Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 6
Mide
- Mide, place of the eager steeds,
the road whereon Art the Solitary used to be
the lowland full of the splendour of Lugaid ...
the level ground of the clan of Conn and Cobthach.
- 5] Whence is the name of Meath given to the plain?
to the heritage of the seed of Conn the Hundred Fighter?
what pure bold scion (bright the honour),
what warrior was it whence it got its naming?
- Mide it was, the ardent son of Brath
10] the host-leading son of Deaith;
for he kindled a mystic fire
above the race of Nemed, seizer of hostages.
- Seven years good ablaze
was the fire, it was a sure truce:
15] so that he shed the fierceness of the fire for a time
over the four quarters of Erin.
- So that it is in return for this fire in truth
(it is not a rash saying, it is not a falsehood)
that he (Mide and his descendants) has a right by a perpetual bargain
20] over every chief hearth of Erin.
- So the right belongs to the gentle heir
of the plain of Mide mirthful and bright;
even a measure of fine meal with a white pig
for every rooftreee in Erin.
p.45
- 25] And they said (no small grief it was),
the druids of Erin all together,
"It is an ill smoke was brought to us eastward:
it has brought an ill mood to our mind."
- Then Mide the untiring assembled
30] the druids of Erin into one house,
and cut their tongues (a harsh presage)
out of the heads of the strong and noble druids.
- And he buried them under the earth
of Uisnech in mighty Mide,
35] and sat him down over their tongues,
he, the chief seer and his chief shanachie.
- Gaine daughter of pure Gumor,
nurse of mead-loving Mide,
surpassed all women though she was silent;
40] she was learned and a seer and a chief druid.
- And Gaine said with lamentation,
before Mide of the great victory,
"It is over somewhat our house was built,
and hence shall Uisnech be named."
- 45] Uisnech and mighty Mide
from which Erin of the red weapons is held,
according as polished learning relates7,
hence is derived its story.
- Guard, O God, Aed ua Carthaig
50] from hell with all its storms,
God enjoining his clear protection
on the mead-loving king of Meath.
p.47