one shall be among them from fire to wall.”

Téit iarom ina ndiaid in gilla,

Téann an giolla ina ndiaidh iaramh,

So the lad goes after them,

ocus toirgid dóib anísin,

agus tairgeann (sé) dóibh an ní sin;

and offers them that,

ocus nisn-arraid,

níor tháinig sé suas leo,

and overtook them not,

acht ro chachain in tres fer láid dó dar a ais:

ach chan duine den triúr laoi dó uaidh siar:

but one of the three men sang a lay to him over his shoulder:

“Én, a maic, mór a scél!

“Faire, a mhic, mór an scéal!

“Lo, my son, great the news!

gerthiut, gorthiut robruth ríg eslabrae,

Déanann díograis brutha rí fhéil tú a ghonadh agus a théamh.

A generous king’s great ardour whets thee, burns thee.

tri doilbthiu fer forsaid fordáim dám nónbair.

Géilleann dámh naonúir trí bhriochta fear ársa.

Through ancient men’s enchantments a company of nine yields.

Én a maic!”

Faire a mhic!”

Lo, my son!”

Tintái in mac afrithisi

D’iompaigh an giolla ar ais

The boy turns back

cor-ragaib in láid do Chonaire.

agus d’aithris an laoi do Chonaire.

and repeated the lay to Conaire.

“Eirg ina ndíaid,” for Conaire,

“Éirí ina ndiaidh,” arsa Conaire,

“Go after them”, says Conaire,

“ocus toirg dóib sé dumu ocus sé tinni

“agus tairg dóibh sé dhamh agus sé thinní,

“and offer them six oxen and six bacon-pigs,

ocus mo fuidell-sa ocus aisceda imbárach,

agus m’fhuíoll-sa agus aiscí amárach,

and my leavings, and gifts tomorrow,

ocus airet beite im’ thegluch-sa

agus, fad a bheidh siad i mo theaghlach-sa,

and so long as they shall be in my household

ni bía nech eturru o thein co fraig.”

ní bheidh neach eatarthu ó thine go balla.”

no one (to be) among them from fire to wall.”

Luid in gilla ina ndíaid iarom,

Chuaigh an giolla ina dhiaidh iaramh

The lad then went after them,

ocus nisn-arraid,

agus níor tháinig suas leo,

and overtook them not;

acht frisgart in tres fer, co n-epert:

ach d’fhreagair duine den triúr agus dúirt:

but one of the three men answered and said:

  “Faire, a mhic, mór an scéal.

“Lo, my son, great the news.

scitha eich imáríadam.

Is tuirseach iad na heacha fúinn.

Weary are the steeds we ride.

imríadam eochu Duind Tetscoraig a sídib,

Eacha Dhoinn Téadscoraigh ó na síthe atá fúinn;

We ride the steeds of Donn Téadscorach from the elfmounds.

cíammin bí amin mairb.

cé beo dúinn is marbh dúinn.

Though we are alive we are dead.

móra airdi,

Is mór iad na comharthaí;

Great are the signs;

airdbi sáeguil.

scrios an tsaoil;

destruction of life:

sasad fíach,

sásamh fiach;

sating of ravens:

fothad mbran,

cothú bran;

feeding of crows,

bresal airlig,

achrann eirligh;

strife of slaughter:

airlíachtad fáebuir,

líomhadh faobhair;

whetting of sword-edge,

ferna tulbochtaib trat[h]aib iar fuin.

sciatha basbriste i dtrátha iar bhfuine gréine.

shields with broken bosses in hours after sundown.

Én a maic!”

Faire a mhic!”

Lo, my son!”

Tíagait úad iarom.

Imíonn siad uaidh iaramh.

Then they go from him.

“Atchíu ni ro fastáis na firu,” for Conaire.

“Feicim nár fhostaigh tú na fir,” arsa Conaire.

“I see that thou hast not detained the men”, says Conaire.

“Ni mé rod-mert ém

“Ní mise a rinne an teachtaireacht a bhrath, ámh,

“Indeed it is not I that betrayed it

(.i. ro follang cen in techtairecht do denam)”

(.i. a fhulaing gan an teachtaireacht a chur i gcrích),”

(i. e. endured not to perform the errand),”

.i. or Lé fri flaith.

arsa Lé le Flaith.

says Lé le Flaitheas.

Radis a n-aithesc ndédenach asbertatár fris.

D’aithris sé a n-aitheasc deiridh a dúirt siad leis.

He recited the last answer that they gave him.

Nirptar failte de,

Ní raibh siad subhach dá bharr,

They (Conaire and his retainers) were not blithe thereat:

ocus batár iarsain na míthaurrússa (.i. drochmenmand) imómna foraib.

agus iar sin bhí drochmheanma le barr eagla orthu.

and afterwards evil forebodings (that is, bad spirits) of terror were on them.

“Rom-gabsatsa mo gessi uili innocht,” ol Conaire,

“Ghabh mo gheasa uile mé anocht,” arsa Conaire,

“All my tabus have seized me tonight”, says Conaire,

“úar oessa (.i. nárfetad) indarbae in triar sin.”

“nárbh fhéidir na trí Deirg sin a ionnarba.”

“since those Three (Deargs are the) banished folks.”

Dochótar ríam dochom in tige

Chuaigh na Deirg ar aghaidh chun an tí

They went forward to the house

cor-ragbaiset a suide isin tig,

agus d’aimsigh siad a suíocháin sa teach

and took their seats therein,

ocus coro airgiset (.i. cor’ cengailset) a n-eocho dergae do dorus in tige.

agus cheangail a n-eacha dearga de dhoras an tí.

and fastened their red steeds to the door of the house.

Remthochim na tri nDerg sin isin Brudin.

Sin é Réamhchéimniú na dTrí Dearg chun na Bruíne.

That is the Forefaring of the Three Deargs in the Bruden (Da Derga).

IS ed rogab Conaire cona slúagaib do Áth clíath.

Sin é *an slí* a ghabh Conaire lena shluaite go hÁth Cliath.

This is (the way) that Conaire took with his troops, to Dublin.

IS and dosn-arraid in fer máeldub cona óenláim ocus óensúil ocus óenchoiss.

Is ann a tháinig an fear maol dubh ar leathláimh, ar leathshúil, agus ar leathchois *suas leo*.

’Tis then the man of the black, cropt hair, with his one hand and one eye and one foot, overtook them.

Mael gárb fo[r] suidiu.

*Bhí a ghruaig* gharbh *air bearrtha*.

Rough cropt hair upon him.

Cía focerta míach do fíadublaib for a mulluch

Fiú dá gcaithfí mála de fhia-úlla sa mhullach air,

Though a sackful of wild apples were flung on his crown,

ní foichred ubull for lár

ní thitfeadh úll ar an lár

not an apple would fall on the ground,

acht no gíulad cach uball díb for a fhinnu.

ach ghreamódh gach úll díobh ar fhionnadh ar leith.

but each of them would stick on his hair.

Cía focerta a srúb ar gésce

Fiú dá gcaithfí a shrón ar ghéag,

Though his snout were flung on a branch

immatairisfed dóib.

d’fhanfaidís siúd le chéile.

they would remain together.

Sithremithir cuing n-imechtair cechtar a dá lurgan.

Ba chomh fada agus chomh ramhar le cuing sheachtrach ceachtar a dhá lorga.

Long and thick as an outer yoke was each of his two shins.

Méit mulaig for gut cach mell do mellaib a dromma.

Bhí gach más de mhása a dhroma ar mhéid cáise ar ghad.

Each of his buttocks was the size of a cheese on a withe.

Gabollórg iarinn inna láim.

Lorg gabhlach iarainn ina láimh.

A forked pole of iron was in his hand.

Muc máel dub dóthi fora muin,

Muc mhaol dhubh dhóite ar a mhuin,

A swine, shorn, black-singed, was on his back,

ocus sí oc síregim,

agus í ag síoréamh,

and squealing continually,

ocus ben bélmar már dub dúabais dochraid ina diaíd.

agus bean bhéalmhór mhór dhubh ghruama ghránna ina dhiaidh.

and a woman big-mouthed, huge, dark, sorry, hideous, was behind him.

Cia focherta dano a srúb ar gesce

Dá gcaithfí a srón ar ghéag, *go deimhin,*

Though her snout were flung on a branch, *indeed,*

folilsad.

d’fhulaingeodh an ghéag í.

the branch would support it.

Tacmaicced a bél íchtarach co a glún.

Shroichfeadh a béal íochtair a glúin.

Her lower lip would reach her knee.

Tacurethar bedg ar a chend,

Tháinig (an fear maol) de phreib faoi dhéin Chonaire,

He starts forward to meet Conaire,

ocus ferais failte fris.

agus d’fhear fáilte roimhe:

and made him welcome.

“Fochen duit, a phopa Conaire!

“Fáilte romhat, a phopa Chonaire!

“Welcome to thee, O master Conaire!

cían rofess do thichtu sund.”

Is cian is eol do theacht anseo.”

Long hath thy coming hither been known.”

“Cia feras in fáilte?” for Conaire.

“Cé a fhearann na fáilte?” arsa Conaire.

“Who gives the welcome?” asks Conaire.

“Fer Caille co muic duib duitsiu do th’occomol, arná rabi hi toichned (.i. hi troscud) innocht.

“Fear Caille anseo le muc dhubh duitse le do shásamh, chun nach bhfágfaí ar troscadh tú anocht.

“Fear Caille (here), with (his) black swine for thee to consume (?) that thou be not fasting tonight,

Is tú rí as dech tánic inn domon!”

Is tú an rí is fearr a tháinig ar an saol!”

(for) ’tis thou art the best king that has come into the world!”

“Cia ainm do mná?” ol Conaire.

“Cad is ainm do do bhean?” arsa Conaire.

“What is thy wife’s name?” says Conaire.

“Cichuil,” ol se.

“Cichuil,” ar sé.

“Cichuil”, he answers.

“Nách n-aidche aile bas áil dúib,” for Conaire,

“Aon oíche eile is áil libh,” arsa Conaire,

“Any other night”, says Conaire, “that pleases you,

“roborficba

“beidh sé sin agaibh,

I will come to you,

ocus sechnaid innocht duind.”

agus seachnaígí muid anocht.”

 — and leave us alone tonight.”

“Nathó,” or in bachlach, “ar rot-ficbam co port i mbía innocht,

“Ní dhéanfaimid,” arsa an bachlach, “mar rachaimid mar a mbeidh tú anocht,

“Nay”, say the churl, “for we will go to thee to the place wherein thou wilt be tonight,

a phopan chain Chonaire!”

a phopa chaoin Chonaire!”

O fair little master Conaire!”

Téit iarom dochom in taige,

Téann sé iaramh chun an tí,

So he goes towards the house,

ocus a ben bélmar már ina diáid,

agus a bhean bhéalmhar mhór ina dhiaidh

with his great, big-mouthed wife behind him,

ocus a mucc máel dub dóithi oc sírégim for a muin.

agus a mhuc mhaol dhubh dhóite ag síorbhéiceach ar a mhuin.

and his swine short-bristled, black, singed, squealing continually, on his back.

Geiss dosom aní sin,

Ba gheis do Chonaire an ní sin

That was another of Conaire’s tabus,

ocus bá geis dó díberg do gabáil i n-Erind ina flaith.

agus ba gheis dó go ndéanfaí díbhearg in Éirinn ina fhlaitheas.

and that plunder should be taken in Ireland during his reign was another tabu of his.

Gabtha tra díberg la maccu Duind nDéssa,

Ghabh, tráth, mic Dhoinn Déasa le díbhearg,

Now plunder was taken by the sons of Donn Déasa,

ocus cóic cét fo churp a ndíberge,

agus cúig céad i gcorp na buíne díbheirge *acu*,

and there were five hundred in the body of their marauders,

cenmota ’na ra bí do fhoshlúag léo.

seachas a raibh de dhaoscarshlua leo.

besides what underlings were with them.

[Ba geiss dano do Conaire annisin — Eg.].

Ba gheis do Chonaire na ní sin *chomh maith*.

This, too, was a tabu of Conaire’s.

Bái laech maith isin tír thúaíd.

Bhí laoch maith sa tír thuaidh.

There was a good warrior in the north country,

‘Fén dar crínach’ based a ainm.

‘Féan-thar-Chríonach’ ab ainm dó.

‘Wain over withered sticks’, this was his name.

IS de ro bói ‘Fén dar crínach’ fairsium,

Is uime a bhí ‘Féan-thar-Chríonach’ mar ainm air,

Why he was so called was

ár is cumma no cinged dar a cholaind

gur cuma a chéimneodh sé thar a chéile comhraic

because it was all the same for him to step over bodies *of his opponents*

ocus no chessed fén dar crínach.

agus a rachad féan (nó carbad) thar chríonach (nó brosna).

even as a wain would go over withered sticks.

Gabtha díberg dano la suide,

Ghabh seisean le díbhearg *, áfach*,

Now plunder was taken by him,

ocus cóic cét fo churp a ndibergae a óenur cenmothá foshluag.

agus bhí cúig céad i gcorp na buíne díbheirge amháin seachas an daoscarshlua.

and there were five hundred in the body of their marauders alone, besides underlings.

Bátár and iarsin fíallach bátár úallchu

Bhí gasra *ann chomh maith* d’fhiann b’uallaí *fós*

There was after that a troop of (still) haughtier heroes,

.i. secht maic Ailella ocus Medba,

.i. seachtar mac Ailealla agus Meadhbha,

namely, the seven sons of Ailill and Meadhbh,

ocus ‘Mane’ for cach fir díb,

agus ‘Maine’ ar gach mac díobh

each of whom was called ‘Maine’.

ocus forainm for cach Mani

agus leasainm ar gach Maine

And each Maine had a nickname,

.i. Mani Athremail ocus Mane Máthramail

.i. Maine Aithriúil agus Maine Máithriúil,

to wit, Maine Fatherlike and Maine Motherlike,

ocus Mane Míngor ocus Mane Mórgor,

agus Maine Mínghor, agus Maine Mórghor,

and Maine Gentle-pious, Maine Very-pious,

Mane Andóe ocus Mane Milscothach,

Maine Neamhleasc agus Maine Milbhriathrach,

Maine Unslow, and Maine Honeyworded,

Mane Cotageib uli ocus Mane As mó-epert.

Maine A-Chuimsíonn-iad-Uile agus Maine Is-Mó-le-Rá.

Maine Grasp-them-all, and Maine the Loquacious.

Gabtha díberg la suidib.

Ghabh siadsan le díbhearg leis sin.

Rapine was wrought by them.

Mane Mathramail dano ocus Mane Andóe,

Maine Máithriúil agus Maine Neamhleasc, *áfach,*

As to Maine Motherlike and Maine Unslow

cethri fichit déc fo churp a ndíbergae.

bhí ceithre fichid déag i gcorp a mbuíne díbheirge;

there were fourteen score in the body of their marauders.

Mane Athremail coéca ar trib cétaib fo churp a ndibergae.

Maine Aithriúil, bhí caoga ar thrí chéad i gcorp a bhuíne díbheirge;

Maine Fatherlike had three hundred and fifty.

Mane Milscothach cóic cét fo churp a ndíbergae.

Maine Milbhriathrach, bhí cúig céad i gcorp a bhuíne díbheirge.

Maine Honeyworded had five hundred.

Mane Cotageib uile secht cét fó churp a díbergae.

Maine A-Choimsíonn-iad-Uile, bhí seacht gcéad i gcorp a bhuíne díbheirge.

Maine Grasp-them-all had seven hundred.

Mane As mó epert secht cét fo churp a d(í)bergae.

Maine Is-Mó-le-Rá, bhí seacht gcéad i gcorp a bhuíne díbheirge.

Maine the Loquacious had seven hundred.

Cóic cét fo churp díbergae cach fir díb olchenae.

Cúig céad a bhí i gcorp buíne díbheirge gach fir eile seachas iadsan.

Each of the others had five hundred in the body of his marauders.

Bái triar trebland (.i. gusmar) di feraib Cúaland di Lagnib

Bhí triúr laoch d’fhir Chualann Laighean

There was a valiant trio of the men of Cualu of Leinster,

.i. tri Ruadcoin Cúaland (in marg. .i. Cithach ocus Clotach ocus Conall a n-anmand).

.i. trí Rua-Choin Cualann .i. Ciothach agus Clothach agus Conall a n-ainmneacha.

namely, the three Red Hounds of Cualu, called Ciothach and Clothach and Conall.

Gabtha diberg dano la suidiu,

Ghabh siadsan le díbhearg leis sin;

Now rapine was wrought by them,

ocus dá fhichit deac fó churp a ndibergae,

bhí dhá fhichid déag i gcorp buíne a ndíbheirge,

and twelve score were in the body of their marauders,

ocus dám dasachtach léo.

agus gasra dásachtach leo.

and they had a troop of madmen.

Bátár díbergaig trá trian fer n-Erend hi flaith Conaire.

Ba dhíbheirgigh iad *ansin* trian d’fhir Éireann i bhflaitheas Chonaire.

In Conaire’s reign, *then*, a third of the men of Ireland were reavers.

Ro[m]bóiseom do nirt ocus cumachtai

Bhí sé de neart ann, agus de chumhacht aige

He was of (sufficient) strength and power

a n-innarbai a tír Herend

iad a ionnarba as tír na hÉireann

to drive them out of the land of Ireland

do athchor a ndíbergae allánall,

lena ndíbhearg a imirt thall;

(so as) to transfer their marauding to the other side (Great Britain),

ocus tuidecht dóib dochom a tíre iar n-athchor a ndíbergae.

ach tar éis a ndíbhearg a imirt thall, d’fhill siad ar a dtír féin.

but after this transfer they returned to their country.

INtan ráncatar formnae na fairgge,

An tan a thángadar ar fhormna na farraige,

When they had reached the shoulder of the sea,

cotregat fri Ingcél Cáech ocus Eiccel ocus Tulchinni,

bhuail siad le hIngcéal Caoch agus Éigeal agus Tulchinne,

they meet Ingcéal the One-eyed and Éigeal and Tulchinne,

tri maic úi Chonmaic di Bretnaib,

triúr mac Chonmhaicne de Bhreatnaigh,

three greatgrandsons of Conmac of the Britons,

for dremniu na farrce.

ar dhreimhne na farraige.

on the raging of the sea.

Fer anmin mór úathmar anaichnid in t-Ingcél.

Fear mór garbh uafar anaithnid ab ea an t-Ingcéal úd.

A man ungentle, huge, fearful, uncouth was Ingcéal.

Óensúil ina chind,

*Ní raibh ach* aon tsúil amháin ina cheann,

A single eye in his head,

lethidir damseche,

*agus í* chomh leathan le seithe daimh,

as broad as an oxhide,

duibithir degaid,

chomh dubh le daol,

as black as a chafer,

ocus tri maic imlessen inte.

agus trí mhac imreasan inti.

with three pupils therein.

Tri chét déc fo churp a díbergae.

Bhí trí chéad déag i gcorp a bhuíne díbheirge.

Thirteen hundred were in the body of his marauders.

Bátár lía dibergaig fer n-Erend andáti.

Ba líonmaire díbheirgigh fear Éireann ná iad.

The marauders of the men of Ireland were more numerous than they.

Tíagait do muirchomruc forsind [fh]airrce.

Tugann siad faoi mhuirchath ar muir.

They go for a sea-encounter on the main.

“Ná bad ed dognethi,” for Ingcél:

“Ná déanaigí sin,” arsa Ingcéal,

“Ye should not do this”, says Ingcéal,

“ná brisid fír fer fornd,

“ná sáraígí fíor na bhfear (.i. cothrom na féinne) orainn,

“do not break the truth of men (fair play) upon us,

dáig abtar lia andúsa.”

mar is líonmhaire sibh ná mé.”

for ye are more in number than I.”

“Noco raga acht comlond fo chutrammus fortso,” forda[d] diberga Herend.

“Ní tharlóidh duit ach comhlann faoi chothroime,” arsa díbheargaigh na hÉireann.

“Nought but a combat on equal terms shall befall thee”, say the reavers of Ireland.

“Atá ní as ferr dúib,” or Ingcel.

“Tá rud níos fearr ná sin agaibh le déanamh,” arsa Ingcéal.

“There is somewhat better for you”, quoth Ingcéal.

“Dénam córai

“Déanaimis cairdeas

 “Let us make peace

ol atobrarbradsi (.i. robar-cured) a tír Herend,

mar díbríodh sibhse as tír na hÉireann,

since ye have been cast out of the land of Ireland,

ocus atonrárbadni a tír Alban ocus Brettan.

agus díbríodh sinne as tír Alban agus as an mBreatain.

and we have been cast out of the land of Alba and Britain.

Dénam óentaid etrond.

Déanaimis aontú eadrainn.

Let us make an agreement between us.

Taitsi

Tagaigí sibhse,

Come ye

co nodroláid for ndibeirg im tir-se,

agus déanaigí díbhearg i mo thír-se,

and wreak your rapine in my country,

ocus tiago-sa libse

agus rachaidh mise libhse

and I will go with you

conid-ralór mo díbeirg inbar tír-se.”

agus déanfaidh mé díbhearg i bhur dtír-se.”

and wreak my rapine in your country.”

Dogniat in comairle hísin,

Rinneadar an chomhairle sin

They follow this counsel,

ocus dobertatár glinni ind disiu ocus anall.

agus chuaigh an dá thaobh i ngeall léi.

and they gave pledges therefor from this side and from that.

It é aitire dobretha do Ingcél ó feraib Herend,

Is iad a chuaigh i mbannaí ar fhir Éireann le hIngcéal

There are the sureties that were given to Ingcéal by the men of Ireland,

.i. Fer gair ocus Gabur (no Fer lee) ocus Fer rogain,

ná Fear Gair agus Gabhar (nó Fear Lé) agus Fear Roghain

namely, Fear Gair and Gabhar (or Fear Lé) and Fear Roghain,

im orgain bad toguide do Ingcél i n-Erind

faoin slad a roghnódh Ingcéal a dhéanamh in Éirinn

for the destruction that Ingcéal should choose (to cause) in Ireland

ocus orgain bad togaide do maccaib Duind Déssa i n-Albain ocus i mBretnaib.

agus faoin argain a roghnódh mic Dhoinn Déasa a dhéanamh in Albain agus sa Bhreatain.

and for the destruction that the sons of Donn Déasa should choose in Alba and Britain.

Focres crandchor forro

Cuireadh crannchur orthu

A lot was cast upon them

dús cía díb lasa ragtha i tossoch.

féachaint cé acu lena rachfaí ar dtús;

to see with which of them they should go first.

Dothuit dul la Ingcél dochom a thíre.

thit an crann go rachfaí le hIngcéal chun a thíre-sean.

It fell that (they) should go with Ingcéal to his country.

Lotar iarom co Bretnu,

Chuaigh siad iaramh go dtí an mBreatain

So they made for Britain,

ocus oirgthe athair ocus máthair ocus a secht nderbrathir

agus básaíodh a athair agus a mháthair agus a sheachtar dearthár

and (there) his father and mother and his seven brothers were slain,

amal ro ráidsem reond.

mar a dúramar roimhe.

as we have said before.

Lotar iarsin dochom nAlban,

Chuaigh siad iar sin go hAlbain

Thereafter they made for Alba,

ocus ortatár a n-orgain and,

agus rinne siad argain ann

and there they wrought the destruction,

ocus doathlasat iar suidi dochom n-Erend.

agus d’fhill siad ar Éirinn iar sin.

and then they returned to Ireland.

IS andsin trá dolluid Conaire mac Eterscéili iar Slige Chualand dochom na Brudne.

Is ansin, tráth, a tháinig Conaire mac Eadarscéil ar feadh Slí Chualann chun na Bruíne.

’Tis then, now, that Conaire son of Eadarscéal went towards the Hostel along the Road of Cualu.

IS and sin tancatár na díberga

Is ansin leis a tháinig na díbheirgigh

’Tis then that the reavers came

co mbatár i n-airiur Breg comarda Étuir forsind farrci.

nó go raibh siad ar chósta Bhreá ar an bhfarraige os comhair Bheann Éadair.

till they were in the sea off the coast of Bregia overagainst Howth.

IS and asbertatár na díbergae:

Ia ansin a dúirt na díbheirgigh:

Then said the reavers:

“Teilcid sís na séolu,

“Leagaigí anuas na seolta,

“Strike the sails,

ocus dénaid óenbudin díb forsind fharrci

agus déanaigí aon bhuíon amháin díbh féin ar an bhfarraige

and make one band of you on the sea

arnáchbar-accaister as’tír,

le nach bhfeicfí sibh ón tír,

that ye may not be sighted from land;

ocus etar nach traigéscaid úaib isa tír,

agus téadh duine troighéasca díbh i dtír

and let some lightfoot be found from among you to go on shore

dús in fugebmáis tesorcain ar n-enech fri Ingcél.

féachaint an gcosnóimis ár n-oineach in aghaidh Ingcéil.

to see if we could save our honours with Ingcéal.

Orguin fón orguin dorat dún.”

Argain ar argain a thug sé dúinn.”

A destruction for the destruction he has given us.”

“Cest, cía ragas dond éistecht isa tír?

“Ceist, cé rachaidh i dtír *mar chluas* le héisteacht?

“Who will go on shore to listen?

Eirged nech las mbeth na tri búada [and,” ol Ingcél, Eg.]

Téadh duine éigin a bhfuil na trí buanna aige,” arsa Ingcéal,

Let some one go”, says Ingcéal, “who should have there the three gifts,

“.i. búaid clúaisse ocus buaid rodairc ocus buaid n-airdmiusa.”

“bua cluaise agus bua súile agus bua grinnmheasa.”

namely, gift of hearing, gift of far sight, and gift of judgment.”

“Atá limsa,” for Mane Milscothach, “buaid cluaisse.”

“Tá bua cluaise agamsa,” arsa Maine Milbhriathrach.

“I”, says Maine Honeyworded, “have the gift of hearing.”

“Atá limsa dano,” for Mane Andóe, “buaid rodeirc ocus airdmiusa.”

“Tá bua súile agus bua grinnmheasa agamsa, *chomh maith,* ” arsa Maine Neamhleasc.

“And I *also* ”, says Maine Unslow, “have the gift of far sight and of judgment.”

“IS maith a dul duib amláid,” for na díbercaig,

“Ba mhaith sibh a dhul amhlaidh sin,” arsa na díbheirgigh,

“ ’Tis well for you to go thus,” say the reavers:

“fó a n-innas sin.”

“is maith é mar shlí.”

“good is that wise.”

Tótiagat nónbor iarom co mbátar for Beind Étair,

*Ar aghaidh leis an* naonúr iaramh nó go raibh siad ar Bhinn Éadair

Then nine men go on till they were on the Hill of Howth,

dús cid roclótís ocus adchetís.

féachaint cad a chloisfidís agus cad a d’fheicfidís.

to know what they might hear and see.

“Tá (.i. clostid) chein!” for Mane Milscotach.

“Fuist .i. éistigí, seal!” arsa Maine Milbhriathrach.

“Be still (i. e. hearken) a while!” says Maine Honey-worded.

“Cid sin?” for Mani Andói.

“Cad é sin?” arsa Maine Neamhleasc.

“What is that?” asks Maine Unslow.

“Fuaim n-echraide fóríg rocluiniursa.”

“Fuaim eachra faoina rí a chloisimse.”

“The sound of a good king’s cavalcade I hear.”

“Atchíu-sa tría búaid rodeirc,” for a chéli.

“Feicim, trí bhua radhairc,” arsa a chéile.

“By the gift of far sight, I see”, quoth his comrade.

“Cest. cid atcí-siu. hi suidiu?”

“Cad tá á fheiceáil agat anseo?”

“What seest thou here?”

“Atchíu-sa and,” for se,

“Feicim ann,” ar sé,

 “I see there”, quoth he,

“echrada ána aurarddai

“eachraí taibhseacha, arda,

“cavalcades splendid, lofty,

ailde agmara allmarda,

áille, ámharacha, allúracha,

beautiful, warlike, foreign,

fosenga scítha sceinmnecha,

seanga, scítheacha, sceinnideacha,

somewhat slender, weary, active,

fégi faebordae femendae.

féighe, faobhartha, fíochmhara;

keen, whetted, splendid,

foréim focrotha morcheltar talman.

fuadar croite uachtar fairsing talún.

a good course that shakes a great covering (?) of land.

doríadat ilardae uscib indberaib ingantaib.”

Triallann siad go harda iomdha le huiscí agus inbheara iontacha.”

They fare to many heights, with wondrous waters and river-mouths.”

“Citne usci ocus ardae ocus inbera dorríadat?”

“Cad iad na huiscí agus na harda agus na hinbheara chuig a dtriallann siad?”

“What are the waters and heights and river-mouths that they traverse?”

“Ni anse.

“Ní ansa:

“Easy to say:

INdéoin, Cult, Cuilten.

Inneoin, Cult, Cuilteán,

Inneoin, Cult, Cuilteán,

Máfat, Ammat, Íarmáfat,

Máfad, Amad, Iarmháfad,

Máfad, Amad, Iarmháfad,

Finne, Goiste, Guistine.

Finne, Goiste, Goistíne.

Finne, Goiste, Goistíne.

Gai glais úas charptib.

Gathanna glasa os cionn carbad;

Gray spears over chariots:

Calga dét fors líastaib.

claimhte déad ar shliasta.

ivory-hilted swords on thighs:

Scéith airgdidi úasa n-ullib.

Sciatha airgid os cionn uilleann.

silvery shields above their elbows.

Lethruith ocus lethgobra.

Leathdhearg, leathgheal.

Half red and half white.

Etaige cech óendatha impu.

Eadaí gach aon datha umpu.

Garments of every color about them.

Atchiusa iarsin sain[sh]labra saináithe remib

Feicim, iar sin, saincheathra sainghéara rompu

Thereafter I see before them special cattle specially keen,

.i. tri cóecait gabur ndubglas.

.i. trí caogaid each dubhghlas,

to wit, thrice fifty dark-gray steeds.

Itt é cendbeca,

agus iad ceannbheag,

Small-headed are they,

corrderga, biruich, baslethain,

corrdhearg, biorach, crúbleathan,

red-nosed, pointed, broad-hoofed,

bolg[sh]róin, bruinnideirg, beólaide,

bolgshrónach, brollachdhearg, beathaithe,

big-nosed, red-chested, fat,

s[o]aitside, sogabáldai, crechfobdi,

sostadta, soghafa, creachmhear,

easily-stopt, easily-yoked, foray-nimble,

fégi, fáebordae, femendae,

féighe, faobhartha, fíochmhar,

keen, whetted, vehement (?),

cona trib cóectaib srían cruanmaith friu.”

agus trí caogaid srian deachruain orthu.”

with their thrice fifty bridles of red enamel upon them.”

“Tongusa a toinges mo thúath,” for fer ind rodairc,

“Mionnaím dar a mionnaíonn mo thuath,” arsa fear an róradhairc,

“I swear by what my tribe swears”, says the man of the long sight,

“is slabra (.i. is cethir) nach suthchernai insin.

“is crodh dea-thiarna éigin iad seo.”

“these are the cattle of some good lord.

Is i mo airdmius[s]a de,

“Is é mo ghrinnmheas faoi

This is my judgment thereof:

is é Conaire mac Eterscéle co formnaib fer nErend n-imbi, daróet in sligi.”

gurb é Conaire mac Eadarscéil, agus togha fear Éireann uime, a ghabh an tslí.”

it is Conaire, son of Eadarscéal, with multitudes of the men of Ireland around him, who has travelled the road.”

Tíagait for cúlu iarom co n-ecsetár dona díbergaib.

Téann siad ar gcúl iaramh lena insint do na díbheirgigh.

Back then they go that they may tell (it) to the reavers.

“Issed inso ro chúalammár ocus atconnarcmár,” ar iat.

“Seo mar a chualamar agus a chonacamar,” ar siad.

“This”, they say, “is what we have heard and seen.”

Bátár sochaide, tra, eter siu ocus anall in tsluaig-se

Ba sochaí é an slua, más ea, idir dúchasaigh agus allúraigh,

Of this host, then, there was a multitude, both on this side and on that,

.i. tri cóecait churach ocus cóic míli indib,

trí caogaid curach agus cúig mhíle iontu,

namely, thrice fifty boats, with five thousand in them,

ocus deich cét in cach míli.

agus deich gcéad in ngach míle.

and ten hundred in every thousand.

Ro thocaibset iarom na séolu forsna curchu,

Ansin thóg siad na seolta ar na curaigh

Then they hoisted the sails on the boats,

ocus dos-curethar docom tíre,

agus thug iad chun talún

and steer them thence to shore,

co ragbaiset hi Tracht Fuirbthi.

go ráinigh siad i dtír i dTrácht Foirfe.

till they landed on the Strand of Foirfe.

Intan ro[n]gabsat na curaig tír,

Nuair a ghabh na curaigh port

When the boats reached land,

is and rombói Mac cecht oc béim tened i mBrudin Da Dergae.

is ansin a bhí Mac Céacht ag bualadh tine i mBruíon Da Dearga.

then was Mac Céacht striking fire in Da Derga’s Hostel.

La fúaim na spréde

Le fuaim na spré

At the sound of the spark

focressa na tri cóecait curach,

caitheadh amach na trí caogaid curach

the thrice fifty boats were hurled out,

co mbátár for formnu na fairrce.

nó go raibh siad ar fhormna na farraige.

so that they were on the shoulders of the sea.

“Tá chein,” for Ingcél,

“Éist go fóill,” arsa Ingcéal,

“Be silent a while,” said Ingcéal.

“samailte latso, a Fir rogain?”

“cad leis is cosúil é sin, a Fhir Roghain?”

“Liken thou that, O Fear Roghain?”

“Ni fetursa,” ol Fer rogain,

“Ní fheadarsa,” arsa Fear Roghain,

“I know not”, answers Fear Roghain,

“manid Luchdond cainte fail i n-Emain Macha

“murab é Luchdhonn, an cáinte a bhfuil in Eamhain Mhacha,

“unless it is Luchdhonn the satirist in Eamhain Macha,

dogní in [m]bosórguin-se oc gait a bíd aire ar écin,

a dheanann an bhualadh bos seo nuair a goidtear a bhia uaidh ar éigean,

who makes this hand-smiting when his food is taken from him perforce:

nó grech ind Luchduinn [thiar Eg.] hi Temair Lochrae,

nó scréach an Luchdhoinn i dTeamhair Luachra,

or the scream of Luchdhonn in Teamhair Luachra:

nó beim spréde Maic cecht

nó bualadh spré Maic Céacht

or Mac Céacht’s striking a spark,

oc átúd tened ría ríg n-Erend airm hi fói.

agus é ag adú tine os comhair rí Éireann airm a chodlaíonn sé.

when he kindles a fire before a king of Ireland where he sleeps.

Cach spréd tra, ocus cach frass doleiced a tene for lar

Gach spré agus gach fras a ligfeadh a thine ar an lár,

Every spark and every shower which his fire would let fall on the floor

no fonaidfidé cét lóeg ocus di lethorc fria.”

d'fhuinfeadh sé céad lao agus dhá leath-thorc.”

would broil a hundred calves and two half-pigs.”

“Ní thuca and in fer sin (.i. Conaire) innocht,” fordat maic Duind Désa.

“Nár thuga an mí-ádh an fear úd (Conaire) ann anocht,” arsa mic Dhoinn Déasa.

“May God not bring that man (even Conaire) there tonight,” say Donn Déasa’s sons.

“Is líach a bith [fo dochur namat” — Eg.¹].

“Is liach é bheith faoi dhochar namhad.”

“Sad that he is under the hurt of foes.”

“Ni bu liachu side limsa,” for Ingcél, “indás ind orcuin doratsa duibse.

“Ní mó de liach é liomsa,” arsa Ingcéal, “ná an argain a thug mise daoibhse.

“Meseems”, says Ingcéal, “it should be no sadder for me than the destruction I gave you.

ba hé mo líthsa co mbad hé docorad and.”

Ba é mo shéan é dá dtarlódh gurb é a bhí ann.”

This were my feast that he (Conaire) should chance (to come) there.”

Tos-cuirethar a coblach dochom tíre.

Thug siad a gcabhlach chun tíre.

Their fleet is steered to land.

A ngloim ro lásat na tri cóecait curach oc tuidecht hi tír

An gheoin a rinne na trí caogaid curach ag teacht i dtír,

The noise that the thrice fifty vessels made in running ashore

forrochrath Brudin Da Dergae,

chroith sé Bruíon Da Dearga

shook Da Dearga’s Hostel

conná rabi gai [na sciath — Eg.] for alchaing inte,

i dtreo nár fágadh ga ná sciath ar alchaing inti,

so that no spear nor shield remained on rack therein,

acht ro lásat grith co mbátár for lar in tige uli.

acht gur lig scréach astu agus gur thit siad uile ar urlár an tí.

but the weapons uttered a cry and fell all on the floor of the house.

“Samailte lat, a Chonaire,” [ar cách, Eg.], “cía fúaim so?”

“A Chonaire,” arsa cách, “cad leis is cosúil an fhuaim seo?” arsa cách.

“Liken thou that, O Conaire”, says every one: “what is this noise?”

“Ním-thása a samail acht manid talam immid-róe (.i. ro bris),

“Ní heol dom a leithéid murab é an talamh a bhris,

“I know nothing like it unless it be the earth that has broken,

nó manid in Leuidán timchella in ndomon

nó murab é an Leividan a thimpeallaíonn an domhan

or the Leviathan that surrounds the globe

adchomaic a erball do thóchur in betha tar a chend,

a bhuail lena eireaball d’fhonn an chruinne a chur thar a cheann,

and strikes with its tail to overturn the world,

nó barc mac Duind Désa ro gab tír.

nó bárc mhic Dhoinn Déasa a ghabh port.

or the barque of the sons of Donn Déasa that has reached the shore.

Dirsan náptar hé bátar and!

Dursan nach iad a bhí ann!

Alas that it should not be they who are there!

Bátár comaltai carthancha dúnd.

Comhaltaí croí dúinn ab ea iad.

Beloved foster-brothers of our own were they.

Bá inmain in fianlag:

B’ionúin *linn* an bhuíon fian;

Dear were the champions.

nisn-áigfimmis innocht.”

níorbh eagal linn iad anocht.”

We should not have feared them tonight.”

IS and ránic Conaire co mbói hi faichthi na Bruidni.

Is ann a ráinigh Conaire nó go raibh ar fhaiche na Bruíne.

Then came Conaire, so that he was on the green of the Hostel.

Intan ro chúala Mac cecht in fothrond,

An tan a chuala Mac Céacht an fothrom

When Mac Céacht heard the tumultuous noise,

atar lais roptar óic táncatár co a muintir.

ba dhóigh leis gurb óig (fianna) a tháinig go dtí a mhuintir.

it seemed to him that warriors had attacked his people.

La sodain forling a gaisced día cobair.

Leis sin, phreab sé chun a arm gaisce le dul i gcabhair orthu.

Thereat he leapt on to his armour to help them.

Aidblithir léo bid torandchles tri cét a chluiche oc forláim a gaiscid.

Ba gheall le torannchleas trí chéad ar a áibhle an cleas a rinne sé ag preabadh chun a arm gaisce *, dar leo*.

Vast as the thunder-feat of three hundred did they deem his game in leaping to his weapons.

Ní bái báa di sodain de sin.

Níorbh fhearrde an cor é.

Thereof there was no profit.

IN barc íarom i mbátar maic Duind [Désa], ba inte bói in caur márthrelmach andíaraid inna braine na bárce,

An bárc, iaramh, ina raibh mic Dhoinn Déasa, is inti a bhí, ina tosach, an curadh mórthrealmhach, fíochmhar,

Now in the bow of the ship wherein were Donn (Déasa’s) sons was the champion, greatly-accoutred, wrathful,

in léo uathmar andsa,

an leon uafar doláimhsithe,

the lion hard and awful,

Ingcél Cáech mac úi Conmaic.

Ingcéal Caoch ma uí Chonmhaicne.

Ingcéal the One-eyed, great-grandson of Conmac.

Lethithir damsechi ind óensúil bói asa étun.

Bhí leithead seiche daimh san aon súil a bhí *ag gobadh* as a éadan;

Wide as an oxhide was the single eye protruding from his forehead,

Secht maic imlesain inte,

seacht mac imreasain inti,

with seven pupils therein,

Bátar duibithir degaid.

agus iad chomh dubh le daol;

which were black as a chafer.

Meit chori cholbthaige cechtar a dá glúne.

cóimhéid coire colpaí ceachtar a dhá ghlúin;

Each of his knees as big as a stripper’s caldron;

Méit chléib búana cechtar a da dordn.

cóimhéid cliabh buana ceachtar a dhá dhorn;

each of his two fists was the size of a reaping-basket:

Méit mulaig for gut mella a dromma.

cóimhéid bró cáise ar ghad mása a dhroma;

his buttocks as big as a cheese on a withe:

Sithithir cuing n-úarmedoin cechtar a dá lurgan.

ba chomhfhad cuinge meánaí ceachtar a dhá lurga.

each of his shins as long as an outer yoke.

Gabsat tra [iarsin

Iar sin, más ea, ghabh

So after that,

na .lll. curaig

na trí caogaid curach

the thrice fifty boats,

ocus — Eg.] na cóic mili cét sin,

agus na cúig mhíle sin,

and those five thousands

ocus deich cét cacha mili,

agus deich gcéad in ngach míle,

— with ten hundred in every thousand, —

hi Tracht Fuirbthe.

port i dTrácht Foirfe.

landed on the Strand of Foirfe.

Luid tra Conaire cona muintir isin mBrudin,

Chuaigh, tráth,  Conaire agus a mhuintir isteach sa Bhruíon,

Then Conaire with his people entered the Hostel,

ocus gabais cách a suide is’tig, eter gess ocus nemgess;

agus shuigh gach duine acu ina shuíochán istigh, idir gheis agus neamhgheis,

and each took his seat within, both tabu and non-tabu.

ocus gabsat na tri Deirg a suide,

agus shuigh na trí Dearga ina n-áit,

And the three Deargs took their seats,

ocus gabais Fer Caille cona muic a s[h]uide.

agus shuigh Fear Caille lena mhuc ina áitsean.

and Fear Caille with his swine took his seat.

Tosn-ánic Da Dergae iarsin, tri .lll. óclách,

Tháinig Da Dearga chucu ansin le trí caogaid óglach;

Thereafter Da Dearga came to them, with thrice fifty warriors,

ocus fotolberrad co clais a dá chúlad for cach fir díb,

cúl gruaige go baic ar gach duine díobh

each of them having a long head of hair to the hollow of his polls,

ocus gerrchocholl co mell a ndá lárac.

agus cochall gearr go mása.

and a short cloak to their buttocks.

Berdbróca brecglassa impu:

Brístí breacghlasa orthu

Speckled-green drawers they wore,

tri .lll. maglorg ndraigin co fethnib iarind ina lamaib.

*agus* trí caogaid mórlorg draín le bianní iarainn ina lámha.

and in their hands were thrice fifty great clubs of thorn with bands of iron.

“Fochen, a phopa Conaire!” for se.

“Fáilte romhat, a phopa Chonaire!” ar sé.

“Welcome, O master Conaire!” quoth he.

“Cid formna fer n-Erend dothaistis latt,

“Cé go dtiocfadh formhór fear Éireann leat,

“Though the bulk of the men of Ireland were to come with thee,

ros-bíad failte [fodeisin,” Eg.]

bheadh fáilte rompu.”

they themselves would have a welcome.”

INtan bátar and

An tan a bhíodar ann,

When they were there

conaccatar a[n]n óenbandscáil do dorus na Brudne, iar funiud ngréne,

chonaiceadar bean aonair *ag teacht* go doras na Bruíne tar éis fuine gréine

they saw a lone woman coming to the door of the Hostel, after sunset,

oc cuinchid al-leicthe issa tech.

agus í ag impí a ligean isteach.

and seeking to be let in.

Sithidir claideb [n]garmnai cechtar a dá lurgan.

Bhí fad bíoma fíodóra i gceachtar a dhá lorga.

As long as a weaver’s beam was each of her two shins,

Bátár dubithir druim ndáil.

Bhíodar chomh dubh le droim daoil.

and they were as dark as the back of a stag-beetle.

Brat ríabach rolómar impi.

*Bhí* brat riabhach olla uimpi.

A greyish, woolly mantle she wore.

Tacmainged a fés ichtarach cor-rici a glún.

Thagadh a fionnadh íochtarach chomh fada lena glúin.

Her lower hair used to reach as far as her knee.

A béoil for le[i]th a cind.

*Bhí* a beola ar thaobh a cinn.

Her lips were on one side of her head.

 Totháet co tard a lethgúalaind fri haursaind in taige,

 Tháinig sí agus chuir sí a leathghualainn le hursain an tí

 She came and put one of her shoulders against the door-post of the house,

oc admilliud ind rig ocus na maccóem ro bátár imbi isin tig.

agus í ag ciorrú an rí agus na n-óglach a bhí uime sa teach.

casting the evil eye on the king and the youths who surrounded him in the Hostel.

Ésseom feisin ataraglastar (.i. ro aicill) astig.

Eisean féin a labhair léi ó laistigh.

He himself addressed her from within.

“Maith, a banscal,” or Conaire, “cid atchí dúnd massat fissid?”

“Sea, a bhean,” arsa Conaire, “cad a fheiceann tú *atá i ndán* dúinn, más físí thú?”

“Well, O woman”, says Conaire, “if thou art a wizard, what seest thou for us?”

“Atchiusa daitsiu, immorro,” ol sisi,

“Is é a fheicim *i ndán* duit, go deimhin,” ar sise,

“Truly I see for thee”, she answers,

“noco n-érnába ceinn ná cárna dít asind áit hi tudchad

“nach n-éalóidh craiceann ná feoil *de do chuid* as an áit inar casadh thú,

“that neither fell nor flesh of thine shall escape from the place into which thou hast come,

acht ’na mbérat éoin ina crobaib.”

ach a mbéarfaidh éin leo ina gcrobha.”

save what birds will bear away in their claws.”

“Ní bu dochél célsammár, a ben,” or ésseom,

“Ní drochthuar a bhí a thuar againn, a bhean,” ar sé;

“It was not an evil omen we foreboded, O woman”, saith he:

“ní tú chélas dún dogrés.

“Ní thú a thuarann dúinn de ghréas.

“it is not thou that always augurs for us.

Cía do chomainm-siu.” or se, “a banscál?”

Cad is ainm duit,” ar sé, “a bhean?”

What is thy name, O woman?” said he.

“Cailb,” or sisi.

“Cailbh,” ar sise.

“Cailbh”, she answers.

“Ni forcraid anma son,” ol Conaire.

“Ní mór dá fheabhas mar ainm,” arsa Conaire.

“That is not much of a name”, says Conaire.

“Eche (.i. ni dorcha .i. is follus) it ili mo anmand chena,” [ol si — YBL.]

“Féach, ní dorcha agus is follas, is uile ainmneacha atá orm,” ar sise.

“Lo (i. e. not dark, i. e. manifest), many are my names besides.”

“Cade iat-sede?” ol Conaire.

“Cad iad sin?” arsa Conaire.

“Which be they?” asks Conaire.

“Ni anse,” or si:

“Ní ansa,” ar sise,

“Easy to say”, quoth she.

“Samon, Sinand, Seisclend,

“— Samhain, Sionann, Seiscleann,

“— Samhain, Sionann, Seiscleann,

Sodb, [Soéglend, Samlocht — Eg.]

Sodhbh, Saighleann, Samhlocht,

Sodhbh, Saighleann, Samhlocht,

Caill, Coll, Díchóem,

Caill, Coll, Díchaomh,

Caill, Coll, Díchaomh,

Díchiúil, Díthím, Díchuimne,

Díchiúil, Díthim, Díchuimhne,

Díchiúil, Díthim, Díchuimhne,

Dichruidne, Dairne, Dáríne,

Díchruíne, Dairne, Dáiríne,

Díchruíne, Dairne, Dáiríne,

Déruaine, Égem, Agam,

Déaruaine, Éamh, Agham,

Déaruaine, Éamh, Agham,

Ethamne, Gním, Cluiche,

Eathamna, Gníomh, Cluiche,

Eathamna, Gníomh, Cluiche,

Cethardam, Níth, Némain,

Ceathardhamh, Níth, Néamhain,

Ceathardhamh, Níth, Néamhain,

Nóennen, Badb, Blosc,

Naoinnen, Badhbh, Blosc,

Naoinnen, Badhbh, Blosc,

B[l]oár, Huae. óe Aife la Sruth,

Bór, Ua, Aoife le Sruth,

Bór, Ua, Aoife le Sruth,

Mache, Médé, Mod.”

Macha, Méidhe, Modh.”

Macha, Méidhe, Modh.”

For óen choiss ocus óenláim ocus óen anáil

Ar leathchois, le haon láimh agus le haon anáil

On one foot, and (holding up) one hand, and (breathing) one breath

r[och]achain dóib insin uil[e] o dorus in tige.

a chan sí na nithe sin uile dóibh ó dhoras an tí.

she sang all that to them from the door of the house.

[“Tungsa na dei día n-adraim

“Mionnaím dar na déithe dá n-adhraim,” arsa Conaire,

“I swear by the gods whom I adore”, (says Conaire),

nad epur ainm dib rit etir gar cían biasa hifus,” Eg.].

“nach dtabharfaidh mé aon de na n-ainmneacha sin ort cé acu gur seal fada *nó seal gairid* a bheinnse anseo.”

“that I will call thee by none of these names whether I shall be here a long or a short time.”

“Cid as áil dait?” ol Conaire.

“Cad is áil leat?” arsa Conaire.

“What dost thou desire?” says Conaire.

“A n-as áil daitsiu dano,” or sisi.

“An rud is áil leatsa freisin,” ar sise.

“That which thou, too, desirest”, she answered.

“Is gess damsa,” ol Conaire, “dám óenmná do airitin iar fuiniud gréne.”

“Is geis domsa,” arsa Conaire, “fáiltiú roimh dhámh mhná aonair tar éis fuine gréine.”

“ ’Tis a tabu of mine”, says Conaire, “to receive the company of one woman after sunset.”

“Cid gess,” or sisi,

“Cé gur geis é,” ar sise,

“Though it be a tabu”, she replied,

“ní ragsa co ndecha (.i. co ferur nó co rucur) mo aigidecht dí ráith isind áidchi-se innocht.”

“ní imeoidh mé go dtaga (.i. go bhfearfar nó go dtugfar) m’aíocht orm gan mhoill an oíche seo anocht féin.”

“I will not go until my guesting come at once this very night.”

“Apraid fria,” ol Conaire, “bérthair dam ocus tinne di immach, ocus mo fuidell-sa,

“Abraigí léi,” arsa Conaire, “go dtabharfar damh agus muc leasaithe agus mo fhuílleach-sa amach di,

“Tell her”, says Conaire, “that an ox and a bacon-pig shall be taken out to her, and my leavings:

ocus anad im-magin aile innocht.”

ach í a fhanacht i maighean eile anocht.”

provided that she stays tonight in some other place.”

“Má dothanic ém dond ríg,” or sisi, “co[na talla fair, Eg.]

“Má tharla don rí, ámh,” ar sise, “gan slí a bheith aige

“If in sooth”, she says, “it has befallen the king not to have room

praind ocus lepaid óenmná inna thig,

ina theach do phroinn agus do leaba aon mhná,

in his house for the meal and bed of a solitary woman,

fogébthar ’na écmais o neoch aile ocá mbía ainech,

gheobhfar iad dá éamais ó neach eile a bhfuil oineach aige,

they will be gotten apart from him from some one possessing generosity

ma ró scáig coible na flatha fil isin Brudin.”

má d’imigh an fhéile ón bhflaith atá sa Bhruíon.”

— if the hospitality of the Prince in the Hostel has departed.”

“IS feochair in frecra”, ol Conaire.

“Is fraochta é an freagra,” arsa Conaire,

“Savage is the answer,” says Conaire.

“Dos-leic ind, cid gess damsa.”

“lig isteach í, cé gur geis dom sin.”

“Let her in, though it is a tabu of mine.”

Búi gráin mór foraib iarsin día haccallaim na mná ocus míthauraras,

Bhí gráin mór orthu iar sin á n-agallamh na mná, agus míthuar,

Great loathing they felt after that from the woman’s converse, and ill-foreboding;

acht nad fetatár can bói dóib.

ach gan fhios cad ba chúis leis.

but they knew not the cause thereof.

Gabsait na diberga iarsin tír,

Ghabh na díbheirgigh, iar sin, i dtír,

The reavers afterwards landed,

ocus dollotar co mbátar oc Leccaib cind shlébe.

agus chuadar nó go raibh siad ag Leaca Chinn Sléibhe.

and fared forth till they were at Leaca Chinn Sléibhe.

Bithobéle trá in Bruiden.

*Bhí* an bhruíon ar síoroscailt *, go deimhin*.

Ever open was the Hostel *, indeed*.

Is aire asberthea ‘bruden’ di,

— (Is é fáth a dtugtar ‘bruíon’ uirthi

Why it was called a ‘Bruden’ was

ar is cosmail fri béolu fir oc cor bruiden.

mar gur cosúil í le beola fir ag séideadh tine

because it resembles the lips of a man blowing a fire.

Nó ‘bruden’ .i. bruth-en .i. en bruthe inte.

(nó ‘bruden’ .i. bruth-en, .i. uisce bruite inti).

Or ‘bruden’ is from bruth-en, i.e. en ‘water’, bruthe ‘of flesh’ (broth)  therein.

Bá mór in tene adsúithe oc Conairiu cach n-aidche, .i. torc caille.

Ba mhór an tine a d’adaítí le Conaire gach oíche .i. torc coille.

Great was the fire which was kindled by Conaire every night, to wit, a torc caille ‘Boar of the Wood’.

Secht ndoraiss ass.

Bhí seacht mbéal aisti amach;

Seven outlets it had.

Intan doniscide (.i. ro berthi) crand asa thóib

nuair a ghearrtaí crann as a taobh

When a log was cut out of its side

ba mét daig ndáirthaige cach tob no théiged asa tháib for cach ndorus.

bhíodh toirt lasrach aragail daraí i ngach bladhm a thagadh an béal amach ar gach taobh.

every flame that used to come forth at each outlet was a big as the blaze of a (burning) oratory.

Ro bátár secht carpait deac di charptib Conaire fri cach ndorus don taig,

Bhí seacht gcarbad déag de charbaid Chonaire ag gach doras den teach

There were seventeen of Conaire’s chariots at every door of the house,

ocus ba airecnai (.i. ba follus) dond aes bátar oc forcsin o na longaib in tshoillsi mór sin tria drochu na carpat.

agus ba léir, don dream a bhí ag féachaint ó na longa, an solas mór sin trí rothaí na gcarbad.

and by those that were looking from the vessels that great light was clearly seen through the wheels of the chariots.

“Samailte lat, a Fir rogain,” for Ingcél, “cisi suillse mór sucut?”

“Cad leis is cosúil, a Fhir Roghain,” arsa Ingcéal, “an solas mór úd thall?”

“Canst thou say, O Fear Roghain,” said Ingcéal, “what that great light yonder resembles?”

“Noconom-tha a samail,” for Fer rogain, “acht manib daig do ríg.

“Ní fheadar a shamhail,” arsa Fear Roghain, “ach murar tine do rí.

“I cannot liken it to aught”, answers Fear Roghain, “unless it be the fire of a king.

Ní tuca dia and innocht in fer sin!

Nár thuga Dia an fear sin ann anocht!

May God not bring that man there tonight!

Is líach a orguin.”

Ba liach a argain.”

’Tis a pity to destroy him.”

“Cid ahé (.i. dno) libse a flathius ind fir sin hi tír Erend?” ol Ingcél.

“Cad is dóigh libhse *, ansin,* de fhlaitheas an fhir sin i dtír Éireann?” arsa Ingcéal.

“What then deemest thou,” says Ingcéal, “of that man’s reign in the land of Ireland?”

“IS maith a flathius,” or Fer rogain.

“Is maith é a fhlaitheas,” arsa Fear Roghain.

“Good is his reign”, replied Fear Roghain.

“Ní thaudchaid nél dar gréin o gabais flathius [.i. fri ré loe — Eg.]

“Níor tháinig néal thar an ngrian, ó ghabh sé flaitheas, ar feadh lae

“Since he assumed the kingship, no cloud has veiled the sun for the space of a day

o medón erraig co medon fogamair,

ó mheán earraigh go meán fómhair,

from the middle of spring to the middle of autumn.

ocus ni taudchaid banna drúchta di féor co medón lái,

agus níor thit braon drúchta de fhéar go meán lae,

And not a dewdrop fell from grass till midday,

ocus ni fascnann gáeth chairchech cethrae co nonae,

agus níor bhain gaoth le heireaball bó go nóin;

and wind would not touch a beast’s tail until noon.

ocus ní forrúich mac tíre [ní — Eg.] ina fhlaith acht
tárag firend cacha indse o cind bliadne co araile.

agus ina fhlaitheas níor ionsaigh mac tíre ach lao fireann as gach cró ó cheann ceann na bliana,

And in his reign, from year’s end to year’s end, no wolf has attacked aught save one bullcalf of each byre;

Ocus atat secht maic thíre i ngialnai fri fraigid ina thig-seom fri comét ind rechta sin,

agus tá seacht mac tíre mar ghialla aige le balla ina theach leis an reacht sin a choimeád;

and to maintain this rule there are seven wolves in hostageship at the sidewall in his house,

ocus atá cúl-aittiri iarna chúl .i. Mac locc,

agus tá Mac Loc mar bhannaí breise ar chúl;

and behind this a further security, even Mac Loc,

ocus is he taccair tara chend hi tig Conaire.

agus is eisean a thagrann a gcúis i dteach Chonaire.

and ’tis he that pleads (for them) in Conaire’s house.

IS ina flaith atát na tri bairr for Erind

Is i bhflaitheas Chonaire atá na trí bharr ar Éirinn

In Conaire’s reign are the three crowns on Ireland,

.i. barr días ocus barr scoth ocus barr messa.

— barr dias, barr scothanna, agus barra measa.

namely, crown of corn-ears, and crown of flowers, and crown of oak mast.

IS ina flaith as chombind la cach fer guth araile ocus betís téta mendchrot,

Ina fhlaitheas is ar bhinneas téada cruite guth gach duine dar leis an duine eile

In his reign, too, each man deems the other’s voice as melodious as the strings of lutes,

Ni thucca dia and innocht in fer sin.

Nár thuga Dia an fear sin ann anocht.

May God not bring that man there tonight.

Is líach a orgain.

Is liach a argain.

’Tis sad to destroy him.

[Is ‘cróeb triana bláth’ — Eg.]

Is ‘craobh trína bláth’.

’Tis ‘a branch through its blossom’,

Is mucc remithuit mess.

Is muc a thiteann roimh meas.

’Tis a swine that falls before mast.

Is nóidiu ar áis.

Is naíon ar aois.

’Tis an infant in age.

Is líach garsecle dó!”

Is liach giorra saoil dó!”

Sad is the shortness of his life!”

“Ba hé mo lith-sa,” for Ingcél, “co mbad sé no beth and,

“Ba é mo líth,” arsa Ingcéal, “dá mba é a bheadh ann,

“This was my luck” says Ingcéal, “that he should be there,

ocus robad orgain fo araile insin.

agus go mbeadh argain ar argain ann.

and there should be one destruction for another.

Ní bu andsu limsa indás mo athair ocus mo mathair

Níor dhéine é liomsa ná m’athair agus mo mháthair

It were not more grievous to me than my father and my mother

ocus mo secht nderbráthir ocus ri mo thuathi

agus mo sheachtar dearthár agus rí mo thuaithe

and my seven brothers, and the king of my country,

doratus-sa duibsi ría tuidecht i n-athchor na dibergae.”

a thug mé daoibhse roimh theacht ag athchur na díbheirge.”

whom I gave up to you before coming on the transfer of the rapine.”

“IS fír, is fír!” or in t-áes uilc ró bátár immalle frisna dibergachu.

“Fíor dhuit, fíor dhuit!” arsa an t-aos olc a tháinig fara na díbheirgigh.

“ ’Tis true, ’tis true!” say the evildoers who were along with the reavers.

Toscurethar bedg na díbergaig a Tracht Fuirbthen,

Cuireann na díbheirgigh chun bealaigh de gheit ó Thrácht Foirfe,

The reavers make a start from the Strand of Foirfe,

ocus doberat cloich cach fir léo do chur chairnd,

agus tugann gach fear cloch leis, le cairn a dhéanamh,

and bring a stone for each man to make a cairn;

ar ba sí deochair lasna fíanna hi tossuch eter ‘orgain’ ocus ‘maidm n-imairic’.

ó ba é seo an difir a dhéanadh na fianna ar dtúis idir ‘argain’ agus ‘maidhm catha’.

for this was the distinction which at first the Fianna made between a ‘Destruction’ and a ‘Rout’.

Corthe no chlantais intan bad maidm n-imairic.

Coirthe a thógaidís nuair ba mhaidhm catha a tharlaíodh.

A pillar-stone they used to plant when there would be a Rout.

Card immorro fochertitís intan bad n-orgain

Cairn, iomorra, a chuirfidís an tan b’argain é.

A cairn, however, they used to make when there would be a Destruction.

Carnd ro laiset iarom intan sin, uaire ba orgain.

Cairn a rinne siad, iaramh, an tan sin, mar b’argain é.

At this time, then, they made a cairn, for it was a Destruction.

Hi cíanfocus on tig on, ar na forchlótís ocus na haiccitis ón tig.

Ba i bhfad ón teach é, áfach, d’fhonn nach gcloisfí agus nach bhfeicfí ón teach iad.

Far from the house was this, *however,* that they might not be heard or seen therefrom.

Ar díb fát[h]aib dorigset a carnd

Rinneadar a gcarn ar dhá fháth

For two causes they built their cairn,

.i. ar ba bés carnd la díbirg,

.i. mar ba bhéas an carn i gcás díbheirge,

namely, (first) since this was a custom in marauding,

ocus dano co fintáis a n-esbada oc Brudin.

agus fairis sin, le go mb’eol dóibh a gcaillfí ag an mBruíon.

and, secondly, that they might find out their losses at the Hostel.

Cach óen no thicfad slán úadi

Gach aon a thiocfadh slán uaithi

Every one that would come safe from it

no berad a cloich asin charnd,

thabharfadh sé a chloch leis ón gcarn

would take his stone from the cairn:

co farctais immorro cloch[a] in lochta no mair[b]fitis occi,

le go bhfágfaí clocha an luchta a mharófaí ann *, go deimhin*;

thus the stones of those that were slain would be left,

conid assin ro fessatár a n-esbada.

i dtreo go mbeadh fios a n-easpaí acu as sin.

and thence they would know their losses.

Conid ed ármit éolaig in tsenchassa

Is é tuairisc a thugann eolaigh an tseanchais

And this is what men skilled in story recount,

conid fer cach clochi fil hi Carnd leca ro marbait dona díbergaib oc Brudin.

gur maraíodh ag na mBruíon fear de na díbheirgigh do gach cloch atá i gCarn Leaca.

that for every stone in Carn Leaca there was one of the reavers killed at the Hostel.

Conid din charnd sin atberar Leca i n-Úib Cellaig.

Is ar an gcarn sin a thugtar Leaca in Uíbh Ceallaigh.

From that cairn Leaca in Uíbh Cellaigh is *so* called.

Atáither ‘torc tened’ la maccaib Duind desa do brith robaid do Conairiu.

D’adaigh mic Dhoinn Déasa ‘torc tine’ le rabhadh a thabhairt do Chonaire.

A ‘boar of a fire’ is kindled by the sons of Donn Déasa to give warning to Conaire.

Conid hí sin céttendál robaid dorigned,

Ba é sin, *más ea*, an chéad teannáil rabhaidh a lasadh *in Éirinn*

So that is the first warning-beacon that has been made (in Ireland),

ocus conid di adainter cech tendal robaid cosindiu.

agus is aisti a adaítear gach teannáil rabhaidh go dtí an lá inniu.

and from it to this day every warning-beacon is kindled.

IS ed armit fairend aile

Is é a deir dream eile,

This is what others recount:

co mbad i n-aidchi samna no írrtha orgain Brudne,

gurbh ar Oíche Shamhna a rinneadh argain na Bruíne

that it was on the eve of samhain (All-Saints-day) the destruction of the Hostel was wrought,

ocus conid din tendáil út lentar tendal samna o sin co sudiu,

agus gur ón teannáil úd a leanann teannáil Shamhna ó shin go dtí seo

and that from yonder beacon the beacon of samhain is followed from that to this,

ocus clocha hi tenid samna.

agus a chuirtear clocha i dtine na Samhna.

and stones (are placed) in the samhain-fire.

Dorónsat iarom na díbergaig comarli bali in ro lásat a carnd.

Chuaigh, iaramh, na díbheirgigh i gcomhairle le chéile san áit a rinneadar a gcarn.

Then the reavers formed a counsel at the place where they had put the cairn.

“Maith, tra,” or Ingcél frisna héolchu, “cid as nesam dún sund?”

“Maith anois,” arsa Ingcéal leis na treoraithe, “cad is gaire dúinn anseo?”

“Well, then”, says Ingcéal to the guides, “what is nearest to us here?”

“Ni anse, Bruden uí Dergae rígbriugad Herend.”

“Ní ansa, Bruíon Uí Dhearga, Ríbhrughaidh Éireann.”

“Easy (to say): the Hostel of Uí Dhearga, chief-hospitaller of Ireland.”

“Bátár dócho ém fir mathi do saigid a céli don brudin sin innocht.”

“Ba dhócha, ámh, fir mhaithe a bheith ar lorg a gcéilí sa Bhruíon sin anocht.”

“Good men indeed” (says Ingcéal) “were likely to seek their fellows at that Hostel to-night.”

Ba sí comarli na ndíbergach iarom

B’í comhairle na ndíbheargach, iaramh,

This, then, was the counsel of the reavers,

nech [do chor Eg.] úadib do déscin dús cinnas ro[m]both and.

ná neach díobh a chur uathu féachaint conas mar a bhí ann.

to send one of them to see how things were there.

“Cia ragas and so deicsin in tigi?” [ol cách].

“Cé rachaidh ann chun an teach a iniúchadh?” arsa cách.

“Who will go there to espy the house?” say everyone.

“Cia no ragad,” or Ingcél, “acht mad messi,

“Cé rachadh,” arsa Ingcéal, “ach mise,

“Who should go”, says Ingcéal, “but I,

úair iss mé dliges fíachu.”

óir is dom is dual fiacha.”

for ’tis I that am entitled to dues.”

Tothéit Ingcél do thoscélad forsin Brudin

Tagann Ingcéal ag taiscéaladh na Bruíne

Ingcéal went to reconnoitre the Hostel

cosin sechtmad (nó cosin tres) mac imlessan na hoénsúla ro bói asa etun

leis an seachtú (nó leis an tríú) mac imreasain na haonsúile a bhi ag gobadh as a éadan

with one of the seven (or one of the three) pupils of the single eye which stood out of his forehead,

do chommus a ruisc isa tech do admilliud ind ríg ocus na maccóem ro bátar immi isin tig,

d’fhonn a rosc a dhiriú ar an teach chun an rí agus na macaoimh a bhí uime sa teach a adhmhilleadh.

to fit his eye into the house in order to destroy the king and the youths who were around him therein.

conda-dercacha tría drochu na carpat.

Agus chonaic Ingcéal iadsan trí rothaí na gcarbad.

And Ingcéal saw them through the wheels of the chariots.

Ro ráthaiged iarom as[in]tig anall Ingcél.

Tugadh Ingcéal faoi deara iaramh ón teach anall.

Then Ingcéal was perceived from the house.

Docuirethar bedg ón tig iarná ráthugud.

Imíonn sé leis le bíog ón teach nuair a tugadh faoi deara é.

He made a start from it after being perceived.

Téit cor-ránic na díberga bali hir-rubatár.

Chuaigh sé nó gur ráinigh sé chun na ndíbheirgeach mar a raibh siad.

He went till he reached the reavers in the stead wherein they were.

Fochress cach cúaird imm alaile don díbirg fri éitsecht in scéoil.

Rinneadh ciorcal um chiorcal eile den bhuíon díbheirgeach le héisteacht leis an scéal.

Each circle of them was set around another to hear the tidings

 Airig na díbergae hi firmedón na cuardae.

 Bhí flatha na ndíbheirgeach i gceartlár na gciorcal;

 — the chiefs of the reavers being in the very centre of the circles.

 Batár hésíde Fer gér ocus Fer gel ocus Fer rogel

 ba iad sin Fear Géar, Fear Geal, Fear Rógheal,

 There were Fear Géar and Fear Geal and Fear Rogheal

ocus Fer rogain ocus Lomna druth ocus Ingcél Caech.

agus Fear Roghain, Lomna Drúth, agus Ingcéal Caoch,

and Fear Roghain and Lomna the Buffoon, and Ingcéal the One-eyed

Sesiur im-medon na cuardae,

seisear i lár na gciorcal,

— six in the centre of the circles.

ocus luid Fer rogain día [fh]rithchomarc.

agus chuaigh Fear Roghain chun Ingcéal a cheistiú.

And Fear Roghain went to question Ingcéal.

“Cinnas sin, a Ingceoil?” for Fer rogain.

“Conas *atáthar ann*, a Ingcéil?” arsa Fear Roghain.

“How is that, O Ingcéal?” asks Fear Roghain.

“Cip indas,” for Ingcél, “is rígda in costud:

“Cibé mar atáthar,” d’fhreagair Ingcéal, “is ríoga é an t-eagar;

“However it be”, answers Ingcéal, “royal is the custom,

is [s]lúagda a sséselbe,

is sluamhar í an gheoin;

hostful is the tumult:

is flaithemda a fúaim,

is flaitheach í an fhuaim;

kingly is the noise thereof.

Cia bé, céin co pé rí and,

bíodh rí ann nó ná bíodh,

Whether a king be there or not,

gébatsa a tech issinni non-dligim.

gheobhaidh mé an teach ar son mo dhleachta.

I will take the house for what I have a right to.

Dotháet cor mo diberga de.”

Is uaidh atá mo chor díbheirge ag teacht.”

Thence my turn of rapine cometh.”

“Foracaibsemne fri láim daitsiu, a Ingcéoil,” fordat comaltae Conairi.

“D’fhágamar fútsa é, a Ingcéil” arsa comhaltaí Chonaire.

“We have left it in thy hand, O Ingcéal,” say Conaire’s foster-brothers.

“Nádn-íurmáis orgain co fesmais cia no beth inni.”

“Ná déanaimís argain nó go mbeidh a fhios againn cé bheadh ann.”

“(But) we should not wreak the Destruction till we know who may be therein.”

“Cest, in dercacha-su a tech co maith a Ingceoil?” for Fer rogain.

“Ceist ort, a Ingcéil,” arsa Fear Roghain, “an bhfuair tú radharc maith ar an teach?”

“Question, hast thou seen the house well, O Ingcéal?” asks Fear Roghain.

“Ro lá mo súil-se lúathchuaird and,

“Thug mo shúil luathfhéachaint timpeall ann

“Mine eye cast a rapid glance around it,

ocus gebait im fiachu amal atá.”

agus glacfaidh mé leis mar mo dhleacht mar atá.”

and I will accept it for my dues as it stands.”

“IS deithber duit, a Ingceóil, ciá no gabtha,” ol Fer rogain:

“Ní miste duit glacadh leis, a Ingcéil,” arsa Fear Roghain.

“Thou mayest well accept it, O Ingcéal”, saith Fear Roghain:

“ar n-aiti uli fil and, ardri Herend, Conaire mac Eterscéli.

“Ár n-oide uile atá ann, ard-rí Éireann, Conaire mac Eadarscéil.

“the fosterfather of us all is there, Ireland’s overking, Conaire son of Eadarscéal.”

Cest, cid atchondarc-su isind fhoclúi féinnida in tige

Ceist *agam ort*, cé chonaic tú i suí féinní an tí

“Question, what sawest thou in the champion’s high seat of the house,

Imda Chormaic Condlongas

Iomdha Chormaic Connlongas

The Room of Cormac Connlongas.

“Atchondarc and,” ol se, “fer gormainech már:

“Chonaic mé ann,” arsa Ingcéal, “fear mór gnúisoirearc;

“I saw there”, says Ingcéal, “a man of noble countenance, large,

rosc nglan ngléorda lais:

súil ghlan ghleorga aige

with a clear and sparkling eye,

deitgen cóir [comard aicci .i. se niamda némanda]:

agus cár cór comhard comhgheal fiacal;

an even set of teeth, sparking like pearls,

aiged focháel forlethan [leiss, Eg.]

a aghaigh caol laistíos agus leathan lastuas;

a face narrow below, broad above.

lín-folt find forordae fair:

líonfholt fionn órga air;

Fair, flaxen, golden hair upon him,

fortí [cain, Eg.] choir imbi,

fallaing chóir uime;

and a proper fillet around it.

mílech airgit inna brut

míleach airgid ina bhrat;

A brooch of silver in his mantle,

ocus claideb óirduird inna láim:

agus claíomh órdhoirn ina láimh;

and in his hand a gold-hilted sword.

scíath co cóicroth óir fair:

sciath le cúig rothaí óir uirthi;

A shield with five golden circles upon it:

sleg cóicrind ina láim:

sleá cúig rinn ina láimh;

a five-barbed javelin in his hand.

cóinso chóir cháin chorcorda lais, os é amulach,

a dhreach go cóir caoin corcara agus é gan féasóg;

A visage just, fair, ruddy he hath: he is also beardless.

ailmenmnach in fer sin.”

fear gan uabhar an fear sin.”

Modest-minded is that man.”

“Ocus iarsin cía acca and?”

“Agus iar sin sin cé a chonaic tú ann?”

“And after that, whom sawest thou there?”

Imda Conaill Chernaig

Iomdha Chonaill Chearnaigh

The Room of Conall Cearnach

“Atcondarc and i n-imdae chumtachtae fer as cháinem do laechaib Herend.

“Chonac ansiúd in iomdha mhaisithe an fear is áille de laochra Éireann.

“There I beheld in a decorated room the fairest man of Ireland’s heroes.

Brat caschorcra imbi.

Brat caschorcra uime.

He wore a tufted purple cloak.

Gilithir snechtae ind-ala grúaid dó,

Grua leis ar ghile an tsneachta,

White as snow was one of his cheeks,

brecdergithir síon a ngrúad n-aile.

*agus* an grua eile ar bhreacdheirge an mhearacáin sí.

the other was red and speckled like foxglove.

IS glasidir buga ind-ala suil.

Súil leis ar ghlaise an bhutha.

Blue as hyacinth was one of his eyes,

IS dubithir druim ndáil in tsúil aile.

An tsúil eile ar dhuibhe dhroma daoil.

dark as a stag-beetle’s back was the other.

Méit clíab búana in dosbili find fororda fil fair.

Tá méid chliabh buana sa doscheann fionn órga gruaige atá air.

The bushy head of fair golden hair upon him was as large as a reaping-basket,

Benaid braini a da imdae (.i. a da less).

Sroicheann sé imill a dhá mhás.

and it touches the edge of his haunches.

IS cassidir rethe coppad.

Tá sé chomh dualach le ceann reithe.

It is as curly as a ram’s head.

Cía dóforte míach di chnoib dergfuiscib for a mullach

Dá ndoirtfí mála de chnónna deargmhogallacha ar a mhullach

If a sackful of red-shelled nuts were spilt on the crown of his head,

ni foichred cnoi díb for lár

ní thitfeadh cnó díobh ar an talamh

not one of them would fall on the floor,

[acht a fhossugud ar drolaib ocus ar clechtaib ocus ar claidínib in fuilt sin — Eg.].

ach fanacht ar dhrola, agus ar thriopalla, agus ar dhroimíní na gruaige sin.

but remain on the hooks and plaits and swordlets of that hair.

Claideb órduirn ina láim.

Claíomh órdhoirn ina láimh.

A gold-hilted sword in his hand:

Scíath cróderg ro breccad do semmannaib findruini eter eclannu óir.

Sciath chródhearg aige a breacadh le seamanna fiondruine idir lanna óir.

a blood-red shield which has been speckled with rivets of white bronze between plates of gold.

Sleg fota [tromm, Eg.] tredruimnech:

Sleá fhada throm thrídhroimneach aige,

A long, heavy, three-ridged spear:

remithir cuing n-imechtraid a crand fil indi.

agus an crann inti chomh ramhar le cuing sheachtrach.

as thick as an outer yoke is the shaft that is in it.

Samailte lat sin, a Fir rogain.”

Cé leis is cosúil é sin, a Fhir Roghain.”

Liken thou that, O Fear Roghain.”

“Ni anse damsa on a samail,

“Ní ansa domsa a shamhail a aithint,

“Easy for me to liken him,

ar rofetatar fir Herend an ngein sin.

óir is eol d’fhir Éireann an buinneán sin.

for the men of Ireland know that scion.

Conall Cernach mac Amorgein insin.

Sin é Conall Cearnach mac Amhairghin.

That is Conall Cearnach, son of Amhairghin.

Dorecmaing immale fri Conaire ind inbuid-se.

Tarlaíonn dó a bheith fara Conaire an t-am seo.

He has chanced to be along with Conaire at this time.

IS é charas Conaire sech cách,

Is é is gean le Conaire seachas cách

’Tis he whom Conaire loves beyond every one,

fobith a chosmailiusa fris ar febas a chrotha ocus a delba [is a dénma, Eg.].

de bharr a chosúlachta leis ó thaobh feabhais a chrutha agus a dheilbhe agus a dhéanaimh.

because of his resemblance to him in goodness of form and shape and build.

IS máith in láech fil and, Conall Cernach.

Is maith an laoch atá ann, Conall Cearnach.

Goodly is the hero that is there, Conall Cearnach.

IN scíath cróderg sin fil ar a durnd ro brecad do semmannaib findruini conid brec,

An sciath chródhearg sin ina dhorn a breacadh le seamanna fiondruine a d’fhág breac í,

To that bloodred shield on his fist, which has been speckled with rivets of white bronze,

ro nóesiged ainm dó la Ultu .i. in Bricriu Conaill Chernaig.

thug Ulaidh ainm cáiliúil uirthi .i. Bricre Chonaill Chearnaigh.

the Ulaidh have given a famous name, to wit, the Bricre of Conall Cearnach.

[Ainm aili di and, Lámtapad Conaill Cernaig

Tá ainm eile air: Lámhthapa Chonaill Chearnaigh,

Another name for it is Conall Cearnach’s Lámhthapa,

ara tricci ocus ara athlaime gabair ocus immirthir in scíath sin Conaill Cernaig. — Eg.]

ar a thrice agus ar a athlaimhe a ghabhtar agus a imrítear an sciath sin Chonaill Chearnaigh.

because of the quickness and readiness with which that shield of Conall Cearnach is seized and wielded.

Tongu a toinges mo thuath,

Mionnaím dar a mionnaíonn mo thuath,

I swear what my tribe swears,

bid imda bróen dérg[fola] tairse innocht ar dorus [na] Brudne.

is iomaí braon deargfhola a thitfidh uirthi anocht os comhair na Bruíne.

plenteous will be the rain of red blood over it to-night before the Hostel.

In tsleg druimnech sin fil úasa

An tsleá dhroimneach sin atá os a chionn,

That ridged spear above him,

bid sochaidi forsa ndáilfe deoga tonnaid innocht ar dorus [na] Brudne.

beidh sochaí ar a ndáilfidh sí deoch bháis anocht os comhair na Bruíne.

many will there be unto whom to-night, before the Hostel, it will deal drinks of death.

Atá[a]t secht ndoruis asin tig

Tá seacht ndoirse as an teach amach,

Seven doorways there are out of the house,

ocus arricfa Conall Cernach b[e]ith for cach dorus díb,

agus tarlóidh go mbeidh Conall Cearnach ag gach doras díobh

and Conall Cearnach will contrive to be at each of them,

ocus ni bía a thesbaid ar nách dorus.

agus ní bheidh sé in easpa ó aon dorus.

and from no doorway will he be absent.

Totháethsat trí cét la Conall ina chétchumscliu,

Titfidh trí chéad le Conall ina chéad ionsaí

Three hundred will fall by Conall in his first conflict,

cenmotha fer cach airm, ocus a fer fessin,

seachas fear le gach arm agus fear leis féin,

besides a man for each (of his) weapons and one for himself.

ocus conráinnfi comgnim fri cach n-óen isin Brudin,

agus beidh sé ar comhghaisce le gach n-aon sa Bhruíon,

He will share prowess with every one in the Hostel,

ocus intan immaricfa tuidecht dó foraib asin tig

agus an tan tharlóidh é a theacht oraibh ón teach,

and when he shall happen to sally upon you from the house,

beit lir bommand ega [ocus fer for faithchi ocus renna nimi, Eg. Eg.¹ ]

beidh chomh líonmhar le calóga sneachta agus le féar ar fhaiche, agus le reanna neimhe

as numerous as hailstones and grass on green and stars of heaven

for lethchind ocus for lethcloicind ocus for cnáma fó déis a claidib,

bhur leathchinn agus bhur leathchloiginn agus bhur gcnámha faoi bhéal a chlaímh,

will be your half-heads and cloven skulls, and your bones under the point of his sword,

ocus immáricfa élúd dó cid créchtach.

agus éireoidh leis éalú cé gur créachtach dó.

and he will succeed in escaping though wounded.

Mairg iuras in n-orgain fodáig ind fir sin nammá!”

Mairg a dhéanfaidh an argain, de bharr an fhir seo amháin!”

Woe to him that shall wreak the Destruction, were it but for this man only!”

“Ni cumgid,” for Ingcél.

“Ní féidir daoibh,” arsa Ingcéal.

“Ye cannot”, says Ingcéal.

“Néla et reliqua.”

“Néala agus rl.”

“Clouds etc.”

“Ocus iarsin cia acca?”

“Agus iar sin, cad a chonaic tú?”

“And after that whom sawest thou?”

Imda Conaire fessin

Iomdha Chonaire Féin

The Room of Conaire himself.

“Atcondarc and imdae, ocus bá cáimiu a cumtach oldáta imdada in tigi olchena.

“Chonaic mé ann iomdha agus ba chaoimhe a maise ná iomdhaí eile an tí.

“There I beheld a room, more beautifully decorated than the other rooms of the house.

Seolbrat n-airgdidi impe,

Seolbhrat airgid uimpi

A silvery curtain around it,

ocus cumtaige isind imdae.

agus ornáidí san iomdha féin.

and (there were) ornaments in the room.

Atcondarc triar n-inni.

Chonaic mé triúr inti.

I beheld a trio in it.

In dias im[m]echtrach díb,

An bheirt díobh a bhí lasmuigh,

The outer two of them were,

finna díb línaib, cona foltaib ocus a [m]brataib,

bhí siad araon fionn, idir fholt agus bhrat freisin;

both of them, fair, with their hair and eyelashes;

ocus it gilithir snechtae.

agus iad ar ghile an tsneachta.

and they are as bright as snow.

Rudiud roálaind fo grúad cechtar n-ae.

Luisne sárálainn ar ghrua ceachtar díobh.

A very lovely blush on the cheek of each of the twain.

Móethóclach etorro im-medón.

Maothóglach lár slí eatarthu.

A tender lad in the midst between them.

Bruth ocus gním ruirech lais ocus comarli senchad.

Díograis agus fuinneamh ruire ann agus comhairle seanchaí aige.

The ardour and energy of a king has he, and the counsel of a sage.

Brat atconnarc imbi, is cubés ocus céo cétamain.

Chonaic mé brat uime ar aon dul le ceo Lá Bealtaine.

The mantle I saw around him is even as the mist of Mayday.

Is [s]ain dath ocus écosc cacha húari tadbat fair:

Bíonn dath agus éagasc ar leith le feiceáil air gach uair *de lá*;

Diverse are the hue and semblance each moment shewn upon it.

áildiu cach dath alailiu.

áille gach dath ná a chéile.

Lovelier is each hue than the other.

Atcondarc roth n-óir isin brut ara bélaib, adcomaic húa smech có a imlind.

Chonaic mé roth óir ar an mbrat, ar a bhéala, a shroicheann ó smig go himlinn.

In front of him in the mantle I beheld a wheel of gold which reached from his chin to his navel.

IS cosmail fri túidlig n-óir forloscthi dath a fuilt.

Is cosúil le scáil óir fhorloiscthe dath a fhoilt.

The colour of his hair was like the sheen of smelted gold.

Di neoch atcondarc de delbaib betha

De neacha a chonaic mé de dhealbha betha,

Of all the world’s forms that I beheld,

is í delb as aldem díb.

a chruthsan is áille díobh.

this is the most beautiful.

Atcondarc a claideb n-órduirnd occo thís.

Chonaic mé a chlaíomh órdhoirn aige thíos.

I saw his golden-hilted glaive down beside him.

Ro bói airther láme din claidiub fria truaill anechtair.

Bhí fad lámhdhóide den chlaíomh ón truaill amach.

A forearm’s length of the sword was outside the scabbard.

A n-airther lámi sin

Maidir leis an lámhdhóid sin,

That forearm,

fer no bid i n-airthiur [nó i n-íarthar — Eg.] in tigi tís

fear a bheadh thíos i dtosach an tí,

a man down in the front of the house

cébad frigit fri foscod in claidib.

thógfadh sé ceann de fhríd faoi scáth an chlaímh.

could see a fleshworm by the shadow of the sword.

Is binni[u] bindfogrogod in claidib

Is binne binnfhoghrú an chlaímh

Sweeter is the melodious sounding of the sword

oldas bindfogur na cuslend n-ordae fochanat céol isind rígthig.”

ná binnfhoghrú na gcuisleann órga a chanann ceol sa rítheach.”

than the melodious sound of the golden pipes that accompany music in the palace.”

. . .

. . .

. . .

Samailte let, a Fir rogain, cía ro cháchain in laid sin.”

Cia leis is cosúil, a Fhir Roghain, an té a chan an laoi sin.”

Liken thou, O Fear Roghain, him who has sung that lay.”

“Ni anse damsa a samail,” for Fer Rogain:

“Ní ansa domsa a shamhail *a aithint*,” arsa Fear Roghain.

“Easy for me to liken him”, says Fear Roghain.

“ní ‘ésce cen ríg’ ón immorro:

“Ní ‘coimhlint gan rí’ é seo iomorra:

“No ‘conflict without a king’ this indeed.

is é rí as anem ocus as ordnidem ocus as cháinem ocus as chumachtom

is é sin an rí is glórmhaire, is onóraí, is caoine, agus is cumhachtaí

He is the most splendid and noble and beautiful and mighty king

thánic i ndomon uli.

a tháinig isteach sa domhain uile.

that has come into the whole world.

Is hé rí as bláthem ocus as mínem ocus as becda dodánic

Is é an rí is cneasta, is míne agus is uirísle a tháinig

He is the mildest and gentlest and most perfect king that has come to it,

.i. Conaire Mór mac Etersceóil,

.i. Conaire Mór mac Eadarscéil;

even Conaire Mór son of Eadarscéal.

is é fil and, ardri Herend uli.

eisean atá ann, ardrí Éireann uile.

’Tis he that is overking of all Ireland.

Nicon fil locht and isind fir sin,

Níl locht san fhear sin

There is no defect in that man,

eter chruth ocus deilb ocus dechelt,

idir chruth agus dheilbh agus shlacht,

whether in form or shape or vesture:

eter méit ocus chórae ocus c[h]utrummae,

idir mhéid agus chóracht agus chothroime,

whether in size or fitness or proportion,

e(ter) rosc ocus folt ocus gili,

idir rosc agus fholt agus ghile,

whether in eye or hair or brightness,

eter gáis ocus álaig ocus erlabrae,

idir ghaois agus bhéas agus urlabhra,

whether in wisdom or skill or eloquence,

eter arm ocus eirriud ocus écosc,

idir arm agus éide agus éagasc,

whether in weapon or dress or appearance,

eter ani ocus immud ocus ordan,

idir ghlóir agus fhlúirse agus ordan,

whether in splendour or abundance or dignity,