Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 56
Sliab n-Echtga II
- Fair, fair is noble Echtge,
the home of the grim-bladed warriors,
the ground where the sons of Erc used to dwell,
the place of Dublaithe near Dergderc:
- 5] A notable place of Echtga, Oenach Find,
if there were leisure I could tell of it:
there never was before me, there shall not be after me,
any man better versed in the account thereof.
- Famous were two women who desired it,
10] who used to frequent the rugged mountain,
Echtge daughter of strong Dedad,
and Echtach daughter of Lodan.
- Though the smooth mountain be named
from Echtge, daughter of Dedad,
15] whatever title was called after her,
the mountain's name is Sliab Echtaige.
- Barrier of the bloody battles,
frontier of the hundred-slaying companies:
a bold pack of hounds used to penetrate it
20] with their rough-brown squadrons.
- The abode which was contested yonder
by Clann Gairb of the Tuatha De Danann
the strong place where settled Dolb Drennach,
where the piper Crochan used to dwell.
p.307
- 25] Crochan of Cruachu's bands
sallied on an unlucky foray:
he fell by the hand of Dolb son of Dailem,
who gained a victory and a vaunt.
- There settled valiant Dolb,
30] on the spot of the great slaying:
from the head he bore off in his hand,
thence comes the name Cend Crochain.
- Caille Candain, Clochar Guill,
Ross Da Corr, and Druim Dicuill,
35] Druim Cairn, Druim Crochain, Druim Cais,
Druim Bainb, Druim Lochan Leth-glais,
- Loch Greine (Grian was Find's daughter),
Loch Ibrach in Ibar-glend,
the loch by which Trom Torach settled,
40] over which the raucous heron cries,
- Loch Cipp, Loch Cori, Loch Cno,
Loch Bricc, Loch Bairchi, Loch Bo,
Loch na mBarc, at Both in Mail,
Loch Eitte, Loch Ethludain,
- 45] Loch ind Eich, Loch ind Aige,
Loch na Druad, Loch na Daime,
Loch Laig, Loch na Fer Fuinid,
Loch Nechtain, Loch Athguinig.
- Ath na hOirgne, Ath na nOss,
Ath na nDam, my two doors
50] Ath Dergmona, Ath Dega,
Ath Aithlessa ind Feindeda.
p.309
- Ath na hEigme, Ath na nOc,
Ath na Raite itir Da Rot,
55] Ath Ruba, Ath Roiss Murchon,
Ath Dimma maic Edlicon,
- Ath ind Escrai, Ath Uidir
Ath Mor, Ath Mothair Muinig,
Ath in Mil, Ath na Meirge,
60] Ath Luinge, Ath Leth-dergge,
- Ath na Licce, Ath in Luain,
the havoc of Ath Callain northward,
Ath Feda, Ath Ferta in Daill,
Ath Lethan, Lechta Conaill,
- 65] South thereof Caille Conrui,
against which the young men displayed their feats of force:
Caille Natfraich was its name thenceforth,
till Oengus Tirech possessed it:
- Its third name in after days,
70] after battles, after combats,
was Caille Lugdach, from the red-sworded warrior,
the fierce hero, Lugaid Lam-derg.
- The might of the young men extending from southward,
Find the poet prince had foretold it:
75] "The reaving shall be wrought by Connaught,
though Munstermen enjoy the spoil."
- Towards Leth Cuinn lies the smooth side of the mountain
of noble rugged Echtga,
and its rough side, till the mighty Doom,
80] is turned to great Leth Moga Nuadat.
p.311
- I have praised Dal Cais of the hundreds,
I have found no occasion to reproach its men,
thy Dal Cais, that trains the poets,
where I used to see none ungenerous.
- 85] Once on a time I, Fland, was light of heart,
when I was on the road to the noble clans:
I found not in glorious Banba
a people superior in clemency and prowess.
- A man of theirs happened to meet me
90] northward in Mag Find of Tir Mane:
he was on hire for an easy year,
earning one cow and one cloak.
- He said to me, in his wisdom,
"Chant me the lore of my people:
95] sweet is it to my heart to hear."
He bought the work without bargain.
- Thereupon I chant him the lay:
it chanced that he was not displeased therewith
all he had earned, it was no scanty phrase
100] he gave it me all together.
- The just Dal Cais heard of it:
he gained honour in their assembly:
they gave him the bright scions
ten cows for every quarter.
- 105] Scarcity of vesture or food was never heard of
in the Dal Cais or their king:
that friendly line, as has been heard,
can never be brought to wretchedness.
- Arise and declare to Brian,
110] whether near, or soon, or far,
he shall not fall without a battle
until his gift of life, allotted span be accomplished.
p.313
- He shall be high-king over martial Erin
hide it not from him, O Ilbrechtach:
115] there hears not music, there buys not today
any king that has fairer possessions.
- Speak to MacCoscraig in the north,
to the stag that won Tuaim Doss-glan:
let him shun the far-famed Cuil,
120] or he shall be plunged in wretchedness.
- Tadc mac Faelan, prince of noble Fal,
Corr Buide and Cend Gecain,
bore away from me my share of sin;
they slew me foully.
- 125] Well did Christ, who loved me, ordain
the murder they committed:
I am in the portion of the King of Crosses:
they are deprived of happiness.
- I was Fland, the ardent poet;
130] kings were once submissive to my high command
though I was a guide, I was not weak:
learned and fortunate was I.
- Ciaran is chief of all saints under heaven,
save only the great Father among his folk:
135] I was chief of the sweet-voiced bards,
who were served by poesy, noble and fortunate.
p.315