Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 16

Dun Crimthaind

  1. Well I fared on a glorious adventure
    from the assembly in
    [...]
    cold Usnech    ;
    much sea and much land were traversed
    by the king's son, on that gallant journey.
  2. 5] I went on a way, a track not rapid,
    through the deceitful wiles of women,
    into the land that ocean encloses,
    which has a white wall of pure silver.
  3. I happened on a host
    10] over the cheek of glorious Mag Eolairg;
    thrice nine fifties, kings thrice nine,
    that was their number in their muster.
  4. I brought away the horned polished beaker
    of Tuathal across the salt of the ocean-road;
    15] thrice nine draughts, that was its content,
    he pressed from a single grain, — goodly its metal.
  5. I brought the chess-board of white-skinned Guaire
    from the waves of ocean, with numbers of exploits;
    there was not found under heaven a treasure to surpass it,
    20] wherein are three hundred bright gems.

    6. p.123

  6. I brought the shirt of fierce Lug
    to my country from the water of the Irish sea;
    all of refined red gold,
    that was inwoven7 from bridle to head.
  7. 25] I brought the fierce flashing sword
    of Congal, author of dreadful havoc;
    it was a treasure of the kings of Inis Fail,
    a hundred golden snakes along its blade.
  8. I brought a shield that was Daire Derg's
    30] from the field where spear-casts wounded men: —
    thrice nine arrows of pale silver
    round the rim wrought by the graver's tool.
  9. I brought the old spear of Mac Da Dend
    with his head — it was no bloody trophy;
    35] from sunrise to sunset is none
    would know of what wood is its shaft.
  10. I brought the brooch of swift Labraid
    son of Aed Abrat, after battle;
    thrice nine gems of carbuncle, set in rows
    40] were ranged upon it in its centre8.
  11. I brought the two hounds of Canu the musical;
    it was no idle man's work that broke them;
    worth a hundred couples over sea
    was the white chain that was on them.

    12. p.125

  12. 45] I brought the stone, with its polished chain,
    of Tuathal mac Smail — pleasant possession;
    the bottom set with rings of pale metal,
    with woven chains down its side.
  13. I brought the sling of Mac Da Des —
    50] perfect the work, only for death;
    there is not between earth and heaven
    one fit to praise him, pure of soul.9
  14. I brought also the tinder-box of Fiachu's henchman: —
    it was the debt of a steadfast man, a head across his back:
    55] this was its
    [...]
    for a man,
    a green splinter, a sliver of thick-leaved holly.
  15. I brought the horse-whip with thirty strands
    of Ruadri Ruad of the famous royal house;
    with its strands in twisted plaits
    60] from the plant that is shining white as the sun.
  16. There came upon us many a furious warrior
    on every field in noble Erin;
    during our night at Druim Da Roth
    weeping and woe subdued us.
  17. 65] In Bend Etair of the terrible conflicts,
    which the sea visits in its shining ways,
    there is a stronghold whose famous breakwater
    is the great wall of Lugaid's son, fit for story.

    18. p.127

  18. Many a mighty chariot have I broken,
    70] I have gained silver and gold;
    not false is all this but true,
    on a kingly adventure well I fared.

    19. p.129